Chapter 31: Children's Version (Revised)

Just as Yaoji was busy on the phone communicating with the organization's leader, Yang Xuan reopened the Yin Opera Performer System.

He spent a full 20,000 merit points to unlock a new possession: The Great Sage, Heaven's Equal (Child Version).

Although Yang Xuan hadn't intended to spend those 20,000 points initially, the system—the old rascal—had played a trick, promising that the Great Sage (Child Version) would absolutely be able to take down the Xihua Ghost King. With that guarantee from the system, Yang Xuan had proceeded with the exchange.

"You monster! How dare you come to my Flower-Fruit Mountain to cause such a ruckus?"

"It seems you have no regard for your own life!"

Yang Xuan moved with the rhythmic, stylized steps of an opera performer, pacing slowly toward the Xihua Ghost King.

Deep down, Yang Xuan was actually feeling quite uncertain. Ever since the exchange, he had realized that this "Great Sage (Child Version)" was, to put it bluntly, the version that had just emerged from Flower-Fruit Mountain. He possessed neither the Ruyi Jingu Bang nor the experience of wreaking havoc in the Heavenly Palace.

This worried Yang Xuan to no end. With nothing to his name, how was he supposed to fight?

As he was pondering this, the Xihua Ghost King lunged forward, aiming a heavy punch directly at Yang Xuan's chest.

"Boom!"

The punch landed with a heavy thud, kicking up a cloud of dust. Watching from the sidelines, Yaoji couldn't help but shut her eyes tight, unable to bear the sight. She knew that if she were to take a punch like that with her own mortal flesh, she would likely be pulverized into a pulp.

But when the dust settled, Yaoji’s jaw nearly hit the floor.

"Damn it! What on earth is going on?"

In the center of the fray, Yang Xuan stood perfectly upright, not having moved an inch. In contrast, the Xihua Ghost King was clutching his own fist and hopping in pain.

"Hmph, you monster! Don't you know that your Grandfather Sun is incarnated from stone?"

"With just that, you dare to challenge me?"

"I'll let you have three moves first!"

Provoked by Yang Xuan’s taunts, the Xihua Ghost King became even more incensed. He switched from fists to legs, lashing out with a kick at Yang Xuan’s body.

As the kick connected, the Xihua Ghost King immediately regretted it from the bottom of his heart. Not only did the kick fail to harm Yang Xuan in the slightest, but he had even sprained his own foot in the process.

"That wasn't enough, come again!"

"If you don't dare, then from now on, whenever you see your Grandfather Sun, you’d better address me with respect!"

While singing his opera lines, Yang Xuan was busy monitoring the attributes of the Great Sage (Child Version). The initial defense coefficient had been a mere 1,000, but after the "buff" from the Xihua Ghost King’s punch and kick, it had already reached 500.

In other words, this Great Sage (Child Version) was designed specifically to be a human punching bag that reflected damage back onto the attacker?

"Hell? Why does every deity the system unlocks for me match my own twisted nature?"

"Grandson! Come here!"

Twenty minutes later, the Xihua Ghost King lay on the ground, gasping for air. The monstrous form he had manifested shrunk away, reverting to his original state.

"Wah-ya-ya! You wicked creature, don't you dare run away!"

Yang Xuan took two steps forward and gave the Xihua Ghost King a kick. The ghost was so terrified he nearly burst into tears. Run away? Where could he run to? Not to mention his joints, even his muscles had been shocked and injured. How could he possibly move?

For twenty full minutes, the Xihua Ghost King had been beating Yang Xuan, but every punch and kick he threw felt as though he had hit himself instead.

"My lord! Please, have mercy!"

At this moment, the Xihua Ghost King abandoned all pretense of dignity. If he couldn't win even after manifesting his true form, what was the point of dignity?

"Wicked creature, do you know your crime?"

"Exactly! Do you know your crime?"

Hearing an extra voice join the interrogation, Yang Xuan turned his head and saw that the Huangquan Ghost King had stood up at some point. He was currently pointing a finger at the Xihua Ghost King, shouting indignantly.

"Get out!"

"If you speak again, I'll make you lie down too!"

Ending the possession, Yang Xuan returned to his original form and unleashed a torrent of abuse at the Huangquan Ghost King. What kind of person acts like a coward when it’s time to fight, but gets all puffed up with pride when it’s time to show off?

After being scolded by Yang Xuan, the Huangquan Ghost King wasn't angry at all. Instead, he lowered his head, cupped his hands in a salute, and spoke to Yang Xuan with extreme deference.

"Tai! Grandfather Sun, as you command!"

After finishing his sentence in an operatic tone, the Huangquan Ghost King began to back away.

"..."

For a moment, the entire scene fell silent. The Xihua Ghost King was silent, Yaoji was silent, and even Yang Xuan was silent.

At that moment, Yang Xuan understood a certain truth: a ghost’s name might be given in error, but a nickname is never wrong. "Dummy" was a perfect fit for the Huangquan Ghost King.

After the brief silence, Yang Xuan was the first to lash out, raining down a flurry of blows on the Huangquan Ghost King.

"You pretentious piece of work! I'll beat you to death! Let’s see if you keep putting on airs!"

Enough was enough! Everyone and every ghost present—even the trees and grass—felt an urge to finish off the Huangquan Ghost King. Yaoji, disregarding whether she could actually win against him, jumped in to scratch at him. Even the collapsed Xihua Ghost King trembled as he picked up a small, broken wooden stick from the side and used his last bit of strength to whack the Huangquan Ghost King on the head.

After venting his frustration, Yang Xuan reached out toward Yaoji’s chest. Yaoji instinctively dodged back, looking shy and coy.

"Can't you read the room? There are so many ghosts watching!"

Yang Xuan ignored her, continuing to reach forward until he pulled a pack of cigarettes from her breast pocket and lit one up.

"Xihua Ghost King, I think I understand now why you were so desperate to beat up the Huangquan Ghost King. Well done, keep it up next time!"

[System: Host has successfully beaten a Ghost King into submission. Would you like to capture him as a prisoner?]

Hmm? This thing can capture prisoners?

"Yes!"

[Acknowledged. The system has automatically deducted 50,000 merit points to exchange for the Immortal-Binding Rope.]

[Ghosts bound by this rope can be stored by the host within the system.]

"..."

Yang Xuan felt a bit frazzled. Why had the system started acting first and asking questions later? Deducting 50,000 merit points just like that? Was one Xihua Ghost King even worth 50,000 points? But since it was already done, what could he do? He could only try to minimize the loss.

"Bind!"

As Yang Xuan spoke, a rope appeared with expert efficiency, bound the Xihua Ghost King, and hauled him into the system. As he was being sucked in, the Xihua Ghost King looked completely bewildered.

"What is the meaning of this? Didn't you just say there would be a next time? Damned human, you don't keep your word!"

Before the Xihua Ghost King could finish, Yang Xuan started lecturing him.

"One more word out of you, and I’ll lock you in with the Huangquan Ghost King!"

At these words, the Xihua Ghost King fell instantly silent.

Watching this, Yang Xuan looked at the Huangquan Ghost King with a strange idea. Since the Huangquan Ghost King was so dim-witted and so incredibly irritating, wouldn't he be a form of cruel psychological torture if used on other disobedient ghosts?

The Huangquan Ghost King looked at Yang Xuan, who was smirking at him, and his mouth twitched.

"My lord, you aren't looking at me with... romantic interest, are you?"

"Go to hell!"

After settling everything, Yang Xuan turned to Yaoji.

"Remember, don't tell anyone about what happened here, including the organization's leader! Otherwise, hehehe..."

Yaoji shivered, well aware of Yang Xuan’s methods.