The Wicked System: Path of the Devourer Chapter 17 The Ghost Child

Returning downstairs, Uncle Chen sat cross-legged, pondering something. Director Yang beside him was very respectful and didn't dare interrupt. Seeing him still there, Lin Guoxiong frowned and asked, "Director Yang, aren't you going back to rest?"

Normally he would definitely be very polite, but with such a thing happening now, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it shook the foundations of the Lin family. Before handling it properly, he didn't have the mood to care about this spectator, and even felt annoyed just looking at him.

Director Yang chuckled hehe and said, "My luck hasn't been good lately. I wanted to ask Uncle Chen for some guidance."

Lin Guoxiong gritted his teeth and said, "Director Yang, a major incident has happened in our Lin family now. I'm afraid Uncle Chen doesn't have the energy to give guidance at the moment. Let's wait for an opportunity later to have him look at your situation."

Director Yang hurriedly said, "Don't be like that, Boss Lin. It wasn't easy for me to get this opportunity, so please trouble Uncle Chen to help."

As Lin Guoxiong was holding a belly full of fire and about to lose his temper, Uncle Chen opened his eyes, looked at Director Yang, and said, "Mr. Yang here, the Yintang between your eyebrows is black and a dark mark covers the top of your head. You have indeed hit a streak of bad luck. It looks like you've provoked some evil spirit."

Upon hearing this, Director Yang said excitedly, "Uncle Chen is truly divine. I haven't been feeling well lately, and I keep having nightmares feeling like a ghost is crushing me in bed. Since you've seen the problem, please help me..."

Before he could finish, Uncle Chen said thoughtfully, "There is no destiny between you and me. Pardon my bluntness, but you should seek a better expert."

As soon as these words came out, Director Yang's face flushed red with anger. Lin Guoxiong also issued an order to evict the guest: "Director Yang, you heard him. This matter of destiny is also very subtle. You should seek a better expert."

"Fine, fine. I refuse to believe that in all of Binhai City, you, Uncle Chen, are the only one who understands these tricks of the trade."

Director Yang felt he had lost face. With a dark expression, he flicked his sleeves and left. Originally, he wanted to go back to his room and vent his frustration on that slut, but his mind suddenly flashed back to the unremarkable youth from just now.

Right, I can look for that youth. Even Uncle Chen was respectful to him. Isn't this a ready-made alternative expert?

In the office, Lin Guoxiong said with a heavy expression, "Uncle Chen, he promised to help us restore the Fengshui layout tomorrow night. There shouldn't be any complications, right?"

"There shouldn't be."

Uncle Chen hesitated for a moment and sighed, "To be honest, even if he didn't agree tonight, I had no way of doing anything to him. If he started a massacre, let alone saving others, I wouldn't even be able to protect myself."

"Uncle Chen, aren't you exaggerating a bit?" The more Lin Guoxiong heard, the more his guilty conscience grew.

Uncle Chen smiled bitterly: "Don't think this old man is alarmist. The fact that that guy could completely break my master's Life and Death layouts is terrifying enough. What's even more terrifying is that before securing the golden seal to break the layout, he actually managed to deceive heaven and cross the sea, bringing a wild ghost into this array under the radar, and even forcibly having that wild ghost possess the security guard."

"Just this point alone is something my master couldn't match even if he returned to life. His cultivation can be said to be unfathomably profound. In all my years of cultivating the Dao, this old man has never heard of such terrifying methods."

Lin Guoxiong couldn't help but ask, "Uncle Chen, but he's so young, looking like he's just in his early twenties. How could he possibly have such powerful cultivation?"

"That's just the surface. Perhaps his cultivation has reached a certain level and he has regained his youth. Exactly how old he really is remains unknown."

"Or perhaps..." Uncle Chen gritted his teeth and said, "He is a grandmaster Evil Cultivator. When his life ended naturally, he used a great divine ability to deceive heaven and cross the sea, seizing the body of that youth. Looking at this person's style of doing things, the latter is more likely."

"Fuck, is that even possible?" Lin Guoxiong felt a chill run down his spine. Wouldn't that mean he was an immortal old monster?

"The price of seizing a body is very high, even more terrifying than the legendary ascension to immortality. One must endure heavenly punishment beyond ordinary imagination. For him to not even fear this only shows the formidability of this old monster has reached a level I cannot imagine."

As Uncle Chen spoke, he stood up and sighed, "I will head back first!"

"Uncle Chen, aren't you going to stay and help?" Hearing this, Lin Guoxiong panicked and hurriedly tried to make him stay, "Even though he's willing to help us restore it, whether it's true or false still requires your judgment."

Uncle Chen decisively shook his head and said with a bitter smile, "Guoxiong, the actions of experts are always unfathomably profound. And when they are casting spells, they hate it the most when people point fingers from the sidelines. I'm afraid that keeping me here might enrage him. What's more, regarding the Life and Death layouts of the Golden Seal on Paper, I only know how to maintain them. After they are broken, as for repairing them, I am completely clueless. Even if I stay here, I won't be of much help."

"Uncle Chen, do you have any more instructions?"

Thinking about how that boy with the harmless smile could be a terrifying monster, Lin Guoxiong's heart pounded wildly. He was a ruthless figure who navigated both the lawful and the criminal worlds, but even he was terrified of such bizarre, paranormal matters.

After deliberating, Uncle Chen said, "Consider this your destiny as well. Remember, you absolutely must not enrage him. That person's behavior is overbearing and domineering; he is definitely not from a righteous orthodox sect. With his abilities, he likely doesn't lack methods to take a life from a thousand miles away."

"Take a life from a thousand miles away?? Is it really that exaggerated?" The more Lin Guoxiong heard, the more mystical it sounded.

Uncle Chen thought for a moment: "Perhaps it's a bit exaggerated. But messing with the Life platter around your mansion, turning it into a haunted house that evil spirits flock to and making you die an unnatural death—that would be an effortless task."

Hearing this, Lin Guoxiong broke into a cold sweat and pledged solemnly, "Rest assured, Uncle Chen. I will absolutely not enrage him."

"Hm, look out for yourself."

In the best presidential suite on the top floor of the Tianlong Grand Hotel. Coming to such a high-end place for the first time, Zhang Wenbin was initially full of enthusiasm. There was a KTV room, a small conference room, and the like.

The massive living room was resplendent, and there was even a piano; one could say it was absolutely pushing the prestige level to its maximum.

Looking left and right, after a while Zhang Wenbin also felt bored. Choosing the largest master bedroom, he took a shower, experienced the jacuzzi, and then collapsed onto the soft, massive bed.

He checked the information just now. The gold price currently is over a hundred thousand for about a pound of the golden seal. He also didn't know how much money Lin Guoxiong would spend tomorrow to buy peace. The excitement of his first extortion was still there, unexpectedly making Zhang Wenbin a bit sleepless.

"Could it be that my fate is truly so cheap, losing sleep the moment I live a good life?"

Zhang Wenbin mocked himself and wanted to talk to the Godfather System for a bit, but alas, it was also asleep.

Just as he was counting sheep, the doorbell of the room was suddenly rung. Zhang Wenbin was a little groggy by now and felt extremely annoyed. He had clearly given instructions not to be disturbed. Was this Lin Guoxiong really fucking asking to die?

Full of anger from being woken up, Zhang Wenbin opened the door. Just as he was about to hurl a torrent of abuse, he found that the person outside was not Lin Guoxiong.

Yang Qiang smiled eagerly and said humbly, "Pardon the intrusion, Senior. You haven't gone to sleep yet, have you?"

Following beside him was the seductive woman he had brought tonight. With a tall and hot figure, dressed fashionably, anyone could tell she was at a model's level at first glance. Wearing alluring makeup, she indeed had quite some beauty.

The woman's eyes also lit up when she saw Zhang Wenbin. Initially, she was a bit dissatisfied that her sugar daddy told her to accompany another man. Although it wasn't her first time, every time before it had been a fat, middle-aged man. However, as long as there was money to be made, she didn't care.

Now, looking at Zhang Wenbin, not to mention how young he was, his muscular body was very masculine, not inferior in the slightest to those bodybuilders. More surprisingly, the bulging lump in the middle of his underwear was astonishing, making her can't help but wonder—if it was like this soft, how majestic would it be when hard?

For a muscular macho guy this handsome with such a great body, she would be very happy even if she didn't get paid and just treated it as a romantic encounter.

Zhang Wenbin just glanced at them, frowned, and asked, "Since you know you're disturbing my sleep, and without a valid reason, I could let you experience exactly what eternal rest means first."

Upon hearing this, Yang Xiong broke into a cold sweat and hurriedly said, "Senior misunderstands. How would this junior dare to offend you? It's just that I thought Senior had been tired out for a whole day. This goddaughter of mine's massage techniques are decent; she can serve Senior as you sleep tonight."

After saying that, that woman put on an appearance of pure innocence, looking at Zhang Wenbin generously yet staring with eyes burning with desire.

If it were in the past, a model beauty like this was something Zhang Wenbin wouldn't even dare to dream about. The money she made in one night was more than his monthly salary. Unless he was an honest man taking over the baggage, he would have no destiny with her in this lifetime.

However, influenced by the system, Zhang Wenbin's taste had become picky, and his standards for women had been raised a lot.

With just a glance, Zhang Wenbin sneered coldly: "This woman's eyebrows are scattered and her spirit is split; you probably haven't slacked on enjoying her. Letting me clean out your leftover pot—do you also want to try the taste of being possessed by a ghost?"

"No, no." Yang Xiong sweated profusely when he heard this, hurriedly driving the woman away, saying, "Didn't you hear him? Senior looks down on you. Hurry up and get lost."

Earlier, he had asked someone to find out which room Zhang Wenbin was staying in. Something happened at the hotel front desk—that possessed security guard had jumped off the roof.

Yang Xiong was scared silly. From the discussions around, he learned that another gambler had also died jumping off this spot before. The idea of wild ghosts finding a scapegoat existed in this world, making Yang Xiong feel creeped out.

The goddaughter couldn't quite maintain her dignity. Perhaps she had never been despised by a man like this before. She shot a fierce glare at Zhang Wenbin and left.

"Bringing this kind of rotten trash to me! I'm tired today and don't want to argue with you. Get lost."

Just as Zhang Wenbin was about to close the door, Yang Xiong suddenly knelt down, blocked the doorway, and cried, "Please abate your anger, Senior. This junior didn't mean to offend you, but I'm truly out of options and want to ask you for guidance."

"To get guidance, you should go find that little old man surnamed Chen. He's a righteous, achieved expert." Zhang Wenbin sneered coldly, "Seeking guidance from my Heretical Dao—I'm afraid the price is too high and you won't be able to afford it."

A chill struck Yang Xiong's heart, and ignoring his pride, he quickly kowtowed and said, "Senior is the true achieved expert. Compared to you, Uncle Chen is like an ant trying to outshine the sun and moon. This junior still has a little fortune and power. As long as Senior is willing to give guidance, I will definitely follow your lead and do whatever you say."

Still a bootlicker, huh. Truly not a decent person. However, decent people are exactly what Zhang Wenbin dislikes now.

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Wenbin opened the door and said, "Come in."

"Yes, yes. Thank you, Senior!" Learning this, Yang Xiong was overjoyed and followed him into the room.

Zhang Wenbin sat carelessly on the sofa. As soon as he took out a cigarette, Yang Xiong immediately took out a lighter and came over to light it. The movement was very skilled; he really was good material for a lackey.

After lighting the cigarette, Yang Xiong stood respectfully to the side with an extremely humble attitude. Seeing that the cigarettes Zhang Wenbin smoked cost 10 yuan a pack, he flattered, "Senior has really good taste. This brand is cheap but smells great. Compared to this, those fools who smoke Chunghwa or whatever are just doing it for show."

"I know this brand has a premium edition. If Senior doesn't mind, I'll bring you a few cartons later so you can try if the flavor suits you."

Truly good material to be a servant. Zhang Wenbin glanced at him and said, "Stop spewing nonsense and fart out what you want to."

"Yes, yes!"

With a bitter face, Yang Xiong said, "Senior, my luck has been very bad lately. Always losing when playing cards is a minor issue; business is also not going smoothly. When I sleep, I keep having nightmares. Every day I'm listless and my spirit is weak. Besides, my body feels uncomfortable everywhere."

"It'd be a miracle if you felt comfortable!"

Zhang Wenbin raised his hand, flicked a touch of cinnabar, and tapped it on his forehead: "Go look in the mirror and you'll know."

Bewildered, Yang Xiong walked to the mirror. One look and he was scared so badly he landed ass-first on the ground, his face instantly turning deathly pale.

On top of his head clung an infant. It looked like it had just been born and only weighed five or six pounds, but the skin all over its body was an eerie jet black. It was unmistakably a dead infant. At this moment, it was resting quietly as if sleeping in a mother's embrace.

Yang Xiong was so terrified he wet his pants. Reaching out, he tried to pull the thing down, only to find his hands passing right through, completely unable to touch the child.

With a pale face and legs too weak to stand, he quickly crawled to Zhang Wenbin's legs, kneeling, kowtowing and crying as he pleaded, "Senior, you absolutely must save me! Where did this dirty thing come from?!"

"It's just a little brat. What are you so scared of?" Zhang Wenbin yawned and said lightly, "Alright, since you know the reason, get lost. Don't disturb my sleep."

Hearing this, Yang Xiong hugged Zhang Wenbin's thigh tightly, tears falling down. "Senior, you absolutely must save my life! What exactly is this thing, and why, out of the blue, is it trying to hurt me?"

Zhang Wenbin kicked him away in disgust, cursing with a hint of fury, "Roll further away. Why should I save you?"

Yang Xiong hurriedly kowtowed, crying and pleading, "Senior, saving a life brings greater merit than building a seven-story pagoda! As long as you save my life, I'll be your beast of burden, I'll do anything!"

Zhang Wenbin chuckled coldly. "Leave those good deeds for the people of the righteous path to do. Being from the Heretical Dao, it's already good enough that I don't kick you while you're down. Also, you'd better piss in a puddle and look at your reflection. Not just any random cat or dog is qualified to be my domestic servant."

As Zhang Wenbin shifted his feet, Yang Xiong crawled to keep up with him, continuing to kowtow. "Senior, I truly deserve death. I am useless! I am trash! I didn't mean to offend you."

On the sofa table lay a few dozen yuan in loose change. That was Zhang Wenbin's entire net worth at the moment, which he had casually tossed there while taking off his clothes earlier.

Although Yang Xiong was scared witless, his mind was exceptionally sharp. Thinking of Zhang Wenbin's earlier action of taking the golden seal, he immediately shouted, "Senior, please just take me in as your domestic servant! This junior has a bit of capital. However much money it is, I can offer it as a tribute to Senior."

A sharp slap rang out crisply. For some reason, hearing these words filled Zhang Wenbin with explosive fury. He fiercely slapped Yang Xiong across the face, practically cursing out loud on instinct, "Stupid as a pig! Once a domestic slave, everything you have—your wife, your children, including your life—belongs to me. How dare you claim they're yours?"

These words were overbearingly arrogant. With his persistently high and mighty status, wherever Yang Xiong went, he was constantly flanked; even those wealthy bosses had to carefully heed his mood. When had he ever been slapped in the face like this?

However, Yang Xiong felt a surge of secret joy. Having collapsed to the side and completely disregarding the pain on his face, he quickly scrambled back to his knees. "Senior is completely right. I beg Senior to lower yourself and take me in as a domestic servant! My life, everything I have, is entirely Senior's."

"You said it yourself!" A vicious, ruthless smile appeared in Zhang Wenbin's eyes. With a raise of his hand, a streak of black light shot into Yang Xiong's forehead.

Yang Xiong was stunned. He clearly felt something but didn't know what it was. Raising his head, he looked at Zhang Wenbin with a bewildered gaze.

Zhang Wenbin sneered coldly and said, "This is a restriction. If you dare to disobey or betray me, then you can try a taste of a fate worse than death. I guarantee it will be more interesting than the little plaything on top of your head."

"I wouldn't dare. From now on... from now on, I am Master's domestic servant."

Upon hearing this, Yang Xiong broke into a cold sweat, realizing the person before him was definitely not kindhearted.

With a wave of Zhang Wenbin's hand, the dead infant on Yang Xiong's head flew into his palm. Examining it for a moment, Zhang Wenbin said, "Taking in this little thing is easy, but do you want to know who is trying to harm you?"

"Someone is trying to harm me?"

Yang Xiong's eyes widened, his inner panic and unease replaced by fury. He even hesitated for a moment whether he should have provoked this follower of the Heretical Dao, as this guy was clearly more terrifying than the filthy thing over his head.

With a smile, Zhang Wenbin placed the dead infant back on top of his head. "What do you think then? Raising this kind of ghost child is an exhausting and demanding endeavor; without a significant amount of wealth and energy, they couldn't possibly conjure one up. It's a dark art from the Nanyang region that requires a heavy sum of money to obtain. In modern terms, this is even an imported foreign good."

Yang Xiong was no longer afraid now, instead filled with towering rage. Wiping a tear of a grown man, his eyes turned completely red. He cupped his hands and said, "I implore Master to uphold justice for me! We must find out who is trying to harm me."

To raise a ghost child naturally required a Ghost Mother. This kind of thing required a woman's breast milk to feed, as well as some bizarre sinister objects. Perhaps he could even scavenge some good loot.

Zhang Wenbin suddenly found it quite interesting and smiled, "Get me some clothes. Let's go to your house to take a look first."

Yang Xiong was overjoyed. "Yes, yes, sorry for the trouble, Master."

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