Seeking Wealth and Honor Amid Danger**
"Uh… Jingfeng, let me take a closer look at that thing."
Ning Chen's heart stirred. He waved his hand casually and spoke with a smiling squint.
"Huh? Go ahead, take a look."
Jingfeng didn't think much of it and handed the marriage contract to Ning Chen.
With two families united in marriage,
A single hall bears witness to the vow.
A destined bond, eternally joined,
A perfect match, equal in name and standing.
On this auspicious day, peach blossoms blaze in glory,
A union fit for home and household.
May future years bring endless descendants,
Prosperity and flourishing fortune.
With solemn intent, we pledge a bond unto old age,
Recorded upon the phoenix register.
Let the covenant of red leaves stand as proof,
Inscribed clearly within the mandarin ledger.
Hereby certified!
After opening the contract, Ning Chen read it with considerable interest.
He had to admit—it looked surprisingly legit.
The only problem was that the document listed only the bride's name:
Liu Yiyi.
There was even a fingerprint seal.
As for the groom's name—
It was obscured by a blot of blood, impossible to make out.
"I'm telling you," Jingfeng said seriously,
"This Ghost King definitely has some unspeakable objective."
"The marriage contracts are just a smokescreen."
"Once a ghost cultivates into a Ghost King, it's a calamity-level existence."
"Wiping out an entire city overnight wouldn't even be an exaggeration!"
"And a grudge bride Ghost King at that?"
"Just thinking about it feels insane…"
"If some poor bastard really gets targeted by her…"
He shook his head, sighed, and lit a cigarette.
"Then all he can do is pray for his own good fortune."
But just as his words fell—
Ning Chen suddenly noticed that the marriage contract in his hand emitted a blinding red glow.
"Holy shit!"
"Brother Ning—what the hell are you doing?!"
Jingfeng's face turned deathly pale as he cursed and lunged forward, reaching for the contract.
But in the next instant—
A streak of crimson ghostly energy blasted out of the contract, sending him flying backward.
Hongdou's expression changed dramatically.
Ghostly energy surged from her body as she instantly condensed it into a massive yin hand, grabbing for the contract—
Only for the red energy to shatter it instantly, forcing her back.
Another wave of ghostly power shoved her several steps away.
Ning Chen was just as stunned.
Before he could react, the marriage contract ripped itself from his grasp, floating midair.
The bloodstain covering the groom's name began to writhe like a living thing.
Then—
Two massive characters formed in blood-red script:
Ning Chen.
In the next moment, the contract transformed into a crimson streak of light and merged directly into Ning Chen's body.
Ning Chen: "...…"
...
"G–Gongzi!"
Hongdou, pale with panic, flew to Ning Chen's side and anxiously checked him over.
"Don't worry. I'm fine."
Ning Chen held her hand and shook his head.
But as he listened to the system notifications echoing in his ears, his expression grew… complicated.
Ding! Detected Ghost King Marriage Contract attempting to bind Host.
Congratulations, Host has triggered a choice!
1. Prioritize survival — Reject the contract immediately!
(Note: The system can help erase the marriage contract.)
2. Seek wealth and honor amid danger — Accept the contract!
Reward: Perception-Shielding Card ×1
Perception-Shielding Card: Can conceal the aura of the marriage contract for two months.
(Note: Fortune favors the bold! Gamble once—perhaps you'll gain a stunning, high-value Ghost King wife!)
Note: The marriage contract includes an identification and tracking system!
Host's birth data perfectly matches Ghost King Liu Yiyi.
She has already set her sights on you!
...
Good grief!
An identification and tracking system?
That's… pretty damn advanced!
So all those marriage contracts scattered everywhere—
They were just to find him?
This was… sudden.
Staring at the two system options, Ning Chen couldn't help but sigh.
There were too many unknowns.
First—he had no idea what Liu Yiyi looked like.
And Ning Chen was, without question, a looks guy.
Second—just like Jingfeng said, the marriage contracts were likely a cover.
Becoming a Ghost King was never simple.
But—
If she really was a pure, drop-dead gorgeous Ghost King sincerely looking for a husband…
Wouldn't that be a massive win?
Ning Chen didn't deny it.
His heart stirred.
And more importantly—
The system was offering a Perception-Shielding Card.
Two full months where she couldn't find him.
In that time, as long as his strength increased enough—
What did he have to fear?
Then—
Screw it.
Let's do it!
Gamble once.
Win big, profit massively.
...
"Motherf—! Brother Ning, you still alive?!"
Jingfeng's shout snapped Ning Chen back to reality.
Turning around, he saw Jingfeng crawling out of a nearby shop, covered in dust.
"You're the one who almost died."
Ning Chen rolled his eyes, lit a cigarette, and cursed.
"So what the hell just happened?!"
Jingfeng rushed over, panic all over his face.
After hearing the explanation, his expression changed drastically.
"This is insane!"
"How the hell is it possible that your birth data matches hers exactly?!"
"Let me think—let me think!"
He paced back and forth, then slapped his thigh.
"Got it!"
"Brother Ning, come back to Celestial Masters' Manor with me!"
"Huh?"
"If you stay at the manor, even a high-tier Ghost King wouldn't dare cause trouble!"
"If she dares show up, my master will rip her head off and kick it like a ball!"
Looking at his deadly serious face, Ning Chen's eye twitched.
"No."
"You want me hiding in Celestial Masters' Manor for the rest of my life?"
Jingfeng fell silent.
"…You're not wrong."
"But don't worry," Ning Chen said with a grin.
"Who knows—maybe Liu Yiyi just genuinely wants a compatible husband?"
"That's impossible!" Jingfeng shook his head violently.
"That's a Ghost King!"
"Smiling guys tend to have good luck."
Ning Chen laughed, flicking a cigarette his way.
"And besides—I've got a way to suppress the contract for two months."
"Maybe in two months, I'll be strong enough to hard-counter a Ghost King."
He exhaled a smoke ring, his smile growing brighter.
Jingfeng stared at him.
Then sighed deeply.
"If you can hard-counter a Ghost King in two months…"
"I'll rip my own head off and let you kick it like a ball."
Ning Chen saying he could suppress the contract?
That, Jingfeng believed.
But two months to challenge a Ghost King?
That was pure fantasy.
Still, Jingfeng treated it as Ning Chen psyching himself up.
"Well, fine."
"I owe you a favor anyway."
"I'll try to steal something life-saving from my master for you."
Ning Chen's eyes lit up.
"That'd be awkward, wouldn't it?"
"So… when will you bring it over?"
Of course he wanted it.
Something stolen from the Old Celestial Master?
Only an idiot would refuse.
...