Note: Don't Forget to join my Pãtreon/flokixy to get access to +20 Advance Chapters or unlock the full story from the shop support so I can bring more Chapters for you
"I mentioned three cases. The first two have no clues and are extremely dangerous."
The only one Zhao Fusheng could easily tackle was the ghost case in Beggars' Alley.
"So, the ghost case in Beggars' Alley is her only current option."
Zhao Fusheng had shown ambition to control the Demon Suppression Division. Due to the Fan brothers, her parents had died. Having been revived, she didn't trust the two and knew they wouldn't willingly accompany her, nor could she bring two people with malicious intent by her side.
Apart from suppressing the reanimated corpses of Mr. and Mrs. Zhao, the matter in Beggars' Alley was Zhao Fusheng's first time handling such a ghost disaster.
She didn't trust the Fan brothers, so she would definitely send them away.
"..."
Fan Wujiu was speechless. Fan Bisi also paused for a moment, finally sighing:
"This matter now is a test for us from her, and also an opportunity for us."
The extraordinary calmness and decisiveness Zhao Fusheng displayed when dealing with Mr. and Mrs. Zhao's corpses made Fan Bisi see her in a new light, believing that this person could truly control the Demon Suppression Division of Wan'an County.
"If she can handle the Beggars' Alley case just as well, even if we don't go to Baozhi County, it's acceptable to follow her—"
Conversely, because he and his brother had previously offended Zhao Fusheng, sending Mr. and Mrs. Zhao's corpses to Baozhi County this time was also a gesture of allegiance.
If they could accomplish this task and return intact, it would not only verify their abilities but also express their determination and remorse.
"Fusheng said that once we finish this, all past grievances will be wiped clean—"
As Fan Bisi spoke to this point, Fan Wujiu couldn't help but ask:
"Brother, what if Zhao Fusheng dies? Dies in Beggars' Alley?"
No one knew better than them how terrifying it was to deal with malevolent ghosts.
Two generations of ghost tamers in the Zhao family had died. People who controlled ghosts were inherently short-lived, and dealing with ghosts only accelerated the process of death.
"If she dies, we proceed according to the original plan." Fan Bisi said coldly:
"We'll find someone else to take over as the head of the Demon Suppression Division. It will just take more effort. We won't go to Baozhi County; we'll just find another place to go."
Hearing him say this, Fan Wujiu knew he had made up his mind.
The two brothers were extremely close, so he said no more and began to help his brother dismantle the cart.
"Then let's hurry. I hope this journey goes smoothly."
Fan Bisi's gaze softened, and he replied gently:
"I'll listen to you."
He glanced in the direction Zhao Fusheng had left, his eyes complex, before finally lowering his head and concentrating on the task at hand.
...
Meanwhile, Zhao Fusheng left as soon as she said she would. After handing over Mr. and Mrs. Zhao's corpses to Fan Bisi, she didn't stay to observe the aftermath.
She believed Fan Bisi was a smart man and knew how to make the right choice.
Zhao Fusheng retraced her steps. When she returned to the street where the Demon Suppression Division's yamen was located, she happened to see Old Zhang from the coffin shop hurriedly locking his door.
While locking the door, he was also looking around furtively.
This street was desolate and bleak; one could see from one end to the other at a glance.
After Zhang Chuanshi finished looking at one side of the street and turned to the other, he saw Zhao Fusheng returning.
She didn't know how long she had been standing there; his earlier furtive glances had long fallen into her eyes.
"You..."
He was so startled that he almost dropped the keys in his hand, his face full of horror:
"Weren't you attending the funeral?"
For the burial of Mr. and Mrs. Zhao's remains, Zhao Fusheng, as their daughter, should naturally have accompanied them all the way.
He had personally seen Zhao Fusheng leave with the procession, but he hadn't expected that in such a short time, she would actually return here.
"I suddenly remembered I have other important matters—"
Zhao Fusheng smiled at him, pretending to ask casually:
"Old Zhang, where are you planning to go?"
From what she recalled, this coffin shop never closed. Today was quite a coincidence; her parents had just been carried out for burial, and Zhang Chuanshi was already closing up shop.
Could he be planning to run away?
The moment this thought entered Zhao Fusheng's mind, she immediately denied it: Impossible!
She had half-threatened, half-forced Zhang Chuanshi to join the Demon Suppression Division. Fan Bisi had said that once one's name was entered into the Soul Life Register, they would be bound by the Ghost Language, making escape impossible.
Even if Zhang Chuanshi had Paper Figurine Zhang backing him, he couldn't break free from the shackles of his life soul; he couldn't run.
Since he couldn't run, could it be that he wanted to pass news of the Demon Suppression Division to Paper Figurine Zhang, hoping he would come to his rescue?
But what secrets did the current Demon Suppression Division have worth spreading? The matter of her own death and resurrection? Him being forced into the Demon Suppression Division?
—Or was it that today in the Demon Suppression Division, Mr. and Mrs. Zhao had reanimated as malevolent ghosts, nearly causing a ghost disaster?
Thinking of this, a dark glint flashed in her eyes, followed by a smile:
"Are you planning to find Paper Figurine Zhang?"
"That's not..." Old Zhang first subconsciously replied, then seeing the understanding smile in Zhao Fusheng's eyes, he instantly felt annoyed:
"Really not, I have other things to do."
His bald forehead quickly gleamed with oil. His interactions with Zhao Fusheng today had left a deep shadow in his heart.
Zhang Chuanshi was still racking his brains trying to find an excuse to dismiss Zhao Fusheng's question when Zhao Fusheng waved her hand:
"If not, then forget it. Regardless of whether you're looking for him or not, I need to find him now. You two are relatives, so you take me."
"I'm not looking for him, I have no business with him—" Zhang Chuanshi subconsciously shook his head, but upon hearing the latter part, his whole body trembled:
"What?"
Zhao Fusheng noted his reaction, but she had urgent matters at hand and was temporarily unwilling to pursue Zhang Chuanshi's actions. She smiled and repeated:
"I have something to discuss with Paper Figurine Zhang. He's your nephew, so it's perfect for you to take me there."
"I won't—" Zhang Chuanshi finally understood her request, his face instantly turning bitter, and he waved his hands desperately:
"My relationship with him isn't deep. We just share the same surname. I was overestimating myself, trying to claim kinship. He doesn't even acknowledge me."
He remembered what Zhao Fusheng had said when she threatened him earlier: Paper Figurine Zhang had caused her death. Even if he didn't seek revenge on her, she would seek revenge on Paper Figurine Zhang.
Zhang Chuanshi guessed: Could it be that after Zhao Fusheng became a ghost tamer, she remembered past events, gritted her teeth in hatred, and now wanted to settle scores with Paper Figurine Zhang immediately?
At this thought, he regretted bringing up Paper Figurine Zhang at that time.
Paper Figurine Zhang was ruthless and his methods were bizarre. If he found out that he had betrayed him and caused him trouble, even if Zhao Fusheng couldn't kill him today, he would definitely kill him.
Zhang Chuanshi was both flustered and annoyed. He cupped his hands in a salute, begging pitifully:
"Lord Zhao, please be kind. I really have no connection with Paper Figurine Zhang. I've already been forced into the Demon Suppression Division, and my life is already hard to control. Can you spare me—"
"What are you talking about?"
Zhao Fusheng watched him calmly. Seeing his miserable expression, she suddenly pretended to have an epiphany:
"You don't think I'm going to settle scores with him and you're afraid he'll blame you, do you?"
Zhang Chuanshi didn't speak, but his large face showed a questioning look as if to say, 'Isn't that it?'
Zhao Fusheng patted his shoulder:
"Of course not."
"Once you entered the Demon Suppression Division, we became colleagues who share weal and woe. How could I possibly harm you?" As she spoke, she patted her waist:
"I want to handle a ghost case, so I just need Paper Figurine Zhang's help with something. It's good that you're here. Lead me there, and after we're done asking questions, we'll go exorcise the ghost together."
These words startled Zhang Chuanshi so much that he stumbled, his legs went weak, and he couldn't even stand firmly, his face looking even worse than when he heard Zhao Fusheng was looking for Paper Figurine Zhang.
"That won't do, it won't do..."
In the critical moment of falling, Zhang Chuanshi grabbed his door lock to steady himself, shaking his head desperately:
"I'm not an exorcist, I have no power at all. If I encounter a ghost, I'll just die—"
"Old Zhang, don't belittle yourself." Zhao Fusheng persuaded him earnestly: "Everyone has their own use. Even a piece of rotten wood can have an unexpected, wonderful use at a critical moment."
"No, no, no." Zhang Chuanshi's face was deathly pale, his forehead drenched in sweat.
"I have no use at all. I only know how to look after coffins, nothing else—"
"I see you hired an extraordinary assistant. When the Demon Suppression Division had an incident, everyone else ran away, but you didn't. You must have some exceptional skills." Zhao Fusheng subtly tried to draw out more information.
"Really, I don't." Zhang Chuanshi swore an oath.
He lived next door to the Demon Suppression Division and understood the principle of 'death upon undertaking a mission' for the Division's Envoys more deeply than ordinary people—he had made his fortune over the years by selling coffins to the Demon Suppression Division.
"My assistant, Paper Figurine Zhang helped with that. He has a secret technique that can make people avoid the gaze of malevolent ghosts..."
Speaking of this, his eyes lit up:
"I'll take you to find Paper Figurine Zhang. He has methods that can help you."