Chapter 176: Interrogation (Part One)
Yang Haoran had originally thought that after he spoke those words, Old Master Wu would put away the excitement on his face and reconsider the matter.
However, the scene he had imagined did not unfold. Old Master Wu seemed to have already given the matter profound thought, fully aware of the stakes involved, so Yang Haoran's reminder had little effect. Old Master Wu still resolutely decided to join the Underworld Office.
Since Old Master Wu had made his decision, Yang Haoran no longer wasted words. He first made a call to Master Jiang, explained the situation, and then directed Old Master Wu to go directly to Master Jiang.
Master Jiang was currently also in charge of this matter, which was why Yang Haoran had Old Master Wu seek him out. Originally, Yang Haoran could have taken Old Master Wu to see Deng Feng, but he simply didn't have the time at the moment, so he could only trouble Master Jiang with this task.
Back when Yang Haoran first joined the Night Watchers, Master Jiang had also warned him that becoming a Night Watcher might not necessarily be a good thing. At the time, Yang Haoran's choice was no different from Old Master Wu's now.
Now, facing the danger of Soul Transformation, Yang Haoran deeply understood that Master Jiang's original warning had been very sensible.
However, he had no regrets. For ever since the day he became a Night Watcher, his life had gained color. He was able to access the wondrous side of this world, and he felt fortunate.
As for whether Old Master Wu would regret it in the future, that, he did not know.
Declining Old Master Wu's attempts to keep him, Yang Haoran departed the Wu Family Villa. He went nowhere else, heading straight back to his convenience store.
Back at his convenience store, Yang Haoran didn't open for business as usual. He locked himself inside the shop, preparing for a final sprint over the next twenty-odd days.
Over these final twenty-plus days, he intended to draw talismans, successfully becoming a Talisman Master. Only after becoming a Talisman Master would he potentially be able to draw the special talismans that the Talisman Order had currently lost, which might then be of some help to him.
During his preparations, Yang Haoran's phone suddenly rang. Pulling out his mobile, a look of pleasant surprise crossed his face – it was Xu Meijing calling.
Xu Meijing had called him back!
Yang Haoran felt a little uneasy, but he still pressed the answer button.
"What do you need me for?"
As soon as the call connected, Xu Meijing's aloof voice came through. It was still the same as ever, not a single wasted word, cutting straight to the chase. Her personality truly hadn't changed a bit.
"Nothing much, just wanted to ask how you've been doing lately," Yang Haoran replied with a chuckle.
"Ancheng is a mess, and it's troublesome to clean up. How could I be having a good time? How are things in Lecheng? I heard it hasn't been very peaceful lately," Xu Meijing replied.
Yang Haoran chuckled, "There have been some minor disturbances, but it's not a big problem."
"Really? I heard several Night Watchers have died. You call that 'not a big problem'?"
Xu Meijing's words left Yang Haoran feeling both awkward and surprised.
Deng Feng had clearly sealed off all news, strictly prohibiting Night Watchers from leaking recent events, yet not only did Wang Yiming know about it, even Xu Meijing in Ancheng had heard. If Deng Feng knew, he'd probably be furious.
Seeing that Yang Haoran merely smiled and had no intention of elaborating on the matter, Xu Meijing didn't press further. She was currently bogged down with a mountain of trivialities, swamped with work. With her own affairs still unresolved, how could she have the mind to bother with others' problems?
"Never mind, as long as you're not dead. I still have a lot of things to deal with here. If you have something to say, spit it out quickly; don't drag your feet and waste time. You've already called, so why be shy about it?"
Yang Haoran gave an embarrassed chuckle, then said, "I wanted to ask you, do you know anything about the Soul Dispersing Needle?"
"Soul Dispersing Needle? Why are you asking about that? " Xu Meijing's tone shifted, a hint of surprise entering it.
"I just saw it in a book recently, but the information in it wasn't comprehensive, so I thought I'd ask for your expert opinion," Yang Haoran replied with a smile.
"The Soul Dispersing Needle is an incredibly malicious item, specifically designed to attack a target's soul. Once hit, if one doesn't know the method of resolution, then the target only needs to prepare two things."
"What two things? " Yang Haoran's heart stirred with a surge of hope, and he quickly asked.
"A wheelchair and a coffin. If you don't die, you'll be in a wheelchair. If you do, you'll be in a coffin."
Xu Meijing's blunt answer truly stunned Yang Haoran. He then reacted, the joy in his heart dissipating like smoke, replaced by a heavy feeling. However, he didn't show it, instead continuing to ask in a casual tone.
"That thing really is malicious enough. Besides the caster, can the Soul Dispersing Needle truly not be removed?"
Xu Meijing had thought Yang Haoran had been hit, but hearing his casual tone, it didn't seem likely, so she said, "From what I understand, besides the caster, it's very difficult for outsiders to remove the Soul Dispersing Needle. However, nothing is absolute. There are countless extraordinary individuals and strange practitioners in this world, so it wouldn't be surprising if such a master exists. It's just a matter of whether you can find such a master – that depends entirely on luck."
Xu Meijing's words offered Yang Haoran some hope, though it was a faint hope, like finding a needle in a haystack.
Not betraying his inner disappointment, Yang Haoran behaved naturally, chatting with Xu Meijing for a while longer before finally hanging up the phone.
After hanging up, Yang Haoran couldn't help but sigh. He silently lit a cigarette, his expression filled with helplessness.
To say he wasn't disappointed at that moment would certainly be impossible. However, it was fortunate that he had long prepared for the worst, so Xu Meijing's words weren't too much of a blow to him. After finishing his cigarette, he adjusted himself out of his state of disappointment.
Rubbing his face, Yang Haoran took a deep breath, temporarily pushing the matter of the Soul Dispersing Needle aside. He prepared to start drawing talismans, but just then, a sudden knocking sounded from outside.
A look of doubt appeared on Yang Haoran's face. He furrowed his brow slightly, guessing it might be a customer, but then he dismissed that thought.
Because he sensed a faint wisp of Yin Qi. Although it wasn't strong, it was definitely present, emanating from the person knocking.
After a moment of hesitation, he put away all the talisman-drawing materials on the table, then walked towards the door and opened the rolling shutter.
The moment he opened the door, a burly figure entered his sight.
The man was plainly dressed, his clothes patched in many places, and his trouser legs rolled high, presenting the appearance of a rustic villager.
Staring at this unfamiliar face, and sensing the faint Yin Qi emanating from him, confusion appeared in Yang Haoran's eyes.
"You are. . . ? " Yang Haoran asked, puzzled.
"May I come in for a drink of water? " the burly man asked.
Of course, Yang Haoran wouldn't so easily allow the other party inside. He looked at the burly man before him, his expression turning a little strange for a moment.
This wasn't some desolate wilderness; wanting water here should be simple enough. It was clear his true intentions lay elsewhere.
Furthermore, judging from the faint Yin Qi subtly emanating from the other party, he was either recently plagued by a ghostly entity, hence the Yin Qi on him. Or, he was like himself, a member of the Underworld Office, or perhaps, a Spirit Medium.
Seeing that Yang Haoran had no intention of inviting him in immediately, the burly man's expression grew a little grim. He uttered three words to Yang Haoran in a deep voice.
"Soul Dispersing Needle."
As those three words left the burly man's lips, Yang Haoran's heart gave a violent lurch. It was clear the other party was warning him.
Aside from himself, only two people knew about the Soul Dispersing Needle planted within his body: one was Deng Feng, and the other was Du Da.
If Deng Feng wanted to see Yang Haoran, it would be a simple matter, with absolutely no need for any tricks, as there would be no point.
However, if Du Da wanted to see him, the situation would be entirely different!
Yang Haoran seemed to have guessed something, and the doubt vanished from his face. He then stepped aside, clearing a path, and said with a smile to the burly man, "Please, come in."
The burly man didn't stand on ceremony, stepping into the convenience store. Then, in a commanding tone, he instructed Yang Haoran, "Close the door."
As those four words emerged from the burly man's mouth, his voice clearly changed, becoming old and hoarse, completely different from before.
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