Chapter 655: Deliberations in the Guest Building
At the summit of Zhang Family Slope, there were quite a few buildings, all constructed from logs of various sizes. Although they lacked the imposing visual grandeur, they exuded the tranquility of a hidden paradise.
Previously, outside the barrier, these buildings on the hillside were concealed by the mountain-protecting grand array, making them invisible to the naked eye. Now, standing at the top of the slope, gazing at these log-built structures, Yang Haoran couldn't help but feel his eyes light up.
Though not tall, these wooden buildings were exquisitely crafted, not only aesthetically pleasing but also diverse in type.
There were residential wooden houses, pavilions for tea, dining halls specifically for meals, and other structures that appeared to serve various purposes.
From this perspective, the Zhang family was far more meticulous than the Ma family. Although both were among Ancheng's two great exorcist families, there were still numerous differences in their attention to detail.
Having learned from Chu Jiu that something major had happened to the Zhang family, and then receiving confirmation from the middle-aged man, Yang Haoran had assumed that even if the Zhang family hadn't been reduced to ruins, it would at least be severely damaged. After all, with such a significant event, a major battle was likely unavoidable.
However, the situation he now witnessed was quite different from what he had imagined. There seemed to have been no major battle here; he couldn't even find traces left behind after combat.
Although doubts lingered in his mind, Yang Haoran didn't ask further. He could sense that both the middle-aged man and his son harbored some dissatisfaction towards him, though they weren't overtly showing it on their faces.
The Zhang family didn't have many members, but compared to the equally renowned Ma family, the Zhang family was clearly much more prosperous in terms of population. After the four ascended the mountain, they successively encountered various Zhang family members: men and women, old and young.
As members of an exorcist family, they were naturally not ordinary people. Even a child among them would possess some abilities, and their bodies would emanate power fluctuations.
Regarding Yang Haoran's arrival, some were curious, others perplexed. This was because they sensed Yin Qi emanating from his person, as well as Spirit Power radiating from within him.
Xu Meijing had already arrived at Zhang Family Slope with her people earlier, so their bewilderment stemmed largely from why another lone individual had now appeared.
As for Yang Haoran's identity, they didn't speculate too much, all assuming he was a Night Watcher under Xu Meijing.
Although Night Watchers were considered half-Underworld Office agents, these Zhang family members held no particular reverence for them. Night Watchers were, after all, the lowest-ranked entities in the Underworld Office, and some were even weaker than the Zhang family members themselves, so awe was out of the question.
However, while there was no reverence, there was also no rejection or resistance, especially since the Ancheng Underworld Office was here to resolve the Zhang family's troubles this time.
Zhang Li, however, trailing behind Yang Haoran, received no such treatment. Along the way, every Zhang family member who saw Zhang Li showed varying degrees of disgust and indifference in their eyes, much like Zhang Li's third uncle and his son.
Under the scrutiny of these cold gazes, Zhang Li displayed neither anger nor grievance. He tried his best not to look at these clan members, to ignore those gazes as sharp as knives, but the desolation in his eyes was noticeably stronger than before.
Although Zhang Li said nothing, Yang Haoran could sense that he must be feeling extremely distraught right now, a pain that the idiom "heart twisted as if by a knife" might barely describe.
However, in this kind of situation, it was not appropriate for him to offer comfort to the child.
Moreover, such is life; many things require personal experience for one's understanding to deepen and for changes to truly occur, an effect far more potent and direct than anything heard secondhand.
However, whether Zhang Li's current ordeal would lead to positive or negative changes for him in the future remained unknown.
“Divine Envoy Yang, my father and several seniors are currently deliberating in the Guest Building. Divine Envoy Xu is also there. I will take you over now,” the middle-aged man suddenly said to Yang Haoran.
“Heh heh, alright. Then I'll trouble you to lead the way,” Yang Haoran said with a smiling nod.
“Please, Divine Envoy Yang, there's no need for politeness. This is merely what I ought to do,” the middle-aged man replied with a smile.
Yang Haoran didn't reply. Instead, he paused his steps and turned to look at Zhang Li behind him.
“Do you want to come inside and see? ” Yang Haoran asked with a smile. He wasn't forcing Zhang Li, but letting him make his own choice.
Without even thinking, Zhang Li nodded at Yang Haoran.
“I want to go in and see Grandpa. ”
The middle-aged man's brow furrowed slightly, and a hint of displeasure crossed his face. However, out of deference to Yang Haoran, he said nothing.
As for the young man beside him, he naturally wouldn't speak out of turn again at this moment, especially after having just been reprimanded.
Yang Haoran nodded, indicating he understood, then turned his gaze to the middle-aged man.
Seeing Yang Haoran look at him, the middle-aged man suppressed his displeasure and once again offered a smile, though it appeared somewhat forced this time.
“You don't need to worry. When I see your old master later, I will explain everything to him. Even if your old master wants to lay blame, he will blame me, not vent his anger on you,” Yang Haoran said with a smile, ignoring the middle-aged man's predicament.
Although Yang Haoran said this, the middle-aged man knew perfectly well that even if Yang Haoran took all the responsibility, his old man would still deal with him later; he understood his father's character too well.
Yang Haoran didn't know the Zhang family's old master's character, nor had he ever met the man. However, he could also imagine that even if he took all the responsibility, the middle-aged man, who was responsible for bringing Zhang Li up the mountain, would certainly not be able to escape blame.
Although he understood this internally, Yang Haoran was naturally not so foolish as to say it out loud. Instead, he simply reassured the middle-aged man that everything would be fine.
Yang Haoran knew the middle-aged man certainly wouldn't believe his reassurances, but his true intention wasn't to make him believe. Rather, he was conveying a message: he was taking Zhang Li with him, regardless.
Although the middle-aged man didn't believe Yang Haoran's words, since Yang Haoran had already spoken them, and for the sake of their Zhang family's important matters, he couldn't expose him. Instead, he could only smile and express his gratitude.
“Then thank you, Divine Envoy Yang. Later, please trouble Divine Envoy Yang to communicate more with my father, otherwise, I'm afraid I'll be in deep trouble,” the middle-aged man said with a wry smile.
“Don't worry, it's nothing. I've always been a person of my word, and words spoken are like spilled water – they must fall true. So you can rest assured, there's no need to be nervous about such a small matter. ”
Yang Haoran was full of hot air. Even he felt his words sounded a bit fake, but as a professional, he didn't blush in the slightest.
After the middle-aged man offered another insincere thanks, he led Yang Haoran and Zhang Li to a wooden building.
It was a two-story wooden building, entirely enclosed. From outside, it was impossible to see the interior. Furthermore, a restrictive barrier had been placed around it, so Yang Haoran couldn't tell how many people were inside, or who they were, through his senses.
“This is our Zhang family's Guest Building, specifically used for entertaining guests and discussing important matters. Currently, my father and several seniors are inside discussing significant affairs, and because the matter is of great importance, a restrictive barrier has been set up,” the middle-aged man explained beside Yang Haoran.
Yang Haoran nodded with a smile, indicating his understanding. The middle-aged man then gently waved a hand towards the wooden building, revealing the barrier that enveloped it. A sizable opening appeared in front of the four, wide enough for them to enter side-by-side without issue.
As the barrier opened a crack, Yang Haoran immediately sensed the power fluctuations emanating from within the wooden building. Though varying in strength, there were quite a few of these fluctuations, including the Spirit Power unique to their Underworld Office.
Initially, Yang Haoran had harbored a secret vigilance and concern, but upon sensing these several surges of Spirit Power, his apprehension and worry vanished. It seemed Xu Meijing was not in any immediate danger.
With a smile on his face, Yang Haoran wasted no more words, stepping into the barrier. Seeing this, Zhang Li quickly followed Yang Haoran, entering the barrier alongside him.
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