Chapter 656: The Head of the Zhang Family
On the first floor of the guest building, several people were emitting Spirit Power fluctuations; it seemed they were Night Watchers brought by Xu Meijing.
Apart from these Night Watchers, there were also a few younger juniors, who had perhaps come with their own elders.
The appearance of Yang Haoran and the other three immediately drew everyone's attention. Everyone present had seen Zhang Li's three-father and his son before, as it was this father-son duo who had been responsible for receiving them today.
However, no one recognized Zhang Li, not even sparing him a second glance.
Yang Haoran's situation was the exact opposite of Zhang Li's. Although Yang Haoran's appearance was as unremarkable as Zhang Li's, Yang Haoran walked in front of the others. Coupled with the respectful attitude of Zhang Li's three-father and son towards Yang Haoran, it indicated that Yang Haoran's identity was not simple. Thus, everyone's gaze ultimately converged on Yang Haoran.
Although all eyes were on Yang Haoran, some of these people recognized Yang Haoran, while others did not. Still others found Yang Haoran familiar but couldn't recall where they had seen him for the life of them.
"Uncle! What are you doing here!"
A woman's voice suddenly rang out at that moment, carrying intense surprise. From her words, it wasn't hard to tell that she knew Yang Haoran and hadn't expected him to appear here at this time.
Yang Haoran was still somewhat surprised to see Ma Ling here, but a brief moment of thought made him understand why she was here, and his surprise dissipated.
Since the trouble the Zhang Family encountered this time was related to ghosts, and the Ma Family and Zhang Family were both among Ancheng's two great exorcist families, it was certainly reasonable for the Zhang Family to invite the Ma Family to assist when such a thing happened.
"Heh heh, I just came to join the fun," Yang Haoran replied with a chuckle.
"You certainly have a lot of free time on your hands. It seems your Lecheng is much more peaceful than our Ancheng," Ma Ling said with a smile.
When Ma Ling mentioned Lecheng, the Night Watchers present immediately remembered who Yang Haoran was.
"Greetings, Emissary!"
The Night Watchers bowed respectfully to Yang Haoran, one after another. The others present who didn't recognize Yang Haoran, seeing these Night Watchers respectfully salute Yang Haoran and address him as Emissary, naturally guessed Yang Haoran's identity.
Initially, Zhang Li's three-father had a slight doubt about Yang Haoran's identity, but the scene before his eyes made that tiny bit of suspicion in his heart completely vanish.
Yang Haoran smiled and nodded to the Night Watchers, then proceeded to the second floor.
Zhang Li didn't follow Yang Haoran upstairs, not because Yang Haoran wouldn't let him, but because he himself refused to go up. He knew what kind of place the second floor was; it wasn't somewhere he should go. So, he sensibly remained on the first floor.
Yang Haoran didn't insist. Although he didn't know what the second floor represented, he had personally witnessed Ma Ling waiting on the first floor.
Ma Ling was the treasured jewel of the Ma Family. If someone of her standing could only wait on the first floor, it clearly meant that the second floor truly wasn't a place just anyone could ascend to.
Of course, it was also possible that the matters being discussed on the second floor were of great importance, and thus couldn't be known by too many people.
Regardless of the reason, Zhang Li's decision not to go to the second floor was a sensible one. Therefore, Yang Haoran didn't insist on taking him upstairs.
Not only Zhang Li, but also his cousin remained on the first floor. Only Zhang Li's three-father and Yang Haoran went up to the second floor.
As soon as he stepped onto the second floor, Yang Haoran saw Xu Meijing. Besides Xu Meijing, he also saw an acquaintance—none other than Ma Ling's grandfather, Ma Yuanjin.
Aside from Xu Meijing and Ma Yuanjin, there were also two old men and an old woman.
Yang Haoran's appearance immediately drew the gaze of all five people. Upon realizing the newcomer was Yang Haoran, Xu Meijing's lips curved slightly upward, revealing a faint smile, while Ma Yuanjin wore a look of surprise.
As for the other three, expressions of confusion appeared on their faces. None of the three recognized Yang Haoran, nor did they understand why Zhang Li's three-father would bring Yang Haoran to the second floor.
One of the old men, seeing this, his face showed displeasure. Just as he was about to say something to Zhang Li's three-father, Zhang Li's three-father quickly shot the old man a meaningful glance.
Though old, the man was not senile. He swallowed the words he was about to utter. Meanwhile, Zhang Li's three-father hastily began to introduce Yang Haoran.
"Father, this is Yang Haoran, the Emissary of Death for Lecheng."
The old man whose face had shown displeasure was none other than Zhang Changchun, the current head of the Zhang Family. Upon hearing his third son's words, Zhang Changchun's displeased expression froze for a moment, then he immediately reacted, a smile blossoming on his face.
However, the confusion in his heart not only didn't disappear but grew even stronger.
Yang Haoran, as Lecheng's Emissary of Death, why had he come to their Ancheng? Could it be that Lecheng was so peaceful that he, an Emissary of Death from the Underworld Office, had nothing to do?
Zhang Changchun certainly didn't believe Lecheng was truly that peaceful. In the current situation, both their Ancheng and Lecheng were in a state of chaos. Logically, as Lecheng's Emissary of Death, Yang Haoran shouldn't have been here. Therefore, he was extremely puzzled by Yang Haoran's arrival and also had doubts about Yang Haoran's identity.
However, he not only didn't show the doubts in his heart on his face, but instead revealed a surprised and delighted smile.
"So it's Emissary Yang of Lecheng! I apologize for not coming out to greet you! My sincerest apologies! " Zhang Changchun rose from his seat, his face beaming with a smile, and cupped his hands in greeting.
"Haha, I never imagined I'd meet Emissary Yang here today. This old man never even dreamed of it! Long time no see, Emissary Yang, long time no see! " Ma Yuanjin laughed heartily and likewise stood up from his seat, cupping his hands in a salute to Yang Haoran.
As his words fell, Ma Yuanjin looked at Zhang Changchun and said with a smile, "You old geezer, you're quite something! Not only did you invite Emissary Xu, but you even managed to bring Emissary Yang of Lecheng here. Impressive, this old man is truly impressed!"
Ma Yuanjin's words inadvertently confirmed Yang Haoran's identity. The speaker had no intention, but the listener paid close attention. Zhang Changchun, who had originally harbored some doubts about Yang Haoran's identity, immediately saw those doubts vanish like smoke.
Although he no longer doubted Yang Haoran's identity in his heart, Ma Yuanjin's words of admiration, however, made a wry smile appear on Zhang Changchun's face. This was because he hadn't invited Yang Haoran at all. For a moment, he didn't know how to respond to Ma Yuanjin.
"Heh heh, Old Master Ma, long time no see! You're still as vigorous as ever!"
Yang Haoran first chuckled at Old Master Ma, then turned his gaze to Zhang Changchun.
"Old Master Zhang, my apologies for dropping in uninvited. I hope you don't take offense."
Zhang Changchun burst into hearty laughter, as if Yang Haoran's arrival made him extremely happy.
"Haha, Emissary Yang, you're too polite! For you to visit our Zhang Family, it is our Zhang Family's honor!"
Although the other old man and old woman didn't recognize Yang Haoran, once Yang Haoran's identity was confirmed by Ma Yuanjin, they both immediately rose from their seats and greeted Yang Haoran with a smile.
Xu Meijing, however, did not stand up, because she felt there was no need for formalities with Yang Haoran.
"Third Son, hurry and prepare a chair for Emissary Yang," Zhang Changchun instructed his third son.
The latter responded respectfully, then immediately prepared a finely crafted wooden chair for Yang Haoran.
"Hahahahaha, please, Emissary Yang, take a seat! Everyone, please sit. We can discuss things slowly once we're seated."
At Zhang Changchun's invitation, the group returned to their seats, Yang Haoran, of course, being no exception.
"Why did you come to Ancheng? In the current situation, it's best not to run around recklessly, lest you suffer a great loss later."
No sooner had Yang Haoran sat down than Xu Meijing spoke to him.
Zhang Changchun had originally intended to ask about Yang Haoran's purpose for coming, but before he could open his mouth, Xu Meijing had already spoken before him.
Xu Meijing's behavior was quite impolite; however, the question she asked was exactly what Zhang Changchun wanted to know. So, he simply swallowed the words he was about to say and waited with a smile for Yang Haoran's reply.
"I came to Ancheng because I had something to discuss with you. Upon learning you were at the Zhang Family and hearing that the Zhang Family seemed to have encountered some trouble, I felt a bit uneasy. So, I decided to come over and take a look. If there's anywhere I can help, I'll gladly offer what little strength I have."
Yang Haoran replied with a smile. His words filled Zhang Changchun's heart with delight, but caused Xu Meijing to frown.
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