Chapter 716: Still Too Late
Yang Haoran hadn't forgotten his agreement with the Zhang Family. He had originally thought the matter would simply fizzle out; after all, so much time had passed without a single development. Perhaps the powerful ghost the Zhang Family spoke of never intended to seek revenge against them in the first place, merely creating the illusion of vengeance to scare them.
Of course, it wasn't impossible that the ghost had indeed been preparing to avenge itself on the Zhang Family, but had croaked due to other reasons before getting the chance.
Previously, Yang Haoran had certainly entertained these conjectures. Although he didn't know if his guesses were accurate, the fact remained that the Zhang Family hadn't contacted him via the Concordance Talisman. As time went on, he gradually put the matter out of his mind.
In his view, it was best if the Zhang Family didn't contact him. It wasn't a loss for him anyway; on the contrary, he'd gotten a good deal. Why wouldn't he be pleased?
However, now, watching the Concordance Talisman spontaneously combust in his hand, proved that his hopeful conjectures were nothing more than a joke. That powerful ghost must have sought out the Zhang Family after all.
Although this wasn't the outcome Yang Haoran wished for, he absolutely had to make a trip to the Zhang Family. After all, he had an agreement with them, and he had also accepted their deposit.
Beyond that reason, it was more so because he couldn't let go of Xu Meijing, worried that she might encounter some danger there.
"If only I could draw the Lock Yin Talisman, this trip would be a major advantage. What a pity."
These were all Lock Yin Talismans, but every single one of them was a failure. Not a single talisman possessed its inherent power. They might be able to fool ordinary people, but in a life-or-death battle, these failed Lock Yin Talismans would be utterly useless.
Since this trip was to deal with a ghost, the Lock Yin Talisman could undoubtedly play an immeasurable role. Even if he only had one, never mind many, it would be extremely helpful. It was just a pity he didn't have a single one in his hand.
To continue meticulously drawing talismans until he successfully drew a Lock Yin Talisman was clearly unfeasible. He himself didn't know how much more practice he would need with his current abilities before he could successfully draw one.
It could be an hour, it could be a day, or it could even be a year; he had absolutely no idea.
Not knowing how much longer it would take him to successfully draw a Lock Yin Talisman was enough to show that he was still quite a distance away from mastering it. If the gap were small, he wouldn't be so uncertain.
Furthermore, in the current situation, even if he could draw a Lock Yin Talisman in an hour, it would be too late. The Concordance Talisman's vibration indicated that the Zhang Family had already encountered serious trouble. If he were to spend another hour drawing talismans, by the time he rushed to the Zhang Family, the yellow daylilies would have long gone cold.
Having taken their money to avert disaster, having accepted their deposit, he was going to help the Zhang Family resolve their troubles, not collect their corpses. Thus, he naturally couldn't waste any more time here.
Harboring his regret, Yang Haoran tidied up the messy table, then gave Xiujuan a few instructions before leaving the villa, tearing through space to head for Ancheng.
Yang Haoran knew that Zhang Family Slope was protected by a grand array. He had previously arrived below Zhang Family Slope and encountered the young Zhang Li there.
This time, he still decided to land at the same spot as before. So, he tore through space at the place where he had met Zhang Li last time and stepped out of the spatial rift.
Yang Haoran didn't see the young man who had knelt on the slope that day. He also didn't know how Zhang Li was faring now, as he hadn't inquired about him afterwards.
On his way here, he had recalled this young man who had left quite an impression on him. However, upon arriving, he cast the young man from his mind.
Because the scene before him left him no mind to think of Zhang Li or anything else.
The Zhang Family's protective grand array had vanished. Without the grand array's concealment and isolation, he could clearly sense the power fluctuations emanating from the top of the slope. These fluctuations varied in strength, some strong, some weak, but there was a great number of them.
Normally, the Zhang Family certainly wouldn't dismantle their own protective grand array. Moreover, this was an extraordinary time. To remove their protective grand array when they knew trouble was brewing—wouldn't that be like opening their gates and inviting the enemy to slaughter them?
Therefore, Yang Haoran estimated that the Zhang Family's protective grand array hadn't been dismantled voluntarily, but was most likely forcibly broken.
He didn't waste time. Since the protective grand array was gone, he saw no need for elaborate formalities. He leaped into the air, reaching the summit of the slope in a few bounds.
The scene at the top of the slope caused Yang Haoran's heart to subtly clench. Many buildings here had collapsed, and signs of battle were visible everywhere.
Old Master Zhang stood before a collapsed building, his expression not looking good. Several other people stood beside him.
After spotting Old Master Zhang, Yang Haoran's body flickered in mid-air, vanishing, only to reappear before the old man in an instant.
His appearance naturally drew the attention of everyone present. Old Master Zhang's face lit up with joy, while the expressions of the others varied. Some, like Old Master Zhang, revealed joy, while others remained expressionless, keeping their emotions hidden.
However, the reactions of two individuals were completely different from everyone else present.
One of them first froze, then frowned, an immediate look of displeasure appearing on his face.
The other individual also paused when Yang Haoran appeared, but quickly reacted. His reaction, however, differed from the first. Instead of displeasure, his expression showed surprise, along with the joy of a long-awaited reunion.
No one else noticed the differing reactions of these two, as all their attention was currently fixed on Yang Haoran.
"Emissary Yang is a man of his word! To see Emissary Yang at this very moment, this old man is truly overjoyed!"
Old Master Zhang swept away his previous worry, a smile appearing on his face as he spoke to Yang Haoran with a laugh, immediately cupping his fists in a salute.
Although Old Master Zhang wore a smile, it seemed quite forced at the moment. This reaction, of course, wasn't directed at Yang Haoran. Anyone whose home had just been torn apart by others would find it hard to smile, and even in situations where a smile was obligatory, it wouldn't be genuine.
This was precisely the impression Old Master Zhang gave at that moment.
"Haha, Old Master Zhang, there's no need for such politeness. Since I made a promise to you, I would certainly not go back on my word. However, it seems I've arrived late, and I hope you won't hold it against me. " Yang Haoran replied with a smile, also cupping his fists in a salute to Old Master Zhang. Both his words and his tone were exceedingly humble and polite.
Hearing this, Old Master Zhang couldn't help but sigh. He glanced around at the collapsed buildings and shook his head.
"Alas, Emissary Yang cannot be blamed for this. If anyone is to blame, it is this old man himself. If I had discovered it earlier, my Zhang Family wouldn't have ended up in such a state."
Upon hearing Old Master Zhang's words and observing the scene, Yang Haoran surmised a few things.
Presumably, Old Master Zhang had initially been unaware of the enemy's incursion. By the time he learned of it, it was already too late. Perhaps he hadn't even been on Zhang Family Slope at the time.
Yang Haoran made this guess, but he didn't know if it was true. Nevertheless, to understand the situation, he still spoke up to inquire.
"Was Old Master not at home when the enemy attacked?"
Yang Haoran voiced the doubt in his heart, but Old Master Zhang shook his head.
"No, I was home, but I didn't discover it in time. When I realized something was wrong, I immediately activated the Concordance Talismans I had given to everyone. It's just. . . I just never expected that it would still end up like this."
Old Master Zhang's words surprised Yang Haoran somewhat.
"From the moment the Concordance Talisman vibrated until now, not much time has passed. How could. . ."
Yang Haoran expressed his confusion, and Old Master Zhang sighed softly again, then responded.
"The opponent was simply too powerful, and their objective was very clear. After achieving their goal, they left only a single message, then immediately departed without lingering for a fight."
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