Chapter 720: Town Soul Tower (Part 2)
The "he" Zhang Changchun referred to was, naturally, the previous Emissary of Death for Ancheng.
Compared to Lecheng, Ancheng had always been quite chaotic. As for the extent of its disorder, Yang Haoran only had a superficial understanding; he didn't know the detailed situation, and Xu Meijing rarely spoke to him about such matters.
However, he knew about Xu Meijing being appointed Emissary of Death for Ancheng by Luo Yao after she opened her Heaven Soul.
When something happened to Ancheng's former Emissary of Death, Xu Meijing coincidentally opened her Heaven Soul at that time. Not long after she opened her Heaven Soul, Luo Yao sought her out and immediately appointed her as Ancheng's new Emissary of Death.
How Luo Yao discovered Xu Meijing had opened her Heaven Soul at that time was something Yang Haoran still didn't understand. Perhaps Luo Yao happened to be in Lecheng at the time and sensed the power fluctuations emitted when Xu Meijing opened her Heaven Soul, or perhaps there were other reasons; it remained unknown.
Now, hearing Zhang Changchun's words, he finally understood the entire sequence of events.
“After successfully suppressing this ghost with the Town Soul Tower, the Town Soul Tower remained there because I dared not retrieve it. Once the Town Soul Tower is taken back, the ghost suppressed beneath it would surely escape. That’s why I could only leave the Town Soul Tower there and arrange for my fourth son to guard it, both to prevent any unusual movements from the suppressed ghost and to deter those with ill intentions from coveting the Town Soul Tower. After all, this matter isn’t a secret; almost everyone in Ancheng’s circles knows about it. Some want to target our Zhang Family’s Town Soul Tower, while others are eyeing the ghost beneath the Town Soul Tower. We couldn’t be too careful. ”
As Zhang Changchun spoke, his words weren't just for Yang Haoran; they were also for everyone present.
“Although this ghost has only been suppressed for a few short years, it often resists, causing quite a commotion. There’s something you might not know: my fourth son lost his life during one of the attempts to suppress him. ”
When those words came from Zhang Changchun's mouth, everyone else present, including Xu Meijing, changed their expressions.
Indeed, no one else present knew about this matter, nor had they ever heard of it. If Zhang Changchun hadn't revealed it himself, they would never have known such an event had occurred.
At this moment, the few people present somewhat understood Zhang Changchun's feelings. With one son already dead and another’s life now threatened, it was understandable for him, as an old father, to compromise with a ghost.
After his voice fell, Zhang Changchun turned his gaze to Xu Meijing.
“Emissary Xu,” he began, “please don’t be offended by my heartfelt words. Our Zhang Family once had a very good relationship with the previous Emissary of Death, which everyone in the circles knows. It was precisely because of this that when this ghost was stirring up trouble in Ancheng, he sought me out. I supported him without hesitation and, at any cost, brought out our Zhang Family’s top-tier magical artifacts to deal with this ghost, and then even sacrificed my own son. This matter wasn’t originally our Zhang Family’s business, but rather the Underworld Office’s. Our Zhang Family could have stayed out of it, but we did not. ”
Xu Meijing’s brows furrowed slightly, and her gaze towards Zhang Changchun shifted.
“You yourself said,” Xu Meijing said coolly, “that your Zhang Family was willing to help back then because of your relationship with the previous Emissary of Death. What does that have to do with our Underworld Office, and what does it have to do with me? ”
Xu Meijing spoke indifferently, but Zhang Changchun shook his head, seemingly disagreeing with her statement.
“Emissary Xu, you can’t put it that way. While it’s true our Zhang Family was willing to lend a hand purely because of my relationship with Ancheng’s previous Emissary of Death, have you considered this: precisely because our Zhang Family suppressed this ghost, you avoided the trouble it would have brought you after you took office? Otherwise, I believe you would have had quite a headache. ”
Among those present, Zhang Changchun wasn't very familiar with Yang Haoran. However, ever since he last met Yang Haoran, he had managed to gather some information about him, gaining a general understanding of his personality.
Yang Haoran was a mercenary individual; as long as there was sufficient profit, he would certainly be willing to help.
Of course, this was merely his subjective opinion; at least for now, this was his perception of Yang Haoran.
However, Xu Meijing was different. As Ancheng’s Emissary of Death, he had dealt with her more than once. This person was arrogant and disdainful of others. If she was willing, then so be it; if she wasn't, she might not agree to help even if offered immense benefits.
Precisely because Xu Meijing was such a person in his eyes, he now brought up old scores and played the emotional card.
And his words were not merely about playing the emotional card; he was also subtly hinting at Xu Meijing.
Back then, their Zhang Family had an extremely good relationship with the previous Emissary of Death. But after you, Xu Meijing, took office, the relationship between both sides became quite ordinary. Shouldn't you, Xu Meijing, reflect on yourself?
After Xu Meijing took office, the Zhang Family frequently tried to curry favor with her, but each time they were met with a cold shoulder. Over time, the Zhang Family gave up on trying to appease Xu Meijing; after all, their Zhang Family also held a respectable position in Ancheng, and endless fawning would only make them a laughingstock.
If the trouble their Zhang Family encountered this time wasn't truly too great, beyond their own family's power to handle, he wouldn't have come begging Xu Meijing.
Although Zhang Changchun didn't state his words explicitly, Xu Meijing wasn't foolish; she naturally understood the hidden meaning in his words.
However, the arrogance in her heart would not allow her to accept such ambiguous words, so she calmly asked.
“What exactly do you want to say? You can be more direct, no need to beat around the bush. ”
Zhang Changchun took a deep breath, his expression serious, and responded to Xu Meijing.
“I need Emissary Xu to help our Zhang Family this one time. Through this matter, we can build a relationship between our Zhang Family and Emissary Xu. In the future, should Emissary Xu have any needs, my Zhang Family will go through fire and water without hesitation! ”
Xu Meijing didn't respond immediately. Instead, she furrowed her brows slightly, her mind seemingly elsewhere.
Seeing this, Zhang Changchun added.
“With the power of the Underworld Office, eliminating the ghost suppressed beneath the Town Soul Tower would be as easy as turning one’s hand over. Yet, your Underworld Office hasn’t done so. Even with an Emissary of Death dying at his hands, your Underworld Office didn’t dispatch terrifying power to deal with him. Does Emissary Xu know why? ”
Xu Meijing’s expression remained unchanged. She looked at Zhang Changchun and asked indifferently.
“Why? ”
Upon hearing her, Zhang Changchun immediately gave Xu Meijing his answer.
“According to my understanding, almost every city has one or two places where powerful ghosts are suppressed or trapped. The high-ranking officials of your Underworld Office rarely interfere, leaving them for the current Emissary of Death to handle. If they can deal with it, it means the Emissary of Death is quite capable. If they cannot, then. . . that only proves the Emissary of Death is incompetent. ”
Zhang Changchun’s words caused Xu Meijing’s face to immediately turn cold. Her already not-so-pleasant expression became even more grim now.
“Your goading tactic was well-used,” Xu Meijing said. “Fine, as long as you can provide sufficient compensation, I’ll help. I also want to meet this ghost that once killed an Emissary of Death from our Underworld Office! ”
Xu Meijing’s words filled Zhang Changchun with delight, and an involuntary smile appeared on his face.
“As for the compensation, please rest assured, Emissary Xu, it will certainly satisfy you! ”
As his voice faded, Zhang Changchun turned his gaze to Yang Haoran, and just as he was about to speak, Xu Meijing directly interrupted him.
“You don’t need to ask Emissary Yang,” she stated. “He’s with me. As long as I decide to go, he will definitely go too. You should go ask for the opinions of the others instead. ”
Zhang Changchun had been looking at Yang Haoran, actually intending to ask him what he thought, but hearing Xu Meijing’s words, he felt a momentary awkwardness, unsure whether to speak or to heed Xu Meijing’s suggestion not to ask.
Yang Haoran, meanwhile, gave him a wry smile and a nod. The meaning was clear, and Zhang Changchun naturally understood.
He did not continue to question Yang Haoran, but instead looked at the others present, seemingly intending to persuade them one by one.
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