Chapter 500 - Chapter 500: Chapter 497 Mediation

Chapter 500: Chapter 497 Mediation

A meeting that seemed like a normal discussion on how to solve the Ghost Envoy incident, was in fact full of ulterior motives.

Deputy Minister Cao Yanhua desperately wanted the incident resolved, but he also didn’t want to involve the Hungry Ghost because he had been in charge of the Dachang City case before. Although the incident had been dealt with at that time, from Professor Wang’s report, the danger level of that ghost was definitely not lower than that of the Ghost Envoy.

In fact, the threat it posed to ordinary people was far greater than the current Ghost Envoy, so he had never agreed to Jang Shangbai’s presumptuous plan.

However, for other spirit controllers, whether the Hungry Ghost would lose control was not important. They all hoped the Ghost Envoy incident would not involve them, and now Jang Shangbai, eager to take action, had proposed a viable plan.

No matter the consequences, they would blindly support it first.

If the plan succeeded, then everyone would be pleased.

…

If it failed, the worst-case scenario would be going back to square one and continuing the discussion on how to resolve the Ghost Envoy incident, since it wouldn’t entail any loss for them anyway.

There were not a few who watched with detached interest.

The only one who stood up against this plan was Yang Jian.

“Yang Jian, you oppose Jang Shangbai’s plan, so what are your reasons?” Cao Yanhua pondered for a moment before asking seriously.

Yang Jian said, “The Hungry Ghost was constrained and imprisoned by me. My judgment is the reason. If headquarters decides to implement Jang Shangbai’s plan, then I have nothing to say. But correspondingly, I will choose to resign and will not voluntarily involve myself in any supernatural events. Although I can’t influence the headquarters’ decision, I can make my own choices.”

He couldn’t bother to explain.

Because he knew explanations were useless. Jang Shangbai wanted to take this opportunity to make merit, and others wanted to stay out of the Ghost Envoy incident with a purpose in mind.

Were the so-called reasons really important?

What Yang Jian could do was withdraw and no longer care about what followed.

Because Jang Shangbai’s plan carried significant risks. Once the Hungry Ghost went out of control and the containment of the Ghost Envoy failed, City J would face two S-class supernatural events, and by then, he would surely be dragged into it again.

Rather than that, it was better to resign directly and retire to Dachang City. He didn’t want to die here, cleaning up other people’s messes.

Having only just resolved the resurrection of a fierce ghost and regained his health, he wanted to live a few more years, consider getting married and having children… At the very least, leave offspring behind, lest he become extinct in the future.

Many people looked at Yang Jian with surprise upon hearing his words.

It seemed they hadn’t expected Yang Jian to talk about resigning directly because of Jang Shangbai’s proposal.

But from Yang Jian’s attitude and tone, it wasn’t hard to deduce that the Hungry Ghost incident in Dachang City was likely an Unsolvable Level supernatural event. Otherwise, Yang Jian, the Ghost Eye, wouldn’t be so resistant.

“Yang Jian, don’t be impulsive. Now is the time to discuss the plan. Sit down and calm down first,” Cao Yanhua immediately tried to mediate.

He dared not continue on this topic, lest Yang Jian really got angry, resigned, and went home for good.

But Jang Shangbai thought differently and said with a light smile, “Yang Jian, I know you have your considerations, but don’t forget that the Hungry Ghost is already imprisoned. As long as we are well-prepared, we can take the Coffin Nail without any cost. After all, it’s a great waste to keep such a special item in a box with a ghost, don’t you think, Deputy Minister?”

Cao Yanhua hesitated. Although he thought it made sense, at this moment, he wasn’t too willing to get involved in the dispute between the two men, so he said, “The plan is not yet mature. As Yang Jian said, the risk is great. Let’s shelf it for now and continue discussing other plans.”

However, Yang Jian ignored Cao Yanhua’s peacemaking and stared at Jang Shangbai, “If you want the Coffin Nail, go get it. But I want to make one thing clear in advance: if something goes wrong, you deal with it yourself, and if by then you want to slip away, I absolutely won’t let you go.”

Jang Shangbai’s face darkened: “Yang Jian, you think you have a hold over me?”

“Yes, I do have a hold over you. If you disagree, try me,” Yang Jian replied without backing down, a faint red light emanating from the ghost eye on his forehead.

Jang Shangbai stood up in alarm, not daring to face Yang Jian’s Ghost Eye.

A couple of days ago, he had personally witnessed Yang Jian’s Ghost Eye make real things vanish. If it suddenly aimed at him like that, it could end up killing someone.

“Yang Jian, restrain yourself. This is not a place for brawling. We are here to decide the fate of a city,” said a somewhat effeminate man next to Jang Shangbai, his eyes shifting as he spoke earnestly.

“Yang Jian, don’t be too arrogant. There are many here who can deal with you. Don’t think just because you luckily handled one S-class supernatural event you can act without restrain. We are giving you face by not wanting to embarrass you here. If a real fight breaks out, do you think you’ll come out on top?”

“Heh, children will be children, always ready to fight whenever there’s a disagreement. What era are we living in that you still prefer to solve problems with violence? Isn’t it better to live peacefully? Why the need to constantly prove your presence? If it weren’t for the trouble the fierce ghost resurrection caused some of us, do you think you’d have the right to speak here?”

More than one person backed Jang Shangbai, and soon several ghost tamers were warning him with a tone full of caution.

Without a doubt, these people were all from their circle of friends.

They had been ghost tamers for longer than Yang Jian, and had encountered more than him.

A young man who had left his hometown and only been a ghost tamer for half a year, although capable, was merely that.

Once he affected their interests, they didn’t care who he was; if he needed to be eliminated, then that was what they’d do.

However, they had barely finished speaking,

when Yang Jian, without uttering a second word, fiercely grabbed the chair behind him and hurled it at the third ghost tamer who had spoken.

With his strength, coupled with the heavy solid wood chair, this throw was enough to kill an ordinary person on the spot, but considering his opponent was a ghost tamer, he didn’t even think about holding back and used his full power.

“Bang!”

A loud crash followed as the hefty chair hit the ghost tamer’s head accurately and then heavily fell to the ground, splitting into pieces.

The man’s head caved in badly, his neck twisted at a weird angle, yet he showed no signs of pain, merely looking at Yang Jian with an expression of disbelief, seemingly astonished that Yang Jian dared to actually strike.

The others froze at the sight of this.

“Yang Jian, it seems like you really aren’t afraid to die,” the man said through clenched teeth as he forcefully stood up.

His head was still crooked, as if his spine was broken, now awkwardly resting against his shoulder, a peculiar sight; yet it seemed to have no effect on him, and he moved as if nothing was wrong.

“You threaten me with abilities, not words. I haven’t lost a fight since I was born. A bunch of self-important fools, if you think you’ve lived enough, then make a move now. Let’s see if I can take all of you down at once today. Since the day I became a ghost tamer, I never thought I’d live that long. Rather than dealing with ghosts, I find dealing with you lot somewhat easier.”

Yang Jian’s face was calm, showing no fear; when he acted, there was not a hint of hesitation.

It seemed like he really could take on three or four of the top ghost tamers, including Jang Shangbai, all by himself.

In all honesty, Yang Jian didn’t have much confidence.

But he could not afford to lose momentum. With the circle of friends holding at least four seats at the conference table, since he had already killed Gao Zhiqiang and offended the circle, he had to show sufficient strength, only then could he deter others.

If he showed any weakness or fear, he believed that his situation would become ten times more difficult.

Dangerous, violent, and crazy was Yang Jian’s way of survival.

Only by presenting himself as a fearsome existence would no one dare to mess with him.

After all, he was not yet twenty years old and had been a ghost tamer for less than half a year. His network, friends, and allies were still unformed, not matching up to these long-standing forces.

“This guy really is a madman…” Jang Shangbai’s face darkened.

He now felt that his earlier decision was correct; Yang Jian really could not be lightly offended. Once provoked, this guy would blithely disregard consequences and context, ready to attack. It was utterly futile to reason with such a person.

Confronted with Yang Jian’s icy stare,

the ghost tamer with the skewed head really wanted to respond forcefully but, even as his lips moved, he couldn’t find the words.

He was scared.

Because he believed his own judgment, that if he uttered a word in response, it would bring upon him a frenzied assault from Yang Jian.

It felt like walking down the street, getting smacked in the face without a clue, and then being asked: “What are you looking at?”

If you dare say, “Yeah, looking at you, what about it?”

The other person would immediately draw a knife.

Thus, he didn’t dare take up the challenge.

“Don’t rely on having more people; if it really comes to a fight, I’m standing with Brother Tui.”

“`

Feng Quan, at this moment, saw that tensions were high and that a fight seemed imminent, he immediately stood up to show his support for Yang Jian.

“Although everyone is quite impulsive about this matter, if it really comes to a fight, I still hope you can calm down a bit,” said Li Jun, standing up with a grave expression. He believed that Yang Jian was far more important than just a few friends in a circle. He also had great admiration for how Yang Jian had single-handedly resolved the incident in Dachang City.

So, at this time, he needed to back him up.

“Feng Quan, Li Jun?” Jang Shangbai’s face darkened even more.

These two were both significant figures. Li Jun, not to mention, always took responsibility for protecting Professor Wang, and his position and trust at headquarters needed no explaining.

Feng Quan was even more special as the first leader of Dachang City and one of the headquarters’ original spirit tamers. He had survived to this day without dying, and his seniority and generation were well worth respect.

“You people from your circle are meddling too much. Yang Jian was not wrong just now. Whose plan, their responsibility. If the Coffin Nail is removed and something goes wrong, Jang Shangbai will have to take full responsibility. Yang Jian’s reminder is not out of self-interest; he is also thinking about the bigger picture. Therefore, I also disagree with the plan to take out the Coffin Nail,” Cao Yang replied lazily, and at this moment, he too stood up.

“Taking someone else’s achievement to do your own thing without considering the risk of failure, success is yours, but we have to clean up your mess if it fails—what a cheap deal. Jang Shangbai, you may be smart, but I am not stupid.”

Cao Yang?

Jang Shangbai had not expected that Cao Yang, who was temperamental and usually arrogant, would take Yang Jian’s side.

When had Yang Jian gained such influence?

“I also think Yang Jian’s concerns are necessary. Although I did not participate in the Hungry Ghost event, just the fact that a Ghost Domain shrouded the whole city, cutting off all support, is enough to show that this entity is no less terrifying than a Ghost Envoy. Once things go out of control, no one will be able to take responsibility,” Zong Shan thought for a moment, then verbally expressed his stance without standing up.

After all, Yang Jian had not agreed to his suggestion of teaming up at the airport, so this verbal gesture was already quite good.

Seeing that Feng Quan, Li Jun, Cao Yang, and Zong Shan—four of the top spirit tamers—had made their positions clear, not only did Jang Shangbai look displeased, but the other spirit tamers in the circle also had ugly expressions.

The person who had his head bashed in by a chair was even more startled and silently relieved.

It was good that he had restrained himself from retaliating earlier.

Otherwise, if a real fight had broken out, and these people came to support, it was indeed possible that all his people could have ended up staying here permanently.

Four against four.

All eight people at the conference table stood up, each making clear their stance and attitude.

The atmosphere was heated, with the sense that a fight could break out at any moment.

But for others, this matter seemed to have nothing to do with them.

Those who were playing with paper frogs continued with their paper frogs.

Those who were yawning kept yawning.

The one sitting up straight remained in the same position, still as a corpse which didn’t move an inch. If it weren’t for the fact that their eyeballs could still move, others might really think that Cao Yanhua had brought in an actual corpse to make up numbers.

As for Cao Yanhua, who tried to mediate, he didn’t dare to persuade them now, knowing it would be futile.

He might have the authority of a deputy minister but lacked the capacity of a spirit tamer. As an ordinary person, he was already doing well to preside over the meeting under such pressure. Anyone else with weaker mental strength would likely have been scared into resigning and going home.

Wang Xiaoming, looking as if he had retreated into his shell, also had no intention of intervening, offering help only with information during normal discussions.

He would not give any critical suggestions.

“Alright, that’s enough, sit down,” someone said when the impasse showed no signs of easing.

Suddenly, Old Qin, with a face full of liver spots, tapped his cane, issuing an aged voice.

No sooner had he spoken than all eight at the same moment, almost instinctively, sat down.

Their bodies made the motion without their even realizing it.

“`

“`

“Hmm?”

When Yang Jian realized what was happening, he abruptly turned to look at Old Qin.

What just happened?

Had his thinking been influenced by a ghost’s ability, or had his body been controlled?

Just one sentence had affected him, and the ghost inside his body didn’t resist at all.

“Wait… my stool.” Yang Jian then discovered that he was sitting on a solid wood stool underneath him.

Hadn’t he thrown this stool away earlier?

Looking around, the broken pieces of stool had vanished.

Not just him, everyone else was similarly staring at Old Qin as if they had seen a ghost.

One sentence that affects everyone’s actions, is this something a ghost controller can do?

“This old man is very mysterious,” Jang Shangbai frowned deeply, wary of Old Qin.

He had never seen Old Qin handle a supernatural event, yet there had always been a saying within headquarters that the number one ghost controller of J City was Old Qin.

It was precisely because of his presence that J City had never truly suffered a full-blown supernatural event.

This was unimaginable for a large city.

Because, as things stood, all major cities had more or less experienced supernatural events, and J City should be no exception.

“Let’s continue the meeting, let’s end the argument here, and give this old man some face,” Old Qin then spoke slowly.

Everyone kept quiet as if even the ghosts within them had calmed down.

“Could he be a ghost controller from the Republic of China Period?” Yang Jian’s eyes flickered, “This old man is indeed very special, an outlier among outliers.”

Since the old man had intervened to mediate, he didn’t continue the earlier dispute; after all, what needed to be said had been said, and the rest was up to headquarters to decide.

He had made up his mind that if Jang Shangbai’s plan were to be used, then he would resign.

But before that, he still needed to find Cao Yanhua to reimburse the previous expenses and overtime pay for this Ghost Envoy incident…

“Cough cough.”

Cao Yanhua coughed awkwardly twice at this time, “So let’s continue with the previous topic, Jang Shangbai’s plan will not be considered for the time being, unless it’s absolutely necessary, so I hope everyone can think of other solutions.”

“We’ve clarified the ghost’s patterns and method of killing, so I believe none of you will let me down, therefore let’s continue discussing plans to detain the Ghost Envoys.”

Everyone expected the discussion to hit a dead end, but someone immediately put forward a concept.

“It’s useless, to deal with this ghost we must not detain it internally, once we fall into the Ghost Envoy’s Ghost Domain, there’s only death, so if we are to detain it, we must start from the outside, only then can we prevent the Ghost Envoy from restarting continuously,” said Li Leping, who was sitting next to Yang Jian and whose face he couldn’t quite remember.

“The so-called Ghost Envoy, I’ve reviewed so much data, I can conclude that it’s not just one ghost, to be precise it is an entire Ghost Domain, and the Ghost Domain is the ghost.”

“To solve the problem with the Ghost Envoy, we need to detain the entire Ghost Domain, has anyone else in the headquarters dealt with similar supernatural events? Anyone with experience, please share your thoughts.”

Huh?

Upon hearing this, everyone looked again at Li Leping.

Then, a strange thought entered their minds.

Who is this person?

He seems familiar, but I don’t recognize him.

“`

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