Chapter 696 - Chapter 696: Chapter 663 Nagase's Suggestion

Chapter 696: Chapter 663 Nagase’s Suggestion

Hot Spring Hotel, a spacious room.

Yang Jian had changed out of his foul-smelling clothes and was dressed in a loose robe with a local flair, casually seated on the tatami. His gaze was cold and yet calm, devoid of even a hint of emotional turbulence, like a statue.

Keiko, wearing a similar robe, was kneeling beside him, head slightly lowered.

Nagase was also in the room, but he remained silent, merely smiling as he watched the television set that was successfully connected.

They were on a call with President Mishima from the Exorcism Club through the club’s mobile phone, holding a small meeting.

The meeting was not initiated by Yang Jian but by President Mishima.

“We are already aware of the general situation. We would like to ask Mister Yang once again to take on the challenge and ensure the resolution of this Ghost Door Knocker incident. Please, this operation is very close to success, and we believe that with Mister Yang’s abilities, he will definitely manage it,”

President Mishima, on his knees on the floor, pleaded earnestly from the video in the television set.

“The situation is not so simple. It’s not just an ordinary supernatural event. According to my previous experiences, I should have been successful. However, I was interrupted by another supernatural event. I lost a decaying Dead Man’s Head that I was holding. Of course, when I say this, I do not mean to ask for any compensation. Rather, I am indicating that the next course of action will be even more difficult,”

Yang Jian said indifferently.

“You also know the details of Sakai’s death. Out of nowhere, he was killed by a ghost, with no time even to react. The pattern of these killings is terrifying.”

“Moreover, I found the bodies of your club members in a private residence in Kobe City, dressed in suits, dead for several days, turning into a supernatural event. I suspect Mister Sakai was also aware of this. These phenomena indicate that the Ghost Door Knocker incident is actually a large-scale supernatural event made up of multiple incidents.”

“It’s impossible for me to deal with the door-knocking old man while under the attack of other malevolent spirits. Of course, a safer method would be to deal with each event one by one, leaving the most dangerous one for last.”

“But Mister Mishima, your Exorcism Club has only paid for one supernatural event. Yet, you expect me to handle three, or even ten tasks. This seems a bit like exploiting an honest person.”

He, of course, would not admit that the Dead Man’s Head balloon incident in the Ghost Domain was his own doing. After all, the initial information about the Ghost Door Knocker had come out during his time at No. 7 Middle School, and nobody could have predicted the changes that had occurred during the past half-year.

President Mishima’s face on the other side of the screen stiffened slightly.

The reason he had spent a considerable sum to enlist Yang Jian was indeed partly due to this; the incident was too complicated. If you really wanted to handle it, you needed a team of ghost controllers, and even that might not be sufficient given the immense danger involved. Although not as perilous as a Class S supernatural event, it wasn’t far off.

If it were just the Ghost Door Knocker as a single supernatural event, and only one malevolent spirit involved, the Exorcism Club would not be so destitute as to ask for outside help.

“President Mishima, Yang Jian’s action has failed, and all this stems from your wrong decision. You’ve not only lost face for our Exorcism Club but also led us to lose fifty tons of Gold reserves, as well as Sakai, a ghost controller, and three pieces of Ghost Porcelain. Someone should bear the responsibility for all of this.”

Suddenly, another voice appeared in the video. A balding man in his fifties with a slightly corpulent figure appeared, severely chastising President Mishima on the screen, showing no concern for the occasion.

“Right now, the supernatural event continues, yet here you are, doing nothing. I think you should take the initiative to resign as president,” he said.

“Ichiro Minister, please show some respect. This is a very important video conference. If there’s an issue, we can discuss it after the meeting ends,” President Mishima immediately straightened up and retorted angrily at the suddenly appearing Ichiro.

“No, you should resign immediately, and I will recommend someone more suitable to fill your position,” Ichiro said.

“That’s impossible. I have confidence in resolving our current predicament, and if Mister Ichiro would cease causing me trouble, I think the operation would proceed much more smoothly,” President Mishima said.

Yang Jian watched the situation unfold in the video conference and frowned, saying, “I don’t understand what they are saying. Can someone translate for me?”

It seemed that there was a severe argument between President Mishima and another person, but due to the language barrier, it was not understood.

Keiko, who was beside him, quickly translated the argument for him.

Hearing the translation, Yang Jian gave a slight smile and said, “It seems there’s no peace even in your Exorcism Club, struggling for power is unavoidable. My operation has encountered a small hiccup, and yet they couldn’t resist seizing the opportunity to make trouble. If that’s the case, let that man named Ichiro handle this matter. I can return the payment; that’s not an issue.”

“Business hinges on integrity, and although I am not a businessman, I still value honesty.”

Nagase and Keiko by his side looked at him with some surprise, seemingly not expecting Yang Jian to actually speak of quitting.

“Is it because he’s too disappointed with the actions of the Exorcism Club?”

Nagase thought to himself; “What a bunch of idiots. Those sitting in offices could never imagine the dangers we faced before. It’s already very lucky to have survived, and now they’re there busy fighting for power and influence, it’s truly infuriating.”

“If I were there, I definitely wouldn’t be able to help but kill those idiots who have nothing but intestines in their heads.”

He couldn’t help but clench his fists.

He was angry for Yang Jian, as well as for himself.

Such a powerful man who could fight fierce ghosts head-on shouldn’t be humiliated by such trash.

“I’m truly very sorry for letting Mister Yang witness this farce. Please don’t take Ichiro’s words to heart. He’s utterly ignorant about the earlier events, only knows to calculate money and profits, and is a short-sighted fool.”

On the video call, President Mishima was startled when he heard Yang Jian’s words come through, and hurriedly apologized to Yang Jian.

The world had changed, and top ghost masters like these could almost determine the rise and fall of a country, their worth could not be measured by any amount of money.

Arrogance and stubborn prejudices could cause the Exorcism Club to lose its position in the future.

Mishima had long seen through this, which is why he arranged for the talented Keiko to be sent over, a gesture of goodwill and a very far-sighted investment.

If the object of this goodwill was someone else, Mishima might still hesitate, but Yang Jian was worth doing this for. The only person globally with real records of resolving S-grade events, he had taken out a whole circle of formidable foes, and incidentally slaughtered a Captain Level person. The headquarters’ attitude towards Yang Jian was still friendly and amicable.

This was the value embodied.

Therefore, a humble stance and sufficient sincerity were necessary.

“You bastard, why do you show such respect to a failure? If he can’t do it, let him get lost. I’ll send Yamazaki there to handle it; with his capabilities, he’s bound to succeed,” blustered the corpulent Ichiro.

President Mishima said coldly, “If Yamazaki goes, he’s sure to die. He won’t even have a chance of making it out alive. Mister Yang was about to succeed but was interfered with by an uncertain factor. All members who had encountered that fierce ghost died without exception. Only Mister Yang survived and even protected Keiko, who is an average person.”

“Do you have a brain, or is the struggle for power blinding you? This is about the survival of Kobe City, no, even several cities. In the face of survival, anything can be set aside. Ichiro, may I ask you, do you still have loyalty to this country?”

Anyone with half a brain could see, except for Sakai who died unexpectedly, the people involved in this operation survived, proving that Yang Jian still had strength to spare or was more than capable, even looking after ordinary people.

Whether it was Keiko or Mishima, these two women were like two touchstones.

They had no ability to resist fierce ghosts, and would die upon contact. If they both emerged unscathed, it indicated that Yang Jian was indeed extraordinary.

Watching them argue, and listening to Keiko’s translation by his ear, Yang Jian couldn’t help but smile.

Whether this was a comedy or a scandal, he was uninterested.

“You go on arguing, I don’t care. I can wait patiently with you,” Yang Jian said.

His mission this time was already complete. As for this supernatural event, he was still considering whether or not to deal with it. If that Ichiro interfered, causing Mishima’s plan to halt, Yang Jian could happily go home.

“Get Ichiro out of here, and don’t let him anywhere near the conference room again.” It was at this moment Mishima made a decision and immediately ordered staff to escort Ichiro away.

“Bastard, Mishima, you’re utterly disrespectful…” Ichiro yelled as he was kicked out.

Only then did the video call become a bit quieter.

Finally, Mishima said, “I am very sorry, Mister Yang. I hope you can forget the unpleasantness just now. Can we continue with the topic we were discussing?”

“Since President Mishima wishes to continue, I have no objections,” Yang Jian said. “After all, it was a significant sum that brought me here to help, and I owe your Exorcism Club some respect.”

“I fully understand,” Mishima breathed a sigh of relief.

What Yang Jian implicitly meant was that this bit of respect was due to the sincerity shown previously.

“The matter isn’t so easy to resolve. I can deal with the Door Knocking Ghost, but only to that extent. However, I mustn’t be interfered with. If I fail due to interference, President Mishima, you can’t blame me for not putting in the effort,” Yang Jian stated calmly.

President Mishima nodded his head.

He had heard Nagase’s report before and indeed, it was quite regrettable.

At a critical moment, that head had flown away and become part of those heads in the sky. The balance between the ghosts was disrupted, forcing Yang Jian to retreat.

“Then please, Mister Yang, make a move once more. If there’s interference again, I will bear all consequences,” Mishima said through clenched teeth, making a promise.

Bad luck once doesn’t mean the same for the second time.

Mishima chose to take a gamble.

He wagered his position as the president of the club.

Seeing this, Yang Jian’s gaze shifted slightly, “Since President Mishima has said so, I will act once more. It’s going to take some time and preparation.”

“Is there anything I can help with, Mister Yang?” Mishima asked earnestly.

“A sufficiently sturdy box, and after the matter is finished, I will take the ghost with me,” Yang Jian replied.

He pondered and decided to confront the Door Knocking Ghost once more.

Not just for the sake of this mission, but also to deal with this ghost once and for all.

“Understood. I will prepare immediately,” President Mishima responded and nodded.

These requests weren’t excessive; in fact, they were much less than anticipated. Yang Jian indeed had sincere intentions.

Soon, the video call ended.

At this moment, Yang Jian looked towards Nagase, “Do you have any good suggestions regarding that Door Knocking Ghost? If not, on the next operation, follow my orders unconditionally and execute them.”

Nagase’s face grew stern, and his smile gradually disappeared. He spoke seriously, “I’ve been observing the previous operation. Mister Yang’s actions were flawless, without any vulnerabilities—the head, the black hand, and the shadows. The suppression from all three sides was complete, leaving no chance for the ghost to strike back.”

“But the horror of that ghost was immense. It seemed the suppression wasn’t completely successful, or an accident occurred before it could be completed, causing the three-sided containment envisaged by Mister Yang to fail.”

Yang Jian didn’t interrupt him and wasn’t curious about Nagase knowing his personal file.

As a man of status, basic information about him was probably well-understood by now, short of advertising it to the world, so nothing was strange.

“Continue,” Yang Jian prompted.

Nagase said, “I have a special idea we could try using bait to lure the ghost out, then create a trap, place a box, and make the ghost fall into it. If we close the box in time, we might be able to imprison it without making contact.”

He laughed, thinking his idea was somewhat naïve, yet there was a space for feasibility—it simply required resolving a few issues.

“Not a bad idea,” said Yang Jian with a light smile.

Dig a pit by the door, wait for the ghost to knock, then have the Ghost Master fall into the box voluntarily.

“However, it’s not very feasible, making Mister Yang laugh,” said Nagase, rubbing his head.

Because there was one significant, seemingly insurmountable problem.

That was, for the ghost to fall into the trap, it needed to return to reality and its exact position determined.

And to achieve this, one would need to suppress the Ghost Domain comprehensively and pull the ghost out of it. There might even be attacks from the ghost in the process.

If this couldn’t be accomplished, the static trap wouldn’t catch its prey.

“No, your method does have some viability, at least that’s how I see it,” Yang Jian nodded and said, “So let’s pleasantly decide on this and proceed with your method, letting the Ghost Master actively step into the trap.”

“Ah? Can it really work? But how do you lure the ghost to appear correctly?” Nagase asked somewhat surprised.

“I understand the ghost’s pattern of killing and can use that to our advantage. Leave it to me to handle,” said Yang Jian.

“Who will act as the bait then?” Nagase asked.

“Don’t we have ready bait right here?” said Yang Jian calmly.

Nagase immediately looked towards Keiko, who was kneeling beside Yang Jian.

Keiko’s face paled with fear, and she couldn’t help but clutch at Yang Jian’s clothes, pleading, “Please, no. I don’t want to be bait. Mister Yang, Keiko will do anything you ask, but not this, please.”

“The bait isn’t you. Ordinary people should do what ordinary people do; this is a task for a ghost master,” Yang Jian explained.

“Ah?”

At this, Nagase’s face instantly fell.

So, he was the bait? And Keiko wasn’t even being considered?

Keiko, initially shocked, then brimmed with surprise and joy. Looking at Yang Jian, her eyes filled with gratitude and emotion, as if she had received great care.

“Would you rather hide behind a woman? Besides, Mishima is already mentally compromised; only you are capable of undertaking this task,” Yang Jian asserted.

“I understand,” Nagase replied, wary and anxious, but he steeled himself to agree.

He would act as the bait to attract the Door Knocking Ghost.

Yang Jian was responsible for suppressing the ghost on the spot and locking it in the trap.

This was the best plan, avoiding direct contact. If it failed, the danger was minimal—only Nagase’s life would be at risk.

Though it might seem cruel, such was reality.

Yang Jian was irreplaceable, while Nagase was in a position to be sacrificed.

“Then it’s settled. Once the Exorcism Club’s box is ready, we’ll act,” Yang Jian declared. “Now, there’s time to rest a bit.”

The plan was decided and wouldn’t change further.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated on N𝘰vgo.co

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