“I never thought we’d have a second chance for a class reunion. I always thought after the last reunion, we might never meet again in this lifetime. Unfortunately, I had some matters and couldn’t attend the last reunion. Let me first apologize to everyone here, I hope you don’t mind.”
At the reunion, Liu Qi spoke with a hint of reflection.
“I tell you, Liu Qi, you’re lucky to have left quickly. If you’d stayed in Dachang City, for sure there’d be danger. You have no idea how perilous it got there after that reunion. Even someone as capable and excellent as me almost didn’t make it.”
Zhang Wei also complained about his past experiences.
Back then, several paranormal events stirred panic in Dachang City, Zhang Wei himself went through them.
If it weren’t for Yang Jian, many of them would already be dead.
“With paranormal events occurring frequently, it wasn’t easy for anyone. Just being alive is quite fortunate. I also faced danger last time, but fortunately, Yang Jian saved me,” Miao Xiaoshan empathized.
Everyone present had encountered ghosts and experienced the supernatural.
“The most unfortunate was Zhao Lei, unknowingly he went to Yang Jian’s house, and ended up encountering an evil ghost instead, dying in a muddle-headed way.”
Zhang Wei sighed, “But Sun Ren is really no good. He actually tricked me, locked me up to extort Yang Jian, and took away one of Yang Jian’s ghosts.”
“Later, after becoming a ghost handler, that damn thing came again to make trouble, wanting to deal with us.”
Liu Qi asked, “So what was the final outcome?”
“He kicked the bucket, Yang Jian got rid of him.”
Zhang Wei grumbled, “He deserved to die. He spent all day harming classmates. Back in school he was never anything good, and on the day of the incident he was mingling with Fang Jing. If we hadn’t been kind enough to save him, he’d have been gone long ago.”
Even someone who typically didn’t hold grudges like him hated Sun Ren enough to gnash his teeth, you can imagine how bad Sun Ren was.
“Ah Wei, the past is gone now, and the person is dead. Let’s change the topic and talk about something happy,” Miao Xiaoshan suggested.
“Something happy? There is indeed one thing recently,” Zhang Wei rubbed his chin and said, “My dad and Auntie Huang got exposed and my mom found out, now they argue at home every day.”
“…” The others looked at him strangely.
How is this a happy matter? Isn’t it a scandal?
Never mind, better not to ask him, what good can come out of Zhang Wei’s mouth.
“Yang Jian, you’re now the Enforcement Captain at headquarters, currently the leader in the domestic paranormal circle. What plans do you have for the future?” Liu Qi changed the subject.
Yang Jian calmly replied, “The paranormal circle changes rapidly, I don’t have any long-term plans, I’m just trying to survive.”
“What do you think the future situation will be like?” Liu Qi continued to ask.
Yang Jian sipped on a cola and slowly said, “For now it’s relatively stable, but the balance will soon break. The twelve captains at headquarters can’t live forever, and when our batch of captains starts to decline, that’s when paranormal events will completely erupt out of control, and this point in time will come quicker than imagined.”
“Aren’t there still many excellent captain candidates?” Liu Qi asked.
Yang Jian shook his head, “You can feel it, the up-and-comers in the paranormal circle are increasingly mediocre. The reason is clear, it’s because paranormal incidents erupt so quickly that newcomers suffer too much loss without any time for growth. You can roughly understand, just how many ghost handlers we’ve lost this past year; even I know of quite a few.”
Liu Qi showed a solemn expression and nodded slightly in agreement.
Currently, the decision-makers in the paranormal circle are the people accumulated from the early stages of ghost revivals. It’s not that there are no ghost handlers following up, but the numbers are few, losses are great, and they can’t nurture top-tier figures through natural selection.
“What are you standing there for? Trying to eavesdrop? Get back to playing music and dancing.”
At that moment Zhang Wei glanced over and saw the stage with those celebrity beauties, all quiet, watching and eavesdropping on the conversation between Yang Jian and Liu Qi hoping to gather important information.
“There’s someone behind them, or else why do you think these people would give up high-income jobs and join our company for just tens of thousands? Take that beauty singing with the mic, her dress costs as much as her yearly salary here,” Yang Jian glanced over, speaking calmly.
“What? Are you saying they’re all traitors?” Zhang Wei’s eyes widened.
“Damn, I, Ah Wei, hate traitors more than anything. I’ll fire them all later.”
Wang Shanshan on the side said coldly, “No need, even if you recruit others it’s the same, no matter with clean backgrounds they get infiltrated eventually, it’s inevitable unless Yang Jian doesn’t hire living people. You don’t need to bother; as long as Yang Jian is here, these people can only obediently work.”
“And the company always has Yang Jian’s teammates on duty, even if Yang Jian isn’t there, it won’t get chaotic.”
The people singing and dancing on stage suddenly showed embarrassed faces, while their hearts grew more anxious, worrying about causing any trouble.
“Seems like being too famous isn’t necessarily a good thing,” Miao Xiaoshan said with a smile.
Liu Qi said, “Currently there’s only one Enforcement Captain domestically, every time Yang Jian makes a move, who knows how many satellites are monitoring him. Now, when he stomps his foot, the entire paranormal circle shakes.”
“Are you flattering me?” Yang Jian asked.
“No, just stating the truth,” Liu Qi shrugged, showing a hint of a smile.
Zhang Wei rubbed his chin, “Brother Tui is so powerful now? Why didn’t I realize it? I just feel Brother Tui’s life doesn’t seem that happy.”
“Let’s have a toast, hoping we can gather again like this next year,” Miao Xiaoshan suggested.
“No problem.” ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net
Yang Jian, Zhang Wei, Liu Qi, Miao Xiaoshan, and Wang Shanshan raised their glasses and clinked them, signaling an end to the past and a new beginning.
Despite many experiences this year, at least everyone could still gather.
“Will I still be alive next year?” Liu Qi thought at the moment of clinking glasses.
Ghost handlers have short lives; lasting a year is already quite good. Surviving two years means resolving the problem of ghost resurgence and becoming an anomaly, possessing Captain Level strength.
But there are only twelve captains in the domestic paranormal circle, such a small number, Liu Qi doesn’t have much confidence in becoming one of those twelve, he’s already fought hard to be where he is today.
Yet after following Yang Jian to Baishui Town, he deeply understood how terrifying the paranormal events faced by Captain Level figures were.
As the reunion continued.
Everyone’s mood gradually brightened, no longer as heavy as before, they shared stories of their experiences over the past year, but most of these stories weren’t pleasant, filled with terrifying paranormal events or tragic pasts.
Though each person’s achievements weren’t bad, life was a mess.
Perhaps this is the impact of the supernatural; since surviving the No. 7 Middle School’s incident, no one has had good luck.
But these experiences didn’t defeat them, gathering today, everyone remains hopeful for the future, becoming more and more determined, not as weak as before.
Zhang Wei became eager, rushed onto the stage, and drove the singing star away to sing himself, causing many to headache.
But Wang Shanshan couldn’t bear it, pushed him off the stage, and decided to perform a dance, expressing gratitude for Yang Jian’s help throughout the year.
Her slender, graceful figure combined with beautiful dance steps made Wang Shanshan’s performance mesmerizing, leaving people amazed.
“If it weren’t for the paranormal events, her artistic achievements would certainly be high,” Yang Jian commented.
He was qualified to comment because he had a lot of professional knowledge in his mind concerning this field.
Miao Xiaoshan watched with envy, but sadly she had no such talents, so she could only applaud and cheer.
“If I learned to sing, my artistic achievement would definitely be high too. Look at my throat, it vibrates when singing, it has the potential of the God of Songs,” Zhang Wei shamelessly pointed at his protruding Adam’s apple.
“I haven’t danced in a long time, so I’m a bit rusty,” Wang Shanshan walked off the stage, still with a cold demeanor.
Liu Qi said, “Really amazed me, who would’ve thought Wang Shanshan hid such talents.”
Just as everyone gathered harmoniously.
A server pushed a dining cart over, placing a plate of egg fried rice in front of everyone, “Your order of egg fried rice is ready, please enjoy.”
“Egg fried rice? Are you kidding, serving just one plate for so many of us? If the stars next door see, they’d think I, Ah Wei, can’t afford it. Quickly go make several more plates, one per person, got it?” Zhang Wei said.
“Certainly, very sorry.” The server quickly apologized.
Zhang Wei pursed his lips in dissatisfaction.
“Who ordered this egg fried rice?” Yang Jian seriously asked, staring at the plate of egg fried rice in front of Zhang Wei.
“Brother Tui, you know me, I don’t like egg fried rice,” Zhang Wei said.
Miao Xiaoshan said, “Aren’t we having a buffet? We shouldn’t need to order separately.”
“I didn’t order either,” Wang Shanshan added.
Beside them, Liu Qi also shook his head and looked at Yang Jian, his expression gradually becoming serious because he hadn’t ordered either. He could confirm that during the gathering, no one had ordered separately.
“I thought you guys ordered it. Looks like it was delivered to the wrong place,” Zhang Wei stood up and shouted towards the rest area, “Hey, who ordered the egg fried rice? It got delivered to me, come and take it.”
In the rest area sat the stars invited this time and their accompanying staff.
“President Zhang, it wasn’t us who ordered it. We have our own work meals,” someone immediately replied.
Yang Jian frowned slightly, “It wasn’t delivered to the wrong place; it was delivered to the right place. This isn’t just ordinary egg fried rice. No one would use a porcelain plate from the Republic era to serve contemporary egg fried rice.”
“Then is there a problem with the waiter?” Liu Qi abruptly stood up, “I’ll go grab the person and get to the bottom of it.”
With that, he immediately took action and dashed out.
The others also sensed that something was amiss.
If it were just a plate of ordinary egg fried rice, it wouldn’t have prompted Yang Jian to inquire multiple times, nor would it have driven Liu Qi to apprehend the waiter to ask about the situation.
Very soon.
Liu Qi returned, dragging someone with him, but his face was gloomy as he tossed the person forward.
The waiter’s body was twisted, heavy, and silent as it hit the ground.
“He died just now. Yang Jian, your intuition was correct; there is indeed a problem.”
Yang Jian remained unfazed, “It seems the ghost has found me. Most likely, the ghost is already in the hotel. This bowl of egg fried rice is a signal. I thought that thing wouldn’t show up until the last day, but it’s here. We might have to end today’s gathering. I’ll see you all out first and handle things here myself.”
He remembered that during his first transaction with the Ghost Cabinet, he asked for a bowl of egg fried rice.
“What’s there to fear? It’s just a ghost, not like we haven’t seen one before. Let it come, and I’ll chop it with my axe,” Zhang Wei immediately pulled a red axe from under the table.
Liu Qi said, “Yang Jian, don’t blame me for speaking out, but this ghost is unusual. If you send them away and the ghost targets them, what then? I suggest they stay here, where we can keep an eye out. If it’s not safe with you, it’s definitely not safe elsewhere.”
“Makes sense,” Yang Jian pondered for a moment and nodded.
“So what do we do now?” Wang Shanshan asked.
Yang Jian said, “Obviously, we handle this matter. I’m responsible for Dachang City, after all. Don’t worry, stay here for now and see how things develop.”
“I’m not worried. It’s just a little paranormal activity, nothing major,” Wang Shanshan said calmly.
“You sure are optimistic.”
Miao Xiaoshan said, “But someone has already died.”
Wang Shanshan said, “Death is common in supernatural events, nothing to be shocked about. We’ve been through this.”
“This matter is a lingering issue left by the previous person in charge of Dachang City, Zhao Kaiming. But now it seems it might be linked to the Ghost Cabinet that has been cursing me,” Yang Jian said.
If the Ghost Cabinet’s transactions continue, the ghost will surely appear before him before midnight today.
Or maybe.
The ghost has already appeared before him, and he just hasn’t noticed.
Yang Jian’s eyes shifted, looking towards others in the rest area.
The ghostly eye moved, effortlessly seeing through these people’s bodies without supernatural interference.
This indicated that they hadn’t been supernaturally possessed; they were normal humans.
However, Yang Jian wasn’t assured, for he was dealing with both the Wishing Ghost and the Ghost Cabinet.
Both have the ability to fulfill people’s wishes, and evading the ghostly eye’s detection isn’t impossible.
“All of you, come over here,” Yang Jian said.
Those people looked over, and hearing Yang Jian’s command, they nervously came forward.
“President Yang, what’s the matter?” a cautious young woman asked.
“A ghost has appeared, possibly right here. I want to confirm your situation to see if any of you have been possessed by the ghost,” Yang Jian said.
At these words, everyone’s faces changed, and those who were timid lost their balance and fell when their legs went weak, despite attempts to hold them up.
“Wh-what should we do?” asked the trembling young woman.
Yang Jian replied, “Do nothing, just stand still. If anything has blended in among you, a little fire will reveal it.”
With that, his gaze swept around, and pale green ghost fires appeared out of thin air.
“My fire doesn’t burn living people. As long as you’re fine, it won’t harm you. Anyone attempting to escape will be treated as a vicious ghost without hesitation.”
“We understand.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the ghost fire enveloped and swallowed the people in front of him.
The enveloped people didn’t feel any heat or pain but rather an icy chill that made them shiver.
They thought everyone would be safe, but soon something unexpected happened.
A female assistant suddenly screamed sharply and painfully as her skin melted and her body charred.
“Damn it, there was a problem. You all stay put and let me handle it. It’s time for Ah Wei to step up,” Zhang Wei exclaimed in shock as he hurriedly grabbed the axe and walked over to the screaming woman, chopping down with the axe.
As the axe fell, the screaming abruptly stopped, and the charred body lay motionless on the floor.
Had a ghost really blended in with them?
The people nearby broke out in a cold sweat.
“That axe…”
As an amateur considers the spectacle, a professional understands the skill. Liu Qi was shocked eyeing Zhang Wei’s red axe.
A simple swing indeed cut down that eerie woman.
Very soon.
The ghost fire extinguished, and Yang Jian, staring at the charred corpse, had a gradually heavy-hearted expression because the ghost had perfectly evaded the ghostly eye’s detection. Without this flame, he wouldn’t have realized the ghost had infiltrated right beside him.
If that’s the case, then in this city right now, anyone who hasn’t been burned by the ghost fire could be possessed by the ghost.
“The appearance of egg fried rice signifies the paranormal recovery of the Ghost Cabinet, but the Ghost Cabinet merely wants to transact with me and is unlikely to invade living people. It would target me, the transactor. This situation seems more like the Wishing Ghost’s tactics, not existing in reality but affecting normal people with its supernatural influence. However, the Wishing Ghost can only affect its host, not outsiders. Now both appear simultaneously, breaking their respective rules, and acting unusually.”
“Then there’s only one possibility left: the Wishing Ghost has harnessed the Ghost Cabinet, breaking free from Zhao Xiaoya’s control through its supernatural means.”
In Yang Jian’s mind appeared the most dire hypothesis.
If that’s the case, then this ghost will become incredibly terrifying and unpredictable in its killings.
The only certainty is that the ghost ultimately will target him, but its actions and intentions in the interim are unforeseeable.”
“Brother Tui, no need to look so grim, I just dealt with that thing, didn’t I?” Zhang Wei said casually.
Liu Qi explained, “You can’t call this resolved; she was merely infected and eroded by a supernatural force. Perhaps she didn’t even know she was being controlled by a fierce ghost. You dealt with at most a Ghost Slave; the real ghost is still out there.”
“Is that so, but it’s alright. With me here, there will be no problem. I’m no longer the Ah Wei of the past. Now, I’m very powerful,” Zhang Wei said.
Source: Webnovel.com, updated by novlove.com
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