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"Old Zhang, talents like you are precisely what the Demon Suppression Division needs."
Zhao Fusheng, having obtained useful information, praised him satisfactorily, then asked again:
"What methods does Paper Figurine Zhang have to help me?"
"..." Zhang Chuanshi's mental defenses had been shattered by her single word 'colleague.' In his panic, he had spoken without thinking, revealing Paper Figurine Zhang's secret. Now, being questioned by her, his rationality finally returned, but it was too late for regrets.
He was both hateful and fearful, so anxious he wanted to stomp his feet. Zhao Fusheng's voice sounded again:
"A secret method to avoid the gaze of malevolent ghosts? This is truly a remarkable secret. If not for the family relationship, I imagine outsiders would indeed not know of such a secret method."
Zhang Chuanshi's face alternated between green and white. Finally, like a defeated rooster, he lowered his head in resignation:
"It's his family's secret method. He can create a type of lantern. Where the lantern's light shines, it can deceive the perception of malevolent ghosts."
After speaking, he looked around uneasily, then waved his hand:
"Lord Zhao, please don't tell anyone about this."
"Lanterns?" Zhao Fusheng suddenly remembered something. She turned her head to look towards the Demon Suppression Division and pointed at its main gate:
"Are they the two lanterns that were hanging there before?"
She still remembered, after waking up in the morning, when she rushed out of the Demon Suppression Division's gate, she had seen two broken lanterns hanging by the entrance. The lantern skin was a fleshy pink color, very strange, unlike ordinary paper. The lamp oil reeked terribly, carrying a strong ghostly aura.
"Yes—"
Zhang Chuanshi was dejected:
"It's exactly that kind. In the area illuminated by the lantern light, even if you stand face-to-face with a malevolent ghost, it 'cannot see' you."
Zhao Fusheng listened with amazement, somewhat incredulous:
"Is it really that magical?"
Zhang Chuanshi nodded:
"So far, it has never failed to work." After saying this, he added:
"It is precisely because of Paper Figurine Zhang's family secret method that the Zhang family has always been highly valued by the Demon Suppression Division in Wan'an County. Several successive heads of the Demon Suppression Division have maintained very close relationships with them."
After he said this, Zhao Fusheng immediately recalled the Liu family case from forty years ago.
No wonder Liu Huacheng had first invited Su Long of the Demon Suppression Division. Su Long had refused at the time. Later, Liu Huacheng invited Paper Figurine Zhang's grandfather, Zhang Xiongyu. Only then, when he invited Su Long again, was Su Long willing to go.
It must have been because of this 'ghost lantern' Zhang Chuanshi mentioned.
The thought struck her, and her heart couldn't help but leap with joy.
Zhao Fusheng had initially caught Zhang Chuanshi to force him to lead the way, but she hadn't expected to gain such unexpected information.
If she could truly obtain this so-called 'ghost lantern' from Paper Figurine Zhang, then she would naturally be more confident of returning safely from this trip to Beggars' Alley.
"This is excellent! Old Zhang, you've performed a great service." Zhao Fusheng made no attempt to hide her delight:
"If I get this 'ghost lantern' and finish the ghost business in Beggars' Alley, when the imperial court rewards merit, I will definitely report your name and let the court reward you handsomely!" She painted a grand picture:
"How could the imperial court mistreat a pillar of the state like you? Perhaps you'll even get to choose a house of gold or silver."
Zhang Chuanshi was short and thin, with a hunched back, wearing an ill-fitting long gown. His bald forehead was covered in sweat.
Hearing Zhao Fusheng's words now, he rolled his eyes, stunned by her audacity. Finally, his fish-bladder-like eyes twitched twice. Deeply afraid of angering her, he ended up chuckling twice, as if venting his frustration.
Others might not know the situation in Wan'an County, but he and Paper Figurine Zhang were relatives, so he naturally understood the stakes.
Ever since the ghost fog appeared in Wan'an County, the imperial court had already intended to abandon the place. After Zhao Qiming's death, no one had come to clean up this mess.
Now Zhao Fusheng had returned from the dead and, for some bewitched reason, wanted to wade into these muddy waters, even dragging him into the Demon Suppression Division. And now she was spouting nonsense with her eyes wide open, treating him like a fool.
He dared not voice his anger, so he could only say:
"I dare not dream of riches. I only beg you not to take me to Beggars' Alley."
At the end, he quickly added:
"Also, don't tell Paper Figurine Zhang that I was the one who told you about the 'ghost lantern'." His small, bean-like eyes darted around, his eye bags squeezing, revealing a fawning expression:
"Fan, the Fan brothers also know this information—"
Zhao Fusheng narrowed her eyes, then a meaningful smile appeared.
She was new to this world. She wasn't afraid of the Demon Suppression Division not being 'united'; rather, she was more afraid of them uniting to plot against her.
Now that Zhang Chuanshi had defected first, this was excellent news for her.
"Rest assured."
She nodded:
"You are loyal to me, so I will naturally be considerate of you. To tell you the truth, I originally wanted to ask you to lead the way for me to find Paper Figurine Zhang and ask about a piece of news."
"Wh-what news—" Zhang Chuanshi was both regretful and annoyed. Hearing her say this, he subconsciously asked.
After asking, he realized that some things were best feigned deafness and dumbness. Just as he was about to wave his hand to express his stance, Zhao Fusheng said:
"It's about past events related to Beggars' Alley."
The moment Zhang Chuanshi heard the words 'Beggars' Alley', he nearly jumped up. Before he could make a sound, Zhao Fusheng continued:
"Next to Beggars' Alley is said to be the Confucius Temple, and the predecessor of the Confucius Temple was the Liu family's ancestral hall. Forty years ago, the Demon Suppression Division and Zhang Xiongyu jointly handled this ghost case. I originally wanted to find Paper Figurine Zhang to understand the ins and outs of this case."
"What?!"
Hearing this, Zhang Chuanshi's eyes suddenly widened, and his voice instantly rose several pitches:
"You're really asking him for information, not looking for trouble with him?"
He didn't know the details of the Demon Suppression Division's case from forty years ago, but he knew it was highly possible that the Demon Suppression Division had collaborated with Paper Figurine Zhang's grandfather.
Zhao Fusheng had even stated the detailed process; the likelihood of her lying was extremely low.
"But of course." Zhao Fusheng saw the regret written all over his face and deliberately said:
"He's your relative, and you're a member of the Demon Suppression Division. All things considered, aren't we all on the same side? Why would I look for trouble with him?"
"Then why didn't you say so earlier?!" He stomped his foot in agitation. Remembering how he had been frightened by her and spilled everything like beans from a bamboo tube, he suddenly felt a tightness in his chest and his vision darkened.
"I did say so." Zhao Fusheng crossed her arms, looking at him leisurely:
"Didn't I say from the beginning that I have a ghost case and wanted to ask for his help, just to ask him something?"
As for all that followed, it was purely Zhang Chuanshi's own overthinking.
Of course, Zhao Fusheng did indeed have a feud with Paper Figurine Zhang, but she knew how to prioritize. At this moment, her wings were not yet fully fledged, and she was new here. Naturally, she had to handle the Demon Suppression Division's cases first; preserving her life was the top priority.
"..."
Hearing her words, Zhang Chuanshi glared at her resentfully. But then he remembered her ability to control ghosts and her formidable strength. Ultimately, he had no recourse and could only resign himself to his bad luck.
"My bad luck, it's my fault—"
He muttered:
"Those two idiots, Fan Bisi and Fan Wujiu, I don't know where they found her..."
The more he spoke, the more dejected he became, and he gritted his teeth in hatred. Finally, his whole face drooped as he said:
"I'll take you, but you mustn't betray me..."
"Rest assured, we are colleagues who eat the imperial court's rations. I won't."
"Heh heh." Zhang Chuanshi gave a cold laugh, said no more, and after locking the main door with a 'clang,' gestured for her to follow him.