"Is Wang Chaling dead too?"
At this moment, in the headquarters’ office, it was no longer Cao Yanhua sitting at this desk, but Wang Guoqiang.
In his early thirties, Wang Guoqiang was at a vigorous and energetic age. Yet, even so, after taking this position, he found his energy utterly insufficient. Although there weren’t many daily tasks, each one was incredibly headache-inducing, forcing him, like Cao Yanhua, to frown and smoke every day.
"The situation is becoming increasingly dire. The captains of the headquarters are gradually withdrawing, and the previously established captain plan has begun to fail. Although He Yuelian, who previously left the headquarters, has returned, she only stays in Dachang City and doesn’t execute missions. I can’t force her on missions; otherwise, if she’s unhappy, she’ll resign."
Wang Guoqiang sighed.
"As for Wang Chaling’s death, it’s not surprising. Three months ago, his condition was already terrible—the injuries left from confronting the King Organization. Lasting until now is already a miracle."
"However, according to the Wang Family’s spiritual nature, with Wang Chaling’s death, the fourth generation of the Wang Family has most likely been born."
"A baby that can control five fierce ghosts is an extraordinary existence in today’s spiritual circle. Unfortunately, the fourth generation of the Wang Family is still too young and currently plays no role. He needs time to grow."
"Now the number of uncontrolled spiritual events is increasing, and the situation is completely deteriorating. The only way to reverse this situation is Yang Jian awakening, then rallying the remaining captains with absolute strength and concentrating the entire spiritual circle’s power. Only then might it be possible to stabilize the situation again."
"Where will the future lead?"
He looked up at the ceiling, seeing no glimmer of hope at all.
His office door was knocked.
"Come in," Wang Guoqiang recovered his thoughts and immediately said.
A staff member opened the door and entered: "Deputy Minister, important news, Cao Yanhua, Minister Cao. His condition suddenly worsened just now, and he passed away in the hospital despite rescue efforts."
Wang Guoqiang was stunned for a moment, then calmly said, "I understand. You can go ahead with your work."
The staff member nodded, then closed the door and left.
"Minister Cao has left too." Wang Guoqiang smiled bitterly.
He understood that Minister Cao’s sudden deterioration was closely related to the recent slew of bad news. As someone concerned about the current situation’s changes, he could not rest easy, dying of distress was only natural.
Wang Guoqiang attended Cao Yanhua’s funeral.
Because of Cao Yanhua’s special work, his funeral was very simple, attended by only a few old colleagues from headquarters and a few important relatives of Cao Yanhua.
"Uncle Wang, can we talk alone?" At the funeral, a young man in his early twenties found Wang Guoqiang; he was Cao Bin, Cao Yanhua’s son.
Though he looked very young, Cao Bin exhibited maturity far beyond his years.
"Alright." Wang Guoqiang nodded, instinctively feeling that Cao Bin might have something very important to tell him.
The two walked to a secluded place.
At this moment, Cao Bin quietly said, "Uncle Wang, this matter was originally supposed to be told by my father, but fearing the potential for sudden demise, he prepared in advance to tell me, in case of an accident, to relay it to you."
"I understand. You can now comfortably tell me the matter." Wang Guoqiang nodded, appreciative of Cao Yanhua’s caution.
Engaging with spiritual events for years, sudden death was always a possibility, so securing essential information through multiple means was a necessity.
"Before my father died, he left a message, saying, ’Yang Jian is the key. Never forget Yang Jian.’" Cao Bin said quietly.
Wang Guoqiang frowned, somewhat unable to grasp the meaning of this message.
Cao Bin continued, "Father said this message was told to him by Professor Wang and that it’s crucial. He asked Uncle Wang to remember it and ensure it is passed down to the next minister. Even if the headquarters disbands in the future, this message must continue."
"Alright, I understand." Wang Guoqiang solemnly nodded.
Obviously, this message contained some crucial information. Although he couldn’t decipher it yet, given its circulation among important figures at headquarters, there must be a reason for it.
Their conversation was brief and ended quickly.
Before the funeral concluded, Wang Guoqiang left, as he still had work to attend to. Taking two hours off was already a rare opportunity.
This was the newly built Taiping Ancient Town.
In a few months, the once-empty Taiping Ancient Town had filled with many people from across the country.
This modern imitation of an ancient town drew them because it housed one of the last remaining captains of headquarters.
Soul Summoner He Yiner.
During the time of Yang Jian’s dormancy, Leuk San’s disappearance, Li Leping’s being forgotten, and He Yuelian’s resignation, He Yiner was the most stable captain-level ghost tamer.
More and more ordinary people, upon learning of spiritual events, sought refuge here, making every effort to enter Taiping Ancient Town.
This situation created the prosperity of the new Taiping Ancient Town.
However, He Yiner did not pay much attention to this.
She was currently in a newly built ancestral hall.
This newly built ancestral hall was much larger than the one in the old Taiping Ancient Town, and the area around the ancestral hall was a restricted zone, accessible only by a select few.
He Yiner sat on a small stool inside the ancestral hall, with a pile of wood beside her.
She carefully and meticulously carved the wood with a small knife.
Before long, one piece of wood was carved.
The wood became a spirit tablet with three carved characters: Wang Chaling.
After completing this spirit tablet, He Yiner picked up another piece of wood and continued carving.
On her other side, a large pile of carved spirit tablets could be seen, each bearing the name of a deceased ghost tamer: Zhou Deng, Lin Bei, Cao Yang, Lu Zhiwen... even earlier ghost tamers like Jang Shangbai, Fang Shiming were recorded.
Of course, they also included spirit tablets for Yang Jian, Li Yang, Huang Ziya, and others.
"For each spirit tablet, I will prepare a box containing their belongings from life. I will paint black oil on those confirmed dead; those unconfirmed, I leave unpainted." He Yiner thought to herself.
She estimated it wouldn’t be long before various spirit tablets would fill this new ancestral hall. She planned to arrange for someone to manage the hall.
He Yiner continued carving spirit tablets, both familiar and unfamiliar names gracing them, all undeniably formidable ghost tamers of their time.
These individuals symbolized an era.
But now, this era was beginning to fade. He Yiner was fulfilling her duty as a Soul Summoner, striving to preserve the era’s power while the relics were still retrievable.
"He Yiner, you have a delivery."
Suddenly, a voice rang out. A man in his fifties entered the ancestral hall, holding a package.
"Who’s it from?" He Yiner asked.
"See for yourself, I have business to attend to." Boss Liu said, putting down the delivery before swiftly disappearing. For origınal chapters go to novel_fіre.net
Looking at the package, He Yiner was surprised by the name on it.
"Why would he send me something?"
Though puzzled, He Yiner opened the package with some curiosity.
Inside, she found scattered old items: a rusty pair of scissors, a faded cheongsam, a damaged fountain pen, a smoky tobacco pipe with patina... none appeared modern, resembling objects from the Republic of China Period.
He Yiner understood now; these were relics of Republic of China Period ghost tamers from Zhang Xiangguang, allowing her to summon those powerful, terrifying figures.
She hadn’t expected these relics to be found, but Zhang Xiangguang had a collection.
Gratefully, He Yiner didn’t reject the gift and formally accepted it, planning to erect some nameless tablets, using red oil paint... to embellish them.
"Once I finish setting up these tablets, the reconstruction of new Taiping Ancient Town will be nearly complete. But Ghost Street remains at the old site; a plan must be devised to move it here." He Yiner recalled the presence of Ghost Street.
The new Taiping Ancient Town would never be complete without Ghost Street.
Despite its eerie and terrifying aura, it was an indispensable part of Taiping Ancient Town.