The barricades on the main road were being removed, and the blocked roads began to reopen to traffic.
A variety of vehicles gradually drove away.
In a short while, all the personnel here had successively left, leaving only a few observers responsible for continuing to monitor the aftermath of the vanished Huanggang Village to prevent any sudden incidents from happening again.
Yang Jian took a ride in Zhang Han's car, asking him for a lift to the city.
On the way, Zhang Han asked with some confusion, "I have to go to that company for testing tomorrow. If I'm fast, I could start controlling the second ghost within a week. As long as my luck isn't too bad, I might be able to extend the ghost's revival and keep living."
"Why did you refuse before?"
Yang Jian said, "The success rate of controlling the second ghost is still very low, a chance of less than twenty percent. You dare to try it, but I should consider it. At least, I will wait until the success rate is increased before I take the risk."
"Besides, I can hold on for now, anyway. The spot is there, and Wang Xiaoming won't renege on it. You go try it first, and tell me about the process afterward. I will consider when to start based on my own situation."
He had already controlled the second ghost, greatly delaying the revival time of the fierce ghost.
So he had the capital to wait for Wang Xiaoming's method to mature further, improve, and increase the success rate.
"You're right to think that way, it's a bit safer. But I can't wait any longer. I doubt whether I can hang in there until it's time to control the second ghost," said Zhang Han, looking pale.
As if injured, silently enduring some kind of pain.
Yang Jian felt the car sway on the road and said, "I really think you look unwell. Seeing you so sweaty, you look like you have heatstroke. How about you cram yourself into the luggage compartment later, and I'll find a chance to sell you? If you die, it'd be a hassle. I'd have to take time to deal with the ghost inside you."
"No, it's not that. I got an injury while fighting the ghost. The flesh on my back was torn open, and now it's bleeding. I need to go to the hospital to bandage the wound. I'll be fine quickly," Zhang Han hurriedly said.
"Oh, I see. You had me excited for nothing. I almost had your funeral arrangements settled," Yang Jian said.
"..." Zhang Han didn't want to bother with the guy.
Just now, he had witnessed Yang Jian selling Feng Quan, reaping quite a profit. It seemed that he'd gotten addicted to selling out his teammates.
"Is the thing about the Ghost Candle... true?"
After a moment of silence, Zhang Han couldn't help but ask curiously.
Yang Jian looked at him in surprise, "What Ghost Candle? What are you talking about? I don't understand at all. Did you say something just now?"
Zhang Han's face darkened, "I'm not interested in your Ghost Candle, what are you doing? Why so nervous?"
"Shush, walls have ears. We can't talk about it, we can't talk about it. The fewer people who know about this stuff, the better. Dachang City has more than just a few of us who control ghosts. Although many from Xiaoqiang Entertainment Club have died, there are definitely other ghost controllers. What if someone finds out and comes to kill for treasure?"
"This thing can save lives; it is an extremely precious resource. In Professor Wang's hands, others don't dare mess with it, but it's different if it's in my hands. If one day someone finds out I have this thing, I definitely won't let you off the hook."
Zhang Han nearly hit the brakes hard upon hearing that, "What does someone coming after you have to do with me?"
"It must be you who leaked the information. Who else would I look for?" Yang Jian said.
Zhang Han was speechless and thought about it; there seemed to be some truth to it.
But on further consideration, there was a problem.
"Maybe it's someone from Wang Xiaoming's side who leaked the information."
"They wouldn't dare."
Yang Jian said, "Ordinary people and ghost controllers are not in the same league. Wu Yue is the perfect example. No matter how rich and powerful some people are in the company, in reality, our status as ghost controllers is much higher. Although we're struggling now, we play a pivotal role in the face of paranormal events, after all, we're the only ones who can solve such things."
"Okay, okay, no need to tell me anymore. I don't know about that thing; not knowing is fine, right? Anyway, all I need is to extend the ghost's revival, I don't care about the rest. I won't ask more in the future. Just consider my earlier words as nonsense," Zhang Han said.
"Knowing that you're talking nonsense reassures me," Yang Jian replied.
Zhang Han felt like punching the insolent kid for the conversation that had frustrated him. Whose kid was this, speaking without a filter... But then he remembered he couldn't beat Yang Jian and had to forcefully swallow his anger.
He was an adult and wouldn't stoop to a student's level.
"Still, I have to thank you for this time. Without you, there's no way I would have made it out of Huanggang Village alive. Ye Jun and the others were wrong. If they had listened to your arrangements earlier, maybe not so many would have died," Zhang Han said with some emotion.
Although Yang Jian was infuriating in interpersonal communication, it had to be said that the kid was talented.
He had survived the incident at Huanggang Village by the skin of his teeth.
The other so-called seniors were just like extras on a film set, getting their packed lunches within less than a minute of their debut.
At this age, it was as if they had lived their lives for nothing.
"Even if Ye Jun and the rest were still alive, I'd take care of them properly, find an opportunity to do them in," Yang Jian said.
Zhang Han looked at him somewhat startled, "Why would you do that?"
"I'm a petty person," Yang Jian said.
"Got it, understood."
Zhang Han held back whatever else he wanted to say and focused on driving.
At this moment, Yang Jian picked up his phone and made a call, "Hello, is this Big Sister Jiang?"
A somewhat frantic voice came from the other end, "I've told you not to call me 'Big Sister.' Why are you only calling me now, after almost a week? Do you have any idea how I've managed this past week? Do you?"
"You haven't been hiding at home playing 'Greedy Blue Moon,' have you?" Yang Jian said.
Jiang Yan didn't know how to answer, feeling frustrated.
"I'm in the city now. I'll send you my location in a bit, come pick me up in your car. There are some things I need you to do later," Yang Jian said.
"That's great, I'll head over now," Jiang Yan said excitedly.
Yang Jian hung up the phone, feeling a bit puzzled. Was there any need for Jiang Yan to be that happy about picking him up?
Could there be a catch?
"You're getting off here? Do you live nearby?" Zhang Han asked.
"No, I'm just hungry and want to eat something. In Huanggang Village, I've been getting by on compressed food. You know how it is, that stuff just doesn't suit my taste. Eat too much and it makes you bloated. Anyway, I left you my number, call me if anything comes up," Yang Jian said.
"No, scratch that last sentence, it's better if I contact you in case there's anything—don't contact me. We're not that close."
"..." Zhang Han had actually wanted to invite him for a meal.
But hearing that, he felt asking again would be somewhat demeaning.
"Then, see you next time."
Zhang Han, feeling as if he had constipation, got out and watched as Yang Jian drove away in his expensive sports car.
"That's a really nice sports car. When I have the money, I'll buy one too," Yang Jian watched enviously and muttered to himself.
Afterward, he turned and walked into a fried chicken shop inside a nearby mall.
He was kind of missing junk food.
However, under the light of a street lamp nearby, no matter from which angle it shone on Yang Jian's figure, there was only one shadow behind him. This shadow was darker and more profound than those of others, stretched diagonally and long, as if a very tall person was lying on the ground... most importantly, this shadow had no head.
From that day in Huanggang Village, the Headless Ghost Shadow would always accompany Yang Jian.
Dangerous and terrifying.
Passersby who occasionally stepped on the shadow were not harmed but would suddenly feel a chilly coldness penetrate the soles of their feet. However, as the shadow followed Yang Jian's footsteps and moved away,
everything returned to normal.
"Excuse me, miss, would you mind if I cut in?"
Yang Jian, seeing the people lined up and feeling quite hungry, couldn't help but speak up.
The young woman in front of him in the queue widened her eyes to look at him.
As if she were looking at someone crazy or perverted.
Yang Jian said, "Sorry, my mistake, I meant to ask if I could cut in line. It's a bit awkward to say, but I've actually not eaten for several days..."