Mysterious Revival

Chapter 161: Chapter 161: History Repeats Itself

In the villa, besides Yang Jian, Zhang Wei, Zhang Xiangu, and that Auntie Huang, there indeed existed a fifth person.

That ghost which had always been lurking around them, its spirit never dissipating.

No amount of words could surpass the persuasive power of seeing with one’s own eyes.

Zhang Xiangu had indeed seen with the mirror that there was another person in the room, and this person could only be seen through the mirror, invisible to the naked eye.

If it weren’t for Yang Jian remaining calm and collected sitting there, Zhang Xiangu would have already fled with his son and lover, scrambling to escape.

“Did you see it?”

Upon seeing the sudden change in Zhang Xiangu’s expression, Yang Jian knew he had confirmed it.

Zhang Xiangu’s complexion turned particularly ugly, a chill enveloping his entire body. He began to feel restless, the urge to leave immediately surging within him.

“Uncle Zhang, there’s no need to panic, even though panicking won’t help. Also, don’t think about escaping right away. That thing has always been following Zhang Wei, and it’s useless to go anywhere. For now, the ghost doesn’t pose a serious threat, as long as we don’t get too close to the mirror,” Yang Jian reminded him.

“Can you, can you resolve this?” Zhang Xiangu still asked nervously.

Yang Jian replied, “Not currently. No one in this world can guarantee to resolve a paranormal event, not even people with extensive experience, because the terror of a ghost is unpredictable. For the moment, the ghost has not started killing people. That’s already the best news.”

“I am here to investigate how that ghost became attached to Zhang Wei. Has Zhang Wei had any strange experiences recently, encountered any peculiar incidents? If one stays at home, the chance of encountering a ghost is not high. Even if one does encounter one, it’s unlikely that it’ll keep clinging on.”

“You’re right, that thing wasn’t encountered at home, but on the construction site. I took him to the site a few days ago,” Zhang Xiangu said with a deep frown.

“How can you be sure?” Yang Jian asked, puzzled.

Zhang Xiangu replied, “The construction site has been suspended recently due to the disappearance of workers. Just now, I saw that thing with my own eyes, and the clothes it wore were the workers’ uniforms from the site. That’s why I am certain that it must be something that came from the site.”

“I see.”

Yang Jian nodded, “That makes sense.”

Zhang Xiangu was able to calm down quickly. If he became a ghost master, he definitely would have potential.

Dealing with fierce ghosts requires a cool head, being able to analyze important information from any insignificant clue.

“Although you are Zhang Wei’s classmate, and some things might be awkward to say, this matter concerns Zhang Wei’s life. He is my only son, so I must ask for your help with this matter,” Zhang Xiangu said seriously, “Of course, as a form of gratitude, I won’t let you help for nothing. As long as Zhang Wei is safe, you can name your price.”

“As long as I can afford it, I won’t even frown.”

To him, people are more important than money.

And Zhang Xiangu thought that given his straightforwardness, Yang Jian would not have the cheek to quote an impossible price.

“Dad, what do you mean by that? Brother Tui isn’t lacking money right now, you can’t use money to insult others. We don’t want people to think just because we have a bit of money we are something special, that’s what you always taught me, right?” Zhang Wei said.

Yang Jian gave him a peculiar look.

Who the hell said I’m not lacking money.

I’m risking my life for money; how could you, a rich second generation, possibly understand the bitterness.

“This case is different from other paranormal incidents, it’s somewhat special. I’ll try to help and see what I can do. After all, we are friends, I can’t just stand by and watch Zhang Wei die,” Yang Jian said.

“Thank you so much,” said Zhang Xiangu, grateful. “When do you plan to start?”

Yang Jian answered, “I’ve already started. Since the source isn’t in this house, we have to go check out that construction site. If we can’t find the source, this ghost will be with us forever, and it’s only a matter of time before something happens.”

“Let’s leave right now. Xiao Huang, pack up the stuff, get ready to leave this place. I don’t plan to come back. No, don’t bother packing, let’s just go.” After hesitating for a moment, Zhang Xiangu immediately changed his mind.

Auntie Huang was taken aback for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

Yang Jian said, “It doesn’t matter, if there are any valuables at home, you might want to pack them. You probably won’t dare to come back before this is resolved, and with me here, nothing will go wrong.”

“Then give me ten minutes,” Zhang Xiangu said.

Indeed, he did have some important items at home, not jewelry or anything, but some important documents and files.

“Brother Tui, you’ve got to cover me, I need to grab some stuff too,” Zhang Wei said.

“Don’t worry, nothing will happen,” Yang Jian said.

Although the ghost looked scary, its actual abilities were still quite weak. At least for now, it was not highly dangerous.

Soon.

Zhang Xiangu came out with a stack of documents, Auntie Huang with a pile of jewelry, and as for Zhang Wei, he actually removed several hard drives from the computer, taking nothing else.

“Let’s go,” Yang Jian said.

Soon, the group of people drove away from the place.

“Xiao Huang, take these things back first, store them in the safe, and if anything happens, come find me at the construction site,” Zhang Xiangu instructed his mistress halfway through the trip.

It was clear that he trusted his mistress quite a bit.

Afterward, the three men headed straight for his construction site.

But at this very moment.

In a bustling area of Dachang City.

There was a bar with a sign that read: Rose Bar.

Normally, this bar was buzzing with lively crowds.

But because it was daytime, business seemed much quieter.

And at this very moment.

On the second floor of the bar, in a large private room.

A young man dressed in a Ghost Master uniform, leaning on a gold cane, said with a gloomy face, “Wang Yue, you should be well aware that as long as Yang Jian is alive, he will eventually become a problem for both of us. The kid has managed to control a second ghost through other means, significantly delaying the revival of the malicious ghost. As long as he doesn’t recklessly use his ghost powers, he could live for at least a year.”

“In a year’s time, the chances of him becoming the next person in charge of Dachang City are very high. I don’t think you would like the idea of having some eighteen-year-old kid managing a city, would you?”

On a large leather sofa sat a man with a tall build, wrapped in a thick scarf despite the heat, and smoking a cigar, with two flamboyantly dressed, twenty-something women in short skirts on either side.

His name was Wang Yue, and he was the owner of the Rose Bar.

“Zhao Kaiming, you need to understand, Yang Jian is a trouble for you but not for me,” Wang Yue said with a laugh. He took a puff of his cigar, pointed at himself and said, “I’ve killed Yan Li and his entire family for you, as a gesture of respect towards the Ghost Master. I wasn’t even this polite when Zhou Zheng, the previous Ghost Master, came to me. Whoever becomes the next Ghost Master doesn’t really concern me.”

He shook his cigar, blowing out a ring of smoke.

“You lost a leg to Yang Jian, that’s your own problem. Don’t drag me into your Ghost Masters’ power struggles, OK?”

Zhao Kaiming, leaning on his golden cane, limped closer, his sinister gaze fixed on Wang Yue, “You’re already involved. Yang Jian seeks revenge for Yan Li and his family, do you think you don’t know? Wang Xiaoqiang’s club was overturned by him, a bunch of shareholders died, only a guy named Ma Youcai survived.”

“Wang Xiaoqiang is no match for him. The Huanggang Village incident also caused Xiaoqiang Entertainment Club to lose five or six Ghost Masters. Now, the only credible person left in his club is someone named Ye Feng. The other few Ghost Masters, each controlling just one ghost, are bound to die when the malicious ghosts resurge; they won’t dare to show their faces.”

“If Ye Feng really goes after Yang Jian, at best it would be one-on-one, and the odds of winning aren’t great. So, if I’m not mistaken, Wang Xiaoqiang will definitely come to you for a meeting.”

“So you want me to agree to Wang Xiaoqiang, join forces with Ye Feng to get rid of Yang Jian? Then you, the instigator, will reap the benefits, letting us go head-to-head until one of us dies?”

Wang Yue, puffing on his cigar, smirked and pointed to his head, “I’m not stupid, Zhao Kaiming. Don’t treat me like an idiot. I’ve survived several supernatural incidents, show me some respect, okay?”

Zhao Kaiming stood by the window on the second floor, watching the bustling traffic outside, “Such a prime location, such a busy bar, you must be raking in gold every day, right? It would be a shame if it got shut down.”

“You can go ahead and seal it off, I can open as many bars as I want if I wish, you think I rely on this to make money? Since I’ve become a ‘Ghost Controller,’ I’ve made more than enough money. The only reason I opened this bar was to play with some women.”

As he spoke, Wang Yue gave the beauty in his arms a kiss. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“President Wang, I want one too,” another woman cooed.

“Sure, sure, everyone gets a share, I just love the way you pout,” Wang Yue laughed with a he-he.

Zhao Kaiming said, “A man with no long-term concerns is bound to have immediate worries, Wang Yue, you need to look further ahead. I’ll give you one hundred kilograms of gold and this entire commercial street for the deed you promised to Wang Xiaoqiang.”

Wang Yue, who had been flirting with women, restrained his smile slightly, “And what if I refuse?”

“Bang~!”

The next moment, a gunshot rang out.

Blood spattered from the woman in his embrace immediately.

“If you don’t agree, this is what will happen to you.”

A wisp of white smoke rose from the pistol in Zhao Kaiming’s hand, his eyes tinged with a hint of madness.

“Ahh~!”

The other woman beside them was stunned at first, then screamed and ran out frantically after coming to her senses.

Wang Yue didn’t stop her. He put down the cigar in his hand, wiped the blood off his face, and stood up expressionlessly, like a wild beast about to fly into a rage, growling from his throat, “Zhao Kaiming, are you looking to die?”

“If Yang Jian doesn’t die, I’ll end up dying by his hands sooner or later. I don’t stand much of a chance against him; he can surprisingly knock off one of my legs just as he can take my head. But I’m quite confident in dealing with you. And are you sure you want to go to war over a woman? Think it through before you act. No matter what, I’m now the in-charge of Dachang City; if you kill me, you will be wanted.”

Zhao Kaiming squinted his eyes, like a venomous snake.

“As a fugitive, once Yang Jian takes over, his first order of business will be to clear you out. Even if he doesn’t, the headquarters will issue orders against you for violating human safety — a priority over supernatural events.”

“You don’t have a choice.”

Wang Yue’s breathing was heavy, and the rage in his heart wanted to burst.

But reason stopped him.

Zhao Kaiming was right; getting into a fight with him now would do no good — on the contrary, it would corner himself into a dead end.

But agreeing to cooperate with Wang Xiaoqiang to deal with Yang Jian also felt unbearable to him.

He didn’t want to get involved in the struggles between ‘Ghost Controllers.’ He had helped Zhao Kaiming kill Yan Li previously as a favor to this new ‘Ghost Controller’ to avoid being bothered by him.

He hadn’t expected that dealing with Yan Li would be a trap, entangling him in this complex struggle.

“Kill Yang Jian, and everything will get better. You’ll still be the underworld boss of Dachang City. I can guarantee that during my term, this will be the last time I ask for your help, there won’t be a next time,” Zhao Kaiming said.

Wang Yue pondered for a while and then, with a grim face, walked over and landed a fierce punch on his face.

Zhao Kaiming did not resist and was knocked to the ground by the punch, blood streaming from the corner of his mouth.

“Heh, then it’s a deal. I wish you good luck,” he struggled to stand up using a cane, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and revealed a cold smile.

“You should have died sooner; you’re more like a ghost than a human.”

Wang Yue picked up a bottle of champagne, took a swig, and then threw the bottle against the wall, where it exploded with a bang, “Get lost, and don’t ever let me see you again.”

Zhao Kaiming wiped the liquor from his face and then, preparing to leave with his prosthetic limb, cautioned, “Be wary of the shadow under Yang Jian’s feet and his eyes. His file name is Ghost Eye Yang Jian. That ghast eye must be quite exceptional; otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to survive the Huanggang Village incident. If possible, I suggest you confine that ghost eye.”

“Perhaps, this could turn into an unexpected gain for you on this trip.”

“Get lost.”

Wang Yue growled lowly, and the lights in the private room flickered on and off before going out completely, plunging everything into darkness.

Zhao Kaiming smiled, but as he was about to leave, he noticed the walls around him suddenly begin to decay.

The plaster peeled away quickly, and moss started to spread, while a stench of decay wafted through the air.

Through the private room’s glass door, he could vaguely make out the figure of a tall, thin person wearing a black robe who had appeared outside at some unknown time.

“This isn’t your doing, is it?” Zhao Kaiming turned back to ask.

Wang Yue’s expression tensed, and he immediately turned and dashed toward the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out onto the street.

At this very moment,

the street outside suddenly turned pitch black. The light from the entire world was vanishing, and even the pedestrians and vehicles on the road had disappeared without trace. What’s more, the darkness from all directions was rolling in like fog, continuously encroaching upon this place.

It was like the gaping maw of a monster, ready to devour everything in front of it.

“Of course, it’s not my ability,” Wang Yue said.

“Since it’s not, it seems we’re quite unlucky today. This is a paranormal event… and it’s a paranormal event targeting us,” Zhao Kaiming slowly retreated from the doorway.

The tall, thin man in the black robe standing outside the door was, without a doubt, a ghost.

A real ghost.

“Thump, thump-thump~!”

The next moment, a knocking sound came from the door.

It was heavy and oppressive, like a knock on the heart itself, almost leaving one breathless.

“Is this… Ghost Door Knocker?” Zhao Kaiming’s eyes suddenly narrowed.

He had heard the knocking before, during his call with Yang Jian earlier that day.

It was this sense of crisis that had prompted him to quickly arrange for Wang Yue and Wang Xiaoqiang to join forces, but he hadn’t expected that despite his swift action, he would still encounter this paranormal event.

“What is Ghost Door Knocker?” Wang Yue inquired.

Zhao Kaiming was not afraid but spoke very calmly, “In the paranormal events of Dachang City, only seven lucky individuals left alive, and Yang Jian was one of them. That paranormal event was named Ghost Door Knocker by the Ghost Tamer Department, Terror Level: A, Catastrophe Level. Oh, and the last Ghost Tamer, Zhou Zheng, also died in a university incident.”

“What? A Catastrophe Level ghost?”

Wang Yue’s face contorted with fury, “Zhao Kaiming, you damn bastard, you’ve screwed me over.”

“Sorry, I’m as innocent as you are. It seems Yang Jian has a way of manipulating the Ghost Door Knocker event, so the real enemy is him, not me. Now is not the time to be angry. Let’s find a way to survive first. The danger level of a Catastrophe Level ghost doesn’t need reminding,” Zhao Kaiming said.

“Your mother’s…”

Wang Yue was so angry he felt like killing someone,

but the current situation did not allow him to settle the score with Zhao Kaiming.

“Thump, thump-thump~!”

The second round of knocking sounded again.