Chapter Twenty-Five: Seeking Zhang the Paper Man

Chapter Twenty-Five

“I mentioned three cases before. The first two have no clues and are fraught with danger.”

The only case Zhao Fusheng could tackle was the ghost incident in Beggars’ Alley.

“So, the ghost case in Beggars’ Alley is her sole option for now.”

Zhao Fusheng displayed her ambition to take control of the Demon Suppression Bureau. Having lost her parents because of the Fan brothers, she returned from death distrusting them, aware they were unwilling to accompany her, and she herself could not keep two schemers by her side.

Aside from subduing the resurrected corpses of the Zhao couple, the Beggars’ Alley affair was her first direct encounter with such a ghostly calamity.

She did not trust the Fan brothers, so she was determined to send them away.

“……”

Fan Wujie looked speechless; Fan Bisi paused before finally sighing:

“This matter is a test for us as much as it is for her—a chance for us as well.”

The extraordinary composure and decisiveness Zhao Fusheng had shown while dealing with her parents’ corpses made Fan Bisi regard her in a new light, believing she truly had the ability to command the Demon Suppression Bureau of Wan’an County.

“If she can handle the Beggars’ Alley case as well, then even if we don’t go to Bao County, following her would be worthwhile—”

Otherwise, as the brothers had previously offended Zhao Fusheng, delivering the Zhao couple’s corpses to Bao County now would be an act of allegiance.

If they succeeded and returned safely, it would not only prove their capability but also express their resolve and remorse.

“Fusheng said, once we finish this matter, all past grievances will be wiped clean—”

At this, Fan Wujie couldn’t help but ask:

“Brother, what if Zhao Fusheng dies? What if she dies in Beggars’ Alley?”

No one understood the terror of dealing with vengeful ghosts better than they. Two generations of the Zhao family had died in ghost taming; those who command ghosts rarely live long, and contact with ghosts hastens death.

“If she dies, we proceed as planned,” Fan Bisi said coldly. “We’ll find someone else to replace the Bureau’s chief. It’ll take more effort, but we simply won’t go to Bao County, and will seek another path.”

With that, Fan Wujie knew his brother had made up his mind.

Their bond was profound, so he said no more, burying himself in helping his elder brother dismantle the cart.

“Let’s move quickly and hope the journey is smooth.”

Fan Bisi’s gaze softened, and he replied quietly, “I’ll follow your lead.”

He glanced in the direction Zhao Fusheng had gone, his expression complicated, before lowering his head to focus on his task.

…

Meanwhile, Zhao Fusheng left without hesitation. After entrusting the corpses of her parents to Fan Bisi, she did not linger to watch events unfold.

She believed Fan Bisi to be clever enough to make the right choices.

Retracing her steps, Zhao Fusheng returned to the street where the Demon Suppression Bureau was located, just in time to see Old Zhang from the coffin shop hurriedly locking his door.

Page Two

As he locked up, he kept glancing around nervously.

This street was desolate and bleak, allowing one to see from end to end at a glance.

After scanning one side, Zhang Chuan-shi turned and spotted Zhao Fusheng returning.

She had been standing there for some time, and his nervous behavior had not escaped her notice.

“You…”

He was so startled he nearly dropped his keys, his face full of alarm.

“Weren’t you going to the burial?”

As her parents were laid to rest, Zhao Fusheng, as their daughter, should have accompanied them.

He had seen her leave with the procession, but unexpectedly, she had returned so soon.

“I suddenly remembered something urgent—”

Zhao Fusheng smiled at him, feigning casualness as she asked, “Old Zhang, where are you off to?”

From her memories, the coffin shop never closed, yet today, right after her parents’ funeral, Zhang Chuan-shi was shutting up.

Could he be planning to run away?

The thought flashed through Zhao Fusheng’s mind, but she immediately dismissed it: impossible!

She had half-threatened, half-forced Zhang Chuan-shi into joining the Bureau, and Fan Bisi had said that once a soul was entered into the ledger, the person became bound by ghostly constraints—escape was out of the question.

Even with Paper Zhang backing him, Zhang Chuan-shi could not break free from the soul’s bondage; he could not run.

If escape was impossible, perhaps he meant to relay the Bureau’s news to Paper Zhang, seeking his aid?

But what secrets did the Bureau now hold worth spreading? Her resurrection? His forced enlistment?

—or perhaps today’s incident, where the Zhao couple’s vengeful ghosts nearly caused disaster?

At this thought, a dark light flashed in her eyes, followed by a smile:

“Are you going to find Paper Zhang?”

“That’s not—” Old Zhang answered reflexively, but seeing the enlightened smile in Zhao Fusheng’s eyes, he grew flustered.

“Really not, I have other things to do.”

His bald head quickly grew oily with sweat; today’s dealings with Zhao Fusheng had left a deep shadow on his heart.

Still racking his brains for excuses, Zhao Fusheng waved her hand:

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking for him or not, but right now I need to find him. You’re relatives, so you’ll take me there.”

“I don’t need to see him, I have nothing to discuss—” Zhang Chuan-shi shook his head instinctively, but hearing the last part, he jolted.

“What?”

Zhao Fusheng noted his reaction, but she had urgent business and did not wish to press further. Smiling, she repeated:

“I need to see Paper Zhang. He’s your nephew, so you can take me to him.”

Page Three

“I can’t—” Zhang Chuan-shi finally understood her request, his face turning sour as he desperately waved his hands.

“I’m not close to him, we merely share a surname. I was overreaching, trying to claim kinship, but he never acknowledges me.”

He remembered Zhao Fusheng’s earlier threat: Paper Zhang had endangered her life, and if she didn’t seek revenge, she would go after him herself.

Zhang Chuan-shi guessed: could it be Zhao Fusheng, after taming ghosts, had recalled old grudges and was eager to confront Paper Zhang?

Thinking this, he regretted ever bringing up Paper Zhang.

Paper Zhang was ruthless and cunning; if he learned Zhang Chuan-shi had betrayed him and caused trouble, Zhao Fusheng might not kill him today, but Paper Zhang certainly would.

Frightened and angry, Zhang Chuan-shi clasped his hands in a pleading gesture:

“Master Zhao, have mercy, I truly have no dealings with Paper Zhang. Now that I’ve been forced into the Bureau, my fate is already uncertain—please spare me—”

“What makes you say that?”

Zhao Fusheng watched him patiently, seeing his miserable look, and feigned sudden enlightenment:

“You’re not afraid I’m seeking revenge and that he’ll blame you, are you?”

Zhang Chuan-shi didn’t respond, but his face unmistakably asked, ‘Isn’t that so?’

Zhao Fusheng patted his shoulder.

“Of course not.”

“Now that you’re in the Bureau, we’re colleagues sharing hardship. How could I harm you?” She tapped her waist.

“I simply need to handle a ghost case, so I want to ask Paper Zhang for help. You happen to be here, so take me to him. After our talk, we’ll go exorcise the ghost together.”

This frightened Zhang Chuan-shi so much that he staggered, his legs weak, looking even worse than when he first heard she wanted to see Paper Zhang.

“That’s impossible, truly impossible…”

As he nearly fell, he grabbed his door lock to steady himself, shaking his head furiously.

“I’m not a ghost handler, I have no powers. If I encounter a ghost, I’ll only die—”

“Old Zhang, don’t underestimate yourself.” Zhao Fusheng advised earnestly. “Everyone has their role, even rotten wood can be put to unexpected use at critical moments.”

“No, no, no.” Zhang Chuan-shi’s face was pale, his forehead drenched in sweat.

“I have no role at all, I only know coffins, nothing else—”

“I noticed your assistant is remarkable. When trouble struck the Bureau, others fled, yet you stayed. You must have some special skills.” Zhao Fusheng subtly probed.

“Really none.” Zhang Chuan-shi swore.

Living next door to the Bureau, he understood better than most the rule that its chief dies on every mission—he had grown rich by selling coffins to them over the years.

“My assistant was a favor from Paper Zhang. He has a secret technique that helps people avoid the gaze of vengeful ghosts…”

At this, his eyes lit up.

“I’ll take you to see Paper Zhang. He has ways to help you.”