Chapter 48: Two Problems

According to ZS City's surveillance, the head balloons first appeared at that Caesar Hotel.

Tong Qian pointed at the magnificent hotel not far away and said.

Moreover, everyone in the hotel disappeared completely the day after the head balloons appeared; the situation is unclear. From the hacker's intrusion into the hotel front desk computer, the suspect Zhao Lei reported by Yang Jian happened to have checked into the hotel on the day after the head balloons were born.

All disappeared? What about the hotel's surveillance?

Feng Quan frowned and asked, since the hacker could breach the lodging records, there's no reason they couldn't breach the surveillance.

Tong Qian replied: "The hotel's surveillance was deliberately destroyed; we have no way of knowing what happened then."

Deliberate destruction? What a joke—how could a ghost have that kind of intelligence?

Guo Fan said in disbelief.

The newspaper ghost has the ability to alter memories and can control humans to become its ghost slaves; therefore, destroying the surveillance must have been done by humans under its control.

Yang Jian originally wanted to say it might have been Zhao Lei who did it, but when the words reached his lips he temporarily changed it to "humans".

Such a dangerous ghost—why didn't you eliminate it the first time you encountered it? Letting it run around everywhere—is it harder to resolve than an S-rank incident?

Guo Fan mocked Yang Jian openly and secretly, his words ridiculing Yang Jian as a good-for-nothing.

Actually, this matter is somewhat related to Chen Shoushan. At the time, Chen Shoushan finished dealing with the starving ghost and left directly; Yang Jian, who had just come back to life, looked dazed and became a big hero. When asked how he imprisoned the starving ghost, he could only make things up, so to some unaware officials at headquarters it seemed Yang Jian was just lucky—actually he's just a good-for-nothing.

Hearing Guo Fan's words, Tong Qian frowned; how could we be fighting among ourselves at a time like this? Just as she was about to speak, she heard Yang Jian's words.

Is that so? Then if I encounter someone disgusting, shouldn't I also take them out the first time I meet them, to avoid being disgusted again later?

Yang Jian said coldly, "Damn it, if a tiger doesn't show its power, you treat it like a sick cat?" After the headless ghost shadow crashed, Yang Jian already had the capital to be arrogant.

As he spoke, a ferocious scarlet eye split open on Yang Jian's forehead, ice-cold stare fixed on Guo Fan; the atmosphere instantly turned icy, even Xiong Wenwen put down her phone, pitifully looking at Guo Fan.

Who else would this guy provoke? He had to provoke Yang Jian, and Yang Jian really would strike.

Guo Fan stared at Yang Jian without fear on his face, but inside he felt a little uneasy; it seemed Yang Jian wouldn't really strike, right? Feng Quan, come break it up!

Stop! Yang Jian, this isn't the time for internal conflict, and Guo Fan, you should say a few less words—supernatural incidents aren't simple matters that can be resolved just by saying so.

Tong Qian stepped forward to mediate; after all, she's the person in charge of ZS City, and by rights these people are here to help her—if they start fighting, what would that be?

What Tong Qian said is right; Yang Jian, calm down a bit—we didn't come here to fight.

Feng Quan also stood up and said.

Hmph!

Guo Fan let out a cold snort, expressing his dissatisfaction.

Yang Jian glanced at Tong Qian before coldly smirking and closing the scarlet ghost eye on his forehead.

Aren't you going to go break up the fight? Feng Quan already went to help Guo Fan.

Xiong Wenwen didn't know when she had hidden behind Chen Shoushan, whispering to him, looking as if she feared the world would not be chaotic enough.

Chen Shoushan smiled and said, "No need; the two of them together aren't a match for Yang Jian."

Yang Jian, who had mastered the crashed headless ghost shadow, and who also possessed the rare Ghost Realm, was basically not something an ordinary Ghost Master could resolve.

This hotel has experienced two supernatural incidents in just a few days; I don't think it's a coincidence—the hotel must have something strange about it.

Chen Shoushan's words immediately drew everyone's attention, and at the same time dispelled the tension that had just arisen.

What do you mean? Does this hotel have some special place that attracts ghosts?

Tong Qian asked, somewhat puzzled.

Maybe; I suspect there might be other supernatural incidents inside the hotel.

Chen Shoushan explained.

If that's the case, things just got troublesome.

Yang Jian and Feng Quan, upon hearing Chen Shoushan's words, involuntarily furrowed their brows; before we can prove Chen Shoushan's statement wrong, we must take this possibility into account.

This is just your guess; what if it's merely a coincidence?

Guo Fan jumped out again to make a show of presence, but the others didn't say anything, after all what Guo Fan said could also be true.

Everyone, there are now two more important issues.

Chen Shoushan said with a solemn expression.

First, how many people in ZS City are controlled by the newspaper ghost—we still don't know.

Second, we can't guarantee that the newspaper ghost and the head balloons are still in the Caesar Hotel now.

Chen Shoushan's question put everyone present into deep thought; even the stubborn Guo Fan closed his mouth.

Wait, if someone in the patrolling troops outside has been controlled, aren't we in danger?

Guo Fan suddenly said in fear, "They can't stop bullets—under all those automatic rifles, we'd probably be shot to pieces."

It shouldn't happen; troops aren't usually stationed in ZS City, so the chance of altered memories is low, but just in case, Bureau Chief Zhang, go collect everyone's weapons—after all, we won't need them.

Chen Shoushan thought for a moment and then said to Zhang Gao.

Good! I'm going now.

Zhang Gao also realized the seriousness of the situation, hurried out, and completely forgot that the person in charge of ZS City was Tong Qian, not Chen Shoushan.

And Tong Qian didn't think there was any problem; on the contrary, she felt Chen Shoushan had considered everything thoroughly.

For now, this is the only lead we have; we have no other options.

Yang Jian thought and said, he had obtained Zhao Lei's location from the ghost cabinet—it was in the Caesar Hotel, although that was a few days ago, but now there are no other leads.

Indeed, since we've come all this way, we should go inside and have a look; we might even happen to resolve other supernatural incidents.

Feng Quan also gave his own reason.

Alright, then I and Tong Qian will provide support from outside.

Chen Shoushan nodded and said naturally.

You don't dare go in?

Guo Fan mocked and asked.

Before Chen Shoushan could speak, Zhang Gao, who had just returned, stood up and explained to everyone: "The headquarters previously issued an order that Mr. Chen Shoushan does not need to enter the Caesar Hotel."

Is this an order personally issued by headquarters?

Guo Fan said incredulously, you know this time even an important Ghost Master like Xiong Wenwen has to enter, yet Chen Shoushan was actively asked by headquarters not to enter.

Yang Jian vaguely guessed that this might be related to Chen Shoushan's ability.

Exactly!

Zhang Gao said firmly.

You just stay outside, I can go in!

Tong Qian frowned, about to reject Chen Shoushan's suggestion; she is the person in charge of ZS City, how could she not go in personally?

Chen Shoushan firmly said: "No! You must stay outside; the Paper Ghost's target might be your ghost face."

The Paper Ghost is looking for Tong Qian's Smiling Face Ghost; if Tong Qian, like in the original, has her Smiling Face Ghost taken by the Paper Ghost, it will be trouble.

My ghost face?

Tong Qian asked doubtfully.

Hmm, otherwise it wouldn't have come all the way to ZS City.

Chen Shoushan also had no intention of hiding it.

This... okay.

Although Tong Qian still wasn't clear why the Paper Ghost was fixated on her ghost face, she was still subconsciously persuaded by Chen Shoushan.

Only Yang Jian had a sudden realization: exactly, the Paper Ghost's method of altering memories is to take someone's face; how could this not indicate it might be searching for a particular face?

And Tong Qian's ghost face is undoubtedly the most suitable one; wait, I seem to still have a crying face in my hand... could that also be a target the Paper Ghost is seeking?

(End of chapter)