Chapter 111: He Yuelian in Da'ao City

On the other side.

In Da'ao City, Zhang Xianguang was standing outside an old street that seemed out of place with the entire city.

After a long while, a group stepped forward, and Zhang Xianguang followed them.

"How is the Ghost Courier situation?"

Just after entering an old house, Zhang Xianguang impatiently asked.

"Something went wrong," Zhang Xian said gravely.

"The Ghost Courier is out of control, and we don't know why it suddenly appeared in reality."

"We tried to send someone inside to check the situation, but the result"

"What do you mean? Is it bad?" Zhang Xianguang frowned.

"Yes, the rooms inside the Ghost Courier are now filled with Fierce Ghosts, and the oil paintings about the Ghost Couriers left in the post office have all vanished."

"Among them is also the painting that represents you," Zhang Xian said, his face looking grim.

The current Zhang Xianguang is not the real Zhang Xianguang; he is merely a person who possesses Zhang Xianguang's memories and has been successfully revived from an oil painting.

The Zhang Xianguang inside the Ghost Courier is the true Zhang Xianguang, the administrator of the Ghost Courier and the core of the Peach Garden Plan.

"I understand."

Upon hearing that his own portrait had also vanished, Zhang Xianguang did not become unhinged as Zhang Xian had expected; instead, he remained calm.

"Then what do we do now? The plan can no longer be carried out," Zhang Xian asked.

"Try contacting the captains at Headquarters; we have no other options now," Zhang Xianguang said.

"The Ghost Painting has already completed the Wedding Dress, and with the Mourning Technique's white evil accompanying it forming the Red and White Double Evil, it is no longer something we can easily resolve."

"Riding the Ghost Painting and executing the Peach Garden Plan can now only be a temporary measure; we need to find a way that prevents death."

In fact, for Zhang Xianguang, the Ghost Painting is not necessarily indispensable.

The mirror world can also be used to house people.

However, compared to the mirror world, the Ghost Painting's realm is safer and can covertly transfer everyone into the painting without anyone noticing.

Moreover, the Ghost Painting itself is comprehensive; it does not connect with other painted worlds, making it hard for Ghost's Invasion to occur.

The real trouble is, after riding the Fierce Ghost, how to stay alive continuously without one's consciousness being subject to Ghost Erosion.

"Alright, what about that woman?" Zhang Xian asked, bringing up another important figure in the Peach Garden Plan.

"Keep her. If we truly have a chance to imprison the Ghost Painting and wish to ride it, she remains essential."

As Zhang Xianguang spoke, his expression suddenly changed.

Da'ao City, something went wrong.

A grayish Ghost Domain, constantly shedding paper ash, descended upon the city.

"That's... a Ghost Painting!"

Zhang Xianguang's face grew heavy; he hadn't expected the Ghost Courier to just have an incident, and now trouble arose here as well.

"I'll immediately gather forces; we cannot let the Red and White Double Evil destroy this city."

Zhang Xian saw this and hurriedly ran out.

They were willing to sacrifice many for the Peach Garden Plan, but now that the plan is ruined, they are naturally less reckless.

At this moment, inside a commercial street of Da'ao City, a glamorous woman was strolling, continuously buying various clothes.

As she walked forward, people around occasionally cast envious, jealous, yearning, and admiring glances.

There was no other reason; the woman shopping was simply stunningly beautiful.

Even without any makeup, her looks could instantly outshine 99% of women worldwide; she was unbelievably beautiful.

She seemed less like a living human and more like the creator's most perfect creation.

"Again this, how boring."

He Yuelian walked forward, a slight smile unconsciously lifting the corner of her mouth; the Gaze of those around disgusted her, yet also gave her a natural sense of superiority.

It was a contempt that comes from being at the top of the food chain toward lower beings.

Aside from other aspects, in terms of looks, He Yuelian was confident that she was the most beautiful; she was the apex of the food chain.

In fact, as the daughter of Da'ao City's richest man, He Yuelian had no need to shop in such a mall.

The reason she came was mainly to enjoy those envious, jealous, and hateful glances.

Perhaps because she was exceedingly beautiful, even the self‑proclaimed top guys dared not approach He Yuelian.

Yet at that moment, He Yuelian's expression suddenly changed.

In the depths of fate, she seemed to sense an extremely terrifying presence.

She lifted her head to stare at the distant sky; although she saw nothing, He Yuelian felt an incomprehensible terror drawing near.

Just as she wondered why her heart was so dreadfully uneasy.

The sky over Da'ao City changed.

The previously clear blue sky became gloomy in an instant, as if shrouded by a thick layer of dark clouds.

It resembled rain, with water constantly falling, but oddly the rain seemed gray. Yet when He Yuelian examined closely, she realized it was neither clouds nor rain.

It was actually pieces of paper ash, as if burned, so dense that they floated in the sky, appearing like dark clouds.

What fell then was not water but those paper ashes drifting downward.

"What is that? What thing?"

He Yuelian seemed stunned, standing dumbfounded in place, staring at the sky without moving.

After a while, He Yuelian finally snapped out of her daze.

Because within that cloud‑like paper ash, she saw two terrifying figures.

One was a person in red clothing, the other in white clothing.

"No way, this is so unlucky?"

He Yue Lian looked at the two people, hurried deeper into the mall, trying to find a safe place.

Yet at that moment, she seemed to be targeted.

The Hong Bai Shuang Sha and white silhouettes, for some reason, seemed to have locked onto her.

He Yue Lian had just slipped into a VIP lounge on the second floor when the white and Hong Bai Shuang Sha silhouettes suddenly appeared there.

With their arrival, the temperature in the VIP lounge dropped sharply, even though it was summer; He Yue Lian felt as if she were in deep autumn.

At close range, He Yue Lian could see the two figures clearly.

The white figure seemed to be wearing Funeral Clothes, a paper copper coin hanging from its waist, and a Face‑Covering Cloth on its face painted with a strange Crying Face.

The Hong Bai Shuang Sha‑colored figure was dressed like a bride about to be married, dignified and as graceful as a maiden in her boudoir, beautiful and serene.

Yet this seemingly harmless bride inexplicably filled He Yue Lian with an incomprehensible terror, as if it were a predatory beast that selects its victims.

Conversely, the person in Funeral Clothes, looking extremely eerie, gave He Yue Lian a feeling that was actually a few points better than the bride.

"He Yue Lian?"

The white figure stepped forward, lifted the Face‑Covering Cloth, revealing a young face.

Yet the face beneath the cloth, though looking almost normal, carried a strange, sinister aura.

Especially the eyes, cold and emotionless, like a killing machine.

Under that gaze, He Yue Lian felt every part of her body as if seen through.

"I… I am He Yue Lian. Don't kill me. Whatever money you want, I'll give you. My father is the richest man in Da'ao City; he's very wealthy."

Hearing her name called, He Yue Lian hurriedly shouted.

"Money?" Zhang Hao glanced at He Yue Lian, without answering.

In fact, he hadn't intended to deal with He Yue Lian.

Only after entering the Ghost Post Office and killing Zhang Xian Guang did he recall this lingering threat.

To prevent Zhang Xian Guang from using He Yue Lian for trouble later, he deliberately came to Da'ao City to eliminate this risk.

"Don't be nervous; I only came to ask you for a favor."

Zhang Hao's tone was slow, as if a gentle husband were speaking to his beloved.

Of course, that presumes ignoring his cold, emotionless face.

"What favor?" He Yue Lian heard this and felt a hint of safety, yet remained uneasy.

"Do you want power?"

Zhang Hao didn't answer her, but suddenly spoke.

"What do you mean?" He Yue Lian seemed to think the person before her was asking something of her, and her heart regained a bit of calm.

"Like this."

Zhang Hao lifted his head and scanned the room, as if searching for a target.

Then, an invisible force emanated from Zhang Hao, centering on him and draining color from everything around. He slowly approached, lightly touched the now‑colorless table, and the whole table turned to ash‑like dust and vanished.

"Are you a Ghost Tamer?" He Yue Lian frowned.

Her status naturally allowed contact with Ghost Tamers, but she was not well informed about the Ley Line Circle.

"You may think so." Zhang Hao gave neither affirmation nor denial.

"What do you want me to help you with?" He Yue Lian asked. "What can I gain?"

Hearing that, Zhang Hao looked at He Yue Lian, and a vivid Photo appeared in his hand.

He Yue Lian examined the Photo; the person depicted seemed to resemble herself.

No, that's not me.

Though the portrait looked almost identical to her, He Yue Lian quickly noticed differences.

The person in the portrait appeared more perfect, more graceful, surpassing her own perfection.

If the portrait's subject were a fallen celestial, then she herself was a woman tainted by the mortal world, becoming ordinary.

With that thought, He Yue Lian looked at the bride who had filled her with terror.

For some inexplicable reason, she felt that once the bride removed her Red Cap, she would look like this.

"Take this, and you'll gain power you never imagined." Zhang Hao ignored He Yue Lian's thoughts and handed her the portrait.

"As for what you need to do, it's simple: go abroad, find an organization called the King Organization, and locate a person called the Painter."

"After finding the person, you don't need to do anything else; just inform me."

"You want me to go abroad alone, and even get involved with a foreign Ghost Tamer organization?" He Yue Lian frowned.

"I'm a frail little woman; what makes you think I have such ability?"

Hearing this, Zhang Hao shook his head and affirmed, "You have that ability."

"At least, after taking this painting, you have that ability."

Hearing that, He Yue Lian curiously examined the woman in the painting.

At that moment, the woman in the painting seemed to come alive, looking at He Yue Lian.

"It's… a ghost!" He Yue Lian's eyes widened.

"You're insane, handing me a ghost like that."

She knows how dangerous a ghost is.

"I can give you her power, without the risk of other Ghost Tamers' Fierce Ghost revival." Zhang Hao said calmly.

"But the condition is the one just mentioned: you go help me find the King Organization, a king called the Painter."

Hearing that, He Yue Lian's expression stiffened.

To become a Ghost Tamer, and without the risk of Fierce Ghost revival.

This method can both obtain great power and pose no danger; unquestionably, she was swayed.

"But on what basis should I believe you can do it? I've heard many people died because the Fierce Ghost revived."

"Many of them were major figures influencing the whole Da'ao City; even so, they had no way to prevent the Fierce Ghost's revival."

Zhang Hao heard this, his expression unchanged, and simply walked to the windowsill and said lightly.

"The major figures you mentioned, do you mean those few people?"

He Yuelian moved closer and saw several people she knew, the Ghost Tamers hired by her father, already standing outside the mall.

Among them were some Ghost Tamers who had pursued He Yuelian before, so she had a deep impression of them.

Even though He Yuelian found their appearance strange and did not wish to interact, their status as Ghost Tamers prevented her from speaking too bluntly.

Thus these people, for any reason, liked to approach He Yuelian, believing they could win her over.

When He Yuelian drew near and was just sizing up those people, silently calling their names in her mind.

She suddenly saw that the Ghost Tamers she usually never dared to offend were all kneeling on the ground.

"What happened to them?" He Yuelian asked, puzzled.

"They're dead."

Zhang Hao walked into the room without turning his head.

Hearing that, He Yuelian froze in place, motionless.

These Ghost Tamers she never dared to offend actually died like this? They didn't even see the man in front of them; he just mentioned them, gave them a glance, and they died? Not a single resistance?

"Alright, tell me your opinion—should we agree to this deal?"

Zhang Hao didn't concern himself with those dead Ghost Tamers, because it was unnecessary.

He Yuelian heard Zhang Hao speak again, hesitated briefly, then nodded in agreement.

Someone so powerful shouldn't need to deceive herself.

Hearing that, Zhang Hao finally nodded with satisfaction.

In fact, he could have eliminated He Yuelian outright, but he soon thought of her usefulness.

The current bride still lacks wisdom; he needs to keep the bride with him constantly.

Thus, his and the bride's speed in searching for the Puzzle is limited; given this, why not control He Yuelian?

Anyway, He Yuelian is essentially a living person created by Zhang Xianguang from a derivative portrait of a ghost painting.

Having a living person do his bidding later makes many things much more convenient.

He produced a derivative portrait and let He Yuelian command it.

She indeed will not cause the Fierce Ghost to revive, because essentially she is part of the ghost painting; how could the ghost painting revive and attack itself?

But that doesn't mean He Yuelian is completely unaffected.

As she commands that derivative portrait for longer and longer, gradually He Yuelian's subconscious will be subtly eroded by the Fierce Ghost's instincts.

And the Ghost Bride, as the original, can also gain some new memories and habits through He Yuelian's actions with that derivative portrait during this period, thereby enhancing her own wisdom.

Don't forget, the Ghost Bride now already has a concept of memory, but she still cannot speak.

What Zhang Hao now intends to do is let the Ghost Bride, via the Ghost Controlling Human method, improve her own wisdom through He Yuelian.

In fact, from Zhang Hao's various actions, the Ghost Bride's behavioral logic has also been somewhat affected.

However, although Zhang Hao and the Ghost Bride are one, they are still two entities; the Ghost Bride herself lacks the ability to control memory reading, so the boost to her wisdom is not that strong.

He Yuelian is different; she herself is a living person derived from a ghost painting, and she commands a derivative ghost painting.

Once she becomes a Ghost Tamer, she is entirely an external derivative of the Ghost Bride, and the enhancement to the bride's wisdom will be stronger.

As for why not directly forcefully control He Yuelian.

That's because Zhang Hao thinks He Yuelian's cognition and wisdom perform too poorly within the Ley Line Circle; her worldview is already fixed, and her behavior style is hard to change.

If the Ghost Bride were to obtain all her memories, it would not be a good choice.

Rather than that, it's better to let the Ghost Bride develop her own wisdom through He Yuelian.

Moreover, this way, even though he is currently in the country, he can have someone ahead of time help him locate the painter's trail.

After He Yuelian took the portrait, the woman in the painting seemed to come alive; a pair of fair, delicate hands reached out from the painting and firmly grasped He Yuelian's hands.

"W-what's going on?" He Yuelian said in terror.

"No need to worry, I'm here for everything."

Zhang Hao spoke calmly, easing He Yuelian's fearful heart a little.

Although she didn't know why, He Yuelian inexplicably felt that the man before her was very trustworthy, reassuring.

But in fact, they had only just met.

She couldn't understand this sense of deep-seated reassurance and trust.

That feeling was like a frail wife, when facing her husband, feeling she finally had a backbone—utterly absurd.

Under Zhang Hao's control, the woman in the painting began pulling He Yuelian toward the frame.

At first He Yuelian seemed very panicked, but under Zhang Hao's soothing, she quickly calmed down again.

After some time, the woman in the painting inexplicably underwent some changes.

Her originally icy temperament now added a touch of warmth belonging to a living person.

Those eyes that once showed no emotional fluctuation now also possessed a hint of Ghost's Agility.

As Zhang Hao reached out to grab the woman in the portrait and gave a pull, He Yuelian reappeared back in reality.

"How amazing."

He Yuelian's eyes widened, like a curious baby.

She examined her hands; her skin, unnoticed, became delicate and smooth, like white jade porcelain.

(End of chapter)