Chapter 753

At that time, everyone realized Xiao Jiu's move was bold, but in the end they unanimously approved Xiao Jiu's suggestion.

Everyone wanted to see just how big the impact of the pawnshop's reforms would be.

Everyone had prepared to meet the challenge, but they didn't expect it wasn't a challenge at all—it was a sudden storm!

Liu Junyan was more cautious; he then said to Huang Fan: "Before the announcement goes out, set up a strong formation within a hundred meters of the pawnshop to keep all yin entities away, and outside the formation place three layers of personnel to guard the pawnshop's safety."

Huang Fan received the order.

Liu Junyan then turned to Xiao Jiu and said: "Please, Senior Sister, first let the City God know; these days pay more attention to the pawnshop here, and if necessary, we may need him to intervene."

Xiao Jiu, however, said: "Don't worry, I'll have Shan Shan bring people over; give them more chances to gain experience."

Liu Junyan opened his mouth to object, feeling reluctant to part with his daughter, but seeing Xiao Jiu's piercing gaze, he could only choose to step back.

His daughter would eventually have to grow up.

Pampering is not the same as spoiling; Liu Junyan understood that principle.

That night, the Big Family got busy.

The next morning, Li Qingying and Hui Moqiong split their forces into two routes, spreading the news of the pawnshop's planned rule changes throughout Wufu Town.

At the same time, they notified all residents of Wufu Town: don't linger outside after dark today, and don't come out to gawk at any disturbance.

The townspeople of Wufu Town were already used to it; they were very obedient.

The whole day was calm, yet no one dared to let their guard down.

The incident occurred just after ten o'clock at night.

First, a gloomy wind blew in gusts on the street a hundred meters away; then, in the dark corners, shadowy figures loomed.

Around ten-thirty, Li Qingying's side received word that many wandering yin spirits had entered Wufu Town tonight, and her subordinates asked whether they should be expelled.

Li Qingying merely had her subordinates count the incoming yin spirits, and additionally sent people to guard the town's entrances; if anyone caused trouble, they would immediately seal off the exits.

This was meant to be "close the door and beat the dog."

Those who cause no trouble may come and go freely.

Troublemakers, however, will be allowed to come but not to leave.

That night, the pawnshop's main gate stood open, its interior blazing with light, the Soul-guiding Lamp hung beneath the west side of the corridor, and only the small street-facing door of the Nan Shu Fang remained tightly shut.

At eleven, the first fierce ghost that triggered the formation appeared.

It was a century-old female ghost, demanding to see Xiao Jiu and asking for a yin pawn.

Huang Fan informed her sternly: "The notice of the pawnshop's closure has been posted for five days; please go back for now, and when the pawnshop reopens you can come to pawn then."

The female ghost instantly roared: "You're cheating ghosts! When the pawnshop reopens, the pawn rules will change; then whether a ghost like me still qualifies to pawn isn't up to your word. I don't care—I am a fierce ghost, and before the new pawn rules are announced, the rule 'If a yin entity has a request, it cannot be refused' remains valid; you must accept this pawn, whether you like it or not."

Huang Fan suddenly understood.

No wonder everyone in the pawnshop tonight was on high alert; it was because of this.

For the past four days, these yin entities had been merely observing.

As soon as the news that the pawn rules would change today came out, these yin entities could no longer hold back.

After all, not every yin entity's request is legitimate.

Previously, with the rule "If a yin entity has a request, it cannot be refused" in place, these fellows felt emboldened, thinking that unless it was absolutely necessary, they could not lightly ask Xiao Jiu the pawnshop manager to make an exception and awaken them.

But now, the pawn rules are about to change.

This chance to make an exception and awaken them could be lost at any moment.

This is the fundamental reason why so many yin entities have rushed into Wufu Town before the new rules take effect, seeking an opportunity.

With this century-old female ghost taking the lead, dozens of fierce ghosts immediately gathered around, each glaring with scarlet eyes at Huang Fan.

If Huang Fan allowed this leading fierce ghost to enter, then this gate could not be held.

But if he refused, what followed would surely be a bloody storm.

But Huang Fan was not afraid.

He puffed out his chest and declared solemnly: "Even if a yin entity has a request, it must be stated after entering the pawnshop; here, a hundred meters from the pawnshop, sorry, the pawnshop cannot hear."

Upon hearing this, the fierce ghost instantly flew into a rage, baring fangs and claws as it lunged at Huang Fan.

At the same time, the dozens of fierce ghosts behind all joined the battle.

Huang Fan had prepared in advance.

His task tonight was to guard the safety within a hundred meters of the pawnshop; as long as he was there, no yin entity could be allowed inside.

When Huang Fan moved, the various positions outside the hundred-meter formation basically suffered attacks of varying degrees.

The personnel transferred from the main hall, together with Shan Shan and his subordinates, held fast to the formation.

However, from the very beginning, Xiao Jiu had issued orders to focus on expulsion and intimidation.

After all, among these yin entities, some have committed grave evils and may be slain, while others must not be harmed.

As time passed, at midnight the entire Wufu Town, centered on the pawnshop and extending a hundred meters out, was shrouded in a haze of dark miasma.

The temperature of the town dropped by more than ten degrees; everywhere yin winds howled, and the black mist grew so thick that one could not see one's hand in front of one's face.

This battle, if nothing unexpected happens, will last until three in the morning.

If tonight cannot be properly resolved, then tomorrow night the formation of a thousand ghosts surrounding the gate will still appear.

If it cannot be settled in a day, Wufu Town will not know peace for a day.

What Xiao Jiu wants is to have these problems erupt in advance and be resolved.

If the notice of adjusting the pawn rules were released together with the announcement of the pawnshop reopening for business, the problems provoked would be more numerous and more complex.

Xiao Jiu, after all, is still relatively steady.

Seeing that Shan Shan's side, some young birds had grown impatient from fighting and wanted to breathe fire to burn the yin spirits, Li Qingying's side issued a notice: the City God of Jūnzhú Shān would soon seal off the entrances and exits of Wufu Town, and would register those who illicitly intrude and cause trouble.

By the time this notice was sent out, the entrances and exits of Wufu Town had actually already been sealed.

Some of the yin spirits hastily preparing to flee were blocked at the checkpoint; those with household registration were escorted back to the City God Temple of their registered domicile, while those without any household registration were uniformly detained, tried, and convicted.

After that night, rumors spread far and wide that the Wufu Town Pawnshop and the Jūnzhú Shān City God Temple had acted underhandedly, employing a tactic called 'Lure the Lord into the Vessel' to clear out many wandering souls and fierce ghosts.

Xiao Jiu and Li Qingying couldn't have cared less.

They were basically inseparable.

Thanks to this, Wufu Town enjoyed a peaceful spell for quite a while.

Xiao Jiu wasn't in a rush to reopen the pawnshop either, after all such a major move only happens once; once the rules are settled, one must bear the consequences.

Time flew by, and before they knew it, three months had passed.

During those three months, the pawnshop's internal layout overhaul was basically finished.

Meanwhile, something big happened over on Yu Nian's side.

The City God Lord Wang Fantian, deploying a hundred miles of red bridal adornment, blockaded the Wangchuan River to force a marriage with Yu Nian……