But the more pressing matter now was the immediate problem. Ye Tiancheng had none for the moment. Dwelling on this issue for too long would only complicate things; problems needed to be solved one by one. If they were all piled up, nothing would be clarified anytime soon.
Therefore, after rubbing his temples, Ye Tiancheng said to A Zi, "There's no need to be so absolute. I can't do that right now; I can't just let them go."
A Zi observed Ye Tiancheng for a while, not questioning why he said that. Instead, he asked Ye Tiancheng, "Then, what do you want me to do?"
Ye Tiancheng discussed with A Zi, "Do you have any way to stop all those malevolent spirits and prevent them from going to the entrance, from getting close to it? Ensure that no other entity sets foot in that place."
"That's all that's needed. After all, if you were to drive out all the malevolent spirits in your space at once, even if it were possible now, it wouldn't be good."
"They are in your territory and are content to be law-abiding because they can't do anything to you, being suppressed by you and not daring to cause trouble. But this doesn't mean they are inherently law-abiding or good-natured. Most of them are inherently fierce and brutal."
"If they were released directly, it would cause a great impact on the outside world, leading to unrest in the mortal realm. I cannot do such a thing."
A Zi listened to Ye Tiancheng's thoughts, pondered for a moment, and then asked Ye Tiancheng, "Then let's do this. I think this is not impossible to achieve."
"Regarding the matter of the outside being sealed by formations, they reported it to me, and I haven't yet indicated how I would handle it. Since that's the case, I'll directly say that I need to resolve the issue of the outside formations and seal off the entrance, ordering them not to approach. They shouldn't dare to object."
"Solving it this way should satisfy the conditions you want to achieve. Although the commotion won't be small, it's more reasonable and has good results, without causing such a huge disturbance, wouldn't you agree?"
Ye Tiancheng considered it and felt that this was indeed a very good method.
A Zi had absolute control over this space and was undoubtedly the supreme authority here. Firstly, if he forbade any entity from approaching the entrance, all living and dead beings here would not dare to disobey his command.
Secondly, with A Zi's control over this space, besides issuing commands, he could also construct an isolating barrier at the entrance, separating it. This way, even if someone didn't strictly adhere to A Zi's orders, no accidents would occur, and no one would accidentally stumble upon the entrance and discover anything.
Moreover, dealing with the issue of the outside being sealed and prohibiting any entity from approaching was indeed a ready and very reasonable excuse.
Although the commotion caused by this action would indeed be considerable, because the reason was so plausible, this point became less important.
Thus, Ye Tiancheng nodded in agreement with A Zi's suggestion and said, "I think this is acceptable. Let's proceed as you suggested. Seal the entrance, and preferably create a barrier to isolate it, so that no one with ill intentions, whether by accident or deliberately, trespasses. That would not be good."
A Zi then said, "Then it's settled. You go and handle your matters, and I'll do what I need to do on my end."
"When we've both resolved our issues, we'll go to the entrance together for the experiment. I'll also take the opportunity to find out where my old husk has gone. When I've finished my business and return to find you, I'll bring it along."
The three of them reached a consensus, and A Zi left the room of Ye Tiancheng and the little fox. Ye Tiancheng then summoned Zhang Liushun.
For the convenience of being summoned at any time, Ye Tiancheng and the little fox had given Zhang Liushun communication talismans. As long as Ye Tiancheng used a talisman to summon him, Zhang Liushun, holding the other talisman, would sense the summons and proactively come to find Ye Tiancheng and the little fox.
Meanwhile, Zhang Liushun had gone to investigate the matter of the little freak. Since he had never bullied the little freak and had occasionally treated him kindly in private, Zhang Liushun dared not do so openly. This was not simply about doing a good deed.
Those who are bullied by the masses are the anomalies within the group. Those who are not of our kind will have different hearts. If Zhang Liushun openly protected the little freak, he would also be doomed along with the little freak. Since he was of the same kind as the little freak, he would be bullied together.
At that time, no matter how powerful Zhang Liushun was, he would be outnumbered. Not to mention that Zhang Liushun was not that powerful at all.
However, although Zhang Liushun did not openly defend the little freak, his attitude was not malicious. He did not target or bully the little freak, and he would offer small, harmless favors in private. Therefore, when Zhang Liushun went to find the little freak with some food, the little freak did not reject him.
Zhang Liushun chatted with the little freak for a while. Although the little freak did not respond, for the sake of the food, he did not find Zhang Liushun annoying or try to drive him away.
Unexpectedly, after Zhang Liushun had been with the little freak for only a short while, the little freak began to wander around. Zhang Liushun couldn't stop him, and even with food, he couldn't keep the little freak there.
Zhang Liushun was helpless and dared not use force against the little freak. He feared that the little freak might have some connection with the little fox. If that were the case, he would offend Ye Tiancheng in the future, which would be a loss outweighing the gain.
People with connections were not to be provoked. Furthermore, if his relationship with the little freak deteriorated due to a confrontation, it would be detrimental to Zhang Liushun's investigation.
However, Zhang Liushun could not openly accompany the little freak. Thus, he had no choice but to follow the little freak secretly from a distance while the little freak wandered around.
And as he followed, Zhang Liushun was somewhat shocked. He didn't know if it was because he hadn't paid enough attention to the situation normally, or if something had changed, but Zhang Liushun discovered that the little freak was actively leaving the vicinity of the Grand Market Master's residence and wandering around the bazaar.
He even went near the entrance once and then lingered outside the Qingju Inn for a while.
Then, something extraordinary happened. Zhang Liushun saw the Grand Market Master, wearing a fox mask, suddenly appear and take the little freak away.
Zhang Liushun was extremely shocked. He never expected that by helping Ye Tiancheng with this matter, he would end up getting involved with the Grand Market Master. He was unsure of what to do next.
Zhang Liushun did not think that the Grand Market Master he saw might be fake or impersonated by some entity.
This was the Grand Market Master's territory. With a mere thought, the Grand Market Master could ascertain everything that happened here. Nothing could be completely hidden from the Grand Market Master. No one knew what fate awaited anyone who dared to impersonate the Grand Market Master to conduct affairs.
While Zhang Liushun mused that opportunities for reincarnation were rare, he also thought that things might not be so dire. He decided to observe for a while longer before deciding how to inform Ye Tiancheng.
It was at this moment that Ye Tiancheng suddenly used the communication talisman to summon Zhang Liushun.
Zhang Liushun thought to himself that he could no longer watch the little freak now. After all, the entity that took the little freak away was the Grand Market Master of the bazaar. He dared not provoke him; it was already remarkable that he hadn't fled on the spot.
Moreover, Ye Tiancheng had summoned him for a reason, so responding to Ye Tiancheng's summons was more important.
Therefore, not long after, Zhang Liushun returned and found Ye Tiancheng, then knocked on the door of Ye Tiancheng and the little fox's room.
When Ye Tiancheng opened the door and saw Zhang Liushun, he was a little surprised and asked, "Why did you come so quickly? Were you nearby before?"
Zhang Liushun stood at the door, respectfully bowed to Ye Tiancheng, and then replied, "Greetings, Lord Chen. I was indeed coincidentally in the vicinity at this time."
However, Ye Tiancheng was not particularly concerned about where Zhang Liushun had been or what he was doing before. His question was somewhat like a polite inquiry, similar to "Have you eaten?" or "Are you hungry?"
So, after hearing Zhang Liushun's reply, Ye Tiancheng made no further comment and did not press further. Instead, he stepped aside, gesturing for Zhang Liushun to enter the room to talk.
Zhang Liushun lowered his head, slightly bowed, and followed Ye Tiancheng into the room.
Throughout similar situations, when Ye Tiancheng asked Zhang Liushun to enter the room, Zhang Liushun's demeanor was generally the same: he followed quietly, kept his head lowered, bowed, never looked around aimlessly, focused only on his immediate surroundings, and concentrated all his attention on what Ye Tiancheng and the little fox were saying.
It must be said that if the situation were not special, and if Ye Tiancheng himself did not have such thoughts, and if these thoughts were not highly likely to be realized, having a subordinate like Zhang Liushun would actually be quite a comfortable matter.
He was easily bought, moved by simple gestures, and after being bought, he would offer much of his loyalty. He would diligently handle any tasks assigned to him and would also want to actively repay kindness.
Indeed, no matter how one thought about it, this malevolent spirit was truly a being that could be utilized and employed to a great extent.
This time was no different. Zhang Liushun followed Ye Tiancheng, not lifting his head the entire time. He respectfully followed Ye Tiancheng to the table, sat down, and then remained quiet without moving. His head and eyes did not dart around, showing great discretion.
After Ye Tiancheng sat down, he poured Zhang Liushun a cup of tea and handed it to him. Zhang Liushun was overwhelmed with gratitude and fear, accepted the teacup with reverence, and then gently sipped it before hearing Ye Tiancheng ask him questions.
Zhang Liushun couldn't help but feel that it was more comfortable when Ye Tiancheng genuinely had something to ask him or needed his help.
If he had to ask for the reason, Zhang Liushun had actually thought about it for a long time. He felt it was probably because Ye Tiancheng respected him too much. This respect, being so rare in this place, made him somewhat flustered.
When Ye Tiancheng had something to ask of Zhang Liushun or to inquire about, he never beat around the bush or was indirect. He would directly ask the questions he had thought of, rather than fabricating them to deceive people, as that could easily lead to him being exposed.
So, Ye Tiancheng directly asked Zhang Liushun, "I entrusted you with the matter of the little freak earlier. How has your investigation progressed?"