Chapter 1243 - 1209: The Reply Before 6 O'Clock
Chapter 1243 - 1209: The Reply Before 6 O'Clock
It's still early.
There are still two hours until the time for the final response to Wang Xiaoming.
During these last two hours, Yang Jian didn't go anywhere; he just found a tall building, stood on the rooftop, blew against the biting wind, and quietly thought.
He wanted to weigh the pros and cons one last time, whether to agree to Wang Xiaoming becoming this Enforcement Captain.
"What headquarters really wants isn't truly an Enforcement Captain; they just need someone who can step up and unify the rest of the captains, preventing situations where they can't be mobilized. Given the current situation, headquarters' offerings are limited—having a price too small or too large doesn't work, and the same goes for the status of this Enforcement Captain—not too low or too high."
"So Wang Xiaoming straightforwardly handed all the decision-making to the person who becomes the Enforcement Captain, allowing them to decide the status and benefits of this Enforcement Captain."
"He valued me because my ambition is not large, I have strength, and I can also take the first steps to test the waters. Otherwise, Wei Jing, Li Jun, and Cao Yang definitely have at least one among them who is more suitable than me."
Yang Jian carefully analyzed, again pondering Wang Xiaoming's thoughts.
"With my current style and state, headquarters has confidence that they can maintain the existing situation and has the ability to mobilize other captains, and all it costs is a title and some bearable commitments."
"Therefore, even if I do agree to become the Enforcement Captain, headquarters will still be in charge, though there might be a period when headquarters yields to me; however, as more time passes, new people may replace me, and this situation will be reversed."
Various thoughts collided in Yang Jian's mind, generating various guesses.
Finally, he reached a conclusion.
One can be the Enforcement Captain, but benefits and obligations must be reduced to satisfying just one person's needs. Similarly, rights must also be reduced, reducing them to a level Yang Jian can easily handle.
Absolutely cannot let himself be trapped by a metaphorical cake.
Power is not a good thing; it makes people run ragged and eventually leads to death.
Yang Jian is a ghost handler, and his essence is survival, not chasing that illusory power.
Thinking about this.
The previous internal struggle disappeared instantly.
He cast aside normal human ways of thinking, diminishing the importance of money and power, focusing only on the essential thing, which is survival.
Only by placing survival first can Yang Jian live longer.
So.
Yang Jian found his answer in his heart.
He slightly lowered his head, looking at the now illuminated city.
Still bustling and radiant.
Standing here, the wind had blown for a long time, but the cold wind had no effect on him, for his body was colder than the wind.
In the next moment.
Yang Jian disappeared from the rooftop of the tall building.
Since he has an answer, there's no need to waste time waiting until six o'clock; he can respond to Wang Xiaoming now.
Meanwhile.
Inside headquarters.
After completing his liquid drip treatment in the hospital room and taking a nap, Wang Xiaoming slightly recovered.
He didn't want to waste the little time he had left lying in bed, so he struggled to leave the hospital room against the medical staff's objections.
He found Shen Liang.
Shen Liang is a supervisor, assisting Cao Yanhua in managing the various affairs of headquarters.
"Professor Wang, you should be resting in the hospital room right now, not moving around randomly."
Shen Liang paused his work and advised Wang Xiaoming.
"I don't have much time left; wasting it in bed is pointless, so tell me, what has Yang Jian been doing these past few hours?" Wang Xiaoming inquired.
Shen Liang said, "He went to a county outside the city, probably to find Zhao Kaiming's daughter, Zhao Xiaoya. Gao Ming had been looking after the child before, but now that Gao Ming is gone, Yang Jian likely doesn't feel comfortable leaving a little girl targeted by a ghost out there; he's probably planning to bring her back to Dachang City."
"Is it that Wish Sticker incident?"
Wang Xiaoming nodded, "Probably not just that."
"He went back to a villa. Probably his old classmate Miao Xiaoshan, except Miao Xiaoshan and her classmate Liu Zi were shopping, and the two didn't meet." Shen Liang said.
He didn't track Yang Jian, but he paid attention to the places Yang Jian had been interested in. Whenever Yang Jian showed up, the staff nearby would immediately relay the information.
"Those are trivial matters." Wang Xiaoming shook his head and said.
Shen Liang said, "He finally went to meet Zhang Lei. A recent update from Zhang Lei's assistant stated that with Yang Jian's help, Zhang Lei managed to master a new supernatural power and achieve a certain balance."
"The ghost of Zhang Lei is very special; it can swallow other supernatural entities, even terrifying ghosts. I've researched him for a while, and it's precisely because of this characteristic that Zhang Lei has been unable to control new ghosts to achieve balance. I'm curious, what did Yang Jian do to restore balance to Zhang Lei's ghost and prevent its ghostly resurgence?" Wang Xiaoming said.
He had a significant impact on this particular ghost handler and found it memorable.
Shen Liang said, "I'm not able to pinpoint that; the latest updates will take some more time to come through..."
"If you want to know, why not just ask me directly? I'll tell you."
However, at that moment, Yang Jian's voice unexpectedly echoed around.
Everyone nearby was startled at first upon hearing the voice, but quickly returned to their work.
Shen Liang said, "Yang Jian, don't misunderstand. It's not that I intended to investigate you, but there's a need to understand the supernatural events occurring everywhere."
Yang Jian coolly said, "It's alright. The more people know, the quicker they often die. Look at Wang Xiaoming, he's about to die. The supernatural is a curse, and those who get too close meet a bad end."
The next moment, the indoor lights flickered for a bit.
Once dark, once bright.
Yang Jian already stood nearby, unexpectedly.
Wang Xiaoming said, "It's quite right, those too close to the supernatural meet misfortune, perhaps it truly is a curse as well."
Wang Xiaoming said, "You came early, an hour and forty minutes earlier than agreed."
Yang Jian said expressionlessly, "Naturally I came once I figured it out. I said I'd respond before six o'clock. Now coming a little early, isn't it good? At least it leaves an hour for you to get injections and take medicine."
Wang Xiaoming looked calm and said, "So what is your answer? Refusal or agreement?"
Yang Jian said, "You always like to set traps in choices. Why should I refuse, and why should I agree? Can't I have a third option? You want me to follow your path, but sadly I have my own views, your approach is outdated."
Wang Xiaoming smiled slightly, "Then what is your decision?"
Yang Jian said, "Rights and obligations are equivalent, I'll just take what I'm entitled to, that's enough. I don't care what decisions headquarters makes in the future or what they want to do."
Wang Xiaoming said, "That's fine, headquarters doesn't focus on these things. Rights and obligations are right there, if you want them, take them, if not, just leave them there. So many people at headquarters are willing to take over, I've said your choice is free, nothing can constrain you."
"But only one person can be unconstrained; you must constrain others."
Wang Xiaoming slowly spoke.
Yang Jian said, "Only when necessary."
Wang Xiaoming affirmed, "Of course. Only when necessary."
Wang Xiaoming said, "You have three days to summon the captains, attend the meeting. After this succeeds, all supernatural items at headquarters are yours to mobilize."
"Mobilize? You speak cautiously." Yang Jian said.
This indicates Yang Jian only has the authority to mobilize, not possession, but how long he mobilizes is up to Yang Jian. If willing, he can take them all away, but consequently, there's a need to provide corresponding value.
Wang Xiaoming didn't respond, "The captain's data and files will be sent to your mobile phone, additionally the authority of the Enforcement Captain takes effect from this moment, it's all up to you."
"That's all there is to it? No signing or fingerprints or anything?" Yang Jian said.
"What use are a few scraps of paper?"
Wang Xiaoming said, "A verbal promise suffices, Cao Yanhua wouldn't dare to renege unless he wants to be a traitor. Even if he resigns, the new deputy minister absolutely continues to honor this agreement; headquarters can't produce anyone to restrain all captains, so the moment you nod, our interests align."
"Isn't there any hidden force at headquarters?"
Yang Jian still asked a bit concerned.
Wang Xiaoming shook his head and smiled, "Supernatural changes so fast, headquarters established not long ago, achieving what today's already quite impressive. Do you think the current leading ghost handlers would still obey headquarters?"
Yang Jian said, "No top ghost handler wants to be under headquarters' jurisdiction now. However, this surely is a natural phenomenon, when an individual's capability reaches a certain height, the rules set by ordinary people no longer exist."
Yang Jian asked no more, "I want to go to the warehouse."
Wang Xiaoming said, "I feel unwell, let Shen Liang accompany you."
Wang Xiaoming said, "Rest assured, what you need won't disappoint you, perhaps there's a surprise waiting also."
Yang Jian said, "Shen Liang, lead the way."
Shen Liang said, "Yang Team, this way please."
Shen Liang immediately set aside all work, promptly led Yang Jian to headquarters' warehouse.