Ye Tiancheng, although he had pushed the task of investigating the little freak onto Zhang Liushun, aiming to kill two birds with one stone, still paid attention to appearances. He didn't want Zhang Liushun to discover his true intentions. Another reason he chose to do this was to have Zhang Liushun transferred away, making it easier for him to act.
Zhang Liushun was currently very convinced by Ye Tiancheng. Partly, he was blinded by immense joy, so he didn't doubt Ye Tiancheng's intentions at all. He diligently noted down Ye Tiancheng's instructions and requirements, then prepared to set about the tasks.
On this occasion, after accompanying Ye Tiancheng and the little fox back to the Qingju Inn, Zhang Liushun no longer needed to be on standby or accompany Ye Tiancheng and the little fox, even without Ye Tiancheng's request.
Thus, Zhang Liushun bid farewell to Ye Tiancheng, intending to first handle Ye Tiancheng's affairs, which were clearly more pressing.
After bidding farewell, Zhang Liushun's first reaction was to seek out his connections to help investigate the matter of the little freak.
Of course, Zhang Liushun had another matter to attend to: he wanted to see what use the item Ye Tiancheng had given him was. While they couldn't guarantee they knew all treasures in the world, if something good was presented to them, they could recognize it at a glance.
Zhang Liushun could tell that what Ye Tiancheng had given him was definitely a good item, but he couldn't discern its use at first glance. From Ye Tiancheng's words, he understood that this item should be closely related to helping him reincarnate.
Although he didn't know the specific use of the item, Zhang Liushun didn't doubt Ye Tiancheng. Since Ye Tiancheng had asked him to investigate, and it was such a significant matter concerning his reincarnation, Zhang Liushun felt it was necessary to clarify things.
He took the item and first went to the Qiangtang. The branch of Qiangtang near the Qingju Inn was one of Zhang Liushun's strongholds, and could even be called his territory.
Zhang Liushun had a deep relationship with the shopkeeper of this Qiangtang branch; they were quite friendly.
Otherwise, when he first met Ye Tiancheng, Zhang Liushun wouldn't have told him to come here if he needed anything and asked the shopkeeper to inform him.
If one were to ask where in the Odd Market the strongest appraisal abilities lay, it would undoubtedly be the people of Qiangtang.
Therefore, upon arriving at Qiangtang, Zhang Liushun went straight to his usual spot to find his old friend, the shopkeeper of this Qiangtang branch, and handed him the item Ye Tiancheng had given him to examine.
"Old friend, take a look at this for me and tell me what its use is. You know my lifelong wish. The influential figure I met this time is truly capable and can help me in this regard. After he gave me this, he told me it was something that could help."
"Of course, he has the ability to directly fulfill my wish, not just relying on this. This is merely a token of his sincerity."
"So I want you to take a look at this item and tell me about it. Actually, from my observations recently, the items given by that great figure should be fine. He has no reason to do this; he seems to be a person of genuine character."
"However, when it comes to matters like this, it's always better to be cautious and leave no room for error. That's why I've come to you to trouble you this time."
As soon as Zhang Liushun met his old friend, he got straight to the point. The shopkeeper of this Qiangtang branch was named Pang Ruihua. Pang Ruihua knew his old friend Zhang Liushun very well. He knew that unlike most of the malevolent spirits who remained in the mortal world, Zhang Liushun's greatest wish was to reincarnate properly, and it was only due to unfortunate circumstances that he had ended up in his current predicament.
Now, hearing that his old friend finally had a chance to fulfill his lifelong wish, Pang Ruihua naturally felt happy for Zhang Liushun.
However, he also understood that while this matter might be a trivial task for some powerful beings, it was not an easy feat for most. Otherwise, Zhang Liushun wouldn't have been delayed in the Odd Market until now.
Therefore, after listening to Zhang Liushun's words, while Pang Ruihua felt happy for his old friend, he also couldn't help but worry if his friend might be deceived.
It was indeed better to be cautious in such matters. If possible, he was certainly willing to carefully vet it for his old friend.
So, after receiving the item, Pang Ruihua said to Zhang Liushun, "Look at how eager you are. I know this is what you're most anxious about, so leave it to me. I'll take a good look for you. If it's truly useful, then you've truly struck great fortune this time."
After receiving the item, Pang Ruihua, having spoken to Zhang Liushun, began to examine it earnestly. Zhang Liushun watched from the side with eager anticipation as Pang Ruihua appraised it for him.
It took about the time it takes to steep a cup of tea. Pang Ruihua repeatedly and carefully inspected it, ensuring no detail was overlooked. He not only meticulously identified the function of the item Ye Tiancheng had given Zhang Liushun but also checked if any malicious alterations had been made to it.
After the inspection was complete, Pang Ruihua's emotions were somewhat stirred. He excitedly and animatedly said to Zhang Liushun, "I say, Shunzi, you've truly hit the jackpot this time!"
Upon hearing Pang Ruihua's first sentence, Zhang Liushun's overwhelming joy could no longer be concealed.
Zhang Liushun excitedly clasped his old friend's hands and asked incredulously, "Are you serious? Ruihua, is this item truly useful?"
Pang Ruihua smiled and nodded excitedly, saying, "Everything that Lord Chen produces is indeed a good thing. This one he's given you now is indeed very helpful for your reincarnation."
"You know about reincarnation, and you know why you can't reincarnate, right? Your shortcomings can be easily remedied with this. It can be said that even if Lord Chen no longer helps you, relying solely on this, after you use it, you can directly join the queue in the Underworld to await reincarnation."
Zhang Liushun was stunned. If anything, Ye Tiancheng had truly shown him immense sincerity.
His gratitude towards Ye Tiancheng grew even stronger in his heart. He only hoped that he could complete Ye Tiancheng's tasks soon. The better he performed, the more he could express his gratitude to Ye Tiancheng.
"This is truly wonderful. I've waited for this day for over ten years, thinking I would have to wait like this forever, not knowing how many years it would take. Perhaps before I could even reincarnate, I wouldn't be able to endure the Heavenly Dao Heart's Inquiry that one must inevitably undergo at certain intervals. I never expected it to be so close. I will truly achieve my wish!"
Zhang Liushun exclaimed with great excitement. As he took back the item Ye Tiancheng had given him from Pang Ruihua, his hands trembled slightly.
Pang Ruihua was now truly overjoyed for his old friend. However, after his joy subsided, he suddenly thought that such great benefits, judging by Zhang Liushun's words, clearly indicated that Ye Tiancheng could not only allow Zhang Liushun to join the reincarnation queue immediately but likely offered even greater benefits.
Perhaps Ye Tiancheng could even help Zhang Liushun bypass the waiting time, or even help Zhang Liushun choose a good reincarnation?
If a powerful being with such abilities was willing to help Zhang Liushun, was it truly out of kindness? What price would he demand from his old friend after helping him so much?
Pang Ruihua couldn't help but worry for his old friend and quickly asked Zhang Liushun, "From what you're saying, that Lord must have promised you other benefits as well? When it comes to reincarnation, the benefits are limited. Does that Lord possess such capabilities?"
Zhang Liushun trusted his old friend implicitly. No one could compare to Pang Ruihua's status in Zhang Liushun's eyes.
Therefore, Zhang Liushun hid nothing from Pang Ruihua. He told Pang Ruihua, "Indeed. Lord Chen must be some kind of reclusive great figure, perhaps one who doesn't often venture out, hence his lack of fame. However, such reclusive great figures are not particularly rare."
"It's just that for beings like us, to encounter one is truly using up all of one's luck for a lifetime."
As Zhang Liushun spoke, he sighed inwardly, wondering what good fortune he had encountered to meet such a blessing. Indeed, restraining oneself and doing fewer evil deeds would bring good rewards.
Pang Ruihua nodded, then asked Zhang Liushun, "Since that Lord possesses such abilities and is willing to help you, what price does he require from you? If I, your old friend, can be of any assistance, you must tell me!"
"If this is our last meeting, I don't know if we'll ever see each other again. I should at least do something more for you, otherwise, I won't be able to accept it."
Zhang Liushun told him, "It should be manageable. However, for this matter, I would still like to ask my old friend to try and keep it discreet. Although that Lord didn't mention it, after careful consideration, I believe it would be more prudent to proceed this way."
Pang Ruihua heard that there were indeed other costs. "Just tell me. With our identities, we have a great advantage in handling matters in the Odd Market. As long as we don't provoke the Grand Market Master, there are very few things we cannot do."
For someone like Pang Ruihua, who was the shopkeeper of a Qiangtang branch, Qiangtang was a force under the Grand Market Master. The Grand Market Master's people held an extraordinary status in the Odd Market. Even a low-level subordinate was rarely dared to provoke, as one had to consider the patron's face, and even beating a dog required looking at its owner. This was even more so for someone in Pang Ruihua's position.
As long as one did not offend the Grand Market Master, the beings under the Grand Market Master could truly walk sideways in the Odd Market.
Zhang Liushun also knew that if Pang Ruihua helped with this matter, it would undoubtedly be the most appropriate. Moreover, Pang Ruihua was a very sensible person who didn't easily cause trouble. Entrusting Pang Ruihua with this task was extremely suitable.
Otherwise, Zhang Liushun wouldn't have rushed to this Qiangtang branch to seek Pang Ruihua's help immediately after bidding farewell to Ye Tiancheng and the little fox.
After receiving Pang Ruihua's assurance, Zhang Liushun said, "Actually, it's nothing major. Lord Chen doesn't need me to do anything specific. It's just that he took a liking to me, which is why he's willing to help me. In the end, the extent to which he can help me will depend on how much effort I can exert for him in this matter."
Zhang Liushun didn't exaggerate the matter, as there was no need to. Exaggerating things might even lead to trouble.
Therefore, he would simply state the specific matter truthfully. Pang Ruihua would be able to discern the rest and know what to do after listening.