Zhang Liushun organized his thoughts and then said to his old friend Pang Ruihua, "Do you remember the young Master Chen who followed Lord Chen? The one who looked strange, hard to tell if he was strong or weak, seemed to have no presence, but because he was exceptionally beautiful and was closely protected by Lord Chen, he actually drew a lot of attention."
Upon his mention, Pang Ruihua immediately recalled. However, this recollection was not enough for him to connect the Little Fox he knew with the actual Little Fox he had seen.
Pang Ruihua had never actually met the Little Fox. Although Ye Tiancheng had brought the Little Fox to this branch of the Qian Tang, Pang Ruihua was not present at the time. Ye Tiancheng was hosted by another Qian Tang clerk.
Despite Pang Ruihua not having met Ye Tiancheng and the Little Fox, news traveled fastest in the Odd Market.
In this Odd Market, it was a case of the strong preying on the weak, with a mixed crowd coming and going. No one knew that with one careless mistake, they might offend a formidable existence. While killing was forbidden in the Odd Market, and malevolent spirits also died and feared death, there were things more terrifying than death.
Even if one survived a direct confrontation, unless they stayed in the Odd Market forever, they could not be sure if the powerful being they offended would be waiting outside, seeking their life.
Unless one was stronger than the other, or had a stronger backing, or never left the Odd Market, it was not an easy situation. Staying in the Odd Market was not simple either.
Although the Grand Steward was indifferent to most matters, he cared about his own territory. Living there required payment, and that was the least of it. Even with wealth and treasures, if the Grand Steward took a disliking to someone, they could not stay.
Those who offended someone due to their own foolishness were clearly not within the Grand Steward's good graces.
Such existences were obviously short-sighted and conceited, which is why they attracted trouble. What good could such beings be? The Grand Steward would never keep such annoying individuals under his watch.
Just like the one who offended Ye Tiancheng at the entrance back then, they might not have had an easy time in the Odd Market during these past days, unless they were strong enough.
Unfortunately, it was evident that if they had any capability, they would not have dared to utter a word under Ye Tiancheng's intimidation at that time. Their cowardly demeanor suggested they were not living a good life.
News spread so quickly in the Odd Market, and every being within it was constantly monitoring all developments. Therefore, what Ye Tiancheng did at the entrance of the Odd Market that day had spread throughout the entire Odd Market by evening, marking him as someone not to be provoked by many malevolent spirits.
And since Ye Tiancheng received attention, the Little Fox was naturally no less of a focus.
Moreover, the Little Fox himself was not entirely without value for observation. Like that little freak who had just entered the Odd Market, due to his peculiar state, he had already attracted the attention of many beings. Even more so when a second Little Fox, similar to him, appeared.
And the Little Fox was so beautiful, which further drew people's attention. He stayed by the side of a strong individual like Ye Tiancheng, doted on and protected by such a person, his attention would only increase, not decrease.
However, because Ye Tiancheng accompanied the Little Fox, other beings who were paying attention to the Little Fox truly only dared to observe from afar and did not dare to approach.
Thus, the Little Fox, similarly, had become famous shortly after entering the Odd Market.
Beings like Pang Ruihua had more sources of information, so he naturally knew quite a bit. Therefore, with just a mention from Zhang Liushun, Pang Ruihua immediately remembered the existence of the Little Fox.
So, Pang Ruihua responded, "Of course I know. Some beings are already famous without meeting them."
He paused slightly. Pang Ruihua was not slow-witted and could almost immediately react, "Shunzi, you mean to say that the matter Lord Chen entrusted you with is related to that young Master Chen?"
This was already quite obvious, so even though Pang Ruihua used a question, his tone was already very affirmative.
Zhang Liushun also said, "It is indeed related to this young Master Chen. Lord Chen does not have anything particularly important that he cares about, nor is he lacking anything. I imagine that for someone like him, if there were things he couldn't accomplish, he wouldn't bother asking us for help."
Upon hearing Zhang Liushun say this, Pang Ruihua nodded. For such a powerful being with immense capabilities, what matter would require them, the lowly ones, for help? Unless those matters were too tedious, and they were too lazy to manage them themselves, they would then seek help from others.
And those who followed powerful beings were precisely using this opportunity to establish themselves by the side of the powerful and gain a certain status.
"So, Lord Chen has entrusted you with some trivial matter concerning that young Master Chen?"
Zhang Liushun did not play coy and directly told Pang Ruihua, "You could say that. Lord Chen doesn't have anything he particularly cherishes, except perhaps things related to that young Master Chen."
"It was I who proposed it back then. If I didn't do something for Lord Chen, I would feel undeserving of accepting such benefits. So, after Lord Chen considered it, he brought up that matter."
"It's like this. Do you also remember that little freak who ran into the Odd Market many years ago and never left? The one who was always active in the vicinity of the Grand Steward's mansion."
Zhang Liushun spoke clearly, knowing how to talk to whom. Pang Ruihua only needed him to explain, and he could immediately connect Zhang Liushun's words with reality.
Although the little freak was weak in the Odd Market, he was a well-known existence, and he was always active near the Grand Steward's mansion. Pang Ruihua naturally knew of him.
So, Pang Ruihua nodded, indicating that he could match all of Zhang Liushun's words.
Zhang Liushun continued, "It's quite a coincidence. I was the one who discovered it at first. That little freak, he actually bears some resemblance to the young Master Chen who follows Lord Chen. Isn't that strange? One is so ugly, and the other is unbelievably beautiful, yet they feel a resemblance. It's almost unbelievable."
"Lord Chen cares most about matters concerning the young Master Chen. It is said that the young Master Chen was picked up by him, and it seems that he cannot clearly recall his past. However, after Lord Chen found the young Master Chen, he was unable to find any news regarding the young Master Chen's origins."
"When such a strange existence was suddenly discovered, he naturally had to pay attention, and thus he became interested in that little freak."
"At first, it was nothing, as it was just what I told him. But today, by chance, when Lord Chen was taking the young Master Chen out for a stroll, that little freak bumped into the young Master Chen. Although he didn't touch anything of the young Master Chen this time, Lord Chen saw his appearance."
"And coincidentally, Lord Chen could help me with my reincarnation, and I expressed my desire to do something for Lord Chen. This time, Lord Chen entrusted me with the task of investigating that little freak in detail."
"Lord Chen's intention is that I only need to investigate diligently. Regardless of the final outcome, he will help me."
Zhang Liushun paused slightly here. "Lord Chen is indeed extremely kind. Regarding the investigation of that little freak, he probably doesn't have great expectations and didn't intend to put in too much effort to investigate. However, it concerns the young Master Chen, and he doesn't want to be too careless."
"And he did not explicitly ask me to keep it secret or to avoid making a big fuss."
"However, Lord Chen has been so kind to me, and I do not wish to accept it shamelessly. I only wish to serve Lord Chen diligently to repay his kindness. Therefore, I have thought more for Lord Chen."
"Whether that little freak has any connection with the young Master Chen is yet to be known. Moreover, it concerns the young Master Chen, so it is best to be cautious. We must also be careful not to cause any impact on Lord Chen and the young Master Chen, and by discovering our investigation of that little freak, it might bring trouble to Lord Chen."
"That is why I told you that I hope it can be kept secret and not revealed, to avoid any unnecessary trouble."
Pang Ruihua was silent for a moment. He knew his old friend well, and being grateful was a good thing. For a malevolent spirit like Zhang Liushun who was intent on reincarnation, choosing goodness was the right path.
So, after Zhang Liushun finished speaking, Pang Ruihua understood all of Zhang Liushun's intentions and said to him, "I understand what you mean. Don't worry, with me handling it, there won't be any mistakes. Our kind cannot withstand much testing, and some matters cannot be entrusted to them."
"How about this? I will find a way. After all, my connections are always more numerous than yours, Shunzi. I will help you investigate that little freak's matters thoroughly, so that I can report to that Lord and hopefully uncover something valuable that will satisfy that Lord even more, and allow you to have a good reincarnation."
Pang Ruihua made up his mind and was already contemplating how to proceed. Zhang Liushun was also very grateful and said to Pang Ruihua, "I really have to trouble you with this matter."
"Old friend, if I didn't trust you, I wouldn't have come to the Qian Tang first to find you and tell you all this."
Pang Ruihua understood that this was Zhang Liushun's high level of trust in him and his consideration for their years of friendship. He only hoped that Zhang Liushun would have a smooth journey.
The procedures for reincarnation were numerous, and the queues were long, especially for them, with more procedures and longer waits even if they were qualified. Zhang Liushun having such an opportunity was indeed not easy. He could not ruin his old friend's good fortune. How could he refuse to help where he could?
After entrusting the matter to his old friend Pang Ruihua, Zhang Liushun did not feel that his task was complete.
Although he did not intend to publicize the matter out of consideration for Ye Tiancheng and the Little Fox, besides asking Pang Ruihua for help, he could also investigate some matters himself. If he had no ability at all, he wouldn't have been able to survive in the Odd Market for so long.
Therefore, as soon as the matters at the Qian Tang were settled, Zhang Liushun left and immediately set off, intending to visit the vicinity of the Grand Steward's mansion to begin his personal investigation and gather intelligence, to see if he could find any useful clues and fulfill his intentions.