Zhang Liushun, upon hearing Ye Tiancheng's question, immediately replied, "After I parted ways with Lord Chen and the others, I immediately set about handling this matter."
Ye Tiancheng was quite surprised by Zhang Liushun's opening statement, marveling at how honest and proactive he was, acting on things as soon as they were mentioned.
Then, Ye Tiancheng heard Zhang Liushun continue, "I first entrusted this matter to a friend of mine in the Qian Tang. Because his abilities surpass mine, he might be able to uncover things that I cannot."
"Although Your Lordship did not mention it, I took the liberty of considering it for you and felt that this matter should not be publicized. Therefore, I instructed my old friend to be discreet during his investigation, to avoid making too much noise, and to keep the matter known to as few people as possible, so as not to attract attention."
"Your Lordship can rest assured completely. My old friend and I have known each other for many years, and he is a very trustworthy person, handling matters with great care and prudence. He would absolutely not betray me or Your Lordship."
Ye Tiancheng nodded, impressed by his own foresight in finding Zhang Liushun. He had found a treasure, not only honest and capable but also proactive and thoughtful.
Ye Tiancheng had not explicitly told Zhang Liushun to keep the investigation into the little anomaly quiet. In fact, Ye Tiancheng himself hadn't thought of it at the time, but Zhang Liushun had already considered it, saving Ye Tiancheng any worry. Because of Zhang Liushun's thoughtfulness, it saved Ye Tiancheng a lot of trouble later on.
Therefore, Ye Tiancheng nodded with great satisfaction and said, "You have handled this very well. Your consideration for matters is so thorough. If you weren't aiming for reincarnation, I would quite like you."
Zhang Liushun understood Ye Tiancheng's meaning and was grateful that Ye Tiancheng respected his wishes. He said gratefully to Ye Tiancheng, "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Chen. It is merely that I lack the good fortune and destiny. I only hope to serve Your Lordship more before then, as compensation."
Ye Tiancheng shook his head and replied to Zhang Liushun, "There's no need to do more. What you've already done is more than enough. You don't need to do anything further. You have always been diligent in your work, and you have considered many things thoroughly that I haven't even mentioned."
"Since you treat my brother and me this way, I am merely reciprocating. In fact, what you are doing now is already sufficient."
Ye Tiancheng paused, took a sip of tea, and then continued speaking to Zhang Liushun, "It's like this, the reason I suddenly summoned you this time is actually to investigate that little anomaly."
Zhang Liushun looked up at him. After thinking for a moment, he felt that it was not appropriate to hide anything from Ye Tiancheng, especially since Ye Tiancheng had been so good to him.
Ye Tiancheng called him honest, but wasn't it also because Ye Tiancheng had been genuinely good to him, given him many benefits, and shown him great kindness? It was this that made Zhang Liushun work so hard for Ye Tiancheng, also as a form of reciprocation.
Therefore, Zhang Liushun said, "Actually, there are indeed some matters that I wanted to report to Lord Chen."
The words Ye Tiancheng was about to speak were thus interrupted by Zhang Liushun. He had to swallow his words and change his tone, "Oh? What matters do you need to report to me?"
Zhang Liushun respectfully lowered his head and cupped his hands, saying, "When I previously asked my old friend for help in investigating that little anomaly, I believed that I could not simply assume everything was settled and relax. Therefore, in addition to that, I personally went to find that little anomaly, intending to investigate it myself from another angle."
"Because I have never treated that little anomaly maliciously, although I dare not openly express goodwill, there have been times when I have been kind in secret. Therefore, that little anomaly's attitude towards me has been relatively friendly and not resistant."
"So, I went to find that little anomaly personally, bringing some food to appease it and facilitate the investigation."
"Originally, this method should have been very effective. However, today, I don't know what unexpected event occurred. Even with food, I couldn't stop that little anomaly. It started running around the Odd Market."
Ye Tiancheng felt immensely ashamed listening to Zhang Liushun's account. He truly hadn't expected Zhang Liushun to go to such lengths; it was far beyond what he had imagined.
Zhang Liushun continued, "Because it is inconvenient for me to be seen with that little anomaly openly, as it would inevitably cause trouble, I chose to follow it secretly, keeping behind it to observe."
"Unexpectedly, perhaps because I didn't understand that little anomaly well before, or perhaps due to some unexpected influencing factors, that little anomaly was not only moving within the area outside the Great Market Master's residence."
"I saw it leave the Great Market Master's residence, go to the entrance of the Odd Market, and even come near the Qingju Inn."
"And upon reaching this vicinity, while that little anomaly was lingering near the Qingju Inn, I personally witnessed the Great Market Master, for some unknown reason, also appear here and personally take away that little anomaly. I am quite shocked and pondering how to continue the investigation."
"The Great Market Master is certainly real; no one would dare impersonate the Great Market Master here. Therefore, the Great Market Master genuinely took away that little anomaly."
"It was precisely at this moment that Lord Chen suddenly summoned me. Considering that I could no longer track that little anomaly, especially since the one who took it was the Great Market Master, I temporarily put aside the matter and immediately rushed to see Your Lordship, which is why I arrived so quickly."
Zhang Liushun did not notice that as he spoke, Ye Tiancheng and the little fox were both looking at him with surprise and astonishment for a moment.
Because Zhang Liushun didn't know what had happened, but Ye Tiancheng and the little fox could vaguely sense the reason behind all these events.
This was likely because Ye Tiancheng and the little fox had previously infiltrated the Great Market Master's residence and had "kidnapped" their Great Market Master.
The movements Zhang Liushun described, of the little anomaly, were precisely the movements of Ye Tiancheng and the little fox when they were with the Great Market Master, Azhi.
This was certainly not a coincidence. Ye Tiancheng and the little fox both knew that the little anomaly was Azhi's old skin, and they had a connection with each other. The reason it had been lingering outside the Great Market Master's residence was precisely because it sensed Azhi's presence there, which was why it was active in that area and had not left.
The anomaly's sudden uncontrollable wandering within the Odd Market, as Zhang Liushun described, was likely also because it sensed that the Great Market Master, Azhi, had left, and it was following Azhi's direction.
As for the Great Market Master suddenly appearing and taking away the little anomaly, Ye Tiancheng and the little fox understood the situation even more clearly.
Not long ago, when Azhi left, he had told Ye Tiancheng that after he finished his business, he would bring his old skin to see Ye Tiancheng. So, the situation was quite obvious.
Among the promises Azhi had made, this was likely the easiest to fulfill. As soon as it was mentioned, the little anomaly had tracked them here. And Azhi, remembering his promise, would naturally take the little anomaly with him to bring it to Ye Tiancheng next time.
Ye Tiancheng, holding his teacup, was just thankful he wasn't drinking, or he feared he would have spat out his tea.
He remained silent for a moment before finally saying to Zhang Liushun, "Actually, I felt that you were already very thorough and meticulous in your work. I didn't have very high hopes for this matter initially."
"What you have achieved is already very good. Since the little anomaly has been taken away by the Great Market Master, and given your status, it is not appropriate for you to continue investigating. Let this matter end here."
"It wasn't a particularly significant matter, not worth you paying any great price for it."
As Ye Tiancheng spoke, he took out a small cloth bag. This bag was not a storage space, but it contained what Zhang Liushun desired most. "Since that's the case, let this matter end here. This is the reward I promised you; please accept it."
"You have already put in your effort, and this is what you deserve."
Fearing that Zhang Liushun would again refuse out of excessive morality, Ye Tiancheng forcefully placed the item into Zhang Liushun's hand.
As expected, even after receiving the item, Zhang Liushun looked very uneasy. "But, I haven't really accomplished anything yet. The item you gave me before was already of great help. I cannot accept more."
Ye Tiancheng knew that if he didn't become more assertive, Zhang Liushun would surely have more to say. Thus, Ye Tiancheng became even more firm.
"I've already said, you receive what your efforts are worth. Since I've given it to you, it's because your efforts are worthy of it. If you refuse me again, wouldn't that be showing me no respect?"
With Ye Tiancheng having said this much, Zhang Liushun dared not say anything more and could only gratefully accept the item.
Seeing that Zhang Liushun had finally accepted the item, Ye Tiancheng said to him, "With this, you can go and reincarnate when you are able to leave this place. Be sure to keep it safe. In consideration of your diligent efforts these past few days, I will give you a merit that can help you have a good reincarnation. This is my token of goodwill."
"I have submitted a visiting request to your Great Market Master to discuss leaving this place. Your Great Market Master responded not long ago, and there should be news from your Great Market Master soon."
"Therefore, after this, my brother and I will go to find your Great Market Master. Thank you for your hospitality and care during this time. You should rest well during this period. When it is time for your reincarnation, this life of yours will be concluded. So, go and enjoy your final moments and bid farewell to your loved ones."
Zhang Liushun looked at Ye Tiancheng with great shock. However, Ye Tiancheng's attitude was resolute, and Zhang Liushun had no choice but to realize that he probably had no way to repay Ye Tiancheng further.
Finally, he was escorted out of the room by Ye Tiancheng. At this point, Ye Tiancheng's matters were considered resolved, and he was just waiting for news from Azhi, to see when Azhi would finish handling his situation.
And it was clear that Azhi's actions were very swift. After Ye Tiancheng's matters were concluded, not long after, a white light shot up from the entrance of the Odd Market, and all beings were isolated outside the entrance. The Great Market Master had issued an order to lift the external blockade, forbidding all malevolent entities from approaching without permission during this period, with death as the penalty for violation.