Chapter 239: Resurrection
Chapter 239: Resurrection
Are there people specifically tasked with handling these matters?
Chen Chuan listened to Lao Qi's explanation, feeling slightly surprised. Usually, ordinary people couldn't withstand the invasion of urban legends, especially with prolonged exposure, which was even more dangerous. However, it was hard to say; after all, this was the Central City, and there might be ways to deal with such things.
He asked, "Are these people from the government department?"
Lao Qi replied, "Not exactly. These paranormal commissions always involve strange and bizarre matters. We commissioners know to avoid them, but there's a group of people who specifically take on these commissions."
"But they don't seem to do a good job. I only know of one place they've been to, but they couldn't resolve the issue. The commission notes even show that the commission was completed," he said, his tone turning slightly disdainful. "And there are some places they've been to where people have gone missing, yet no one pursues the matter. They just keep taking on these commissions."
Chen Chuan contemplated for a moment. From what he could see, these people seemed to have a lot of power, and their methods might not follow the rules. The paranormal commissions he had seen before suddenly disappeared, possibly because these people had taken them on.
Lao Qi asked with a hint of expectation, "Chen Xiao Ge, can you really handle these paranormal commissions?"
Chen Chuan said, "The sources of urban legends are complex, and not all of them can be handled by me. But in Yangzhi City, when dealing with these incidents, they would first come to me."
"Then that's fine."
Lao Qi thought for a moment and said, "There are many paranormal commissions. We can pick up some of the slack. You don't have to worry about these trivial matters, Chen Xiao Ge. I'll take care of everything. You just focus on handling the anomalies."
Chen Chuan looked at him and, seeing his excitement, reminded him, "Lao Qi, I didn't know someone was doing this. After hearing what you said, this group seems to be no ordinary bunch. You should think it through."
Lao Qi was clear in his mind that this group must have turned paranormal commissions into their business, keeping others out. Doing a few commissions secretly might not be a problem, but if they did too many, they might come after him. At that time, Chen Chuan might not be in trouble, but he could be targeted.
However, he had loans to pay off, his daughter's school fees were overdue, and Chen Chuan had paid his fine. Moreover, because of this incident, there would be a record at the company. Clients might avoid him after checking his records, so he was likely to be jobless for a while. It was better to follow Chen Chuan first and earn a few commissions to get through the immediate crisis.
He pretended to be relaxed and said, "Chen Xiao Ge, I've thought about it. If we only take on a few commissions, they won't notice."
Chen Chuan said, "Lao Qi, you know the Central City better than I do. Be careful."
Lao Qi gave a short laugh and said, "I've been in this business for almost twenty years. I know what I'm doing." He patted his neck, and his eyes flashed with orange light. "Chen Xiao Ge, let me treat you to a meal. I'll quickly look up these commissions and get back to you."
Chen Chuan didn't refuse and agreed.
Lao Qi, feeling a bit embarrassed, couldn't afford anything too fancy. He ordered a few snacks from a roadside food truck. Chen Chuan didn't mind; he could even eat the tasteless nutrient gel, so anything with a bit of flavor was a delicacy to him.
Lao Qi initially felt a bit awkward, worried that Chen Chuan might find it distasteful. But seeing Chen Chuan devouring the food, he felt hungry too and started eating ravenously. After finishing a plate of stir-fried noodles, he felt alive again. He struck up a conversation, "Chen Xiao Ge, how old are you?"
Chen Chuan replied, "Seventeen." It was his nominal age; he was actually eighteen, but he didn't care about a year or two, and those who dealt with him often overlooked his age.
"Seventeen, so young. I have a daughter who's thirteen and already in middle school. She's doing very well," he said, a smile appearing on the face of this middle-aged man who had seemed somewhat depressed. His eyes also lit up when talking about his daughter.
Just then, he saw a contact flashing on his Boundary Vessel, and he felt a surge of energy. "Here it is." He immediately answered the call, and a voice sounded in his ear, "Lao Qi, what are you looking for these paranormal commissions for?"
Lao Qi replied, "I'm searching for a client who's interested in these and wants to satisfy his curiosity. If you have any confirmed ones, send more."
"Is that so? Lao Qi, let me tell you, you'd better not get involved with these commissions. The Golden Shrimp Clan is not easy to deal with. They have the backing of the Moss Gang and connections above."
Lao Qi's tone was relaxed, "I know. I'm just satisfying my client's curiosity."
The voice on the other end softened a bit and said earnestly, "Lao Qi, you're not alone now. Think of Xiaoqi before you act."
"Mhm."
After ending the call, Lao Qi immediately received several paranormal commissions. He looked them over and forwarded them to Chen Chuan's Boundary Vessel.
"Chen Xiao Ge, look at these. These are paranormal commissions that I had someone check. They're definitely accurate."
Chen Chuan said, "Let me take a look."
Lao Qi looked at him and smiled, "Chen Xiao Ge, I know what you're worried about. Don't worry, anomalies are anomalies, and Tantric practices are Tantric practices. I know the difference."
Chen Chuan was a bit surprised, "You know about this, Lao Qi?" Most people couldn't tell the difference.
"Hey, everyone has their youthful days. I used to hang out in Tantric circles and even learned a few tricks. But I stopped when I felt it wasn't right," Lao Qi said, a hint of nostalgia in his tone.
Chen Chuan took a look at the commissions. They had precise details about the incidents and descriptions of what happened before and after, which were far more detailed than what he had seen in his previous queries. Just from this information, he could judge that these commissions were likely related to urban legends with a high degree of certainty.
Now the goal was clear.
He said, "Old Qi, thank you."
"You're being too polite, Little Chen," Old Qi said to him. "You've helped me so much, and you've even shown me a way to make money. I should be thanking you."
Since he had made up his mind, he wouldn't hesitate or look back. Moreover, since Chen Chuan was willing to put up the money to bail him out, he felt that Chen Chuan was someone he could rely on. Furthermore, he had seen Chen Chuan take out the Infinite Defense Permit the other day, so he was willing to take a risk.
"Let's go to one of the locations first. If it's confirmed, we'll take on this commission and try to resolve this matter," Chen Chuan said.
Old Qi was quick to act. He stood up and said, "Okay, I have a car. I'll take you there." He ran out and soon drove the car over from the sentry parking lot. After picking up Chen Chuan, they headed towards the location provided by the latter.
Chen Chuan glanced at the map. They were currently in the Wei Guang District, and the location of the commission was at the intersection of Wei Guang and Wu Ding Districts. If things went well, they could conveniently return to Wu Yi on their way back.
After about three quarters of an hour, the vehicle approached the location, which was a shantytown located in a low-lying area. Everywhere were makeshift houses built with simple boards, and through the Boundary Vessel, most of the residents here didn't have citizen status.
As they drove down a sloping road, Chen Chuan glanced to the side and saw a Tantric symbol shining on a wall.
Old Qi also noticed it and explained, "These things are everywhere in the city. The upper levels are still fine, but below, it's already out of control..." He gave a slight chuckle. "There's no other way. With no visible way out, if we don't do something like this to find some spiritual solace, we can't go on living."
Chen Chuan knew that below was a vast underground slum, and no one knew how many people lived there. The order of the Central City didn't reach there, and it was no surprise that Tantrism was rampant in that place.
After driving a bit further, the car could no longer proceed, so the two men got out and walked along the uneven ground, treading on a path made of various boards and gravel.
Following the instructions of the Boundary Vessel, they advanced three to four hundred meters and reached a circle of makeshift huts. Chen Chuan's steps slowed slightly as he noticed a hint of dematerialization appearing on the Second Self.
Tantrism could also cause signs of dematerialization, but not like this. He tapped his ear and turned off the Boundary Vessel. The following events must not be recorded, as they were bypassing the platform to take on this commission. It was better to avoid trouble if they could.
Although his previous conversation with Old Qi might have been recorded, he knew from experience that chatting was just chatting and couldn't be used as evidence. Without proof of implementation, it wouldn't be considered a violation.
Of course, this was just a precaution. In reality, no one would pursue such matters except for those with related interests. Even when he had encountered those organ traffickers before, no one had come to arrest them.
Old Qi spotted one of the shacks and said, "This is the place. The commission came from the person living here. Little Chen, I'm the commissioner. I'm experienced in these matters, so I'll talk to them. You wait outside."
"Okay, then I'll wait here," Chen Chuan said.
Old Qi gave him a reassuring gesture, straightened his clothes, and walked into the shack. After about ten minutes, he came out again.
He returned to Chen Chuan's side and said, "Little Chen, I've confirmed it. It's the same as the description on the platform."
Chen Chuan nodded. To put it simply, there were two brothers. Their parents had passed away early, and the older brother had dropped out of school to join a gang, taking care of his younger brother and supporting his studies. The younger brother's grades were also quite good, and he was about to make it. However, the older brother died in a gang conflict.
This was undoubtedly a blow to the younger brother, but a few days later, he discovered that his dead older brother had come back to life. Although he couldn't speak or move, he just stood there watching his brother every day.
He knew this was strange, and at first, he wanted to hide it. But soon, the neighbors discovered it, and they found that the surrounding plants were withering on a large scale, and even their cats and dogs started to die. They came to persuade him to bury his brother.
Although the younger brother was reluctant, he knew in his heart that something was wrong. So, together with the neighbors, they buried his brother. But the issue didn't end there. The previous signs remained, and the people in the shantytown became agitated, demanding that he burn the body.
However, the younger brother firmly disagreed and picked up his brother's gun to stand guard. To resolve this matter, the neighbors could only find someone who had once lived there but now had citizen status and had posted a commission on the public platform.
Chen Chuan hadn't encountered such a haunting before, but he had seen similar haunting files. As long as he found the root cause, he would have a way to resolve it.
At this point, Old Qi hesitated and said, "Little Chen, that child, Xiao Man, is quite pitiful. He's only fourteen and has encountered such a thing. Will it really affect outsiders?"
"Not only will it have an impact, but a huge one," Chen Chuan said. "In the short term, it's fine, but in the long run, there may be problems."
"What kind of problems?"
Old Qi asked subconsciously, and Chen Chuan didn't answer. But in truth, he already knew. He sighed softly, "Alright, then. I'll go up and talk to them. We'll take on this commission."
...
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(End of Chapter)
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