Chapter 22 - Subduing Zhu Jiang!
Chapter 22: Subduing Zhu Jiang!
After a shrill, piercing “rooster crow,” the chaotic yin energy outside the Yellow Springs Inn settled down significantly, and the “daytime” of the underworld ghost realm began anew!
The bearded man opened his bloodshot eyes, clearly having only pretended to sleep all night without actually resting!
Beside him, the young woman Li and the mature woman woke with a start, both seemingly unaware of when they had dozed off against the wall!
Fortunately, no ghost attacks occurred last night, and no one died!
Lin Yu also stood up, having also been awake the entire night, but thanks to the first-rank ghost controller’s spiritual sense, he felt fine.
Knock, knock!
Two knocks sounded from outside, instantly putting the three inside on high alert.
Lin Yu, however, was not particularly worried, walking to the door and opening it.
Standing outside was the ghost accountant.
Upon seeing Lin Yu, the accountant immediately broke into a smile.
“Mr. Lin, you’re up!” he said with a somewhat ingratiating tone.
Clearly, everything Lin Yu had done yesterday had made a deep impression on this old ghost!
Mm.
Lin Yu nodded slightly, looking at the accountant.
“Where’s the cook?”
“He should be in the kitchen,” the accountant said respectfully.
Lin Yu nodded and walked directly outside toward the kitchen.
The accountant watched Lin Yu’s departing figure, opening his mouth, originally wanting to say that according to the rules, they should be heading to their respective “workstations” now.
But after some thought…
Did Mr. Lin really need to follow the rules?
So the accountant gave up on pursuing that topic and turned to the other three, showing no friendly demeanor toward them.
“Get to work!” he said coldly, urging the remaining three.
Watching the accountant’s sudden change in mood, the other three did not dare to say anything more, and hurried off to their respective tasks.
Chopping wood, cleaning, running errands!
Meanwhile, in the kitchen…
Lin Yu successfully found the cook, Zhu Jiang, who was simmering something.
“Hey, brother.” Lin Yu greeted Zhu Jiang warmly, and upon hearing the familiar voice, Zhu Jiang turned his head.
“Ah, it’s Brother Lin!” His voice was filled with joy as he lifted the pot lid,
“Come, have a taste of the fresh bone soup I just made!”
Lin Yu glanced at the human bones floating in the pot and quickly waved his hands, “No, no, thanks… I came to find you for something important.”
As Lin Yu said this, Zhu Jiang’s expression shifted slightly.
He wiped his hands on his leather apron, his demeanor turning serious.
“Oh? Brother Lin… what important matter?”
Lin Yu looked at Zhu Jiang, thinking for a moment before speaking.
“Brother, are you here as the cook at Yellow Springs Inn willingly?”
Hearing Lin Yu’s question, Zhu Jiang’s expression changed slightly,
and finally, he sighed.
Sigh!
“I really can’t hide anything from you, Brother!” Zhu Jiang pointed to the shackle with a half chain around his neck, which was neither copper nor iron,
“Once, I was a prominent figure in the deeper levels of the ghost realm, but I was betrayed.
“After a long struggle to escape, I was at the brink of death… and had no choice but to seek refuge with the innkeeper.”
Zhu Jiang sighed and continued.
“Although I’ve healed over the years, this innkeeper is no simple character… I signed a contract with her, so I’m stuck here, unable to explore the vast world or enjoy fine delicacies!”
As he spoke, his tone was filled with uncontainable regret!
Hearing Zhu Jiang’s words, Lin Yu was also slightly moved.
“If… Brother, if I offered you a chance, would you be willing to follow me and explore both realms?”
Upon hearing Lin Yu’s words, Zhu Jiang’s expression shifted.
A glimmer of hope crossed his face, but he ultimately shook his head with a bitter smile.
“The innkeeper won’t let me go…”
But he paused mid-sentence because Lin Yu had pulled out two sheets of paper.
One was a tattered yellowed contract he had signed with the innkeeper, and the other was a grayish sheet with ink words floating on it.
“I willingly serve Lin Yu!”
Just these simple words and a blank for a name.
There was no specified duration, but Zhu Jiang felt no aversion.
He was simply shocked.
“How… how did you do this?”
Lin Yu smiled slightly. “I’m quite wealthy!
“So, while I may not be able to promise you things like freedom or safety… I can guarantee there will be plenty of fine wine!”
As Lin Yu spoke, Zhu Jiang’s mouth dropped slightly, and then the tall ghost, Zhu Jiang, broke into laughter.
“Alright… since you’re willing to spend so much for me, I’ll treat you as a close friend!
“Then I’ll face fire and water for you, what’s the harm?
“Fine wine and delicacies are not what matters. What matters is adventuring together!”
As Zhu Jiang said this, his name appeared on the perfect-grade ghost binding contract!
And the original tattered contract turned to ashes in Lin Yu’s hand, disappearing without a trace!
【Ding! You have signed a contract with the ghost “Zhu Jiang!”】
【Would you like to view his attribute panel?】