Chapter 1225: Two More Additions
Huang Sha’s reminder brought a touch of calm to the excited siblings, for they both knew Huang Sha was right. Huang Sha’s approval did not necessarily mean Yang Haoran would approve of them too.
However, from the siblings’ perspective, having a chance was always better than having none. So, even though Huang Sha’s reminder brought them some clarity, their inner excitement remained quite intense, though slightly less so than before.
“Let’s go. I’ll take you to see the Boss now. Relax a bit, and show him the same composure I saw from you earlier. Don’t let nervousness make you miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. ”
Huang Sha said with a smile, then opened a spatial rift and stepped into it first. The siblings exchanged a look, hesitated not, and followed Huang Sha into the spatial rift.
Having lived until now, the siblings had witnessed the miraculous existence of spatial rifts more than once, but they had never actually traveled through one. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to, but rather that they simply never had the chance.
Their inner fortitude was extraordinary; they didn't panic during their first spatial teleportation. On the contrary, they remained perfectly calm, their expressions unfazed, displaying a composure far beyond their years.
Nevertheless, a deep curiosity about the miraculous spatial rift still stirred within the siblings, for this was their first direct encounter with such a phenomenon.
The spatial rift healed, and the siblings, along with Huang Sha, journeyed together to the Gu Mo City Death God Temple.
After Huang Sha returned from Lecheng last time, Yang Haoran immediately gave him another task. This task was to select an individual who possessed a resolute and decisive character, who was bold yet meticulous, calm and unruffled in the face of trouble, and who could act ruthlessly enough when necessary.
If there were only one or two requirements, this would not be a difficult task. Huang Sha was confident he could complete it within a day, as the number of ordinary mortals managed by their Gu Mo City Underworld Division was quite substantial, and with a little time, such a candidate could be found.
But Yang Haoran’s demands were many. To find someone who met all these conditions simultaneously made the task exceedingly difficult, as such individuals were rare. Furthermore, finding such a qualified candidate in a short amount of time made it even harder.
According to Yang Haoran, if they couldn’t find the person he wanted within the territory of their Gu Mo City Underworld Division, then Huang Sha should check the Saint Mother Cult’s territory. After all, the Saint Mother Cult in Gu Mo City currently managed more ordinary mortals than their Underworld Division, and just because their Underworld Division lacked suitable candidates didn’t mean the Saint Mother Cult wouldn't have any either.
If no suitable candidates were found even there, then he was to leave Gu Mo City and search in other cities. In any case, he absolutely had to find such a person, and the sooner the better—this was Yang Haoran’s absolute command to him.
Although Yang Haoran didn't set a specific deadline for Huang Sha, Huang Sha naturally understood the meaning of "the sooner the better."
Huang Sha didn’t know why Yang Haoran was looking for such a person, but he understood that as a subordinate, only by completing this task in the shortest possible time could he truly satisfy Yang Haoran and demonstrate his own capability.
So Huang Sha dared not be negligent; he diligently searched for such a person. However, after several days, he had nearly reviewed all the ordinary mortals managed by the Gu Mo City Underworld Division, yet he still hadn’t found a single candidate who fully met the criteria, which greatly vexed him.
It wasn't until today that Huang Sha learned there were still ordinary mortals working for the Underworld Division outside Gu Mo City, and in considerable numbers. So, he decided to thoroughly check all these populated areas to see if there were any suitable candidates.
If these areas also yielded no one, he would secretly proceed to the Saint Mother Cult’s territory to continue his search. If no suitable candidate was found there, he would immediately travel to other cities. However, if he did discover a suitable candidate within the Saint Mother Cult’s domain, he would use every means necessary to take that person away.
Ideally, he could obtain the person from the Saint Mother Cult through negotiation. But if negotiation proved fruitless, he would snatch the person by force, no matter what.
Originally, Huang Sha had already planned for this and made the worst-case scenario preparations. But to his utter surprise, he found the perfect candidate today.
As he had told the siblings, after sensing the centipede demon’s Demon Qi, he suspected something had gone wrong. Although his primary mission was to find the suitable candidate Yang Haoran needed, he couldn’t simply ignore a demon wreaking havoc. Furthermore, the mine where the centipede demon was located happened to be one of his destinations, so he rushed over.
It was precisely because of this that he witnessed the siblings battling the centipede demon in a life-or-death struggle, despite being mere mortals. Afterward, he tested the siblings and found that they met all of Yang Haoran’s criteria in every aspect, which delighted him. Therefore, he immediately decided to bring the siblings back to see Yang Haoran.
Although Yang Haoran only needed one person, Huang Sha decided to bring both siblings back. This would give Yang Haoran more options and only benefit the successful completion of his mission, not hinder it.
As for which of the siblings Yang Haoran would ultimately choose, that was not for him to decide. At most, he would offer his own opinion if Yang Haoran asked.
At the Gu Mo City Death God Temple, Huang Sha successfully brought the siblings to meet Yang Haoran.
Before Huang Sha returned with the siblings, Yang Haoran was still refining Soul Pills in his bedroom to enhance his strength, and he had only just begun. Not a single Soul Pill had been fully refined when Huang Sha arrived at the Death God Temple with the siblings, going directly to the entrance of his courtyard.
In response, Yang Haoran could only temporarily halt his Soul Pill refinement and allowed Huang Sha to bring the siblings into the courtyard.
Though his Soul Pill refinement was interrupted, Yang Haoran wasn’t angered by it. Instead, he felt genuine joy at Huang Sha’s return, for he understood what it meant for Huang Sha to bring this pair of siblings back with him.
Inside the courtyard’s pavilion, Yang Haoran leaned slightly back in a chair, while Huang Sha and the siblings stood respectfully before him.
“Boss! ”
Huang Sha respectfully saluted Yang Haoran, then gave a subtle look to the siblings beside him.
The siblings were astute; they understood Huang Sha’s intent and quickly bowed to Yang Haoran in unison.
“Greetings, Divine Emissary Yang! ”
The siblings weren't so ignorant as to need Huang Sha's reminder to salute Yang Haoran; rather, neither of them dared to salute before Huang Sha did.
“Haha, no need for such formalities. ”
Yang Haoran smiled and nodded, then turned his gaze to Huang Sha. Without needing to ask, Huang Sha proactively spoke.
“Boss, as per your instructions, I found this pair of siblings. Both of them absolutely meet your requirements, Boss. ”
Upon hearing this, Yang Haoran’s gaze shifted to the two siblings.
Before meeting Yang Haoran, the siblings were somewhat apprehensive, for they both understood clearly that the person they were about to meet was of paramount importance to them, someone who might even change the course of their lives.
Yang Haoran held the key to their fate, yet they knew nothing about him—what kind of person he was, or if he was easy to get along with. Thus, their hearts naturally filled with apprehension.
Although the siblings possessed a composure unusual for their age, they were still young. Furthermore, they didn't want to miss this rare opportunity to change their fate, which caused their emotions to fluctuate considerably, even if they didn't show it on their faces.
However, upon meeting Yang Haoran now, their apprehension slightly lessened. Yang Haoran wore a gentle smile, exuding a warm presence, like spring sunlight, radiating warmth unlike the cutting chill of winter winds.
The siblings stood primly before Yang Haoran, daring not even breathe too loudly, allowing him to scrutinize them. Although Yang Haoran’s presence felt gentle, neither of them dared to presume anything or act impudently in his presence because of it.
Yang Haoran only observed the siblings for a short while before asking them with a smile.
“What are your names? And how old are you? ”
The boy respectfully saluted Yang Haoran again, then responded.
“Reporting to Divine Emissary, my name is Jing Qi, and I am fourteen years old! ”
After the boy, the girl also saluted Yang Haoran again, then introduced herself.
“Reporting to Divine Emissary, my name is Jing Miao, and I am twelve years old! ”
The siblings merely gave Yang Haoran a simple introduction, fearing that saying too much would not only be unhelpful but might also annoy Yang Haoran. Hence, their introduction was kept so brief.
Yang Haoran smiled and nodded, then continued speaking.
“Since Huang Sha brought you two siblings to see me, it means you are definitely the people I’ve been looking for. Because I have absolute trust in Huang Sha, I won’t need to conduct a second test on you. ”
Yang Haoran’s words were not only for the siblings to hear but also for Huang Sha.
Upon hearing Yang Haoran’s words, the siblings naturally felt immense joy, for in their eyes, Yang Haoran’s statement was tantamount to an acknowledgment of them. Thus, they were not only happy but also filled with excitement.
Beyond happiness and excitement, the siblings felt nothing else about Yang Haoran’s words. But when these words fell into Huang Sha’s ears, they stirred more than just simple joy in his heart.
Aside from happiness, Huang Sha also felt a deep sense of gratitude, born from being given such absolute trust.
Huang Sha did not speak in such a setting, so as not to disrupt Yang Haoran’s important business. He merely bowed slightly to Yang Haoran, using the gesture to express his inner emotions at that moment.
After these words fell, Yang Haoran paused for a few seconds, then spoke to the siblings again.
“The person I choose this time will be kept by my side for intensive training. I will transform them into a top-tier expert in the shortest possible time, making them my right-hand man, and I am prepared to expend vast resources on them. However, I only need one person, not two. ”
Yang Haoran spoke with a smile, and his words caused the siblings' expressions to freeze, their earlier joy vanishing like smoke.
They had thought Yang Haoran would take both of them under his wing, but they never expected he would only take one. This meant that only one of them could stay.
The siblings, who had been overjoyed just a moment before, now fell into deep disappointment, because Yang Haoran's words were like having a bucket of ice water poured over them from head to toe in the dead of winter!
In just a split second, the girl snapped back to reality. Although still deeply disappointed, her stiff facial expression returned to normal.
“Since the Divine Emissary only needs one, please, Divine Emissary, keep my brother. My brother’s abilities are far greater than mine. ”
The girl first bowed to Yang Haoran, then spoke. Her face showed no resentment, no reluctance, no regret or disappointment—only calm.
The girl actually wanted to stay as well, because by staying and becoming a key protégé of Yang Haoran, her fate would undergo an earth-shshattering change. Not only would she shed her mortal identity, but she would also be forged into a top-tier expert, which had always been her dream.
But compared to her own dream, she felt her brother's future was more important. So, once she regained her composure, she decisively chose to withdraw, leaving this opportunity to her brother, because she couldn't bear the thought of him being the one to leave.
The girl's voice roused the boy from his daze. Hearing her words, the boy's expression changed, and he quickly spoke to Yang Haoran.
“Divine Emissary, don’t listen to my sister’s nonsense. My sister’s abilities are stronger than mine. She’s the one you’re looking for. I’m far inferior to her, so please let her stay! ”
The boy’s thoughts were actually the same as the girl’s. He too didn’t want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Seizing this chance could completely change his fate, but he didn’t want his sister to miss this opportunity because of his own desire. So, he proactively chose to withdraw.
Not only were the siblings’ thoughts identical, but their actions were also exactly the same, each wanting to leave this life-changing opportunity to the other.
However, both maintained their decorum in front of Yang Haoran. They didn’t argue in his presence; after each had stated their position, they had no intention of speaking further, fearing that an argument might cause them to lose the single remaining spot. So they remained silent, awaiting Yang Haoran’s decision.
Yang Haoran observed the siblings' reactions, hearing every word they spoke without missing a single one. His expression remained largely unchanged, still the same as before, with a faint smile on his face, appearing utterly composed.
Huang Sha stood respectfully before Yang Haoran. Unsure of Yang Haoran’s thoughts, he dared not speak recklessly.
“Heh heh, it’s clear that the two of you have a very deep bond. No matter which of you I choose to keep, it would likely be a considerable hurt to your sibling. How about this: I’ll give you a test. If both of you can pass, then I’ll keep both of you. How does that sound? ”
Yang Haoran asked with a smile. The siblings, whose hearts had been filled with immense disappointment, had their hopes rekindled upon hearing Yang Haoran’s words. They exchanged a glance, and though neither spoke, they understood each other’s meaning from their eyes, then nodded firmly to Yang Haoran.
Yang Haoran wasted no words. He flicked his fingers at the siblings, and two streams of Spirit Power struck their foreheads, integrating into their bodies.
As the Spirit Power merged, the siblings trembled slightly, then involuntarily closed their eyes, as if they had suddenly fallen asleep standing upright.
At this moment, the siblings weren’t truly asleep, but their minds had entered another illusory world, much like the dreams people have when they fall asleep.
It was a pitch-black world, so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. In such an environment, many would feel fear and unease, but the siblings felt no discomfort, for they had long grown accustomed to darkness.
“Before the test ends, if you can no longer endure it, you can call out loudly for help. I will bring you out of here, but that will also mean you have failed the test. ”
The siblings were no strangers to this voice, for it was Yang Haoran’s. They immediately bowed and gave a firm affirmative. However, their voices only resonated within this spiritual world; in the real world, their bodies remained motionless, and no sound emanated from them.
In the real world, seeing that the siblings had entered their state, Yang Haoran shifted his gaze from them to Huang Sha, who stood by their side.
“Haha, you’ve worked hard these past few days. I didn’t expect you to find suitable candidates for me so quickly,” Yang Haoran said with a smile.
“It is merely my duty as a subordinate. I was just lucky to encounter these siblings today; otherwise, finding suitable candidates would have taken an unknown amount of time. However, from the current situation, it seems bringing both of them back has only added trouble for you, Boss,” Huang Sha respectfully replied.
“Haha, indeed it has added some trouble for me, but this trouble is a good thing, not a bad one,” Yang Haoran said with a smile.
These words left Huang Sha bewildered. Yang Haoran noticed the confusion on Huang Sha’s face, so he explained with a chuckle.
“The siblings have a deep bond, neither wants to leave the other. If I were to forcibly separate them, it would only be counterproductive. Therefore, if I want to achieve my goal, I must either keep both of them or abandon both of them. ”
His voice paused slightly, then Yang Haoran continued.
“I said before that I have absolute trust in you. I absolutely believe that both of these siblings meet my standards, so it would be a true pity to abandon them both. But if I don't abandon them, and they are like conjoined twins, neither willing to give up on the other, then it means I would have to expend double the resources I initially expected to cultivate them. Haha, that’s a significant expense, and it would also cost me a great deal of time and energy, so I had no choice but to temporarily raise the bar to see if they are worth such an investment. ”
Although Huang Sha didn't know what the siblings were currently experiencing, he understood the meaning of Yang Haoran's words. Thus, he could guess that what the siblings were undergoing in the spiritual world right now would certainly not be simple.
As for what the benefits Yang Haoran spoke of were, Yang Haoran didn't explicitly state them, but Huang Sha could surmise.
The benefit was that if the siblings could pass this final test, Yang Haoran would undoubtedly cultivate them intensely. Although it would cost double the resources, the benefits reaped would also be double, or even more. In Huang Sha’s opinion, this was likely the benefit Yang Haoran was referring to.
“It’s entirely appropriate for the Boss to do so, as the implications are significant, and decisions naturally cannot be made casually. However, I do believe these siblings should be able to pass the Boss’s test,” Huang Sha respectfully responded.
Huang Sha had his reasons for thinking this. Unlike Yang Haoran, he had witnessed the siblings’ life-or-death struggle against the centipede demon, whereas Yang Haoran had not. To put it plainly, Huang Sha understood the siblings better than Yang Haoran did.
Furthermore, although Yang Haoran had temporarily raised the standard, Huang Sha believed the test wouldn't be too outrageous, at least not to the point of being completely impossible to pass.
Because he could tell that Yang Haoran already harbored the thought of taking both siblings under his wing. Yang Haoran simply needed a reason to do so, and at the same time, it was to show the siblings that their opportunity was hard-won. This way, the siblings would naturally cherish this hard-earned chance even more in the future.
Huang Sha’s words deepened the smile on Yang Haoran’s face by several degrees.
“Heh heh, it seems you hold them in high regard. That makes me even more interested in them. You don’t need to bother with other tasks for now; just stay here and watch with me, and see if they can ultimately pass this impromptu test, just as you said. ”
Huang Sha nodded in affirmation, respectfully standing in place to await the result. Yang Haoran, meanwhile, lit a cigarette for himself and observed the siblings’ facial expressions.
Although the siblings’ minds were currently in another illusory world, if their emotions fluctuated too greatly, it would still show on their faces.
A cigarette burned down to its end as time passed, yet the siblings' facial expressions showed not the slightest change.
This scene made Yang Haoran somewhat believe what Huang Sha had said earlier.
“Heh heh, perhaps you truly hit the mark. It’s very possible that these siblings will indeed pass this test. ”
Yang Haoran spoke with a faint smile, and a smile also appeared on Huang Sha’s face.
“Heh heh, since even the Boss thinks so, I believe the likelihood of these siblings passing the test is even greater. I hope they won’t disappoint the Boss. ”
Within the illusory world, the siblings were currently witnessing scenes of brutal violence. These bloody images were obtained by Yang Haoran through his Ghost Eye from Wan Wu Yi, and he had transferred them directly into the illusory world where the siblings' minds resided, without any alteration. The purpose was to test the siblings' endurance and courage.
Although these scenes of gore and cruelty were not Yang Haoran’s personal experiences, they were Wan Wu Yi’s. By transplanting these scenes into the illusory world, they felt as if the siblings were experiencing them firsthand—sufficiently bloody, terrifying, and realistic.
At first sight of these bloody and cruel scenes, the siblings’ expressions both changed significantly. Although they had experienced much and dared to fight, they had never witnessed such gruesome and brutal imagery before, making them uncomfortable for a time.
However, the siblings were only somewhat uncomfortable; they didn't show any signs of panic or terror. If it had been other children their age, they would have been scared senseless by these scenes, unable to continue watching.
Not only could the siblings watch without blinking, but as time slowly passed, their initial discomfort gradually vanished. Their expressions became calm, and their hearts were perfectly still.
In the real world, Yang Haoran looked at the expressionless siblings, and a hint of surprise rose in his heart.
The illusory world where the siblings resided was his creation; naturally, he had a complete grasp of the situation within it and was well aware of the siblings’ current state.
It was precisely because he knew that he was surprised.
“It seems I truly underestimated these siblings. These two little ones not only possess remarkably strong endurance, but their courage is also extraordinary. ”
Yang Haoran's tone was laced with undisguised astonishment. He compared himself to the siblings; if he had been in their position before becoming a Night Watcher, he would undoubtedly have vomited incessantly from the sight of such bloody and cruel scenes. Not only would he have found it unbearable, but he also would not have had the courage to continue watching.
One must remember he was already thirty when he became a Night Watcher. If his age were reset to that of the siblings, he would be even less able to stomach such gore. He probably would have been scared senseless long ago.
For these bloody and cruel scenes were several times more terrifying than any horror film, and the immersive experience made the feeling even more visceral, intensifying the terror it instilled.
With his inner surprise, Yang Haoran turned his gaze to Huang Sha and asked with a faint smile.
"Where did you find the siblings, and how did you determine they met my criteria?"
Seeing Yang Haoran inquire about the matter, Huang Sha did not dare to delay. He immediately began to recount in detail how he encountered the siblings, how they fought the centipede demon as mere mortals, and even his own pressure tests on them, explaining everything thoroughly to Yang Haoran.
To give Yang Haoran an even more direct impression, Huang Sha even used his Demon Power to conjure an illusion of the siblings' battle with the centipede demon.
After listening to Huang Sha's narration and watching the siblings' struggle against the centipede demon, the smile on Yang Haoran's face became incredibly profound. He turned his gaze back to the siblings once more.
As before, the siblings' expressions remained unchanged. They were still emotionless. Except for the very beginning, when their faces showed some slight variation, their expressions had not shifted in the slightest since.
"Heh heh, it seems my test was a bit redundant. Such a test is mere child's play for them. Aside from startling them initially, it serves no purpose whatsoever. These siblings not only possess strong endurance and immense courage, but their adaptability is also quite remarkable."
Yang Haoran said with a chuckle, then gently waved his hand at the siblings.
Within the illusory world, the siblings watched the bloody and terrifying phantoms as if they were viewing a horror movie that held no fright for them. Far from being scared, they found it somewhat dull.
"Sister, do you think this test our Divine Envoy gave us has some other profound meaning? It can't just be to scare us, can it?"
Jing Qi asked Jing Miao beside him, a puzzled look on his face.
"I don't know. All we can do is keep watching until the Divine Envoy is satisfied."
Jing Miao's face held no confusion. Compared to her brother Jing Qi, she appeared far more aloof.
Jing Qi naturally knew that all they could do was continue watching. He just found it a bit boring, which was why he asked Jing Miao, hoping she might have discovered something else.
Just as Jing Miao's voice faded, Jing Qi seemed about to say something more, but at that very moment, the siblings' mental illusions suddenly vanished from the illusory world.
Concurrently, in the real world, the siblings simultaneously opened their eyes. The bloody scene was gone, and Yang Haoran reappeared in their sight. They knew they had returned to the real world.
"Greetings, Divine Envoy!"
Both siblings were quick-witted. Upon seeing Yang Haoran, they immediately bowed, their attitudes respectful.
Since they had emerged from the illusory world, they understood that the time to announce the results must be at hand. Hence, both siblings' hearts once again filled with nervousness and trepidation.
"Heh heh, I wasted some time on you two."
Yang Haoran's words sent the siblings' spirits plummeting to rock bottom. In their eyes, Yang Haoran's statement naturally implied that they had failed. If they had passed the test, why would Yang Haoran say he had wasted time on them? Since he said so, it meant they had not passed the test.
The disappointment in their hearts showed on the siblings' faces, though the despondency on Jing Miao's face lasted for only a fleeting moment before vanishing. Jing Qi's disappointment lingered slightly longer.
Jing Miao, having recovered, did not speak. Her expression was cold as she silently stood her ground.
Jing Qi's reaction differed from Jing Miao's. When he recovered from his disappointment, he immediately bowed to Yang Haoran again, then spoke.
"Divine Envoy, we siblings failed the test and cannot receive your special training. That is our own incompetence. However, we do have some skills. We wonder when the Divine Envoy will select Night Watchers again? We siblings would like to try."
Jing Qi's thought was simple at this moment: since they had failed the special training, becoming ordinary Night Watchers would still be good. That way, they would possess powers that ordinary people did not. He believed that with their current skills, if they gained special power, their combat capabilities would surely increase dramatically, and they would certainly be able to achieve something then too.
"Heh heh, you two have misunderstood my meaning. I never said you didn't pass the test. The reason I said I wasted some time on you is because I discovered that you two didn't need any final test at all, yet I still performed one, and it was directed specifically at you two. Is that not wasting time on you?"
Yang Haoran's words were a bit convoluted, but the siblings understood their meaning: they had received the approval of Yang Haoran, the Divine Envoy.
Instantly, the siblings, whose spirits had plummeted, paused for a moment before their hearts were once again filled with joy. Not to mention Jing Qi, even Jing Miao now wore a smile.
"Divine Envoy, do you mean. . ."
Jing Qi already knew the outcome in his heart, which was evident from the brilliant smile on his face. However, this matter was too important to him and his sister, and he took it very seriously, so he couldn't help but ask for confirmation again.
Although Jing Miao said nothing, her gaze towards Yang Haoran was equally filled with anticipation.
In truth, Yang Haoran had not been unclear accidentally; he had done so on purpose. His objective was to observe how the siblings would react and what they would do if they mistakenly believed they had failed the test.
He had seen their disappointment at the time, but they quickly recovered, and their despondency vanished. He was quite satisfied with the siblings' reactions.
However, this time, Yang Haoran did not put the siblings through another emotional roller coaster. Under their expectant gazes, he nodded affirmingly at them.
"Heh heh, my meaning is simple. From now on, you two are my people, Yang Haoran's. However, you will not be Night Watchers, nor will I train you to become Night Watchers. As for how I will train you and what kind of people you will become, I have my own plans. You two only need to remember one thing: from this moment on, you only need to obey one person, and that person is me, Yang Haoran."
Upon receiving Yang Haoran's affirmative reply, the siblings' joy intensified. With their inner delight, they bowed to Yang Haoran again, but this time, their bows were much deeper.
"Huang Sha, go arrange lodging for the siblings. They don't need to live with the other Night Watchers; pick a small, separate courtyard for them right here. Then, take them to our Underworld Office market and get them some clothes, furniture, and so on. Let them pick whatever they like and buy it. As for other matters, we'll discuss them after they've settled in and rested for a few days. " Yang Haoran instructed Huang Sha.
"Yes, Boss, I'll get right to it!"
Huang Sha responded respectfully, then looked at Jing Qi and Jing Miao with a smile.
"Heh heh, congratulations to you both. Though you may not yet know what having your own courtyard here signifies, I believe you'll understand soon enough. Come with me."
The siblings, filled with intense joy and excitement, followed closely behind Huang Sha, leaving Yang Haoran's courtyard.
Once outside Yang Haoran's courtyard, Jing Qi clenched his fist in delight, giving a triumphant fist pump. This showed just how excited and happy he was at that moment.
Indeed, Jing Qi's heart was truly brimming with excitement and happiness at that moment. It was only that he hadn't dared to fully release his emotions in front of Yang Haoran. Now that he had left Yang Haoran's courtyard, he finally expressed his inner joy through his actions.
Compared to Jing Qi, Jing Miao was much calmer. Although Jing Miao was equally happy and excited, she did not express her emotions in the same way as Jing Qi.
Under Huang Sha's guidance, Jing Qi and Jing Miao chose a courtyard they both liked. The two siblings did not each get one; instead, they shared a single one.
After selecting their future residence, Huang Sha immediately took the siblings to the market within the Underworld Office's territory. As per Yang Haoran's instructions, Huang Sha also needed to procure some daily necessities for them.
Huang Sha also felt this step was quite necessary. Putting everything else aside, their tattered clothes alone needed changing. After all, the person they were now following was his boss. If they dressed in rags, looking like beggars, wouldn't that make his boss lose face?
Although the Underworld Office's territory was still somewhat dilapidated, it had significantly improved compared to before Yao Guozhi took over. It even had a market now. While it couldn't compare to the large department stores of peaceful times, having such a market in the ruined Gu Mo City was quite good. It offered a fair variety of goods, though mostly daily necessities and no luxury items.
As for the currency used for transactions, Yao Guozhi had chosen true gold and silver, but not in lumps. Yao Guozhi had fashioned them into gold and silver coins of varying sizes—some as large as walnuts, others as small as a baby's fingernail—for convenience in carrying and exchange.
Believers working for the Gu Mo City Underworld Office received corresponding wages based on their contributions, and these wages were naturally paid in gold and silver coins. Believers could then use this currency to purchase what they wanted or needed.
However, ordinary believers rarely held gold coins in their hands; they would only receive gold coin rewards for major contributions. The wages of ordinary believers were almost entirely in silver coins.
Huang Sha was Yang Haoran's confidant; the amount of gold and silver he possessed, though not "countless as ox hair," was far beyond what ordinary believers could compare to or even imagine. Thus, he had no worries about lacking money; he could afford whatever the siblings wished to buy in the market.
And so, Yang Haoran gained two more individuals. However, for now, these two were still ordinary people. As for what their future held, that remained unknown.
Comments