Chapter 1240: Pre-War Preparations (Part 2)
No sooner had Jing Miao's voice faded than Jing Qi spoke up as well.
"My sister is right," he began. "My sister and I also want to achieve something. We don't want others to think that we're just freeloading good-for-nothings under the boss."
As Jing Qi spoke, his tone subtly shifted. While his reverence for Yang Haoran remained, it also seemed tinged with a sense of grievance.
Yang Haoran caught the hint of grievance in Jing Qi's words and a few conjectures arose in his mind.
The siblings had likely heard some recent gossip, which had provoked them, leading them to plead for tasks to be assigned to them now.
It made sense. Yang Haoran now had quite a few Night Watchers under him. With more people came more diverse opinions, and naturally, more gossip would follow; it was unavoidable.
As the head of the Gu Mo City Underworld Division, Yang Haoran commanded absolute prestige and earned the sincere respect of the other Night Watchers. It was Yang Haoran who had given them hope, transforming them from ordinary people into extraordinary ones, granting them not only power but also a new way of life.
Therefore, the Night Watchers never spoke ill of Yang Haoran. Even in private, when his name was mentioned, their words were filled with respect and gratitude; no one ever thought poorly of him.
These Night Watchers were one in ten thousand, selected only after passing numerous rigorous trials. Their respect and gratitude for Yang Haoran and the other high-ranking officials of the Gu Mo City Underworld Division were immense, so they would never discuss or harbor any dissatisfaction towards the leadership.
However, the siblings Jing Qi and Jing Miao were different in the eyes of these Night Watchers. Before Yang Haoran took them in, they were just ordinary people. They weren't high-ranking officials of the Gu Mo City Underworld Division, nor had they made any contributions to it. Yet, they resided in courtyards reserved for top brass, enjoyed privileges inaccessible to others, and spent their days solely on cultivation without any tasks. This inevitably caused some Night Watchers to feel a sense of imbalance.
Because the siblings were directly under Yang Haoran's command—meaning Yang Haoran himself was behind them—even if some Night Watchers harbored grievances, they wouldn't easily show it in front of the siblings. However, behind-the-scenes discussions were certainly unavoidable.
Yang Haoran had a general idea of what was going on, but his expression remained unchanged. He still wore a faint smile as he addressed the siblings.
"Heh, actually, from the day you started following me, I already gave you a mission. And that mission is for you to cultivate diligently."
Yang Haoran's reply did not elicit surprise from the siblings. They seemed to have already guessed he would say this. A flicker of disappointment crossed Jing Miao's eyes, but the look of disappointment in Jing Qi's eyes lingered for a long time.
Yang Haoran saw both their reactions but wasn't angry. His expression unchanged, he continued speaking.
"Heh, when you two first started following me, I told you I wanted to focus on nurturing you, to pour immense resources into you both, and to cultivate you into true experts in the shortest possible time. While you're not old, you're certainly not children anymore, so think carefully: why am I willing to expend so much resource to train you two?"
Yang Haoran asked with a smile. Jing Miao's brows furrowed slightly, then she immediately replied respectfully to Yang Haoran.
"So that my sister and I can share the boss's burdens!"
Yang Haoran nodded with a smile, not refuting Jing Miao's statement.
"Jing Miao is right. My goal is for you two to be able to resolve my worries and difficulties. Therefore, your future tasks will be numerous, and each one will be extremely dangerous and crucially important."
At this point, Yang Haoran paused slightly before continuing with a smile.
"Currently, apart from cultivation, I haven't arranged any other tasks for you two. That's because your strength hasn't yet met my minimum standard. With your current level of power, minor matters can be handled by regular Night Watchers; there's no need to send you. For major issues, you wouldn't be able to handle them. Sending you would not only fail to solve the problem but also cost you your lives, and I certainly wouldn't do that. Given your intelligence, I trust you understand this principle."
In truth, the siblings weren't ignorant of the principle Yang Haoran spoke of. It was simply that they were young and impetuous, and when unpleasant words reached their ears, it was difficult for them to remain calm. That was why, even understanding the logic, they still proactively pleaded with Yang Haoran to assign them some tasks.
However, with Yang Haoran having already stated things so clearly today, the siblings naturally found it difficult to say more. If they continued to press the issue, from their perspective, they would truly appear to lack tact.
"Understood, Boss!"
The siblings respectfully bowed to Yang Haoran. Neither of them brought up the matter of assigning tasks again.
"Heh, in life, one inevitably hears a lot of idle talk about oneself. If you don't care, then this gossip naturally won't affect you in the slightest; it doesn't matter what others say. If you do care, then the best course of action is to make the gossips shut up. To control other people's mouths, you must first control your own actions."
Yang Haoran said with a smile. Upon hearing this, the siblings had an epiphany, and the unpleasantness in their hearts gradually dissipated. The look of grievance between their brows lessened, replaced by a more natural ease.
These subtle changes in the siblings did not escape Yang Haoran's notice. He knew his words had taken effect, so he decided to give them one last reassurance.
"Heh, don't worry. Once your strength is sufficient, I will certainly arrange many difficult and important matters for you to handle. At that time, you'll not only make those who gossiped about you look up to you and respect you, but your enemies will also fear the very names of you two siblings. One must know how to endure: do not sing until you can sing loud enough to astonish the world."
As Yang Haoran's words left his lips, the grievance in the siblings' hearts completely vanished—or, more accurately, transformed into motivation.
Before, they had been somewhat lost, their goals not entirely clear. But now, because of Yang Haoran's words, they had changed. They had a clear objective: to do their utmost to maximize their strength in the shortest possible time.
"Thank you for your guidance, Boss!"
Jing Miao first bowed deeply to Yang Haoran. Although her tone and facial expression remained as cool as ever, her attitude towards Yang Haoran was one of extreme respect.
"Boss, please rest assured, my sister and I will absolutely not disappoint you. And from now on, we will certainly not act so unreasonably again!"
Jing Qi also quickly bowed. His tone and facial expression exuded strong confidence, a stark contrast to Jing Miao, yet one thing remained the same: his attitude towards Yang Haoran was exceptionally respectful.
"Heh, of course I believe in you. I've long been certain that you two siblings won't disappoint me. By the way, you appeared just as I arrived. From the looks of it, it seems you weren't actually here for me today."
Yang Haoran first offered affirmation to the siblings. Although he wasn't entirely certain himself, he knew it was necessary to speak this way. Once spoken, a less-than-certain affirmation would invariably become a definite one.
Immediately after, he questioned the siblings about their purpose for coming today. Based on his observation of their subtle cues, he felt that they hadn't come specifically for him, but had merely stumbled upon him, which then prompted them to request tasks.
As expected, as Yang Haoran's words left his lips, both siblings nodded, confirming that Yang Haoran's guess was correct. Jing Qi then began to explain.
"Reporting to the boss, we truly didn't anticipate that you would be here. We came primarily to see Pharmacist Xiang. After seeing that the boss was also here, we couldn't help but plead with you to give us siblings some tasks."
Indeed, the siblings hadn't known Yang Haoran was there before their arrival. This was because after Yang Haoran returned to Gu Mo City, he hadn't fully unleashed his power, but rather sealed the vast majority of it within his body. Consequently, the power fluctuations he emitted were very faint, comparable in intensity to a regular Night Watcher. Thus, it hadn't drawn the siblings' attention, and they hadn't connected the power fluctuations to Yang Haoran at all.
"Heh, you came to see Pharmacist Xiang. Was it to ask him for some pills?"
Yang Haoran asked with a smile. Before the siblings could reply, a somewhat mischievous voice drifted out from Xiang Chuan's courtyard.
"Heh heh, I'm the one who told them to come find me."
As the voice sounded, the courtyard gate opened, and Xiang Chuan emerged from within.
"Big Brother, you look well. It seems this trip of yours was quite fruitful."
Xiang Chuan chuckled at Yang Haoran. Yang Haoran's smile deepened a little as he replied.
"Heh, you're right, the harvest was indeed good."
Upon hearing this, Xiang Chuan immediately grew interested. He knew Yang Haoran had gone out, but he actually didn't know if Yang Haoran had gained anything. As for saying Yang Haoran looked well, that was purely a polite compliment to curry favor. Now, hearing that Yang Haoran had indeed made significant gains on this trip, he instantly became intrigued.
"Heh heh, what did you gain? Come on, tell me quickly."
Xiang Chuan pressed. Yang Haoran didn't hesitate for a moment, replying with a smile.
"I gained a woman's heart."
Yang Haoran said with a smile. Xiang Chuan froze for a moment, then reacted.
"Heh, Big Brother is truly getting more humorous."
Xiang Chuan said, his smile not reaching his eyes. Judging from his expression, he didn't believe Yang Haoran's words at all.
And indeed, that was the case. In Xiang Chuan's opinion, Yang Haoran's words were entirely meant to tease him, to play a joke. So, after his unconvincing smile, he turned his gaze to the siblings, Jing Qi and Jing Miao.
"Heh heh, Big Brother, take a look. How do the siblings look now?"
Xiang Chuan chuckled at Yang Haoran, completely bypassing the previous topic and forcibly bringing the conversation back to the main subject.
Seeing that Xiang Chuan didn't believe a word he said, Yang Haoran felt a little speechless. Some people just never believed him when he spoke the truth, yet when he spoke falsehoods, they would consider those the truth. Xiang Chuan was clearly one such person at this moment.
However, Yang Haoran didn't explain. Since Xiang Chuan didn't believe him, he couldn't be bothered to elaborate. As Xiang Chuan's words fell, he turned his gaze back to the siblings, Jing Qi and Jing Miao.
"They look very well. Did you use pills to regulate their bodies?"
Yang Haoran's tone was uncertain. The siblings indeed looked much healthier now, and their bodies had become considerably sturdier, a significant difference from when he first met them. At that time, they had been emaciated due to malnutrition. While their bodies still appeared slender now, they were much improved compared to their previous skeletal state.
However, achieving this didn't necessarily require pills. As long as their diet was good and nutrition was adequate, the same result could be achieved. That was why Yang Haoran's tone was uncertain.
"Heh heh, Big Brother is right. Lately, I've been using pills to condition their bodies. I know Big Brother has great plans for their cultivation, so I haven't been stingy with them at all. Don't let their current slender appearance fool you; it's because they've taken Youth-Preserving Pills, which means their physique and appearance won't change further. In fact, their physical bodies now possess considerable strength, though this is entirely separate from the power within their cultivation."
Upon hearing this, Yang Haoran naturally understood why the siblings had come to see Xiang Chuan today: Xiang Chuan must have instructed them to come for physical conditioning.
"Heh, then I thank you greatly. But didn't you say you didn't know how to refine Youth-Preserving Pills?"
"Heh heh, not knowing how to before doesn't mean I don't know now. Let's not stand outside the courtyard. We can talk more inside."
Entering Xiang Chuan's courtyard, Xiang Chuan took out a small porcelain bottle and handed it to Jing Qi, explaining the precautions to the siblings. The medicine inside the porcelain bottle was naturally for conditioning their bodies.
The siblings thanked Xiang Chuan profusely, then respectfully bowed to Yang Haoran before finally leaving Xiang Chuan's courtyard.
After the siblings departed, Xiang Chuan immediately chuckled at Yang Haoran.
"Big Brother, you came to find me right after you returned. Don't tell me it's because you missed me."
Yang Haoran nodded with a smile, then replied.
"I did miss you, but it's also because I need a small favor, which reminded me of you."
Not only did Xiang Chuan show no surprise, but he instead wore an "I knew it" expression.
"Heh heh, Big Brother, just give the order. Your little brother will accomplish any task you assign, even if it means climbing mountains of swords or plunging into seas of fire!"
Xiang Chuan's face was plastered with a fawning smile, and his words were exceptionally pleasing to the ear.
"Heh, I'd like you to help me refine some pills that can temporarily boost Yin Spirit Power. The more Yin Spirit Power they can raise at once, the better."
Yang Haoran said with a faint smile. Xiang Chuan's smile, far from diminishing, deepened a few shades.
"Heh heh, no problem at all. As long as Big Brother gives me the pill formula, I can definitely refine such a pill for you."
In Xiang Chuan's view, since Yang Haoran had brought up the matter, he must surely possess the relevant pill formula. With the formula in hand, he believed that refining such pills shouldn't be too difficult with his abilities.
The reason his smile deepened was, of course, because he could obtain a pill formula from this. For him, a pill formula was an invaluable treasure, something encountered by chance and rarely sought. How could he not be happy to acquire one?
Yang Haoran shook his head, then smiled faintly.
"Heh, I don't have a formula. I'd like you to help me research and develop one."
The moment Yang Haoran uttered these words, the fawning smile on Xiang Chuan's face instantly froze.
"Big Brother, you call this a 'small favor'? I thought you had the corresponding pill formula, and then, of course, I'd have no problem following the blueprint. But you don't even have a formula, and you're asking me to develop one myself? You truly overestimate me, old man! Do you have any idea how much time it takes to develop a new pill?"
Xiang Chuan, having processed the information, poured out his grievances, while Yang Haoran responded with a smile.
"I'll cover all research costs. After successful development, you can make one request of me that I can fulfill, or I can prepare a generous reward for you."
Xiang Chuan shook his head, then said with a bitter smile.
"Big Brother, this isn't about rewards. Given our relationship, even if you didn't offer any reward, I would still handle this perfectly for you. But the premise is that I *can* do it. Anything beyond my capability, no matter how many rewards you offer, would be useless. If a pill was that easy to develop, would all the pill formulas in this world be as valuable as they are now?"
Xiang Chuan's words still failed to alter Yang Haoran's expression; a faint smile remained on his face throughout.
"There are countless pills in this world. Without exception, none of them are naturally formed; they are all developed by pharmacists. Since other pharmacists can develop them, I believe you, Xiang Chuan, can do the same, and even excel beyond other pharmacists in this regard. I don't know what you think of yourself, but that is certainly my thought, because I have never doubted your capabilities in this area."
Yang Haoran spoke slowly. Upon hearing him, Xiang Chuan's bitter smile intensified a few shades, and he turned to Yang Haoran with an expression that plainly said, "You've got me."
"Alright, I'll try my best. When do you need it, Big Brother?"
"If possible, I hope to see the finished pill by the end of the month."
"Bloody hell!"
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