Chapter 1161: Victory Belongs to the Underworld Office!
Seeing everyone's gaze fixed upon him, Yang Haoran's expression remained largely unchanged, a faint smile still gracing his lips as always.
"I've gathered you all here today primarily to announce one thing: the victor of this great war belongs to our Underworld Office!"
Yang Haoran's gaze swept across everyone present as he spoke in a calm voice. Although his tone was serene, his words resonated deeply within the hearts of those assembled, making it impossible for them to remain calm. Some openly displayed their inner excitement, while others were so moved that tears streamed down their faces.
"While our Tongyou City Underworld Office suffered heavy losses this time, the Spirit Medium faction suffered far greater casualties. Therefore, we fought this battle splendidly. For those of you who survived, I will ensure that every single one of you is rewarded according to your merits."
As he spoke, the faint smile that had perpetually hung on Yang Haoran's face gradually receded, and his expression, rarely so, became solemn.
"As for those who fell on our side – whether they were members of our Underworld Office or friends who came to assist us – as long as their souls still exist, I do not consider them truly dead. I will similarly reward them according to their contributions. For those whose souls have already dissipated, I, Yang Haoran, do not possess the ability to revive them, and thus, naturally, cannot bestow any rewards upon them. The only thing I can do is erect a monument to their heroism, for the descendants of our Ninth District Underworld Office to revere and learn from, to forever remember the sacrifices they made for our Ninth District Underworld Office in this battle. They are heroes in my heart, and they must be heroes in yours!"
Those present were deeply moved to see that Yang Haoran, even after victory, still remembered the fallen and even made different arrangements for them. Many powerful figures, after achieving victory, valued only the triumph itself, completely disregarding the dead, giving the impression that once they had been used, and their value exploited, there was no longer any need to care. For those on the front lines, such leaders could be disheartening.
Although it wasn't these individuals who died this time, no one could guarantee their survival in the next great war. If they were to fall in battle in the future, and their leader remained indifferent, the extent of their despair would be unimaginable.
Yang Haoran then wasted no further words, immediately instructing the hundreds of individuals to clear the battlefield with the utmost speed, paying particular attention to the souls of their fallen comrades. Upon discovery, they were to be carefully collected without the slightest damage, for he would make other arrangements for these souls, in accordance with the promise he had just publicly made.
Naturally, Yang Haoran, as a Guardian, would not participate in clearing the battlefield. If it weren't for his status as a Guardian, he would have very much wanted to join in, as clearing a battlefield might yield unexpected discoveries. However, with his Guardian identity, he couldn't do so, not because he was afraid, but because he simply couldn't afford to lose face.
Besides Ding Tianhua, there were also four other Emissaries of Death present who had rushed from other cities to provide support. After Yang Haoran issued the command to clear the battlefield, the five Emissaries of Death, including Ding Tianhua, along with the leaders of other factions, conferred among themselves before immediately giving instructions to their subordinates.
Originally, clearing the battlefield could have been accomplished without the involvement of other factions, but Yang Haoran chose not to do so. This, of course, was not without his own considerations.
As is widely known, clearing a battlefield is a lucrative task, with little danger but significant rewards. Although all captured resources are, by rule, supposed to be handed over, instances of personal enrichment during this process are common and impossible to prevent. Over time, this has become an unspoken rule: everyone knows what battlefield cleanup entails and that there are profits to be made. As long as one doesn't go too far or lay claim to what shouldn't be touched, administrators usually turn a blind eye and don't bother to investigate.
Yang Haoran understood this unspoken rule, and naturally, the leaders of the other factions present also understood it. Yang Haoran's decision to allow other factions to participate in the battlefield cleanup was, in essence, an indirect way of letting them gain some benefit.
Even if the benefit wasn't substantial, it was a gesture, and it also demonstrated Yang Haoran's friendly attitude towards these factions, showing he wouldn't abandon his allies once the battle was over.
The leaders of the various factions could all perceive Yang Haoran's friendly attitude towards them; he hadn't discarded them simply because the great war had ended. Therefore, they did not refuse Yang Haoran's arrangements.
After their discussion, the hundreds of people on site were quickly assigned their tasks.
Those with severe injuries requiring immediate treatment were arranged in a designated area for healing. Ding Tianhua had Pharmacists under his command, as well as his own exclusive medical team, so he entrusted all subsequent treatment work to this team.
As for the task of clearing the battlefield, after discussion, it was handed over to those whose injuries were not too severe. Although every single one of them was wounded without exception, their injuries had not reached a point where they were unable to move, and they could still manage a minor task like clearing the battlefield.
As these individuals departed one after another, only a few remained in the area where Yang Haoran stood. Besides the five Emissaries of Death, there were also several leaders from other factions.
Yang Haoran first glanced at the leaders of these other factions, then shifted his gaze to Ding Tianhua.
At this moment, Ding Tianhua's face was somewhat pale. His previous battle with Cold Yue had left him severely wounded, almost costing him his life. Although Yang Haoran had forcibly sent him to the rear afterwards, and he had taken healing Dānyào, his injuries were too severe, and his physical condition remained poor. It was impossible for him to fully recover in a short time, even with the Dānyào, which was why his complexion was slightly pale.
However, his current state was much better compared to when Yang Haoran first rescued him. At that time, his life had hung by a thread, like a candle flickering in the wind, liable to extinguish at any moment. Now, although still weak, he had at least escaped mortal danger.
Seeing Yang Haoran look at him, Ding Tianhua's expression subtly changed. After a moment of hesitation, he gave a slight bow to Yang Haoran, then spoke proactively.
"Lord. . . Lord Envoy, what are your commands?"
Ding Tianhua's addressing Yang Haoran as "Lord Envoy" wasn't entirely natural, a fact Yang Haoran naturally picked up on, yet his expression showed not the slightest displeasure.
"Heh heh, I'm very grateful for the help of these individuals this time, but I don't believe I've been properly introduced. Would you mind introducing them?"
Yang Haoran smiled faintly. The individuals he referred to were, of course, not the four Emissaries of Death under his command, but rather the few who were not part of their Underworld Office.
Upon hearing Yang Haoran's words, Ding Tianhua visibly relaxed. Not daring to delay, he quickly began introducing the individuals who were not affiliated with the Underworld Office to Yang Haoran.
These individuals all belonged to obscure minor factions, and without exception, each of them was the head of their respective force. Furthermore, they shared another commonality: this time, to support the Tongyou City Underworld Office, they had deployed almost all their available personnel.
While these two points were similar, their differences lay in their origins; some hailed from cities outside Tongyou City, while others were factions originally from Tongyou City itself.
The factions from outside Tongyou City had rushed to its aid, deploying all their forces, partly because Ding Tianhua had some dealings with their leaders, and partly because Ding Tianhua had made promises to them and paid a considerable price, which was why they were willing to help this time.
To be frank, Ding Tianhua's dealings with these individuals had never been deep, as he had once disdained such minor factions, rarely even giving their leaders a direct look.
Given the shallow nature of their past interactions, the fact that these parties were willing to help this time was certainly not due to any sentiment towards Ding Tianhua, but rather for profit. Thus, Ding Tianhua's promises and the price he had paid in advance were the true reasons for their willingness to assist. If Ding Tianhua hadn't offered them sufficient benefits, how could they possibly have risked coming to Tongyou City to help?
As for the factions originally belonging to Tongyou City, having long been affiliated with the Tongyou City Underworld Office and having reaped considerable benefits from it, it was only natural that they joined this great war.
However, this was merely the surface. The primary reason these factions were truly willing to participate in this great war was the allure of sufficiently large benefits. If Ding Tianhua hadn't offered enough advantages, how would they have risked joining the conflict? Not abandoning them temporarily to side with the Spirit Mediums was already quite a display of loyalty.
Whether they were factions originally from Tongyou City or those who had come from outside to offer support, there was another reason, beyond the lure of significant profit, why they were willing to wade into these murky waters.
Tongyou City was one of the few great cities in Jingling Continent, and its Underworld Office also held a pivotal position within the Jingling Continent Underworld Office. For the Spirit Mediums to so openly attack Tongyou City, intending to annihilate its Underworld Office, meant that the Ninth District of the Jingling Continent Underworld Office would certainly not remain indifferent.
They had all secretly investigated Yang Haoran's background and knew he was the newly appointed Guardian of the Ninth District of the Jingling Continent Underworld Office. Through their analysis, they speculated that Yang Haoran, as Guardian, would absolutely not stand idly by, because if the Tongyou City Underworld Office were to be destroyed, it would undoubtedly have a profound impact on him as the Ninth District's Guardian. To prevent such a scenario, Yang Haoran would certainly exhaust all means to preserve the Tongyou City Underworld Office.
It was precisely because they were so certain of this, coupled with the truly tempting benefits offered by Ding Tianhua, that they decided to take a gamble, and a big one at that. This gamble even saw them stake their entire family fortunes on the great war in Tongyou City.
Events proved them right; the victory in this great war indeed belonged to the Underworld Office, just as they had anticipated. Even though they had been severely frightened at times, and had even fallen into despair on several occasions, regretting their initial decision, the final outcome was favorable to them, proving that their gamble had paid off.
Each time Ding Tianhua introduced someone, Yang Haoran would smile and nod, expressing goodwill. When the last person had been introduced, Yang Haoran smiled and conveyed his gratitude to the individuals.
"Heh heh, on behalf of the Underworld Office, I, Yang Haoran, thank you all for your tremendous assistance this time. Without your full support, it would be unknown whether our Tongyou City Underworld Office would even still exist today."
Upon hearing Yang Haoran's words, all of them showed expressions of embarrassment.
"Lord Envoy Yang, you speak too highly. My role in supporting the Tongyou City Underworld Office this time was truly negligible. If you, Lord Envoy Yang, hadn't personally intervened, I fear I would be dust by now. However, I did indeed give my utmost."
"He's right. Not only did he give his all, but we all gave our all. It's just that our abilities are limited; even with our best efforts, we didn't play a significant role. To say that we saved the Tongyou City Underworld Office, we truly wouldn't dare claim such credit."
"Heh heh, there's no need for modesty, gentlemen. Everyone witnessed your contributions to this great war, and I, too, will bear them firmly in mind. I've never been one for adding flowers to brocade; what I truly appreciate is sending charcoal in snowy weather. So, I will remember this favor. In the future, should any of you have need, you may always come to me."
Yang Haoran smiled faintly. The moment these words left his lips, expressions of pleasant surprise involuntarily appeared on the faces of the individuals, for to them, Yang Haoran's words were nothing less than a solemn promise.
A promise given by an Underworld Office Guardian held a value far surpassing any pledge offered by Ding Tianhua, an Emissary of Death, or any benefits Ding Tianhua had provided beforehand. How could they not be pleased?
"Thank you, Lord Envoy Yang!"
Their faces beaming with joy, the individuals hastily thanked Yang Haoran.
Although their professions varied, their strengths were largely similar. If compared to the Underworld Office's power tiers, their abilities were roughly on par with those of an ordinary Emissary of Death.
Such strength, for the vast majority of obscure minor factions, was indeed a top-tier existence. However, in the presence of Yang Haoran, the Guardian, this level of power simply didn't measure up.
Yang Haoran was aware of this, and the individuals themselves were equally clear on the matter.
Moreover, even setting aside Yang Haoran's strength, his mere identity as a Guardian was something the leaders of their minor factions could not compare to. A single promise from Yang Haoran was worth more than a thousand pieces of gold to them.
The individuals understood in their hearts what a promise from Yang Haoran meant to them, which was why they were so overjoyed when he made it.
In truth, Yang Haoran also knew that their enthusiastic assistance this time undoubtedly involved matters of profit; if there had been no personal gain, any of them with an ounce of sense wouldn't have taken such a risk. However, he did not, for that reason, dismiss their contributions to this great war. For there were some people who, even if offered benefits, would still be unwilling to wade into such murky waters.
"Heh heh, it should be I who thanks you, truly, I dare not accept your thanks. I won't say much more, but I will prove with my actions that the words I've spoken to you today are true."
Yang Haoran spoke with a smile. Receiving his renewed assurance, the joy in their hearts naturally intensified even further than before.
"Lord Envoy Yang, you are too kind. In the future, should you ever have need, a single word will suffice, and I will rush to your aid from the ends of the earth. Although I know my current strength is limited and I cannot offer much assistance, I believe my power in the future will be far greater than it is now."
Among the individuals, one of them, upon receiving Yang Haoran's renewed promise, likewise made a pledge in front of everyone. While the others did not offer such earnest vows to Yang Haoran, they too quickly voiced their agreement.
Yang Haoran cast an extra glance at the person who had first made the promise, nodding with a smile. He didn't say anything specifically to that individual, but rather swept his gaze over the others present, expressing his thanks to all of them once more.
"Thank you all. The future is long for us. However, you are all injured now, and I cannot guarantee that Spirit Mediums won't seize this opportunity to launch a surprise attack. So, for now, it would be best for you to recover from your injuries."
Yang Haoran smiled faintly. The individuals were all intelligent; they understood the meaning behind Yang Haoran's words at this moment. It was clear that he had some matters he needed to discuss privately with the Emissaries of Death present, and since they were not members of the Underworld Office, some things naturally couldn't be said in front of them.
None of them exposed his meaning. After responding to Yang Haoran one after another, they proceeded to the temporary treatment area, for they indeed needed medical attention, as all of them were quite seriously injured.
They harbored no resentment towards Yang Haoran's approach, for they understood his actions. Had they been in his position, they would have done the same.
After all, they weren't part of the same organization, and some things simply couldn't be said in front of outsiders. Moreover, even if Yang Haoran had discussed Underworld Office matters in front of them, they wouldn't have dared to listen, believing that overhearing sensitive topics would not only be unbeneficial but could also bring them trouble, perhaps even mortal danger. Thus, there were words that could be heard, and words that were best left unheard.
The individuals went to the temporary treatment area to receive medical care, leaving only six people present, including Yang Haoran, the Guardian, for a total of six.
Yang Haoran's gaze swept over the five people present. Before he could speak, one of them immediately stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Yang Haoran.
"Your subordinate, Shi Kai, Emissary of Death of Ningjiang City, greets Lord Envoy Yang!"
No sooner had his voice fallen than another person stepped forward, likewise bowing respectfully to Yang Haoran.
"Your subordinate, Gan Ning, Emissary of Death of Yunchuan City, greets Lord Envoy Yang!"
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