Chapter 1249: The Time Is Ripe
Recently, Corpse Ancestor City has been rather restless. Large numbers of inner disciples from the Corpse Sect have descended from Corpse Ancestor Mountain, pouring into Corpse Ancestor City, seemingly searching for something.
To the people of Corpse Ancestor City, the inner disciples of the Corpse Sect were, without exception, beings of untouchable eminence. Whether ordinary citizens or outer disciples of the Corpse Sect, the inner disciples were figures they could only gaze up at in awe.
Thus, when a large number of Corpse Sect inner disciples left Corpse Ancestor Mountain and flooded into Corpse Ancestor City, the entire city was immediately thrown into a stir.
At this moment, Yang Haoran and Zhong Siyu had already arrived inside Corpse Ancestor City. Although the city's defenses had been exceedingly stringent recently, making it very difficult for outsiders to enter, Yang Haoran still successfully brought Zhong Siyu into Corpse Ancestor City.
Yang Haoran strolled nonchalantly down a street in Corpse Ancestor City, casually twirling a black token in his hand. The front of the token was carved with a green-faced, fanged zombie, while the back bore the characters "Corpse-Controlling".
Yang Haoran and Zhong Siyu's successful entry into Corpse Ancestor City relied on this token in Yang Haoran's hand. Not only did Yang Haoran possess such a token, but Zhong Siyu also had one. Had they lacked these tokens, their skills and abilities would still have allowed them to enter Corpse Ancestor City. However, they wouldn't have been able to strut so openly through the streets as they were now. Doing so would inevitably have made them targets for the Corpse Sect's investigations, leading to a cascade of unnecessary troubles. Thus, these tokens proved to be quite a significant aid.
Of course, the tokens on their persons were not acquired by Zhong Siyu. They came from Yang Haoran. Before entering Corpse Ancestor City, Yang Haoran had briefly slipped away on his own. When he returned, he held two additional black tokens, one of which he handed to Zhong Siyu. With these two tokens, they smoothly entered Corpse Ancestor City without encountering any obstacles.
"You're not from the Corpse Sect, yet you possess two such tokens. Tell me, how did you get your hands on them? Don't tell me you're actually a member of the Corpse Sect, merely undercover in the Underworld Office. I wouldn't believe such a clumsy lie."
"Heh heh, of course I'm not an undercover agent. As for how I acquired these two tokens, I naturally have my own methods. However, the detailed specifics aren't convenient for me to reveal to you. It's merely an insignificant trifle, anyway; knowing about it wouldn't serve much purpose. Besides, walls have ears. If certain words are overheard by others, they would surely cause trouble. So, it's better left unsaid."
Yang Haoran's reply left Zhong Siyu quite displeased. She made no attempt to hide it, her annoyance clearly etched upon her face.
"Tch, fine, don't tell me. It's not like I'm dying to know."
Although Yang Haoran didn't look at Zhong Siyu's expression, he could discern her displeasure from her tone of voice. However, he had no intention of explaining. It wasn't that he didn't want to explain, but rather that the matter couldn't be explained.
The reason Yang Haoran was able to acquire such tokens, allowing free entry and exit from Corpse Ancestor City, was that someone from Myriad Ghost Grotto had prepared them for him in advance. The individual from Myriad Ghost Grotto stationed there had a complete grasp of the recent situation in Corpse Ancestor City. He knew that entering Corpse Ancestor City wouldn't be easy in the near future, so he had preemptively prepared the tokens for Yang Haoran and Zhong Siyu. Although he didn't know whether Yang Haoran and Zhong Siyu would actually enter Corpse Ancestor City, he still believed that preparing the tokens beforehand was the most prudent course of action. This way, they would be prepared for any eventuality. If Yang Haoran and Zhong Siyu were to enter Corpse Ancestor City on this trip, dealing with the tokens at that point would not only be much more troublesome but would also leave a negative impression on Yang Haoran.
. . . . Facts proved that this Myriad Ghost Grotto member's foresight was incredibly meticulous, for Yang Haoran indeed intended to enter Corpse Ancestor City after arriving outside it. The tokens he had prepared in advance naturally came into great use. Yang Haoran greatly admired his thoughtful consideration and even rewarded him handsomely for it.
At that time, Yang Haoran had briefly left alone to meet this very person. The two tokens were acquired from him. As for the methods by which this individual obtained these tokens, Yang Haoran didn't ask. In his view, it wasn't important. He sought the outcome, not the process; as long as the result satisfied him, that was enough.
"Corpse Ancestor City's defenses are so stringent; something major must have happened. Should we perhaps capture a Corpse Sect member and interrogate them? Or do you intend to just keep wandering aimlessly like this?"
Zhong Siyu, her face etched with displeasure, originally didn't want to speak. But she only managed to hold back for a brief moment. After that short while, she couldn't resist asking Yang Haoran.
"Heh heh, it's certainly true that something major has happened in Corpse Ancestor City. As for whether we should capture a Corpse Sect member for interrogation, I actually think there's absolutely no need for that."
Upon hearing Yang Haoran's words, Zhong Siyu seemed to realize something, an "I see" expression appearing on her face.
"Hmph, looks like you already have a thorough understanding of the situation here."
Yang Haoran simply smiled without speaking, as if silently assenting to Zhong Siyu's statement.
In truth, Yang Haoran was indeed well-versed in the recent happenings within Corpse Ancestor City. After all, Myriad Ghost Grotto had someone stationed there, covertly monitoring every move of the Corpse Sect. Of course, the situation was crystal clear to him; he simply had no intention of explaining it to Zhong Siyu.
The two walked for approximately another five minutes. Just as Zhong Siyu began to grow impatient, Yang Haoran halted in front of a hotel.
"We've been rushing nonstop these past few days and are quite tired. Let's head in and rest for a bit."
Yang Haoran smiled faintly, but a hint of bewilderment appeared on Zhong Siyu's face.
"What, not going to see your good friend first?"
Zhong Siyu genuinely didn't quite understand Yang Haoran's actions. He had been rushing desperately the entire journey, and now that they had finally reached Corpse Ancestor City, instead of hurrying to meet his good friend, Yang Haoran wanted to rest in this hotel. For a moment, she truly couldn't fathom what he was thinking.
"Heh heh, of course I'll see my good friend, but now isn't the right time."
Yang Haoran explained with a faint smile. Though he only said this much, Zhong Siyu could probably guess some things.
"Alright, since you've put it that way. Anyway, following you around lately has been exhausting enough. I'm practically dying for a good rest."
After Zhong Siyu spoke, she walked into the hotel first without looking back, Yang Haoran following closely behind with a smile.
Corpse Ancestor City was the largest city under the Corpse Sect's dominion, and as such, it was quite prosperous—far more so than other cities under the Corpse Sect, at least. The hotel Yang Haoran and Zhong Siyu had just entered was the most luxurious in all of Corpse Ancestor City, offering every imaginable service. There was no service a guest could conceive that this hotel couldn't provide.
. . . . Although the hotel offered countless services of every kind, neither Yang Haoran nor Zhong Siyu requested any. They simply rented two rooms as a temporary resting place.
For several days, Yang Haoran made no move. Although Zhong Siyu felt a mix of doubt and impatience, she still patiently refrained from going out and causing trouble. Perhaps it was due to a lingering sense of guilt towards Yang Haoran, given the considerable trouble she had caused him. Or perhaps it was simply because she had only been in the hotel for a few days, a period she could still tolerate. Regardless of the reason, it was certainly not because she feared Yang Haoran.
Late that night, Yang Haoran, who had been sitting cross-legged on the bed meditating and regulating his breathing, suddenly opened his eyes. He then retrieved a Sound-Recording Talisman from his personal dimension. The talisman vibrated violently, then transformed into a ball of fiery light. Tang Shi's respectful voice echoed in his mind.
"Master, the time is ripe. Location: first alley, west of the city!"
Tang Shi's message was concise. Although it offered no further explanation, Yang Haoran understood its meaning.
Yang Haoran didn't hesitate for a moment. He immediately rose and exited his room. Just as his door opened, before he even had a chance to knock on Zhong Siyu's door, her door automatically swung open. Zhong Siyu poked her head out, looking at Yang Haoran.
Yang Haoran paid no mind to whether it was a coincidence or if Zhong Siyu had sensed his arrival. Seeing Zhong Siyu peer out with an inquisitive look in her eyes, he simply spoke with a faint smile.
"Heh heh, you must have been cooped up and bored silly in your room these past few days. Come on, let's go out and get some fresh air."
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