Chapter 1260: Old Friends Reunited
At this moment, Yang Haoran and the other two were still within the Corpse Driving Sect's territory. It wasn't that Yang Haoran didn't want to leave the Corpse Driving Sect's lands in one go, but rather because spatial teleportation had certain requirements for the physical body of the one being teleported. In the woman's severely injured state, short-distance teleportation was naturally not an issue, but if they were to perform a long-distance teleportation, her body definitely wouldn't be able to handle it. Yang Haoran certainly didn't want the woman to suffer any incurable sequelae from long-distance teleportation, and even less did he want her to lose her life. So, he didn't force a long-distance teleportation. After moving away from the previous valley, he found a secluded mountain cave to temporarily settle down. It wouldn't be too late to leave once the woman's injuries had recovered to a certain extent.
With Yang Haoran's support, the woman slowly sat down. As for Zhong Siyu, feeling rather displeased, she couldn't be bothered to pay attention to Yang Haoran, much less the woman. By now, she had changed back into her white robes, and her facial expression was no longer grotesque. After finding a corner to sit by herself, she began idly playing with a token in her hand, looking utterly bored.
After the woman sat down, she didn't immediately begin to heal her injuries. Instead, she first glanced at Zhong Siyu, who was sitting alone, playing with the token in her hand. Only then did her gaze fall upon Yang Haoran.
Although Zhong Siyu had returned to her normal form at this moment, with most of her power reined in, the woman had personally witnessed how terrifying Zhong Siyu could be. In contrast, the power fluctuations emanating from Yang Haoran were very faint, a world of difference compared to Zhong Siyu. Yet, the woman could tell that Yang Haoran seemed to be the one in charge. It was precisely for this reason that, after glancing at Zhong Siyu, she still directed her gaze back to Yang Haoran.
"Thank you for saving me this time, but I don't seem to know you. Why did you help me?"
Yang Haoran's face wore its usual faint smile. Hearing the woman's words, his expression remained unchanged as he replied with a laugh.
"Haha, if we didn't know each other, why would I have traveled all this way to save you? My time is extremely precious; I don't have the leisure to waste it on a stranger."
When the woman heard Yang Haoran's words, her face not only showed no trace of joy, but rather, her brows furrowed slightly, and her eyes were filled with wariness.
The woman asked in a deep voice, her tone much more serious than before.
The woman's strong vigilance still didn't anger Yang Haoran. However, this time Yang Haoran didn't speak again. Instead, he released a visible surge of Yin Qi from within his body. In the blink of an eye, this Yin Qi enveloped Yang Haoran's entire being.
This surge of Yin Qi came and went quickly. In a flash, it dissipated completely, and Yang Haoran's figure also reappeared. However, the Yang Haoran who reappeared was no longer in his previous guise; he had reverted to his original appearance and physique.
Although Yang Haoran's appearance was ordinary and his physique unremarkable, the beautiful woman before him stared blankly. The intense wariness in her eyes vanished completely at that moment, leaving no trace. In its place was an inexpressible shock, and the woman's reaction, every bit of it, fell entirely into Yang Haoran's gaze.
"Haha, judging by your reaction, you must still remember me."
Yang Haoran said with a faint smile. His voice brought the stunned woman back to her senses.
"You. . . you're Big Brother Yang!"
Although the woman had now recognized Yang Haoran, her tone and the expression on her face were filled with disbelief. She even suspected she was seeing things, and thus vigorously rubbed her eyes.
"Haha, long time no see, Ma Ling."
Yang Haoran spoke with a faint smile. Compared to the woman's disbelief, he appeared much calmer.
This woman was none other than Ma Ling, whom Yang Haoran had met when he first became a Night Watcher.
Compared to the Ma Ling of old, the current Ma Ling had matured considerably. Her demeanor had also undergone significant changes. However, time had left no obvious marks on her face. She was still as beautiful and alluring as before, and her pair of fair, slender long legs held no less allure for the opposite sex than in years past.
Yang Haoran's response immediately turned the disbelief on Ma Ling's face into joyous surprise.
"Big Brother Yang! It really is you!"
Ma Ling stood up from the ground, her face alight with excitement, and gave Yang Haoran a big hug. Because her emotions were running too high, she completely forgot that she was severely injured at the moment. The moment she embraced Yang Haoran, the pain from her wounds tearing open made her grimace. If not for her extreme endurance, she would have certainly cried out in agony.
"Haha, there's no need to be so excited. In your current state, it's best to quickly heal and recover. Don't move around too much, lest your wounds tear open again."
Yang Haoran said with a smile, then helped Ma Ling sit down again.
"It's been years since we last met. Besides your looks, which are as beautiful as ever, you've changed quite a bit in other ways."
Yang Haoran chuckled faintly. Ma Ling, hearing this, smiled gracefully and replied.
"Everyone grows, and growth brings change. I've grown a lot over the years, and so I've changed a great deal because of it."
Yang Haoran's eyes showed a hint of surprise upon hearing this. Nevertheless, he nodded with a smile, as if agreeing with Ma Ling's statement.
After Ma Ling finished speaking, she scrutinized Yang Haoran, and then spoke again.
"Big Brother Yang, you've also changed a lot these past years. While your appearance hasn't changed, your aura has undergone a world-shaking transformation. The feeling you give off, the feeling you give off. . ."
Ma Ling seemed unable to find the words to describe how Yang Haoran made her feel now, thus, she didn't know what to say.
"Haha, how do I feel?"
Yang Haoran asked with a faint smile. Ma Ling pondered for a moment, then her eyes lit up, and she immediately replied.
"I've got it! The feeling of someone in a high position! Although your appearance isn't particularly striking, your intangible aura is incredibly strong. Your entire being radiates a powerful presence that can only be cultivated by those who have long held positions of authority. Though this aura isn't sharp or aggressive, it can still awe people!"
Yang Haoran broke into a wry laugh. He gently shook his head, then spoke.
"Haha, I'm not as formidable as you say. I'm just a hired hand, no different from any other worker; I still have to be managed by others."
Yang Haoran chuckled. Zhong Siyu, who was playing with the token in her hand nearby, couldn't help but interject upon hearing this.
"He really hasn't changed at all, because his guts are still as small as they were before."
Yang Haoran merely smiled faintly at Zhong Siyu's sarcasm. He wasn't angry, but he didn't respond either.
Ma Ling felt a bit confused. How could Yang Haoran, an Underworld Official, have such a powerful ghostly entity by his side? With her discerning eye, she could tell that Zhong Siyu had entered the Ghost King realm, and what's more, she was a Blood-Clad Ghost King. If Yang Haoran were a Spirit Medium, she wouldn't find it strange at all. The problem was that Yang Haoran wasn't a Spirit Medium; he was an Underworld Official, diametrically opposed to Spirit Mediums!
Although she had some doubts in her heart, she wasn't foolish enough to ask further. After all, the Blood-Clad Ghost King was right there. To inquire about this in front of her would simply be asking for trouble. She certainly wouldn't do such a foolish thing.
In the time that followed, Yang Haoran and Ma Ling talked quite a bit. They first spoke about the amusing incidents from when they first met. Back then, they went to great lengths to deal with the Evil Spirit at Old Master Wu's house, even nearly losing their lives. Although many years had passed since then, recalling it now was still quite entertaining, even if they hadn't found it amusing at the time.
After reminiscing about the amusing tales from their initial acquaintance, they then discussed some of the interesting things they had experienced over the years. Everything they talked about was happy and engaging; neither of them brought up anything negative. Precisely because of this, the entire process was extremely relaxed and pleasant, with smiles gracing both their faces.
In life, naturally, there are happy moments as well as sad ones. Even those who live the most carefree lives cannot avoid worries. However, for the time being, neither of them brought up such matters.
"Oh, right, Big Brother Yang, why did you come all the way to Tong Continent this time?"
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