Chapter 1308: A Gold Coin
The people from the Demon Hunter Guild who had come to demand answers had already left before Yang Haoran returned with Ma Ling and Zhong Siyu. Yang Haoran had already learned the outcome from his trusted subordinates.
Under Yang Haoran's subtle manipulation, the Demon Hunter Guild found absolutely nothing. Although Yang Haoran himself had left Lecheng during the later stages of their investigation, his people cooperated wholeheartedly with the Demon Hunter Guild, causing their suspicions of Yang Haoran to dwindle until they vanished entirely.
Furthermore, Yang Haoran's status, position, and power were simply beyond their ability to contend with. They were keenly aware of this. Yang Haoran's politeness towards them was not an invitation for them to "piss on his head. " If they had truly done so, they had no doubt they wouldn't have made it out of Lecheng alive. If they died there, the high-ranking members of the Demon Hunter Guild might not necessarily "tear off their faces" with Yang Haoran over a few mere individuals. At best, they might demand some compensation for losses or a face-saving explanation. But for those who died, death would be final, and that was not the outcome they desired.
Considering this, they naturally dared not act recklessly on Yang Haoran's territory, nor did they dare, in their recklessness, to deeply unearth Yang Haoran's secrets. They could only investigate the matter from other angles.
The matter was, in fact, related to Yang Haoran. Once they ceased to suspect him, turning their attention to other avenues and individuals, their investigation naturally yielded little substantial progress. The outcome was predictable.
However, with no results from their investigation, returning empty-handed to report would mean having arrived full of vigor only to slink back dejectedly. It was obvious they would face a reckoning, so they simply didn't have the courage to go back like that.
At this critical juncture, a certain "grand strategist" from the Demon Hunter Guild stepped forward. He had a theory that, in his eyes, was the closest to the truth!
Yang Haoran was one of the nine Guardians of the Jingling Continent Underworld Office, holding a high position and immense power. Lecheng, being a crucial location within Yang Haoran's Guardian District, was not only heavily guarded but also bristled with experts. Under normal circumstances, no one would dare cause trouble here, for such an act was tantamount to seeking death.
In the eyes of this "grand strategist," the destruction of the Lecheng Star God Temple must have been the work of Spirit Masters. Their aim was to frame Yang Haoran, thereby creating conflict and causing him trouble.
The relationship between Spirit Masters and the Underworld Office was known throughout the New Beginning Realm, and it was perfectly logical for Spirit Masters to act in this manner. Although Spirit Masters were now almost extinct, and it was rare to see or hear news of them openly, no one could be certain they were entirely gone. It was entirely possible that Spirit Masters, even powerful ones, were still lurking in the shadows. If they had long premeditated a plan to destroy the Star God Temple in Lecheng, it was not an absolutely impossible feat.
Therefore, it was entirely plausible that the Lecheng Star God Temple incident was the work of Spirit Masters operating in secret.
In fact, Yang Haoran had initially brought up this very point and subtly guided them in that direction, but the Demon Hunter Guild members had not agreed, believing it too hasty to draw such a conclusion so easily.
After exhausting themselves with fruitless efforts and making no progress, this point was re-proposed by the same "grand strategist" who had accompanied them. They all now felt his analysis was highly logical, and that this must have been the truth all along.
Thus, this "black pot" of blame was forcibly placed upon the Spirit Masters once more.
Yang Haoran was not in Lecheng at the time, but this outcome was precisely what his trusted subordinates had hoped for. These subordinates also believed their boss would have no objections to this result, so not only did none of them object, but they instead praised the "grand strategist" for his wisdom.
The only thing that displeased Yang Haoran's trusted subordinates was that although the Demon Hunter Guild members decided to leave, they did not abandon their idea of establishing a temple in Lecheng. No sooner had the Demon Hunter Guild members left than they immediately began rebuilding their temple in Lecheng.
Though Yang Haoran's trusted subordinates were displeased by this, they did not intervene. This was because Yang Haoran had not given a clear stance on the matter beforehand. If they were to presumptuously stop the Demon Hunter Guild from rebuilding their temple and create a conflict, it would undoubtedly reignite raging flames in what was an almost concluded visit from the Demon Hunter Guild, leading to even more trouble. Therefore, how to handle this matter had to be decided by Yang Haoran, their boss.
After Yang Haoran returned to his Guardian District, his trusted subordinates immediately reported the matter to him. Upon learning of it, Yang Haoran merely smiled faintly and said, "Let them be."
Of course, Yang Haoran was inwardly unwilling to have others establish a temple on his own territory. This was not merely about it being an eyesore; it also involved risks and benefits. However, as he had far more important matters to attend to, he didn't want a small Star God Temple to disrupt his plans. Thus, despite his reluctance, he would not stop the Demon Hunter Guild from proceeding.
For Yang Haoran, whether it was the smashing of the Demon Hunter Guild's Star God Temple, the Demon Hunter Guild's investigation into the matter, or their subsequent rebuilding of the temple in Lecheng — all of it was merely a minor interlude in his eyes.
"Oh, Underworld Official, my busy friend, how is it you have time to visit me today?"
Bai Xue's steps were unhurried, her slender waist swaying gently as she walked towards Yang Haoran, her face alight with an alluring smile as she spoke.
Earlier, Bai Xue had been holding a meeting with the high-ranking members of the Flock of Demons Society. Upon arriving, Yang Haoran did not disturb her. Instead, at his request, a minor demon attendant respectfully led him to the lounge.
After the meeting concluded, the minor demon immediately reported Yang Haoran's arrival to Bai Xue. Upon hearing the news, Bai Xue's expression brightened, and she rushed to the lounge, leading to the scene unfolding now.
At this moment, Bai Xue's words were clearly a tease aimed at Yang Haoran, and her tone also held a hint of complaint. Yang Haoran heard this, but instead of getting angry, the smile on his face deepened slightly.
"Haha, you're not wrong. I truly am a busy man these days, without a moment to spare. I originally planned to rest for a couple of days after returning this time, but for your sake, I find myself having to work extra hours."
As Yang Haoran spoke, Bai Xue had already taken a seat opposite him. Her scent preceded her arrival—not the cheap smell of perfume, but Bai Xue's unique body fragrance. Yang Haoran had known Bai Xue for quite some time, so he was intimately familiar with this scent and found it very pleasant, as it gave him a comfortable feeling.
However, this body fragrance could very easily arouse intense excitement in the opposite sex, much like a nerve-stimulating drug. If Yang Haoran's will hadn't been firm enough and his power strong enough, he wouldn't have been able to withstand the mere body fragrance emanating from Bai Xue.
Hearing Yang Haoran's words, a hint of confusion suddenly appeared on Bai Xue's face, which had originally been filled with an enchanting smile.
"Huh? Concerned about my affairs?"
Bai Xue was puzzled at first, then she seemed to realize something. The confusion on her face vanished, replaced once more by an alluring smile.
"I know! Do you have some task you want me to do? Heh heh, if you have something, just say it directly. Why bother fabricating such a lie to make me foolishly happy?"
Seeing Bai Xue's disbelief, Yang Haoran's expression remained unchanged. Without further ado, a wisp of Yin Qi suddenly rose from his palm, and then a gold coin appeared out of thin air, floating above his open hand.
Gold and silver coins had now become the most widely circulated and valuable currency throughout the New Beginning Realm. However, while silver coins were quite common, gold coins were relatively rare, as not everyone could produce them.
With Bai Xue's status, she might not have "as much gold as she wanted," but the quantity she possessed was certainly beyond the imagination of ordinary people. Moreover, she had little interest in such "yellow and white things. " Thus, when she saw Yang Haoran actually, quite seriously, pull out a gold coin from his spatial storage, she naturally couldn't show a look of surprise and delight. Instead, a flicker of doubt crossed her eyes before she feigned an expression of astonishment.
"Oh, Underworld Official, you've even taken out a gold coin! You're not thinking of buying Bai Xue's pristine body with this, are you?"
As these words left her mouth, Bai Xue gave Yang Haoran no chance to reply. With a wave of her hand, she retrieved the gold coin floating in mid-air above Yang Haoran's palm.
"Fine, though it's a bit little, I just happen to be short on cash lately, so I'm willing."
Bai Xue fiddled with the newly acquired gold coin, speaking nonchalantly, as if she were discussing a trivial matter.
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