Chapter 1311: First Departure
Xiujuan didn't overthink Yang Haoran's summons. Upon receiving his call, she immediately composed herself and found Yang Haoran reading in the study.
"Lord Emissary has suddenly summoned Xiujuan; I wonder what your instructions are."
Xiujuan first respectfully bowed to Yang Haoran before speaking.
Yang Haoran closed his book, scanned Xiujuan from head to toe, and then spoke with a smile.
"Xiao Kang has left; as his mother, you must be incredibly reluctant to see him go."
Yang Haoran chuckled softly. Although Xiujuan had composed herself by then, Yang Haoran's single sentence pierced through her inner thoughts.
"He's grown up. It's time for him to venture out. I can't stay by his side forever, and he wouldn't want me constantly around him either."
Xiujuan said, her tone appearing very calm. However, how could such a feigned composure escape Yang Haoran's eyes?
"Haha, pack your things, and then immediately head to Honghai City."
Yang Haoran chuckled softly, as if speaking of a trivial matter. Yet, these words caused Xiujuan to freeze, her expression momentarily blank, before she finally reacted after a long pause.
"Lord Emissary, this. . ."
Xiujuan, now understanding, didn't grasp Yang Haoran's intention and was momentarily at a loss for words.
Yang Haoran telling her to go to Honghai City naturally made her happy, as it meant she could live with her son again. But she wasn't quite sure what Yang Haoran's true intention was. Was it simply to reunite mother and son, or was there a deeper meaning?
"Haha, Xiao Kang has grown up, and he's even got a girlfriend. I'm very happy, but also a little worried. After all, he's still new to this sort of thing. If you, his mother, go over and help him, things will be much easier for him. And while you're there, you can also see what your future daughter-in-law is like."
Yang Haoran chuckled softly. Hearing this, Xiujuan's expression shifted repeatedly in a short span of time. First, she paused, clearly shocked by Yang Haoran's words. Then, a look of joyful surprise appeared on her face, revealing the overwhelming delight and astonishment the news brought her. However, this expression of mixed emotions lasted only a fleeting moment. Her surprise then vanished, replaced by a slight frown, which also lasted for just an instant, before her expression finally returned to calmness.
In just a few breaths, Xiujuan's face underwent so many changes, illustrating the complexity of her emotions.
Yang Haoran observed Xiujuan's reactions. His expression unchanged, he remained silent, smoking his cigarette, quietly awaiting her reply.
Xiujuan didn't dare make Yang Haoran wait. Once her expression returned to composure, she respectfully bowed to him and immediately spoke.
"Yes, this subordinate will go prepare at once. However, if this subordinate leaves, then the household. . ."
Though Xiujuan didn't finish her sentence, her unspoken words were easy to guess. She had always handled the household's cleaning and various chores. If she left, who would take care of these matters?
"Don't worry about the house. I'll arrange for someone else to take over your work. Compared to Xiao Kang's situation, these household trifles are nothing. Although I'll be very unaccustomed to your absence in this home, there's no other way."
Yang Haoran chuckled softly, his tone tinged with a hint of regret.
Seeing that Yang Haoran had already said so much, Xiujuan said no more, respectfully acknowledging his words.
After leaving the study, Xiujuan immediately packed her belongings as Yang Haoran instructed. During this time, a Night Watcher came to the villa, found Xiujuan, and conducted a detailed handover with her. It was clear this person was there to take over Xiujuan's duties.
Before leaving Yang Haoran's villa, a strong reluctance welled up in Xiujuan's heart. After Yang Haoran saved her and took in her and her son, she had always stayed with him, never leaving Yang Haoran or this villa. No matter how the villa was renovated or altered, she had always been there, and she had long since come to regard it as her home.
But now, she was to leave this place and go to Honghai City, to live in a new city. It was inevitable that a sense of sadness and melancholy would fill her heart. RA=N0BES
Having spent a long time with Yang Haoran, she already had a deep understanding of his character. Although Yang Haoran hadn't explicitly stated it in their conversation in the study today, she had understood the implied meaning behind his words. It was precisely because of this that her facial expression had shifted so many times in such a short period.
Xiujuan left the Guardian District. Although her departure caused some surprise and reluctance among those close to her, it had no impact on the Guardian District's operations. For while she was one of Yang Haoran's trusted confidantes, she did not wield actual power, so her leaving would not affect the Guardian District in any way.
Shortly after Xiujuan left, Yang Haoran received a summons from his superior, Luo Yao, and immediately rushed to the Underworld.
This time, Luo Yao hadn't summoned only Yang Haoran; he had simultaneously called a meeting with his nine Guardians, and the topic of discussion concerned the Tong Continent Yin Division.
Ulan, one of the Tong Continent Yin Division's Guardians, had mysteriously disappeared. This was the main subject of Luo Yao's meeting with the nine Guardians.
Regarding Ulan's disappearance, although the Tong Continent Great Emperor had issued a death order forbidding anyone to leak the matter, there was no wall that air couldn't pass through in this world. Moreover, more than just one or two people knew about it, so it was not entirely impossible for the news to gradually leak out over time.
The Tong Continent Yin Division and the Jingling Continent Yin Division had not been openly and covertly competing for just a day or two. It was certain that Luo Yao would have moles planted in the Tong Continent Yin Division. By the same logic, the Tong Continent Yin Division surely had its own informants in Jingling Continent. Therefore, Luo Yao learning of Ulan's mysterious disappearance was indeed nothing surprising.
While that point was nothing to be surprised about, Ulan's disappearance itself was quite astonishing. All eight Guardians, with the exception of Yang Haoran, were without exception utterly astonished – or more accurately, they were profoundly shocked, a genuine shock from the depths of their hearts.
The reason was simple: Ulan was a Guardian who had opened all three souls (Heaven, Earth, Life). Not only did she have few rivals in the Tong Continent Yin Division, but even across the entire Yin Division, very few could stand against her. For such a person to disappear without a trace, how could that not astound them?
Although Yang Haoran was not surprised by this matter in his heart, he still, being a team player, put on a surprised expression. This was purely a move of necessity; if he didn't, it would undoubtedly arouse suspicion in the hearts of others. He certainly didn't want other Guardians to connect this incident to him.
If he had grandly announced at this meeting to Luo Yao and the other Guardians that Ulan hadn't just disappeared, but was already dead, and moreover, had died by his hand, it would indeed have been a spectacular display. However, it would have brought him immense trouble. The reason being, on what basis could he have eliminated Ulan without anyone knowing?
Therefore, if he revealed this matter, not only would he not receive a reward from Luo Yao, but he would also face investigation and interrogation from him. He wouldn't be so foolish as to shoot himself in the foot.
Shocked though they were, the Guardians present quickly recovered, burying their astonishment deep in their hearts and no longer showing it on their faces. After all, they were all people of status and position, not inexperienced small fry.
"Great Emperor," one Guardian spoke, "Ulan is a veteran Guardian, and this subordinate has some knowledge of her strength. Looking across the entire Yin Division, her power ranks highly. Logically, such a strong individual shouldn't disappear without reason. Could it be that she met with an accident?"
His expression was serious, his brows furrowed, and it seemed even he himself was unsure whether his guess was correct or not.
"Hmph, suddenly out of contact. No need to think, it's obvious something major has happened. However, this is a good thing for us. With Ulan gone, the Tong Continent Yin Division's strength will be greatly diminished!"
Another Guardian spoke, a cold snort escaping his lips, a sneer on his face. From his expression, it wasn't hard to tell that Ulan's sudden disappearance made him very happy, as it meant the Jingling Continent Yin Division had lost a formidable enemy.
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