Chapter 1445: Rewards
Lu Wu readily agreed to Yang Haoran's arrangements, but deep down, he wasn't entirely fond of this particular assignment. Compared to it, he much preferred the tasks of the Flock of Demons Society, where he was responsible for ensuring everyone's safety. In his view, that role was more befitting his status. Previously, in the Guardian District, he hadn't dared to show himself because he was a spirit. Now that he finally didn't have to hide, he naturally wanted to prove himself.
However, he certainly wouldn't dare voice his true thoughts. He knew that since Yang Haoran had made such arrangements, there must be a reason behind them. Speaking out wouldn't change the outcome and might even displease Yang Haoran. So, he simply agreed wholeheartedly.
When Lu Wu first started following Yang Haoran, he wasn't so full of schemes. Having been with Yang Haoran for a long time, and having spent extended periods interacting with the intelligent people around him, his mind had become a bit sharper. But this was only relatively speaking; compared to the truly sharp minds by Yang Haoran's side, his little stratagems were nothing more than routine.
Seeing Lu Wu agree so readily, without any intention of bargaining, Yang Haoran was satisfied. He then turned his gaze to the next person.
"Yao Guozhi, you will be responsible for assisting Zhu Rong. Whatever she arranges for you to do, you shall do."
"As you command!"
Yang Haoran made this decision because he wanted to alleviate some pressure on Zhu Rong. Yao Guozhi was also an extremely capable individual in terms of management. It was Zhu Rong who had initially recommended Yao Guozhi to him, and afterward, he had independently tasked Yao Guozhi with managing several cities, all of which had yielded excellent results. Therefore, by having Yao Guozhi assist Zhu Rong, he believed that within a year, Half-Moon Island's transformation would exceed his expectations.
Upon hearing Yang Haoran's command, a smile involuntarily appeared on Zhu Rong's face, and she bowed respectfully to him.
"Heh heh, I've given Yao Guozhi to you. I believe you'll be able to complete this task even more outstandingly."
Yang Haoran said with a smile, while Zhu Rong nodded emphatically.
"Certainly, this subordinate will absolutely not fail to live up to your expectations, Boss!"
"Good, I trust you. If you need anything, you can come to me, and I will do my best to satisfy you."
At this point, Yang Haoran turned his gaze to where the Medicine God Society's high-ranking members were. Naturally, the leader was President Feng Xiao, with Vice-President Xiang Chuan behind her. Yang Haoran's eyes settled on President Feng Xiao.
"Xiaoxiao, your Medicine God Society will still primarily focus on refining and researching various dānyào. If there are temporary matters that require your intervention, you can then step in to assist."
Yang Haoran spoke, and as he did, he couldn't help but think of the Jingran Pharmacy in the Underworld, of manager Gu Yi, and clerk Ban Kui. A wave of emotion and a touch of worry swept through him.
Although he had made preparations beforehand and given some instructions to Gu Yi and Ban Kui, with such a monumental event occurring, it would be impossible to say he harbored no worries at all.
Besides his concerns for Gu Yi and Ban Kui, what he worried about most was Xu Meijing. However, in the current setting, he didn't let his inner anxieties show. His expression remained utterly unchanged, as if all his attention was focused solely on Feng Xiao and the matter he was discussing, with no other thoughts crossing his mind.
"Okay, I understand, Brother Yang."
Feng Xiao replied timidly. Her personality hadn't changed at all; she was the same as when she first started following Yang Haoran, and she remained so now. Even though she had been the President of the Medicine God Society for quite some time, this aspect of her character hadn't shifted.
Yang Haoran understood Feng Xiao's nature, so he didn't say much more, to avoid embarrassing her in such a setting. After receiving Feng Xiao's reply, he simply nodded with a smile, then swept his gaze across everyone present.
"Establishing a new nation is no simple feat. However, with all of you here, I believe we can certainly achieve it. Not only can we establish a new nation, but we can also make this nation prosper and grow stronger day by day. Do all of you have the confidence?"
Yang Haoran said with a chuckle. He didn't speak with grand eloquence; he simply spoke calmly, as if chatting about a trivial matter.
Everyone present clearly knew whether this matter was trivial or not. Yang Haoran could ask them in such a calm tone, but they dared not respond to him with the same casualness. "Yes!"
The crowd immediately gave an unequivocally affirmative response, crisp, clear, and loud.
"Good, with your words, I am even more at ease. During this period, I hope you can all cooperate with each other. Do not focus solely on completing your own tasks and neglect others' requests for help. Only by cooperating with each other can tasks be completed more effectively."
Yang Haoran said with a smile. Everyone affirmed in unison. After their voices faded, Yang Haoran continued to speak.
"Before coming to Half-Moon Island, I made a promise that once we were out of danger, I would give you abundant rewards. I have always kept this promise in mind, and so, I have decided to fulfill it today."
Yang Haoran's words caused many present to show varying degrees of excitement on their faces. The high-ranking members of the Medicine God Society and the Flock of Demons Society were the most visibly affected. This was because back then, in the Cloud Haze Mountain Range, they had personally witnessed over six thousand Night Watchers under Yang Haoran, regardless of their strength, undergo transformation by the rules of Heaven and Earth, soaring to new heights and gaining immortal bodies. Envy and jealousy churned within them. They were not members of the Yin Si and thus could not enjoy such a transformation, but they similarly hoped to receive rewards. Therefore, hearing Yang Haoran's words now, they were all very excited.
Yang Haoran saw all the expressions and reactions of the crowd. With a smile on his face, he knew what they were thinking. He then turned his gaze to Ma Ling and asked,
"Ma Ling, your contributions this time were the greatest. What reward do you desire?"
Yang Haoran didn't immediately give Ma Ling a reward, but instead asked her what she wanted because he wished to hear her thoughts. If Ma Ling had no special requests, then he would simply fulfill his promise according to his own ideas. Although Ma Ling wasn't present when he made the promise, he naturally wouldn't forget Ma Ling, the greatest contributor, because of that. Not only did he not forget Ma Ling, but he also placed her first.
"I want books, documents, and artifacts related to formations. The more, the better. I have no interest in other things."
Ma Ling didn't prevaricate; she directly stated the reward she desired.
Yang Haoran had expected Ma Ling to exchange a few pleasantries with him, but he hadn't anticipated her being so direct. This indeed came as a surprise to him, and not just to Yang Haoran, but to others present as well.
Yang Haoran hadn't expected Ma Ling to be so straightforward because he didn't know her well enough yet. They had interacted in the past, but their time together wasn't long. Afterward, there was a lengthy period where they had no contact. After he successfully found Ma Ling and recruited her, she immediately went to execute the secret mission he assigned, thus he again had no opportunity to spend time with her. This led to his limited understanding of Ma Ling's current personality, which is why he couldn't accurately predict her response.
Not even Yang Haoran had anticipated Ma Ling being so direct, let alone the others. However, although Yang Haoran hadn't expected it, he didn't show it on his face, maintaining a calm and unruffled demeanor.
"Heh heh, regarding items related to formations, whether they are books, documents, or artifacts, I have indeed collected some over the years. I can't be sure of their value, as I am not an Array Master, but I believe you will certainly be able to discern their worth and put them to full use, maximizing their potential."
At this point, Yang Haoran looked towards Old Master Wu and spoke.
"Old Wu, I'll leave this matter to you. All the items related to formations that we have collected so far shall be given to Ma Ling as a reward."
Old Master Wu accepted the command, while Ma Ling, a wide smile on her face, expressed her thanks, her joy clearly written across her features. Although Yang Haoran had personally stated he wasn't sure if these items had value, Ma Ling didn't believe it. Even if Yang Haoran wasn't an Array Master, he possessed knowledge and discernment. Anything collected by Yang Haoran, whether related to formations or other types of items, surely wouldn't be simple; otherwise, how could it have caught Yang Haoran's eye?
She knew this, and so did everyone else present. Thus, when Ma Ling heard Yang Haoran was going to reward her with all the collected items related to formations, she was genuinely happy, without a trace of pretense.
However, what Ma Ling never expected was that Yang Haoran's reward for her wasn't over yet; this was merely a part of it.
"In some time, I will also send you another batch of excellent formation-related items, and I can guarantee they will be even more numerous and valuable than what you've received this time!"
Yang Haoran's words made the smile on Ma Ling's face instantly grow even brighter, like a blossoming flower. She was so overjoyed she couldn't close her mouth, continuously expressing her gratitude.
Ma Ling didn't doubt the truthfulness of Yang Haoran's words, because she knew there was no need for him to deceive her at this moment. Even if he were to deceive, he would do so beforehand, not afterward.
Furthermore, she didn't believe Yang Haoran was the kind of person who would lie to her. Although her understanding of Yang Haoran's personality wasn't yet profound, she was absolutely convinced of this point. It wasn't intuition; it was a judgment she had made herself based on all her past interactions with Yang Haoran.
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