Chapter 1490: A Visit
After Bai Xue left, Yang Haoran lit a cigarette for himself. He leaned back heavily in his chair, the perpetual smile on his face receding. He smoked, lost in thought, his mind wandering.
When the cigarette burned down, Yang Haoran slowly rose from his seat, then tore open space and departed. As he emerged from the spatial rift, he found himself outside the courtyard gate of a small residence within the Night God Palace.
Given Yang Haoran's status, position, and formidable current strength, he could have easily ripped open space and appeared directly inside the courtyard. The restriction barrier enveloping the courtyard wouldn't have been able to stop him.
Yet, he didn't do that. Even though the entire Great Night Empire belonged to him, Yang Haoran, he had no desire to put on airs in front of his trusted subordinates.
This courtyard belonged to Ye Zhiqiu; he and his wife Honglian lived here. Aside from the couple, there was no third person in the courtyard. Yang Haoran's visit, of course, was to see Ye Zhiqiu.
The courtyard gate was tightly shut. Outside, Yang Haoran was just about to touch the restriction barrier enveloping the courtyard to signal his arrival to Ye Zhiqiu. However, at that very moment, the barrier suddenly vanished, and the tightly shut courtyard gate swung open. Space rippled, and Ye Zhiqiu's figure appeared behind the gate.
"What brings you here?"
Ye Zhiqiu's face was initially filled with doubt, but then, as if realizing something, his brows furrowed slightly.
Ye Zhiqiu's attitude towards Yang Haoran remained unchanged. Although he no longer rejected Yang Haoran as a person, he showed him no reverence whatsoever. This had always been the case, both in the past and now, and it never varied regardless of the occasion.
Moreover, Ye Zhiqiu wasn't a talkative person. Usually, unless Yang Haoran specifically asked him something, he rarely spoke up on his own, especially in crowded or special settings. Therefore, even though his attitude towards Yang Haoran was never truly respectful, few ever witnessed it, and even fewer knew about it.
Precisely because Yang Haoran was so accustomed to Ye Zhiqiu's demeanor, he wasn't angry in the slightest, nor did he feel any awkwardness.
"Heh heh, since I've come, it's certainly because I have something to discuss with you. Otherwise, how would a busy man like myself have the leisure to come here and slack off?"
Yang Haoran smiled faintly. Hearing this, Ye Zhiqiu stepped aside, clearing a path.
"Let's talk inside, whatever it is. As it happens, I also have something to tell you. Since you've come yourself, I won't have to go look for you."
A moment ago, Ye Zhiqiu had been perplexed, but after hearing Ye Zhiqiu's words, the bewilderment shifted from Ye Zhiqiu to Yang Haoran.
Though puzzled inwardly, Yang Haoran didn't show it on his face. A faint smile remained, and his expression didn't change in the slightest.
"Alright, let's talk inside then. It's been a while since I've visited Sister Honglian too."
Yang Haoran replied with a smile, then entered the courtyard. Led by Ye Zhiqiu, the two arrived in the living room.
Although Ye Zhiqiu showed no verbal reverence towards Yang Haoran, he did not sit in the main seat of the living room. Instead, he gestured for Yang Haoran to take that spot.
Yang Haoran didn't stand on ceremony with Ye Zhiqiu and plopped down in the main seat. The moment he sat, Honglian appeared, carrying steaming hot tea.
Honglian, like Old Master Wu and the others, had now also advanced to the Ghost King realm, regaining a physical body—a formidable Ghost King's physique. Though she had been a demon in life, that was, after all, in her previous existence. Now, she had absolutely no relation to demons. Her physical body was that of a Ghost King, and the techniques she cultivated were Ghost Arts and Spiritual Arts. As there was no longer any Demon Power within her, the demonic arts she could wield in life had become unusable after her death.
To put it plainly, she was indeed a demon in life, but after death, she cultivated the ghost path, so she truly had no connection to demons anymore.
The reason Honglian was able to elevate her cultivation to the Ghost King realm in such a short time, like Old Master Wu and the others, was due to the backing of immense resources. Without vast resources, Honglian might not have stepped into the Ghost King realm even if she cultivated for another few decades, unless she had some heaven-defying fortuitous encounter.
As for the vast resources Honglian expended to advance her cultivation, apart from a small portion procured by Ye Zhiqiu, the vast majority came from Yang Haoran, the great financial backer.
Honglian knew this, and thus her heart was filled with gratitude towards Yang Haoran. Though Ye Zhiqiu didn't say it, he was actually just as grateful to Yang Haoran; otherwise, he wouldn't have thrown himself so desperately into every task Yang Haoran assigned him, when he could have simply gone through the motions.
"Honglian greets the Emperor."
Honglian, holding the tea, bowed to Yang Haoran. Although it wasn't a full kowtow, she performed the customary courtesies. Her attitude, compared to Ye Zhiqiu's, was like heaven and earth.
Yang Haoran nodded with a smile. Honglian then filled their cups with fragrant tea and prepared to withdraw, but she was stopped by Ye Zhiqiu.
"Don't avoid us today. Only with both of us here can things be made clear."
Honglian halted, but she didn't nod in agreement. Instead, she turned her gaze towards Yang Haoran in the main seat.
"Heh heh, it's fine. We're all on the same side; there's really no need to withdraw."
Yang Haoran spoke, and only then did Honglian nod, then dutifully stood behind Ye Zhiqiu.
"What? You two had a quarrel? I find that rather unlikely."
Yang Haoran glanced at Honglian, then at Ye Zhiqiu, and spoke with an incredulous expression.
Given what Ye Zhiqiu had just said when he stopped Honglian from leaving, it was easy to wonder if the couple had quarreled. However, Yang Haoran knew how deep the affection between Ye Zhiqiu and Honglian ran. To suggest they had not only quarreled but also needed to clarify things in front of him, he truly found it hard to believe.
"We'll talk about that later. First, let's discuss your matter. You've personally come to find me today, even showing up at my door. Do you have another task to entrust to me?"
Ye Zhiqiu was direct, without any intention of beating around the bush; he went straight to the point.
Yang Haoran felt a little awkward. He hadn't said anything yet, but Ye Zhiqiu had already guessed the purpose of his visit and expressed it so bluntly. Even with his somewhat thick skin, the smile on his face became a bit unnatural for a moment.
"Heh heh, if there's no task for you, does that mean I can't just come by to see you two?"
Although Ye Zhiqiu had seen right through his thoughts, Yang Haoran didn't intend to admit it immediately. Honglian listened and smiled without speaking, while Ye Zhiqiu simply rolled his eyes at Yang Haoran.
"Oh, spare me. I haven't known you for a day or two; do you really think I don't know what you're scheming? If you have something to say, just say it. Don't waste my time or yours."
Ye Zhiqiu wasn't like Honglian; he didn't treat Yang Haoran with undue politeness, nor did he feel compelled to "save face" for Yang Haoran just because his identity had changed. He not only exposed Yang Haoran's lie but also urged him to get to the point quickly.
Yang Haoran gave an awkward laugh. Since Ye Zhiqiu had put it so bluntly, he decided not to beat around the bush any further.
"Heh heh, it seems nothing truly escapes your discerning eyes. You're right, I did come to find you today because I have a task to entrust to you."
As Yang Haoran's words fell, Ye Zhiqiu didn't respond, but rather wore an "I knew it" expression, then quietly waited for Yang Haoran to continue.
Next, Yang Haoran explained the current problems facing the Flock of Demons Society and their proposed solutions to Ye Zhiqiu. Ye Zhiqiu's brows furrowed slightly upon hearing this.
"You're telling me this because you want me to support the Flock of Demons Society?"
Ye Zhiqiu asked, and Yang Haoran nodded in response.
"Exactly, that is indeed what I had in mind. However, your primary task is to protect Bai Xue. Bai Xue is the President of the Flock of Demons Society, and if a major battle breaks out with the enemy, she, as the President, will undoubtedly become the main target of attack. Although Bai Xue's strength is considerable, there are quite a few powerful Sea Demons in the heart of the Eastern Sunrise Ocean. It wouldn't be surprising if there were beings Bai Xue couldn't contend with. Therefore, her safety is at risk. With you going to support the Flock of Demons Society and protecting Bai Xue, I'll feel more at ease."
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