Chapter 1491 The Agreement of the Year
Yang Haoran laid out his thoughts to Ye Zhiqiu. Based on his understanding of Ye Zhiqiu, he was certain Ye Zhiqiu wouldn't refuse him. Furthermore, Ye Zhiqiu had done this sort of thing before, possessing ample experience, so it wouldn't be difficult for him.
However, the outcome greatly exceeded Yang Haoran's expectations. This time, Ye Zhiqiu didn't readily agree as he usually did. Instead, after a moment of hesitation, he slowly shook his head.
Ye Zhiqiu's head shake left Yang Haoran momentarily stunned, for he had never dreamed that Ye Zhiqiu would actually refuse him.
Ever since Ye Zhiqiu had started following him, he had never once refused any task Yang Haoran assigned, regardless of its danger. He rarely even complained. It was precisely for this reason that Yang Haoran was so utterly astonished at this moment.
Yet, Yang Haoran's stupor lasted only a fleeting instant. He quickly recovered, a faint smile once more gracing his features.
"What's wrong?"
Yang Haoran asked, somewhat bewildered. He couldn't fathom why Ye Zhiqiu would refuse, so he wanted to understand the reason and then successfully resolve the issue.
"Because, in my view, the Flock of Demons Society's expedition to the nearby sea will certainly not conclude quickly. My wife and I don't have that much time, so I cannot accept this task. If possible, I hope you can assign me a task that can be completed in a shorter timeframe."
However, Ye Zhiqiu's words not only failed to resolve Yang Haoran's doubts but intensified them instead.
What did he mean, "my wife and I don't have that much time"? That statement completely baffled Yang Haoran.
Firstly, Red Lotus now possessed a Ghost King physique, which, much like an Underworld Office agent modified by the rules of Heaven and Earth, meant her physical body would not naturally perish. In other words, as long as she wasn't struck by external forces, Red Lotus could live indefinitely. Moreover, with her Ghost King physique, completely dispersing her wouldn't be an easy feat; compared to Underworld Office agents of the same realm, Red Lotus, with her Ghost King physique, was far more resilient. Thus, Red Lotus should, by all rights, not be facing a situation of "running out of time."
As for Ye Zhiqiu, although he didn't possess a Ghost King physique, his strength was formidable. While he hadn't yet reached the level of recognition by Heaven and Earth, he was close. Furthermore, he was in the prime of his life, and the power within him could slow the aging of his physical body. As long as he wasn't struck by external forces, he, too, had a long lifespan ahead of him. There was simply no possibility of him running out of time.
Utterly perplexed, Yang Haoran surmised that perhaps Ye Zhiqiu and his wife were suffering from some grave physical ailment. Besides this possibility, he couldn't think of a more plausible explanation. Yet, this time, Ye Zhiqiu still shook his head.
"You've misunderstood. My wife and I have no physical problems; there's no need to trouble Feng Xiao or Xiang Chuan."
Yang Haoran, who had already taken out his Communication Talisman, preparing to contact Feng Xiao and Xiang Chuan, paused in his movements. His inner confusion deepened. Usually one to mask his emotions, he even allowed his bewilderment to show on his face, indicating just how profoundly perplexed he was at that moment.
Yang Haoran didn't speak this time, merely staring at Ye Zhiqiu with a bewildered expression. Although Yang Haoran remained silent, Ye Zhiqiu understood his meaning. This wordless gaze was Yang Haoran telling him, "Whatever it is, explain yourself quickly."
Ye Zhiqiu didn't immediately speak. He first took a deep breath, seemingly composing himself. Yang Haoran didn't press him, waiting for Ye Zhiqiu to continue. However, Ye Zhiqiu's reaction couldn't help but stir a bad premonition in Yang Haoran's heart.
After adjusting his emotions, Ye Zhiqiu pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lit one for himself, took a deep drag, and exhaled forcefully, as if trying to expel all the vexation from his heart through this action. Only then did he speak.
"The agreed-upon deadline between us. . . it should have passed a long time ago, right?"
Ye Zhiqiu's words sounded like a question to Yang Haoran, but in reality, he was confirming it for him. Yang Haoran, whose mind had been brimming with doubts, instantly understood what was happening upon hearing Ye Zhiqiu's statement. Combining it with Ye Zhiqiu's previous words, all the confusion in his heart immediately dissipated.
Yang Haoran paused again, then a wry smile appeared on his face. Under Ye Zhiqiu's gaze, he gave a soft nod.
"That's right, the time expired long ago."
As Yang Haoran uttered these words, his heart was filled with a mix of emotions. He understood what Ye Zhiqiu's "agreement" referred to: the temporal pact Ye Zhiqiu had made when he first began to follow him. Within that timeframe, Ye Zhiqiu was obligated to follow his arrangements, doing anything Yang Haoran asked of him.
To this day, the agreed-upon deadline had indeed passed long ago—that much was certain. There were two reasons why Yang Haoran hadn't reminded Ye Zhiqiu after the stipulated period was up.
The first reason was his reluctance to lose Ye Zhiqiu. Ye Zhiqiu was his top enforcer; losing him would be a tremendous setback. He genuinely did not want to be without a person of Ye Zhiqiu's caliber under his command.
The second reason was that after the agreed time had elapsed, Ye Zhiqiu hadn't proactively brought the matter up. If Ye Zhiqiu hadn't mentioned it, then Yang Haoran, who wished to keep him, naturally wouldn't have brought it up either. In his view, if Ye Zhiqiu hadn't raised the subject himself, it implied Ye Zhiqiu had no intention of leaving. If he were to bring it up, Ye Zhiqiu might mistakenly think he was being pushed out, and then, even if Ye Zhiqiu didn't want to leave, he might depart out of concern for his 'face,' which was not the outcome Yang Haoran desired.
It was precisely due to these two reasons that Yang Haoran hadn't reminded Ye Zhiqiu after the agreed-upon deadline had passed.
Yang Haoran had initially believed that after so many years of working together, Ye Zhiqiu had long grown accustomed to his role and no longer harbored thoughts of leaving. He thought Ye Zhiqiu would follow him for life, and that the temporal agreement was merely an initial constraint on Ye Zhiqiu. Once Ye Zhiqiu became familiar with and accepted this identity, the agreement would naturally become a mere formality.
Now, however, it seemed that none of that was the case. Not only had Ye Zhiqiu not forgotten the agreement, but he had even made the decision to leave.
After receiving Yang Haoran's affirmative reply, Ye Zhiqiu remained silent, and Red Lotus awkwardly lowered her head. The living room fell into a deathly stillness. Finally, it was Yang Haoran who broke the silence.
"Why did you suddenly bring this up? After all these years, I thought you'd long forgotten about it."
Yang Haoran tried hard to keep a smile on his face, but alas, the emotional turmoil within him was too strong, making his smile appear incredibly unnatural.
"Replying to the Emperor, my husband has actually always kept this matter in his heart. It's just that he didn't know how to bring it up to you. Moreover, my husband also knew that you truly needed manpower, and his departure would undoubtedly have a negative impact on your plans, affecting the Emperor's grand ambitions. That's why he felt even more awkward raising the subject with you. The reason he brings it up now is because he believes the Great Night Empire has fully stabilized and is developing with increasing speed, and the number of powerful experts around the Emperor is also growing. He chose this time to leave, as it will no longer significantly impact the Emperor's plans."
With those words spoken, Red Lotus fell silent, and Yang Haoran turned his gaze back to Ye Zhiqiu.
"Why leave without a good reason? I really want to know what your reason for leaving is."
Facing Yang Haoran's inquiry, Ye Zhiqiu didn't choose silence this time, giving Yang Haoran his reply.
"I've actually grown weary of this life of constant conflict and killing. I simply wish to take Red Lotus back to our homeland, to our former home, to live in seclusion, far from the mundane world, and spend the rest of our days in peace and quiet. If I were to continue staying in the Great Night Empire, this would be impossible to achieve. To put it bluntly, this current life is not what my wife and I desire."
Upon hearing this, Yang Haoran fell silent for a short while. Then, a wry smile on his face, he spoke to Ye Zhiqiu.
"Have you truly made up your mind? Won't you reconsider?"
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