Chapter 1493: Departure (Middle)
“Emperor, you’ve summoned us so urgently to the dining table, and prepared so much fine wine and delicious food. Is there some momentous joyous occasion? ”
At the dining table, Lu Wu looked at the feast spread before them, asking Yang Haoran with a face alight with excitement.
Lu Wu’s excitement stemmed from two reasons. Firstly, in his view, something good must have happened, and a momentous one at that, otherwise Yang Haoran wouldn't have gone to such great lengths. Secondly, it was because of the feast itself. Although, as a Ghost King, he had no need for sustenance—even before he had broken through to the Ghost King realm, he similarly had no need to eat, for ghosts by nature require no food—he still harbored a considerable craving for all kinds of delicious food, a lingering habit from his living days.
Aside from Ye Zhiqiu and Red Lotus, Lu Wu’s question was also what the other trusted subordinates present wished to ask. It was simply that their temperaments differed from Lu Wu’s, and thus they remained silent.
Hearing this, Yang Haoran’s face displayed a faint smile. On the surface, Yang Haoran’s smile seemed no different from usual, but his trusted subordinates present were all intimately familiar with Yang Haoran, and thus some keen-eyed individuals noticed that there was something amiss with his smile, as if he were concealing something.
“Hehe, the banquet set tonight, and everyone gathered here, is to bid farewell to Ye Zhiqiu and Red Lotus. Tomorrow, they will both leave the Great Night Empire and embark on a new life. ”
The moment Yang Haoran uttered these words, Lu Wu burst into laughter, and then spoke.
“Are Master Ye and his wife going out on a mission? Your Majesty, you’re truly too kind to the two of them, even arranging a banquet to see them off on a mission, and gathering all of us here. I’m truly envious, haha! ”
The reason for this change was that Lu Wu noticed everyone else present was looking at him, and with a strange gaze at that, which made him gradually realize something was wrong. But exactly what was wrong, he initially couldn’t tell, until he re-evaluated Yang Haoran’s words from moments ago. Only then did he suddenly wake up with a jolt, understanding the true meaning of Yang Haoran’s statement, and why everyone else present had been looking at him with such peculiar expressions.
Lu Wu, having realized the situation, wore a look of disbelief. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, nothing came out, for he didn’t know what to say at this very moment.
The atmosphere instantly turned incredibly awkward. Everyone looked at each other, for a moment, unsure what to say.
Yang Haoran watched this scene unfold. He had no intention of blaming Lu Wu, knowing that such was Lu Wu’s inherent nature. Not only did he not intend to blame Lu Wu, he was also prepared to break the awkward silence and give Lu Wu a way out.
“Hehe, this fellow Lu Wu is getting more and more humorous. Tonight, everyone, temporarily put aside your work, don’t even think about it. Just eat well, drink well. Tonight, we won’t leave until we’re thoroughly drunk! ”
Although the awkward atmosphere had been broken by Yang Haoran, the mood among those present still felt somewhat subdued. For the people gathered there, this matter was hardly a joyous occasion, and it had come so suddenly, leaving them utterly unprepared. For a while, they couldn’t recover from their shock and bewilderment, and so the atmosphere naturally remained quite heavy.
After three rounds of drinks, the heavy atmosphere gradually began to lift. Under the influence of alcohol, everyone became more talkative, and began to inquire with Ye Zhiqiu and Red Lotus about the reasons for their departure.
Ye Zhiqiu was usually a man of few words. Even when facing others who were also Yang Haoran’s trusted subordinates, he rarely spoke. Tonight, however, was an exception. Facing their inquiries, Ye Zhiqiu patiently explained the reasons, and thus everyone else learned why Ye Zhiqiu and Red Lotus were leaving so abruptly.
In response, some expressed understanding and support, while others were quite bewildered. But even if they didn't understand, they chose to respect the couple’s decision.
Red Lotus was not considered Yang Haoran’s subordinate, so she rarely appeared at many gatherings. Because of this, Yang Haoran’s trusted subordinates had few opportunities to interact with Red Lotus, and their relationship with her was quite ordinary.
Ye Zhiqiu was different. Not only was he Yang Haoran’s subordinate, he was also one of Yang Haoran’s trusted confidants. They had far too many opportunities to interact with one another.
Regarding Ye Zhiqiu as a person, most of Yang Haoran’s trusted subordinates couldn’t claim to have a great fondness for him, as Ye Zhiqiu was a very aloof individual, but they couldn’t claim to be particularly repulsed by him either.
Although most of them only had an ordinary relationship with Ye Zhiqiu, rarely interacting with him in their daily lives, after all, they had spent so many years together, even going through life-and-death situations, so when the moment of separation truly arrived, they couldn’t help but feel a touch of sadness.
Especially Bai Xue. Initially, the one with the most grievances and hostility towards Ye Zhiqiu was, of course, Bai Xue herself. Because Bai Xue was a demon, and Ye Zhiqiu was a Demon Hunter, the sworn enemy of demons. Moreover, Bai Xue had almost died at Ye Zhiqiu’s hands in the past, which was why she harbored such deep enmity towards him.
However, as time passed, and the two spent more time together, even undertaking multiple missions together, each having pulled the other back from the brink of death, Bai Xue’s hostility towards Ye Zhiqiu gradually lessened, until it finally vanished completely.
By now, while Bai Xue couldn’t claim to have a great fondness for Ye Zhiqiu, she at least no longer rejected him, nor harbored any enmity towards him. Learning that this old comrade was about to leave, a touch of melancholy still arose in her heart.
“Why on earth are you leaving so suddenly? Isn’t it good to stay in the Great Night Empire? Don’t you want to witness with your own eyes the Great Night Empire gradually becoming the most powerful empire in the New Beginning Realm? ”
Bai Xue looked at Ye Zhiqiu, asking with great bewilderment. Under the stimulation of alcohol, two blushes rose on her fair, tender face, making her appear even more alluring.
Normally, Bai Xue would have no interest in proactively speaking to this aloof fellow. Even if unavoidable communication occurred, it would almost certainly be laced with barbs. However, under the influence of alcohol, the melancholy in Bai Xue’s heart was amplified, and she couldn’t help but fire off a triple question at Ye Zhiqiu, with no hint of sarcasm.
If it were any other day, Ye Zhiqiu would similarly have been too lazy to bother with Bai Xue, but today, he did not.
“The Great Night Empire is excellent, and I also wish to personally witness its development into the most prosperous empire in the New Beginning Realm. However, my wife and I have the life we yearn for, so even though we deeply cherish the Great Night Empire, we have ultimately decided to leave. ”
As these words left his lips, Ye Zhiqiu took a deep gulp of wine, and then lit a cigarette for himself.
Hearing this, Bai Xue let out a soft sigh, then gently shook her head, and then raised her wine glass.
“Since your mind is made up, I won’t try to persuade you further. I’ll toast to you and your wife. May you have a smooth journey! ”
Bai Xue had no intention of continuing to persuade Ye Zhiqiu, because from Ye Zhiqiu’s words, she could sense his resolve, understanding that further persuasion would be futile.
Furthermore, she knew her relationship with Ye Zhiqiu wasn’t particularly deep, and even if she continued to try and persuade him, Ye Zhiqiu wouldn’t change his decision based on her few words.
Seeing Bai Xue raise her glass, Red Lotus, with an apologetic smile, also quickly raised hers. Ye Zhiqiu, after pouring himself a full glass of wine, likewise raised his own.
“Thank you. Regarding that matter back then, I am very sorry. I hope you can forgive me. ”
Ye Zhiqiu said to Bai Xue, holding his glass. Bai Xue was momentarily stunned, evidently not grasping what Ye Zhiqiu meant, but she quickly caught on, and a heartfelt smile bloomed on her face.
“Hehehehe, I’ve long since completely forgotten about that matter. ”
As these words fell, Bai Xue tipped her head back decisively, and drained the wine in her glass in one gulp, leaving not a single drop.
Ye Zhiqiu said nothing, a smile also gracing his face. He too drained the wine in his glass in one gulp, leaving not a single drop. Seeing this, Red Lotus also quickly drank the wine in her glass.
Aside from Red Lotus, Ye Zhiqiu rarely smiled in front of others. Especially with Bai Xue; he had never before shown such a genuine smile in her presence. This was the first time in history.
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