Chapter 235: The Drunkard's True Intent
After bidding farewell to Wang Yiming, Yang Haoran circulated the Spirit Power within his body to regain his sobriety.
During lunch, he had quite a bit to drink. When eating with friends, he always felt something was missing without alcohol, so he couldn't help but drink, and he drank quite a lot.
However, he needed to drive now, and if he didn't force the alcohol out of his system to sober up, it would be a very dangerous situation.
Of course, the danger wouldn't be to him—even if his car suddenly exploded, it might not kill him. But if an accident caused inconvenience or harm to others, that would be a grave wrong.
Later that evening, he still had matters to arrange at the South Lake Death God Temple, but it was still early, so he planned to return to his convenience store first.
"I wonder how Master Jiang is doing now, and if he has become a Ghost Official."
After getting into the car, Yang Haoran lit a cigarette. He didn't drive off immediately; instead, his thoughts drifted to Master Jiang.
Anyone who accumulated certain merits in the mortal realm could potentially become a Ghost Official after entering the Underworld. Their position in the Underworld Office would vary depending on their merits.
However, this was predicated on their willingness. If they were unwilling, the Underworld Office would either compel them or allow them to reincarnate.
Of course, Night Watchers were a bit different. Although they worked for the Underworld Office, their position was quite awkward. To say they were Underworld Officials was true, because they were indeed personnel of the Underworld Office.
To say they were not Underworld Officials was also justifiable, because even though they worked for the Underworld Office, they didn't receive official recognition or the benefits due to an Underworld Official.
While this was quite unfair to them, it wasn't something they could change. They had only two choices: do it or don't.
As for Ghost Officials, living people could not hold that position. It was entirely held by the dead. To put it more directly, Ghost Officials were all held by ghosts.
While alive, Master Jiang was not only a devout follower of the Death God but also the temple keeper of the South Lake Death God Temple and a Night Watcher.
After becoming a Night Watcher, he had guided many souls and done a considerable amount for the Underworld Office. Thus, after his death, it was possible for him to become a Ghost Official.
Of course, it was only a possibility.
However, Master Jiang was different from other deceased Night Watchers. He had been personally escorted by the Black-Clothed Man, and the Black-Clothed Man had even stated that upon returning to the Underworld, he would be made a Ghost Official. Given the Black-Clothed Man's status, Yang Haoran didn't believe there was any reason for him to lie.
Moreover, Night Watchers were inherently qualified to become Ghost Officials after death. However, whether they actually became one depended not only on their own willingness but also on whether they had someone influential pulling strings for them.
If the Black-Clothed Man was willing to help, it should be quite easy for Master Jiang to become a Ghost Official.
Of course, nothing was absolute. Whether Master Jiang became a Ghost Official, he would know once he made a trip to the Underworld himself.
Snuffing out his cigarette, Yang Haoran temporarily set the matter aside and drove towards his convenience store.
Before he even reached the convenience store, Yang Haoran spotted an elder waiting outside from afar. This elder was none other than Old Master Wu.
Seeing Yang Haoran's car pull up outside the convenience store, Old Master Wu's heart swelled with joy, and he quickly walked over to greet him.
"Old Master Wu, were you waiting for me here? " Yang Haoran asked with a smile.
Old Master Wu nodded with a smile and respectfully replied, "Emissary, as per your instructions, all the bodies have been dealt with. I've also notified the other Night Watchers; they'll arrive at the South Lake Death God Temple tonight."
Yang Haoran chuckled. "You went to all this trouble, Old Master Wu. But for something like this, a phone call would have sufficed. There was no need for you to make a special trip."
"This is all just part of my duty; it's no trouble at all. Oh, right, Emissary, there's another matter I came to see you about," Old Master Wu said.
"Another matter? " Yang Haoran's expression remained unchanged as he smiled and nodded. "Let's go inside and talk. It would be rude to keep you standing out here."
With that, Yang Haoran opened the rolling shutter of the convenience store. After a rattling sound, the scene behind the shutter was revealed.
It wasn't Old Master Wu's first time visiting Yang Haoran's convenience store, but seeing its dilapidated state once more, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly. This convenience store was truly rundown.
Although he had always thought this, he didn't voice it. He wouldn't have before, and certainly wouldn't now.
Yang Haoran found a stool and handed it to Old Master Wu, while he himself sat on the chair in front of the counter.
Old Master Wu took the stool but didn't sit down immediately. Instead, he gently placed it in front of him, maintaining a respectful demeanor, smiling as he looked at Yang Haoran.
Yang Haoran smiled wryly and shook his head. "Please, sit down, Old Master Wu. Your politeness makes me feel rather awkward."
Old Master Wu chuckled and nodded, finally taking a seat.
Sitting on such a cheap, street-vendor stool was quite uncomfortable, yet Old Master Wu didn't feel that way at all; instead, he was genuinely delighted.
"Old Master Wu, is there anything else you needed me for? Do you perhaps require my assistance with something? " Yang Haoran asked with a smile.
Old Master Wu rubbed his hands together, a hint of embarrassment in his smile as he began, "There is indeed something I need the Emissary's help with."
A curious expression appeared on Yang Haoran's face. He then chuckled and said, "Go on, tell me. Anything within my power."
"I've only recently become a Night Watcher, and I still know too little about this world. So, I've bought a new villa right next to my family's, hoping the Emissary might consider moving in there. That way, if I have any questions that require your guidance, it would be much more convenient."
As Old Master Wu finished speaking, the smile on Yang Haoran's face deepened, becoming quite meaningful.
Ah, "the drunkard's true intent is not in the wine"—Yang Haoran, of course, understood the true meaning behind these words. Yet, he knew the wisdom of seeing through something without explicitly pointing it out.
"I appreciate your kind offer, Old Master Wu," Yang Haoran said with a smile, subtly refusing Old Master Wu. "I've grown accustomed to this place, and for now, I have no intention of leaving. If, one day, I decide to move, you'll be the first to know."
A flicker of disappointment crossed Old Master Wu's eyes. From Yang Haoran's tone and demeanor, he could tell that Yang Haoran truly had no desire to leave this dilapidated convenience store. Although he didn't understand the reason, he certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to force the issue, as that would only backfire.
"Since the Emissary has no intention of leaving this place, I, an old man, would naturally not dare to press the matter," Old Master Wu said with a regretful smile.
"Old Master Wu, if there's anything you need to understand, you can call me anytime. My phone is on 24 hours a day; as long as it's your call, I'll definitely answer," Yang Haoran said with a chuckle.
"Then I'm afraid I'll be causing the Emissary quite a bit of trouble in the future. I thank you in advance, Emissary," Old Master Wu said, standing up and bowing respectfully to Yang Haoran.
"No, no, no, please don't do that. Sit down quickly. The weather is getting warmer; have some water to quench your thirst first."
Yang Haoran quickly stopped Old Master Wu, then took two bottles of mineral water from the shelf, handed one to Old Master Wu, and opened one for himself.
After taking a sip of water, Yang Haoran pulled out his cigarettes, first offering one to Old Master Wu before lighting one for himself. After a deep inhale, he slowly said, "Old Master Wu, you need to hurry with recruiting new people. Our Lecheng Underworld Division is practically an empty shell right now. If we don't have enough manpower, Lecheng will likely descend into chaos before long."
Old Master Wu simply took the cigarette but didn't light it. Hearing Yang Haoran speak of this matter, he immediately assured him, "Rest assured, Emissary, I will see to this matter in the next few days. I wonder if the Emissary has any special requirements for the new recruits."
The smile on Yang Haoran's face deepened a few shades. The change in his expression stirred a flicker of doubt in Old Master Wu's heart, but he didn't press for details.
The reason Yang Haoran's smile suddenly deepened was that Old Master Wu's last sentence sounded incredibly familiar to him.
"There are no special requirements. As long as they're usable, that's enough. With such a shortage of people, how could I possibly be picky now? If someone truly isn't suitable, we'll simply let them go. Of course, it'd be best if no such person existed."
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