Chapter 289: A Piece of News
Being taken away by Yang Haoran was the last thing the snake demon wanted, but at this moment, she had no other choice.
Although Yang Haoran's words just now were intended for Zhou Fudui, she had heard them all clearly. His tone hadn't been particularly agitated.
On the contrary, Yang Haoran had worn a smile throughout the entire exchange. While his inner emotions caused a slight tremor in his voice, the fluctuation was minimal, barely noticeable.
However, it was precisely these relatively calm words that made her perceive the terrifying nature of Yang Haoran. Once such a person decided to do something, even if you tried to rein in a bull injected with chicken blood, you absolutely couldn't pull them back.
Similarly, if he decided to kill someone, he would undoubtedly find a way to eliminate them, even if it meant exhausting every last method.
It was precisely because she understood this principle that the snake demon realized she had underestimated Yang Haoran's dangerous nature. If she didn't leave with Yang Haoran now, she had no doubt that this smiling Emissary of Death would immediately kill her.
Thus, she didn't resist. Despite her utmost reluctance, when facing Yang Haoran, she still forced out a faint smile, then stepped into the spatial rift Yang Haoran had torn open.
Yang Haoran's study was beautifully decorated. Old Master Wu hadn't spared any effort in this regard. The study had everything it should have, except for the scarcity of books on the shelves.
It wasn't that he couldn't afford books; rather, these were the only ones Yang Haoran currently collected. As for books that didn't pique his interest, he wouldn't place them here to take up space, nor would he bother spending time dealing with them later.
However, the silence in the study was now shattered. Space rippled, then a crack appeared. Yang Haoran emerged from the rift, followed closely by Zhou Fudui, and finally, the snake demon.
Gazing at the luxuriously decorated study, the snake demon's eyes couldn't help but light up. Zhou Fudui, however, wore a grim expression; with matters weighing on his mind, he naturally showed no interest in his surroundings.
"This is my study, feel free to sit wherever you like. I'll make you some tea," Yang Haoran said with a smile to the two of them.
"No need, Emissary Yang," Zhou Fudui forced a smile, politely declining Yang Haoran. "Captain Luo is still waiting; I need to hurry back and report."
Hearing this, Yang Haoran nodded, not insisting. "Alright then," he said. "Please extend my regards to Captain Luo."
"Alright. Oh, and once I've handled the funerals for my brothers in the next few days, let's go out for a drink. I'll properly thank you then. If it weren't for your help today, Emissary Yang, we would likely have lost several more brothers, myself included," Zhou Fudui said.
"No problem at all, I'll definitely be there," Yang Haoran agreed with a smile.
Zhou Fudui nodded, then exited the study. From beginning to end, he didn't spare the snake demon another glance.
The snake demon naturally discerned Zhou Fudui's strong prejudice against her. She glared fiercely at his retreating back, using the action to vent her inner displeasure.
"What kind of tea would you like to drink?"
Yang Haoran's voice made the snake demon retract her gaze. She looked at Yang Haoran, an alluring smile once again gracing her face.
"Heh, if I had my choice, I'd like some chrysanthemum with oolong."
Yang Haoran's smile stiffened, and then the corner of his mouth twitched subtly.
"I'm not very well-read, so please don't try to pull my leg."
As soon as his words fell, footsteps could be heard running up the stairs. Judging by the sound, it seemed to be a child.
"Uncle Yang! Uncle Yang, are you back?"
Yang Haoran glanced at the snake demon, offered an apologetic smile, and said, "Have a seat for a moment, I'll be right back."
With his words delivered, Yang Haoran stepped out of the study.
The snake demon watched Yang Haoran's retreating back, her alluring smile vanishing, replaced by an expression of hesitation.
"Should I take this opportunity to escape?"
Though the snake demon had just presented a fawning smile to Yang Haoran, inwardly she was incredibly wary. Yang Haoran leaving the study seemed like an opportunity to escape, but she wasn't confident she could successfully flee his grasp, which was why she hesitated.
After some thought, the snake demon still dismissed the idea of escaping immediately. She felt the probability of success was simply too low. Not only was she currently very weak, but even at her peak, she wouldn't be confident in escaping Yang Haoran's hands.
"First, complete the transaction, then have a proper talk with him to sound him out. If he still doesn't let me leave after the deal, I'll have to offer him more benefits to buy him off."
With a decision made, the hesitation on the snake demon's face vanished. However, her inner vigilance did not disappear just because she had made up her mind.
Having just escaped the wolf's den only to fall into the tiger's mouth, the snake demon still felt quite aggrieved. But she had no choice. As she had said, this was a world where the strong preyed on the weak. Since she had fallen into Yang Haoran's hands, she could only accept her fate.
Yang Haoran was only out for a moment before returning to the study. Watching him walk in, the snake demon's face once again broke into a smile.
"Why aren't you sitting? " Yang Haoran asked with a smile.
"Then I won't be polite," the snake demon said with a smile, then took a seat on the sofa.
Yang Haoran, meanwhile, fetched teacups and casually brewed a cup of tea for both the snake demon and himself.
"I don't have your chrysanthemum and oolong here, so I'm afraid you'll have to settle for some plain tea," Yang Haoran said with a smile as he handed the teacup to the snake demon.
"Heh, I was just joking. My tastes aren't that strong, Emissary Yang, don't take it seriously," the snake demon chuckled awkwardly.
"You don't mind if I smoke here, do you? " Yang Haoran asked with a smile.
"Not at all! Of course not! " the snake demon quickly declared, but in her heart, she muttered, "Like hell I mind! Even if you burned this place down, I wouldn't care!"
Of course, the snake demon didn't dare to voice her true thoughts. Although she harbored great dissatisfaction towards Yang Haoran, she only dared to vent it in her mind.
Yang Haoran lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and then said with a smile, "I helped you destroy the Demon Sealing Talisman, and I've also vouched for you with the Spirit Police. Now, I trust that my beautiful friend can produce what I'm looking for, right?"
After Zhou Fudui left, Yang Haoran didn't immediately bring up the matter. Instead, he did what a host should do. Now that he felt he had done enough, and since the snake demon hadn't proactively mentioned it, he saw no reason to continue with pleasantries and went straight to the point.
"Of course. Thank you so much today, Emissary Yang. I definitely won't forget the deal I promised you, and I absolutely won't disappoint you," the snake demon said with a smile.
"Oh, really? " Yang Haoran's face showed a flicker of interest.
He didn't say anything further, but smiled, awaiting the snake demon's next words.
The snake demon understood Yang Haoran's meaning, so she continued, "The payment I'm offering, Emissary Yang, is actually a piece of information—a valuable piece of information for you."
"Information? What kind of information? " Yang Haoran asked with a smile.
"I wonder, Emissary Yang, are you interested in Evil Spirits? " the snake demon asked with a smile.
As an Emissary of Death, Yang Haoran was naturally interested in Evil Spirits. Now that he had acquired the Sunken Yin Stone, he was even more intrigued by both Evil Spirits and Evil Spirits. Thus, without a second thought, he nodded.
"I knew you'd be interested in Evil Spirits, Emissary Yang, so the payment I'm offering you is the precise location of an Evil Spirit."
Upon hearing the snake demon's words, Yang Haoran's smile faltered slightly. He seemed to have realized something, and the smile on his face slowly vanished.
While the snake demon spoke, maintaining a fawning smile, she kept a close eye on Yang Haoran. Every one of his movements, even the subtle shifts in his expression, registered in her sight.
Now, seeing Yang Haoran's smile gradually recede, her heart couldn't help but tremble slightly.
"Emissary Yang, what's wrong? " the snake demon asked, her smile a little unnatural, a hint of trepidation in her voice.
"Please don't tell me the Evil Spirit you're talking about is in the Blackwater Pool on your mountain."
The Evil Spirit in the Blackwater Pool had already been devoured by Zhong Siyu. There were no Evil Spirits there anymore. If the Evil Spirit the snake demon was referring to was that one from the Blackwater Pool, then he would have to refuse her payment.
Upon hearing this, the snake demon visibly relaxed. She quickly spoke, chuckling, "Of course it's not that one. I knew about the commotion from the Blackwater Pool even before you reached the mountaintop. The Evil Spirit in the Blackwater Pool must have already been dealt with by you, Emissary Yang. How could I possibly offer its location as payment?"
The snake demon's words brought a smile back to Yang Haoran's face. He chuckled, "Heh, my apologies, I'm a bit too sensitive sometimes. Please don't mind me. Go on, I'm listening intently. You have the floor."
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