Chapter 345: Courtesies
Inside the study, Yang Haoran lay on a chair, reading a book. Old Master Wu and the Snake Demon walked into the study at that moment.
Neither of them looked particularly good. The Snake Demon, in particular, lacked her usual charming smile; her face was grim, even sinister.
"Boss, a group of Talisman Masters has arrived outside the villa. There are quite a few of them, and two Black Talisman Masters are leading them. They claim to have come specifically to pay you a visit," Old Master Wu said to Yang Haoran.
Yang Haoran nodded, a flicker of surprise barely touching his face. He could sense their presence, as the other party hadn't fully concealed their power fluctuations.
Old Master Wu glanced at the Snake Demon beside him before turning his gaze back to Yang Haoran. He hesitated, then spoke in a low voice, "Coming here so early in the morning, and bringing so many people. . . judging by their demeanor, it's likely more than just a simple visit."
"We only just moved here a few days ago, and they've already managed to find us. Their intelligence truly is impressive," the Snake Demon grumbled, her lips pursed in annoyance.
Yang Haoran closed his book and rose to his feet, a faint smile playing on his lips. "The Talisman Order holds considerable sway in Lecheng, and their talismans come in all sorts of strange and varied forms. Furthermore, we didn't leave in secret, so it's hardly surprising they managed to track us down."
Hesitation flickered across the Snake Demon's face. After a moment of thought, she gritted her teeth, made up her mind, and declared, "They're definitely here for me. I'll go out and confront them."
As her words fell, the Snake Demon was about to turn and depart, but Yang Haoran stopped her with a word.
"I. . . " The Snake Demon found herself speechless.
"Regardless of their purpose, visitors are guests. As hosts, we must still observe the proper courtesies. " At this, Yang Haoran's gaze fell upon Old Master Wu. With a smile, he said, "Old Wu, please go down and invite them to come in and sit. I'll be waiting for you in the living room."
"Yes, Boss," Old Master Wu replied respectfully, before exiting the study.
Once Old Master Wu had departed, Yang Haoran turned his gaze to the Snake Demon and instructed, "Go back to your room and tend to your injuries first. I'll handle them."
"I'll come with you. Otherwise, they'll think I'm afraid of them," the Snake Demon retorted.
Yang Haoran pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. Having you by my side will fully convey my stance."
With his words, Yang Haoran led the Snake Demon towards the living room. Not long after they arrived, Old Master Wu ushered two men and one woman into the room. The rest of the Talisman Order's Talisman Masters remained outside the villa.
Upon seeing the two men and one woman, Yang Haoran rose from the sofa with a smile. Though his face was amiable, a hint of helplessness flickered within him, for Wang Yiming was one of the three.
Aside from Wang Yiming, there was also an old man and the Black Talisman Master he had once rescued.
In Yang Haoran's memory, this Black Talisman Master had been dressed in tattered, foul-smelling, and filthy clothes. Yet now, she was utterly transformed. Her unique attire, befitting a Black Talisman Master of the Talisman Order, lent her an air of remarkable grace, making her seem like an entirely different person from the madwoman he had known.
Yang Haoran recognized her at a glance because her hairstyle remained unchanged; it was still as it had been, her long hair obscuring half her face, a distinctive and individualistic look.
In addition to this Black Talisman Master, there was an elderly man, who, judging by his attire, was also a Black Talisman Master.
As for Wang Yiming, he wasn't dressed in casual clothes today, but rather in the attire of a Talisman Order Yellow Talisman Master. He trailed behind the other two, his demeanor overtly respectful.
As Yang Haoran's gaze fell upon the trio, their eyes also fixed on him and the Snake Demon. The old man and Wang Yiming appeared relatively composed, but the madwoman's emotions flared instantly upon seeing the Snake Demon. Were it not for Yang Haoran's presence, she would undoubtedly have already launched an attack.
Yang Haoran, a smile fixed on his face, walked towards the trio as if oblivious to the madwoman's agitated state. He addressed them with a courteous smile, "My apologies, honored guests. We've only just moved, and things are still rather chaotic, so I wasn't able to greet you personally. I assure you, there was no intention of slighting any of you; please don't take it to heart."
Yang Haoran's polite platitudes flowed effortlessly. He knew full well that none of the three would take his words as sincere, but what did it matter? Courtesies, by their very nature, were not meant to be genuine.
In his view, uttering a few pleasantries to diffuse the tension, offer the other party an easy out, and provide himself with an excuse was perfectly acceptable.
As his words settled, Yang Haoran's gaze deliberately lingered on Wang Yiming for an extra moment, and he subtly gave Wang Yiming a wink.
Wang Yiming, in turn, offered a wry smile, then subtly shook his head at him, his eyes brimming with helplessness.
In such a setting, Wang Yiming clearly had no standing to speak, so he could only use this silent gesture to convey his message to Yang Haoran.
Although Wang Yiming didn't utter a word, Yang Haoran could infer quite a bit from the wry smile on his face, the helplessness in his eyes, and that subtle shake of his head.
"Heh heh, Emissary Yang, you are far too courteous. It is we who have trespassed today, uninvited, causing you trouble, and for that, we are truly apologetic," the old man chuckled, stroking his beard.
The speaker was the old man, not the madwoman, which suggested that the old man, also a Black Talisman Master, held a higher position than she did. This present endeavor was likely under his command.
Furthermore, the old man neither exposed Yang Haoran's pretense nor brought up the matter of the Snake Demon. Instead, he engaged in courtesies with Yang Haoran in return, revealing his disinclination to openly provoke a conflict.
Moreover, Wang Yiming's presence further highlighted this point. Many Talisman Masters had arrived today, so why had the other party specifically brought Wang Yiming into the villa instead of other Talisman Masters? Anyone with a discerning eye could tell there was an ulterior motive.
Yang Haoran revealed not a hint of his inner thoughts. His face beamed with a warm smile, and his demeanor was cordial, treating the trio as if they were long-lost friends.
"Come, come, please, have a seat. " With that, Yang Haoran turned his gaze to Old Wu and said with a smile, "Old Wu, would you mind preparing some tea for our guests?"
"Yes, Boss."
Old Master Wu responded respectfully, then turned to leave. Yang Haoran, meanwhile, turned his attention back to the Snake Demon beside him and said with a smile, "Old Wu is getting on in years; why don't you go with him and lend a hand?"
The Snake Demon cast a glance at the madwoman, who, coincidentally, also met her gaze. In both their eyes, intense killing intent erupted.
However, neither made a move then and there, for both understood clearly that any action would fundamentally alter the situation.
The Snake Demon, suppressing the fiery rage in her heart, averted her gaze from the madwoman, then nodded to Yang Haoran before departing alongside Old Master Wu.
With the Snake Demon gone, the trio finally refocused their attention on Yang Haoran. Under his warm invitation, the old man and the madwoman took seats on the sofa, while Wang Yiming stood diligently and respectfully behind the old man.
Under normal circumstances, Wang Yiming would never have been so reserved when facing Yang Haoran, nor would Yang Haoran have simply allowed Wang Yiming to stand without a word.
However, the current situation was different. In the presence of two Black Talisman Masters, he, as a Yellow Talisman Master, simply had no right to be seated. Even if there were abundant seats available, it would not be a Yellow Talisman Master's place to sit; such was the rule.
Thus, Yang Haoran said nothing, merely allowing Wang Yiming to stand respectfully behind the old man.
Once the trio had settled, the old man spoke first, before Yang Haoran even had a chance to open his mouth.
"Ever since the Lecheng Underworld Office underwent its transformation, your esteemed name, Emissary Yang, has echoed like thunder in my ears. Though I had no previous opportunity to meet you, today I am fortunate enough to behold your distinguished personage. You are truly a man of remarkable talent, haha!"
Yang Haoran's heart remained utterly unperturbed, yet he feigned a delighted expression. He chuckled in return, "Oh, please, old sir, you jest. I'm merely a humble worker for the Underworld Office, far from famous, and certainly not a man of any exceptional talent. I am quite aware of my own standing."
"You are far too modest, Emissary Yang, far too modest! The Lecheng Underworld Office is now managed impeccably under your care. This is no feat that just anyone could accomplish. Your achievements are plain for all to see!"
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