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Chapter 356: A Grand Scheme

After the snake demon left, Yang Haoran had the Night Watchers return to their respective posts, leaving only him and Old Master Wu in the entire villa, along with Xiao Kang who was reading in his study.

"Old Master Wu, what is your relationship with Xiao Yu? " Yang Haoran asked with a smile.

Upon hearing this, a wry smile appeared on Old Master Wu's face, and he replied, "The Boss still saw through it."

Yang Haoran merely smiled, said nothing, and waited for Old Master Wu to continue.

"Xiao Yu is the descendant of an old friend of mine. Her closest relatives are no longer in this world. She has no ties or worries, which is why I had her join the Night Watchers. This girl is actually quite good-natured, just a bit too lively; sometimes she can't even tell the proper occasion. " Old Master Wu said with a helpless expression.

"So that's how it is. However, being lively isn't necessarily a bad thing. Do you want to see her become like you and me? " Yang Haoran asked with a smile.

Regarding Yang Haoran's question, Old Master Wu merely smiled and offered no reply.

"Old Master Wu, have you ever considered having your family members become Night Watchers? " Yang Haoran asked with a smile.

At these words, Old Master Wu froze for a moment, then shook his head with a wry smile.

"Them? They're too used to a life of luxury. Except for Wu Senior and Wu Xiaoxiao, the others are simply not suited for this. If we really brought them into our ranks, then Boss, you probably wouldn't be recruiting a few Night Watchers, but rather a few 'great gods' who wouldn't want to do anything. I know them too well. Once they gained power, there's no telling what they'd do. They'd definitely cause you trouble."

"Heh heh, Old Master Wu, you've considered this very thoroughly. As for your eldest son and your granddaughter Xiaoxiao, if they wish to join the Night Watchers, you can tell me directly at any time. I will handle it for you. " Yang Haoran said with a smile.

"Thank you, Boss. " Old Master Wu expressed his gratitude. Afterward, his expression grew hesitant, as if he had something to say, but found it difficult to voice.

"Old Master Wu, just say what's on your mind. There's no need for us two to hide anything from each other. " Yang Haoran noticed the hesitation on Old Master Wu's face and said with a smile.

Hearing this, Old Master Wu nodded, then, under Yang Haoran's surprised gaze, he waved his hand and set up a restrictive barrier.

"Heh heh, what matter requires Old Master Wu to be so cautious? " Yang Haoran asked with a smile.

"Caution makes a long voyage safe, Boss. Now that Miss Bai Xue is not here, I finally have the chance to ask you: is it worth helping her like this? " Old Master Wu asked earnestly.

Yang Haoran had not expected Old Master Wu to bring up this matter. Although somewhat surprised, the expression on his face remained unchanged.

He pulled another cigarette from the pack and lit it. Yang Haoran took a deep drag before asking Old Master Wu, "Old Master Wu, if it were you, how would you handle this matter concerning Bai Xue?"

"If it were me, I wouldn't concern myself with her affairs. She is a demon after all. No matter what she does in the future, even if she becomes a Spirit Police officer, there will still be many who view her with hostility. Getting involved with her is just asking for trouble. In my opinion, your approach is very irrational. " Old Master Wu said.

Yang Haoran chuckled and asked, "Then, based on your understanding of me, do you think I would do something so seemingly irrational without reason?"

Old Master Wu shook his head and said, "Based on my understanding of the Boss, you shouldn't make such a mistake, unless. . ."

"Unless what? Heh heh, You don't think I've taken a liking to her, do you? " Yang Haoran asked with a smile.

Old Master Wu did not answer Yang Haoran's question. He merely wore a wry smile and said nothing.

Although Old Master Wu said nothing, his facial expression and reaction had already said it all.

Yang Haoran took another drag from his cigarette and smiled faintly, "I already have someone in my heart. Although I'm not yet sure if I can win her over, before there's a result, I won't invest my time and energy in other women."

Old Master Wu's brows furrowed slightly. He had originally thought Yang Haoran was willing to bear everything for the snake demon because he was captivated by her beauty. However, Yang Haoran's current reply indicated that his guess was either wrong, or Yang Haoran was deceiving him.

However, he felt there was no reason to lie about such a matter. After all, human-demon romances were nothing new; they were already commonplace in TV dramas. And there were plenty of 'great gods' brave enough to sleep with snakes.

Thinking this way, he dismissed the idea that Yang Haoran was intentionally deceiving him. Instead, he was more inclined to believe that his own guess had been wrong.

"Then Boss, why exactly are you doing this? " After a moment of hesitation, Old Master Wu still asked.

He had not originally intended to ask this question, because he felt it wasn't his place to ask. Since Yang Haoran had already spoken that way, it meant Yang Haoran certainly had his own plans. But the curiosity in his heart still made him unable to resist asking.

The smile on Yang Haoran's face remained unchanged. He had no intention of avoiding Old Master Wu's question. After a moment of thought, he smiled faintly and said, "No matter what the matter, if I don't get involved, then whatever the final outcome, it doesn't matter to me. But if I reach out and get involved in this matter, then I will surely see it through to the end, because I want to finish what I start."

As his words fell, a hint of hesitation flashed in Yang Haoran's eyes. He was considering whether or not to say certain things. After thinking it over, he still spoke to Old Master Wu, "Besides that, there's another reason. I am playing a game of chess, a grand scheme."

Yang Haoran's answer was very vague, so vague that Old Master Wu had no idea what Yang Haoran intended to do.

However, Old Master Wu was sensible enough not to press for more details, because Yang Haoran's answer was already quite clear. He had no intention of explaining the matter in full detail at this moment.

"Boss, this is the Talisman Pouch you gave me earlier."

Old Master Wu took out the Talisman Pouch that Old Man Zhang had left behind when he departed, and handed it to Yang Haoran.

Yang Haoran glanced at it, but did not reach out to take the Talisman Pouch. Instead, he said with a smile, "Find an opportunity, and give this Talisman Pouch to Wang Yiming."

No surprise appeared on Old Master Wu's face. Instead, he nodded respectfully in response.

As for why the Talisman Pouch, now in their possession, had to be returned to Wang Yiming, Old Master Wu could roughly guess what Yang Haoran was thinking. Thus, he wasn't surprised by Yang Haoran's decision.

He knew that Yang Haoran didn't want to make things too difficult with the Talisman Order. After all, the Talisman Order had strong influence in Lecheng and even across the entire New Beginning Realm. Making things too difficult with them would not be of much benefit to Yang Haoran.

Giving the Talisman Pouch to Wang Yiming was, in essence, returning the Talisman Pouch to Old Man Zhang. This wasn't a gesture of goodwill; it was merely conveying a message to Old Man Zhang: "I, Yang Haoran, do not wish to fall out with your Talisman Order."

As for why he had been so aggressive earlier, that was merely a tactic. If he didn't display his strong side, then in the future, everyone would likely think he was easy to bully.

To put it bluntly, Yang Haoran's approach to the Talisman Order today was a classic case of first slapping you hard enough to make you cry from the pain, and then giving you a piece of candy.

With things having reached this point, Yang Haoran's method certainly couldn't fully repair the relationship between the two parties, but it could at least ease the tension between them, allowing the stalemate to undergo some subtle changes.

Old Master Wu could grasp these subtle details, but what he didn't know was that Yang Haoran had another layer of hidden intent in doing so.

Yang Haoran and Wang Yiming already had a good relationship. During the battle at the Ghost Building back then, Wang Yiming even took out the protective talisman he had hidden within his body. Regardless of how much effect this protective talisman had in that great battle, at the very least, this bond of goodwill, he had to keep it in his heart.

Furthermore, Old Man Zhang was also Wang Yiming's master. To put it directly, that talisman back then was bestowed by Old Man Zhang to Wang Yiming for protection. Yang Haoran had also indirectly received a favor from Old Man Zhang. Therefore, Yang Haoran would not accept this Talisman Pouch.

Regarding the conflict that arose with the Talisman Order today, Yang Haoran actually felt quite ashamed in his heart. But he had no choice. The other party had aggressively come knocking at his door. If he didn't show some dominance, then how would he continue to operate in Lecheng in the future? And how would his Night Watchers view him?

Moreover, he also had his own thoughts and plans. Therefore, there were some things he didn't want to do, but had to do, because their positions were different.

After finishing his instructions to Old Master Wu, Yang Haoran took out his phone and sent a text message to Wang Yiming.