Chapter 58: Wang Qing is Dead!
At six in the morning, Yang Haoran woke up punctually. As usual, he first washed up, and then paid respects to the Death God.
He went to bed at two and woke at six, leaving only four hours in between, yet Yang Haoran felt remarkably energetic.
For many years, to survive and achieve his goals, he had been forced to exert more effort. This meant sacrificing his rest, even his nightly sleep, to pursue other matters.
Naturally, he wasn't accustomed to it at first, but with time, he gradually grew used to it, and no longer felt any discomfort from the lack of sleep at night.
Ever since activating the Death God Seal between his brows, his body had undergone some changes. Not only could he function perfectly after a good night's sleep, but even staying up all night wouldn't exhaust him, thanks to the presence of his Spirit Power.
Though his sleep last night was brief, it was incredibly comfortable. As for High Liang and Wang Qing, he hadn't spared either of them a thought before drifting off.
Opening the door to start business, the cold moon still hung in the sky. It seemed today would be a good day.
Under the streetlights, pedestrians and vehicles occasionally passed by. Although dawn hadn't broken yet, many had already begun their busy day. Like Yang Haoran, they were all striving for survival or working hard towards their goals.
As the rice simmered in the pot for congee, Yang Haoran simultaneously tended to the store's business and performed his physical exercises. He had barely begun when his movements suddenly froze.
Inside the convenience store, there was no one but him, yet his words were clearly not directed at himself.
Half an hour later, having completed his exercises, Yang Haoran sat on the stool behind the counter, panting heavily. As he wiped away sweat, he took a pair of sunglasses from a drawer and put them on.
With the sunglasses on, he activated his Ghost Eye.
Of course, he wore sunglasses to prevent passersby from seeing his terrifying Ghost Eyes.
As his Ghost Eye activated, a figure materialized before Yang Haoran. The person was covered in fresh blood, their face a mass of shredded flesh—it was High Liang.
Seeing High Liang's horrific appearance once more, Yang Haoran's expression remained unchanged, his heart unwavering. This was partly because he was growing increasingly accustomed to his new identity as a Night Watcher, and partly because this wasn't the first time he'd witnessed High Liang's gruesome death. Thus, he wasn't startled this time.
"Underworld Official brother, the task is done."
Before Yang Haoran could even open his mouth to ask, High Liang promptly began reporting his work.
Yang Haoran, of course, understood the meaning behind High Liang's words. He was somewhat surprised, never having expected a mere spirit like High Liang to possess such capability. He felt he had indeed underestimated High Liang.
Spirits are different from Evil Spirits; apart from scaring people in dreams, they possess no other offensive power.
However, this 'lack of offensive power' was only relative. If an ordinary person truly experienced what Wang Qing did last night, they might not die, but they would likely be scared senseless, turning into a nervous wreck.
In High Liang's gaze, Yang Haoran saw no remorse. Instead, what he saw was excitement and anticipation.
Yang Haoran sneered inwardly. His analysis of High Liang was not wrong; High Liang simply desired Wang Qing. To have her, he was truly willing to stop at nothing, including her very life.
"Heh heh, excellent. You've done well. Return to the Soul-Gathering Bead for now. In seven days, she can come and join you."
Yang Haoran spoke with a smile, then took out the Soul-Gathering Bead.
Seeing Yang Haoran produce the Soul-Gathering Bead, High Liang didn't immediately enter. Instead, he hesitated, seemingly dissatisfied with Yang Haoran's answer.
"After a person dies, their soul doesn't immediately appear. It takes seven days for their soul to coalesce. During this period, their soul will hide within the corpse or ashes, waiting for seven days to form into a Spirit. So, don't rush."
Yang Haoran hadn't intended to explain, but adhering to his principle of not easily showing his true colors, he still clarified the matter for High Liang, doing so with a kindly smile on his face.
Upon hearing Yang Haoran's explanation, High Liang reluctantly nodded. He was already impatient to possess Wang Qing, not wanting to wait another moment, but since Yang Haoran had spoken, he could only agree.
What else could he do but agree? Threaten Yang Haoran? Scare him?
High Liang knew very well that he posed no threat in Yang Haoran's eyes. What else could he do but nod in agreement?
"Underworld Official brother, you promised me. I hope you'll definitely see it through. " High Liang's tone was pleading.
How sorrowful was this love—oh no, how sorrowful this desire was. Yang Haoran sneered inwardly, yet still nodded at High Liang, saying, "Don't worry. Since I said I'd let you be together, I absolutely won't break my word."
What High Liang wanted was to possess Wang Qing, while what Yang Haoran had said was that he would let them be together. The nature of these two things was entirely different.
High Liang wasn't one to quibble over words; he didn't think much of it. At this moment, his mind was filled with vivid images of finally having Wang Qing.
In the dream, he had intended to share a night of passion with Wang Qing, but at the time, to complete the task as quickly as possible and not waste a single second, he had refrained.
Doing so had given him enough time to deal with Wang Qing, but it had also intensified his desire to possess her.
Yang Haoran knew what High Liang was thinking, but he had no intention of wasting any more time with the fellow. He directly absorbed High Liang into the Soul-Gathering Bead.
High Liang offered no resistance, allowing the Soul-Gathering Bead's powerful suction to draw his soul body in. Of course, with his abilities, even if he had resisted, it would have been futile; he couldn't possibly escape the Soul-Gathering Bead's pull.
The empty Soul-Gathering Bead, with High Liang's absorption, once again gained a Soul Thread as thin as a strand of hair.
After breakfast, Yang Haoran busied himself with inventorying the convenience store's goods. He did this regularly, replenishing stock promptly when needed—it was a habit.
However, due to his recent busy schedule, his operating hours were significantly shorter than before, so there wasn't much consumption of goods. The inventory revealed nothing needed replenishing.
No sooner had he finished than the sky brightened, and at that moment, a familiar ringtone sounded.
"I am as free as the wind."
A glance at his phone showed that the call was from none other than Guan Hai. Yang Haoran touched the scar on his face—a masterpiece Wang Qing had left last night. He smiled, then answered the call.
"Oh, the sun must have risen from the west today. It's not even noon, and you're already up, you rascal."
The call connected, and Yang Haoran chuckled teasingly. However, Guan Hai on the other end of the line was in no mood for banter with Yang Haoran.
"Brother Yang, Wang Qing is dead! " Guan Hai spoke anxiously, his voice filled with shock.
Yang Haoran feigned a look of surprise, asking, "Really? Are you pulling my leg, you rascal?"
"Of course it's real! Not only is she dead, but her death was bizarre. There wasn't a single wound on her entire body, not even a bruise. She died with a look of extreme terror on her face, as if. . . as if she was scared to death," Guan Hai said.
"Scared to death, huh? Heh heh, are you telling me ghost stories this early in the morning? " Yang Haoran chided with a laugh.
Silence fell on the other end of the line for a moment, then Guan Hai lowered his voice and said, "Brother Yang, I know you have abilities, so Wang Qing's death. . ."
Guan Hai didn't elaborate further, but Yang Haoran naturally understood the implication of his words.
"Heh heh, what nonsense are you spewing, you rascal? She died in a hotel, and I was at home. Her death has nothing to do with me! " Yang Haoran chided with a laugh.
"But you're not like ordinary people! " Guan Hai still didn't believe him.
"I do have a few minor tricks up my sleeve, but I'm no immortal. I'm not as formidable as you imagine," Yang Haoran said, his voice laced with helplessness.
Silence fell again on the other end. After a few breaths, Guan Hai sighed and said, "Just last night you said she wouldn't live past thirty, and it actually came true. That woman really should pay for her words and actions, but the price being her life. . . that's a bit steep."
Yang Haoran chuckled, saying, "When did you become so sentimental, you rascal? She's just an irrelevant person. If she's dead, she's dead. One reaps what one sows; she brought this upon herself, so there's no one else to blame. Instead of meddling in her affairs, you should mind your own."
Perhaps Guan Hai was still too weak and hadn't fully recovered, or perhaps Wang Qing's death had genuinely affected him, but Guan Hai's mood remained low. They chatted for a few more moments before hanging up.
Tucking his phone into his trouser pocket, the smile vanished from Yang Haoran's face. He leaned back in his chair, lost in thought.
Wang Qing was dead; he knew this. The moment High Liang returned, he'd known Wang Qing must be dead, otherwise High Liang wouldn't have come back so soon.
Wang Qing had been scared to death by High Liang, but High Liang had been instigated by Yang Haoran. Without his instigation, High Liang might not have acted, at least not so quickly.
In other words, Wang Qing could be considered indirectly killed by Yang Haoran.
Killing people—Yang Haoran had never killed anyone before, not even indirectly. This was his first time.
Yet, his heart felt little turbulence. Perhaps it was because he hadn't personally witnessed Wang Qing being scared to death, or perhaps because he held no sympathy for people like her, or perhaps, at his very core, he was simply a ruthless individual through and through.
Thus, he experienced no emotional fluctuations. He was as usual, as if nothing had happened.
However, Yang Haoran did take one of Guan Hai's statements to heart: Wang Qing was certainly at fault, but did she deserve to die for it?
Yang Haoran didn't answer Guan Hai this question, but he answered it for himself. The answer was a resounding yes.
He could tolerate others' flaws, but he couldn't tolerate anyone harboring murderous intent towards him, especially someone who could pose a threat and had the means to destroy him.
For such people, rather than letting them cause daily trouble, threatening his life and the lives of his loved ones, it was far more straightforward and satisfying to simply kill them.
Cut the grass but don't remove the roots, and it will grow again when the spring breeze blows. Wherever there are people, there is a jianghu. If one is not decisive and ruthless in their actions, then they themselves might be the ones to die.
To actively eliminate an enemy, or to wait for the enemy to destroy him—Yang Haoran decisively chose the former.
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