Chapter 817: More Trouble Arises
Apart from selecting suitable candidates to carry out this mission, Yang Haoran harbored another concern: the matter of customizing skins.
To customize skins, he would have to go to the Underworld. It wasn't strange for an Underworld Official to customize skins in the Underworld, but if he frequently ordered skins, and each time they were identical, it would become quite intriguing, making it difficult not to attract attention.
If Ye Zhiqiu were at home, this matter would be easily handled. He could simply entrust the task of customizing skins to Ye Zhiqiu. Not only would it avoid a trip to the Underworld, but it also wouldn't draw the attention of other observant individuals. This approach was the most reliable.
However, unfortunately, Ye Zhiqiu was not at home. Specially summoning him back just to refine a set of skins seemed a bit excessive, as Yang Haoran couldn't be certain if Ye Zhiqiu currently had more important matters to attend to.
Just as Yang Haoran was contemplating whether to forcibly summon Ye Zhiqiu back, a surge of power rippled once more from outside the Mountain River Grand Array's barrier.
All three simultaneously sensed this power fluctuation, and expressions of doubt appeared on their faces.
This power fluctuation wasn't strong; in the eyes of Yang Haoran and the other two, it could even be described as quite weak. However, what concerned them wasn't its intensity, but rather that this fluctuation was Spirit Power, unique to their Underworld Office.
From this, it seemed highly likely that the person who had appeared outside the Mountain River Grand Array was a Night Watcher from their Lecheng Underworld Office.
“Heh heh, it’s really lively today. Guests are arriving one after another. ”
As the saying goes, troubles never come singly. At this moment, someone was knocking on their door, possibly even one of his Night Watchers. In his view, this might not be a good sign; it could very well be trouble arriving again.
“It should be one of our people. I’ll go out and check the situation. ”
Old Master Wu spoke. Although Yang Haoran was the Emissary of Death for Lecheng, he had always been managing the affairs of the Lecheng Underworld Office. Now that a Night Watcher had rushed here, it was very likely that something major had occurred in the Underworld Office.
However, at that very moment, a gust of Yin wind suddenly swept through outside the study, and Xiujuan appeared there.
“What’s the situation outside? ”
Yang Haoran asked Xiujuan. Xiujuan had been monitoring the movements outside, so her appearance here naturally meant she had some understanding of the situation.
“Wu Xiaoxiao has arrived. Judging by her expression, it seems something major has happened; she looks extremely anxious. And, she has bloodstains on her. ”
Everyone present knew who Wu Xiaoxiao was—Old Master Wu’s beloved granddaughter. Therefore, upon hearing this, the expressions on all three of their faces changed again, especially Old Master Wu’s, whose change was the most dramatic as her grandfather.
“Boss. . . ”
Although Old Master Wu was extremely anxious and even had a bad premonition, he didn't frantically rush out of the study. Instead, he turned his gaze to Yang Haoran.
“Outside isn’t a suitable place to talk. Xiujuan, bring Wu Xiaoxiao in first. It’s safer to discuss anything in here. ”
Xiujuan acknowledged the order and immediately headed outside the Mountain River Grand Array, while Yang Haoran turned his gaze to Old Master Wu.
“Old Wu, there’s no need to worry. No matter how big the problem, I’m still here. ”
Yang Haoran spoke, a faint smile on his face, comforting Old Master Wu.
Old Master Wu nodded, but the anxiety on his face didn't vanish because of Yang Haoran’s words.
Back then, to enable Old Master Wu's family to protect themselves, Yang Haoran had implanted the Death God Seal in them, and Wu Xiaoxiao was no exception.
Although they had the Death God Seal implanted by Yang Haoran within them, strictly speaking, they weren't considered his Night Watchers, as Yang Haoran hadn’t required them to do anything a Night Watcher should.
It was precisely for this reason that Wu Xiaoxiao’s sudden arrival here, looking so anxious, indicated that it wasn’t something happening in the Underworld Office, but rather something major concerning their Wu family.
What Yang Haoran could think of, Old Master Wu naturally could as well. It was precisely for this reason that the anxiety on Old Master Wu’s face didn't disappear just because of a single sentence from Yang Haoran.
Led by Xiujuan, Wu Xiaoxiao quickly arrived at the study. At this moment, Wu Xiaoxiao looked somewhat disheveled, with obvious bloodstains and wounds on her body, suggesting she had been in a fight with someone.
“Grandpa! ”
The first thing Wu Xiaoxiao did upon entering the study was to hug Old Master Wu and burst into tears.
Old Master Wu’s heart tightened, and the bad premonition grew stronger. However, in front of his granddaughter, he couldn't fully reveal his inner emotions, as he felt it would only create a greater psychological burden for Wu Xiaoxiao.
“It’s alright, it’s alright. Take your time, tell me slowly. Take your time, tell me slowly. ”
Old Master Wu gently patted Wu Xiaoxiao’s back while speaking soothing words to her.
Bai Xue said nothing. She watched Wu Xiaoxiao, who was tightly clutching Old Master Wu, her willow-like brows furrowed slightly. A bad premonition arose in her heart as well.
Yang Haoran’s smile faded. He shifted his gaze from Wu Xiaoxiao to Xiujuan.
“You continue to watch the movements outside. There’s a lot going on today, so I’m troubling you. ”
Yang Haoran spoke. Xiujuan bowed respectfully to Yang Haoran, not feeling that she had truly done much just because of his words.
“This is all what Xiujuan ought to do; it’s not hard work at all. If the Master has any needs, please feel free to command Xiujuan. ”
After Xiujuan withdrew, Yang Haoran once again turned his attention to Old Master Wu and Wu Xiaoxiao.
Wu Xiaoxiao was still sobbing in Old Master Wu’s embrace. Yang Haoran observed the scene but didn't rush them. Instead, he simply took out a cigarette, lit it, inhaled deeply, and then slowly exhaled, waiting for Wu Xiaoxiao to compose herself.
It wasn’t until a little over half a cigarette had burned down that Wu Xiaoxiao, comforted by Old Master Wu, gradually quieted her sobbing.
“Wu Xiaoxiao, what exactly happened? Explain it clearly to Grandpa. Don't just cry; crying won't solve anything. ”
Wu Xiaoxiao responded, still sniffling.
“Something terrible happened at home! My dad and Second Uncle were both taken away, and my mom. . . my mom and the others. . . they’re all dead! ”
As she spoke, Wu Xiaoxiao burst into heartbroken sobs once more.
Upon hearing Wu Xiaoxiao’s words, Old Master Wu froze on the spot, his expression suddenly stiffening.
“You. . . what did you say? ”
Old Master Wu seemed unable to believe his ears, his voice trembling as he sought confirmation from Wu Xiaoxiao.
Wu Xiaoxiao didn't answer him. Instead, she started sobbing loudly again, releasing her profound grief in that manner.
Bai Xue’s expression subtly changed. She had no family of her own, so she couldn't fully comprehend the emotions Wu Xiaoxiao and Old Master Wu were experiencing at that moment.
However, in her eyes, Yang Haoran was family, and the other residents of this villa were also considered family. If something were to happen to them, she would feel just as distraught.
Thus, while she couldn't entirely grasp the depth of Old Master Wu’s and Wu Xiaoxiao’s grief at that moment, she could at least partially empathize.
Because of her understanding, she didn’t speak rashly. In such a situation, she didn’t know what to say, and she felt it was best to let the two calm down before speaking.
Yang Haoran smoked, remaining silent as well. However, his brows furrowed even deeper, and his smoking frequency unconsciously increased significantly. A cigarette quickly burned down to its butt.
He stubbed out the cigarette, then lit another one for himself. After taking a drag, he finally spoke to the sobbing Wu Xiaoxiao.
“Wu Xiaoxiao, first explain the situation clearly. Continuing to cry won’t change the outcome, and it will only waste time. ”
The reason Yang Haoran spoke of wasting time was that he had heard Wu Xiaoxiao’s previous words very clearly.
Others were dead, but her father and second uncle had been taken. In such a situation, understanding the circumstances even a minute sooner meant being able to prepare a minute earlier. If Wu Xiaoxiao didn’t explain the full story and continued to cry like this, it truly would be a waste of time, and perhaps even cost her father and second uncle their lives.
“Boss is right, Wu Xiaoxiao. Please explain the situation clearly. Don't keep crying. ”
Old Master Wu took a deep breath, trying to make his tone sound calm. However, it had little effect; his voice still trembled slightly as he spoke.
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