Chapter 866: Step by Step
As Yang Haoran spoke, he maintained a smile, his voice slow and deliberate, all the while carefully observing the subtle shifts in Zhu Rong's expression.
From his observations, he could tell that Zhu Rong was somewhat swayed, though it wasn't overtly apparent.
Yang Haoran wasn't in a hurry. He still had benefits yet to promise.
After his words fell silent, he didn't immediately continue speaking, wanting to give Zhu Rong a moment to digest what he'd said.
He rose to pour three cups of tea, personally handing two to Bai Xue and Zhu Rong before keeping one for himself.
"Haha, I'm not particular about tea, nor do I have many fussy rules. Just make do with it,"
Yang Haoran said with a smile, then raised his cup and took a light sip, moistening his throat.
"Emissary Yang, may I have some time to consider? " Zhu Rong asked faintly, taking a symbolic sip of her hot tea before gently setting down the cup.
"Rest assured, Emissary Yang, I won't use this time to escape, nor will I play any tricks. I know that for you, killing me would be effortless. If I were to scheme in the dark, I would certainly bid farewell to this world very quickly, perhaps not even keeping my soul intact. So, I wouldn't do such a foolish thing."
Yang Haoran chuckled, then gently put down his teacup.
"Don't be so quick to worry," he said. "Let me finish speaking first. The reason I didn't speak just now was to give you time to digest things, not because I'd finished listing all the benefits."
Hearing this, Zhu Rong's expression subtly changed.
"Please speak, Emissary Yang. I'm all ears."
Yang Haoran collected his thoughts, then addressed Zhu Rong.
"I wonder, Deputy Administrative Chief Zhu, have you ever considered becoming an empowered individual, someone beyond the ordinary?"
Zhu Rong was slightly taken aback. She hadn't expected Yang Haoran to suddenly ask her such a question at this moment. After a brief hesitation, she nodded gently.
"Of course I have," Zhu Rong replied. "Given the chance to become an extraordinary individual, who would willingly remain ordinary? No matter how much power an ordinary person possesses, they will still become a plaything or a pawn in the hands of those with greater power. This is true in times of peace, and even more so in turbulent times. Only by possessing immense personal strength can one escape the fate of being a pawn and truly claim everything they desire. This is an eternal truth."
"Since you've considered becoming an extraordinary individual, why haven't you pursued that path? With your position as Lecheng's Deputy Administrative Chief, it shouldn't be difficult to achieve," Yang Haoran said with a smile.
Hearing this, Zhu Rong shook her head, a helpless expression on her face.
"To gain something, one must inevitably give up something else. As Lecheng's Deputy Administrative Chief, I'm constantly bogged down with trivial matters, barely even having time to sleep. Where would I find the time to cultivate? It's not just me; Sun Yu and the deceased Administrative Chief were the same. Although I didn't see eye-to-eye with them, and even looked down on them in my heart, I have to admit they sacrificed a lot for Lecheng, even if their motives weren't entirely pure."
"Lecheng was once merely a city, and managing it was considerably easier because the Supreme Administrative Council stood behind us, capable of resolving many difficult issues. Now, Lecheng is no longer just a city; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it an independent small nation. Consequently, the challenges we face are far beyond anything comparable to the past. As Lecheng's Deputy Administrative Chief, I'm naturally even busier. If I had no time to cultivate before, I certainly have even less now."
"Before I became Lecheng's Deputy Administrative Chief, I didn't believe in tales of ghosts and gods, so I never considered embarking on a cultivation path. After I became the Deputy Administrative Chief, I learned about the existence of the Spirit Police and realized this world was far more complex than I'd imagined. From then on, the desire to cultivate began to form in my heart, because only with an increase in personal strength can one truly hold their ground."
"However, if I choose to cultivate, I would have to give up this position as Deputy Administrative Chief, otherwise, I'd have no time at all. But if I truly abandoned this post, when the person leaves, the tea gets cold. Which major power would still pay attention to an ordinary woman like me? Forget about guiding me onto a cultivation path; it would be polite of them not to kick me while I'm down."
"Furthermore, I carved my path through thorns and thistles to reach the position of Lecheng's Deputy Administrative Chief. Who knows how much sweat and tears I shed during that time? Naturally, I won't easily give up this position. Not only will I not give it up, but I intend to climb even higher through my own efforts, even if it costs me my life, because this is my ambition!"
"So, I still haven't had the opportunity to embark on the path of cultivation. However, I haven't completely given up. I've long had a plan in my heart: once I successfully become Lecheng's Administrative Chief, I won't follow the old path of the previous Administrative Chief. I will forge my own way. I will undertake a major cleanup of the Lecheng Administrative Courtyard, then cultivate a few capable confidants. That way, I can not only control all of Lecheng but also have time to cultivate, killing two birds with one stone. It's just a shame that this goal remains unachieved to this day."
Yang Haoran had, in fact, already suspected much of what Zhu Rong said, having gained some insight into these matters during his investigation of her.
However, not all cities were like the Lecheng Administrative Courtyard, where both the Administrative Chief and Deputy Administrative Chief were ordinary people. In some cities, the Administrative Chiefs and Deputy Administrative Chiefs were empowered individuals, some even possessing formidable strength.
Lecheng's situation was a result of circumstances. The administrators struggled to even handle their basic duties, leaving them no time to cultivate. Of course, this also had something to do with the personalities of Lecheng's three Administrative and Deputy Administrative Chiefs.
Although Yang Haoran already knew much of what Zhu Rong was saying, he didn't interrupt her, allowing her to speak her mind freely. This was a form of respect, and also a tactic.
Only after Zhu Rong finished her speech, seeing that she had no intention of speaking further, did Yang Haoran chuckle and begin to speak.
"As long as you agree to my conditions, the goal you've pursued for years but never achieved, I can make it a reality for you today. I will make you Lecheng's new Administrative Chief. At the same time, I will grant you power immediately, ensuring you are no longer an ordinary person from this day forward. This is one of the benefits I offer you."
Hearing this, Zhu Rong's face showed neither surprise nor shock; her expression remained remarkably calm.
"The Administrative Chief is dead, and Sun Yu is also dead. With Emissary Yang's capabilities, combined with my position in the Administrative Courtyard, it truly wouldn't be difficult to place me in the Administrative Chief's seat today."
"As for granting me the power that ordinary people lack, that too is something effortless for Emissary Yang. Because you, Emissary Yang, are an Emissary of Death for the Underworld Office, a bona fide Underworld Official. As long as you implant the Death God Seal in me, I can immediately gain power and cease to be an ordinary person from this moment forward."
"However, in doing so, I, Zhu Rong, would not only be indebted to you, but from now on, I would also become a believer of the Death God, at least overtly. A dignified Administrative Chief becoming a Death God believer? That's practically free advertising for your Underworld Office. This so-called benefit, no matter how I look at it, means Emissary Yang gets to eat the meat, while I only get a sip of the soup."
Given her position as Deputy Administrative Chief, how could Zhu Rong not know about the Underworld Office's cultivation methods and ways to increase power? She knew that unlike other factions, the Underworld Office allowed one to immediately gain power, power that ordinary people lacked, simply by implanting the Power Seed, the Death God Seal. Furthermore, one could directly use Pure Yin Qi to enhance their strength, without needing to spend excessive time on cultivation.
Since she knew all this, the reason she hadn't approached Yang Haoran was precisely because she didn't want to be beholden to him, nor did she want to become a Death God believer, essentially providing free advertising for the Underworld Office, which would negatively impact her.
Moreover, there was another crucial point: even if Yang Haoran were to implant the Death God Seal in her, without a large supply of Pure Yin Qi, she wouldn't be able to increase her strength. To obtain Pure Yin Qi, the Underworld Office's Soul Pills were the primary choice, which meant she would always be led by Yang Haoran's nose.
It was precisely for these reasons that, despite her strong desire to embark on the path of cultivation over the years, she had never sought out Yang Haoran or proactively offered to have the Death God Seal implanted.
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