Chapter 917: Apology
Once the mortal realm shop opened, Yang Haoran's target customers were naturally not just the people of Lecheng. After all, the items he intended to sell were not ordinary goods; regular folk had no use for them. Only those of extraordinary nature could benefit from them.
However, the number of extraordinary individuals in Lecheng was limited, and their power was quite restricted. If he only targeted Lecheng's extraordinary population, expanding his business would certainly be unrealistic.
To truly strengthen and expand his enterprise, he would need to spread his reputation, making more extraordinary individuals aware of his shop. Only then would they travel from other places, either to purchase needed items or to sell their own treasures. Only by sustaining this approach could he achieve his goal of becoming powerful and vast, and accrue sufficient profits.
As for the most suitable location for the shop, Yang Haoran's first thought was Lecheng's urban district. After all, if one were to ask where Lecheng was most bustling, it would undoubtedly be the urban district. Opening a grand and impressive shop there would not only capture the attention of ordinary people but also draw the gaze of extraordinary individuals.
Although ordinary people wouldn't be able to afford these goods, as long as they discussed the shop, whether intentionally or not, they would be providing free advertising for it.
After a slight hesitation, Yang Haoran left the villa and headed for Lecheng's urban district. He intended to personally scout locations and then select a satisfactory plot of land to construct his shop in the mortal realm.
During his selection process, he arrived at a place that was both familiar and strange.
Familiar, because he had spent a long time on this very street; every blade of grass, every tree, was deeply etched into his mind.
This was the very spot where he had once run his general store. Ever since he moved into the villa Old Master Wu had prepared for him, he had never returned here, leaving both the shop and his former residence for Old Master Wu to manage.
Now, returning here again, the place had drastically changed. The entire building had vanished, likely having collapsed after external impact and subsequently cleared away by the Administrative Council.
However, the Administrative Council seemed to have no intention of letting this land go to waste, for the plot had been cordoned off, apparently in preparation for some construction.
The location wasn't particularly good, but after some consideration, Yang Haoran decided to set his new shop here. Not for any other reason, but simply because he harbored some affection for the place.
With a decision made, Yang Haoran left the area, intending to go greet Zhu Rong and have her reserve this plot of land for his shop.
However, before he could even tear open space, a ripple appeared in the nearby spatial fabric. A spatial rift then materialized, and two figures stepped out from within it.
Upon seeing the two, a look of surprise first crossed Yang Haoran's face, which then softened into a faint smile.
These two were none other than the two two-star Demon Hunters he had encountered yesterday at the Administrative Council. One of them, the Demon Hunter named Yi Jiao, had even been publicly chastised by him.
Their appearance here at this moment clearly indicated they had come for him. As for the exact purpose of their visit, he couldn't yet be certain, but he had some inkling.
The man approached Yang Haoran with a smile, while Yi Jiao's face remained cold, her expression visibly unpleasant.
"Heh heh, judging by your expressions, are you looking for me?"
Yang Haoran didn't actively move to greet them. He stood still, simply smiling as he spoke to the two. The smile on his face was natural and relaxed, showing not a trace of awkwardness, as if nothing untoward had happened between them yesterday.
"Heh heh, I originally intended to visit Soul-Sower Yang's residence, but I sensed the presence of Spirit Power here, so I came to investigate. I didn't expect to actually find Soul-Sower Yang here; what a coincidence indeed."
The man stopped about a meter in front of Yang Haoran, his face wreathed in smiles as he spoke.
"Heh heh, indeed, quite the coincidence. From the first moment I saw you two, I felt a special familiarity. I wonder, what brings you to me today? " Yang Haoran asked with a smile.
Neither of the Demon Hunters had expected Yang Haoran to be so utterly shameless. For most people, a meeting the day after a conflict would be at least somewhat awkward, but Yang Haoran was perfectly fine. Not only did he act as if nothing had happened, he even spoke such brazen words.
The man paused for a moment, but then a smile bloomed on his face. Yi Jiao's reaction, however, was precisely the opposite of the man's. Her already cold expression seemed on the verge of freezing solid.
"Heh heh, indeed. When I first saw Soul-Sower Yang yesterday, I also felt an immediate sense of kinship. Allow me to introduce myself: my surname is Xue, and my given name is Jie. I look forward to Soul-Sower Yang's guidance in the future."
Xue Jie said, a smile plastered on his face. Since Yang Haoran was being so brazen, he might as well abandon all sense of propriety too. He first exchanged pleasantries, then introduced himself.
Seeing the other party act so courteously, although the politeness was clearly fake, it at least showed Yang Haoran that they weren't here to cause trouble today.
Of course, even if these two *were* here to cause him trouble, he wouldn't be afraid. He had already killed more than one or two people from the Demon Hunter Guild anyway, so two more wouldn't make a difference.
"My name is Yang Haoran. The 'Yang' as in 'wood' and 'easy,' and 'Haoran' as in 'vast and righteous spirit. '"
Yang Haoran likewise introduced himself with a smile. Although he knew the other party had certainly inquired about him through various channels and thus knew his name, he still chose to feign ignorance and gave a proper introduction.
"Soul-Sower Yang embodies a vast and righteous spirit; you truly live up to your name. The words 'Haoran' are truly deserved by Soul-Sower Yang."
As Xue Jie spoke, his expression was flawless, his tone impeccable. Yet Yang Haoran could sense that the other party was mocking him. However, he paid it no mind, acting as if he hadn't caught the subtext in their words.
"Heh heh, Master Xue possesses a truly discerning eye. In this regard, I indeed have no major issues. " Yang Haoran replied with a smile.
Seeing Yang Haoran act so utterly brazen, Xue Jie felt disdain in his heart. Yet no expression of disgust appeared on his face; instead, his smile deepened by a few degrees.
"My main purpose in visiting Soul-Sower Yang today is to apologize for yesterday's incident. This assistant of mine was rather ignorant and offended you. I hope you, as a magnanimous person, will overlook the transgressions of a lesser individual and not hold it against him."
As his words fell, Xue Jie turned his gaze to Yi Jiao behind him, his smile receding. He glared at Yi Jiao, his change of demeanor faster than flipping a book.
Although Yi Jiao harbored a hundred reluctant thoughts in her heart, and had even cursed all eighteen generations of Yang Haoran's and Xue Jie's ancestors, she dared not vent her inner fury. She didn't want to be dealt with by Xue Jie again; she had been thoroughly tormented by him yesterday. If she angered Xue Jie further, she worried she might truly lose her life.
So, suppressing her inner rage, she took a step forward under Xue Jie's watchful gaze and bowed respectfully to Yang Haoran.
"Soul-Sower Yang, I was quite offensive yesterday. I hope you can forgive me."
Yi Jiao's voice was stiff, utterly devoid of any sincerity or remorse. However, Yang Haoran didn't mind. Whether the other party truly wished to apologize to him was irrelevant; he had already expressed his anger back then.
As for whether the other party would come looking for trouble afterward, he had no time to spare for such concerns, nor could he truly prevent it. But if they were to blindly court death by seeking him out for trouble, then he wouldn't mind having another life in his hands. At that point, no amount of apology would be useful.
Xue Jie's brow furrowed slightly, clearly displeased with Yi Jiao's apologetic attitude. Not to mention Yang Haoran, even he himself wouldn't accept such an apology.
"An apology needs to look like an apology. Do I still need to teach you this?"
Xue Jie's voice carried a hint of coldness. When facing Yi Jiao, he no longer maintained the pleasant demeanor he had shown Yang Haoran just moments before.
Yi Jiao's body trembled slightly. She quickly apologized to Yang Haoran once more.
"Soul-Sower Yang, yesterday's matter was entirely my fault for not knowing my place and offending you. I hope Soul-Sower Yang can forgive me and not take offense."
This time, although Yi Jiao's tone was not as stiff as before, Yang Haoran knew her words were still insincere. However, he didn't dwell on it, for he didn't want to waste time on the two of them. He had many other matters to attend to.
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