Chapter 951
The secret letter that suddenly appeared at his doorstep made Yang Haoran get a whiff of a conspiracy. Although he couldn't be sure who the sender was, he felt that in all likelihood, they had ill intentions.
Of course, this was merely his own conjecture. He couldn't be certain if the truth aligned with his suspicions, and the immediate question was whether he should go or not.
After careful consideration, that very midnight he did not proceed to Panlong Lake. Instead, he remained at home, refining Soul Pills to enhance his power.
Knowing full well the significant danger involved, yet still clinging to a shred of luck and going anyway—with Yang Haoran's cautious nature, he would naturally never do such a thing.
The matter did not, however, conclude simply because he had not gone to Panlong Lake, for the very next day, he received yet another secret letter.
Just like the first secret letter, the cover bore the five characters "For Yang Haoran's Eyes Only. " Beyond those five characters, there was not a single other character on either side of the envelope, nor any symbols or markings.
Although the envelope itself remained unchanged, the content within the letter had shifted. It no longer contained merely five characters; instead, it held five additional ones.
Midnight at Panlong Lake. Urgent matters to discuss.
Their relentless persistence did not catch Yang Haoran by surprise, yet he still did not proceed to Panlong Lake as instructed by the missive.
Midnight at Panlong Lake. Urgent matters to discuss, concerning the Black-robed Person.
Beyond the alterations in the letter's content, Yang Haoran made a few other observations. When this letter was delivered, he sensed a faint wisp of Talisman Spirit Power.
The previous two times, he hadn't sensed any power fluctuations whatsoever, including Talisman Spirit Power. Xiujuan likewise hadn't detected any power fluctuations. The reason she discovered the delivered secret letter was that it had collided with the restrictive barrier of the grand array shielding the villa. Xiujuan, who had been keeping a close eye on the external situation, thus became aware of the missive.
The sender had managed to deliver the secret letter outside the villa on the previous two occasions without dispersing any power fluctuations, and they should have been able to do the same for the third time. Yet, this time, they emitted a faint power fluctuation, and it was Talisman Spirit Power, unique to Talisman Masters. This strongly suggested that the other party had, in all likelihood, done so intentionally.
Deliberately releasing a wisp of Talisman Spirit Power was clearly an attempt to signal their identity as a Talisman Master to Yang Haoran. The mention of the Black-robed Person in the letter was, of course, intended to pique his interest and entice him to Panlong Lake.
Yang Haoran pondered for a moment, then surmised that the person who had sent him three consecutive secret letters was either Han Fushi of the Ancheng Talisman Order or his master, the Jin Talisman Master, or perhaps a Talisman Master under their command. In any case, it was connected to the two of them.
Few knew of the Black-robed Person, but both Han Fushi of the Ancheng Talisman Order and his master were aware of the Black-robed Person's existence, and knew of his profound animosity towards them.
Had they not been aware of his profound vendetta against the Black-robed Person, the sender would never have mentioned those three words in the letter. Only someone privy to that information would utter those words to him, knowing full well they would pique his interest.
Those three words, "Black-robed Person," did indeed stir some interest in Yang Haoran. However, after a thorough analysis, once he surmised that the sender was very likely from the Ancheng Talisman Order, his greatest interest shifted from those three words to something else entirely.
It wasn't that he had lost interest in the Black-robed Person; he remained intrigued. But that intrigue depended entirely on who was uttering those words.
"Heh heh, since it's a Talisman Master, it seems I no longer need to be so overly cautious. I originally thought I'd have to wait a while longer, but I didn't expect you to be unable to hold back so soon."
Prior to ascertaining the sender's identity, Yang Haoran remained exceptionally cautious. The inability to confirm their true nature meant an abundance of unknowns, and to proceed rashly would have been highly irrational.
But now that he had generally confirmed the sender's identity, his face not only showed not a hint of wariness, but instead a smile of triumphant scheming.
That very midnight, he did not remain at home refining Soul Pills. Instead, he made his way to Panlong Lake, where he encountered two individuals who were precisely as he had anticipated.
These two were none other than Han Fushi of the Ancheng Talisman Order, and his master, the Jin Talisman Master.
"After three consecutive days, we've finally managed to welcome Yang Divine Envoy. Yang Divine Envoy's airs are much grander than I had imagined."
Within the lakeside pavilion, the Jin Talisman Master sat upon a stone bench, while Han Fushi stood respectfully to his side. Before Yang Haoran had even stepped into the pavilion, the Jin Talisman Master addressed him, his tone not only cold but laden with intense resentment.
"Heh heh, Senior, please don't ridicule your junior. It's not grand airs, but rather faint-heartedness."
With those words spoken, Yang Haoran had already stepped into the pavilion. This pavilion, though originally quite well-built, had, due to long neglect, become dilapidated and crumbling.
Yang Haoran had no intention of remaining standing. After entering the pavilion, he unceremoniously sat down opposite the Jin Talisman Master. Although he referred to himself as a junior in the Jin Talisman Master's presence, his demeanor was anything but that of a respectful junior.
The Jin Talisman Master's brows furrowed, and Han Fushi's expression was equally displeased. Clearly, neither was satisfied with Yang Haoran's conduct; indeed, one might say they held considerable grievances.
Perhaps it was because the Jin Talisman Master had instructed Han Fushi beforehand; thus, upon seeing Yang Haoran slouching so brazenly opposite his master, anger flickered across his face, yet he remained silent.
"Senior, you have urgent matters to discuss with me. Why not come directly to my residence, or to our Lecheng Death God Temple? Such secrecy, I almost thought someone was trying to harm me. " Yang Haoran continued with a chuckle to the Jin Talisman Master after settling down.
"Hmph, having committed too many guilty deeds, you perceive everyone as wanting to harm you. If you simply refrain from such acts, why would you ever fear harm from others? " The Jin Talisman Master snorted coldly in reply.
His words struck Yang Haoran as quite amusing. Anyone unaware might assume him to be a man of great integrity, yet Yang Haoran saw him as anything but good. In all likelihood, he had committed more despicable acts than Yang Haoran himself had ever committed.
Though these thoughts ran through his mind, Yang Haoran was certainly not foolish enough to voice them. At least in his estimation, it was not yet the opportune moment to do so.
"Heh heh, Senior speaks truly. 'If one has done no wrong, one fears no ghost knocking at the door in the dead of night. ' While I may not fear ghosts knocking, I must, however, guard against people plotting mischief."
Yang Haoran uttered with a smile. The Jin Talisman Master, of all people, could hardly fail to discern the ulterior meaning behind his words.
Were it in times past, he wouldn't deign to acknowledge a minor Underworld Official like Yang Haoran. But this time was different; he was here to discuss cooperation with Yang Haoran, so he exercised patience and offered an explanation.
Of course, his visit to Yang Haoran was not solely for the sake of mere cooperation. He harbored an ulterior motive, one he could neither articulate nor even hint at.
"You, Yang Divine Envoy, just stirred up such a commotion at our Ancheng Talisman Order. Everyone knows a profound animosity now exists between our two sides. In such circumstances, if I were to openly come seeking you, and you remained unharmed, that would be well and good. But if you were to encounter an enemy and come to harm, wouldn't I then be forced to bear the blame?"
The Jin Talisman Master had chosen to employ such surreptitious methods to contact Yang Haoran precisely due to this consideration. He had no desire to provide any leverage; otherwise, if Yang Haoran were to die, it would pose significant complications.
Yang Haoran feigned an expression of sudden realization, then smiled at the Jin Talisman Master.
"Heh heh, Senior, you are truly meticulous in your planning. This way, even if I were to die, it wouldn't have much to do with you. Even if suspicion were to fall upon your head, there would be no recourse, for there would be no evidence."
As Yang Haoran spoke these words, he secretly mobilized the Spirit Power within his body, searching for a suitable opportunity to strike. Though he appeared to be smiling amiably at the moment, a murderous intent had already stirred within him, yet this killing intent, even a minuscule fraction of it, remained utterly contained.
If he were to die, others would be unable to find evidence proving he was killed by the Jin Talisman Master. By the same token, if the Jin Talisman Master and Han Fushi were to die at his hands, there would likewise be no evidence to prove it was his doing.
Furthermore, in the eyes of outsiders, he was merely a minor Underworld Official who had opened his Heaven Soul only recently, a mere few years prior. It would be utterly incapable of slaying a Jin Talisman Master!
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