Chapter 1272: Chapter 840: Secret Meeting (Part 2)
After finishing the meal, when the girls cleared the table, Yang Xiao pulled out two small pieces of gold from his backpack, giving one piece to each girl.
This piece alone was enough for a regular family’s expenses for three years, a fortune for the two girls.
Naturally, there was a round of gratitude, and the two girls looked at Yang Xiao with increasing admiration. Yang Xiao waved his hand, laughed, and told them to go rest; meanwhile, to bring the steward over, as he had something to discuss.
Watching the girls holding hands and running out, their silhouettes like joyous little fawns almost bouncing with happiness, Yang Xiao’s mood lifted as well.
After a short while, the steward came to Yang Xiao’s room, and Yang Xiao told him that he wanted to go out for a walk to see some friends.
After all, this place belonged to the Esoteric Sect’s territory; if he wanted to move around, he had to notify them in advance, which would avoid many troubles.
The steward immediately found two guards and had them accompany Yang Xiao.
Twenty minutes later, Yang Xiao was taken to an inconspicuous small courtyard; upon pushing the door open, everyone was already there: Professor Cui, Dean Sheng, along with Sui Chengguo and Tai Wenqin.
Upon meeting again, everyone was filled with mixed emotions, especially Professor Cui.
Ever since he learned that Yang Xiao had received the Ghost Script which once wiped out two masters of the Esoteric Sect, he had never been at ease.
After all, he was the one who took the initiative to propose bringing Yang Xiao out this time; if Yang Xiao perished in the Nightmare World, he wouldn’t know how to face Nalan Shuo back home.
After some formal greetings, Yang Xiao heard good news from Professor Cui. Since Yang Xiao returned safely from the Nightmare World, the Esoteric Sect had lessened the intensity of their surveillance on them and agreed to let them contact their home country soon.
If things continued this way, they’d be able to return home in no time.
"That’s great. The High Priest of the Esoteric Sect is a man of his word; whatever he promises, he’ll surely fulfill!" Yang Xiao was filled with gratitude towards the Cannibal Buddha.
Upon hearing this, Professor Cui nodded and continued smilingly, "There’s another good piece of news; due to this incident, the Esoteric Sect’s impression of our Patrol Defense Office has changed. Their elders have already contacted me, and we chatted quite well; collaboration between the parties seems likely."
"The Esoteric Sect is, after all, affiliated with the Yin Temple’s forces; collaborating with your Patrol Defense Office is...," Tai Wenqin, as a local, naturally knew the relationship between the two.
In response, Professor Cui chuckled, "In the world, there are no eternal friends, nor eternal enemies, only eternal interests."
"Collaboration between the Esoteric Sect and us benefits both parties. Of course, such matters must be conducted secretly; there will be no official exchanges openly, even if discovered, neither side would admit it."
"Like doing business with the Dharma Sect this time?" Yang Xiao roughly understood the intricacies involved.
"More or less, but our relationship with the Esoteric Sect will be more solid."
Professor Cui was in a great mood, looking at Yang Xiao with an elder’s expression of admiration for the younger, "Little Yang, it’s all thanks to you; with you here, I believe our future collaboration with the Esoteric Sect will proceed smoothly."
"I have even promised them that once we safely return home, I’ll report to the Provincial Office right away, and within a month, export the urgently needed supplies to the Esoteric Sect at cost price."
"The specific list is being drafted; it’s also to repay the Esoteric Sect’s aid this time."
Professor Cui straightened his back proudly, "Once we return, I’ll personally propose to commend you. I plan to recommend you as our Provincial Office’s liaison with the Esoteric Sect; you know nobody is more fitting for this role than you."
He gently patted Yang Xiao’s shoulder, feeling proud, "This time, because of you, we managed to connect with the Esoteric Sect; this is a great achievement, and I think your tenure as Deputy Director is nearing its end."
"Uncle, you know me. I have no interest in fame and wealth; as long as it’s for country and people, I’m indifferent," Yang Xiao has always had high political awareness.
Seeing Yang Xiao so sincere, Dean Sheng, sitting opposite, couldn’t help but purse his lips, barely containing a laugh.
His unusual behavior was immediately caught by the naturally sensitive Yang Xiao; to alleviate the awkwardness, Dean Sheng had to pick up his teacup, cover up by sipping tea with a lowered head.
But Professor Cui was full of praise for Yang Xiao’s high-mindedness, "Little Yang, Uncle understands your thoughts, but you can’t say that. Able talents meet, and capable ones take on; you’re young but very capable, something everyone sees; our Patrol Defense Office will not overlook talents like yours."
"I’ll wait for Uncle’s good news then," Yang Xiao secretly glared at Sheng Yanlin, then picked up his teacup, replacing wine with tea, adopting a smile to toast Professor Cui.
"We’re kin, no need for separate words," Professor Cui also picked up his teacup, his face breaking into a grin as he increasingly favored Yang Xiao.
If not for his daughter’s stubborn temperament, mysterious sexual orientation, and poor personality, Professor Cui would have considered getting these two together in a good match.
Yang Xiao’s safe return from the Nightmare World was a huge relief, and everyone eased up a bit, their conversation turning lighter.
Gradually, they chatted about old stories of Rongcheng, and Professor Cui winked at Yang Xiao, humorously mentioning that Yang Xiao wasn’t young, should settle down, asking if he had any such plans.
"A good man prioritizes home and country, and I am willing to lay down my life for the Patrol Defense Office, shed blood, and wrap my body in horse skin; I, Yang Xiao..."
Before his formal speech could finish, Dean Sheng beside him stood up, tightly pursing his lips, saying he drank too much tea and needed to go outside for a walk.
Yang Xiao: "..."
Yet this statement appeased Professor Cui greatly; he affirmed Yang Xiao’s awareness, but quickly pivoted, acknowledging the importance of career but not neglecting personal matters, hinting subtly that he had heard some rumors while in Rongcheng.
Yang Xiao’s heart skipped, nervously asking: "What rumors?"
"Little Yang, you’re still hiding from me; of course, it’s about you and that girl from the Chamber of Commerce. I’ve heard all about it; that person is wonderful, and very committed to you." Professor Cui seemed to reminisce about his younger days, his tone quite sentimental, "The hardest thing to resist is a beauty’s affection."
Yang Xiao immediately realized Professor Cui was referring to Mo Daidai’s sister, who went by the alias Chi Dan stealthily situated in Rongcheng, with unclear intentions.
Yang Xiao had interacted with her before, finding her quite peculiar.
Tong Han had repeatedly warned him to keep his distance from her, labeling her as dangerous, even suggesting to eliminate her first.
Yet given the involvement of Mo Daidai, Yang Xiao’s stance on this person was quite complicated.
This person exhibited both righteousness and wickedness, possessed a formidable background, certainly held a high position within the Chamber of Commerce, likely beyond the provincial level.
For the time being, Yang Xiao didn’t want to clash with the siblings, not entirely due to their backing; a part of him felt grateful towards Mo Daidai.
This was someone extremely traditional about promises, obsessively passionate about commercial art, possessing a fixation on equal exchange.
Yang Xiao learned much from her, including some classic quotes he noted down in a notebook, occasionally using them to impress others effectively.
Seeing Yang Xiao lost in thought, seemingly pondering deeply, Professor Cui felt he hit the nail on the head; Yang Xiao’s reaction confirmed his suspicions.
Therefore, he sighed lightly, in the tone of someone experienced, advising Yang Xiao to marry and establish himself early, reaching the pinnacle of life soon.
While Yang Xiao was considering how to deal with Professor Cui’s gossiping spirit, suddenly, the courtyard door was swung open, with Sheng Yanlin striding towards them.
This moment everyone paused their actions, as Sheng Yanlin’s expression was quite abnormal.
"There’s trouble," Sheng Yanlin whispered as he drew near, "The Dharma Sect people are here!"
The scene froze for three seconds, then Yang Xiao reacted, his voice abruptly rising: "Who?"
"The Dharma Sect people, not only them, but also the Blood Sect and Exoteric Sect too; the four major sects of the Yin Temple have all assembled!"
