Chapter 1526: Chapter 917: Chamber of Commerce
"Liuying was personally arranged by you as Luan’er’s Shadow Servant, with a level of spiritual power similar to Luan’er’s. Among the younger generation in our sect, she’s one of the outstanding ones. When the entrance opened for the first time, we sent in seven people, but only two returned. If it weren’t for Liuying staying behind to cover, I fear Luan’er would have also..."
The Great Elder suddenly interrupted: "Don’t be so pessimistic. Last time, there was a reason—someone leaked information, leading them to be ambushed by the Japanese. This time it won’t happen. Who are those two people you found?"
"I hired them through secret channels for a high price from the Chamber of Commerce. They are both mid-stage Ghost-level Apostles. I personally tested their strength, and there is no problem." Shao Changyin Ji said seriously when discussing these matters.
"Hmm, the Chamber of Commerce values its reputation highly. As long as you’re willing to pay, they will certainly get the job done." The Great Elder nodded slightly, seeming satisfied.
"Rest assured, the people are absolutely reliable. The middleman has already said that these two signed a Death Contract. If they don’t bring Luan’er back alive, they have no need to return themselves."
Shao Changyin Ji lowered her voice to add, "The families of these two are under the Chamber of Commerce’s surveillance. If anything happens to Luan’er, their entire family is doomed."
Except for cults, only the Chamber of Commerce uses things like Death Contracts. Though these guys charge a high price, I have to say, their work is the most reliable. They take money to resolve issues, keep their promises, and value their reputation above all.
"With these two protecting, plus Yang Xiao, as long as nothing unexpected happens, there should be no problems." The Great Elder exhaled slowly. "Don’t underestimate this Yang Xiao. Although he has just entered the Ghost level not long ago, his strength is not to be underestimated. In a life-and-death fight, even an average mid-stage Ghost-level Apostle is hard to be his match."
"With two high-quality Nether-level Magical Artifacts by his side, his strength is indeed formidable." Shao Changyin Ji nodded, knowing well as an Apostle with a Nether-level artifact herself, how terrifying an enhancement a top-level artifact provides to an Apostle’s combat power.
"Strength is just one aspect. This person’s mind is also quite adept—cunning, skillful in strategy, ruthless—ensuring nothing is left behind. I’ve heard he also likes to adopt benefactors. He even acknowledged an uncle in the Jiangbei Province Office."
"With someone like him leading, Luan’er’s survival chances are much higher. Those Japanese people will find it hard to outsmart him." The Great Elder remarked in a tone hard to decipher, whether it was mockery or praise.
"Is there really such a thing?" Shao Changyin Ji was a bit surprised. Her initial impression of Yang Xiao was quite good; he appeared upright and spoke pleasantly.
"I didn’t expect him to be such a person. In the future, I will advise Luan’er to keep her distance from him. But rest assured, Great Elder, although this person is cunning, he won’t deceive Luan’er. I will keep an eye on him." Shao Changyin Ji said earnestly. Although she and Jiang Qingluan were nominally in a mentor-student relationship, they were more like mother and daughter. With her overseeing, even if Yang Xiao’s tricks could deceive Jiang Qingluan, he couldn’t escape her scrutiny.
Suddenly, the Great Elder turned around, facing her prized disciple hesitantly before speaking: "Yin Ji, there’s something I need to tell you, but you must promise not to lose your temper after hearing it."
"What is it?" Shao Changyin Ji keenly sensed that this matter likely involved Yang Xiao.
"Did Yang Xiao ever mention that the young Sect Master of the Yu Yuan Sect has improper intentions towards you?" The Great Elder suddenly asked.
"Yes... yes, he did mention it." Shao Changyin Ji felt somewhat embarrassed being confronted with such a question by the Great Elder.
"Hmm... he deceived you."
"Ah?!" Shao Changyin Ji was taken aback and looked up at the Great Elder in shock.
"This young man is cunning and sly, adept at stirring up trouble, using leverage to his advantage. He holds a grudge against the Yu Yuan Sect and wants to drag you into water with him against the Sect Master."
"Within the circle of Apostles in Rongcheng, there’s a saying—better to offend an Evil Cultivator than to offend Yang Xiao. Offend the Evil Cultivator and you’re merely dead; offend Yang Xiao and even dying is hard. A dead person in his hands will even speak." The Great Elder sighed, having not seen such a character in many years.
"Bastard..." Shao Changyin Ji, realizing what had happened, flushed with anger. She hadn’t expected Yang Xiao to dare to tease her—what audacity!
"Yin Ji, you promised me you wouldn’t lose your temper," reminded the Great Elder.
Shao Changyin Ji suppressed the anger burning in her heart, took a deep breath, and returned to normal after a while. "I will remember this matter for now. Once Luan’er’s issue is resolved, I will deal with him."
"Don’t let yourself be deceived again." The Great Elder remarked with a cheerful tone.
"How could the Patrol Defense Office have such a character?" Shao Changyin Ji fumed with embarrassment.
...
"Achoo!"
"Achoo! Achoo!"
In a hospital room, Yang Xiao sneezed three times in a row. He adjusted his coat, feeling an inexplicable chill on his back.
"Did you catch a cold?" Not far in front of Yang Xiao, Jiang Qingluan lay on a hospital bed, with her left hand connected to an IV.
"It’s nothing. My parents always told me that sneezing means someone is thinking of you. You know, I have good character and great connections." Yang Xiao, with a straight face, spoke nonsense to Jiang Qingluan.
But Jiang Qingluan seemed to believe him, looking at Yang Xiao with earnest eyes and then nodding, "Director Yang, you are a reliable person. Thank you this time."
Pulling up a chair, Yang Xiao sat by the bed, "Don’t call me Director, it feels odd. Just call me Yang Xiao. We’re all familiar with each other by now."
"Yang Xiao, thank you." Jiang Qingluan’s face was still a bit pale, and her breath unstable, but her gaze toward Yang Xiao was exceptionally sincere.
This kind of look made Yang Xiao uncomfortable. He instinctively leaned back, resting against the chair, and put some distance between himself and Jiang Qingluan. "Uh... how are you feeling?"
