Chapter 1695: Chapter 978: Japan Arc Begins_3
Yang Xiao sneered inwardly, knowing this fellow was eyeing the book. Although keeping the book was pointless for him, he wouldn’t let the old man have it for free; he needed to exchange it for something.
"It’s just a ’Corpse Supplement and Life Cutting Scripture,’ I’m not really concerned about it. But... what can you offer me?" Yang Xiao asked.
"I’ve already taught you how to refine corpses," Ku Daoist exuded an air of righteousness.
"Ku Daoist, let’s keep things separate; you didn’t teach me corpse refining for nothing. I completed an extra task for you and gave you two merit points. Our account is clear." Yang Xiao explained, "Now... this is a new deal."
Seeing Ku Daoist hesitating, Yang Xiao knew the old man was hiding something, so he didn’t waste time and reached for the book, knowing the old man was in a precarious situation and wouldn’t dare confront him, as his life was in Yang Xiao’s hands.
As the book was about to be taken, Ku Daoist panicked, yelling, "Don’t snatch it! Ming Emperor, I... I’ll exchange something with you!"
"Oh? What are you offering? I’m warning you, if it’s ordinary trash, you’d better shut up." Yang Xiao knew Ku Daoist was cunning, clearly hiding something.
However, it was no surprise that the man, being a step away from Peak of Ghost Level, would have some treasures.
Ku Daoist glanced at the book in his hand, then made up his mind with extreme reluctance, pulling out a black wooden token from his chest, gritting his teeth as he handed it to Yang Xiao, "I’ll trade this Corpse Refining Token with you!"
"What’s this?" Yang Xiao took the wooden token, feeling its heavy weight and the texture of gloomy wood. Upon closer inspection, he smelled a scent akin to rotting corpses, making him frown.
"Don’t ignore its value; this is a treasure obtained from a dying corpse-refining predecessor—a true Netherworld Envoy," Ku Daoist emphasized, glancing at the Mirror Ghost while lowering his voice, "It’s inconvenient to carry this ghost openly in the world of martial arts, right? A ghost you can completely control is much more valuable than a high-level puppet. If recognized by someone knowledgeable, you might be in big trouble."
"But with this treasure, it’s different. Wear it, and its corpse aura will disguise the ghost as an actual puppet. Unless someone knows the details, even a Netherworld Envoy will see it as a refined puppet."
Seeing Yang Xiao hesitating, Ku Daoist added, "This Corpse Refining Token is invaluable. It was sewn into the life puppet by the predecessor for decades, saturated with corpse aura; there’s probably no other like it in the world."
"You can borrow the book for a month, this thing belongs to me." Yang Xiao said, "Besides, you’ll need to explain the book’s content to me."
"Deal!" Ku Daoist promptly agreed.
Yang Xiao: "... Seems like I lost."
Thus, each got what they needed—after Yang Xiao received the wooden token, he had the Mirror Ghost wear it. Observing for a moment, Yang Xiao noted a subtle change compared to before, though he couldn’t quite pinpoint it.
Until he glanced at the Bone Burning Taoist, the sense of peculiarity finally had a source; at that moment, to Yang Xiao, the Mirror Ghost felt very similar to the Bone Burning Taoist’s puppet.
Just leaving the lab base, driving on the road, Yang Xiao received a call from Hong Anguo, who first asked Yang Xiao’s location before requesting him to come to his office immediately.
Sensing urgency in Hong Anguo’s voice, Yang Xiao promptly altered his route, heading to the Provincial Office building, appearing in Hong Anguo’s office after about half an hour.
"Director, you called for me." Yang Xiao, on his way, reviewed all his recent actions, finding no major missteps.
Hong Anguo, keeping a cheerful demeanor, gestured Yang Xiao to take a seat.
"Captain Yang, there’s good news—your submission of the Broken Seal has been confirmed as belonging to Japan’s Kusunoki Family. To express gratitude, the Family Head has personally invited you to escort it to Japan," Hong Anguo explained.
"The Jiusan Family Master personally invited me?" Yang Xiao felt flattered.
"Yes, I’ve already reported to the General Bureau; they’ve approved it," Hong Anguo took a binder from the desk, opening it to pass it to Yang Xiao, stating solemnly, "This is the General Bureau’s decree, appointing you as the Patrol Defense Office envoy to Japan’s Four Countries, Kusunoki Family. To emphasize the mission’s importance, your administrative level will temporarily rise, now First-level Deputy Commissioner, concurrently Jiangbei Province’s Foreign Relations Specialist."
The sudden turn of events left Yang Xiao a bit dazed, taking a while to comprehend, having returned from the Esoteric Sect recently, "When do I need to depart?"
"You can prepare temporarily; a supporting team from the General Bureau is en route, arriving tomorrow morning. You’ll rendezvous and fly by special plane to Japan’s Four Countries in the afternoon; Kusunoki Family’s representatives are ready to welcome you at the airport."
