Nightmare Apostle

With a thought, the Mirror Ghost produced a cloth bag. Yang Xiao held it with both hands and handed it to Senior Brother Mingyue, "Senior Brother, here are some herbs and martial arts manuals I’ve collected recently. Keep the manuals for yourself, and help me take the herbs to Senior Brother Qingfeng."

"You’ve troubled yourself again, Junior Brother." Senior Brother Mingyue was a straightforward person, and he accepted what Yang Xiao gave.

He wasn’t like Senior Brother Qingfeng, who always had to decline a few times before reluctantly accepting.

But Yang Xiao didn’t mind these things; both senior brothers were quite considerate of him.

Since living under someone else’s roof, the lives of his master and the two senior brothers weren’t exactly affluent. Every time he acquired something rare, he thought first of his uncle and the two senior brothers who were in hiding at the Peace Hotel.

And Second Demon Uncle was also very caring towards him. If not for the prior agreement with the Peace Hotel, his uncle himself would have come to deal with it. No matter whether protector or patron, his uncle could wipe out the Withered Bone Pavilion on his own.

"Senior Brother, it’s relatively safe here now, you should go back and rest; Master can’t be without someone to attend to him."

Yang Xiao packed the gifts for Senior Brother Mingyue into an inconspicuous black backpack, so it would be easy for the senior brother to carry on the way.

"Junior Brother, I’ll stay for two more days. That Zhao isn’t short on wits; I don’t feel at ease leaving you." Senior Brother Mingyue said seriously.

Knowing it was out of goodwill from his senior brother, Yang Xiao did not refuse.

He had to admit, having Senior Brother Mingyue by his side made him feel very secure. He no longer feared the experts of the half-step Nether Realm, viewing them as nothing special.

Packing up the backpack, Senior Brother Mingyue said softly, "Junior Brother, if you have time, visit home and see everyone. Master often speaks of you, and Senior Brother Mingyue misses you too."

"I will for sure!" Yang Xiao promised. He also intended to, but lately, there were too many affairs tying him down.

He planned to take a leave of absence after finishing up current matters to visit Xiang Ma Town and Rongcheng, as he missed everyone too.

He was now a Special Inspector stationed in Jiangbei Province from the General Bureau, ranked fourth in the Provincial Bureau. He believed Director Nalan and everyone else would be proud of him; he was homesick.

No matter how high he soared or how far he walked, Rongcheng was a unique presence in his heart, a part of himself forever left there.

The next day, while at work, Yang Xiao learned a piece of big news. The stabilizer of the Northern Han Family, Grandmaster Han, had died, reportedly from a sudden heart attack and passed away last night.

Due to Grandmaster Han’s special status in Jiangbei Province, the Patrol Defense Office, Chamber of Commerce, Apostles Union, and various major forces all expressed condolences, either sending wreaths and elegies or dispatching envoys for condolences.

Yang Xiao wasn’t particularly saddened, only feeling it was a pity, as he had already foreseen it was related to last night’s events.

He met the old master last night; although the latter’s health was poor, the Han family’s financial and material resources could sustain him for another two or three years.

He judged that Elder Yang most likely committed suicide, exchanging his life for a way out for the Han family, a resolution for him and Zhao Jingde.

The man was dead; considering the Han family’s previous contributions, they could hardly pursue it any further. Otherwise, other forces would see it as cold-blooded, even if they didn’t dare speak openly.

This Elder Han was decisive, undeniably an extraordinary character.

That night, Zhao Jingde, as promised, invited Yang Xiao to dinner. At the table, they inevitably talked about this topic. Although they had been schemed against, Zhao Jingde highly evaluated Golden Spear Master Han, considering him a wise and broad-minded person.

"Younger Brother Yang, you may not know, but Han Li was also ruined. It was Grandmaster Han himself who did it, destroying his foundation. Now he’s just a cripple." Zhao Jingde lowered his voice as he raised his wine glass.

"Quite ruthless." Yang Xiao couldn’t help but sigh, "Han Li wasn’t a kind person. After Grandmaster Han’s death, no one could suppress him, and he would surely cause trouble."

"Without Grandmaster Han to plea for leniency, once this guy crossed someone he shouldn’t, the Han family would be completely finished. The old master ruined him also for his own good; at least this way he could keep his life." Yang Xiao understood the old master’s painstaking goodwill.

"But with Han Chen dead and Han Li crippled, who will lead the Han family in the future?" Yang Xiao suddenly thought of this question.

"Younger Brother Yang, you may not know, but Grandmaster Han had more than one child; he also had a son, a biological son, Han Chen’s younger brother, named Han Yu."

"It’s just that Han Yu was never favored, with poor talent. As soon as he came of age, he was sent by Han De to do business in another province, not allowed to return home for many years." Zhao Jingde explained.

"Not allowing him home was also a form of protection. Considering the ruthlessness of Han Chen and Han Li, Han Yu would have died without knowing how." Yang Xiao sneered.

This father and son duo lacked wisdom but excelled in ruthlessness. They had even dared to ambush him, a Special Inspector of the General Bureau stationed in Jiangbei Province. There was nothing they wouldn’t dare to do.

It seemed Grandmaster Han was also a wise man, knowing Han Chen’s fierce nature and had sent Han Yu away early to prevent fratricide, thus preserving a lineage for the Han family.

Zhao Jingde raised his wine glass, clinking it lightly with Yang Xiao’s, said, "Younger Brother Yang, my informants tell me that Han Yu will arrive in Qinglan City the latest by tonight."

"Now with Han Li crippled, Han family’s direct bloodline only has him left."

"Several elders of the Han family remain loyal, and according to Grandmaster Han’s dying wishes, they plan to support Han Yu."

"But there is also opposition, after all, Han Yu lacks seniority and strength, at over 50, still only a Fierce Level Apostle, a laughingstock in others’ eyes."

Yang Xiao could naturally sense Zhao Jingde’s implication. "Brother Zhao, do you have some idea? Feel free to speak openly!"

Zhao Jingde smiled slightly, showing them both understood, then said in a hushed voice, "Younger Brother Yang, you can’t possibly be playing dumb with me now, as if you have no thoughts on the Han family. That’s a fat piece of meat."

"Even though the Han family’s direct line has fallen, their foundation remains. They are a top-level family in Jiangbei, with network, industries, and influence that are valuable assets."

"If you could harness them, it would be like adding wings to a tiger."

"With Chief Commissioner Gu backing you, no one in the officialdom will dare to touch you. However, your foundation in Qinglan City is still lacking, and the Han family could fill that gap for you."

"Once you take over the Han family, with forces in both the court and the martial world, who in Jiangbei could rival you?" Zhao Jingde waved his hand grandly, strategizing for Yang Xiao.

"Brother Zhao, you truly regard me as one of your own. Brother, a toast to you!" Yang Xiao raised his glass to clink with Zhao Jingde.

After finishing the drink, Yang Xiao clasped his hands towards Zhao Jingde, "To be honest, Brother Zhao, I’ve got my eyes on the Han family too, but unfortunately, I’m not familiar with them and don’t know where to start. I hope Brother Zhao can assist me."

"Of course, my brother. I truly admire you, Junior Brother Yang, and this is a small matter for me!" Zhao Jingde assured, patting his chest.

"Right now, with the Han family in mourning and leaderless, our priority is to control the situation, preventing infighting that could lead to further complications."

"You needn’t worry about this; I’ve already instructed my insiders on what to do. I suggest still letting Han Yu take the lead."

"From my inquiries, this person is conservative, weak-willed, and of poor capability—ideal for a puppet. If someone else takes over, it might complicate things."

"For others, supporting Han Yu is no easy task, but for you and me, it’s no great challenge."

"I am the Vice Director of the Provincial Bureau, overseeing martial world forces. You are a Special Inspector sent by the General Bureau, direct lineage of Chief Commissioner Gu, with the authority for direct superior reporting. Who would dare offend us?"

"Once Han Yu is in place, in the future, as long as you control him, you can stay in the background, thoroughly dominating the Northern Han family."

"Plus, with the other martial world forces’ leverage and dirt in my hands, by that time, when Yang Xiao stomps his foot, which forces in Jiangbei wouldn’t dare disobey?"

"Once you completely consolidate and incorporate them, making them your tools, by then, in both Jiangbei’s legal and martial realms, the name Yang Xiao will be the rule, your words, the law. Even the likes of Hong Anguo and Wu Qingcang will be powerless against you."

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