It was difficult to go undercover in the Dark Association, let alone as a Xuan-level attendant.
Ye Cangtian couldn't help but sigh. As far as he knew, the fat man Xuan Jiu was one Xuan-level undercover agent, Xuan Wu was another, and with himself, that made three.
He couldn't help but look at Shangguan Yun and ask in surprise, "Xuan Wu? So your Shangguan family's member joined the Dark Association quite early!"
The earlier the number, the earlier they joined the Dark Association. Take that fat guy Xuan Jiu for example!
This guy was forty to fifty years old and had probably been in the Dark Association for at least ten years.
And this Xuan Wu was probably even older!
Ye Cangtian raised an eyebrow slightly and glanced at Shangguan Yun, "Is your Shangguan family not really part of the Dark Association?"
Perhaps they weren't undercover agents at all, but genuine members of the Dark Association.
"..."
Shangguan Yun was taken aback for a moment, then smiled bitterly, "Brother Ye, how is that possible! Our Shangguan family has always been contributing to Hua Xia, don't wrongly accuse us!"
Ye Cangtian nodded, chuckling slightly. That was true.
If there were any problems with the Shangguan family, they wouldn't have been able to establish themselves in a place like the capital for so many years without the Dragon Group discovering them. Besides, Mr. Xu wasn't someone to be trifled with.
"The ruins are indeed there, but the Dark Association only attempted to open them in advance before. However, it seems to have failed, so it will take another half a year for them to open again!"
After Ye Cangtian finished speaking, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, "As for the specifics, let's talk about it after I have a chance to meet that Xuan Wu. After all, you wouldn't understand even if I told you!"
"Tch!" Shangguan Yun rolled his eyes. You might as well say you don't trust me!
"By the way, there's something I need you to take a look at."
Ye Cangtian suddenly remembered something and took out a crystal-clear, milky white stone from his pocket. Shangguan Yun's eyes widened upon seeing it, "From the ruins?"
"Mm!"
"This thing is called a crystal stone. It can absorb energy from within to stimulate the body's bones, enhancing strength. You can't buy this even with money."
Shangguan Yun was naturally no stranger to crystal stones. Not only was his Shangguan family one of the eight great families in the capital, but they also possessed a vast amount of knowledge. Moreover, since joining the Dark Association, he had obtained two of them.
The Dark Association provided free benefits to every member. For example, Yellow-level members would receive one crystal stone as a subsidy each year. They could also earn points by completing missions and exchange them for crystal stones.
The treatment for Xuan-level attendants was even better, with five crystal stones as a subsidy each year, and earning points through missions was easier.
After hearing the explanation, Ye Cangtian's brows relaxed. He quickly asked Shangguan Yun about the method of using the crystal stone.
As for Xuan Jiu, who he had promised to email earlier, that guy still hadn't sent him an email. He was truly unreliable!
A moment later, Ye Cangtian was stunned after learning the usage method: "It's this simple?"
"Yeah, it's that simple! What did you think?" Shangguan Yun retorted with a roll of his eyes.
Ye Cangtian nodded. He would try it out when he got back tonight. After all, with over a dozen crystal stones he had, keeping them unused was no different from having a pile of stones.
He put away the crystal stone and smiled at Shangguan Yun, "Since you're in Yangzhou, why don't you stay a few more days before heading back?"
"Staying a few days is fine too!"
Shangguan Yun stroked his chin and nodded, then quickly added, "But I'm telling you upfront, I'm broke as a beggar right now. You'll have to cover my food, drinks, and accommodation!"
"No problem, it's on me!"
Shangguan Yun didn't notice the smile in Ye Cangtian's eyes at all. It was a free henchman who had come to him, and he wouldn't pass up such an opportunity.
The two chatted for a while longer about matters in the capital.
Soon, Shangguan Yun became much more serious, sighing, "It's good that Brother Ye has returned to Yangzhou. If you were still in the capital, I'm afraid the Yuwen family would have retaliated against you in secret!"
Last time in the capital, Ye Cangtian had sneaked into the Yuwen family's residence and personally killed Yuwen Hao in front of everyone from the Yuwen family. This could be considered a complete falling out with the Yuwen family!
Although Yuwen Chengji later released Zhao Ziyang from Heaven-level Prison No. 1 to deal with Ye Cangtian, it had failed.
Therefore, the Yuwen family might still retaliate!
...
The Capital!
In a presidential suite of a five-star hotel.
On one side sat a young man dressed as a Japanese warrior, with two samurai bodyguards behind him. They were all Japanese!
On the other side sat a middle-aged man, the father of Yuwen Hao and Yuwen Chengji, and the head of the Yuwen family – Yuwen Qi!
Yuwen Qi signed a cooperation agreement and smiled, "I didn't expect that the Kawada family would send the young master Kawada Ichiro to China for this collaboration."
Kawada Ichiro was the direct descendant of the Japanese Kawada family and the future heir to the Kawada family.
In recent years, with occasional commercial exchanges between China and Japan, the Yuwen family and the Kawada family had a lot of in-depth cooperation.
Across from him, Kawada Ichiro took a sip of red wine and smiled, "I have long admired Chinese martial arts and planned to come to China to witness true Chinese martial arts, so I proactively asked my father to come and discuss business."
His brows revealed disdain for Chinese martial arts and confidence in his own strength.
Yuwen Qi nodded in approval, "The Kawada family truly lives up to its reputation as one of the ten great families in Japan. Young Master Ichiro is also young and promising, with outstanding strength at such a young age."
He paused, then sighed, "It's a pity that my son is useless. If he hadn't been beaten to death, this young master Ichiro could have taken him around to experience China's customs and traditions."
Kawada Ichiro was proud to receive the praise, but he was stunned upon hearing the latter part: "The Yuwen family head's son is..."
"He died in a fight between young people!" Yuwen Qi sighed, appearing a few years older.
"You mean, the person who killed your son is a master? Is that person still alive?" Kawada Ichiro's eyes lit up.
"Mm! Although that person has no background, my son died in a normal spar. My Yuwen family cannot avenge him, I..."
Yuwen Qi seemed to grit his teeth, yet appeared helpless.
Kawada Ichiro rubbed his small mustache below his nose and hesitated, "Patriarch Yuwen, can I deal with this person? Let me avenge your Yuwen family!"
"No!"
Yuwen Qi looked panicked and quickly said, "Young Master Ichiro's status is noble. How can you be troubled with such matters? Moreover, although that person has no background, his strength is indeed not weak. What if you, young master..."
Kawada Ichiro smiled confidently and waved his hand, "Don't worry, this is my personal matter. The Kawada family has always been a martial arts family. Even if something happens, it has nothing to do with your Yuwen family!"
Yuwen Qi was helpless and finally advised, "Then, Young Master Ichiro should try to focus on sparring and absolutely not make any mistakes. Otherwise, my Yuwen family will not be able to explain to the Kawada family!"