Hades, the Urban Legend

Chapter 721: Chapter 724: Not Far Off

In a small commercial district on the outskirts of Zhonghai City, the area was chaotic and noisy, with a mix of shady characters and street vendors. Between two older buildings was a narrow alley, dark and damp, with a few trash cans emitting foul odors, only a few stray cats rummaging through the rotting food.

The owner of a nearby small restaurant, dressed in grease-stained clothes, walked into the alley and casually tossed two large black garbage bags near the trash cans, not bothering to throw them inside.

Not paying much attention to where he was walking, he tripped over something.

"Ouch!"

The owner shouted in pain but luckily didn't fall. When he looked back, he saw a female beggar with disheveled hair and a dirty face, wrapped in what could barely be called a ragged blanket, shivering in the corner of the alley.

Disgusted, the fat owner cursed, "Filthy beggar," and swaggered off without another word.

The squatting female beggar began to sob softly after the fat owner left. This beggar was none other than Luo Cuishan, who had emerged from under the bridge.

Luo Cuishan hadn't succeeded in her suicide attempt and had lost the courage to try again. Yet, enduring such torment, she didn't know how to face her family or subordinates. She didn't even know whom to contact.

If anyone who knew her saw her in this state, how could she face them again? Moreover, she had been a high-ranking official on television. If the public recognized her, wouldn't it be more painful than death?

In her internal torment, Luo Cuishan had ended up in this desolate state, hiding in an empty alley, feeling lost and helpless.

At that moment, another figure limped into the alley.

Luo Cuishan looked up abruptly, her dirty face full of anger, and her bloodshot eyes glaring in humiliation. "What are you doing here?"

The limping man looked bored and sighed, "Do you think I want to be here? It's just that begging around here is convenient. Should I go the long way around?"

Luo Cuishan snorted coldly, turning her head away, pretending not to see him.

The limping man smirked, took out two cold sesame buns from his tattered cloth bag, along with a bottle of unlabeled water, and sat next to Luo Cuishan, treating them as his lunch.

Since the buns were flavored with pickled vegetables, the smell quickly spread, rich and enticing.

Luo Cuishan hadn't eaten the steamed buns the limping man had given her in the morning, nor had she eaten anything the previous night. After being tormented all night, by now in the afternoon, she was starving and exhausted.

Unable to resist, Luo Cuishan swallowed hard, but her pride wouldn't let her ask the limping man for food, nor would she beg.

"Ah, it's the pickled vegetable flavor," the limping man said regretfully. Turning to Luo Cuishan, he continued, "Hey, I don't really like this flavor. There's one left. Do you want it? It's a shame to waste food."

Luo Cuishan huffed, "Get lost! I don't need your pity!"

The limping man looked annoyed. "Who's pitying you? Do you think I have time for that? I'm a beggar. Is there anyone in the world who needs a beggar's pity? You're overestimating me. I just don't want to waste food. Why are you overthinking it? Fine, if you don't want it, I'll throw it in the trash for the cats."

Seeing the limping man about to throw away the bun, Luo Cuishan couldn't help but grab his leg, lowering her head. "You're such a shameless beggar, wasting food. Give it to me!"

The limping man's eyes flashed with disdain but he pretended not to notice. "Here, take it. Remember, you owe me a bun. I don't want pickled vegetables. I want sesame!"

"Such a low standard, thinking a bun is a big deal," Luo Cuishan muttered, still taking the bun and starting to devour it ravenously. It might have been the most delicious bun she'd ever had since birth.

But because she ate too quickly, she choked, the dry bun sticking in her throat.

"Look at you, why rush eating a bun?" The limping man quickly handed her the water. "Drink. I haven't drunk from this yet, don't worry about dirt."

Luo Cuishan couldn't care less about anything else. She took the water, unscrewed it, and gulped it down before continuing to devour the bun.

The limping man sat across from her, smiling quietly as he watched her finish the bun without saying a word.

Luo Cuishan occasionally glanced at him, this young beggar who looked about twenty-something. In the past, he would have been insignificant to her, like an ant.

But now, she knew deep down that this beggar had saved her life twice.

Even though the harm he inflicted on her body could never be undone, why was he treating her this way? Luo Cuishan was puzzled. Looking at the handsome but dirty limping man made her feel uneasy.

In Yandu, in Yang Gongming's study at the Yang family residence, Yang Gongming sat in a grand chair, having just finished a phone call, his smile full of satisfaction.

Standing beside the desk, Yansan Niang saw the elder's expression and a knowing smile appeared on her wrinkled face. "Master, another request for your help?"

"What else?" Yang Gongming said smugly.

Yansan Niang smiled and nodded. "Young Master Chen's recent actions, although not directly aiding Yanxia's official efforts, have undoubtedly showcased a strength that the military can't ignore. It's no wonder they're interested."

Yang Gongming nodded in agreement.

Within a short hour, Yang Chen had brought An Jae-hwan back from the American military base in the Philippines to China, causing the American forces to inexplicably and fearfully withdraw from the Southeast Asian waters. This significantly reduced the pressure on Yanxia's military!

Currently, the public opinion online is overwhelmingly positive towards the navy and the government, praising the military for finally standing tall and keeping the enemy at bay.

This situation was unexpected for the military, causing officials who previously only monitored Yang Chen through the Security Bureau to now closely watch him. Learning that Yang Chen was the long-lost grandson of Yang Gongming, the military's excitement grew. The Yang family represented a significant portion of Yanxia's military influence. If Yang Gongming's grandson had such capabilities, integrating him into the military could potentially allow Yanxia to stand toe-to-toe with the US military on the global stage.

Although many details about Yang Chen were not disclosed by the Security Bureau, the military officials, not being fools, managed to gather some information from overseas sources.

Fearing rejection and the loss of face, several high-ranking leaders called Yang Gongming throughout the morning. Their true intent was to persuade him to talk to Yang Chen about joining Yanxia's military. Of course, these requests were wrapped in noble and heartfelt reasons.

"Master, will you talk to him?" Yansan Niang asked with a smile.

Yang Gongming laughed heartily. "Sanniang, it's not a matter of whether I talk to him or not. It's that the boy, Yang Chen, wouldn't listen anyway. Rather than wasting my breath and risking embarrassment, it's better not to say anything at all."

Yansan Niang said, "According to the rules of 'Hongmeng,' although Young Master Chen, due to his bloodline from the four major families, doesn't need to purposely seclude himself from the world, he also shouldn't get too involved in worldly affairs. You're worried that if Young Master Chen, out of filial piety, gets entangled with the military, it might disturb the mundane world and attract 'Hongmeng's' displeasure, right?"

Yang Gongming sighed deeply. "You understand me well, Sanniang. 'Hongmeng,' while supposedly safeguarding Yanxia's foundation, is actually an existence that transcends the entire world. For their true mission, everything else is insignificant. They wouldn't give Yang Chen special treatment just because of his Yanxia bloodline. I only hope that after my passing, Yang Chen can protect the Yang family for three generations. I'm old and can't always stabilize the family's position. Po Jun, ultimately, is difficult to gain widespread support, and Lie's nature is not straightforward enough. If it weren't necessary, I wouldn't have involved Yang Chen, who I already feel guilty towards. Our family's bloodline is too thin compared to the flourishing branches of the other three families."

Yansan Niang said with some sorrow, "Lately, I've had a feeling that the days of departure are not far off."

Yang Gongming was startled and then bitterly smiled. "What is destined to come, will come, won't it?"

To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8