Returning by helicopter, Bai Qingcheng hinted again on the way, wanting me to formally join the Shabia organization, at least giving me a two-digit title, on par with Lin Xi, or even a position exceeding Shen Xingyue's, intending to support me as the future leader.
I politely declined again, truly having no interest in a political career. Besides, my Xingyue was already on this path; if I joined, it would seem like my entire family was in this line of work, giving the impression of control, which wouldn't be good. A tall tree attracts the wind.
Upon returning to Changsha City, as we were all dirty, we booked several rooms at an airport hotel. After showering and having a simple meal, Bai Qingcheng stated she had to return to the capital to report and would leave us to our own devices.
I took my team into Changsha in the afternoon, found the most authentic stinky tofu, and had a meal. In the evening, we strolled through the night market before taking a late flight back to Lüshun.
After a late-night snack, at ten o'clock in the evening, I grabbed a folding chair and went to the base's secret harbor, sitting by the sea and spacing out. It felt like... like I had conquered the dynasty, brought peace to the world, and suddenly didn't know what to do.
The cigarettes in my pocket were gone, but I wasn't sleepy and planned to stay a while longer. Just as I was about to go up and get more, Shao Chen and Xu Ran arrived together. Their expressions told me these two enchantresses were here to say goodbye.
As expected, after some hesitation, they expressed their thoughts. Demons are also sentimental. Shao Chen wanted to gather her former subordinates and return north to continue managing her Taoist temple. Xu Ran wanted to go back to Jinling and continue being the carefree Jiangnan woman she was.
I granted their wishes one by one. Since Shao Chen's former Taoist temple had been largely destroyed by the Mohe organization, I had Chen Lu transfer ten million yuan to her for reconstruction. Shao Chen said it wasn't that much, as she didn't need to buy land, just renovate, and three to five million would be enough.
"Take it, do whatever you want," I said with a smile, then turned my gaze to Xu Ran.
"...Why are you looking at me? I don't have a Taoist temple, and I don't need money," Xu Ran quickly said.
"Then I won't give you any. But I'd like to go back to Jinling with you. Can you book my flight for tomorrow?" I asked.
"That would be great," Xu Ran replied with a smile.
I messaged my aunt, telling her I'd be back tomorrow. It was mainly to return the house in Jinling. Jinling's winters were damp and cold, and summers were hot. I planned to stay in the north and not return. I asked for my aunt's opinion. This silly girl thought I was still an e-sports agent and asked if I had struck it rich. I said yes, I had made nearly ten million yuan and wanted to settle in the Northeast because there were many beautiful streamers there, making it convenient to develop my work.
I asked my aunt if she wanted me to use my connections to transfer her to work in the Northeast.
My aunt said she wanted to, but inter-provincial transfers were too difficult, and they worked for a public institution.
I kept her in suspense, saying I'd tell her more when we met tomorrow evening. She wasn't far from Jinling, only a two-hour drive.
Shao Chen and Xu Ran went upstairs to bid farewell to the others. The fox demon, along with Mengmeng and a few others, came down again.
"You're not thinking of leaving too, are you?" I asked, frowning. They were my employees!
"We're not leaving, boss," the fox demon said with a wry smile. "It's just that we've eaten almost all the prey nearby. We were wondering if we should find a new place to settle down? Otherwise, we'll have to eat fish every day..."
"No problem, choose any place you like," I said. I hadn't planned to settle down permanently anywhere anyway; a nomadic life was quite good.
"We want to go to Changbai Mountain! The prey there has strong spiritual energy!"
"Okay, you can go now. Take your phones, and we'll stay in touch," I said, giving them leave. "Did you tell Yaoyao?"
"We've already told the boss. The boss told us to ask for your opinion."
I nodded. The seven demons (the hawk demon was still in the capital for treatment) were overjoyed and drove off.
Without these noisy demons, the base suddenly felt much quieter. Yaoyao and Chen Ke were taking care of Longyue, while Xu Ran and Shao Chen were packing. I wandered around listlessly, and no one paid me any attention. With nothing else to do, I drove into the city to find Shen Xingyue. Yaoyao knew I wouldn't be attacked anymore, so she didn't follow to protect me. Besides, with my current strength and equipment, I could handle most attacks.