Chapter Thirty-Four: A Midnight Visit to the Graveyard

In the depths of night, all was quiet. Qin Yang had kept news of his injury to himself, fearing to worry Gao Xiaolan. After dealing with some urgent business at the mall, Liu Molan hurried over to keep him company. Watching his diligent boss tending to him, Qin Yang felt embarrassed to suggest she return home, though he couldn't deny the pleasure of having a beautiful woman by his side.

"Boss, it's so late. Should I ask Sun Qi to pick you up and take you home?" Qin Yang scratched his head. His body had recovered somewhat, though this injury was serious. The self-healing abilities granted by Hell hadn't yet allowed him to spring back to action, so he was forced to stay in the hospital for a day or two.

Liu Molan glanced outside. After what had happened the previous night, she felt a new fear of darkness, but oddly enough, being beside Qin Yang brought her peace. Truth be told, she didn't want to leave, but she had no reason to stay, nor could she shamelessly linger. Besides, there was nowhere else to rest here—she would feel awkward staying.

Before she could speak, Qin Yang was already reaching for his phone to call Sun Qi.

Liu Molan wanted to stop him, but couldn't find the words. Instead, she watched wide-eyed as he dialed.

"I'm sorry, the number you have dialed is switched off."

Upon hearing the automated response, a flicker of excitement flashed in Liu Molan's eyes, but she couldn't help questioning herself. What was happening to her? Did she actually like this boy? The thought deepened the blush on her cheeks. Qin Yang noticed his boss's reddening face and felt troubled—he wanted Liu Molan to leave because he planned to visit the cemetery that night. Otherwise, today's quota of one hundred souls would go to waste. After this battle, his hunger for power had grown; raising the level of Hell was the fastest solution.

"Her phone's switched off. Boss, why not call your family?" Qin Yang suggested.

"My parents are out of town on business," Liu Molan lied.

Qin Yang scratched his head. "Or I could take you home. There's nowhere to rest in this ward, and you haven't slept in so long."

"I'll just take a cab," Liu Molan sighed softly, rising to leave. Qin Yang hurried to intervene: "Don't. Haven't you had enough trouble last night? If those guys haven't given up, it'll only get worse. I'll take you home."

"You shouldn't be moving around," Liu Molan shook her head. "Isn't it safer to take a taxi?"

"No way. If anything happens to you, Sun Qi will come after me," Qin Yang insisted.

Liu Molan knew a bit about the friction between Qin Yang and Sun Qi, and could only smile helplessly. She barely knew how to handle her own relationships, much less manage others'. Though Qin Yang could move around, he didn't want to take Liu Molan out; if those men reappeared, it would be trouble. After thinking it over, he proposed, "Why not stay here tonight? I'll make do on the sofa, you rest well in the bed. Don't worry, I won't do anything improper."

"No, I'll take the sofa," Liu Molan replied quickly. "You're the patient—I can take care of you here."

This was a luxury ward, decorated like a high-end hotel suite with TV, computer, and kitchen. Of course, there was a sofa, but it was short and cramped for sleeping. Qin Yang felt his boss was acting strangely tonight. "Boss, are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Liu Molan reassured, trying to regain her usual composure. "Don't move around—just call me if you need anything."

Qin Yang watched Liu Molan settle on the sofa, feeling a bit odd but saying nothing further. He waited quietly for her to fall asleep. After a day and night of exhaustion and anxiety, Liu Molan was mentally drained, and soon drifted off, her gentle snoring filling the room. Only then did Qin Yang slip out of bed.

It was already eleven at night. Qin Yang tiptoed to Liu Molan's side, smiled softly at her sleeping face, and carefully lifted her onto the bed, making sure not to wake her or cause any misunderstanding. Once satisfied, he quietly left the ward.

The corridor was peaceful, with only the occasional nurse passing by and disappearing soon after.

Qin Yang wrapped himself tightly in a suit, and after leaving the hospital building, looked around before hailing a taxi. "Driver, take me to Haitian Cemetery, and hurry."

The driver shuddered, seeing Qin Yang's pale face and hospital gown, and stammered, "Brother, you—you aren't...?"

"Damn it, I'm alive! A living, breathing person," Qin Yang cursed. "Just drive, don't waste my time."

The driver breathed easier and started the car. "You nearly scared me to death. Who goes to a cemetery this late? Anyone would think you're a ghost."

Qin Yang ignored him. Upon arrival, he paid the fare and slipped into the cemetery. The driver refused to linger in such a haunted place—even during the day it was unsettling, let alone at night.

Qin Yang, on the other hand, looked perfectly at ease, unafraid. He had once feared ghosts and monsters, but now, as their master, he was quite accustomed.

He sat cross-legged in an open space, took a deep breath, and opened his Yin-Yang eyes. Within a hundred meters, souls drifted toward him, silent yet chilling. One by one, they entered, while the steward of Hell began listing each soul's last wishes for Qin Yang.

This time, he didn't nitpick—so long as the wishes didn't waste soul points excessively, they were all accepted. Most were trivial matters, costing only time, but accelerating Hell's growth was worth it.

In no time, one hundred souls were absorbed.

He didn't rush to leave, but sat waiting until midnight, so he could absorb another hundred souls for the next day's quota.

"Your body is weak. Should you absorb soul points from the jade pendant for recovery?" the steward asked.

Qin Yang considered it. "Alright, absorb them all."

After several days, the pendant had accumulated a hundred soul points, as the steward had said: the longer the time, the more the points. Twenty per day, so in four days, a hundred.

"Using ten soul points for recovery," the steward murmured. A strange force gathered at Qin Yang's wounds, tingling and numbing, and he felt his bone marrow producing fresh blood, his face regaining color.

After midnight, having absorbed another hundred souls, Qin Yang felt perfectly comfortable.

The knife wound on his back formed a scab, which soon fell away, leaving no trace. The other minor injuries healed too, and he was back to peak condition. Nine hundred souls now resided in Hell, and the steward had compiled a list of last wishes, which Qin Yang would have to find time to fulfill.

"By the way, read the soul of the boy I killed last night," Qin Yang ordered.

Using fifteen soul points, Qin Yang accessed all his memories, but found nothing useful—no clue about the mastermind behind the kidnapping, only that Deng Qi had orchestrated it. However, the detailed addresses of last night's assailants were included, giving Qin Yang the chance for revenge.

At dawn.

Liu Molan's internal clock failed her; after a day and night of exhaustion and fear, the ice-calm woman had been worn down. She slept deeply until after nine in the morning, only to find herself on the hospital bed rather than the sofa. No wonder she slept so well—the beds here were as soft as clouds.

"Was it Qin Yang?" Liu Molan checked her clothes—everything was in order—her heart fluttered. She saw Qin Yang sprawled awkwardly on the sofa, drooling as he slept, making her smile. When she noticed the warm breakfast left beside the bed, her gratitude deepened.

"Molan, Molan!"

Sun Qi's voice called from the doorway. Before Liu Molan could stop her, the woman burst in energetically. Seeing Liu Molan's improved complexion, she nodded approvingly. "Good, good, you're recovering well. Honestly, you should've told your father about this. If he finds out, I won't be able to explain."

"If you don't tell him, how will he know?" Liu Molan shook her head gently. "I don't want him to worry. Besides, if he learns about this, I'm afraid..."

"Afraid of what?" Sun Qi protested. "But honestly, your father shouldn't force you to marry such a wastrel."

"Internal strife at Tianfeng Group is constant. My father can barely keep the company afloat. I want to help him in my own way," Liu Molan said, taking a sip of water. "Maybe he doesn't want me to shoulder too much."

"Nonsense. If you marry that idiot, your family's business will become his, and Tianfeng Group will fall apart sooner or later." Sun Qi had some insight into these matters. At that moment, she noticed Qin Yang sleeping soundly on the sofa and reflexively kicked him. "Get up, you lazybones!"

"Damn, enemy attack!"

Qin Yang jerked awake from his dream, sprang up, and assumed a defensive stance. Liu Molan suppressed her laughter, while Sun Qi scolded, "Look carefully, you fool! What enemy attack?"

Seeing Sun Qi's anger, Qin Yang scratched his head sheepishly. "Reflex. I dreamt a mother tyrannosaurus ambushed me. Damn, her thighs were like elephant legs—one kick nearly killed me."

Sun Qi's face darkened, but Liu Molan intervened, "Stop it, you two. Qin Yang, lie down—you haven't healed yet."

"I'm fine," Qin Yang stretched. "I sorted out discharge papers this morning, but you were sleeping so soundly I didn't want to wake you."

"You're healed?" Both women were startled.

Their reaction was expected—even the surgeons had chased after Qin Yang, wanting to study him. He had barely managed to send them away before losing his temper. Qin Yang then produced a list and handed it to Sun Qi. "These are the names, addresses, and contacts of the men who hunted us last night. Aside from those seriously injured, the rest should still be at these locations."

"Is this real?" Sun Qi eyed the list suspiciously. Qin Yang's thoroughness made her doubt him even more. Who was this man, and how did he get this information? Liu Shuang's clues had already made her wary, and now Qin Yang had handed her a detailed dossier on gang members—what was his background?

"Where did you get this?" Sun Qi couldn't restrain her curiosity.

"I'm Sherlock Holmes," Qin Yang replied flamboyantly.

Sun Qi stamped her foot in frustration, but couldn't do anything. She couldn't arrest him for providing evidence, after all. She glared at him. "One day I'll uncover all your secrets."

"You're welcome to try," Qin Yang grinned.