Hades, the Urban Legend

Chapter 474: Wrongfully Blaming an Honest Man

The next morning, Yang Chen didn't go straight to work. He had promised to pick up Jian, so he figured he should be sincere and arrive early to wait for her. In the international arrivals hall of the airport, Yang Chen sat in a corner chair, half-napping and half-watching the crowd. After an hour and a half, he finally spotted a familiar figure emerging from the crowd.

Jian, wearing a light coffee-colored knit sweater and black skinny jeans, with large sunglasses and amber-colored hair that shone like the most dazzling silk, stood out. Despite her face being mostly covered, she still managed to attract most people's attention, though no one dared to get too close, as if she were a goddess statue that inspired awe and reverence.

Jian had no luggage, only a small seamless Prada woven leather bag slung over her shoulder. Although it looked simple, it was the kind of luxury item that only those with a certain status could have custom-made by the manufacturer.

As if they had a prior understanding, Jian walked directly toward Yang Chen's corner without any prompting.

Yang Chen stood up with a smile. "I know you're very smart, but when did you become capable of predicting exactly where I'd be sitting?"

"It's simple. By analyzing all your living habits, I can deduce your seating preferences," Jian said with a hint of pride.

Yang Chen knew she had indeed analyzed his habits and didn't want to continue this topic. Instead, he asked, "Didn't bring anyone else?"

"I did, but she arrived earlier," Jian replied with a smile.

Yang Chen was taken aback, then his face showed a hint of a helpless smile. "So you went to Sakura to find her."

As he spoke, he turned around. Not far behind, a tall, voluptuous woman in a business suit, with an exceptionally alluring face, was walking towards them.

"Master, Miss Jian, the car is ready," the woman said, bowing elegantly like a European-style housekeeper.

This woman was none other than Ban Ruo, who had submitted to Yang Chen. Yang Chen had initially let her stay in Sakura to manage her own affairs. Although the Yaqi Society nominally belonged to him, it was just a commercial organization without its ambition to dominate. Yang Chen had no intention of meddling in it.

However, just because Yang Chen didn't plan to use these resources didn't mean Jian wouldn't. In Asia, there was no force more suitable for mobilization than the Yaqi Society. So before coming to Zhonghai, Jian had gone to Sakura to find Ban Ruo, making her the perfect "protector" for this trip to Yan Xia.

Given the potential dangers of this job, even though Jian didn't foresee any real danger with Yang Chen around, she couldn't rely on him to protect her the entire time. Having someone like Ban Ruo, who was adept at handling the dark side of things, was more appropriate.

Ban Ruo naturally wouldn't refuse something that could bring her closer to Yang Chen. She knew that although she tried hard to please him, in Yang Chen's eyes, she and the Yaqi Society were insignificant compared to people like Jian, Sauron, Macedonia, and Edward. She was the newbie in that circle, dispensable.

So when Jian asked her to accompany her to Yan Xia, Ban Ruo agreed immediately. More than being submissive, it was because, after Tokugawa Zang II was killed, Ban Ruo, who was used to obedience, needed a leader. Having nothing to do was what Ban Ruo feared the most.

"A car? There's no need for such a big show. I'm just going to treat my friend's grandfather. You can all just ride in my car," Yang Chen said.

Ban Ruo showed no sign of surprise and nodded immediately in agreement.

Jane didn't mind. She wasn't planning to have Prajna serve her in any particularly comfortable way; just having her as a bodyguard in the shadows was enough.

Yang Chen, with two eye-catching women, headed to the parking lot, got into his M3, and drove straight to Ivy Hospital. He had already spoken to Tang Wan that morning, and she was waiting at the hospital for Jane's arrival.

Sitting in the car, Jane chatted non-stop about the previous wedding, mentioning how Soren and Macedon, now in-laws, got into a drunken fight at the reception over what surname their future children should have. Jane laughed so hard she could barely speak.

Yang Chen rubbed his forehead in frustration. "Those two old guys, it seems they haven't stopped fighting since I've been away."

"They're just playing around. Their skills are about the same, and they're old. It's just for show," Jane said dismissively. "It's not exciting at all."

"How could you say that? Those two are retired agents from MI5 and Mossad, and you make them sound like they're just fooling around," Yang Chen chuckled.

"To you, anyone who's not at the Divine Stage is just fooling around," Jane teased.

Yang Chen smiled but didn't reply. He thought of Ling Xuzi from the "Hongmeng" organization, who effortlessly ignored spatial constraints. The thought filled him with a mix of confusion and anticipation.

Although Yang Chen never believed that the power of the Divine Stage was invincible—after all, even among the Twelve Olympian Gods, there were differences in strength—seeing someone truly beyond the Divine Stage for the first time made him yearn to reach that level one day.

However, Yang Chen also knew that reaching such a level wasn't something one could achieve through hard work alone. At his level, progress depended on chance and enlightenment. If he understood, he understood. If not, no amount of hard training would help.

It all depended on whether he had the fortune to comprehend that realm.

Jane noticed Yang Chen deep in thought and stopped talking. A smart woman knows when to speak, when to ask questions, and when to stay silent. Prajna, sitting in the back seat, hadn't dared to make a sound, but her mind was filled with confusion. To her, it was unimaginable that someone of Yang Chen's status would drive such an ordinary BMW and chat so casually with Jane.

Could it be that gods are just human after all?

After nearly an hour, they finally arrived outside Ivy Hospital. Tang Wan, seemingly having arranged for people to wait at the entrance, came out to greet them with several attendants as soon as they got out of the car.

Tang Wan appeared to have dressed up meticulously. She wore a dark green pleated vest over a violet silk blouse, a gray skirt, and her mature, alluring face was enough to stir any man's heart.

Seeing Tang Wan walk gracefully towards them, Jane secretly pinched Yang Chen's arm and whispered in Hebrew, "This isn't just your friend; she's your treasure. Even as a woman, I have the urge to take a bite out of this delicious meat."

Yang Chen smiled wryly. Was he really that greedy? He could only respond in Hebrew, "Feel free to take a bite. I haven't."

"What are you two mumbling about?" Tang Wan had already approached, frowning slightly but then smiling generously as she extended her hand to Jane and said in English, "Welcome, Miss Jane. I'm Tang Wan, a friend of Yang Chen. I've heard of your extraordinary talents in various scientific fields. I'm delighted that you could come to treat my grandfather."

Jane smiled brightly and shook Tang Wan's hand, speaking in Yanyu, "No need to speak in English. I'm honored to meet you too. You are very beautiful, just like my mother. Of course, this has nothing to do with age; it's a sincere compliment."

Tang Wan was somewhat taken aback by Jane's straightforwardness but could tell she wasn't being sarcastic. She figured Jane genuinely thought she resembled her mother. Unperturbed, she replied, "I have a daughter too, but she's not as beautiful as you, Miss Jane."

Jane opened her mouth in slight surprise and then said, "That's really hard to imagine."

As she spoke, Jane gave Yang Chen a peculiar look, clearly implying that his tastes now included both mother and daughter.

Yang Chen felt a wave of helplessness but couldn't be bothered to explain.

Tang Wan, on the other hand, although surprised by Prajna's striking appearance, assumed she was Jane's assistant. She nodded politely and said nothing more, eager for Jane to attend to Old Master Tang Zhechen.

They followed Tang Wan into Ivy Hospital and to Old Master Tang Zhechen's courtyard. Two nurses were feeding him, but he seemed uninterested in eating. He sat in an armchair, absentmindedly singing along to classic old songs playing on an antique gramophone, looking dazed and confused.

Seeing her grandfather like this, Tang Wan's eyes reddened, but she held back her tears. Forcing a smile, she said to Jane, "My grandfather has been ill for months now. His condition fluctuates, and he can sometimes become very agitated, potentially harming those around him. Miss Jane, you are highly esteemed. If you find this too difficult, please don't force yourself; we would be deeply indebted to you."

Jane smiled at Tang Wan, indicating she understood, then approached Old Master Tang Zhechen.

"Grandpa, what song are you listening to? Can you tell me about it?" Jane bent down and asked gently.

At first, the old man didn't respond, continuing to hum to himself. Suddenly, he looked up sharply and cried out, "Ah! Yellow-haired demon, help! I don't want to be eaten by the demon!"

He leaped from his chair in a panic, hiding behind it and curling up, too frightened to look out.

The sudden change startled everyone. Jane hadn't expected such a reaction and furrowed her brow, deep in thought.

The nurses quickly tried to comfort the old man, but he clung tightly to the chair, clearly terrified.

Jane shook her head and sighed. She stepped outside and said to Tang Wan, "The old man's condition is quite severe. I need to observe him more closely and ask some detailed questions. If necessary, I may need to conduct some tests. Is there a laboratory here?"

Tang Wan quickly responded, "Yes, we have full facilities here. If you need anything, I can arrange for it to be purchased."

"Then I will start working now. With a condition like this, the sooner we act, the better. Please have someone take me to the lab," Jane said seriously.

Tang Wan was more than willing but didn't want to leave her grandfather alone, so she had an assistant take Jane and Prajna to the lab.

Yang Chen bid Jane goodbye but didn't plan to follow. He knew Jane's habits well enough to understand that once she started working, she didn't want anyone interfering.

After Jane left, Tang Wan stood in a daze for a moment, her expression somewhat sorrowful. After a while, she looked at Yang Chen with a playful glint in her eye and said, "You're quite something, even getting a genius female scientist to sleep with you."

Yang Chen, thinking she was going to say something else, almost fell over in shock. He rubbed his face and, with a miserable expression, said, "Can you all change the topic? You say I sleep with her, she says I sleep with you, but I haven't slept with anyone. You can't keep wrongly accusing an honest man like this."