Manipulating Public Opinion

The next day, after waking up, Yang Ning left Ziyun Pavilion.

As the saying goes, no place is as good as your own home, but the rosewood bed in Ziyun Pavilion was too hard. There wasn't even a pillow; it was made of wood and had no give. He hadn't slept well all night, his bones feeling like they were protesting.

Waking up early in the morning, Yang Ning felt a stiff back and sore neck, as if he'd been beaten up.

But as the sun rose, Yang Ning, carrying the slightly worn urea bag containing the plates from his experiments in the morgue the previous night, returned to the Myriad Things Come shop.

He reached out and pushed open the familiar door, carefully placing the urea bag into the freezer. He then checked the generator connected to the freezer. After doing so, he let out a long sigh, preparing to return to his soft Simmons mattress for a nap. Just then, an untimely knock sounded at the door.

Yang Ning frowned and turned to go out.

Qiao Bin was once again standing at the shop entrance, a familiar smile on his face.

Qiao Bin cupped his hands with a chuckle, "Brother Ning, I promised you last night that I'd personally find someone to carry you back. So I waited at the entrance to Ziyun Pavilion's hillside early this morning. The disciples guarding the mountain gate found me and said you'd already returned on your own." He rubbed his hands together apologetically, "Sorry to have disturbed your rest last night. I came specifically to apologize."

"Oh, I see," Yang Ning replied flatly, starting to close the door.

Qiao Bin was quick, reaching out to hold the doorframe. He then opened his other hand, revealing a small jade bottle in his palm. "Brother Ning, don't rush. The Hall Master specifically instructed me to bring this to you today, telling me to be sure to take care of yourself and rest well."

Yang Ning glanced at the bottle of pills, his expression softening slightly. He sighed, took the pills, and his tone became gentler, "Please thank your Hall Master for her kindness." He then turned and walked back into the shop.

Qiao Bin quickly followed him in and continued, "Also, Brother Ning, about the overtime pay you mentioned yesterday, I asked the Hall Master about it this morning. She agreed, saying that from now on, if you're asked to work overtime at night for official duties, you'll receive an additional five Spirit Stones each time."

As he spoke, he unfastened his money pouch and carefully placed five Spirit Stones one by one on the counter.

Yang Ning looked at the five Spirit Stones, his mood instantly brightening by more than half. The corners of his mouth curved upwards slightly. "I never expected that a casual complaint from me would actually lead to overtime pay." While speaking courteously, he efficiently gathered the Spirit Stones towards him.

Qiao Bin smiled even more obsequiously, "Of course! Brother Ning, how could I, Qiao Bin, not take your words seriously?"

Yang Ning nodded with satisfaction and put the Spirit Stones into the basket under the counter. The next moment, the Spirit Stones in the basket quietly disappeared, and at the same time, a pleasant notification sound, audible only to him, rang in his ears: "Spirit Stones +5".

"Right, there's something I need you to help me with." Yang Ning kicked the basket under his feet further under the counter and looked up at Qiao Bin.

Qiao Bin immediately straightened his back, "Brother Ning, please give your orders! If there's a command, I will obey!"

Yang Ning then explained in detail to Qiao Bin his plan to spread news through the shop's channels. This included, but was not limited to, greatly exaggerating the "crimes" of the moles he had captured yesterday:

The mole from Dan Peak intended to steal the sect's treasure, the Nine Revolutions Returning Yang Pill Formula. The one from Artifact Peak coveted the Lan Cang Sword. The one from the Library wanted to burn the Sword Sect Historical Records. The one from Beast Taming Peak plotted to seize the Kirin Essence Blood. As for the one from Jade Maiden Peak, he was depicted as a lecherous thief who intended to prey on the female disciples of the peak...

And all these earth-shattering conspiracies were ultimately thwarted by the Law Enforcement Hall's keen observation and decisive action.

After listening, Qiao Bin immediately understood the deeper meaning behind Yang Ning's actions—this was to elevate the Law Enforcement Hall's credit and prestige for capturing the moles to its peak, making the entire sect remember the Law Enforcement Hall's kindness and capabilities.

He turned to look at Yang Ning, a hint of hesitation on his face, "Brother Ning, this..."

"What is it?" Yang Ning raised an eyebrow. "You're usually not exactly a gentleman, so don't pretend to be high and mighty with me."

Qiao Bin quickly waved his hands, explaining, "No, no, how could I dare pretend to be high and mighty with you... It's just... Brother Ning, have you reported this matter to the Hall Master?"

Yang Ning nodded.

Qiao Bin breathed a sigh of relief, only to hear Yang Ning continue, "But she didn't agree."

"Ah?" Qiao Bin's eyes widened instantly.

"However," Yang Ning changed tack, his tone relaxed, "I made it clear to her that your Law Enforcement Hall doesn't need to get involved. I'll spread the news from my shop. I'm not an official disciple of the Law Enforcement Hall, so she can't control me. Anyway, if this succeeds, your Law Enforcement Hall will be the ultimate beneficiary. So, tell me, are you going to do it or not?"

In fact, Yang Ning's doing this was partly to help Yun Zishan, and partly for himself. The Level 2 System Mall had been open for several days, and the income from his shop was just so-so. Earning one hundred thousand Spirit Stones to reach Level 3 Mall was a long and arduous journey.