I suddenly became a yakuza boss.

Li Xuan, standing to the side, felt suspicious and embarrassed by her praise. Who knew how much of Yang Nai's words were true and how much were false?

During the time he had known this seasoned politician, he had come to understand Yukino Yukinoshita's talents quite well. She would never judge a person solely on their strengths and ignore their weaknesses. If she didn't point out a weakness, either she didn't, or... the preceding was just a polite remark.

The old man seemed quite pleased, nodding and saying, "That's good, at least this kid didn't cause you any trouble."

The atmosphere in the venue became harmonious and warm with the arrival of Yang Nai, and soon it was almost time for the hot spring banquet.

"Miss Yukinoshita, the hot springs on this mountain are especially good, particularly for relieving stress and improving bone health. Be sure to soak in them after your meal, and I guarantee you'll come back again next time."

"That's what the team leader said."

Yukinoshita Haruno said with a smile, "Really? Then I'll try it."

"Ah Xuan, Miss Yukinoshita is your valuable friend and partner. You are responsible for entertaining her, understand?"

The old man looked at Li Xuan and asked.

Li Xuan nodded: "Yes."

After the meeting ended, Li Xuan led Yukino Yukinoshita outside. The two walked for a while before leaving the VIP courtyard attic that the Ashikawa Group had reserved and returning to the public area.

"Phew." Yang Nai let out a slight breath.

Are you nervous?

Upon hearing this, Li Xuan turned around and asked.

"It's alright~~~~ I heard you say before that the members of your Ashikawa Group are all upright and good people. Although at first I felt that it was a bit strange to say that people in the yakuza are good, after getting to know them, I do feel that the people in the Ashikawa Group are quite humane." Yang Nai replied in a casual tone.

Li Xuan turned around and looked at Yang Nai, saying, "Yakuza is our profession, but each group has its own strict rules to follow. Although the young master, Mr. Baba Kiyoshi, is ruthless, he is very loyal and righteous. The old group leader is shrewd and calculating, but he is well-liked. So although I am a yakuza, I am in a different working environment than other yakuza circles. I am quite lucky."

Yang Nai listened attentively from the side. She nodded and said, "If you exclude your gangster background, your team leader is actually a very likable old man."

After hearing this, Li Xuan deeply understood and smiled broadly, saying, "Yes."

That's why he didn't leave the Ashikawa Group because of this kindness and affection.

Yang Nai seemed to understand Li Xuan's living situation a little better.

Ironically, at least when she chatted with the Ashikawa group leaders, she was definitely much happier than when she chatted with high-ranking figures in the political and business world...

Despite this thought, Yang Nai knew very well that she wouldn't have dared to come to the Extreme Path Organization if Li Xuan hadn't been there.

At night, the courtyard of the hot spring inn was quiet and serene, with lanterns hanging high. Amidst the laughter and chatter from next door, Haruno also joined the Ashikawa group's banquet.

Before Yang Nai even picked up her chopsticks, she saw Li Xuan at the next table eating like a tiger, enjoying his food immensely.

For some reason, Yang felt that going to formal occasions with this person would definitely not be boring.

Soon it was time to soak in the hot springs.

Soaking in hot springs in the summer is not comfortable, but the situation is different in the deep mountains.

The temperature in the deep mountains seems to be outside the reach of summer; a cool breeze blows, the mountains are quiet, and the temperature can drop to the teens at night, especially in areas with rivers.

The VIP viewing hot spring pools with the best mountain views were all booked by the Ashikawa Group. Li Xuan arranged the pool with the best view for Yang Nai, where she could see the night view of Chiba City in the distance, while he himself could only see the dark mountain range at the horizon.

Taking a private bath is not very enjoyable; it's generally more pleasant to bathe and drink together with several other people.

However, since Yang Nai was the only woman among the guests of the Ashikawa group, after she was assigned to a private hot spring pool, Li Xuan had no choice but to accompany her to soak in the private hot spring next door.

After receiving the traditional bathrobes, Yang Nai pointed out that Li Xuan must go to the hot spring pool next door.

As Li Xuan soaked in the moderately hot spring water and gazed at the mountain forest under the night sky, he soon heard a thumping sound from next door.

"Ah Xuan, are you next door?"

Yukino's voice came from the bamboo raft wall that was more than two meters high.

"Yes, yes."

Li Xuan leaned against the bamboo raft and responded.

"How about this? It feels like we can chat while taking a bath."

Yang asked with a smile.

Li Xuan found this a bit strange and asked, "Miss, what topic would you like to discuss?"

"As for the topic... Ah Xuan, since you know Yukino-chan, do you know the other members of the Service Club?"

Yang Nai from next door asked.

Upon hearing the name "Service Department" again, Li Xuan paused for a moment before saying, "I don't know it."

“That’s strange. Didn’t you see them in the car last time? Hachiman, and Yuihama? The other members of the Service Club.”

"At that time, the light was too dim for me to see your faces clearly, and I couldn't hear what you were saying."

"Huh..." Yang Nai let out a long, puzzled sound, seemingly feeling a bit regretful.

"Then, may I ask you a question?"

Yang Nai looked at the ethereal sky and asked, "Mysterious Lord, have you ever heard of the term 'True Object'?"

PS: Requesting votes

Chapter 054 Life and death, the ultimate dragon ghost (please vote)

In the hot spring pool on the mountain, Yang Nai uttered a rather peculiar word.

"Genuine item? What genuine item?"

Li Xuan was slightly taken aback and asked.

"I do not know either."

Yukinoshita replied.

"Then why did you suddenly bring up this word?" Li Xuan asked, taken aback.

Yang Nai soaked in the hot spring pool, smiled faintly, and said, "But this is a very interesting research topic."

"This is a very broad topic. It should be said that the Service Club, which Yukino-chan is in, seems to be searching for something called 'authenticity.' My understanding is that it seems to be pursuing the most basic and authentic form of human relationships, which should be restored to their true nature, and thus become the most beautiful thing in life. That's it."

Yukino explained, "Although everyone's understanding of the concept may be different, it can also be understood as the lifestyle that one most desires, stripping away all falsehoods and finding the true meaning of one's existence. Whether it's Yukino-chan or Hachiman-kun... after reflecting on their riddled lives, it's an ideal that one seeks in their heart."

So complicated?

Li Xuan was silent for a moment, then asked, "Isn't this a philosophical question about life? Do high school students think about this kind of question every day? Are they really okay with their homework and studying every day?"

There's just not enough homework.

That's roughly what Li Xuan meant.

Upon hearing this, Yang Nai burst into laughter.

"Hahaha, Xuanjun...you're really funny..."

Yang Nai's sense of humor is strange; she seems to laugh so hard she can't breathe.

"It's okay, their grades are all pretty good." Yang Nai gradually controlled her emotions and told Li Xuan.

Li Xuan honestly replied, "This question is a bit too complicated, and I can't really answer it for you."

"However, I do know a bit about lifestyle aspects..."

Li Xuan looked at the night sky and said, "For me, life is a loan relationship."

Yang Nai paused for a moment, then asked, "A loan relationship?"

"Yes, it's lending. You lend to the heavens, and the heavens repay you. Humans are connected to all things. To gain, you must give, pay various prices. Sometimes the heavens repay debts quickly, but sometimes they are slow. You won't see the interest immediately, which can make us feel discouraged and frustrated, but in fact, it often starts to collect the principal for you."

Li Xuan further stated, "This issue is quite complex. You have to think things through carefully at every step before you can even begin to move towards your life goals."

A cool mountain breeze caressed Yang Nai, and she quieted down after hearing Li Xuan's reply.

"You have a very keen mind, Xuanjun."

Yang said.

"It's very realistic, basically in a similar situation to mine, but this kind of answer is boring."

Yang smiled faintly, looking at the night view of Chiba, and said.

"It's not like I'm telling a story," Li Xuan said, puzzled.

"It's different. That's not the answer I want to hear."

Yang Nai turned around, looked at the bamboo raft, and said in a drawn-out tone, "This answer is too boring. You should try harder. I think you can find a better understanding."

Li Xuan narrowed his eyes and said, "I'm just an ordinary person."

In the pitch black, Yang Nai had a different perspective, saying, "Who said you're ordinary? You're the legendary 'Ashikawa War Demon'!"

He was the debt collector who, for the sake of something real, transformed into a demon with rage and fists, defeating countless monsters...

"So, keep pushing!" Yang Nai said encouragingly with a smile.

The Ashikawa group seems trustworthy.

Chiba's politics require a certain amount of violence, and violence also needs to be attached to the power and influence of politics and clans.

The reality is that Li Xuan and Yang Nai's relationship is one of collusion between the forces of good and evil.

"Ah Xuan, Ah Xuan."

Before parting, Yang Nai, who had gone back first, opened the taxi window, looked up at Li Xuan, and revealed that fake smile.

"..." Li Xuan looked at Yang Nai's smiling face with disdain and wariness.

"I hope that one day I can hear properly what your 'real thing' actually is."

Yang Nai's tone seemed both joking and serious as he waved goodbye, finally saying these words of farewell to Li Xuan.

Li Xuan stood by the roadside, his hands in his pockets, his sunglasses reflecting softly under the streetlights.

A person of extreme morality wouldn't ponder so many philosophical questions that can only be found in a life of leisure...

※※※※

Inside a Japanese-style house in Chiba Prefecture at night.

Like the War Ghost, one person also faced organizational scrutiny.