Iron Elder's arrival piqued everyone's curiosity. When a white-haired old man, looking to be in his sixties or seventies, appeared before them, they exchanged glances.
Wasn't it said that cultivators who reached a certain realm could retain their youth? Even if that rumor was false, shouldn't they age more gradually?
The highest-ranked person present was the camp leader, but he was only at the peak of the seventh layer, just a step above a Sword Master.
Yet, what kind of person was this "Heavy Cannon" that the camp leader spoke of? He was a legend who had dominated Blacky decades ago and swept through the entire underground world!
Looking at the kind-faced old man before them, it was difficult for anyone present to associate him with the legend the camp leader had described.
As the guide, Old Wang had never encountered such a situation.
Observing the group of experts who made his heart race, Old Wang secretly swallowed.
"Iron Elder, is there something else you're hiding from me?"
At this moment, he finally realized something was amiss, but the latter's attention was no longer on him.
"Xiao Bai, long time no see."
Iron Elder scanned the crowd and then voluntarily greeted Camp Leader Bai Zhanfei.
Bai Zhanfei, the leader of Camp No. 3, had been a teammate following Iron Elder before Iron Elder took on his current position.
While their relationship wasn't overly intimate, they were at least acquaintances. Decades had passed, and now, meeting among a group of newcomers, the sense of familiarity was naturally strong.
However, this was from Iron Elder's perspective. Bai Zhanfei, also a party involved, wore a particularly complex expression.
"Heavy Cannon, it has indeed been a long time. I never expected you to return."
Bai Zhanfei looked at Iron Elder with a complicated expression. Before Iron Elder's arrival, he had been deeply conflicted, unsure of how to face his former elder brother.
Now that they had truly met, for some reason, despite having resolved not to dwell on the past, the words welled up in his throat.
Seeing his hesitant demeanor, Iron Elder suddenly spoke, "Xiao Bai, have so many years passed that you're unwilling to call me 'brother' anymore? Are you still angry about that incident?"
It would have been better if he hadn't mentioned it; as soon as he did, Bai Zhanfei's expression changed instantly.
The atmosphere immediately turned serious, and everyone present sensed something amiss. The most anxious among them was Old Wang.
The moment Iron Elder began to speak, his heart leaped. When the word "brother" was uttered, his heart felt like it was in his throat!
"Iron Elder, what are you doing! This is our camp leader. Even if he kills us, our superiors won't intervene!"
Old Wang wasn't foolish; he could tell they knew each other from before. But as an old hand in the business, Old Wang was also a very pragmatic person.
He understood clearly that status brought with it power that could completely change a person.
Under the rules of the underground world, people with special status didn't need guides from the coast to enter; after all, obtaining passes was as simple as snapping their fingers!
But Iron Elder now required a guide, which implied that Iron Elder's current status was not particularly high.
In Old Wang's view, a once-glorious figure meeting the new boss in a new era should at least show some respect!
Yet, Iron Elder's words lacked any semblance of respect, carrying the tone of an elder brother...
However, Iron Elder ignored him, looking at Bai Zhanfei with a calm expression.
The atmosphere grew tense again. After a long silence, Bai Zhanfei finally spoke.
"Heavy Cannon, do you truly have nothing to tell us?"
He said "us," making his meaning clear. The crowd, who had recently heard the story, couldn't help but cast their gazes upon Iron Elder.
They also wanted to know what reason their former superior would provide.
However, they were destined to be disappointed.
Iron Elder smiled, "Xiao Bai, can't we let the past be the past? People must look forward."
An aura of the peak seventh layer erupted suddenly, its intense emotion causing Old Wang to instinctively flinch, sensing a dangerous aura!
The owner of this aura was none other than Bai Zhanfei, the leader of Camp No. 3.
"Heavy Cannon, I'm not the kid who used to follow you around anymore. The lives of our many brothers, Brother Feng who saved you twice, and Xiao Tu... can this just be brushed aside as if it were nothing?"
Bai Zhanfei took a step forward, his imposing presence causing even the Sword Master to frown and prepare to act.
Although Iron Elder was the previous head of the bureau, he was only the previous one. They only recognized the present, and the camp leader owed him a special debt of gratitude. Even if he were the current head, the Sword Master would unhesitatingly act if the camp leader wished to fight!
This, however, made the others exchange uncertain glances, unsure how to react.
Although they were supposed to support the camp leader, this person was not only the former head of the bureau but also a designated individual sent by the current bureau. Was it really that easy to make a move?
In reality, everyone's true thought was that this was a private matter between the camp leader and the other party. As long as there was still a chance for resolution, no one wanted to escalate into an internal conflict at this moment.
Being able to stand by without intervening was already a great show of respect for their boss!
Old Wang, standing beside Iron Elder, felt as if he were being pricked by needles, unsure how to react.
To be precise, he was unsure which direction to run!
However, Iron Elder, as one of the parties involved, remained unfazed, still with a smile, "Xiao Bai, I've come mainly to find someone. We can talk about this later."
Bai Zhanfei didn't reply immediately, instead staring intently into Iron Elder's eyes.
After a long moment.
"Sigh."
Bai Zhanfei let out a deep sigh and murmured, "You truly are a heartless person, to treat your former brothers like this. No wonder..."
Bai Zhanfei didn't finish what he was saying, but instead followed Iron Elder's lead, "Sword Master, you explain the situation to him. I'll go outside and check."
This clearly indicated he no longer wished to see Iron Elder. The latter did not speak again. Just then, a subordinate hurried in.
"Boss, there's new information!"
The subordinate ran in shouting, and by the time he saw the tense situation in the hall and tried to stop himself, it was too late.
Bai Zhanfei shot him an annoyed glance and said helplessly, "If you're this disrespectful again when guests are present, I'll transfer you to a lower position."
The subordinate immediately gave a perfectly standard salute and shouted, "Understood!"
A flicker of recollection flashed in Iron Elder's eyes.