Seeing that Fang Deming refused to speak, Ye Cangtian shrugged and said with a smile, "Pity, you missed a great opportunity. However, I respect your choice!"
Saying this, he looked at Lan Yue beside him and said, "Senior Sister, take him to the small courtyard behind the Hidden Group's branch, and find a couple of people to keep an eye on him..."
Lan Yue nodded, walked forward, and said faintly, "Are you going to walk by yourself, or shall I escort you?"
Upon hearing this, Fang Deming wasted no words and turned around, leaving the great hall with a stagger.
After all, the questions Ye Cangtian asked were ones he didn't want to answer, and he was genuinely afraid that if he lingered, the other party might resort to some extreme measures.
Therefore, leaving Ye Cangtian as quickly as possible was the best option.
In the blink of an eye, night fell.
Hu Qing ordered a few small dishes to be prepared and intended to have a drink with Ye Cangtian in the great hall to thank him for his assistance.
"Report!"
Just as the few of them sat down, before they could even start eating, a notification voice came through.
The entering guard bowed to both of them and then said, "My Lords, Hai Quan from the Hidden Group, along with some Hidden Group members, are waiting outside."
"Quick, please invite them in!"
Hu Qing quickly signaled the guard.
He had taken over Frost City today and temporarily taken over the guards of Dragon Riding Villa, making him quite busy.
So, he had indeed forgotten about Hai Quan and the others. It was only when the guard came to report that he remembered the matter.
Beside him, Ye Cangtian watched the guard leave and said after a moment of silence, "Although these guards have outwardly compromised, you must still test them in the future to prevent any bad apples!"
Upon hearing this, the smile on Hu Qing's face instantly vanished. He nodded solemnly and said, "Lord Grim Reaper, rest assured, I will investigate them thoroughly. If they are as you say, I will show no mercy!"
As he spoke, Hu Qing sensed movement outside the hall and quickly said, "My Lord, I will handle this first, lest it disturb your pleasure."
Seeing Ye Cangtian nod, Hu Qing immediately got up and left the great hall.
Not long after, Hu Qing had settled all the guards and returned to the great hall with only Hai Quan.
Thump!
The moment Hai Quan saw Ye Cangtian, he immediately knelt on one knee, "Thank you, my Lord, for reclaiming control of Frost City for the Hidden Group..."
In fact, when Ye Cangtian and the others left in the morning, Hai Quan had no confidence in them, thinking it would end in failure.
As expected, before long, the guards all over the city took action, which in his eyes, meant the operation had failed.
After all, including Hu Qing, there were only four of them. How could they resist thousands of guards?
However, when he saw Fang Deming being escorted to the dilapidated courtyard house, he finally understood that he had been mistaken. The real winner was not Fang Deming, but Grim Reaper.
With that thought, he quickly began to inquire.
Finally, through constant inquiries, he learned that Grim Reaper not only avenged Hu Qing but also helped the Hidden Group recapture Frost City.
Now, even the guards of Dragon Riding Villa were temporarily under Hu Qing's command.
Regarding all this, although Hai Quan really wanted to know how Ye Cangtian managed it and what methods he used, he found it difficult to ask Ye Cangtian.
After all, Ye Cangtian had given him an opportunity, and he himself had refused to follow.
Even so, it did not diminish his gratitude towards Ye Cangtian.
Ye Cangtian glanced at the kneeling Hai Quan and said lightly, "It's all my duty, there's no need for this. If you don't mind, stay and have a meal with us."
"Good, good, good."
Looking at Ye Cangtian, who had no airs about him, Hai Quan quickly got up and agreed.
It was best to stay, as it could bring them closer and facilitate future work. Perhaps they could even chat about the day's events!
...
Dragon Riding Villa.
In the great hall, a man in his thirties or forties sat majestically in the main seat, listening to the reports from below.
This person was none other than Lei Ming, the third registered disciple taken in by Elder Zhou!
"Report! Since Ye Cangtian and others from the Hidden Group left Tianhan Pass, there has been no news of them!"
"Report! Just received news that Frost City has fallen and has been recaptured by the Hidden Group..."
As the news fell, everyone in the great hall widened their eyes.
Frost City was garrisoned by thousands of guards from Dragon Riding Villa, and there was even a quasi-Heavenly expert and several Earthly experts stationed there!
With such a force, unless the Hidden Group launched a massive attack, it would be impossible to recapture Frost City in such a short time!
But the problem was, they had not received any news of the Hidden Group mobilizing troops!
Furthermore, they had done their best to conceal the matter of Frost City. How could the Hidden Group headquarters have obtained the news?
Various doubts lingered not only in the minds of others but also in Lei Ming's.
The next moment, he looked darkly at the guard and questioned, "Tell me, what exactly happened?"
"It was the Grim Reaper of the Hidden Group! And someone called Xiao Yue!"
"They not only rescued Hu Qing but also helped Hu Qing recapture Frost City!"
The guard did not dare to hide anything and quickly replied.
"Just the two of them?"
"Did you miss something? Or in your eyes, are the guards of my Dragon Riding Villa so incompetent!"
Lei Ming's face turned cold, and a hint of killing intent flickered in his eyes.
This killing intent was born from his rage. He couldn't understand why so many people were dealt with by merely two individuals.
"No, no, besides Grim Reaper and Xiao Yue, they also have a poison master."
The guard sweated profusely and stammered, "Also, Grim Reaper and Xiao Yue are disciples taken in by the Old Villa Master in the outside world, so many guards laid down their weapons because of this identity..."
"Bastard!"
With that statement, Lei Ming instantly roared in anger, smashing the table in front of him with a single palm.
He had used all sorts of means to control Dragon Riding Villa and ascend to the position of Villa Master.
He thought that the guards should be as loyal to him as they were to the Old Villa Master.
However, these guards laid down their weapons simply because the other party was the Old Villa Master's disciple. To him, this was a betrayal!
It also sent him a dangerous message.
If these guards now submitted to Grim Reaper, then Grim Reaper might very well bring these guards to Dragon Riding Villa to contend for the position of Villa Master with him.
With this thought, a killing intent flashed in Lei Ming's eyes.
He glanced at a bald man below and said, "Junior Brother Hua Guang, why don't you go and check on our new junior brother and sister?"
Hiss!
At his words, many in the hall gasped.
Hua Guang was also a registered disciple of Elder Zhou, but he lacked Elder Zhou's discipline and had a very volatile personality, acting with extreme ruthlessness.
Now, for Lei Ming to send Hua Guang was not a visit, but an act of aggression.
Many thought this, but not a single one stepped forward. They knew Lei Ming's methods well.
To put it simply, it was: "Those who obey me prosper, those who oppose me die!"
If they voiced any objections, Lei Ming would not tolerate them and would eventually make a move against them.
"Does such a trivial matter require me to act?"
"Just find someone to visit them for you. I have no interest in people from the outside world."
Hua Guang did not agree to Lei Ming's request but said with a frown.
In his opinion, there were no powerful figures in the outside world. After all, the environment outside was sparse in spiritual energy, unsuitable for cultivation, and lacked ancient inherited cultivation techniques.
These conditions simply did not meet the requirements for the growth of a strong individual.
And he had no interest in ordinary people, thinking it was making a mountain out of a molehill.
"Hua Guang, don't underestimate this Grim Reaper! Don't forget, Frost City was guarded by Fang Deming..."
Hearing Hua Guang's refusal, Lei Ming's expression became even more somber. He then reminded him.
Hmm?
Upon hearing this, Hua Guang furrowed his brows and sneered, "Villa Master, you know Fang Deming's strength. Although he has reached the quasi-Heavenly level, he is only at the first level..."
Hua Guang's meaning was simple: with Fang Deming's cultivation, there were many people in the China Ruins who could defeat him.
If this was used to judge Grim Reaper's strength as very high, it would be completely inaccurate.
Therefore, he still believed he did not need to act personally.
"Hmph! Hua Guang, are you not even listening to me now?"
As soon as Hua Guang's voice fell, Lei Ming let out a cold snort.
Seeing the murderous intent forming on Lei Ming's face, Hua Guang then said, "Villa Master, I am merely stating my opinion. If you insist, I will go..."
Hua Guang was taken in as a disciple by Elder Zhou at a very young age.
At that time, Elder Zhou often traveled and was not at the villa, and other disciples disliked him for being too young and ignored him.
Only Lei Ming was willing to take him along.
He had also witnessed Lei Ming's methods, so even though he was ruthless, he would back down when he saw Lei Ming angry.
Hmph!
Hearing Hua Guang's words, Lei Ming let out a light snort, and his expression softened, saying, "Be careful. I have a feeling this Grim Reaper is not simple." m..oΓg
"The more complicated, the better, otherwise I won't be interested!"
Hua Guang sneered, then cupped his hands towards Lei Ming and withdrew from the great hall.
...