"What!"
With a single sentence, Zi Long and Gu Hai's eyes widened, filled with intense anger.
He had come here specifically to contend for this merit, but in the end, Po Xiao had taken the lead.
And they had fallen for the Guangming Hall's diversionary tactic. He felt utterly foolish.
He had been played for a fool by Guangming Hall, and Po Xiao had achieved great success. Comparing the two, he was so ashamed he wished he could disappear into the ground.
"You bunch of trash, what are you all good for! Such intelligence only reaching us now, why don't you just die!"
Enraged to the extreme, Gu Hai finally lashed out at the guards, venting his frustration.
In his opinion, if the intelligence had been a little more timely, even if Po Xiao had made the first move, he would have had a way to seize the merit.
But now that everything was over and done with, it was a done deal.
"Sir, now is not the time to reprimand your subordinates."
"We should go back and think of a solution first!"
Zi Long, unable to stand it any longer, stepped forward to dissuade him.
Hmph!
Hearing Zi Long's words, Gu Hai snorted coldly and then stopped his attack. .oγg
Zi Long was right; they should first think of a solution.
...
Xiyin City.
After resolving the Chu family's affairs, Ye Cangtian did not return directly to the Dark Association. Instead, he went with Fei Yan to meet Dilu.
Soon, the two arrived at the room where Dilu was imprisoned.
Seeing their arrival, Dilu's expression changed slightly, but he still forced a smile and quickly said, "Two sirs, has today's operation been smooth?"
"Smooth, very smooth. The squad led by Eugene has been eliminated by me."
Ye Cangtian smiled coldly and said slowly.
This...
Upon hearing this news, Dilu was clearly stunned, but he quickly recovered.
He glanced at Ye Cangtian and said, "Since everything has been handled, can you give me a quick end?"
"Don't rush, let's settle the score first!"
Ye Cangtian glanced at him faintly and continued, "According to the information you provided, after the Guangming squad signaled, you would have an hour to prepare your escape route, and then they would make their move.
But why did they attack after only half an hour?"
The journey from the Dark Association to the Chu family was only half an hour. Upon receiving the news, he had immediately rushed to support the Chu family.
However, many disciples of the Chu family had still fallen in pools of blood.
Based on the signs of the fight, he realized that the Guangming squad had already taken action half an hour before he arrived.
It was for this reason that Ye Cangtian knew he had been tricked by Dilu and had returned here.
"Hahaha, you are right, I did deceive you."
"Because the time Eugene prepared for me was never an hour, but half an hour!"
"It's just that I didn't expect that with Eugene's strength, he couldn't even eliminate the Chu family in half an hour!"
Seeing that Po Xiao had seen through it, Dilu no longer concealed it. There was no point in hiding it, as Eugene's squad had already been wiped out.
The reason for deceiving Po Xiao was that he was unwilling to die as a traitor. He wanted to buy as much time as possible for Eugene and the others to complete their mission.
He just didn't expect that in the end, it would all come to naught.
"Have you considered the consequences of doing this?"
Ye Cangtian asked back upon hearing this.
He really hadn't expected that Dilu, who was already terrified of soul piercing, would dare to trick him again.
Hmph!
Dilu glared fiercely at Po Xiao and said sternly, "It's just soul attacks. I've endured this for so many days, a few more days won't make a difference. At worst, it's death, but what of it!"
"Good, very good!"
"Originally, seeing that you were cooperating, I could have spared your life and let you go!"
"But since you are stubborn and unrepentant, don't blame me!"
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian smiled coldly, then glanced at Fei Yan, signaling her to handle the rest.
"Hmph, I have wronged the Guangming Hall. I would rather die than live a life of shame!"
Upon hearing Ye Cangtian's words, Dilu said disdainfully.
Then, his gaze swept over the slowly approaching Fei Yan, and he finally closed his eyes, tilted his head up, and said, "Proceed!"
Puff!
The next moment, a splash of blood flew out. Fei Yan wouldn't waste any more words with him. Without hesitation, she slit his throat and then turned to leave with Po Xiao.
...
When Ye Cangtian returned to the Dark Association branch again.
In the room, Lan Yue had already packed her luggage.
Now that the Guangming squad had been completely cleared, and there was no news of Mandara, she believed that Ye Cangtian would be returning to the Ghost City headquarters next.
Therefore, she had packed her luggage in advance, ready to depart at any time.
Seeing Lan Yue's actions, Ye Cangtian smiled and gave her a thumbs-up. Then, he took Lan Yue to Hong Mo's residence.
Upon seeing Hong Mo, Ye Cangtian got straight to the point. "The matters in Xiyin City are settled. I am preparing to return to Ghost City. Kong Ling has issued two orders urging me to return, and I cannot delay any further."
Pausing for a moment, Ye Cangtian said, "So, are you planning to return with me, or stay for a few more days?"
"You go back first. Xiyin City still needs follow-up. I need to stay and handle everything before returning to report!"
Hong Mo remained silent for a while before finally speaking.
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian nodded and said, "That's good. By the way, please release those family patriarchs and heirs!
Their families have already publicly announced their severance of ties with Guangming Hall. There's no need to show them no mercy!"
Upon hearing this, Hong Mo nodded. Although he had a bad temper and acted ruthlessly, he still gave Po Xiao some face, so he agreed.
...
Ghost City.
After several days of rapid travel, Ye Cangtian and the other two finally returned to Ghost City.
The three of them went directly to the main hall of the Dark Association headquarters without delay. After waiting for a while, they finally saw Kong Ling slowly approaching.
"Greetings, Lord Kong Ling!"
"Hmph!"
As Ye Cangtian and the other two bowed, a cold snort was heard.
Kong Ling's eyes were filled with anger, especially when he looked at Po Xiao, his eyes showing undisguised intense fury.
"Po Xiao, I issued two orders, and you still haven't returned. It seems you truly don't put me in your heart!"
What made Kong Ling angry was this matter.
It was known that in the Dark Association, no one dared to disobey his orders.
Po Xiao acting like this now was clearly a blatant disregard for his authority, so how could he tolerate it?
"Sir, you must have been misled by some slander."
"I did receive your orders, but my failure to return was not out of disrespect for you. I understand that at this stage, the most important thing for the Dark Association is to eliminate the Guangming squad."
"Therefore, I dared to remain in Xiyin City and eradicate the Guangming squad..."
Sensing Kong Ling's angry gaze, Ye Cangtian remained unfazed and spoke very calmly.
Ye Cangtian was very confident. Now that he had eliminated three Guangming squads, for the sake of this merit, Kong Ling would not do anything to him.
Otherwise, it would surely cause unrest within the Dark Association.
He asked himself, if Kong Ling couldn't tolerate someone with such merit, what about others? Who would serve him then?
"You..."
Indeed, with a single sentence, Kong Ling was rendered speechless with anger.
Po Xiao's calm and composed demeanor felt like a direct challenge to his authority.
The next moment, Kong Ling's eyes flickered, and he said coldly.
"Po Xiao, were you acting to share my burden, or were you clearly vying for merit!"
"I have already dispatched Gu Hai to cooperate with Zi Long and Hong Mo. Eliminating the Guangming Hall squad should not be a problem! Why did you need to intervene!"
"But you disregarded unity and openly competed for merit, which in itself is a mistake! If everyone were like you, wouldn't the Dark Association fall apart!"
What, this is my fault too?
Hearing Kong Ling's words, Ye Cangtian's eyes widened, and he muttered inwardly.
He had clearly sent Gu Hai to compete for merit and issued two orders for him to return to avoid this matter. Now, he had the nerve to push all of this onto himself?
Truly, with a single word from a superior, truth could be distorted!
Thinking this, Ye Cangtian looked directly at Kong Ling and said faintly, "There is a saying, 'If you want to condemn someone, you can always find a reason.' I have a clear conscience in everything I do. If you are dissatisfied, feel free to punish me!"
"However, I advise you to think twice before acting, as I also have merits to my name. Punishing me might cause adverse reactions within the Dark Association!"