On the other side, Ye Cangtian paid no mind to Badak’s smugness.
He turned and signaled Xiao Feng, indicating for him not to act rashly, before looking at Shangguan Yanran.
"Yanran, I’ll have to trouble you to leave with them for now. I promise I will personally bring you back later," Ye Cangtian said apologetically.
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Yanran gave Ye Cangtian a deep look.
She finally understood why Ye Cangtian had emphasized her trust; he had already foreseen the current situation.
Thinking this, Shangguan Yanran nodded lightly and said, "Brother Ye, I trust you."
With that, Shangguan Yanran said no more, believing the other party understood her meaning. She then walked towards the carriage.
"Badak, I need to remind you of something."
"If Yanran suffers any grievance, whether in heaven or earth, I will not let you go."
"Also, Yanran has been through some trauma recently and needs quiet. You can take her, but try not to disturb her. Otherwise, you will bear the consequences!"
As Shangguan Yanran departed, Ye Cangtian sternly warned Badak.
Ye Cangtian was quite at ease regarding Shangguan Yanran’s safety, as with Mo Yu present, it would be difficult for ordinary people to approach her.
"Haha, Mr. Ye, please rest assured. I will treat her like my own sister."
Badak laughed heartily and continued, "Mr. Ye, the plan remains unchanged. I will leave you a signal to contact you later. Take care."
Saying this, Badak boarded the carriage with Shangguan Yanran and personally escorted her away.
Seeing that Badak had only left a few men to cover their retreat, Ye Cangtian said nothing further. He turned and left with Xiao Feng.
However, they parted ways not long after Ye Cangtian and Xiao Feng set off.
How could Ye Cangtian hand Shangguan Yanran over to Badak without a contingency plan?
After all, the ruins were vast. If the other party kept Shangguan Yanran hidden, he wouldn’t be able to find her.
Thus, he specifically asked Xiao Feng to follow, and with Xiao Feng's strength, safety was not an issue. If he concealed himself perfectly, even Badak might not discover him.
After parting ways, Ye Cangtian returned to the Ghost City via a secret passage.
At this moment, the northern area of the Ghost City was still engaged in intense fighting, but the major factions had suffered heavy losses and were gradually showing signs of collapse.
This was, after all, the headquarters of the Dark Association. With their limited numbers, it was impossible for them to turn the tide.
Despite this, they continued to hold on stubbornly, awaiting the signal from the Temple of Light.
Finally, green fireworks appeared in the sky once more. Instantly, everyone’s eyes lit up, signifying that the mission’s distraction phase was complete.
The next moment, everyone began to charge outwards with frenzied desperation.
Faced with such a situation, Xuan Sanwu hesitated for a moment before finally calling back his pursuing subordinates. Some were left behind to clean up the battlefield, while the rest were all sent to reinforce the別院 (Biéyuàn - separate courtyard).
Letting the petty thieves escape was one thing, but he had to immediately support the別院.
On the other side of the Ghost City, in the central area’s別院.
The別院 was surrounded by guards. At this moment, the guards trembled, as bursts of angry roars emanated from within the別院.
It was their first time seeing Chenghai so furious, and it terrified them to the point where they dared not even breathe, fearing they might be implicated.
"Hidden Group, Temple of Light, if you have the guts, come out and fight me face to face!"
"To engage in such base, underhanded tactics, is this your way? Have you no shame?"
"You bastards, I will dismember you piece by piece sooner or later…"
When Chenghai arrived, only a few severely injured but still living guards remained. From their mouths, he learned that Ye Cangtian and the Temple of Light had colluded to rescue Shangguan Yanran.
Instantly, Chenghai was enraged, roaring at the sky.
It was clear that since the other party had taken Shangguan Yanran, they must have had a backup plan, making investigation difficult, yet he had no choice but to pursue it.
There was no other way; everyone understood Shangguan Yanran’s importance to the Dark Association.
And the fact that she was rescued while he was in charge meant he couldn't escape responsibility.
Even as an established Earth-level expert of the Dark Association with a formidable record, he would likely have to provide an explanation, or else it would be difficult to gain public trust.
This was only one aspect; more importantly, he could not afford to lose face.
Being rescued by a few clowns from within the Dark Association’s headquarters, it could only mean he was incompetent.
His prestige, accumulated over the years, would vanish, and he would become the laughingstock of everyone.
"Lord Chenghai, your subordinate is late. I beg your punishment…"
Just as Chenghai was unable to vent his anger, a voice called out.
Turning his head, Xuan Sanwu rushed in with his men.
Seeing Xuan Sanwu at this moment, Chenghai was filled with indignation.
The man was the supervisor of the Ghost City Security Department. It could be said that nothing in the Ghost City should escape his notice.
Yet, what was the result?
Right under his nose, the Hidden Group and the Temple of Light had gathered such strength and brazenly rescued Shangguan Yanran!
In such a situation, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to suspect Xuan Sanwu of colluding with the Hidden Group and the Temple of Light.
*Slap!*
Chenghai’s palm struck Xuan Sanwu’s face, sending him and his mask flying.
"Xuan Sanwu, you useless waste!"
"You fell for the enemy’s diversionary tactic! Why don't you just die!"
Chenghai’s enraged voice boomed. Xuan Sanwu felt immense grievance but could not explain himself.
After all, the incident had occurred suddenly, and he hadn't anticipated that the別院 would also be targeted. This was his oversight.
The next moment, Xuan Sanwu, enduring the swelling on his face, stepped forward and said, "Lord Chenghai, now is not the time to be angry. We should pursue…"
*Slap!*
Before Xuan Sanwu could finish, Chenghai delivered another slap, sending Xuan Sanwu flying again.
"Since you know, why aren't you rushing off!"
"Damn it, if Shangguan Yanran is not brought back, you will be branded a traitor who colluded with the enemy. Think about the consequences!"
Chenghai roared repeatedly. He had already prepared for the worst-case scenario.
If Shangguan Yanran were successfully rescued, he had no intention of taking all the blame. He would definitely find a scapegoat, and no one would be more suitable than Xuan Sanwu.
"Yes, yes, yes, I’ll take my men to pursue immediately…"
Xuan Sanwu quickly agreed, but in his heart, he cursed Chenghai’s heartlessness.
Damn it! This damned lecherous old man!
For so many years, I've done so many heinous things for you, and now, for your own self-preservation, you’re showing me no mercy!
Lecherous old man, you wait for me. If I get out of this unscathed, I will surely bring you to ruin…
…
Within the Ghost City, the Dark Association mobilized everyone, conducting strict interrogations and carpet searches both inside and outside the city, hoping to find some trace.
Meanwhile, in the center of the Ghost City, at the headquarters.
A figure swiftly moved through various rooms.
This person was none other than Ye Cangtian.
Within the Dark Association, all guards and staff from various departments had been relocated, leaving only a few guards to watch over the headquarters.
Most of these guards were stationed on the periphery, and with Ye Cangtian’s agile skills, it was not a problem to avoid them.
At this moment, Ye Cangtian was taking advantage of this excellent opportunity to search for the records related to the Tang Qingshan couple’s case.
However, Ye Cangtian did not know where these records were stored and could only search room by room.
This…
However, when Ye Cangtian entered a secret chamber deep beneath the Dark Association, he froze on the spot.
In the secret chamber, there was a large bed in the center. At the corners of the bed were four iron handcuffs, and there were faint bloodstains on the bedsheets, making them particularly conspicuous.
Besides this, the surrounding walls and shelves were filled with various instruments, of all kinds.
Needless to say, this was likely a place where some pervert indulged in debauchery.
Ye Cangtian had no intention of dealing with all this and was about to leave.
But at this moment, he heard a faint murmuring sound, as if calling for help!