Cheng Hai pondered for a long time, then slowly said, "Xuan Sanwu, have any petty thieves broken into the Dark Association recently?"
Xuan Sanwu had long felt the killing intent in Cheng Hai's eyes, constantly trying to guess the other's thoughts.
He just couldn't figure out what he had done wrong this time.
Upon hearing Cheng Hai's question, he was still a bit confused and cautiously replied, "Lord Cheng Hai, although only a few guards are left at headquarters, my deployment absolutely prevents even a fly from getting in."
"Good, very good."
"Then I'll ask you again, what about the specimen works in my private chamber?"
You old pervert, why are you asking me about those works!
Hearing Cheng Hai's voice, Xuan Sanwu grumbled inwardly. However, the next moment, his eyes widened as if he had realized something.
Very few people knew about Cheng Hai's perverted behavior.
Now that something had happened, he was undoubtedly the first suspect, and perhaps all the blame would be pushed onto him, making him a scapegoat.
Thinking of this, Xuan Sanwu quickly stepped forward and said, "Lord Cheng Hai, your subordinate will investigate immediately and ensure everything is thoroughly investigated to give you an explanation."
"That would be best."
"But I remind you, your time is very limited."
"If you don't investigate quickly, coupled with the matter of Shangguan Yanran, even I cannot protect you."
Cheng Hai wasted no words, spoke grimly, and then waved his hand.
Damn it! You old pervert!
I've served you loyally for so many years, and in the end, you want to make me a scapegoat!
Even if I die, I'll drag you down with me!
Filled with extreme anger, Xuan Sanwu outwardly bowed respectfully and quickly retreated.
What he said was his true feelings, but he couldn't act on it unless absolutely necessary.
After all, if he did, he would surely die. He had to consider his own life carefully.
...
The main gate of the Dark Association headquarters.
Ye Cangtian slowly returned, his eyes filled with exhaustion.
As soon as he entered the gate, a guard approached him, saying that Cheng Hai was looking for him.
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian nodded and, without returning to his room, proceeded directly to the main hall.
When Cheng Hai saw Ye Cangtian returning exhausted, with some bloodstains on his clothes, his gaze became somewhat complex.
In his eyes, Xuan Qi was definitely capable of avoiding all guards and moving around the headquarters, so he had suspected Xuan Qi before.
However, the other party's appearance clearly indicated fierce combat, and his tired look was not fake.
This basically ruled out Xuan Qi as a suspect.
It was simple; if he had been moving around the headquarters, he wouldn't have looked so disheveled.
However, he was curious about what Ye Cangtian had been doing, so he asked, "Xuan Qi, where have you been for the past three days?"
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian quickly replied, "Lord Cheng Hai, your subordinate went to track down Shangguan Yanran's whereabouts..."
"What, you found carriage tracks in the mountains?"
"You tracked them all the way and found people from the Bright Hall covering their retreat?"
Cheng Hai's eyes widened at Ye Cangtian's account, and his dissatisfaction with Xuan Sanwu grew.
Although Ye Cangtian had stumbled upon the carriage tracks by chance this time, most of it was due to luck.
But this was far better than Xuan Sanwu!
Xuan Sanwu had sent out so many people, and they hadn't found a single trace. Compared to that, Xuan Sanwu and the guards under him were all useless!
"Yes, those members of the Bright Hall resisted fiercely. Under the circumstances, I had no choice but to kill them!"
Ye Cangtian nodded. This was true.
However, the facts were slightly different from his account; it was Ye Cangtian, in Xuan Qi's identity, who had actively eliminated those Bright Hall members.
This would make it easier to recapture Shangguan Yanran from Badak in the future, and at the same time, it would give Cheng Hai a satisfactory explanation.
"It's fine if you killed them."
"Those people are stubborn and tough; even if caught, you probably wouldn't get anything out of them!"
"By the way, how do you think this matter should be handled?"
Cheng Hai pondered for a moment and then asked.
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian thought for a moment and said, "Make preparations in two areas."
Ye Cangtian pointed out that the Bright Hall would definitely rescue Shangguan Yanran from the ruins and also avoid the Dark Association's surveillance, so their speed might not be very fast.
Therefore, it was sufficient to notify the major cities to set up checkpoints and search along the way.
In addition, since they had to exit the ruins, they should ambush them at the exit.
After all, there was only one exit, and no matter how the Bright Hall people weaved through the ruins, they would eventually pass through the exit.
Cheng Hai's brow furrowed upon hearing Ye Cangtian's words.
To be honest, he wanted to do the same, but this would mean that Hong Mo, Huang Shan, and others who were outside quelling riots would surely know about it.
Putting aside whether it would affect their progress in quelling the riots, just the fact that the matter reached their ears would be extremely embarrassing.
Therefore, he had been hesitant to make a decision.
Thinking this, he looked at Ye Cangtian and said, "Xuan Qi, I don't want to alarm too many people with this matter. Do you have any good ideas?"
"It's probably a bit difficult."
"After all, this matter has already caused a huge stir, and it's impossible to conceal it any longer."
"However, if you don't want to alarm too many people, then directly block the exit of the ruins and try your luck."
Ye Cangtian's meaning was simple: if the situation was favorable, the Bright Hall would head straight for the ruins, and perhaps by the time this news spread, Shangguan Yanran would have been recaptured.
This could be considered a damage control measure.
But if the Bright Hall played any tricks and delayed reaching the exit of the ruins for a long time, then they could only let the matter spread.
Cheng Hai hesitated, his brow furrowed.
Xuan Qi's method had a certain feasibility, but it was very passive, entirely dependent on the Bright Hall's intentions, and completely out of his control.
But then again, who could blame him for being careless in the first place and letting Shangguan Yanran be rescued?
Otherwise, such a situation would not have arisen.
Thinking this, Cheng Hai gritted his teeth and said, "Alright, I'll listen to you. This time, I will personally go and reclaim my honor!"
"Hmm?"
Ye Cangtian was startled by this and quickly stepped forward, saying, "Lord Cheng Hai, you must stay behind to guard the headquarters and cannot take risks! Why not leave it to me!"
Ye Cangtian advised Cheng Hai not to go because he wanted to get rid of Cheng Hai.
Getting rid of Cheng Hai no longer held much significance for him; he wanted to go himself.
This way, he could recapture Shangguan Yanran at the exit and leave smoothly.
But if Cheng Hai went, wouldn't all his efforts be in vain?
Meanwhile, Cheng Hai glanced deeply at Ye Cangtian and then said, "There is nothing left in the Dark Association that needs guarding. The most important thing now is to recapture Shangguan Yanran..."
He paused, then slowly said, "Xuan Qi, are you willing to come with me for this experience?"
Cheng Hai was quite satisfied with Xuan Qi's performance, and since he also needed an assistant, he decided to bring him along.
"Your subordinate is naturally willing," Ye Cangtian said quickly, cupping his fists. After a moment of thought, he slowly took out a flyer from his Qiankun bag and handed it over.
"Lord Cheng Hai, it seems the Ghost City is not very stable now, and some people are trying to use flyers to slander the Dark Association and incite rebellion."
"Therefore, I think you should remain at headquarters..."
Ye Cangtian tried to persuade him. If Cheng Hai went to investigate, the situation would be unfavorable.
Even if he could recapture Shangguan Yanran from Badak, he wouldn't have much of a chance against Cheng Hai.
Therefore, finding a way to keep Cheng Hai behind was the top priority.
Cheng Hai's gaze swept over the flyer, and his eyes suddenly flashed with anger as he crumpled the flyer into a ball.
The flyer stated that Xiao Fang and a group of other women had been turned into mummies, and the culprit behind it was Cheng Hai, a fact personally revealed by someone from the Security Department...
In fact, this incident was orchestrated by Ye Cangtian himself.
Xuan Sanwu was Cheng Hai's subordinate, aiding and abetting evil. He simply wanted to use this incident to make Cheng Hai cripple himself.