Bang!
The guard fell heavily to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood. His cheeks were rapidly swelling, and he had lost a few teeth, looking quite miserable.
"You dare to hit me, you bastard!"
"Brothers, take him down!"
The guard touched his injured face, his mind consumed by rage. With a leaky and unclear voice, he roared.
"..."
His companions, jolted from their surprise, had initially wanted to enjoy the spectacle, as they hadn't expected anyone to dare attack.
Soon, they drew their weapons and charged at Ye Cangtian.
"Hmph!"
Seeing this, Ye Cangtian let out a cold snort, his figure flashing.
After all, these guards were only at the Profound level in cultivation, far below him. Therefore, dealing with them was quite easy for Ye Cangtian.
He merely weaved through the crowd once, and all the guards fell to the ground.
Of course, he didn't kill them. After all, they were all people from the Imperial Dragon Manor. Unless they were truly wicked, he wouldn't easily take a life.
"You, you dare to injure so many guards, you're finished, you're finished!"
"Just wait to die!"
The burly guard watched his companions fall in an instant, breaking out in a cold sweat. However, he did not beg for mercy.
In his opinion, since Ye Cangtian had injured so many guards, the Imperial Dragon Manor would surely stand up for them. Thus, the other party would only be able to rage for a couple more days.
Ye Cangtian glanced at the guard and said with a cold laugh, "I'd like to see how I'm finished!"
As he spoke, Ye Cangtian no longer paid them any mind.
He scanned the crowd lining up to enter the city and those watching the commotion from the surroundings, saying, "Anyone who wants to enter the city for free, follow behind me. If you're too scared to enter, wait for them to change shifts!"
With that, Ye Cangtian swaggered into the city with his carriage.
The people around exchanged glances, deliberated for a moment, and then immediately followed.
Who would want to be interrogated?
And who would want to pay a single purple crystal stone?
After all, for most people, even if they had purple crystal stones, they had earned them through hard-fought battles.
They didn't want to pay in vain, letting these crystal stones fall into the hands of others.
Seeing that the city gate had fallen into chaos, the burly guard, due to his injuries, dared not step forward to stop them. He could only endure the pain and return to report to his superiors, seeking justice for himself.
Meanwhile, Ye Cangtian had entered the city and was strolling along the street.
Although this place was in the north and the climate was quite cold, the city was still very lively. The scale of the buildings and their decorations were no less than those of Dragon City.
However, upon reaching the central area of the city and standing before the largest palace, Ye Cangtian and Lan Yue and the others were instantly stunned.
Logically speaking, this should have been the branch of the Hidden Organization.
After all, according to the information from the Hidden Organization, there was no news of the Frost City branch being attacked or destroyed. This meant that the Imperial Dragon Manor had not openly broken ties with the Hidden Organization.
Therefore, even if the Imperial Dragon Manor was a bit overbearing, they should have left a place for the Hidden Organization here.
But judging by the attire of the guards before them, this had already become the office area of the Imperial Dragon Manor.
Had the Imperial Dragon Manor sealed off the news?
Pondering this, Ye Cangtian walked forward and asked the guards, "Excuse me, two young sirs, could you tell me if this is the location of the Hidden Organization's branch?"
As his voice fell, the guards sized Ye Cangtian up and sneered, "Are your eyes faulty? Can't you see our attire? Does this look like the Hidden Organization?"
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian's brow furrowed instantly. Were the guards of the Imperial Dragon Manor so rampant now?
Did the higher-ups not manage them?
Just wait, eventually, they would all be dealt with!
Thinking this, Ye Cangtian looked at them and said, "My good sirs, I heard that the Hidden Organization's branch is located in the center of Frost City. Did something happen..."
Heh.
Before Ye Cangtian could finish, he was interrupted by the guards' cold sneers. "That was a few years ago. Now, the Hidden Organization has handed this place over to the Imperial Dragon Manor!"
Handed over?
Ye Cangtian sneered inwardly. This "handover" was likely involuntary, wasn't it?
After all, if it were a transfer, the Hidden Organization's branch would have to submit an application to headquarters. However, headquarters had no such documents.
With this thought, Ye Cangtian asked, "My good sirs, do you know where I can find the Hidden Organization's branch? If it's convenient, please inform me."
"This, well..."
The guards, hearing this, grinned wickedly and rubbed their fingers together.
It was clear that without benefits, they wouldn't say a word.
Seeing this, Ye Cangtian smiled slightly and quickly took out a purple crystal stone, handing it to the other party.
Although he was very unwilling, he had no choice. He needed to find out the location of the Hidden Organization's branch as soon as possible.
Only then could he understand what had happened.
As for this current transaction, he would settle the score sooner or later.
"Just one? There are two of us!"
The guards frowned upon seeing the single purple crystal stone.
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian reluctantly had to fork over another crystal.
Only after seeing the two crystal stones did the guards accept them and say, "The Hidden Organization is now operating at the crossroads in the south of the city. Go find them there!"
"Thank you."
Ye Cangtian cupped his fists, then got into his carriage and drove towards the south of the city.
...
South of the city, at the crossroads.
The streets here were narrow, far from the center of Frost City, almost at the edge of the city.
The surrounding houses were all very dilapidated, with some roofs having holes.
Ye Cangtian stood at the center of the crossroads, his gaze sweeping around as he searched for a decent building.
The Hidden Organization's branch had its dignity. Even if the living environment wasn't ideal, the office location shouldn't be too bad.
However, this thought was instantly overturned by Ye Cangtian, as none of the surrounding buildings were presentable; they were all in a state of disrepair.
Helpless, Ye Cangtian had to get out of the carriage to inquire, only then did he learn the specific location of the Hidden Organization.
However, when he arrived in front of the Hidden Organization's branch, his brow instantly furrowed.
The house in front of him, if not the worst in this area, was close to it. It was only slightly better than abandoned houses.
Most importantly, there wasn't even a single guard at the entrance.
Not only that, but the Hidden Organization even chose to ignore any hidden informants.
Thus, with a hint of doubt and anger, Ye Cangtian, accompanied by his companions, walked into the Hidden Organization's branch.
"Who are you? This is the Hidden Organization's branch. I'm afraid there's no one you're looking for here."
A shriveled middle-aged man in the courtyard glanced at Ye Cangtian and slowly stood up, speaking.
"I have come to the Hidden Organization's branch."
Ye Cangtian looked at the man calmly and continued, "Take me to see the person in charge here, Hu Qing!"
Hmm?
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man's brow furrowed, and he pondered for a moment before asking, "Who exactly are you?"
Hu Qing was once very famous in Frost City, but he later moved here. As the Hidden Organization declined, he was largely forgotten.
In his memory, no one had come looking for Hu Qing for at least three years.
Now that this person mentioned Hu Qing and specifically came to see him, it was clear that he had some standing.
Meanwhile, Ye Cangtian glanced at the middle-aged man and said, "It's inconvenient to say who I am at the moment. All I can tell you is that I also come from the Hidden Organization!"
You too?
The middle-aged man paused slightly, then looked at Ye Cangtian, seeing that he didn't seem to be lying.
He fell silent for a moment and said in a low voice, "Since you are also from the Hidden Organization, then I will kindly advise you once: do not see Hu Qing, and leave Frost City as soon as possible!"
"Why!"
Ye Cangtian blurted out instinctively.
"Don't ask why!"
The middle-aged man continued, "If you knew why, you wouldn't be able to leave! And I would be implicated as well!"
Heh.
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian smiled slightly, his smile tinged with mockery. "If I want to leave, no one can stop me! However, since you're unwilling to say, then take me to see Hu Qing!"
"You! Why don't you listen to advice!"
The middle-aged man glared fiercely at Ye Cangtian. Seeing Ye Cangtian's determined gaze, he clearly had made up his mind.
The next moment, he sighed and said, "Fine, since you insist, then I'll take you to see Hu Qing."
As he spoke, the middle-aged man turned and led the way.