Back in the room.
Lan Yue sat to the side, furious. Her anger at Kong Ling’s actions had yet to subside.
But she also understood that opposing Kong Ling was not wise.
*Clang! Clang! Clang!*
Just then, a knock echoed at the door.
Fei Yan quickly went to open it, only to find Hong Mo, her expression immediately turning grim.
Although she hadn't gone to the main hall, she had heard about what happened there.
In her opinion, if Hong Mo hadn't spoken up for Gu Hai and Zi Long in the hall, how could their rewards have surpassed Po Xiao’s?
Thus, she did not welcome Hong Mo and had no intention of letting him in.
“Fei Yan, let him in!”
Ye Cang Tian glanced at Fei Yan. Seeing Fei Yan blocking the doorway for so long, he understood her thoughts and quickly spoke.
Only after hearing Po Xiao’s words did Fei Yan move aside, leaving half the doorway open.
Seeing this, Hong Mo walked into the room and directly approached Po Xiao.
Without a word, he cupped his hands in a salute to Po Xiao and said, “My apologies. Zi Long has followed me through countless campaigns, so I had to fight for him. As for Gu Hai, he is Kong Ling’s subordinate…”
Hearing Hong Mo’s explanation, Ye Cang Tian waved his hand, interrupting him. “This is not your fault. You had your difficulties.”
At these words, Hong Mo breathed a sigh of relief. Then, as if recalling something, he sighed, “I’m sorry. This time it was for those families in Xi Yin City. I tried my best to dissuade Gu Hai and Zi Long, but it was no use…”
In fact, Hong Mo had indeed acted according to Po Xiao’s wishes. He had released all the family patriarchs and heirs.
However, as soon as he released them, Gu Hai and Zi Long found him and demanded to act together to completely eliminate all the families.
Hong Mo had even argued fiercely with them over this.
But with Gu Hai present, he couldn't command the remaining members of his division. Coupled with the formidable strength of Gu Hai and Zi Long, he was truly unable to prevent this tragedy.
“This is not your fault either. You don’t need to apologize!”
Ye Cang Tian slowly shook his head. Gu Hai had made it very clear in the hall that it was he and Zi Long who had acted to destroy the families of Xi Yin City.
This indicated that Hong Mo had not participated in the matter.
Furthermore, since Gu Hai and Zi Long were on the same side as Hong Mo, and did not include him in their request for rewards, Ye Cang Tian had inferred that Hong Mo must have had a conflict with them over this incident.
Therefore, Ye Cang Tian was not surprised when Hong Mo mentioned it, nor did he harbor any blame in his heart.
The fault lay with Gu Hai and Zi Long for being too ruthless!
On the other side, hearing Po Xiao’s calm tone, Hong Mo felt extremely ashamed.
After a moment of silence, Hong Mo slowly said, “You should leave as soon as possible. Do not return to Xing Yuan’s side. It might not be safe there…”
“What do you mean?” Ye Cang Tian was instantly startled and asked instinctively.
Hong Mo gave Ye Cang Tian a deep look and then said, “Kong Ling’s words about Xing Yuan’s imminent return are not mere rumors, but the truth! And the purpose of Kong Ling inviting Xing Yuan back is for you…”
Hong Mo had only recently heard about this.
Immediately after the reward ceremony in the hall ended, Gu Hai had called him aside and told him all of this.
The purpose was to inform Hong Mo that Po Xiao was merely a clown who wouldn’t last long and to advise him to turn back.
“For me?”
Ye Cang Tian sneered inwardly. He had anticipated something like this, but he couldn’t understand why Kong Ling would invite Xing Yuan to deal with him.
After all, he was on Xing Yuan’s side. Xing Yuan should, by rights, protect him. How could he then join forces with Kong Ling?
Thinking about it, he looked at Hong Mo quizzically and asked tentatively.
“Yes, it is mainly directed at you.”
Hong Mo nodded and said, “Mandala was captured previously to extract information about you. They are still gathering evidence of your rebellion. So, you should leave!”
Saying this, Hong Mo sighed.
Although he had genuinely looked down on Po Xiao in the past, after their journey in the desert, he had a change of heart towards him.
He now believed that Po Xiao was an exceptionally talented individual.
He was now profoundly disappointed with the current Dark Association. It was much darker than the previous Dark Association, which made him feel stifled.
Therefore, rather than seeing Po Xiao killed by Kong Ling, it was better to let him leave this place.
“Haha, your words are enough for me!”
Seeing Hong Mo’s sincere gaze, Ye Cang Tian smiled slightly and patted his shoulder. “I won’t be scared away!”
He paused, then looked at Hong Mo and slowly said, “Since Kong Ling is determined to deal with me, he won’t let me leave easily. There should already be spies around. So, after you leave, you need to figure out how to explain yourself.”
“You don’t need to worry about my affairs. The key is you! If you want to leave, who can stop you except Kong Ling?”
“Why do you have to fight Kong Ling to the death here and risk your life!”
Upon hearing Ye Cang Tian’s words, Hong Mo became extremely anxious. Kong Ling was still being patient for now, trying to find evidence of Po Xiao’s rebellion.
But if Kong Ling lost his patience and attacked directly, how could Po Xiao resist? After all, Po Xiao was not a Heavenly-tier expert!
“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”
Ye Cang Tian smiled faintly.
Now that Kong Ling harbored killing intent towards him, in the past, he would have chosen to avoid the conflict.
But now, his thoughts had gradually changed. The reason was simple: Kong Ling’s mind was too narrow-minded, and some petty individuals were constantly slandering him.
Even if he withdrew from the Dark Association, Kong Ling would still find ways to eliminate those on Xing Yuan’s side.
And among Xing Yuan’s faction were Lan Yue, Huang Shan, Lu Luo, and Mandala, people whom he could not abandon.
Therefore, he could not retreat; he had to stand in front of these people.
Alas!
Seeing Po Xiao’s stubborn gaze, Hong Mo sighed heavily. He knew that no matter what he said, it would be futile.
So he cupped his hands in a salute to Po Xiao and said, “Brother, take care of yourself. If you ever face any difficulties, don’t hesitate to say so. I will not stand idly by!”
With that, without waiting for a reply, he cupped his hands again and left the room.
Seeing Hong Mo depart, Ye Cang Tian called Mandala and Fei Yan to his side.
Looking at the two women, he hesitated for a moment and slowly said, “Mandala, Fei Yan, the upcoming struggle is not something you can participate in. I have a map of secret passages here.
You two will accompany Lan Yue to Southern Desolation City to find Huang Shan and Lu Luo!”
Ye Cang Tian knew that the battle between him and Kong Ling was likely inevitable, so before that, he needed to persuade Mandala and the others to leave.
After all, these people had low cultivation. They could not participate in battles of that level and would only put themselves in danger. This was not something he wanted to see.
“No! We won’t leave. We will be with you, no matter life or death!”
“Yes, we will not leave.”
As soon as Mandala and Fei Yan heard this, they became agitated.
“Nonsense! You two are only at Earthly rank. Are you going to be a burden to him if you stay?”
“Hurry and obey orders!”
Before Ye Cang Tian could speak, Lan Yue harshly reprimanded them. Instantly, Mandala and Fei Yan became quiet.
They could face life and death with Po Xiao, but if they dragged Po Xiao down due to their insufficient strength, leading to failure, they could not accept that outcome.
Seeing this, Lan Yue looked at Ye Cang Tian, then directly drew her long sword and placed it on his hand.
“You know I won’t leave!”
“And besides Kong Ling, you will have to face others. I can help you fend off these minor annoyances!”
“Of course, if you think I’m also in the way, the sword is in your hand!”
As she spoke, Lan Yue closed her eyes and tilted her head back, revealing her fair neck.
“…”
This was clearly a threat to commit suicide!
Mandala and Fei Yan’s eyes widened instantly. They hadn’t expected the usually gentle Lan Yue to have such a stubborn side.
But then again, why hadn’t they thought of this strategy?
Ye Cang Tian’s mouth twitched. He hadn’t expected Lan Yue to threaten him with death. He was silent for a moment and said helplessly, “Why must you do this? Following me is a path of near-certain death!”
“Hmph! Do I even need to explain why?”
Lan Yue glanced at Ye Cang Tian and snorted coldly.
She was from the Imperial Dragon Villa, and he was the young master of the Imperial Dragon Villa. How could she abandon her young master and flee alone?
Alas!
Hearing this, Ye Cang Tian sighed as he looked at Lan Yue’s determined gaze and slowly said, “Alright, you can stay, but these two must go!”
“Okay!”
Lan Yue readily agreed and continued, “I will personally escort them away!”