Slap!
Kong Ling slapped Gu Hai away, thinking it would be better for Gu Hai to be dead.
That way, he wouldn't have to lose face along with him.
After a while, he looked at Gu Hai, who dared not complain, and slowly said, "Gu Hai, you claim that Po Xiao is related to the deaths of Po Xiao and Blood River. Are you seeking personal revenge?"
"Indeed! I indeed wish for my lord to bring justice to your subordinate!"
"However, this is only one reason. The other is the doubt I just raised. Po Xiao indeed has the possibility of committing the crime!"
Gu Hai was utterly loyal to Kong Ling, even openly admitting his desire to retaliate against Po Xiao.
"Hmm..."
Upon hearing this, Kong Ling's eyes began to move again.
This matter was somewhat difficult to handle!
Po Xiao was not only a rare talent but also a person from Xing Yuan. If he were to directly act against Po Xiao, it would be difficult to explain to Xing Yuan!
Perhaps Xing Yuan would completely fall out with him over this, potentially leading to the Dark Association splitting into two.
The most crucial point was that the doubts raised by Gu Hai lacked any solid evidence; it could be considered pure speculation.
Thus, if he were to act, it would be even harder to explain to Xing Yuan.
Thinking of this, he glanced at Gu Hai and said, "There's insufficient evidence! If there were ample evidence, I could even force Xing Yuan to clean house personally, but it's not possible yet, I'm afraid..."
"My lord, your subordinate believes that if a fox is going to reveal its tail, it will eventually do so."
"We can first recall Po Xiao and then slowly search for evidence!"
"This way, if Po Xiao is innocent, we can let him go. If he has indeed committed acts of rebellion, we can also prevent his escape!"
Before Kong Ling could finish, Gu Hai quickly interjected.
He didn't want Kong Ling to shelve the matter. If that were the case, when would he get his revenge for the humiliation he suffered!
"Hmm! That makes sense!"
Hearing Gu Hai's words, Kong Ling fell silent for a moment and slowly nodded. Then, he said, "This matter is entrusted to you. Go and deliver my command for Po Xiao to come and see me immediately!"
He paused for a moment, then continued, "Also, send someone to notify Xing Yuan and invite Xing Yuan back to Ghost City, saying I have important matters to discuss!"
This was a measure taken out of helplessness.
Po Xiao was Xing Yuan's favored general. Even with irrefutable evidence, Xing Yuan might not believe it.
Therefore, Kong Ling hesitated and decided to let Xing Yuan observe this investigation to dispel any doubts about the investigation's outcome.
If there was irrefutable evidence thereafter, even Xing Yuan would likely be unable to protect Po Xiao!
"Your subordinate understands. Your subordinate will go and handle it now!"
On the other side, upon hearing Kong Ling's words, Gu Hai was overjoyed. Kong Ling's actions were clearly aimed at making an example of Po Xiao!
He wanted to see how much longer Po Xiao could remain arrogant.
Thinking this, he responded and then left the main hall.
"Black and White Impermanence!"
As soon as Gu Hai left, Kong Ling's voice echoed from the main hall. Shortly after, the figures of Black and White Impermanence appeared before Kong Ling.
Kong Ling glanced at the two of them and said, "It's time for you to show your worth. Whoever can find evidence of Po Xiao's rebellion will be heavily rewarded by me in the future!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Hearing Kong Ling's words, Black and White Impermanence exchanged glances, a faint excitement flickering in their eyes.
This was clearly a test set by Kong Ling. If they could handle this matter well, becoming Kong Ling's confidants in the future would be a natural progression.
"Good, go. I await your good news!"
Kong Ling heard this and a satisfied smile appeared on his face. He then waved his hand, signaling them to leave.
...
A thousand miles away, in the western region of the Dark Ruins, was the city of Xiyin.
At the city gate, a carriage had just entered. Inside the carriage sat a man and three women, along with a black cat.
It was Ye Cangtian and his companions' carriage.
After more than ten days of travel, they finally arrived here. However, this was not a border city in the western region.
But Xiyin City was not far from the border cities.
Along the way, Ye Cangtian and the others had gathered quite a bit of information.
They learned that Hong Mo and Zi Long, leading their armies, had successfully intercepted the Bright Squad here. Because of this, Ye Cangtian decided to settle in this city.
The reason was simple: since Kong Ling wanted to give all the credit to his own people, he naturally couldn't let them achieve their goals easily.
In the carriage, Lan Yue opened the car window.
Her gaze swept across Xiyin City, and her brows gradually furrowed. She couldn't help but sigh, "The streets here are so deserted!"
"It's likely due to the battle between the Bright Squad and the Dark Association happening here."
"No one likes to live in a place of conflict."
Ye Cangtian glanced at Lan Yue, his gaze becoming serious. The common people here had lost confidence in the Dark Association, which indicated that the trouble here was not small!
Thinking of this, he directly instructed the coachman to head straight for the Dark Association's branch.
He wanted to understand the situation here first.
Not long after, the carriage arrived at the entrance of the Dark Association and stopped.
When Ye Cangtian saw the dilapidated branch and the two guards with bandaged wounds at the entrance, his heart sank slightly.
Even the wounded had to be on duty. From this, it could be inferred that the branch's battle losses must have been astonishing.
As soon as he entered the main hall, Ye Cangtian saw a familiar figure. This person was dressed in purple and wore a golden mask. Wasn't it Zi Long?
Due to their excellent performance in the previous Southern Wilderness City mission, Zi Long had obtained an Enlightenment Pill, and he was now exuding a quasi-Heavenly rank aura.
"Po Xiao? Lan Yue? Why are you here?"
After a brief moment of eye contact, Zi Long's expression turned grim.
If it were in the past, and Po Xiao had brought Lan Yue and the others to support him, he would have been very happy, as it would have alleviated the immediate crisis.
But now it was different; he truly couldn't be happy.
The situation here was extremely critical, and he had already reported it to Kong Ling and requested reinforcements.
However, Po Xiao had arrived here first. If Po Xiao were to resolve the crisis here, wouldn't Kong Ling's reinforcements be dispatched in vain?
The most crucial point was that he had just aligned himself with Kong Ling's side, and such an event had occurred, making it difficult for him to explain to Kong Ling.
"Do we need to ask why we are here?"
"Of course, we are here to eliminate the Bright Hall Squad. Tell us about the situation here first!"
Ye Cangtian glanced at the other party and said slowly.
He and Zi Long had long since fallen out. Now that it was evident Zi Long did not welcome them, he naturally wouldn't show any good脸色.
"Hmph! The situation here is very good. There's no need for you to worry about it!"
"Po Xiao, after all, we both serve the Dark Association. I hope you don't do anything foolish like stealing credit!"
Zi Long let out a cold snort. He was not someone to be trifled with either, and he stated his intentions directly.
In his eyes, after they had spent so much time and sacrificed so many soldiers, it was absolutely impossible for the other party to come and reap the rewards.
He would only give such credit to Kong Ling's people.
"Heh heh, whether I'm here to steal credit or not, it's not for you to say, nor for me to say! Only the current situation will tell!"
"If you can truly resolve it, I naturally won't interfere. But if you are all incapable, then you can't blame me!"
"As you just said, we are all people of the Dark Association. I can't just watch you die and stand by, can I?"
Ye Cangtian chuckled and said playfully.
Based on the devastated scene he saw, Hong Mo and the others must have encountered great trouble this time!
Furthermore, given that Hong Mo and the others had already taken action before he arrived, if they had the strength, they would have cleared the Bright Hall Squad long ago. Why would they still be dragging on until now!
Therefore, he didn't believe Zi Long's words at all.
"Po Xiao, there's no point in saying more!"
"You are people of Xing Yuan, and we are people of Kong Ling. Our factions are different, and we cannot conspire together. Please excuse yourselves!"
Saying this, Zi Long gave Po Xiao a deep look and continued, "You should know that such matters can incite conflict between the two factions, leading to internal strife within the Dark Association. Can you bear the responsibility for such a crime?"
"Zi Long, stop trying to frame me!"
"What do you mean by different factions? Has Xing Yuan already become a rival to Kong Ling?"
"They haven't. They are still working for the Dark Association, just in different ways!"
"Or has Lord Kong Ling already decided to attack Lord Xing Yuan?"
Ye Cangtian glared at Zi Long and snorted coldly.
"This..."
Zi Long was instantly choked by the barrage of questions.
The matter between Xing Yuan and Kong Ling was as clear as a louse on a monk's head; it was obvious. However, neither Xing Yuan nor Kong Ling would admit it personally.
Now that Po Xiao had said this, he was momentarily speechless.