"If we kill Xuan Qi first, the Dark Association will surely be on high alert, and trying to save Shangguan Yanran would be a foolish fantasy!"
"But if we save Shangguan Yanran first, the Dark Association will only split its forces to investigate. Then, we can ambush Xuan Qi, and the success rate will be much higher!"
"Moreover, if we lure Xuan Qi out of Ghost City, even if the commotion is too great, there won't be a conflict for a while!"
Ye Cangtian had already prepared his arguments. When Badak asked, he immediately stated them.
Badak fell into deep thought. He really wanted to deny Ye Cangtian's words to prove his own capability, but he had to admit that Ye Cangtian had some valid points.
After a long deliberation, Badak looked at Ye Cangtian again, hesitating, "Why should I trust you?"
Badak was worried that if Shangguan Yanran was rescued, Ye Cangtian might just flee. Then, who would he find to deal with Xuan Qi together?
"You have no choice but to trust me. Besides me, no one else has the ability to kill Xuan Qi with you," Ye Cangtian said faintly, glancing at Badak.
Badak had no other options. The weak allies of the Guangming Hall, if they had any strength, Badak would not have come to see him.
Furthermore, among the three major powers in the world – Guangming Hall, the Hidden Group, and the Dark Association – they had been in secret conflict for countless years.
Now that they were at the headquarters of the Dark Association, both sides were in grave danger. Only by joining forces could they have a chance to complete their mission.
"Alright, the people of the Hidden Group are upright and open. This time, I believe you!"
Badak pondered for a moment and finally gritted his teeth and agreed.
Following that, the two began to discuss the specific action plan. Although it was a cooperation, they would act independently and not interfere with each other.
This reduced the chances of them undermining each other, which both sides were quite satisfied with.
After reaching an agreement, Ye Cangtian left the room.
Not long after, Kuri walked in.
"Sir, do we really have to cooperate with the Hidden Group?" Kuri looked at Badak in confusion. The Hidden Group's mission was about Shangguan Yanran, and Guangming Hall was determined to obtain her.
Initially, Badak's mission here was indeed to kill Xuan Qi.
However, after arriving at Ghost City, they discovered that Shangguan Yanran, whom the Dragon Group was searching for all over the world, was actually here.
It was known that, at present, Shangguan Yanran's value was no less than Xuan Qi's. If they could retrieve Shangguan Yanran to their headquarters, it would be a significant contribution.
Moreover, it was certain that once news of Shangguan Yanran reached Guangming Hall, the hall would directly issue orders to seize her.
Therefore, after arriving at Ghost City, Badak had also set his sights on Shangguan Yanran, but he hadn't planned the operation and hadn't seized the opportunity.
As a result, there was a conflict in their actions. The Hidden Group would definitely not hand over Shangguan Yanran, and on this issue, both sides might eventually resort to force.
Kuri was precisely worried about these matters. This was not a good thing for both sides; perhaps the forces they had secretly cultivated for so many years would be destroyed.
"Cooperation is necessary," Badak replied, his gaze sweeping over Kuri, a strange smile appearing on his face as he simply explained, "But Xuan Qi must be killed, and Shangguan Yanran must also be obtained!"
He understood that to kill Xuan Qi and seize Shangguan Yanran, relying on the current alliance was impossible. Joining forces was the only way out.
Kuri nodded. Seeing that Badak didn't say any more, he didn't ask further. Having been together for so long, he understood Badak well; the latter disliked others interfering with his decisions.
...
Two days passed in a blink of an eye.
After reaching an agreement with Badak, Ye Cangtian merely informed Xiao Feng and returned to headquarters.
For these two days, when he had leisure time, he would visit the public security department.
On the surface, he was there to supervise Xuan Sanwu's investigation into the missing women, but in reality, he was waiting for a signal.
Guangming Hall would fire the first shot, which would be the signal for the operation. As the public security department of Ghost City, they would surely be in an uproar immediately.
Of course, this behavior enraged Xuan Sanwu.
Xuan Sanwu was still glaring at Ye Cangtian, his hands trembling with anger.
Ever since the incident in Orange Sea last time, everyone in the department knew the outcome: Xuan Qi was unharmed, and Xuan Sanwu had been beaten for nothing.
Comparing the two, the status of one over the other was clear.
And these staff members, who outwardly showed him reverence, would fawn over Xuan Qi the moment he arrived.
It was as if Xuan Qi was their direct superior, which made Xuan Sanwu furious.
Furthermore, Xuan Qi had come to supervise him, which made him wish he could tear the man to shreds.
However, Orange Sea had repeatedly told him not to provoke Ye Cangtian, so he had to suppress his anger.
"Xuan Qi, you come here every day. This place is almost like your home!"
"How about I discuss with Master Orange Sea, and I'll step down to the second line and completely hand this place over to you." Xuan Sanwu could no longer suppress his anger and spoke sinisterly.
"Who wants your mess!" Ye Cangtian said dismissively, then changed the subject, "Stop dawdling. What are the investigation results for today? Bring them over."
"Hmph!"
"So you know your place!" Xuan Sanwu snorted disdainfully. He naturally wouldn't abdicate; he was just speaking figuratively, as the public security department held real power.
Thinking this, Xuan Sanwu shrugged and said, "Today's news hasn't returned yet. Let's wait a bit longer."
Even as he said this, he was inwardly sneering. Even if the news returned, what good would it do? Everything was within his control.
Xuan Qi was destined to make a fruitless trip.
"Report!" However, as soon as he finished speaking, a figure rushed in breathlessly and directly approached him.
"Master Xuan Sanwu, this is bad! There's a riot in the northern district!"
"The number of rioters is unknown, and their strength is terrifying. We've already lost quite a few brothers..."
Hearing his subordinate's report, Xuan Sanwu abruptly stood up.
Daring to cause a riot within Ghost City was no small matter and needed to be resolved quickly and decisively.
It must be known that Ghost City was the headquarters of the Dark Association, equivalent to the heart of the entire organization.
If anything were to happen here, it would cause a significant psychological blow to the branches in other cities, and the consequences would be unimaginable.
"All personnel, receive my order! Deploy all forces and accompany me to quell the rebellion!" Thinking this, Xuan Sanwu did not dare to hesitate and immediately issued the order, leading his men out. However, just as he reached the doorway, Xuan Qi's voice came through.
"Hey! With such a big event, aren't you going to notify Master Orange Sea?"
Hearing Xuan Qi's words, Xuan Sanwu stopped in his tracks and turned to cast an angry glare. "Dealing with some clowns is not enough to trouble Master Orange Sea!"
He paused and said fiercely, "Xuan Qi, I advise you to mind your own business and not meddle in other people's affairs!"
Although the matter was of great importance, Xuan Sanwu had no intention of reporting it. This was a golden opportunity to prove his worth!
If he could successfully quell the rebellion, he would surely receive generous rewards in the future.
But if Master Orange Sea intervened, the outcome would be different. All the credit would go to Master Orange Sea, and he would have nothing to do with it.
"Alright, alright, you do as you please."
"Alas, good intentions are treated as donkey liver and lungs!"
"Fellow colleagues, please bear witness. It's not that I didn't want to notify Orange Sea, but Xuan Sanwu didn't let me notify him..." Ye Cangtian shrugged and said with a helpless smile.
Xuan Sanwu snorted and ignored Ye Cangtian, leading his men directly to provide support at full speed.
Watching Xuan Sanwu leave, a glint of a smile flashed in Ye Cangtian's eyes, and he also left the headquarters.
...