"Xuan Qi, we've just received news that the Bright Hall has betrayed the alliance and colluded with the Shinobu in secret, playing us for fools..."
As soon as the call connected, Zi Long's furious voice came through.
"Sir, I've also gotten wind of some information. What are our next plans?" Ye Cangtian asked tentatively.
"Head to Higashi, give the Shinobu a taste of their own medicine, and release Kibu."
Zi Long wasn't surprised Ye Cangtian knew the news. The operation's secrecy had long been compromised, and many powers in the world were paying attention, so it was normal for some information to leak.
He directly issued the order to Ye Cangtian.
This was decided jointly after discussions with Lan Yue and Qing Dao.
While they had indeed fallen out with the Shinobu, it wasn't to the point of no return.
This was something Zi Long was currently grateful for: Xuan Qi had neither killed Kibu nor Kezella.
As long as the Dark Association showed goodwill, the Shinobu would be able to swallow their pride.
Go to Higashi and the Shinobu?
Upon hearing the mention of Higashi, Ye Cangtian's expression darkened.
He had no desire to go to the Shinobu, not because he couldn't humble himself, but because he had no inclination to deal with them.
The most important thing for him was to head to the Dark Association, inquire about Shangguan Yanran's whereabouts, and find a way to rescue her.
Going to Higashi might delay things further.
With this thought, Ye Cangtian said, "Lord Zi Long, I don't think I'm suitable for peace talks in Higashi, as I was the one who carried out this operation and captured Kibu."
On the other end of the line, Zi Long fell into thought.
What he said wasn't entirely wrong. Xuan Qi had taught the Rattlesnake mercenary group and the Shinobu a lesson, causing casualties on both sides.
As the saying goes, enemies meet with intensified animosity. If Xuan Qi were to go to Higashi, the Japanese might try to eliminate Xuan Qi before the peace talks even began.
To put it another way, even if Higashi didn't dare to do that, upon seeing Xuan Qi, they might propose even more unreasonable demands to make things difficult for the Dark Association.
Furthermore, Kibu was highly capable, so it was likely that the negotiations and reception would fall upon Kibu.
And Kibu had been captured by Xuan Qi, experiencing humiliation. It was not hard to imagine that Kibu would harbor resentment towards Xuan Qi.
With that in mind, Zi Long slowly said, "Alright, I'll hand over the peace talks to someone else. After you release Kibu, return to Kyoto..."
Upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian quickly agreed and hung up the phone.
*Buzzzzzzz...*
After hanging up, Ye Cangtian was about to say something to Kibu when suddenly, the combat alarm blared.
Ye Cangtian was startled. They were almost back to the base island, how could there still be enemy contact?
Thinking to himself, Ye Cangtian didn't hesitate and rushed to the cockpit.
In the cockpit, Miller was looking through binoculars at the temporary island they had just evacuated from, his expression growing increasingly grim.
Seeing Ye Cangtian approach, Miller quickly walked over and said, "Lord Xuan Qi, our base island has been occupied by the Rattlesnake mercenary group!"
As he spoke, Miller handed over the binoculars.
Ye Cangtian took the binoculars and scanned the area, his expression immediately darkening.
Before the mercenary group departed, a portion of their forces had been left behind to guard the small island.
But now, those who remained were nowhere to be seen, and many Rattlesnake mercenary group flags had been erected around the island.
It was clear that the other side, while they were attacking the headquarters, had sent a surprise force to raid the island where the Caesar mercenary group was stationed.
The next moment, Ye Cangtian's gaze swept towards Kibu, who was following behind.
He saw a look of triumph flash across Kibu's face.
"Did you arrange all of this?" Ye Cangtian asked darkly.
"Yes, it was me!"
Kibu proudly raised her head.
She had long anticipated that the outer forces of the Caesar mercenary group were a feint, meant to deceive.
The real danger of this operation lay with the infiltrators. To be safe, she had found someone to impersonate Kezella.
At the same time, in kind, she wanted to let the Dark Association know that the Shinobu and the Rattlesnake mercenary group were not to be trifled with.
Therefore, she had arranged for the real Kezella to lead a group of people to occupy the island where the Caesar mercenary group was stationed.
This was not only to prove that she was not to be bullied but also possibly to eliminate the forces of the Caesar mercenary group.
"Very good, it seems I underestimated you."
Ye Cangtian shook his head helplessly. He had thought that when faced with a strong enemy, the Rattlesnake mercenary group would do their utmost to defend themselves.
But he hadn't expected them to have a surprise move. He had indeed been careless.
"Heh heh, Xuan Qi, this is not over yet!"
"If you have time, you should pay more attention to the radar. There might be more surprises..."
Kibu smiled faintly, her smile full of triumph.
The attack by the Caesar mercenary group and the Dark Association had ended. Now it was the Rattlesnake mercenary group's counterattack.
Hearing Kibu's words, Ye Cangtian's heart sank. He quickly went to the radar screen.
After a short while, he discovered that on the radar screen, several more bright spots had appeared behind the ships.
These bright spots were scattered around the Caesar mercenary group's warships, forming a encirclement.
"Hahaha, surprised? Shocked?"
Seeing the growing anger in Ye Cangtian and Miller's eyes, Kibu laughed heartily.
This was exactly the effect she wanted!
"I'll kill you!"
On the other side, hearing Kibu's laughter, Miller instantly went berserk. He grabbed a dagger and lunged at Kibu.
Now that the Caesar mercenary group was surrounded, with their combat strength, they could break through the encirclement.
But doing so would undoubtedly result in many brothers falling in battle, something Miller could not tolerate.
Since everything was Kibu's idea, Kibu would have to accompany the brothers who were about to die to the afterlife!
"Xuan Qi, aren't you going to control your dog?"
"If you kill me, you'll have trouble answering for it!"
Facing Miller's attack, Kibu didn't dodge at all. She merely glanced at Ye Cangtian mockingly and said slowly.
She had overheard Ye Cangtian's conversation with Zi Long and knew the Dark Association's attitude towards peace talks with the Shinobu.
If she were killed at this juncture, even if the Bright Hall wasn't pushed to the side of the Shinobu, they would likely have to pay a heavy price in the peace talks to stabilize the Shinobu.
Therefore, Kibu was confident that Xuan Qi would make the correct choice.
*Crack!*
As expected, the next moment, Ye Cangtian flashed in front of Miller and firmly grasped Miller's wrist.
"Lord Xuan Qi, at a time like this, you're still protecting her!"
Miller roared at Ye Cangtian in anger. In his eyes, Xuan Qi was blinded by Kibu's beauty.
*Hmph!*
Ye Cangtian snorted coldly and said darkly, "Lord Zi Long's order was to release Kibu. If you don't believe me, you can contact Lord Zi Long yourself to verify!"
"This is different from before!"
"Even if Kibu is to be released, it would be under circumstances where Lord Zi Long is unaware of the situation here!"
Miller wasn't disbelieving Ye Cangtian's words, but the Dark Association was ready to compromise and negotiate, yet the Rattlesnake mercenary group had taken such retaliatory action, clearly indicating they had no intention of accepting peace talks.
If that was the case, then it was time for a bloodbath.
"Don't get agitated."
"Their current actions likely stem from their ignorance of the Dark Association's attitude, hence the retaliatory actions against us."
"Don't worry, this battle won't happen."
Ye Cangtian patted Miller on the shoulder, then turned his gaze to Kibu and said, "Isn't that right, Miss Kibu!"