Outside the city gates of Jieyin.
When Xuan Sishi hurried over, Hong Mo had just arrived here as well.
Looking at Xuan Sishi's figure, Hong Mo couldn't help but show a hint of approval.
Although there was no grand ceremony, Xuan Sishi greeting him at the city gates and personally leading his horse was enough to show Xuan Sishi's desire to defect.
At this moment, he found Xuan Sishi more and more pleasing to the eye.
Everything had been going smoothly, but the citizens of the city started pointing and whispering.
"Tsk tsk tsk, Xuan Sishi really has a knack for leading horses. He's welcomed important figures for two consecutive days."
"Heh, what important figure is this? Yesterday's was the real important figure!"
"Exactly, exactly. To welcome yesterday's lord, Xuan Sishi spent three to four days setting things up, with a ten-mile red carpet, leading the horse, and even mobilizing the citizens within the city!"
"I heard that's not all. Many families, persuaded by Xuan Sishi, also offered up quite a few treasures..."
The babbling voices of the surrounding citizens reached him, and Xuan Sishi's expression instantly turned extremely grim.
If even he could hear them clearly, how could Hong Mo on horseback not?
Thinking this, he subtly glanced at Hong Mo. Hong Mo, riding his warhorse, looked mighty and imposing, maintaining a smile on his face and continuously waving to the surrounding citizens.
This made Xuan Sishi feel a bit more relaxed.
Regardless, Hong Mo remained very composed and did not embarrass him in public.
However, the smile on Hong Mo's face only lasted until they reached the branch. The moment he stepped through the entrance of the branch, his entire face turned as cold as ice.
"Xuan Sishi, tell me, who did you welcome yesterday?"
"Who was it that warranted such a grand reception, with a red carpet and a horse led, and the talk of families offering treasures!"
Hong Mo roared in anger. He had been suppressing his inner fury all the way, and it finally erupted at this moment.
In his opinion, within the entire Dark Ruins, no one could receive better treatment than him, except for Xing Yuan!
Firstly, his status in the Dark Association was second only to Xing Yuan.
Secondly, Xuan Sishi had shown a desire to defect, and he had extended an olive branch to Xuan Sishi, making Xuan Sishi his subordinate.
To treat someone else with higher treatment and courtesy than one's immediate superior – wasn't that clearly outshining him?
How could Hong Mo tolerate this!
"Lord Hong Mo, please let me explain, everything yesterday..."
On the other side, Xuan Sishi, questioned by Hong Mo, was so nervous that he was about to explain when he suddenly saw a familiar figure.
That figure was also wearing a golden mask. It was none other than Po Xiao!
Seeing Po Xiao arrive, Xuan Sishi's words instantly came to a halt.
He had originally intended to say that everything yesterday was prepared for Hong Mo, but Hong Mo had not arrived, and Po Xiao had arrived first, so he had welcomed Po Xiao.
However, with Po Xiao right in front of him now, if he said that, he would not only offend Po Xiao but also put an end to his own life.
He knew that he had disturbed Po Xiao's breakthrough yesterday. Although Po Xiao hadn't severely punished him, he must have been extremely displeased.
If he offended Po Xiao again at this moment, even an immortal couldn't save him!
On the other side, when Hong Mo discovered Po Xiao slowly emerging from the inner courtyard, he immediately understood everything.
Needless to say, Xuan Sishi had created such a grand spectacle yesterday to welcome Po Xiao.
Thinking of this, Hong Mo's anger instantly blazed like a raging fire, making him almost go mad.
In the Dark Association, he had always considered Po Xiao his archenemy.
Now, his subordinate was giving someone else more treatment and respect than he himself received. Wasn't that clearly showing that he was less important than Po Xiao?
However, even though his heart was filled with rage, Hong Mo managed to control himself.
Firstly, he couldn't let Po Xiao laugh at him.
Secondly, Xuan Sishi was still useful and couldn't be dealt with for the time being.
The next moment, his gaze fell upon Ye Cangtian, and he said darkly, "Po Xiao, if I recall correctly, Zhang Fan's mission was assigned to me. Why are you here?"
Seeing their different expressions, Ye Cangtian's face beneath the mask broke into a smile.
He had stayed precisely to witness this.
Hearing Hong Mo's question, Ye Cangtian replied with a smile, "It's nothing. Lord Xing Yuan just gave me an external mission. Don't worry, I haven't inquired about Zhang Fan's matter in the slightest!"
Hearing that Po Xiao was not here to steal his thunder, Hong Mo's expression improved considerably. He said grimly, "Since that's the case, please proceed. I have important matters to attend to."
"Important matters? What important matters are there!"
Ye Cangtian sneered and continued, "Hong Mo, you're a day late. I heard that Ye Cangtian arrived here yesterday and forced the jailer to kill Zhang Fan. Then, in front of Xuan Sishi and hundreds of guards, he left at leisure..."
This...
Upon hearing Po Xiao's words, Xuan Sishi's face turned deathly pale.
He had been thinking about how to explain himself to Hong Mo and shift all the blame, so as to avoid Hong Mo's wrath.
But with Po Xiao saying this, all his little schemes were shattered.
The most disgusting part was that he couldn't refute anything, because everything Po Xiao said was the truth.
"Is what he said true?"
As expected, Hong Mo's icy gaze fell upon him the next moment.
"Yes..."
Hearing Hong Mo's question, Xuan Sishi lowered his head and continued trembling, "Lord Hong Mo, it's not that your subordinate is incompetent, it's just..."
"Pah!"
"If you're not incompetent, what are you!"