Three days later.
Outside the city gate of Jieyin City, in the direction of Chaogui City, red carpets stretched endlessly. Along both sides of the carpet, guards stood at intervals of several meters, seemingly awaiting the arrival of someone important.
Ye Cangtian, astride his warhorse, surveyed the scene before him with a faint smile.
It seemed Xuan Shisi had gone to great lengths to curry favor with Hong Mo.
However, it was all in vain. Hong Mo had been left behind due to various unforeseen events and wouldn't arrive for at least another day!
Yet, seeing the grand display before him, Xuan Shisi was unaware of this fact!
As Ye Cangtian mused to himself, the guards in front of him were completely bewildered.
Their orders were to welcome Lord Hong Mo, but the person who appeared before them was Po Xiao. What had happened?
Hadn't Lord Xing Yuan assigned this matter to Lord Hong Mo…
After a long hesitation, a guard finally stepped forward. He first bowed respectfully to Ye Cangtian, then, summoning his courage, inquired about Hong Mo's whereabouts.
Hearing the guard's question, Ye Cangtian snorted coldly and said grimly, "What right do you have to ask such a thing? Announce Xuan Shisi to come out of the city to welcome me!"
With just a single sentence, the guard trembled.
They then recalled the rumors within the Dark Association, which spoke of a very poor relationship between Hong Mo and Po Xiao, and that they had even clashed before Lord Xing Yuan on several occasions.
It seemed to be true now.
With that thought, the guard quickly and respectfully said, "Lord Po Xiao, please wait a moment. I will go and inform Lord Xuan Shisi immediately."
With that, the guard mounted his warhorse and galloped towards Jieyin City.
It was a joke; none of them dared to offend Po Xiao! It was best to report the matter to Xuan Shisi for a decision.
On the city wall, Xuan Shisi was stunned when the guard breathlessly reported the incident involving Po Xiao.
His gaze shifted to a guard beside him, his eyes gradually filling with confusion as he asked, "Are you sure it was Lord Hong Mo who was coming, and not Po Xiao?"
Xuan Shisi was now completely bewildered.
Xing Yuan would absolutely not dispatch two Earth-level enforcers for such a matter. Why would Po Xiao appear?
The guard beside him quickly replied, "My lord, I am very sure it was Lord Hong Mo. Moreover, before I left, Lord Hong Mo even hosted me for a banquet and informed me of the estimated arrival time, so…"
As he spoke, a flash of inspiration struck the guard, and he quickly added, "My lord, do you think it's possible that Lord Xing Yuan changed his mind and reassigned this matter to Lord Po Xiao?"
Hmm?
Xuan Shisi was taken aback again. They had no way of knowing such things!
However, since things had come to this, he could only think in that direction.
But if that were the case, he could only brace himself to welcome Po Xiao. Although Po Xiao hadn't extended an olive branch, he couldn't ignore him!
After all, a ten-mile red carpet had been laid out. If he didn't go to meet him, Po Xiao would surely be displeased.
"Have all the brothers prepare to welcome Lord Po Xiao."
With that, Xuan Shisi descended the city wall, mounted his warhorse, and galloped away.
The ten-mile distance would not take long under the gallop of warhorses.
When Xuan Shisi reached the end of the red carpet, Ye Cangtian was smoking under the shade of a tree.
He quickly stepped forward, clasped his hands in a respectful bow, and said, "Xuan Shisi greets Lord Po Xiao. I have arrived late, and I beg for your forgiveness, my lord."
Ye Cangtian tapped the ash from his cigarette and glanced at Xuan Shisi, asking, "Is this entire display your doing? Who are you expecting?"
"Yes."
Xuan Shisi nodded repeatedly, a fawning expression on his face. "My lord, I prepared all of this to welcome you, my lord. It is all for you."
"Ah? For me?"
Ye Cangtian feigned confusion and continued, "I am merely carrying out the mission assigned by Lord Xing Yuan. You didn't need to go to such lengths, did you?"
Upon mentioning Xing Yuan, Xuan Shisi's conviction grew stronger that Po Xiao had indeed replaced Hong Mo in handling Zhang Fan's affairs.
So, he quickly stepped forward and said, "Lord Po Xiao, please do not doubt me. I am here to welcome you. You have taken care of me on several occasions, and I have no way to repay you except to offer a small token of hospitality. Please do not find it wanting, Lord Po Xiao."
"Alas, fine. You are thoughtful."
"Let's leave it at that for this time, but we agree, you cannot do this again. I do not like such scenes; it is a waste of resources and manpower."
"Especially these guards, they are all here to assist Jieyin City. What is the point of them coming to welcome me! If they are here, who will be responsible for the safety of Jieyin City!"
Ye Cangtian sighed, accepting it with great reluctance, even showing a hint of anger on his face.
"My lord, rest assured, the safety of Jieyin City is absolutely fine. Moreover, I promise you, my lord, that after your arrival, these people will immediately clear the scene and return to their posts…"
Seeing the displeasure flash in Po Xiao's eyes, Xuan Shisi quickly stepped forward and said.
Upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian slowly nodded and said, "Let's go, back to the branch first."
Hmph!
Hypocritical. He claims not to like such things, yet he still enjoys the scene of being welcomed?
If he has the guts, let him dismiss everyone now…
Muttering to himself, Xuan Shisi smiled servilely on the surface, then stepped forward, personally leading Po Xiao's horse, and walked slowly along the red carpet.
Instantly, drums and bugles sounded, and the fervent, excited shouts of the soldiers were incessant.
Upon entering Jieyin City, countless citizens, gathered outside the perimeter of the guards, enthusiastically waved their flowers, creating a grand and solemn spectacle.
Most of these citizens were closely associated with the Dark Association.
Now that even Xuan Shisi personally led the horse for someone, it was giving them ample respect. How could they dare not show respect?
…
Jieyin City Branch.
In the spacious and brightly lit hall, quite a few people had already gathered.
These were representatives or leaders from various families and forces closely allied with the Dark Association.
They had come to attend a banquet, originally to welcome Hong Mo. But upon seeing Po Xiao, everyone was taken aback.
However, strictly speaking, they did not care much about these matters.
Whether it was Hong Mo or Po Xiao, in their hearts, they were all the same.
It didn't matter who they welcomed or for whom they prepared gifts; they could always gain favor and become familiar with the other party. That was enough.
On the other side, beside the main seat of the banquet, Xuan Shisi was somewhat restless.
Earlier, Po Xiao had told him that he disliked large gatherings of people. Now, with a hall full of people, he was truly worried that Po Xiao might lose his temper.
But there was nothing he could do about it. Who was to blame when Hong Mo didn't come, but Po Xiao did?
Everything had happened too suddenly, and he hadn't had time to change it. He could only brace himself and endure.
Fortunately, Po Xiao did not say much about these matters.
Although Po Xiao was somewhat taciturn at the banquet, overall, he was giving him a good deal of face.
Finally, the banquet concluded, and everyone had left the room, leaving only Xuan Shisi behind.
"Lord Po Xiao, I have made all the necessary arrangements for Zhang Fan. Do you plan to interrogate him now, or shall we discuss it another day?"
Xuan Shisi hesitated for a moment before asking.
He knew that his previous preparations were merely supplementary and essentially useless. The secrets revealed by Zhang Fan were the true best gift.
Therefore, he specifically inquired, as Po Xiao had traveled a long distance and was likely eager.
Hmm?
Ye Cangtian looked at Xuan Shisi with confusion and then said, "Wasn't Zhang Fan's matter handed over to Hong Mo? Wouldn't it be inappropriate for me to see Zhang Fan?"