Time quickly turned to night.
Guiwu had long been waiting at the Huatian Teahouse. Originally, her command had been revoked, and Sasaki should have been the one to negotiate.
However, Guiwu was Sasaki's beloved disciple, and Sasaki had fought for her to have a chance to redeem herself.
Otherwise, if she returned to Dongying like this, Guiwu would have faced severe punishment and her life would have been ruined.
Ye Cangtian arrived on time. As soon as he reached the bottom of the teahouse, he spotted a familiar figure, Nanxi from the Guangming Hall.
Following Nanxi was a stranger, his eyes filled with ferocity, exuding a strong killing intent. If he guessed correctly, this was a professional assassin!
On the other side, Nanxi also saw Ye Cangtian, and she immediately stopped in her tracks.
"Xuanqi, why are you here!"
Nanxi's face was icy, her small fists clenched and trembling.
The sight of Xuanqi brought back the infuriating memories she had in Dongying.
If it weren't for the important business at hand, she would have torn him limb from limb right then and there.
"Heh heh, believe it or not, I'm just here to join the fun?"
Ye Cangtian looked at Nanxi playfully.
"I believe you."
"But as an 'old friend,' I'll kindly advise you to leave immediately. Otherwise, you might just die here!"
Nanxi cast a cold glance and spoke.
In her opinion, the other party had received some information and had come specifically to disrupt things. How could she tolerate that!
She knew that privately challenging Ye Cangtian to a duel had already displeased Bedra. If this mediation effort also went wrong, her life would become even more difficult.
It might even completely shatter her reputation as a 'heavenly chosen daughter.'
Therefore, she had to drive Xuanqi away and minimize the probability of unexpected events.
"Heh heh, many people want me dead, but you're not enough."
Ye Cangtian glanced at Nanxi, let out a cold laugh, and then ignored her, striding into the teahouse.
"You..."
This remark instantly ignited Nanxi's anger, causing her body to tremble even more violently. She desperately tried to control herself and maintain her composure.
Now was not the time to act. After a moment, she slowly walked into the teahouse.
Creak!
As Nanxi pushed open the private room door, she was once again stunned.
Xuanqi, whom she had just encountered, was actually inside the room. This was truly beyond her expectations.
But she wasn't foolish. She instantly understood everything. It must be that the Rengong had leaked the news of this reconciliation to the Dark Association, otherwise Xuanqi wouldn't be sitting here.
"Haha, Miss Nanxi, what a coincidence! We meet again."
Ye Cangtian's teasing voice came. Nanxi snorted coldly but did not respond.
Her gaze remained fixed on Guiwu, and she asked faintly, "Guiwu, what is the meaning of this? I demand an explanation!"
In her view, after the Rengong and Guangming Hall had colluded to trap the Dark Association last time, they should have established some kind of relationship.
Even if it hadn't reached the level of an alliance for mutual defense and long-term cooperation, at least they wouldn't be leaning towards the Dark Association like the Rengong was.
But everything now told her that the actual situation was more dire than she had imagined.
"Nanxi, don't be in such a hurry!"
"Things are just as you see them. The Rengong and the Dark Association have joined forces!"
On the other side, facing Nanxi's questioning, Guiwu smiled slightly and stepped forward.
"Guiwu, you should speak cautiously!"
"If the Rengong joins forces with the Dark Association, it means betraying the Guangming Hall. Can you bear the consequences?"
Upon hearing this, Nanxi immediately exploded, her low reprimand filled with anger.
"The Rengong betrays the Guangming Hall?"
"If I recall correctly, the Guangming Hall also participated in the battle against the Heavenly Net."
"Strictly speaking, it was the Guangming Hall that betrayed the Rengong. Since that is the case, the Rengong naturally has the right to seek new partners!"
Guiwu's gaze flickered towards Nanxi, her eyes unwavering. She continued, "In any case, this is how things are now. If you think this reconciliation is unnecessary, then so be it!"
This...
These consecutive statements left Nanxi speechless.
She truly hadn't expected Guiwu to be so assertive. After all, the Rengong, which supported Guiwu, was definitely no match for the Guangming Hall behind her.
Yet, she was powerless to do anything.
For this reconciliation, Bedra had personally contacted the Heavenly Net headquarters and made countless promises before the Heavenly Net was willing to negotiate with the Rengong.
It was also the Heavenly Net headquarters' decision that forced Carol, who was in Huaxia, to change her overbearing attitude.
"May I ask one more thing."
"Is the Rengong's cooperation with the Dark Association temporary or long-term?"
After a long silence, Nanxi finally managed to suppress her anger and asked.
If this was a long-term partnership, then there was no point in reconciling.
The Rengong would become a mortal enemy of the Guangming Hall, and the Guangming Hall would have no reason to mediate. The breakdown of negotiations would have nothing to do with her.
"Temporary."
Guiwu hesitated for a moment before slowly replying.
She knew that this answer would displease the Dark Association, but there was nothing she could do.
If she gave the other answer, the Guangming Hall would no longer hold back against the Rengong, and the Rengong's casualties would undoubtedly be greater.
As someone who was still paying for her past mistakes, she couldn't bear that responsibility.
"Alright, then let's begin now."
Upon hearing this answer, Nanxi's expression softened considerably.
Since it was a temporary cooperation, there was still a possibility for the Guangming Hall to mend its relationship with the Rengong.
At that point, it would simply be a matter of each side using their own methods against the Dark Association.
As everyone sat down, Nanxi began to introduce the man beside her. The man's codename was - Ying.
He was the strongest in the Heavenly Net, aside from the two Killing Gods and the Young Master of the Heavenly Net.
"Can he represent the Heavenly Net?"
"If it's Carol who came, that would be acceptable, right?"
Guiwu looked at Nanxi and asked.
She did feel a sense of threat from Ying, especially from his cold eyes, which gave her the feeling of a venomous snake.
However, she still expressed doubt as to whether this was enough to represent the Heavenly Net.
Hearing this, Nanxi's expression changed. In fact, even she didn't understand why Carol hadn't shown up and instead sent Ying.
After all, among the people present, only Ying was unknown. Everyone else could represent their respective forces.
Xuanqi was a key figure being cultivated by the Dark Association, and she and Nanxi were both hailed as heavenly chosen daughters.
The status of these three in their respective factions was much higher than that of Ying.
Therefore, Guiwu's doubt was understandable.
Seeing everyone's gaze focused on him, Ying slowly stood up from his seat.
"Everyone, my status in the Heavenly Net is second only to the Young Master of the Heavenly Net."
"It's just that I'm usually not very high-profile and don't have much fame."
"So please, stop questioning!"
As his voice spread, everyone's gaze subtly changed. They all understood the meaning behind his words.
What did it mean to be second only to the Young Master of the Heavenly Net?
Now that the Young Master of the Heavenly Net had been killed, this person was likely the new Young Master of the Heavenly Net, the one who would inherit and manage the Heavenly Net in the future.
With such a status, he was no less than the other three.
On the other side, Ye Cangtian's gaze was fixed on Ying, and a hint of a smile crossed his lips. He sensed something different.
When the other party introduced himself, his eyes clearly flashed with excitement, a genuine excitement.
Needless to say, he wasn't sad about the death of the Young Master of the Heavenly Net, but rather joyous.
The reason he didn't claim to be the Young Master of the Heavenly Net was likely because the Heavenly Net hadn't issued a formal appointment yet, meaning the higher-ups didn't yet recognize his abilities.
Therefore, in Ye Cangtian's view, the other party's visit to Huaxia was to demonstrate his abilities, or rather, it was a test given to him by the Heavenly Net.
Only after passing the test would the higher-ups of the Heavenly Net grant him the status of Young Master of the Heavenly Net.
Then, he considered how to demonstrate his abilities.
It was nothing more than doing two things.
First, avenge the Young Master of the Heavenly Net by killing Ye Cangtian.
Second, deliver a heavy blow to the Rengong.
The former was too difficult, and if the other party wasn't an idiot, he wouldn't choose it.
Therefore, Ying would definitely choose the latter.
Since he intended to strike the Rengong, this mediation would completely fail, which was exactly what he wanted.