Almost at the same time, Hong Mo once again approached Xing Yuan.
"Lord Xing Yuan, I believe today's punishment was unfair!"
Hearing Hong Mo's unwilling voice, Xing Yuan cast a cold glance at him and retorted sarcastically, "Truly unfair? Do you really think I'm oblivious to everything?"
At his words, Hong Mo's body trembled instantly.
He had initially thought Xing Yuan had only listened to Xuan Si Yi's account and thus believed he was in the right, allowing him to continue bargaining with Xing Yuan and deal with Po Xiao.
But after hearing this, Hong Mo immediately understood that Xing Yuan had seen through the matter long ago, he just hadn't shown it.
It seemed he had underestimated Xing Yuan.
"Hong Mo, you should understand that I've still been quite lenient with you. Otherwise, do you think Xuan Si Yi's position would still be secure?"
Xing Yuan let out a soft snort.
"Thank you, Lord Xing Yuan. Your subordinate understands."
Upon hearing this, Hong Mo's heart quivered, and he quickly expressed his gratitude.
If Xuan Si Yi were truly taken down by Xing Yuan and replaced, it certainly wouldn't be someone from their faction, especially since Xing Yuan was already displeased with him.
Without Xuan Si Yi, he would lose control of the Public Security Department and thus lose his grip on matters within Ghost City.
In this light, being able to keep Xuan Si Yi was already the best outcome.
With that thought, Hong Mo harbored no more resentment. He cupped his hands and withdrew from the room.
...
Leaving Xing Yuan's room, Hong Mo went to visit Xuan Si Yi.
He was very satisfied with Xuan Si Yi's performance that day.
Although the task assigned to him was not completed, the fact that he managed to counterattack Po Xiao, thereby giving them the initiative, demonstrated Xuan Si Yi's adaptability.
It also showed Xuan Si Yi's absolute loyalty to him.
After all, in such a situation, anyone else would have already betrayed him.
Therefore, facing a loyal subordinate, Hong Mo had to put on a show, even if it was just for the other subordinates to see.
"Lord Hong Mo, Lord Hong Mo, you've finally arrived! You must seek justice for me..."
As Hong Mo entered Xuan Si Yi's room, Xuan Si Yi immediately scrambled up from his bed, latched onto Hong Mo's leg, and cried like a wronged child.
*Creak...*
In an instant, Hong Mo's hands clenched, emitting a metallic clang.
He had thought Xuan Si Yi was a tough, hardened man, but he never expected him to be like this!
What kind of propriety was this behavior between two men!
Moreover, what was a man doing crying and whimpering!
He suddenly felt regret for coming here.
Perhaps sensing Hong Mo's gloomy and displeased expression, Xuan Si Yi quickly let go of his leg.
"Lord Hong Mo, your subordinate has a request. I implore you, Lord Hong Mo, to grant it."
Hm?
Hong Mo's brows furrowed, and a sense of disgust suddenly arose in his heart.
He had just done a favor for him, and now he was asking for rewards? This was too transactional!
But considering the purpose of his visit – to put on a show for all his subordinates – he still reluctantly nodded, looking at the other man with a questioning gaze.
He might as well see what the man wanted first. If it was something simple, agreeing wouldn't be a problem.
Xuan Si Yi tentatively spoke, "Your subordinate wishes to ask Lord Hong Mo to petition Lord Xing Yuan on my behalf for a Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir!"
After saying this, he looked at Hong Mo with longing. The fractured ribs on his chest were not a major issue; a Great Restoration Pill would suffice.
However, the injuries to his lower body were something a Great Restoration Pill could hardly heal.
In his view, only the Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir, which could defy nature's creation, might offer him a sliver of hope to restore his lineage.
Furthermore, he didn't believe this matter would be difficult for Hong Mo.
After all, even Po Xiao had previously petitioned for a Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir for Gui Wu.
What was Po Xiao's status?
Merely an Earth-rank deacon who had just been promoted. How could he compare to Hong Mo, the strongest among the Earth-rank deacons?
Therefore, Xing Yuan might give Hong Mo some face.
Moreover, what was Gui Wu's status? Just a banished dog, with whom he was incomparable.
If Gui Wu could be given a Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir, there was no reason why someone from the Dark Association like himself shouldn't receive one!
As for Hong Mo, Xuan Si Yi saw no reason for him to refuse.
After all, his current predicament was a result of serving Hong Mo. By all rights and reason, Hong Mo should agree to his request.
Besides, he was the head of Ghost City's Public Security Department and would be of great use to Hong Mo in the future...
"What? A Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir!"
"Do you think Nine Revolutions Golden Elixirs are like cabbage and radishes? You can just ask for one if you want it?"
"More importantly, you're not even worthy!"
When Hong Mo heard Xuan Si Yi's request, his teeth trembled with rage.
This was simply a case of not knowing the immensity of heaven and earth!
Who was Gui Wu?
Although he disliked Gui Wu due to Po Xiao, he had to admit her capabilities. She was an internationally renowned prodigy.
And who was Xuan Si Yi?
To put it bluntly, people like Xuan Si Yi were a dime a dozen within the Dark Association.
It was only because of Cheng Hai that Hong Mo had intended to use him for his own purposes.
And this fellow actually aspired to obtain a Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir?
"Lord Hong Mo, your subordinate became like this all for you! If you don't help your subordinate, how many brothers will feel disheartened!"
On the other side, hearing Hong Mo's tone, Xuan Si Yi's expression immediately changed, and anger surged within him.
In his opinion, it would have been good even if Hong Mo had merely tried!
Yet Hong Mo not only refused but rejected him outright.
How could he not be enraged?
"You dare mention this to me again!"
"Without me, you wouldn't be safe! Let alone keeping your position as head of the Public Security Department, you would have lost your life!"
Hong Mo roared angrily.
The mere mention of this matter filled him with ire. He had intended to use this incident to pressure Po Xiao and dampen their spirits, but who would have thought that he himself would be the one being pressured.
Hearing Xuan Si Yi bring this up again, his pent-up rage erupted.
If it weren't for Xuan Si Yi's past loyalty, he would have loved to slap the man to death.
"You..."
His words rendered Xuan Si Yi speechless. He could see that Hong Mo was already furious, and if he persisted, he would completely offend him.
If that happened, he wouldn't fare well, so he could only temporarily back down.
"Hmph!"
"You ignorant cur, learn to be smarter next time!"
"Otherwise, I don't mind changing the head of the Public Security Department!"
Seeing that Xuan Si Yi had fallen silent, Hong Mo snorted coldly, then flicked his large sleeve and stormed out of the room in anger.
"Hong Mo, you are a damn scoundrel!"
After Hong Mo left, Xuan Si Yi, alone in the room, could no longer contain his rage and roared.
He desperately wanted to leave Hong Mo, but he couldn't. After all, having offended Po Xiao, offending Hong Mo would mean death!
...
The next day at noon.
Ye Cang Tian was resting in his room.
Before long, Man Tuo Luo pushed the door open and walked in.
Seeing the excited smile on Man Tuo Luo's face, Ye Cang Tian couldn't help but cast a questioning glance at her and asked, "What's wrong with you?"
"Heh heh, I just got some news. Hong Mo and Xuan Si Yi had a huge argument."
"It seems Xuan Si Yi asked Hong Mo to help him petition for a Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir, and it ended up enraging Hong Mo to the point of a furious outburst..."
Man Tuo Luo smiled gleefully and relayed the news she had received.
Upon hearing this, Ye Cang Tian also chuckled softly. This Xuan Si Yi truly overestimated himself.
With that thought, Ye Cang Tian's gaze swept towards Man Tuo Luo and he said, "You can still find out these things? It seems you've set up quite a few informants in Ghost City recently!"
"Not at all!"
Man Tuo Luo smiled helplessly and explained, "Because Xuan Si Yi kept causing us trouble, we placed an informant at Xuan Si Yi's private residence as a precautionary measure..."
Man Tuo Luo stated that all of this was mostly luck, as the person she had placed was merely a low-ranking servant.
If not for the fierce argument between Hong Mo and Xuan Si Yi, it would have been difficult for that person to get any information.
Regarding the intelligence network, Man Tuo Luo felt rather ashamed. It was truly difficult to find trustworthy intelligence personnel in Ghost City.
After all, Ghost City was a gathering place for various factions. If they recruited people from other factions, they wouldn't be an asset but a ticking time bomb at any moment.
Because of this, the progress in building the intelligence network was extremely slow.
Listening to Man Tuo Luo's words, Ye Cang Tian nodded and said, "You did well. It's not about building it slowly, but it must be with trustworthy people to ensure foolproofness."
"Sir, I do have a way to speed up the recruitment process."
"Your reputation is growing by the day, and many people will come to seek refuge with you. Why not select a group of people from among them?"
Man Tuo Luo said thoughtfully.
If Po Xiao agreed, the issue of personnel for the intelligence network would essentially be resolved.
Moreover, those who sought refuge with Po Xiao were already from various departments, which would save her the trouble of integrating new recruits into different positions...