Chapter 1021: Quarrel
The Underworld Office in Gu Mo City originally only had five Night Watchers left. Now, with one more dead, only four remain.
Although the strength of a Night Watcher was nothing in Yang Haoran's eyes, he was currently short on manpower. He was even shorter on skilled and experienced Night Watchers. With one less, it was naturally not good news for him.
However, since the matter had already occurred, all he could do was accept it. There was no other way.
Yang Haoran nodded at Lu Wu, indicating he understood, then his gaze shifted to the three Night Watchers Lu Wu had brought back.
As he observed these three Night Watchers, they were also observing him. He still wore his usual faint smile, but their expressions were vastly different from his. When they looked at him, there was a hint of doubt mixed with their shock.
Yang Haoran knew that the three didn't fully believe his identity, hence their internal skepticism. Regarding this situation, he didn't want to suppress them with force; that wasn't his style. Just as he had treated Lu Wu earlier, he smiled, took out the Underworld Iron Tome, found the transfer order, and then waved his hand to send the Underworld Iron Tome before the three.
"Regarding my identity, you've all heard it from Lu Wu, and I can understand your doubts. However, after reading the transfer order in this Underworld Iron Tome, I hope you will no longer question my identity."
Yang Haoran said with a smile. Among the three, the woman was much bolder than the other two men. Upon hearing Yang Haoran's words, she first bowed slightly to him, then waved her hand, summoning the Underworld Iron Tome before herself, carefully examining the transfer order within.
With a look of delight, the woman held the Underworld Iron Tome in both hands and respectfully presented it before Yang Haoran, dropping to one knee directly in front of him.
"Your subordinate, Shui Ling, greets God Envoy Yang!"
The woman's voice was melodious and pleasant to listen to. As her voice faded, she held the Underworld Iron Tome high, her intention clear: she no longer questioned Yang Haoran's identity, and thus he could take the Underworld Iron Tome back.
The sudden shift in this woman, Shui Ling's, attitude towards Yang Haoran caused the faces of the other two to change instantly. Although they hadn't looked at the transfer order in the Underworld Iron Tome, seeing Shui Ling's reaction, they knew Yang Haoran's identity couldn't be false. Thus, they hastily knelt on one knee as well, saluting Yang Haoran.
"Greetings, God Envoy Yang!"
Yang Haoran smiled, his gaze sweeping over the two men.
"Heh, you two aren't going to look at the transfer order in the Underworld Iron Tome?"
Upon hearing this, one of the men immediately replied:
"Shui Ling has already confirmed the God Envoy's identity. Your subordinates dare not harbor any further doubt regarding the God Envoy's identity!"
Yang Haoran smiled, withdrawing his gaze from the two men, then looked at Shui Ling, who was kneeling before him on one knee. With a gentle wave of his hand, the Underworld Iron Tome, which Shui Ling had held high, disappeared into his personal space.
"Heh, Shui Ling, is it? It seems these two trust you very much, and you seem to trust them a lot too."
Yang Haoran said with a smile. The reason he said this was because after Shui Ling read the transfer order in the Underworld Iron Tome, she showed no intention of letting the other two see it. And the other two, likewise, showed no desire to see the Underworld Iron Tome, simply believing his identity directly. From this, it was highly likely that Shui Ling was their leader, though he didn't directly point it out, but rather expressed it in a subtle way.
"God Envoy's eyes are like torches. Shui Ling indeed trusts these two, and they, too, trust Shui Ling."
Shui Ling retracted her hands and replied respectfully to Yang Haoran. Although she tried her best to control her inner emotions, her voice still trembled slightly. This showed just how unsettled her heart was at that moment.
Yang Haoran could somewhat understand Shui Ling's feelings. Anyone in such a desperate situation would surely feel unwell internally. Now, his appearance brought hope, like a drowning person suddenly finding a lifeline. How could their emotions not be stirred?
"You all may rise. If you have anything to say, please say it standing."
Yang Haoran said with a smile. Upon hearing this, the three stood up straight.
"After receiving the orders from above, I immediately rushed to Gu Mo City. However, it seems I still arrived a bit late. For that, I apologize. You've all worked hard during this time."
Yang Haoran smiled faintly. Although there was a faint smile on his face, this smile didn't convey happiness or mockery, but rather a hint of sorrow.
"As Night Watchers of the Underworld Office, we have long been prepared to sacrifice ourselves for our God, even if it means Soul Transformation. A little hardship is nothing at all. To be honest, it is we who have failed the Underworld Office. The temple was destroyed, the idol toppled, believers massacred, and even we Night Watchers have been hiding like stray dogs. We have brought utter shame upon the Underworld Office."
Shui Ling's face was filled with shame. Although her voice was pleasant, as she spoke these words, it carried a deep weariness, an unspeakable bitterness that completely overshadowed its original beauty.
"You know you've disgraced us? I told you long ago, hiding only makes people laugh and brings shame upon our Underworld Office. Instead of hiding, it's better to fight them head-on, even if we all die at the hands of the Spirit Masters. No one would call the Night Watchers of Gu Mo City's Underworld Office cowards. But you, you just wouldn't listen, insisting on hiding. What's the result? Now only three of you are left; everyone else is dead!"
Shui Ling's words made Lu Wu unable to hold back. His voice carried obvious anger, clearly indicating his strong dissatisfaction with Shui Ling.
Shui Ling, who had just been full of shame, immediately paled upon hearing Lu Wu's words, her brows furrowing tightly. The faces of the other two also turned grim in that instant.
"Lu Wu, you're just a thoughtless brute! Shui Ling had her reasons for doing what she did. If you don't understand, don't talk nonsense in front of the God Envoy. If we had truly done as you suggested, then. . ."
The man beside Shui Ling spoke, his anger at Lu Wu's accusation evident, so he couldn't help but retaliate. However, his words were cut short when Shui Ling raised her hand to stop him.
"If there had been any other way, I wouldn't have led them to act like cowards. But I had no choice. I had to try my best to keep as many Night Watchers alive as possible, because I always believed our God wouldn't abandon us. A God Envoy would surely come to Gu Mo City to support us. Once reinforcements arrived, that would be the time for our Gu Mo City Underworld Office to turn the tide. Everything we lost could be reclaimed. But what if we all died? When reinforcements arrived in Gu Mo City, who would meet them? If we were indeed found and slain by the Spirit Masters, then so be it. But the Spirit Masters clearly didn't find us, so why would we foolishly go to our deaths?"
Shui Ling's words also carried a hint of anger, and this anger was naturally directed at Lu Wu.
Lu Wu sneered coldly, then said:
"Don't make excuses for your cowardice. In my opinion, you're just afraid of death!"
Lu Wu's words ignited a strong surge of anger in Shui Ling's heart, and her tone changed accordingly, becoming more scathing than before.
"I'm afraid of death? Fine, I'm afraid of death. You, Lu Wu, aren't afraid of death, then let me ask you, why did all the Night Watchers who followed you die, leaving only you alive?"
These words caused Lu Wu's face to darken instantly. His brows furrowed tightly, and anger blazed in his eyes. This matter was a scar on his heart; normally, he would try his best to avoid it, lest it bring up painful memories. But now, Shui Ling had brutally ripped open that wound. How could he not be furious?
"Heh heh, you two, now is not the time to quarrel."
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