Words That Shock
Yang Haoran's slander made Zuo Meng frown deeply, and a cold glint radiated from her eyes.
"I've already made it very clear just now," she stated. "These people weren't killed by us, nor would we ever use such cruel methods. When we arrived, they were already in this state. And we only got here a moment before you did. Do you understand now?"
Zuo Meng spoke with great confidence, for it was indeed the truth, yet Yang Haoran didn't buy it.
"Do you think I would believe you?"
Yang Haoran asked Zuo Meng, a faint smile playing on his face.
The fury in Zuo Meng's heart instantly escalated another notch because of Yang Haoran's words. She patiently explained, precisely because she didn't want their Holy Mother Cult to shoulder this false accusation, lest it spread and negatively impact their reputation. Yet, Yang Haoran simply refused to believe her explanation.
"I thought the Underworld Office would send someone formidable to Gu Mo City," Zuo Meng snapped again. "I never imagined they'd send an idiot like you! Everything I just said is the truth, believe it or not!"
Zuo Meng spoke again; this time, her tone wasn't merely angry. She was outright attacking Yang Haoran personally with her words, revealing just how intense the rage in her heart truly was.
When Lu Wu heard Zuo Meng insult Yang Haoran so brazenly, he immediately flared with rage, his Spirit Power erupting from his body, ready to strike Zuo Meng.
The two sides were already in a standoff. When Lu Wu suddenly unleashed his Spirit Power, the Holy Mother Cult's Saint Disciples, who had been on high alert, also erupted with their own Saintly Power. The situation immediately grew tense, with battle on the verge of erupting.
Yang Haoran grabbed Lu Wu, who had been about to strike. Lu Wu dared not defy Yang Haoran's wishes, so after glaring furiously at Zuo Meng, he reluctantly retreated.
Zuo Meng coldly watched Lu Wu, the anger in her heart making her want to strike. She took a deep breath, ultimately suppressing the urge to lash out.
Lu Wu's earlier insults had already greatly displeased her, and now that he had called them 'bitches' again, it truly made her want to kill him.
As a member of the Holy Mother Cult, she valued her reputation and chastity more than her own life. Lu Wu's repeated accusations of them being 'bitches' naturally ignited her fury. If Saint Xia Xinger hadn't given her prior instructions, she surely would have taught Lu Wu a harsh lesson right then and there.
"I advise you," Zuo Meng warned, "while I still have my wits about me, you'd best clean up your mouth. Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite."
Lu Wu, with his fiery temper, wouldn't tolerate such threats. Had Yang Haoran not stopped him first, he would have definitely struck. Whether he could defeat his opponent was one thing, but he would certainly have tried!
"Heh heh, let me give you a friendly reminder," Yang Haoran said with a smile. "Instead of threatening my people, you should first consider your own situation. Hand over their souls, or none of you will leave this place today."
Yang Haoran spoke with a smile. His words were a naked threat, and their intensity far surpassed Zuo Meng's.
"Are you sick? " Zuo Meng burst out. "How else do I need to explain for you to understand? And this is our Holy Mother Cult's territory, not your Underworld Office's! You're sneaking around hiding here, and we haven't even settled accounts with you yet, but you're acting like you own the place. I think it's *your* situation you should be considering, not mine!"
As Zuo Meng spoke, she could no longer suppress the anger in her heart. Yang Haoran's idiocy both enraged and dumbfounded her. Unwilling to continue wasting words on him, she simply stopped restraining her inner fury.
"Take them down! Don't let a single one of them leave!"
Zuo Meng gave the order, intending to set up a restrictive barrier here to prevent Yang Haoran and his companions from escaping. However, just then, the space in front of her suddenly trembled violently, and a spatial rift appeared.
She dared not be overconfident. Grabbing the Saint Disciple next to her, she flashed to the side, putting some distance between herself and the spatial rift. She didn't know who the newcomer was, so maintaining distance was the most rational approach. If the arrival turned out to be an enemy rather than a friend, she would have time to react effectively.
A figure stepped out from the spatial rift. When Zuo Meng clearly saw who it was, she let out a sigh of relief.
The newcomer was none other than Saint Xia Xinger, the Saint of their Holy Mother Cult in Gu Mo City!
"Greetings, Divine Envoy!"
All the Saint Disciples present, including Zuo Meng, bowed deeply to Xia Xinger. Xia Xinger responded softly, then swept her gaze across the small courtyard. When she saw the withered corpses sprawled haphazardly on the ground, her brow furrowed slightly.
"What happened here?"
Xia Xinger asked softly. Although the scene before her surprised her somewhat, she showed no loss of composure, appearing remarkably calm and collected.
Upon hearing this, Zuo Meng immediately moved to Xia Xinger's side and began to explain in a low voice.
At the same time, Shui Ling was quietly introducing Xia Xinger to Yang Haoran beside him.
"Divine Envoy," Shui Ling began, "this person is Saint Xia Xinger of the Holy Mother Cult in Gu Mo City. It is said her power is terrifying. Some claim she has reached the pinnacle of the Saint realm, while others say she has already broken through the Saint realm and achieved the Divine Envoy realm. Both her status and power far surpass mine, so I've had no opportunity to spar with her and cannot confirm the rumors. However, it's certain that she is incredibly powerful, Divine Envoy, so you must be careful."
Yang Haoran nodded slightly, signaling to Shui Ling that he understood. Zuo Meng, meanwhile, had finished explaining the situation to Xia Xinger. At that moment, their gazes met.
As their four eyes met, Yang Haoran wore a faint smile, composed and unhurried. Xia Xinger's slightly furrowed brow had smoothed out at some point, and she too appeared completely calm.
"I am Xia Xinger of the Holy Mother Cult," she said. "May I ask how to address you, Divine Envoy?"
Xia Xinger's voice was light and soft, like a warm spring breeze, giving a very comfortable feeling. She first briefly introduced herself, then inquired about Yang Haoran's name.
"Underworld Office, Yang Haoran."
Yang Haoran responded with a faint smile. He had no intention of concealing his identity from Xia Xinger. At this stage, concealment would be largely useless, merely an act of 'burying one's head in the sand'.
"So it is Divine Envoy Yang," Xia Xinger said. "For a Divine Envoy to choose to visit my humble abode upon arriving in Gu Mo City, I am truly honored. However, given your esteemed status, there's no need for such stealth. It can easily lead to misunderstandings."
Xia Xinger spoke, her voice utterly calm, betraying no emotion, like a serene lake surface without a single ripple.
Of course, Yang Haoran understood the unspoken meaning behind her words. His expression unchanged, he responded with a faint smile.
"Heh heh, I chose to come here, and to do so covertly, because I'm certain Saint Xia knows the reason why."
Xia Xinger was silent for a moment, then finally nodded gently to Yang Haoran.
"Though I cannot be entirely certain, I can guess some of it. This place was originally your Underworld Office's territory. It's understandable for Divine Envoy Yang, as an Emissary of Death of the Underworld Office, to come and see it after arriving in Gu Mo City."
Upon hearing this, Yang Haoran responded with a smile.
"Heh heh, Divine Envoy Xia is right," Yang Haoran said. "This place was indeed our Underworld Office's territory once, but that was merely in the past, not now. Presently, this is your Holy Mother Cult's domain."
"Divine Envoy Yang is correct," Xia Xinger stated. "This place does indeed belong to our Holy Mother Cult now. However, since Divine Envoy Yang has arrived, I shall return it to its rightful owner. I will give back the territory that originally belonged to your Underworld Office."
Xia Xinger's words astonished everyone present, even Yang Haoran himself.
"Divine Envoy, this. . ."
Upon hearing this, Zuo Meng's heart tightened. She wanted to speak and persuade Xia Xinger, but before she could finish, Xia Xinger cut her off with a wave of her hand.
Lu Wu, realizing what was happening, revealed a look of ecstatic joy on his face. Shui Ling, though similarly surprised and delighted, also harbored doubts, for she couldn't be sure if Xia Xinger's words were true or false.
Although Yang Haoran was somewhat surprised, his astonishment wasn't overly intense, and he didn't let the surprise in his heart show on his face.
Like Shui Ling, he too harbored some doubts about the truthfulness of Xia Xinger's words. Furthermore, he wondered if Xia Xinger had some other agenda.
"Heh heh, Divine Envoy Xia isn't joking with me, are you? Are you truly willing to return this territory to our Underworld Office?"
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