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Chapter 1106: The Final Explanation

A disdainful voice drifted from the spatial rift, then a figure emerged from it. The newcomer was an old woman. From her appearance, she seemed to be at least eighty-something, her body hunched, face covered in wrinkles, and most of her teeth missing. Though her speech was slurred, the mockery and disdain in her tone were unmistakably clear.

Cao Ze watched the old woman, his expression anything but pleased. He had clearly heard the disdain and mockery in her words, and being openly ridiculed by name in front of so many people, his face was understandably grim.

"Hmph, if an old coot like you can survive in Gu Mo City, why can't I? "

Cao Ze didn't stay silent. He immediately retorted, matching the old woman's sarcasm.

This old woman was a well-known exorcist in Gu Mo City. While not the strongest, there weren't many exorcists in Gu Mo City who surpassed her.

Precisely because of her reputation in this field, many people tried everything to become her disciple. For various reasons, she rejected some, but a portion successfully joined her tutelage.

She was an old resident of Gu Mo City, so Cao Ze naturally recognized her. Moreover, the two had previously clashed over interests, which meant their relationship had always been rather strained.

Thus, when the old woman scoffed at Cao Ze, he was not to be outdone. Without even thinking, he retaliated with remarkably impolite language.

"Old woman, I'm not here for you today, so I won't waste my breath arguing. As for the grievances between us, I'll settle them with you when the opportunity arises, but not today. "

"Guardian Yang, one of my apprentices mysteriously disappeared yesterday. Today, I heard that the recent disappearances in Gu Mo City are all your doing, Guardian Yang. Though this old woman finds it hard to believe, I currently have no better way to find my beloved apprentice, which is why I've come here now," the old woman stated coldly.

Upon hearing the old woman's words, Cao Ze, who had been preparing to leave, immediately abandoned that idea. He felt it wasn't the right time to depart.

He had grievances with the old woman, and Yang Haoran had now also formed a grudge with him. If the old woman and Yang Haoran were to clash, that would be exactly the outcome he desired. Perhaps he could even gain some unexpected benefits from it.

Yang Haoran heard her, turning his gaze towards the old woman, his expression unchanged.

"Haha, elderly one, you've misunderstood. The recent disappearances in Gu Mo City have absolutely nothing to do with me or the Underworld Office. In fact, I am the greatest victim. I genuinely don't know who is responsible for your apprentice's disappearance, but I can assure you, it was absolutely not me," Yang Haoran explained with a smile.

Although he had already explained himself to Cao Ze and Xia Xinger earlier, now that this old woman had appeared, Yang Haoran still offered her a smile and an explanation, hoping to avoid unnecessary trouble.

However, the old woman wasn't convinced. Not only did she disbelieve Yang Haoran's explanation, but her disbelief was clearly written on her face.

"Heh heh, Guardian Yang, this old woman has lived for most of her life; I'm no clueless little kid. Your explanation is too far-fetched. Not only do I not believe it, even a little kid wouldn't. It's not easy for me to take on an apprentice, so I hope Guardian Yang can understand. " The old woman spoke.

Yang Haoran shook his head gently upon hearing this. Though the smile remained on his face, it was tinged with a hint of helplessness.

"It seems the elderly one isn't willing to believe me, but what I said is the truth. Whether you believe it or not, the facts remain the same. If you truly refuse to believe me, there's nothing more I can do. "

Yang Haoran's words caused the old woman's eyes to narrow. She was quite displeased and was just about to utter some harsh words when, at that very moment, a space not far away suddenly fluctuated violently, and then a spatial rift appeared.

This scene gave Yang Haoran a massive headache, as it wasn't the first time he had witnessed it today. He knew what this scene signified, and it was precisely that knowledge that made his head ache.

Yang Haoran recognized the person who emerged from this spatial rift, having had prior contact with him. It was Zhuang Yingjie, the branch president of the Gu Mo City Demon Hunter Association.

Previously, Zhuang Yingjie had specifically come to the Death God Temple to cause trouble for Yang Haoran, hoping to meet Ye Zhiqiu. Yang Haoran ultimately used a delaying tactic to send Zhuang Yingjie away, and Zhuang Yingjie also left a Communication Talisman, his purpose obvious: he hoped Yang Haoran would notify him immediately once Ye Zhiqiu emerged from seclusion.

Only a few days had passed since that incident, and now the two met again. Judging by Zhuang Yingjie's grim expression, getting him out of the Death God Temple today would likely be much more difficult than it was back then.

Last time Zhuang Yingjie came to the Death God Temple, he hadn't brought anyone else, but this time, he brought two Demon Hunters, both of whom were two-star Demon Hunters.

Based on the intelligence Shui Ling had gathered, Yang Haoran knew that the Demon Hunter Association also had people missing. As the branch president, Zhuang Yingjie was naturally furious about this. So, Yang Haoran knew perfectly well why he had appeared at the Death God Temple with two Demon Hunters.

As Yang Haoran expected, the first words Zhuang Yingjie spoke after appearing were related to the disappearances in Gu Mo City, and judging by his tone, he also seemed to believe that Yang Haoran was indeed responsible.

Faced with this, Yang Haoran could only patiently explain. This was a helpless move; he couldn't just launch a barrage of attacks the moment the other party opened their mouth. Necessary explanations were still required. Regardless of whether the other party believed him or not, from his perspective, he should explain, as this could at least minimize unnecessary conflicts.

After Zhuang Yingjie, several more factions arrived successively at the Death God Temple. These factions were not all major powers of Gu Mo City; some were mid-to-small factions. They rushed to the Death God Temple because they had learned that the disappearances in Gu Mo City were supposedly Yang Haoran's doing, and their own factions also had missing members, so they came to the Death God Temple to demand an explanation from Yang Haoran.

For a time, the plaza around the divine statue at the Death God Temple gathered quite a few factions. Compared to the battle with the Corpse-Controlling Gate back then, the number of factions that came to the Death God Temple today was fewer, far from as bustling as it was previously.

However, the factions that arrived at the Death God Temple today were more imposing and had a stronger murderous aura than those earlier factions, because they were here to cause trouble for Yang Haoran, not to watch a show!

Under such circumstances, even someone as straightforward as Lu Wu felt considerable pressure, let alone the other Night Watchers. Yang Haoran, on the other hand, remained remarkably composed throughout, not looking troubled even as the situation grew increasingly disadvantageous for him.

"Haha, your presence today truly honors my humble Death God Temple. I am well aware of your purpose for coming here today, so I must explain things clearly to all of you and clarify this misunderstanding. This disappearance incident in Gu Mo City has nothing to do with me or the Underworld Office. Please, you must believe me. I will quickly find a way to investigate this matter thoroughly, clear my name, and also find the true mastermind behind this for all of you. So, before that, I hope everyone remains calm, thinks twice before acting, and avoids being used as pawns by the mastermind. "

Seeing that no more spatial rifts were appearing in the plaza, and that quite a few factions had arrived today, Yang Haoran smiled and explained to the various powers. This was his final explanation for the day. If these factions believed him, then so be it. But if, even after he spoke, they still didn't believe him, then he would have no choice but to resort to his final measure: making an example of them!