Chapter 1181: A War of Words
As Huo Laoban spoke, the gazes of everyone present naturally fell upon him, including that of Emperor Luo Yao.
Yang Haoran's expression remained unchanged. Disgust flickered in Xu Meijing's eyes. Luo Yao's slightly relaxed brows furrowed once more, even deeper than before.
As for the other Guardians, they too furrowed their brows, though to varying degrees. However, when they noticed Xu Meijing's deeply furrowed brow and disgusted expression, a strange feeling arose in their hearts.
The disgust in Xu Meijing's eyes stemmed from her knowing that Huo Laoban's words were intended to create trouble for Yang Haoran, to strike at him, and were absolutely not for Yang Haoran's benefit, no matter how pleasant they sounded. Thus, she made no effort to hide her revulsion towards Huo Laoban.
Luo Yao's brows furrowed more deeply than before because it seemed the matter could have been glossed over with a single phrase, yet at this crucial moment, another person intervened—and it was someone he had personally promoted. This instantly made him feel rather displeased.
As for the others present, their initial furrowed brows were due to their assumption that Huo Laoban was speaking up for Yang Haoran, reminding him and wanting him to extricate himself from the situation. After all, Huo Laoban, like Yang Haoran, was a Guardian promoted by Luo Yao; in essence, they were on the same side, so it was perfectly normal for Huo Laoban to help Yang Haoran at such a critical juncture.
However, when they noticed Xu Meijing's undisguised disgust towards Huo Laoban, their hearts became filled with doubt. If Huo Laoban was truly looking out for Yang Haoran, why would Xu Meijing react with such an expression? Consequently, their faces took on a rather strange look.
As for Yang Haoran, he, of course, understood Huo Laoban's true intentions better than anyone.
Secondly, Yang Haoran lacked concrete evidence. Ding Tianhua's soul had undergone Soul Transformation, making it impossible to prove that Huo Laoban was manipulating everything from behind the scenes. If the truth were directly revealed and the blame pointed at Huo Laoban, the most likely outcome would be that Huo Laoban would remain largely unaffected, while Yang Haoran would undoubtedly be retaliated against.
It was due to these two considerations that Yang Haoran had not directly exposed Huo Laoban, choosing instead to use the vague term "outsider."
Now, Huo Laoban publicly urged Yang Haoran to produce Ding Tianhua's soul to clear himself of the suspicion of intentionally killing a powerful subordinate. On the surface, he appeared to be reminding Yang Haoran and considering his best interests, but his true intention was to frame Yang Haoran, knowing full well that Yang Haoran could not produce Ding Tianhua's soul.
"Heh heh, speaking of Ding Tianhua's soul, I truly cannot produce it, for his soul has undergone Soul Transformation. However, it wasn't I, Yang Haoran, who shattered his soul. As for who it was. . ."
At this point, Yang Haoran's gaze shifted from Huo Laoban, swept over the other Guardians present, and finally returned to Huo Laoban as he continued.
"As for who it was, one among us nine Guardians present knows better than I. From the very beginning, I never said that Ding Tianhua died by a Spiritualist's hand. If everyone insists on knowing who this 'outsider' I spoke of is, then I wouldn't mind saying it. And whether what I say is true or false, I believe the Emperor will certainly be able to investigate thoroughly."
Yang Haoran smiled faintly, not showing any panic even as Huo Laoban played his trump card. Instead, he remained calm and composed, even turning the tables on Huo Laoban.
When he spoke these words, he did not stare intently at Huo Laoban; his main purpose was not to save face for Huo Laoban, but rather to avoid putting Emperor Luo Yao in a difficult position. The reason his gaze swept over the other Guardians present, excluding Xu Meijing, was to sow suspicion among them.
Huo Laoban, upon hearing Yang Haoran's words, showed little reaction, maintaining a calm smile. However, three individuals present were not so calm: Long Yan, Ye Xianglan, and Wen Hexuan, the most powerful of the nine Guardians.
After Yang Haoran's words fell, the three looked at each other simultaneously, their gazes filled with inquiry. Seeing that the other two also appeared to be asking questions and seemed completely unaware of the matter, doubt arose in their hearts.
"I understand Ding Tianhua's character better than any of you. If he were truly swayed by someone with ulterior motives, it wouldn't be surprising for him to plot against a superior. Let alone Yang Haoran, even if it were me he had to scheme against, he wouldn't let the opportunity pass. Although our Jingling Continent Yin Division is currently in dire need of capable individuals, especially Earth Soul realm experts, someone who constantly schemes to harm and replace their superior is better off dead. There's nothing to regret. Let this matter rest. We now have many more important and pressing issues that require our immediate attention. There's no need to continue wasting time on a dead man."
Luo Yao spoke at this moment. His face, which had just begun to look a little better, once again turned grim as he uttered these words.
With Luo Yao having spoken to this extent, and the nine Guardians having seen how displeased his expression was, none of them dared to speak further, not even Huo Laoban.
Although Huo Laoban was unwilling, he dared not defy Luo Yao's wishes. If he continued to press the issue, Luo Yao would be put in an awkward position, which would only bring him harm and no benefit.
Huo Laoban understood the stakes involved, so despite his reluctance, he obediently closed his mouth and dared not speak again.
"This protection is too obvious. It seems I still underestimated Yang Haoran's position in the Emperor's heart," Huo Laoban thought to himself, a subtle sense of crisis stirring within him. In his view, if things continued this way, Emperor Luo Yao would not only fail to assist him in his contention with Yang Haoran but would become an obstacle, making him even more passive. He had to find a way to change this situation.
For the remainder of the time, Luo Yao made arrangements and deployments for his nine Guardians regarding the current predicament facing the Jingling Continent Yin Division. It wasn't until more than two hours later that the meeting finally concluded.
After the meeting, Luo Yao discreetly gave Yang Haoran, Xu Meijing, and Huo Laoban a knowing look, without being noticed by the other Guardians.
Although Luo Yao said nothing at the time, none of the three were fools; they naturally understood his meaning. Therefore, after the meeting, the three used different excuses to separate from the other Guardians. Once the other Guardians had left the headquarters, the three reunited at Luo Yao's summons, though their meeting place was not the Jingling Continent Yin Division's headquarters in the Underworld, but an inconspicuous teahouse within the Underworld.
"I've kept you three here and asked you to meet me here because you three are my confidants. The others are not. You three were personally promoted by me. In contrast, the other Guardians are different. I was once a Guardian just like them, ranked ninth, and now I hold the position of Jingling Emperor. It's inevitable that they would hold some prejudice against me. Although they are currently submissive to me, it's not out of genuine respect. They might turn against me any day, so they can hardly be considered my confidants."
Luo Yao said calmly, pausing briefly before continuing.
"Precisely because they are not my confidants, there are some things you cannot say in front of them. Similarly, there are some things I cannot say in front of them. I believe you understand what I mean by this."
As Luo Yao spoke, he did not look at Xu Meijing, but his gaze swept over Huo Laoban and Yang Haoran. Upon meeting his gaze, both men chose to lower their heads slightly.
"Understood, Your Majesty!"
The three responded in unison, bowing to Luo Yao.
Luo Yao nodded, his expression unchanged. He fixed his gaze on Yang Haoran and continued.
"Speak. What exactly happened with that Ding Tianhua matter?"
When facing the nine Guardians earlier, Luo Yao had not allowed Yang Haoran and the others to continue arguing about the Ding Tianhua incident, even appearing somewhat nonchalant about it. In truth, that was all a show for the other Guardians. He was quite concerned about the matter, which was why he now looked at Yang Haoran and asked.
Regarding Ding Tianhua's death and its cause, Yang Haoran had published the information on the Ninth District's exclusive page. Luo Yao was naturally aware of this, as the incident had caused a certain degree of shock throughout the entire Yin Division, and as the Jingling Emperor, Luo Yao could not possibly be uninformed.
However, knowing was one thing; believing was another. His current inquiry to Yang Haoran was to speak privately and clarify what had truly transpired.
Seeing Luo Yao's inquiry, Yang Haoran pretended to consider for a moment, then spoke to Luo Yao.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the information I published in the Iron Books of the Yin Division is largely consistent with the facts. Only some minor details were withheld, as this subordinate did not wish to bring negative repercussions upon Your Majesty."
Yang Haoran stated. Xu Meijing, standing beside him, showed little change in expression, as she had already learned the entire sequence of events from Yang Haoran via a Communication Talisman.
Huo Laoban, however, was different. Though he didn't appear visibly upset upon hearing Yang Haoran's words, the smile on his face noticeably lessened.
"Heh heh, at the previous meeting, didn't Guardian Yang say with absolute certainty that every word of this matter was true? How has your tone changed now?"
Huo Laoban asked Yang Haoran with a smile. Although his smile had receded somewhat, it still seemed natural enough.
Upon hearing this, the gazes of Yang Haoran, Xu Meijing, and Luo Yao all turned to Huo Laoban.
Yang Haoran's smile deepened. Before he could speak, Luo Yao interjected first.
"Did you not hear what I just said, or did you not understand? Don't tell me that something even a child can understand is beyond your comprehension."
Luo Yao said to Huo Laoban with a stern face, his tone clearly expressing displeasure.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty. This subordinate simply couldn't hold back for a moment."
Huo Laoban quickly lowered his head in a bow, falling silent. He understood that if Luo Yao continued to press the issue, Yang Haoran would undoubtedly reveal the truth, which would be disadvantageous to him. Although he had made some preparations for this possibility, it was naturally best if they weren't needed. Thus, before Yang Haoran could speak the truth, he wanted to lay more groundwork.
However, to his regret, Luo Yao gave him no such opportunity, interrupting him with a remark after he had barely laid a single piece of groundwork.
Huo Laoban had calculated everything, but the one thing he hadn't accounted for was the rapid increase in Luo Yao's regard for Yang Haoran. According to his initial estimation, even if Luo Yao valued Yang Haoran and showed him a certain degree of favoritism, he should still have been given an opportunity to speak. As long as he had the chance to speak, he was confident he could cause Yang Haoran significant trouble, even if he couldn't necessarily implicate Luo Yao.
But Luo Yao refused him the chance to speak, even showing displeasure towards him. This left him feeling utterly helpless, like throwing a punch into cotton.
Seeing that Huo Laoban had fallen silent, Luo Yao returned his gaze to Yang Haoran.
"Speak. What details are different? I'm listening."
Yang Haoran smiled and nodded, then recounted the entire incident of slaying Ding Tianhua from beginning to end. Aside from concealing that he had not consumed the Rising Yin Pill at the time, he hid almost nothing from Luo Yao. After all, besides the fact that he had used his true strength, there was nothing else to conceal about the entire process.
However, as for Huo Laoban, the mastermind, Yang Haoran did not name him directly, choosing instead to refer to him as "a certain person," abandoning his previous appellation of "outsider."
As Yang Haoran narrated, Huo Laoban's gaze remained fixed on him, taking in every attitude, tone, expression, and glance of Yang Haoran during his speech.
Of course, he also listened very carefully to Yang Haoran's entire account, not just going through the motions.
After Yang Haoran finished his narration, he said nothing more. Luo Yao, however, remained with a deeply furrowed brow and a grim expression.
Through careful observation of Yang Haoran, Luo Yao could almost certainly tell that Yang Haoran was not lying. It was precisely because he believed Yang Haoran was telling the truth that his expression was so grim at this moment.
Regarding Ding Tianhua's plot to frame Yang Haoran, Yang Haoran had not revealed the detailed process in the Iron Books, merely glossing over it with a few words. Now, hearing the detailed account from Yang Haoran, Luo Yao realized that the truth was far more egregious than he had imagined. How could his expression be pleasant?
"Who is this 'certain person' you speak of?"
Luo Yao asked in a deep voice. In truth, as he asked Yang Haoran this question, he already had the answer in his heart.
Upon hearing this, Yang Haoran smiled and looked towards Huo Laoban. As Yang Haoran's gaze fell upon Huo Laoban, Luo Yao's gaze also followed and fixed upon Huo Laoban.
"Heh heh, as for who this 'certain person' I spoke of is, I believe Guardian Huo knows even more clearly than I, right?"
Seeing Yang Haoran directly point the finger at him, and Luo Yao's grim face also turned towards him, Huo Laoban did not show any panic or nervousness. Instead, he maintained a calm and composed demeanor.
"Heh heh, Guardian Yang isn't trying to say that 'certain person' is me, are you?"
Huo Laoban asked with a smile, as if none of this concerned him and he was merely asking casually.
"Heh heh, I truly admire Guardian Huo's calm composure. To be able to act as if nothing's wrong even at this stage, it truly makes this junior admire you wholeheartedly."
Yang Haoran responded with a smile. Like Huo Laoban, he was calm and composed, wearing a smile, seemingly in no rush, as if everything was within his grasp.
"This matter has nothing to do with me, so my composure is perfectly normal; there's nothing strange about it, and certainly nothing for Guardian Yang to admire. On the contrary, Guardian Yang's method of framing people is truly impressive. You don't mention me by name in a single sentence, yet every word is directed at me. Such intentions are truly malicious. Although I am an old acquaintance of Ding Tianhua, he is not from my Seventh District, but your Ninth District. Furthermore, my Seventh District is also currently under attack by Spiritualists; I'm too busy dealing with them to care about matters between you."
With these words, Huo Laoban paused slightly, then, without giving Yang Haoran a chance to speak, continued with a smile.
"When Tongyou City was under siege, Ding Tianhua once came to me for assistance. At that time, I told him about the situation in our Seventh District; we simply couldn't spare manpower to support him. Unfortunately, he didn't believe me and actually came to my Guardian District to find me. Yet, he didn't take a single soldier from my side, which clearly shows how dire the situation was in our Seventh District at the time. Of course, I had no time to meddle in others' affairs. Moreover, Tongyou City is Guardian Yang's territory in the Ninth District; it would be somewhat inappropriate for me to send people to assist. Now it seems my considerations were correct. If I had truly sent people to support Tongyou City then, Guardian Yang would surely have deemed them as spies I sent, or forces intended to eliminate Guardian Yang. If that were the case, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to explain myself even with several mouths."
Huo Laoban's words were uttered with such sincerity, even carrying a hint of lingering fear in his tone, that Yang Haoran couldn't help but lightly applaud him.
"Impressive, truly impressive, Guardian Huo. To be able to fabricate a story to such an extent, it truly gives me a new understanding of your thick skin. However, since you brought up Ding Tianhua coming to your Guardian District, I also have something I'd like to say. Would you care to hear it?"
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