Chapter 1378: That Person Is You!
Before today, Yang Haoran had already suspected that the mastermind targeting him recently was, nine times out of ten, Huo Laoban. Although he hadn't yet found conclusive evidence, he already had an answer in his heart. Today, Huo Laoban’s open betrayal in such a setting confirmed that his suspicions were correct; Huo Laoban was indeed the mastermind, and no further evidence was even needed!
However, according to his analysis, Huo Laoban and the Tong Continent Great Emperor shouldn't have revealed their fangs so quickly. His initial suspicion stemmed from the fact that after Bai Xue was captured, Huo Laoban didn't kill her, but instead severely wounded her and used her as bait to lure him into a trap.
Huo Laoban’s objective in doing this, as Bai Xue herself had analyzed, was to keep her alive purely to spite Xu Meijing.
While Yang Haoran found Bai Xue’s phrasing a bit blunt, he had to admit it made sense. A living Bai Xue would only infuriate Xu Meijing further, making reconciliation between Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing even more difficult. As long as their relationship remained strained, the entire Jingling Continent Yin Division would be affected.
This analysis, in Yang Haoran’s view, was very reasonable. However, the current situation was vastly different from his predictions. Huo Laoban and the Tong Continent Great Emperor had revealed their fangs prematurely, before the value of keeping Bai Xue alive had been fully realized. This raised doubts in his mind, making him feel that something about this was somewhat illogical.
A brief moment of thought, however, provided him with a plausible reason. In his opinion, Huo Laoban and the Tong Continent Great Emperor revealing their fangs earlier than expected and pulling off Luo Yao’s impeachment today must have been due to a change in their plans for some reason. Thus, the tactic of keeping Bai Xue alive to target Xu Meijing was abandoned with the shift in strategy.
Though this tactic was abandoned, Yang Haoran couldn't feel happy about it in the slightest. This wasn't a good sign for him. The fact that the opposing side dared to act in such a way indicated they had conceived an even better method to eliminate their rivals!
It was precisely because he considered this point that Yang Haoran’s face showed no trace of a smile, becoming solemn instead. An ominous premonition had risen within him. Even with the Qing Shan Great Emperor’s assistance, Luo Yao’s disadvantage was being forcefully reversed, seemingly developing in a positive direction. Yet, this bad feeling persisted, and he dared not feel even a shred of relief, especially when the Tong Continent Great Emperor’s gaze fell upon him, and his ominous premonition reached an unprecedented height!
"During the Chaos of the Underworld, Luo Yao certainly made some contributions after becoming the Jingling Great Emperor, and I will not deny that. However, he has also committed no small number of errors. The contributions he made cannot offset the mistakes he has committed. Furthermore, when it comes to contributions, there were far too many people in our Yin Division who achieved illustrious merits during the Chaos of the Underworld. If everyone were to act arbitrarily, disregarding the laws of the Underworld Office, secretly committing acts that violate our laws, or even trampling upon them, would the laws of our Yin Division still hold any value? Do you all believe this is appropriate?"
The Tong Continent Great Emperor, quick to learn, immediately mimicked the tactic Qing Shan Great Emperor had just employed. His targeted approach was clearly intended as an eye for an eye, a direct confrontation with the Qing Shan Great Emperor!
"I do not think it's appropriate!"
Like Yang Haoran, Huo Laoban was the first to give an affirmative response the moment Tong Continent Great Emperor's words fell. However, in the section of Jingling Continent Guardians, he was the only one who responded.
Now that he was already a universally recognized traitor, even publicly cooperating with the Tong Continent Great Emperor to impeach Luo Yao, Huo Laoban naturally wouldn't consider whether his response would infuriate Luo Yao. His betrayal had already pushed Luo Yao to the brink of explosion. With no retreat possible, his current objective was to exhaust all means to bring down Luo Yao. Therefore, he was more than happy to do things and say things that would provoke Luo Yao, aiming to make Luo Yao lose his composure, which would better serve his ultimate goal.
Being the first to respond to the Tong Continent Great Emperor was one of Huo Laoban's tactics to provoke Luo Yao!
After Huo Laoban, it was the turn of the Tong Continent Yin Division Guardians. They all made a living under the Tong Continent Great Emperor, so regardless of whether the Tong Continent Great Emperor's words were reasonable, as subordinates, they only needed to echo him.
"I also don't think it's appropriate!"
"Inappropriate!"
The nine Guardians of the Tong Continent Yin Division successively gave affirmative replies. However, after them, no one else spoke. None of the Underworld Guardians, nor those from Jun Prefecture, wanted to be the "bird that takes the lead," nor did they dare to.
Qing Shan Great Emperor's brows furrowed deeply. He knew that since the Tong Continent Great Emperor dared to speak such words openly, he must have grasped some powerful evidence. In other words, Luo Yao must have some leverage in the Tong Continent Great Emperor's hands; otherwise, the Tong Continent Great Emperor would not have made such a statement, even bringing up the laws of the Yin Division.
Qing Shan Great Emperor did not speak this time because he knew that this was the moment to give Luo Yao the opportunity to speak. If Luo Yao continued to have no chance to speak, or deliberately remained silent, then people would certainly think he was genuinely at fault. At that point, helping Luo Yao would be difficult; Luo Yao might truly be successfully impeached by the Tong Continent Great Emperor.
Though Luo Yao was furious at this moment, his mind had somewhat cleared, and he was not blinded by anger. He also understood that in such a passive situation, he absolutely had to speak and explain himself; he could not remain silent. Therefore, when the Tong Continent Great Emperor's words fell, and everyone, including Qing Shan Great Emperor, fixed their gaze upon him, he spoke decisively.
"I have always abided by the laws of the Underworld Office, and I have never acted arbitrarily, relying on my contributions to the Underworld Office. Nor have I ever disregarded the laws of the Underworld Office. Your words are a blatant slander against me!"
Luo Yao spoke in a cold voice, his anger clearly etched on his face. Although he knew that since the Tong Continent Great Emperor dared to say this, he must have some leverage against him, knowing it was one thing, but how he responded was another. Of course, he could not admit to such a thing, whether it was true or not, he could not admit it.
In response to Luo Yao's reply, the Tong Continent Great Emperor gave a cold sneer and then spoke.
"Heh heh, I knew you wouldn't admit it. But it doesn't matter; I have evidence. If I didn't possess strong evidence, how could I possibly bring this up in such a setting!"
Having said this, the Tong Continent Great Emperor paused, then once again shifted his gaze to Yang Haoran. This time, his eyes did not immediately retract as before; instead, they remained fixed on Yang Haoran.
"First, I must address Luo Yao condoning his subordinate Guardians rearing ghosts. Not only are there quite a few, but they are all very powerful, with many even reaching the Ghost King level. And that person is you, Yang Haoran!"
A cold sneer on his face, Tong Continent Great Emperor declared. The moment his words fell, the entire hall erupted in an uproar, and all eyes simultaneously snapped to Yang Haoran!
The laws of the Underworld Office explicitly state that no Underworld Official is permitted to rear ghosts. Once discovered, they will certainly be severely punished. The more serious the circumstances, the heavier the punishment, with the most severe reaching the level of Soul Transformation. Condoning subordinates who rear ghosts is also no small crime.
If no one had brought this matter up, or if no outsiders knew of it, then these two issues could have been considered either minor or significant, depending on interpretation. But if this matter was brought up in the current setting, and especially coming from the mouth of the Tong Continent Great Emperor, then it was no longer a trivial matter. Instead, it was a major affair involving the laws of the Underworld Office. If this matter was not handled, then the laws of the Underworld Office would become nothing but a mere decoration!
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