Chapter 1440: Implication
Luo Yao arrived at Xu Meijing's Guardian District. Although it was a surprise inspection, he found no fault with Xu Meijing, for unlike Huo Laoban, she hadn't abandoned her post; she diligently remained at her station during this crucial period. Thus, Luo Yao not only successfully met Xu Meijing but also gained a certain understanding of her recent efforts.
Xu Meijing's arrogant nature was something Luo Yao knew well. After all, she hadn't been his Guardian for just a day or two, so he was perfectly clear on this point. While Xu Meijing's personality wasn't particularly endearing, her capabilities were undeniable, a fact Luo Yao, as a Great Emperor, had to concede.
Take this instance, for example: Huo Laoban had deserted his post, rushing to the Underworld to curry favor with the Underworld Emperor, completely neglecting the affairs of his jurisdiction. Xu Meijing, however, was different. As commands were issued, the territory under her charge immediately went into full alert according to the Yin Division's requirements. The speed with which orders were implemented was extraordinary, and her subordinates' reactions were equally swift. Naturally, this was directly related to her own capabilities.
Xu Meijing's Guardian District, in particular, maintained the strictest vigilance. As the most crucial area within any district, nothing could go wrong there; any incident would have immense repercussions. Hence, the security was paramount, and Luo Yao, as the Jingling Great Emperor, observed all of this.
After successfully meeting Xu Meijing, Luo Yao first inquired about her arrangements, deployments, and personnel assignments within the Guardian District. Only after receiving satisfactory answers did he proactively bring up Yang Haoran.
“Guardian Xu, have there been any updates on Yang Haoran these past few days? ” Luo Yao inquired. Xu Meijing's brows furrowed slightly, a hint of displeasure in her expression, before she decisively shook her head.
“None,” Xu Meijing replied, her face a mask of coolness. “If I had any news of him, I would report it to the Great Emperor immediately. ”
This was clearly not the answer Luo Yao desired, but he couldn't press her directly. So, after a perfunctory nod, he gathered his thoughts for a moment before speaking again.
“The entire Yin Division is aware of your relationship with Yang Haoran. Now that something like this has happened. . . ”
“Great Emperor, Yang Haoran and I ceased to have any connection long ago. On the day of our grand wedding, Yang Haoran actually betrayed me for a female demon. From that moment on, I, Xu Meijing, severed all ties with him. He walks his broad road, I cross my single-plank bridge. Not only is the Great Emperor aware of this, but the entire Yin Division knows it perfectly well. If you must insist I still have some relationship with Yang Haoran now, it is only boundless hatred—a hatred no one can unravel! ”
Xu Meijing spoke coldly, her tone measured at first, but by the end, it grew slightly hurried. It was clear her emotions were somewhat agitated, though she forcibly suppressed them from fully erupting.
Luo Yao fell silent. Of course, he knew of the complex history between Xu Meijing and Yang Haoran. He had even tried to mediate their conflicts back then. How could he not know the depth of their animosity? Thus, Xu Meijing’s current reply indeed made it difficult for him to respond.
Seeing Luo Yao's silence, Xu Meijing continued, her voice cold.
“Not only have I, Xu Meijing, long since severed all ties with Yang Haoran, but I was also completely unaware of his defection this time. I already explained this matter in detail to the Great Emperor last time. For the Great Emperor to come seeking me about this again today, it seems you do not believe what I said before. ”
Luo Yao's brow furrowed tightly, his expression somewhat unpleasant. He then let out a sigh and spoke.
“Alas, it’s not that I don’t believe you, but rather that others don’t. Yang Haoran’s actions this time have had an immense impact on our Yin Division. Since his whereabouts are currently unknown, it’s inevitable that many will fixate on you because of this matter, suspecting that you might know something. ”
Luo Yao's words intensified the coldness on Xu Meijing's face by several degrees. Judging by her reaction, Luo Yao's statement clearly made her very uncomfortable.
“If I don’t hear it, so be it. But if I do, I will tear their mouths to shreds. ”
Xu Meijing uttered a harsh threat. After a slight pause, she continued, her tone as aloof as ever. “I know the Great Emperor probably harbors suspicions about me as well. If the Great Emperor is truly uneasy about your subordinate, you may remove me from my Guardian post and then conduct a thorough investigation until the truth comes to light. This way, the Great Emperor can not only resolve your own doubts but also silence others, preventing yourself from being caught in a difficult position. ”
Xu Meijing's words made Luo Yao's expression shift. From his reaction, it seemed he hadn't expected her to say such a thing. His gaze, which had been fixed elsewhere, immediately snapped back to Xu Meijing.
On Xu Meijing's face, Luo Yao saw not just aloofness, but also seriousness. It appeared Xu Meijing wasn't joking with him.
In truth, Luo Yao had indeed considered removing Xu Meijing from her Guardian post and thoroughly investigating her. However, after careful deliberation, he hadn't done so.
The reason was simple: two traitors had emerged from his nine Guardians, leaving only seven. Of these seven, all but a very few were newcomers, having become Guardians even later than Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing. If Xu Meijing were also removed from her Guardian post, he would be left with only six Guardians, the vast majority of whom would be new. In that case, his Jingling Continent Yin Division would undoubtedly become even more chaotic than it already was.
As the Underworld Emperor had stated, although Luo Yao had not yet received punishment, he was still under a cloud of suspicion. Before his judgment, every new problem that arose in his Jingling Continent Yin Division would intensify his eventual penalty. He understood the stakes involved, and thus, during this period, he could only strive to minimize issues within the Jingling Continent Yin Division.
“Guardian Xu, you are a trusted confidant I personally promoted. It’s impossible for me not to believe you, and even more impossible for me to remove you from your Guardian post. Furthermore, over these years, you’ve managed your jurisdiction meticulously and achieved numerous merits. As long as my mind hasn’t completely failed me, I won’t relieve you of your Guardian duties. ”
At this point, Luo Yao paused, first shaking his head with a helpless expression, then sighing once more, before continuing.
“Alas, putting one thing aside for another, your past relationship with Yang Haoran has put me in a very passive position. I won’t hide it from you: today I went to the Underworld Emperor to demand someone, but not only did I fail to get them, I was ridiculed by him instead. And he clung tightly to accusing you. I couldn’t refute him, so I could only leave, seething with anger. While the other two Great Emperors aren’t as direct as the Underworld Emperor, I know they harbor similar doubts about your connection to Yang Haoran. Therefore, the current situation is indeed far too passive for me. ”
Xu Meijing watched Luo Yao. Luo Yao’s expression had changed, but hers remained utterly unchanged. She could roughly guess what Luo Yao meant by “demanding someone,” but she had no interest in the matter. She didn’t respond immediately, nor did Luo Yao speak further, and the scene instantly fell silent.
“What does the Great Emperor require of me? ”
After a moment of silence between them, it was Xu Meijing who finally broke the quiet, asking Luo Yao.
“What you need to do now is to make all those who suspect you believe that you and Yang Haoran severed ties long ago and that you have no idea where Yang Haoran is currently hiding. Only then can you clear your name, and my work can proceed normally. ”
Luo Yao stated. Xu Meijing's brows furrowed slightly upon hearing this, because she felt Luo Yao's words were utter nonsense, tantamount to saying nothing at all.
Though she thought so inwardly, Xu Meijing wasn't so audacious as to voice it directly. After all, Luo Yao was the Jingling Great Emperor, and she was merely a Guardian under him. Such rebellious words, once spoken, would surely mean her demise, regardless of whether she and Yang Haoran had truly severed all ties.
“Does the Great Emperor have any good methods? ” Xu Meijing asked coldly. Luo Yao thought for a moment before speaking.
“I don't have a good method for now, but I do have a less-than-ideal one. ”
Whether this "less-than-ideal method" was something Luo Yao had planned beforehand or conjured on the spot, Xu Meijing didn't know. However, Luo Yao had laid it out for her to this extent; she had no choice but to accept.
“Your subordinate is listening intently! ”
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