Chapter 596
Night fell, and the Spirit Police of Cloud River City became busy once more.
For some time now, Cloud River City had been in utter chaos. Especially at night, all sorts of incidents surged forth like a breached dam, too fierce to handle. Some Spirit Police even lost their lives because of it.
They knew that Cloud River City would certainly not be peaceful tonight either, so they had long prepared themselves mentally. Some had even resigned themselves to death. What they hadn't expected, however, was that both their captain and vice-captain would personally lead the charge tonight. This made them sense something unusual, as if something major was about to happen tonight.
Tonight, the moonlight was dim. Under the cover of night, the Hongyu Cement Plant was like a fierce beast with its maw wide open, waiting for prey to walk right into its trap.
Compared to usual, the Hongyu Cement Plant seemed no different tonight. However, eyes can sometimes deceive; not seeing a difference didn't mean there truly wasn't one.
Outside the Hongyu Cement Plant, the space suddenly fluctuated violently, emitting a buzzing sound, as if it was about to shatter under immense pressure.
Seven spatial rifts appeared one after another, and eight figures emerged from within them. They were none other than Yang Haoran and his companions, who had rushed from the Death God Temple.
The eight of them were Yang Haoran, Huo Laoban, the Old Crone, and the five helpers Huo Laoban had invited for support. The Old Crone currently lacked the ability to tear space, so she had been teleported along with the spatial rift created by Huo Laoban.
Yet, at this moment, none of the eight paid attention to whether the Hongyu Cement Plant was dilapidated. What truly concerned them was the situation inside the Hongyu Cement Plant.
Even before entering the Hongyu Cement Plant, merely standing outside, the eight had sensed the presence of Communication Power, which was emanating from within the Hongyu Cement Plant directly before them.
Without even consciously trying to sense it, several of them detected numerous fluctuating power signatures within the Hongyu Cement Plant. These power fluctuations varied in strength, some being the Communication Power of Spirit Mediums, others the Yin Qi emanating from ghosts.
"Heh heh, I, Huo, have been an Underworld Official for so many years. I've seen many Spirit Mediums and killed quite a few, but I've never encountered Spirit Mediums quite this arrogant. Today has truly opened my eyes," Huo Laoban said, a faint smile on his face as he looked at the Hongyu Cement Plant ahead.
The reason he spoke this way was that the Hongyu Cement Plant was not covered by a forbidden formation barrier. The Spirit Mediums' Communication Power and the ghosts' Yin Qi were openly radiating from it. In his view, this was indeed arrogant; he had truly never seen such audacious Spirit Mediums.
"If Heaven wills its demise, it must first allow it to run wild. Since they've encountered you, Soul-Sower Huo, today, their madness is destined to reach its end. Still, to die by your hand, Soul-Sower Huo, can be considered their good fortune."
The one who spoke next was the middle-aged fat man. This middle-aged fat man was the only Demon Hunter among the five helpers. He hailed from the New Sun City Demon Hunter Association, a friend of Huo Laoban, and had specifically rushed over to assist at Huo Laoban's invitation.
Although the Demon Hunter Association in New Sun City was merely a branch, becoming a member was by no means simple; connections and strength were strict requirements.
Although this middle-aged fat man had yet to display his strength, it was clear without a doubt that he was not weak. Otherwise, it would have been difficult for him to join the New Sun City Demon Hunter Association, nor would Huo Laoban have invited him to lend his aid.
As a member of the New Sun City Demon Hunter Association, even if this fatty didn't hold an official position within the association, he was definitely a prominent figure in New Sun City. However, the words he currently spoke to Huo Laoban did carry a hint of flattery.
"Heh heh, Fatty, you're giving me too much credit. With my meager abilities, I might just end up being food for these Spirit Mediums once we go in," Huo Laoban chuckled.
Although he said this, from Huo Laoban's expression and tone, it seemed he didn't take these Spirit Mediums inside the Hongyu Cement Plant seriously at all.
"Haha, it's a good thing this is Cloud River City. If this were New Sun City, I doubt anyone would believe you if you said such a thing, Soul-Sower Huo. I know your strength; if anyone's going to be 'food,' it will absolutely be these Spirit Mediums serving themselves up to you. If you were to 'serve' them, they wouldn't have the teeth for it. To put it nicely, I'm here to support you today. To put it bluntly, I'm just here to watch. With you around, I reckon it'll be hard to even steal any glory."
The fatty laughed heartily, his words all expressing Huo Laoban's formidable strength.
Normally, such a conversation would easily provoke resentment from others, but at this moment, no one else present showed any sign of disgust. Yang Haoran was, of course, no exception.
Because the stronger Huo Laoban's power, the more assured the safety of tonight's operation would be. Apart from the middle-aged fat man, no one present knew the extent of Huo Laoban's capabilities. Therefore, the middle-aged fat man's words indirectly confirmed Huo Laoban's formidable strength, which was good news for them.
Hearing the middle-aged fat man's words, Huo Laoban smiled noncommittally. At that moment, one of the Exorcists present also spoke to Huo Laoban.
"Soul-Sower Huo, should we charge in directly, or what's the plan?"
The Exorcist who spoke was an old man. From his appearance, he was at least eighty-something years old, but he seemed quite spirited. Time hadn't bent his back; at such an advanced age, he could still stand tall, and the faint power fluctuations emanating from his body were not weak. It was clear he was a master.
However, he seemed to be an impatient person, which was why he now posed such a question to Huo Laoban.
The others also looked at Huo Laoban at this moment, waiting to see how he intended to arrange things.
"No need to rush for now. We'll act after our Underworld Office Night Watchers arrive," Huo Laoban chuckled.
Currently, not many Night Watchers remained in Cloud River City, and their strength was quite limited. Even if they arrived, their effectiveness would likewise be restricted. The several individuals present each had their own guesses as to why Huo Laoban would wait for them before making a move.
In Yang Haoran's view, Huo Laoban might be planning to use these Night Watchers as cannon fodder. If the cannon fodder hadn't arrived, it was naturally not yet time to act.
Of course, this was merely his unilateral speculation; he couldn't be certain if this was Huo Laoban's true intention.
However, for him, it didn't matter either way. In tonight's operation, he only wanted to maximize his gains while preserving his own life. Other matters were beyond his consideration.
Upon hearing Huo Laoban's words, no one else present voiced any objection.
However, no sooner had Huo Laoban's words fallen than the entire Hongyu Cement Plant was immediately enveloped in a faint light barrier. The barrier flashed and vanished in an instant.
Under the dim moonlight, this fleeting light barrier was extremely inconspicuous, but the eight individuals present were no ordinary people; they still detected the light barrier enveloping the Hongyu Cement Plant.
As the light barrier disappeared, the Spirit Mediums' Communication Power and the ghosts' Yin Qi were likewise cut off. The eight could no longer sense the presence of Spirit Mediums or ghosts.
"Heh heh, it seems they've discovered us, which is why they immediately set up a forbidden formation barrier here."
The one who spoke was a middle-aged woman. Although time had left some traces on her face, her features were pleasant, and her skin was well-maintained, giving her an air of enduring charm.
This middle-aged woman was also a prominent figure in Cloud River City. In terms of status, she was significantly higher than the two Exorcists present, for she was the second-in-command of the Talisman Order in Cloud River City. Such a person could not usually be invited by just anyone. As for what price Huo Laoban paid to invite her, that remained unknown.
"To set up a forbidden formation barrier only now is simply 'drawing a snake and adding feet,' completely superfluous."
The one who spoke next was a young woman beside the middle-aged woman. Although she didn't seem very old, perhaps in her twenties, the Talisman Spirit Power faintly emanating from her was quite strong. However, her tone was somewhat cold, giving off an impression of keeping everyone at arm's length.
The young woman was the middle-aged woman's daughter, so her appearance bore a slight resemblance to her mother's.
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