Chapter 991: Change of Ownership in Xinyang City
Huo Laoban's strength was immense; Chun Yang and the other two were well aware of this. Furthermore, Huo Laoban himself had stated that his recent closed-door cultivation had led to a significant breakthrough, implying his strength now far surpassed what it once was. To what extent, they didn't know, but they believed it certainly wouldn't be weaker than he anticipated.
The reason Huo Laoban's words astonished them was that they had never expected him to personally decide to go to Lecheng to eliminate Yang Haoran. They all felt it was like "killing a chicken with a butcher's knife."
After the initial surprise, their hearts were filled with emotion, for they could sense Huo Laoban's deep affection for Xia Yu. Moreover, they believed that if one day they, too, were to die at the hands of others, Huo Laoban would undoubtedly, just as he was now, seek out the culprits and personally avenge their deaths.
Just as the three were overcome with emotion, their expressions suddenly shifted in unison. Not only them, but even Huo Laoban, who had been wearing a solemn face, also saw his expression abruptly change.
The four had such a strong reaction because they sensed a sudden violent fluctuation in the space outside. Such a situation indicated that someone was about to tear through space and descend upon them.
This was an important location where Huo Laoban typically discussed critical matters with his trusted subordinates; no one who wasn't his confidant was permitted entry. Furthermore, the area was enveloped by a grand array. To forcefully tear through space and descend here, one would need to at least reach the realm of having opened both their Heaven and Earth Souls; otherwise, it would be absolutely impossible to tear space within the protective barrier.
Huo Laoban's figure moved, and he shot out from his spot. Seeing this, Chun Yang and the other two immediately followed. Although they didn't know if the newcomer was friend or foe, such a situation demanded an immediate presence at the scene. If the other party truly intended to cause trouble, they could react at once and avoid being caught off guard.
When Huo Laoban arrived outside with the fastest possible speed, a spatial rift had already appeared in an open area not far away. A figure stepped out from the spatial rift, and as he did, the rift behind him healed at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"Greetings, Lord Emissary!"
Huo Laoban quickly bowed in greeting. Chun Yang and the other two, with lowered heads, followed suit, also greeting the newcomer.
"Greetings, Lord Emissary!"
For Huo Laoban to bow so solemnly and appear surprised indicated that the newcomer's identity was extraordinary; otherwise, he wouldn't have reacted with such magnitude.
The newcomer was none other than Huo Laoban's direct superior, the Guardian Luo Yao!
Huo Laoban had never imagined that Luo Yao would personally appear at his location at this very moment, and so abruptly.
After the fall of the Jingling Great Emperor, Luo Yao, as one of the nine Guardians of the Jingling Continent Underworld Office, was naturally swamped with work. With the new Jingling Great Emperor yet to be chosen and two other Guardian positions still vacant, Luo Yao should, by all rights, still be incredibly busy and have no time to come here.
It was precisely because he couldn't comprehend it that Huo Laoban was utterly astonished by Luo Yao's appearance at this moment.
In response to their greetings, Luo Yao nodded slightly and let out a faint "Hmm. " Then, he turned his gaze to Huo Laoban and spoke calmly.
"Find a quiet place. I have some matters to discuss with you."
Hearing this, Huo Laoban's expression remained unchanged, but his heart sank. Luo Yao's words had suddenly made him consider a possibility.
"Could it be that Yang Haoran found out I was the one who wanted to kill him, and knowing he wasn't my match, instead of causing trouble in my Xinyang City, he reported the matter to Lord Emissary Luo Yao?"
This sudden thought that sprang to his mind filled Huo Laoban with a sense of dread. If things truly were as he imagined, then this matter would be troublesome.
Although deeply worried, Huo Laoban showed no trace of it on his face. He suppressed his anxiety, temporarily set aside the grief brought by Xia Yu's death, and the moment he looked up at Luo Yao, his usual amiable smile appeared.
"Yes, Lord Emissary!"
Huo Laoban replied with a smile, then instructed Chun Yang and the other two.
"The three of you, stay here. Absolutely no one is permitted to approach."
"Understood!"
The three respectfully replied, while Huo Laoban turned his gaze back to Luo Yao.
"Lord Emissary, this way, please."
Huo Laoban bowed slightly, respectfully gesturing for Luo Yao to follow. Luo Yao, naturally, didn't stand on ceremony with his subordinate, simply grunted in acknowledgment, and strode in the direction Huo Laoban indicated.
To avoid arousing Luo Yao's suspicion, Huo Laoban didn't lead him elsewhere. Instead, he directly entered the secret chamber where he had previously discussed matters with Chun Yang and the others. In any case, apart from a few Life Beads, there was nothing truly scandalous within the chamber, so he simply and openly invited Luo Yao inside.
Why Luo Yao had come, Chun Yang and the other two were equally filled with doubt. However, at this moment, they could only keep their questions to themselves, not daring to utter a single word of discussion behind his back, lest Luo Yao overhear and bring unnecessary trouble upon them.
None of the three spoke. Instead, they stood guard as per Huo Laoban's instructions, permitting no one to approach, not even a fly.
After Luo Yao and Huo Laoban entered the secret chamber, a restrictive barrier enveloped it. The place was already protected by a grand array, which also emitted a restrictive barrier. However, this seemingly wasn't enough to put the two inside at ease, so they cast another restrictive barrier over the chamber.
As for who set up this additional restrictive barrier—whether it was the Guardian Luo Yao or their Lord Emissary Huo Laoban—that remained unknown.
Due to the sudden addition of another restrictive barrier to the secret chamber, Chun Yang and the other two outside were unable to overhear the conversation between Luo Yao and Huo Laoban.
Approximately an hour later, the restrictive barrier enveloping the secret chamber suddenly vanished. Following this, Chun Yang and the other two sensed a spatial fluctuation from within the chamber, and then noticed that one of the two power fluctuations inside the chamber had disappeared.
They knew it must be Luo Yao, who had departed by tearing through space.
"Lord Emissary Luo Yao has departed. You may enter now."
Huo Laoban's voice emanated from the secret chamber. However, his voice at this moment not only lacked any hint of worry but subtly conveyed an unconcealable excitement.
Chun Yang and the other two naturally detected the suppressed excitement in Huo Laoban's tone. Their hearts grew even more perplexed. After exchanging glances, none of them spoke. Instead, they moved swiftly into the secret chamber as instructed by Huo Laoban.
"You have one day to gather and take everything of value that we can carry. For what cannot be taken, temporarily hand it over to those you deem trustworthy to manage. Tomorrow morning, the four of us will leave Xinyang City and go to a new place. As for Xinyang City, it will be handed over to others to oversee."
The moment Huo Laoban uttered these words, the expressions of Chun Yang and the other two drastically changed.
"Lord Emissary, what. . . what exactly happened?"
Chun Yang asked, his face full of bewilderment. The question he posed was precisely what Autumn Wind and Dong Xue also wanted to ask.
"This matter cannot be explained in a short while. For now, just follow my instructions. As for what exactly happened, I will slowly tell you when the time is right. However, I can reveal a little to you now: if this matter is handled well, there is a very high probability that I will secure one of the vacant Guardian positions in our Jingling Continent. You should understand what that means."
Huo Laoban's words caused the faces of Chun Yang and the other two to change drastically once more. Even the usually cold Dong Xue now showed a look of astonishment on her face.
"Then. . . what about Yang Haoran?"
After recovering from his astonishment, Chun Yang couldn't help but ask.
"Him? Heh heh, let him live a bit longer and enjoy the scenery of this world."
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