Free Web NovelChapter 694: Chapter 286: Turning Hostile
The present Outer Hall Hall Masters are just making a fuss; if it comes to doing big things, they lack the capability. Admittedly, they look down on the Night Patrol, but after all, Night Patrol is the official organization recognized by the Cabinet and the Church Court to manage secret organizations. Anyone who makes a move is likely to be sacrificed later. No one is a fool.
Hua Qianzhan isn’t either, so he wanted the Inner Hall to make a move, achieving two goals with one action.
"Hall Master Jian, are you questioning me? Is your sub-hall no longer managed by the Hundred Martial Hall? Are you planning to establish yourself independently?" Hua Qianzhan said sternly.
"Elder Hua, I’m just stating facts. Since the founding of the Hundred Martial Hall, we’ve always said that we are brothers and sisters, not a dictatorship, and certainly not a personal empire," Jian Lezhi said calmly. Everyone knew the prowess of this Hall Master Jian; she seemed indifferent, as if nothing could provoke her.
"Elder Hua, Lezhi has always been like this over the years. Let’s not get angry. If there’s a problem, solve it. If there’s a good plan, we will naturally cooperate fully," Yan Feng said.
"Hmph, now that’s more like it. Fundamentally, Night Patrol violates the rules, but as far as I know, the management fees they received were spent immediately, and not even submitted to the Church Court. Such a large sum was embezzled, what would happen if the Church Court found out?" Hua Qianzhan said, "I will resolve this problem swiftly to strip Night Patrol of their power over the Black Market. How to handle Li Xin will be left to Master Yan and Hall Master Jian. If you can’t handle even this matter under legitimate circumstances, you’re unfit for your positions."
Yan Feng and Jian Lezhi both frowned, not expecting Hua Qianzhan to pull this act of stealing fires from beneath the cauldron. You might think the Church Court would do just that.
While they were discussing, a disciple rushed in in a panic, "Elder, the Night Patrol has come to the door."
Everyone’s expression changed, and Hua Qianzhan slammed the table, "Nonsense!"
They all went to the main hall, where Hua Qianzhan saw Li Xin again, his hair standing on end, "Li Xin, do you know what you’re doing? A mere Night Patrol dares to intrude upon the Hundred Martial Hall, who gave you the guts?"
Li Xin chuckled lightly, cupping his hands, "Elder Hua, it’s been a few days, and I’ve been missing you a bit. Thank you for the matter of the Black Market, Elder Hua."
Hua Qianzhan’s face slightly changed, thinking this youngster had far more composure than one would expect from his age, refusing to be provoked, "Kid, what do you intend to do?"
"Elder Hua, I’m here at the Hundred Martial Hall on official duty; one of my Night Patrol members was captured by you, and I’m here to reclaim him," Li Xin said indifferently, showing no regard for the Hundred Martial Hall Hall Masters present.
Li Xin’s demeanor also influenced Lu Shuimo and others, each placing their right hands on the Hex Demon-Sealing Spear.
"Your Night Patrol member was captured, why are you running to my Hundred Martial Hall," Hua Qianzhan knew then that there was a mole within the Hundred Martial Hall.
"I’ve received intel that my man is here, named Qi Badao. I hope Elder Hua hands him over." Li Xin said politely.
"Who is Qi Badao, I don’t understand." Hua Qianzhan said, smiling at Li Xin.
"Presumably, Elder Hua knows something of my background. Without going into detail, I still have a knack for solving cases and finding people. If I say he’s here, then he’s here. I advise you not to oppose me," Li Xin stated emphatically, word by word directed at Hua Qianzhan.
The hall fell silent, all subdued by Li Xin’s imposing presence.
No one dared to ignore Li Xin’s words. Ever since the Black Market battle, Li Xin had made a stunning impact, especially in the secret world. Some of Li Xin’s past deeds had also been dug up - debuting in the Celestial Capital by killing a Fallen Archbishop, involved in besieging the Divine Greed Angel in Hedan, and surviving an assault from the Pope; moreover, he casually took a slash from a Peak Battle Angel in the Black Market. When he is courteous, that’s the best time to deal with him.
If Li Xin was humble, it was okay. If he went straight to threats, Hua Qianzhan temporarily had no idea of what to do. This youngster was audacious and fearless.
"Oh, you mean Qi Badao? I remember now, he’s a disciple of the Hundred Martial Hall. This person violated the gang’s rules, hence is dealt with according to the rules," Hua Qianzhan waved it off.
"Elder Hua, Qi Badao is a Night Patrol member, an official of the Li Long United Kingdom. Since when can personal matters override official duties, are you planning a rebellion, or is the Hundred Martial Hall planning a rebellion!" Li Xin sneered coldly, throwing big accusations atop him.
Hua Qianzhan was furious, having never encountered such a sharp-tongued and argumentative Night Patrol member. In the past, Night Patrol members worked silently and were easily provoked to emotional outbursts, seemingly stabbing themselves. Yet, this guy kept piling accusations high up.
The power of the Hundred Martial Hall was immensely vast, and precisely because of that, they had to maintain neutrality in the gray area. Otherwise, the Cabinet and Church Court would surely cause trouble. If targeted by those guys, it would at least cost them dearly, even if they didn’t die. He could recklessly terminate Li Xin, but killing all the Night Patrol members in Shadow Owl publicly, that...
"Haha, hahaha, it was just a joke. Qi Badao is indeed a disciple here. If something happened, naturally, the gang rules would handle it. Since he is a Night Patrol member, then Captain Li could prove it?" Hua Qianzhan suddenly asked.
"Meng Po, Qi Badao’s document."
Meng Po chuckled, "Elder Hua, Qi Badao has been an old Night Patrol member, since the Celestial Capital. This is his document, have a clear look."
Hua Qianzhan merely glanced at it. He was well aware, just wanted to trip them up a little.
"I see, if he is indeed a person of Night Patrol, it’s all a misunderstanding. Sigh, if only it was said earlier, then return him to you. Guards, bring Qi Badao up," Hua Qianzhan didn’t want them searching, as the face loss would be greater, and since Night Patrol got the information, they might know the dungeon’s location too. They’re also quite good at finding things.
"Hold on, Old Lu, Yan Bei, accompany the Hundred Martial Hall brothers together," Li Xin said with a smile.
Lu Shuimo immediately followed the Hundred Martial Hall disciples down, to prevent any last-minute sly tricks from them.
A trace of malice flashed in Hua Qianzhan’s eyes. He had signaled his subordinates to deal with Qi Badao. Didn’t expect Li Xin to anticipate even this.
"Haha, Captain Li, a young outstanding talent indeed. Not knowing each other before a fight, our Hundred Martial Hall loves making friends, we really have no need to make things difficult for each other," Hua Qianzhan said, changing his attitude with a smile.
"Elder Hua is right, the Hundred Martial Hall is a civil organization, should abide by the law, cooperate with Night Patrol’s work. I bear no bias towards the Hundred Martial Hall," Li Xin smiled even more gleefully than Hua Qianzhan.
Li Xin noticed Jian Lezhi and Yan Feng. Yan Feng was the Hall Master of Azure Dragon Hall, and both were also Inner Hall Masters. But in the interactions with Jian Lezhi, Li Xin felt no malice from her, hinting that the Inner and Outer Hall were not tightly unified.
Qi Badao was helped out by Lu Shuimo and Yan Bei, his whole body was wounded, flesh flipped over, bones exposed, a gruesome sight. If it wasn’t for the worms enhancing his life force, he would’ve long been dead under such torture.
"You’ve got him back, won’t be keeping you any longer," Hua Qianzhan said.
The Night Patrol members present, seeing Qi Badao’s terrible condition, all had eyes filled with rage, but without Li Xin’s order, they didn’t dare act.
Li Xin looked at Qi Badao, his eyes turning cold, "Hua Qianzhan, you’ve got quite the nerve, injuring a Night Patrol member who defends Li Long’s justice like this, you’re coming with me."
As soon as the words fell, the entire conference room fell silent, even Hua Qianzhan doubted his ears.
