Because Mo Ronghua’s actions had truly caught everyone completely off guard.
Especially the two deputy envoys of Jingtai Mansion. They had only left the city not long ago.
But as soon as they returned to the city, they realized their home had been ransacked.
The Xuanniao Guard’s treasury of heavenly and earthly treasures was left with barely anything at all.
There wasn’t even enough to cover the reward for completing a single mission for the two deputy envoys.
Facing the accusations from his two deputies, Mo Ronghua felt a bit guilty and gave an awkward smile.
“Don’t worry, you two. I know what I’m doing with this matter. There’s no way those Heiyu Guard people will bring any trouble back to us at Jingtai Mansion.”
“Besides, Old Lu already said this is just a temporary loan.”
“They’ll be returned. They’ll be returned.”
When Mo Ronghua said “they’ll be returned,” his tone sounded strangely off, as if he himself wasn’t sure whether Lu Xuan would actually give them back.
“Oh well, Old Mo, since we’ve already lent them out, there’s nothing we can do about it now.”
“The good thing is, the Tiantu headquarters actually sent over the martial arts resources ahead of schedule this time.”
“How strange.”
While Mo Ronghua and the two deputy envoys were talking, at the middle of the long, black carriage convoy—
The moment the carriage curtain was gently lifted by someone, the air around them seemed to freeze solid.
Mo Ronghua’s gaze was drawn in like a magnet, his eyes locked tightly on the person inside the carriage.
Sitting upright inside the carriage was a spirited old man, his silver-white hair tied up in a bun.
The old man wore a striking red Xuanniao uniform, and the black Xuanniao embroidered on the lapel shimmered brightly under the glaring sunlight.
Though the old man appeared thin and frail, he gave off a presence that was impossible to ignore.
After Mo Ronghua got a clear look at who it was, his body trembled slightly without him even realizing it.
The visitor was none other than one of the three deputy directors of the Xuanniao Guard, Deputy Director Li Chengxing himself!
Why on earth was he here?
This is insane!
“Old Mo, what’s wrong with you…?”
The two deputy envoys beside Mo Ronghua noticed that something was off with him.
But Mo Ronghua didn’t answer them. Instead, he broke into a little jog.
In just a few breaths, he reached Li Chengxing, clasped his hands together, and bowed respectfully.
“Your subordinate, Mo Ronghua, Xuan Envoy of Jingtai Mansion, greets Deputy Director Li!”
As soon as he said that, everyone still standing in front of the Xuanniao Guard mansion couldn’t help but hold their breath!
What?
A d-deputy director…?
To the Xuanniao Guard members in Jingtai Mansion, the deputy director was an unbelievably lofty, heaven-shaking figure.
They never imagined such a person would show up in a small place like Jingtai Mansion.
“Hmm!”
“So it’s you, Brother Mo. Long time no see. I hope you’ve been well.”
Seeing that it was Mo Ronghua, Li Chengxing stepped down from the carriage.
After hearing Li Chengxing’s words, Mo Ronghua spoke with a hint of emotion.
“Ah, Brother Xing, it’s me.”
Back in Tiantu, the Mo family and the Li family residences were very close to each other, and the two families had a good relationship.
So, of course, Mo Ronghua knew Li Chengxing.
Mo Ronghua and Li Chengfeng were about the same age, only about seven or eight years younger than Li Chengxing.
Li Chengxing took a look at the Xuanniao Guard members ahead and noticed that Mo Qingyi was also among them.
“Oh? Why is Qingyi still staying here at Jingtai Mansion?”
“Ranran went back to Tiantu quite a while ago.”
“Brother Mo, you haven’t forgotten about that certain matter, have you?”
Upon hearing this, Mo Ronghua quickly responded, “No, Brother Xing, you’re joking.”
“How could I possibly forget something that important?”
“In just a couple of days, I’ll take Qingyi away from Jingtai Mansion and bring her back to the family!”
Li Chengxing said something that sounded meaningful, though it was hard to tell whether he was speaking to Mo Ronghua or to himself.
“Hmm, that’s good.”
“The world is changing so fast these days. In the end, strength is what really matters!”
Then, Li Chengxing changed the subject, turned to look toward the back of the carriage convoy, and said to the Xuanniao Guard members there,
“You lot, go unload the martial arts resources that belong to Jingtai Mansion.”
“Brother Mo, after you’ve checked everything carefully, if there’s no mistake, just put them away.”
Mo Ronghua nodded repeatedly and also gave instructions to the Xuanniao Guard members of Jingtai Mansion.
“Qingyi, you take some people and check everything over. If there’s no problem, have it all transported to the treasury.”
The moment Mo Ronghua finished speaking, about a dozen women got out of five or six carriages in the convoy.
Each woman wore a black brocade robe. The fabric shimmered delicately in the sunlight, and countless black feathers were embroidered on the lapels.
The woman at the front looked around thirty years old. She had a well-proportioned figure, skin like jade, delicate and fair features, and a pair of cool, clear eyes full of mystery.
This woman was Shangguan Yunlan, the Qianyu Envoy of the Heiyu Guard!
The Qianyu Envoy of the Heiyu Guard was a rank equivalent to that of an Earth-level Xuanniao Guard.
Of course, their official rank was the same, but when it came to actual strength, there was a big gap.
As Shangguan Yunlan approached, Li Chengxing said to Mo Ronghua,
“Brother Mo, this is Lady Yunlan of the Heiyu Guard.”
“She’s here on His Majesty’s orders, accompanying me on an inspection tour of Anzhou.”
Even without Li Chengxing’s introduction, Mo Ronghua could already tell who this woman was.
“Your subordinate greets Lady Yunlan!”
There was a faint chill hidden between Shangguan Yunlan’s brows, giving her an indescribably cool and distant aura.
“Hmm, there’s no need for such formalities, Envoy Mo.”
After a polite remark, Shangguan Yunlan got straight to the point.
“You should already know why we’re here, shouldn’t you, Envoy Mo?”
Mo Ronghua seemed to have anticipated exactly what Shangguan Yunlan wanted to say and answered without hesitation.
“Yes, I know. Please follow me, Lady Yunlan. The warehouse records are all ready.”
Inside the Xuanniao Guard’s warehouse, several books were laid out on a wooden table.
“Lady Yunlan, these records contain all the detailed affairs of Jingtai Mansion.”
Shangguan Yunlan gently raised her right hand and waved it forward, signaling the Heiyu Guard members behind her to come forward and inspect them.
In less than an hour, the Heiyu Guard had flipped through all of the records.
But to Shangguan Yunlan’s slight surprise—
A few of the Heiyu Guard members looked a bit puzzled. One of them quickly grabbed a record book and ran over to Shangguan Yunlan.
“Milady, please take a look here!”
Shangguan Yunlan focused her gaze and scanned through all the contents.
There were some minor discrepancies in the consumption of martial arts resources at Jingtai Mansion.
That was normal. As long as the differences weren’t too big, the higher-ups wouldn’t really care.
But one particular entry did surprise Shangguan Yunlan a little.
It was about Lu Xuan, the Xuan Envoy of Baidao Mansion, borrowing heavenly and earthly treasures from Jingtai Mansion.
In total: three medium-grade heavenly and earthly treasures and fifteen low-grade ones.
