Chapter 212: Negotiation and Judgment
In the imperial court, Yun Bahe felt powerless amidst the verbal sparring of the seasoned ministers, while the Emperor of Great Zhou watched with cold eyes.
These people were all waiting to see the downfall of the Yun Residence, but he was determined to let them know that as long as Yun Bahe was around, the Yun Residence would never collapse.
"Weren't you in the Southern Territory of Great Zhou? What are you doing back!" Yun Bahe looked at Yun Canglang, his heart still burning with anger.
His well-raised son had taken it upon himself to establish the Hunting Corps and had gone to the Southern Territory of Great Zhou without telling him, a place that had nearly claimed his life years ago.
If the people of Dihong City knew his hand had healed, they would likely seek revenge even more fervently.
"What's meant to come will always come. Father, have the investigations been clarified? Was that woman really killed by Yuyu?" Although Yun Canglang hated Tang Yu's incompetence, he still understood his nephew's nature well.
His previous several acts of abducting girls were mostly verbal teasing, but like this time, coercing her was a first.
"It's all because of those bad influences. He drank so much that day, he doesn't remember the specifics, only that by the time he woke up, it was already too late," Yun Bahe had also seen the coffin placed at the door.
A girl of fifteen or sixteen, quite beautiful indeed, but was driven to death by his own grandson. He, too, could not swallow this grievance.
"How confident are you about the Wolf Fang Hunting Corps? I cannot appear with you, but if needed, I can ask Uncle Yun to accompany you," Yun Bahe remarked not without emotion.
On the imperial court, he had been pushed to the point of speechlessness, and in the end, it was the Emperor Zhou who spoke.
The Wolf Fang Hunting Corps is an A-level Hunting Corps, who had assisted the Military Department several times in the past with escorting supplies, weapons, and even guarding cities. They absolutely could not afford to fall out with the Wolf Fang Hunting Corps over Tang Yu's matter.
The Emperor's words were clear. In the end, Yun Bahe could only agree to not interfere with whatever the Wolf Fang Hunting Corps decided to do with Tang Yu.
This matter was most fittingly handled by Yun Canglang, being a part of the hunting soldiers himself.
"I understand, father. Let Uncle Yun stay at the house to assist you. I will just take some brothers from the Hunting Corps and also Master Zong Ren, who has come back with me."
"Hmph, that stubborn girl, how is it, she still refuses to come to the General Mansion," Yun Bahe mumbled to himself, stealing glances behind Yun Canglang.
Such a big incident had occurred at the Yun Residence, and that child still refused to come, really showing her deep hatred for the Yun Residence.
"Sheng'er encountered some issues at the border, which caused a delay," Yun Canglang hesitated for a moment before finally telling Yun Bahe what had happened in the Southern Territory.
"What?! You said she was trapped in a mine? How is she, did she get hurt? How could you let a young girl stay alone in a cave," the moment Yun Bahe heard this, his heart burned with worry.
"Sheng'er is not an ordinary child; she can protect herself. She is safe for now and has already sent word that she will be returning to Yujing in a few days," Yun Canglang looked at his father's reaction and chuckled inwardly; his old man truly said one thing but meant another.
Yun Bahe's expression eased a bit, and he felt somewhat reassured, and father and son discussed the situation inside Yujing City further.
In a private residence inside Yujing City, from the outside, it looked like a very ordinary house.
Around the time when lamps were being lit, a figure, like a lizard, slid down from under the eave, silently dropping into the room like a drop of water falling from the eave.
In the room sat the seldom seen Young City Lord of Hong City, Xuan Wuji.
The figure was wearing a blood-red robe that covered them from head to toe, not revealing any gaps except for a few holes at the eyes, mouth, and nose.
"Young City Lord, according to your instructions, everything has been properly handled. Now, we just need to wait for the fish to bite," said the person in red.
"I've heard that Yun Canglang has returned to Yujing. Things are indeed getting more lively. This time, you have done well. You have not wasted the years I've supported Blood Hand Ditch," Xuan Wuji toyed with a vial in his hand.
He originally intended to poison Yun Bahe as soon as he entered Yujing City.
However, things weren't as easy as he thought. Even though Yun Bahe is a military general, he is very cautious. All his daily necessities are managed by an old servant named Uncle Yun in his residence, who never entrusts them to anyone else.
Xuan Wuji exhausted all methods, even infiltrating the Yun Residence with guests and servants, but couldn't find an opportunity to strike.
But Xuan Wuji, being a devious man, did not give up on his plans immediately. He had someone keep a watch on the Yun Residence and soon discovered a significant oversight at the residence—the useless dandy, Tang Yu.
As expected, he only needed to meddle a bit, and he caught Tang Yu in a mistake.
Next, he sent someone to subtly approach Yun Cangxue, throwing Blood Hand Ditch into the mix. Indeed, the mother and son duo fell for it.
Outsiders never knew that Blood Hand Ditch was an organization cultivated over the years by Dihong City, with more than half of Dihong City's massive expenditures coming from Blood Hand Ditch.
"Young City Lord, rest assured. However, Young City Lord, I just received a message from the city. It seems Miss Meimei has been severely injured and Young Master Yuan has just sent her back," replied a member of Blood Hand Ditch respectfully.
"Useless thing, only knows to fret over a man. Don't bother with her, the City Lord will handle it. Keep a close watch on the Yun Residence for the next few days, and report to me immediately if there's any movement," Xuan Wuji waved his hand impatiently.
The members of Blood Hand Ditch quietly left.
Xuan Wuji looked at the vial in his hand. This time, no one could save Yun Residence.
After days and nights of travel, Yun Sheng and Ye Beiming finally returned to Yujing three days later.
That day was also the day Yun Canglang escorted Tang Yu to negotiate with the Wolf Fang Hunting Corps.
The negotiation site was chosen by the Hunter Soldier Alliance, located in a relatively quiet tavern in the city, which was also owned by the Yujing Hunting Soldier Alliance.
It was also a place where Hunter Soldiers drank and conducted private transactions on normal days.
Yun Canglang received news that the Commander, Deputy Commander, and the victimized B-level Hunter Soldier from the Wolf Fang Hunting Corps would all be present.
In a show of sincerity, Yun Canglang took Tang Yu and went to the tavern early.
To prevent any unintended casualties, a sign stating "Closed for Maintenance" was hung outside the tavern ahead of time.
"Don't speak later; if you say something wrong again, even your uncle won't be able to protect you," Yun Canglang was well aware that Tang Yu, this boy, only caused trouble.
At that moment, a few people approached the entrance of the tavern. Their attire was plain, but just by observing their footsteps and the way they entered the tavern, one could tell they were not ordinary tavern-goers.
They were three individuals, three Hunter Soldiers from the Wolf Fang Hunting Corps.