Chapter 122 Rabble's Fury Towards the Arnold Family!
Chapter 122 Rabble's Fury Towards the Arnold Family!
Chapter 123 Rabble's Fury Towards the Arnold Family!
Just as the old man was deep in thought, preparing to use the family's secret channels to transmit the message to Hick as quickly as possible—
"who!!"
The old man, who had just undergone a transformation and whose perception had been elevated to a whole new level, suddenly turned his head, and his powerful aura suddenly condensed!
Like an eagle spotting its prey, its sharp eyes locked onto a seemingly empty shadowy corner of the room, and it let out a low, menacing roar.
He didn't even realize the other person was almost right in front of him!
"Old Master Evans is indeed unfathomably powerful and has keen insight! This lad's clumsy disguise is utterly useless in front of you."
As a voice, almost obsequious with flattery, rippled across the shadowy area, it spread out like water.
A pure white figure, made of a peculiar material, seemingly capable of absorbing light, slowly emerged—it was Sean.
He wore a harmless, extremely humble smile and bowed slightly in greeting.
"I am Sean, one of Lord Hick's most loyal and humble servants! I apologize for disturbing you, sir!"
Old Master Evans was shocked, and the powerful energy fluctuations that had just been stabilized were almost uncontrollably poured out!
Hick's men? How could that be?!
Although the protective array of Evans Manor is not top-notch, it was still something he had worked on and set up over many years. Moreover, this is his most core secret room!
How could the other party have managed to sneak in here so silently, almost completely deceiving even his newly enhanced senses?!
Just as the old man was filled with doubt and suspicion, and was about to take action to subdue this unknown "intruder" on the spot.
Sean spoke again at an astonishingly fast pace, while holding up a small, metallic emblem with both hands with utmost respect. The emblem emitted a faint but unmistakable energy fluctuation that the old man would never mistake.
The unique, cold, efficient, and almost inhumanly precise energy characteristics on it are precisely Hick's unique style!
"Lord Hick is thousands of miles away, yet he is concerned for the safety of his family. He senses that some unclean insects have infiltrated the vicinity of the manor."
Concerned that some fools might pose a threat to the safety of you, sir, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Ryan, I have been specially ordered to come and secretly protect you and assist in handling some—unpleasant trifles.
Sean spoke very quickly and was extremely humble, but the information contained in his words shocked the old man wave after wave.
Hick already knows?
They even sent someone over in advance?
How did he know that uninvited guests had arrived at the manor?
He can even "sense" it? What kind of method is this?! Could Hick even predict this?
Or rather, the intelligence network of his hidden force has become so terrifying?
The old man's terrifying aura slowly subsided, but his eyes remained sharp as knives, scrutinizing Sean from head to toe as if dissecting him.
The other party's aura was very peculiar, as if it had perfectly blended into the surrounding air, shadows, and even dust. Unless it actively revealed itself, it was extremely difficult to lock onto. At the same time, it carried an inhuman, cold sense of efficiency, which was indeed a trait possessed only by extremely skilled masters of concealment and reconnaissance experts.
"Hick—where is he now? How is he?"
The old man suppressed the turmoil in his heart and asked in a deep voice, his tone softening slightly, but still carrying an unquestionable scrutinizing tone.
"Replying to the old master, the lord is currently in a completely safe place, all is well, and is focusing on the crucial cultivation and research."
Sean answered respectfully, using extremely careful wording, without revealing any specific information about the Dark Canyon.
"Although I cannot come in person for the time being, my concern for the manor has never diminished. Especially after recently discovering that some restless forces seem to be secretly coveting everything related to you, I have been ordered to be extra careful to ensure that nothing goes wrong."
This was a very skillful way of speaking. It fully expressed Hick's strength and concern for the family, while also subtly implying that his current situation might not be absolutely safe and that he might be facing some pressure, requiring the family to remain low-key and vigilant.
The old man was a shrewd and experienced man, and he instantly understood the implied meaning. His heart sank again, and he became even more worried about Hick's situation.
"You just said—handling trivial matters?"
The old man's eyes flashed, and he accurately grasped the key words in Sean's words.
"Yes, sir."
Sean's humble smile remained unchanged, but a subtle, icy glint flashed in his eyes.
"For example, helping to clean up certain unwanted ears that like to eavesdrop, and eyes that like to peek around."
Before he finished speaking, his pale, almost transparent finger flicked the air with an extremely slight, almost elegant motion.
Snapped!
A very faint, almost inaudible crisp sound seemed to come from a very far place, or as if it were ringing directly deep in a person's eardrum.
Almost at the same instant, Sena, who was far away in the guest courtyard and was once again taking out her spare Alchemist Fly, trying to find an opportunity to release it, suddenly let out a low gasp!
"Oh no! This one's broken too?!"
The intricately structured alchemical fly in her hand suddenly lost one of its conductive antennae, which was thinner than a human hair, without warning. The faint light at its core was instantly extinguished, turning it into a small piece of scrap metal.
"What's wrong now?"
Kyle turned around at the sound, his brow furrowed, his unease growing stronger.
"I don't know————"
Sena looked annoyed and confused as she repeatedly examined the damaged alchemy fly.
"This is brand new! How could it suddenly break? Could it be... a quality issue?"
Kyle took the completely broken alchemical artifact, examined the broken parts carefully, and his expression became even more solemn.
The fracture was incredibly smooth, unlike any natural damage or manufacturing defect. It looked as if it had been instantly severed by some extremely subtle and precise force!
But he hadn't sensed any energy fluctuations at all!
Was it a series of coincidences or an unexpected accident?
Or have they already been exposed?
Were we even warned in some incomprehensible way?
A cold sweat instantly broke out on his back.
Inside the main hall's secret chamber, the old man, relying on his newly enhanced senses, clearly detected the subtle energy shift in the distant courtyard and Sena's suppressed gasp. His gaze towards Sean completely changed!
Such precise control!
What a clever and discreet tactic!
To be able to destroy a tiny alchemical surveillance unit so precisely and remotely right under his nose without triggering the target's full alert and counterattack!
This seemingly obsequious and humble Sean is absolutely an extremely dangerous and masterful stealth and assassination expert!
Hick's men—they actually recruited such a terrifying figure?!
"It seems that Hick has indeed changed a lot and has grown up."
The old man slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, his tone extremely complex, but most of his wariness and doubt had dissipated, replaced by an indescribable shock and a deep-seated sense of relief.
Sun Tzu's power seemed to far exceed his imagination.
Sean bowed slightly, his tone filled with absolute confidence: "If you have any information or items that you need to pass on to the adults, you may have them relayed by me through a special, absolutely secure channel. I guarantee that everything will be foolproof, and no one can intercept or spy on you."
He paused, then got to the point: "In fact, besides fulfilling my duty as a guard, I have come here on your orders, sir, to seek your judgment and advice. You seem to have a vague feeling that there may be some storm brewing in the near future."
The old man looked at the white figure before him, who was extremely respectful yet extremely dangerous, and countless thoughts flashed through his mind.
Not only is Hick's own strength unfathomable, but he also has a number of talented people under his command, making him a strange and powerful subordinate!
More importantly, his ability to anticipate and control the situation was astonishing!
They even anticipated the enemy's possible actions and the troubles their family might encounter!
Without further hesitation, he immediately relayed all the details of his conversation with the Arnold siblings, all his suspicions, the information about the sudden "social gathering," and most importantly—
The Arnold family quickly and clearly informed Sean of the extreme anomaly that they had sent an all-apprentice team to investigate the area.
"Things are definitely not as simple as they seem. The Arnold family must have ulterior motives for this trip; that so-called exchange meeting is definitely problematic! Hick must be extremely careful!"
The old man gave his final, extremely solemn instructions.
Sean listened attentively and nodded emphatically: "Don't worry, sir. Your judgment and intelligence are of utmost importance. I will immediately report back to you word for word without any errors."
"During this time, I will be responsible for cleaning up all the insects inside and outside the manor, and I will ensure that no malicious spying disturbs the peace of the old master, Lord Ryan, and his wife."
He paused, then added, "I also ask that the old master stay home as much as possible in the near future, and simply state to the outside world that he is consolidating his cultivation. All external affairs will be handled by the steward for the time being. All actions will await the master's next instructions."
"I see."
The old man nodded solemnly.
Tell him that I'll take care of everything at home, so he doesn't need to worry about the family and should prioritize his own safety!
"Yes! I'll take my leave!"
Sean bowed deeply once more, and then, like ink dripping into clear water, his body silently spread out, quickly fading and dissipating, completely blending into the surrounding environment as if he had never existed.
In the secret room, only old man Evans remained. He stood there for a long time before slowly exhaling a breath of stale air, carrying a complex meaning.
Looking at the spot where Sean disappeared, his eyes were filled with a complex mix of emotions: shock, worry, relief, and vigilance.
What terrifying and powerful being has Hick, his grandson, quietly grown into?
And how fierce will the storm that is about to come, which is formed by the convergence of multiple forces, be?
He was filled with worry about his grandson's situation, but at the same time, an unprecedented sense of confidence welled up within him.
At least, Hick now has enough power and means to protect himself, and can even turn around and protect his family!
This finally put his mind at ease.
The other half, meanwhile, hangs high in the air, awaiting the coming, unknown storm.
In a dark canyon, in a heavily guarded, dimly lit side room.
Labour's face was ashen, and the shadow energy around him fluctuated slightly due to extreme anger, making the light in the room seem to distort and wail, and the temperature plummeted.
Standing before him was Sean's milky-white, slightly blurry spore-like figure.
"Is that what they've been publicly stating?"
Labour's voice was suppressed like a volcano about to erupt, almost squeezed out from between his teeth.
"They're saying we attacked their caravan, causing casualties and damage to their goods?"
He repeated the absurd accusation, each word dripping with chilling murderous intent.
"Absolutely true, Rabour."
Sean's tone also lost some of its usual playfulness, carrying obvious resentment and coldness.
They made a promise, but then they turned around and investigated and slandered them?
Who is the bad guy after all?
"These were the two younger members of the Arnold family who told Old Master Evans themselves, as one of the excuses for their all-apprentice team to appear in the Ecar region! It's utterly absurd!"
"asshole!!"
Labour slammed his fist into the hard stone wall beside him, producing a dull thud. The stone wall, which had been enchanted with solidification magic, immediately began to crack like a spider web!
"We should have wiped them all out back then! Leave no one alive!"
His eyes flashed with an almost tangible, icy killing intent, and his violent aura caused the appliances in the room to tremble slightly.
"I didn't want to cause trouble for the higher-ups, so I spared their lives out of respect for the Arnold family! And what did I get in return?! Blatant slander! An intensified investigation! These damned fools!!"
Rabble felt a strong sense of humiliation and anger.
The operation to capture the Moon White Fox should have been flawless, but an unexpected incident occurred because of that stupid woman's scream. Although the main objective was ultimately achieved, a witness was left behind.
Now, this only act of "mercy" has become the basis for the other party to turn around and smear you!
For a combat commander like him who pursues absolute efficiency, perfection, and deterrence, this was an intolerable disgrace and a strategic blunder!
"Calm down, Rabble."
Sean offered words of comfort, though he himself was equally furious.
"Your choice at the time was based on the overall situation, to avoid a direct conflict with the Arnold family, and your judgment was correct under the circumstances."
"I know!"
Rabble growled irritably, forcibly suppressing the urge to fall asleep.
"But now the situation is that our restraint and concessions at the time have been taken as weakness and vulnerability by them! They even dared to fabricate such clumsy and disgusting lies to cover up their suspicious actions! This is simply the greatest insult to us!"
He took a few deep breaths, his chest heaving, forcing himself to calm down. Pure anger solves nothing; it only cloudes judgment.
"Lord Hick—what are your instructions?"
He asked in a hoarse voice, but his gaze had returned to its icy sharpness, like tempered ice.
Sean swayed slightly: "Does the master mean I should continue to keep a close watch on them, gathering more information, especially details about that social gathering and the Arnold family's true intentions? Hold back for now, avoid alerting them, and see what tricks they're up to."
He paused, then added, "The master seems to think that there might be more to this than meets the eye. Perhaps it's not just a simple act of revenge or investigation, but some deeper reason or other force driving the Arnold family to take such unusual action."
Rabul paused for a moment, then nodded.
Although he was furious, he had absolute obedience and trust in Hick's judgment and orders.
"I see."
He said in a low voice.
"I will keep all combat personnel on high alert, but they will never launch an attack without orders." However, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes!
"If anyone from the Arnold family, or anyone else who dares to use this as a pretext to spy on the canyon's secrets, actually dares to step into our absolute perimeter—I will not give them any chance of leaving alive! One act of mercy is enough!"
This time, he will not hesitate any longer.
One's own tactical retreat should never become a bargaining chip for the enemy to take advantage and slander one's enemies.
The majesty of the dark canyon needs to be forged and maintained by riding.
"That's natural."
Sean completely agreed.
"If any substantial threat approaches the canyon, the cleanup operation will be entirely your responsibility. My spore network will provide you with the most accurate real-time vision and intelligence support."
"very good."
Labour nodded, his killing intent slightly subdued, but the chilling aura emanating from him remained menacing.
"Go ahead and get back to work. Keep an eye on them. Let me know if there are any new developments."
"OK."
Sean gave a slight bow and then disappeared into the air, restoring silence to the side room.
Rabour was the only one left in the room.
He stood there, the chilling killing intent emanating from him almost causing the moisture in the air to freeze into frost.
He walked to the wall, his gaze falling on the detailed map of the Ekar region hanging there, his finger pointing heavily at the location representing Evans Manor and Crescent Moon.
"The Arnold family—you'd better stop your folly and lies here."
Otherwise, he wouldn't mind letting this so-called "caravan attack" story unfold in the most brutal and realistic way.
Moreover, he assured that this time, no "survivor" would be able to go back and fabricate a new story.
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