Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 209 - 165: Yuan Hao (Two-in-One) _2

Chapter 209: Chapter 165: Yuan Hao (Two-in-One) _2

During such a tense period, it was easy to trigger a chain reaction.

Xu Xinyao strongly agreed and nodded, "No wonder Yuan Hao was able to transport people in secretly."

Although the residence of the leader of the biggest gang paled in comparison to the Prime Minister’s Mansion in Jingjiang City, it still covered a large area.

As they walked past several courtyards, the group finally entered the rear hall where the host lived.

Little bridges over flowing water, elegant pavilions among the clouds, and stone paths leading straight to the hall ahead.

Suddenly,

a middle-aged man with half black and half white hair emerged from the hall ahead, his face marked by a scar, carrying a subtle aura of murderous intent.

He perfectly matched Xu Yuan’s impression of a gang boss.

The scout leading the way immediately whispered an introduction:

"Third Young Master, this man is the leader of the Pingshui Gang. I shall take my leave now."

"Mhm, you may go."

Xu Yuan nodded and halted, watching the other man approach.

"Bai Zhao, has met the Third Young Master."

The middle-aged man stopped close by and, instead of kneeling, gave a deep bow with his hands clasped.

This was probably the difference between the Black Scale Guards and the Black Scale Army.

Tian’an Martial Hall not only taught disciples the ways of cultivation but also fostered their collective consciousness and loyalty, particularly loyalty to Xu Yinhè alone.

The specific methods were thoroughly analyzed by aides of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, subtly influencing without triggering any resistance from the apprentices.

And after coming out from the Tian’an Martial Hall and entering the Black Scale Army, this subtle influence would be even more meticulously applied.

Upon meeting a direct descendant of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, most would perform the kneeling salute.

Whereas Lou Ji’s Black Scale Guards differed from the Black Scale Army, with most being tightly bound together by common goals and interests, as well as threats of death following betrayal.

Turning game into reality, after understanding these things, Xu Yuan always felt that his father was a pure force of nature descending from the heavens.

A main character of a world completely different from Qin Mo’s.

No wonder Xu Changge didn’t dare to make a peep most of the time in front of Xu Yinhè.

This from a small Sect from Jingjiang Prefecture, step by step grew into a behemoth...

Some thoughts ran too far,

Xu Yuan looked at the middle-aged man with half-grey hair in front of him and smiled, "Where is Captain Yuan?"

"Captain Yuan is over here," Bai Zhao smiled and gestured invitingly.

Xu Yuan led the way, with Bai Zhao following by his side.

Pausing for a moment, Xu Yuan looked at the servants in the courtyard and asked softly, "Is it alright for these servants to see us?"

Upon hearing the question, Bai Zhao smiled and replied,

"No problem, they are either illiterate deaf-mutes from nearby or confidants I have cultivated over the years."

"Deaf-mutes?" Xu Yuan was surprised.

Bai Zhao smiled candidly, "It garners some good reputation, and they won’t leak any secrets."

As they walked, Xu Yuan glanced at him and asked,

"Did you build up the Pingshui Gang on your own?"

Bai Zhao smiled humbly, "Just luck, my status today is inseparable from Yi Tian’s support."

Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow.

Yi Tian, the underling of Aunt Lou Ji, a minor boss in the evil path storyline of Cang Yuan early on.

Obviously, this man’s status within the Black Scale ranks wasn’t high enough to make direct contact with Lou Ji.

But that didn’t stop Xu Yuan from admiring him, for he could sense that this man’s cultivation was merely Seventh Grade.

A man in his forties who was Seventh Grade likely would have been weaker in his youth, and the Black Scale Guards wouldn’t have poured much resources into such a freely sown seed, and lacking in martial prowess, to establish such a large gang without power meant only his wits remained.

Reflecting on this, Xu Yuan said,

"Very impressive."

Bai Zhao, seeing the gesture, showed a hint of surprise in his eyes, and then, with respect, clasped his fists and quietly said,

"Thank you for your praise, Third Young Master."

Xu Yuan shook his head and continued forward, asking quietly,

"How many people did Captain Yuan bring into the city this time?"

"Over three thousand five hundred."

Bai Zhao replied immediately without hesitation.

Although that Captain Yuan had only mentioned that the Third Young Master would come and hadn’t specified what the Third Young Master was here for, under such circumstances, it was unlikely that someone of the Third Young Master’s noble status would come here with no particular purpose.

Therefore, the Third Young Master must have come to take command.

After all, it seemed like a war was about to begin.

Hearing the number three thousand five, Xu Yuan was somewhat surprised by the large number of people, but then he raised an eyebrow:

"How shall we arrange them?"

"Most are hidden in Pingshui Bay, while the rest I have arranged to stay in various inns throughout the city. The Spiritual Blades and weapons that I have collected over the past twenty years are just enough to equip them," Bai Zhao replied truthfully.

Xu Yuan opened his mouth to speak but before he could say anything, he suddenly saw a little girl with her hair in a topknot running out of the back yard, followed by a flustered woman.

As the little girl ran towards Bai Zhao, she called out happily:

"Daddy..."

"...."

Seeing the little girl, a touch of affection surfaced in Bai Zhao’s eyes, but he didn’t immediately go to meet her, instead casting a probing glance at Xu Yuan beside him.

Xu Yuan shook his head to indicate it was fine, and then Bai Zhao quickly stepped forward.

Father and daughter laughed and played for a while, and after Bai Zhao had sent his daughter away, he returned to Xu Yuan and said:

"Forgive me for the late arrival of my daughter, Young Master."

"It’s no trouble."

Xu Yuan smiled slightly and asked:

"Didn’t you send your family away in advance?"

"It’s too dangerous," Bai Zhao replied honestly.

Xu Yuan watched as the woman carried the little girl away, and asked:

"Isn’t it more dangerous to stay in Wanxiang City now?"

Bai Zhao’s eyes narrowed slightly as he said:

"No, Third Young Master, I mean the plan. My identity is special, my family usually resides in the city, and there might be people watching. Sending them away now, if discovered, might compromise the Prime Minister’s plan."

"....."

Silence.

Xu Yuan narrowed his eyes, once again sizing up the middle-aged man with half-white hair in front of him.

The 3,500 Black Scale Army soldiers entering the city, whether they actually take action or not, are a sword that must be laid out on the negotiating table.

In other words,

afterwards, the Myriad Manifestation Sect would certainly investigate.

They haven’t been discovered yet because the Myriad Manifestation Sect has not found any traces of the large-scale movement of troops, and they are not yet alert.

If a thorough investigation is indeed conducted, it is very likely that it will lead back to the Pingshui Gang.

If the Sects really decided to deal with such an urban underground gang, it would be like crushing an ant.

With this thought, Xu Yuan raised his hand and patted the other man’s shoulder, but did not speak, continuing to walk forward in silence.

After being patted on the shoulder, Bai Zhao just silently followed, but a barely noticeable smile crept into his downcast eyes.

When they arrived at a courtyard,

Bai Zhao bowed to Xu Yuan once again:

"The Commander Yuan Hao is inside, I will take my leave now."

Xuan Yuan nodded and said:

"Arrange a courtyard for the two of them."

He didn’t plan to have Xu Xinyao take part in this negotiation.

Ran Qingmo said nothing but silently nodded.

Xu Xinyao, on the other hand, seemed somewhat opposed:

"Third Brother, I also..."

"Be obedient." Xu Yuan glanced back at her, his gaze allowing no room for defiance.

Xu Xinyao then left with Ran Qingmo.

Xu Yuan watched the graceful figures of the two women walking away, then slowly pushed open the door of the courtyard.

The courtyard had a pond with koi swimming around, the water clear and the pond’s center featured a pavilion.

Stepping in, Xu Yuan’s gaze immediately locked onto the man in the pavilion.

He had a delicate appearance, looked very young, dressed in a scholar’s robe, sitting in the pavilion, tending to a small fire stove, enjoying his wine alone.

A scholar?

Xu Yuan looked surprised and instinctively glanced around to see if there were other people in the courtyard.

At this moment, the man had already put down his wine cup, stood up, and bowed from afar to Xu Yuan at the entrance of the courtyard:

"Third Young Master, stop looking. I am Yuan Hao."

"...."

Xu Yuan withdrew his gaze and looked again towards the man in the pavilion. As he walked towards the pavilion, he said:

"Commander Yuan’s appearance is somewhat unexpected."

The delicate-looking man gave a light smile:

"Is it because my appearance doesn’t match the rumors that I enjoy killing?"

"A little."

Xu Yuan nodded, entering the pavilion and inspecting the man before him:

"Rather than a commanding officer, you look more like a scholar from the Hanlin Academy, and besides, you’re too young."