Mo Han, observing the situation from the side, couldn't help but speak, "Patriarch Nangong, there is no need for anger. This matter is not your fault. As the saying goes, it is hard to guard against thieves within one's own household. You, Patriarch Nangong, cannot possibly control the thoughts of every subordinate. Thus, the fault does not lie with you. Furthermore, I suspect these individuals behind the scenes have been planning this for quite some time, making it even harder to guard against. Moreover, you have always been devoted to the Empire, which I have just witnessed. I, Mo Han, will explain the circumstances to the Emperor later."

Hearing Mo Han's words, Nangong Haitang's expression softened slightly. He spoke to Mo Han with a degree of shame, "Your subordinate is truly ashamed to let His Highness the Prince encounter such matters upon his arrival; it brings great dishonor upon me. I humbly request Your Highness to offer more explanation before the Emperor. I and all the generals of the Silver Fox Legion will be eternally grateful."

After saying this, Nangong Haitang quickly stood and bowed to Mo Han. Mo Han hastily reached out to stop him, saying, "Patriarch Nangong, there is no need for such ceremony. I know precisely how to explain this matter to the Emperor, so you need not worry too much. What is crucial now is thoroughly investigating this mole; otherwise, I fear the consequences could be endless. However, I worry that once Luo Yun realized his plot was exposed, he might have already fled."

Upon hearing Mo Han's words.

Nangong Haitang understood in his heart that there was a high probability Kate’s mission would come up empty. Luo Yun had likely been planning this for a long time and must have secured an escape route. By the time the plot was revealed, Luo Yun could be anywhere. Yet, even knowing the slim chances, he could not simply ignore it; his conscience would not allow it.

Although he knew the odds were against them, having an account to settle would at least offer some solace, which is why Nangong Haitang dispatched Kate to lead the troops to apprehend Luo Yun.

Not long after, Kate walked in, his face etched with dejection. Seeing his expression, everyone present already guessed that Luo Yun had not been captured, which was why Kate looked so crestfallen. Indeed, Kate shamefacedly approached Nangong Haitang.

He knelt and confessed, "Your subordinate is useless. Luo Yun had clearly received word and fled. By the time we arrived, the place was deserted; we couldn't catch him at all. I beg the Patriarch to mete out punishment."

Hearing Kate's reply, Nangong Haitang waved his hand, signaling Kate to rise, and sighed helplessly, "Alas, get up. It is not your fault. Since Luo Yun committed such an act, how could he not have prepared an escape plan? This is my dereliction of duty; I failed to notice this traitor among us, causing the entire Heavenly Dragon Empire great shame. Once this matter is resolved, I will return to the Heavenly Dragon City to plead my case before the Emperor. For now, I have urgent matters to discuss with His Highness the Prince. Everyone return to your posts and remain vigilant. I do not believe these men in black will give up so easily. Do not let another mistake occur."

Hearing Nangong Haitang’s words, the other generals could say no more, offering their farewells to Mo Han and Nangong Haitang before returning to their camps to actively prepare against any possible counterattack from the remaining accomplices of the men in black.

Presently, only Nangong Haitang, Kate, and the Prince remained in the hall. It was presumed that Kate was a close personal guard of Nangong Haitang, which is why he remained by his side.

At this moment, Nangong Haitang turned to Kate and commanded, "Immediately proceed to the City Lord's Manor dungeon and bring up that black-clad assassin whom His Highness the Prince ordered to be guarded. Ensure he does not escape; His Highness the Prince will interrogate him personally shortly."

Kate bowed deeply upon receiving the order, saluted Mo Han and Nangong Haitang, and left the main hall. At once, the entire council chamber held only Mo Han and Nangong Haitang.

Seeing everyone else depart, Nangong Haitang quickly bowed to Mo Han, saying, "This is my failure, Patriarch Nangong. The near fall of MiG City nearly cost us everything. I fear news of this will soon reach the Heavenly Dragon City. Many in the court already harbor dissatisfaction toward the Nangong family due to our close ties with the Murong family. I fear this incident will only embolden them to kick us while we are down. I implore Your Highness to offer sufficient explanation to His Majesty on my behalf. The Nangong family and I will be eternally indebted to Your Highness for this great favor, a debt we shall never forget."

Mo Han looked somewhat puzzled and said, "Patriarch Nangong is being too earnest. After all, your family is one of the Four Great Families of the Empire, and the Nangong family has rendered countless meritorious services to the Heavenly Dragon Empire. I doubt the Emperor will blame you too severely. Moreover, given the relationship between your Nangong family and the Murong family, I hardly think anyone would dare make too much noise over this. Even if they did, I believe General Murong would not stand idly by. The court officials must afford General Murong some face. Therefore, Patriarch Nangong, you need not worry too much about this matter."

Hearing Mo Han's reply, Nangong Haitang hastily waved his hand, offering a bitter smile, "Your Highness the Prince has not spent much time in court, so you may not fully grasp the intricacies of court politics. Because of the marital ties between the Nangong and Murong families, our relationship has always been the most cohesive among the Four Great Families. By our generation, the bond has grown even tighter, which inevitably alerts the other two families. They suspect that the Nangong family seeks to join forces with the Murong family to crush the other two houses."

Mo Han responded, "Are you referring to the Gongsun family and the Changsun family, Patriarch Nangong? You are all founding pillars of the Empire, after all. I have interacted with Patriarch Gongsun; I do not believe he is the type to strike while one is down. Is Patriarch Nangong perhaps overthinking this?" Nangong Haitang offered a wry smile and said, "I beg Your Highness's pardon for my bluntness."

"It is because Your Highness has not experienced Sun Wuji's true nature. The Gongsun family's strength has always been equal to that of the Murong family; the two houses have been locked in unspoken rivalry for years. However, in our generation, because the Nangong family has completely aligned with the Murong faction, the Gongsun family's influence has gradually been suppressed by the Murong family, leaving them at a disadvantage."

This was the first time Mo Han had heard the history of the Four Great Families, and curiosity kept him quiet. He did not interrupt Nangong Haitang’s narrative, but listened attentively as the Patriarch continued.

Nangong Haitang went on, "For this reason, the Gongsun family harbors deep resentment toward us, wishing nothing more than to crush the Nangong family swiftly so as to weaken the Murong family’s power. But due to the Murong family’s influence, the Gongsun family has never found a viable opportunity. Truthfully, if it were just a minor matter, even without the Murong family's aid, the Gongsun family would naturally be powerless against us."

A note of confidence entered Nangong Haitang's tone. "However, this current affair is momentous. If Gongsun Wuji seizes upon this, accusing my Nangong family of dereliction of duty—of failing to rigorously vet the backgrounds of our generals, leading to the near-fall of MiG City—then even the Murong family might not be able to shield us. After all, a high-ranking general at the Legion level defecting is an unprecedented event in the Empire. If not for Your Highness's timely intervention, the Nangong family would truly have been ruined. Therefore, Nangong Haitang must thank Your Highness the Prince for saving us."

Nangong Haitang’s words overflowed with immense gratitude toward Mo Han. Mo Han smiled gently upon hearing this and replied, "Patriarch Nangong is too kind. For Mo Han, it was merely a small effort, so you needn't dwell on it."

Nangong Haitang immediately shook his head with solemnity, saying, "Perhaps this is a small effort for Your Highness. But for our Nangong family, Your Highness’s actions are nothing less than saving the very fate of my entire lineage. Therefore, for any command Your Highness may issue in the future, I, Nangong Haitang, and the entire Nangong family will exert our utmost effort without fail—unless, of course, Your Highness deems the Nangong family too weak to be of assistance."

Seeing Nangong Haitang’s earnest expression, Mo Han felt a wry amusement. This man was taking things far too seriously. If he continued to refuse, Nangong Haitang might think he was deliberately slighting him or looking down on the family. With that thought, Mo Han could only nod and concede, "Since Patriarch Nangong insists, then I shall humbly accept. Should I require assistance in the future, you will be the first person I think of, Patriarch Nangong."

Hearing Mo Han’s words, Nangong Haitang finally showed a look of satisfaction. "I thank Your Highness. However, I must still trouble Your Highness to explain the situation to the Emperor when you return; Nangong Haitang will be eternally grateful."

Mo Han nodded, "Rest assured, Patriarch Nangong. Since Mo Han promised you before, I will certainly see it through. However, I believe the Heavenly Dragon Empire is currently beset by troubles. Patriarch Gongsun is not a short-sighted man; he certainly will not trouble your Nangong family at this juncture. Pressuring your family now would bring them no benefit whatsoever. If the Heavenly Dragon Empire falls, no matter how powerful the Gongsun family becomes, it will be meaningless."

Nangong Haitang conceded, "The Prince speaks sense. But I fear that once this immediate crisis passes, given Gongsun Wuji’s character, he will not let the matter rest easily. In the days to come, we will have to rely on Your Highness to speak on our behalf before the Emperor."

Just as Mo Han nodded in agreement, Kate’s voice sounded from the doorway: "Reporting to Your Highness the Prince, reporting to the Patriarch, the black-clad assassin has been brought. Shall we begin the interrogation immediately?"

Nangong Haitang glanced at Mo Han, and seeing Mo Han give a slight nod, he quickly called out toward the door, "Bring the prisoner in!"

Hearing Nangong Haitang’s command, Kate immediately escorted the leader of the black-clad group, who was now bound tightly, into the council hall. Upon seeing Mo Han and Nangong Haitang, the black-clad leader merely let out a cold snort and turned away, ignoring them.

Nangong Haitang’s face darkened at this display. He let out a cold snort and spoke, "A defeated general still dares to put on airs? Do you believe I won't send you down to meet your comrades right now?"

Hearing Nangong Haitang’s threat, the black-clad leader seemed entirely unafraid, offering only a cold laugh in response. "Very well, I would welcome it. Nangong Haitang, do you think those petty tricks can scare me? Laughable. If you hadn't been lucky enough to have this young man appear halfway through, you’d likely be a corpse by now. Yet you dare flaunt your authority? Kill me if you must; spare the nonsense."

Hearing the black-clad leader’s words, Nangong Haitang’s expression shifted violently. If it weren't for these black-clad assassins, he and the Nangong family would not be in this awkward predicament. If not for Mo Han’s presence, Nangong Haitang would truly have liked to run his sword through this man immediately. However, recalling that Mo Han specifically wanted this assassin detained, Nangong Haitang suppressed his rage and spoke coldly, "Relax. Once His Highness the Prince has finished his questioning, this general will certainly give you a proper welcome."

After saying this, Nangong Haitang turned respectfully to Mo Han and inquired, "Does Your Highness the Prince require a private interrogation of this assassin? If so, I will immediately make arrangements for Your Highness."

Mo Han inwardly sighed. Nangong Haitang was indeed seasoned in official life; he had immediately grasped Mo Han’s intentions. If too many people were present, and if Mo Han were to uncover information linking the matter to the Dark Church, the situation would become exceedingly difficult to manage.

Jump to