City Lord's Manor, rear courtyard.
Two men in black strode in, then respectfully bowed to the sturdy figure by the pond.
"Greetings, City Lord."
The sturdy figure slowly turned around, his calm gaze sweeping over the two men. His square face was covered in a messy beard, and his right eye was concealed beneath a black eyepatch, leaving only his left eye exposed.
"What, has the front line urged the Beast Taming Army again?"
"A message indeed arrived last night, telling our Arid Sea Dao to speed things up. There should be major movements on the front line soon."
Feeling the sturdy figure's gaze settle on them, the two black-clad men lowered their heads. The tall, thin one spoke respectfully.
Throughout the entire Arid Sea Dao, the sturdy man before them was its local emperor. Across all of Northern Yan and even Southern Qi, perhaps no one was unaware of Hanhai City Lord Xia Houqi's name.
A genuine Grandmaster-level expert—among Northern Yan's Grandmasters, he was undoubtedly ranked near the very top.
"Is that so? They certainly are impatient."
Xia Houqi chuckled.
"Then just pick up the pace. Lu Mei, you two can handle this matter however you like."
"Yes, sir. However, quite a few small and medium-sized factions have noticed something amiss recently. They seem to be drawing close to the Sea Moon Sect and Nine Star Gate, forming groups to protect themselves, so we..."
Lu Mei spoke with some hesitation.
"The Sea Moon Sect and Nine Star Gate?"
Xia Houqi sneered when he heard that.
"Don't hesitate. Go straight to them and demand their people. Tell those two old fellows it is my will, and tell them to cast aside any thoughts they shouldn't be having while they still can. Otherwise, I don't mind paying them a visit."
"Yes,