"So lively. What are you all up to? Putting on a Water-and-Land Rite?"
As the voice rang out, a burly, bearded man strode inside, followed by four others.
At the sight of him, everyone bowed in greeting and called out in unison, "Greetings, Director Mu."
The newcomer was Mu Kuang. Xu Yi was utterly perplexed. The situation here had always remained under control, and he truly couldn't see why Mu Kuang had come at this particular moment.
"Can someone tell me what you're doing? Liu Qingping, Xie Hua, you two are sprawled on the ground, seriously injured. Tsk, tsk. And someone has turned to smoke—I'm guessing that was Jiang Chun. Can someone tell me which great power did this?"
Though Mu Kuang shouted his questions, his gaze remained fixed on Xu Yi.
Xu Yi said, "Since Director Mu has asked, I'll tell you plainly. While I was away, Xie Hua and Jiang Chun gave Liu Qingping special treatment beyond the prescribed limits. I've always studied the Great Edict of the Underworld diligently and followed its rules, so naturally, I couldn't stand by and watch. I rebuked them sternly. But Jiang Chun has always been domineering; he actually dared to show me disrespect. I could hardly tolerate such insolence and defiance, so I struck him dead. As for Xie Hua and Supervisor Liu, they were simply caught in the crossfire. If you don't believe me, Director Mu, you can ask everyone here."
Before Mu Kuang could speak, the whole room chimed in to agree. Xie Hua and Liu Qingping were especially quick to voice their support, nodding like chicks pecking at grain.
Of all the people there, Xu Yi wasn't the most anxious about Mu Kuang's arrival. That was the two of them. What they'd done would surely be considered a