Everyone's eyes were focused on the burly man with a shiny bald head and an "innocent and confused" look on his face - Yo-Yo.
"What... what's wrong? Is there a problem?" Yo-Yo blinked his seemingly honest eyes and asked angrily. His eyes swept back and forth between Ye Shuhua's shocked face and Elder Chen's pale face, as if he really didn't understand why everyone looked at him with such eyes.
Elder Chen roared madly in his heart, "Is there a problem?! The problem is huge! You are a Transformed Soul Beast, Hundred-Thousand-Year-level terrifying existence, disguised as a human and lurking in front of me Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, forced us to do the heartbreaking thing of splitting the country, and sat in the sect like a god of plague, and now we are chasing you here, at the headquarters of "Holy Sword", in front of the successor of Angel Martial Soul!
This in itself is a huge problem! It is a catastrophic problem that can cause the continent to shake!" But he only dared to shout in his heart, his throat seemed to be strangled by an invisible hand, and he could not spit out a word. Only cold sweat trickled down his temples and soaked his collar.
Ye Shuhua stared at Yo-Yo, her heartbeat speeding up, not because of fear, but because of vigilance.
"Ye Shuhua." Yo-Yo seemed a little "uncomfortable" being stared at by her. He scratched his head again and subconsciously called her name, as if to confirm something.
It was this sound! Ye Shuhua seemed to have a flash of lightning in her mind! This Transformed Soul Beast knew her! And he screamed so naturally! But she was sure that she had never seen this "strong man"! Then, the channel for him to know her could only come from...
A figure in a gray robe, a pair of ice-blue eyes, a late-night secret room transaction, a promise about "Soul Beast Helper"... were connected in her mind instantly!
"You..." Ye Shuhua's voice had an imperceptible tremor, not because of fear, but because of some kind of speculation. "Are you a subordinate of Kraken?"
These words were like thunder, striking Elder Chen's heart again! Kraken?! The Deep Sea Nightmare who refused to say that he had been an enemy of Sea God Island for thousands of years?! This Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast was actually a subordinate of that existence?! What kind of terrifying ancient grudges was Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect involved in?!
Facing Ye Shuhua's direct questioning, the "silly and confused" expression on Yo-Yo's face faded like a tide. Although his facial features remained unchanged, his whole temperament instantly calmed down, and his eyes were filled with There was no hiding the depth and calmness of the apex predator. He straightened his body, which was as tall as a small city wall, tilted his head slightly, as if assessing Ye Shuhua's reaction, and then nodded simply, his voice calm and calm:
"Yeah."
These two simple words hit everyone's heart like a heavy hammer, confirming their worst guesses.
"What did he ask you to do?" Ye Shuhua's voice became colder, and his hand unconsciously held a certain treatment Soul Tool in his sleeve. Although she had been mentally prepared that Kraken's "help" would not be that simple, sending a Hundred-Thousand-Year Transformed Soul Beast directly into the headquarters with such swagger was beyond her expectations. This was not only "help", but also a declaration and a deterrent.
"The boss said," Yo-Yo didn't seem to care at all about Ye Shuhua's vigilance and Elder Chen's fear. His tone was as calm as if he was recounting what to eat for dinner, "That Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is just in case. Let me come over and take a look. Don't let something spoil your good deeds and... spoil the boss's 'investment'."
"Investment?" Ye Qingning finally couldn't help but speak with a cold voice, "Mr. Kraken's so-called 'investment' is to send an existence like you to secretly monitor or even... interfere in our talks with our allies?"
Behind her, a vaguely holy Six-Winged Angel shadow emerged slightly, exuding an aura of Purification and majesty, forming a faint counterbalance to the deep Soul Beast pressure of Yo-Yo.
Yo-Yo felt the pure light and sacred aura, and frowned almost unnoticeably. He seemed a little unhappy, but he did not show up. He just grinned and showed a smile that looked a little scary to others, "Saintess Hall What I said is serious. It's not monitoring, it's 'taking care of'."
The boss values you very much, especially you. He said that you have grown very quickly, even better than expected. This is good. But the more you do this, the more careful you must be. There are many people on the mainland who do not want to see the rise of 'Holy Sword' and Angel Martial Soul.
For example... the Sea God Island that just suffered heavy losses, such as... some bed bugs hiding in darker places."
He paused and glanced at the ashen-faced Elder Chen with a vague look. "As for the 'sincerity' and 'certificate of submission' brought by this Elder Chen... When the boss knows about it, he should be... well, quite satisfied. This proves that your choice is very 'far-sighted'."
Elder Chen heard this, his legs softened and he almost fell to his knees. It turned out that all their plans, even the "resignation" strategy discussed in private, had been anticipated and even acquiesced by the other party!
The way out they thought they found was just a move on someone else's chessboard! This feeling of being completely seen through and manipulated was even more desperate than the direct threat of death.
Ye Shuhua's expression changed. The sudden appearance of Kraken's men brought huge uneasiness and potential risks, but their words also revealed some information: Kraken was indeed paying attention to them, and was "satisfied" with the alliance between "Holy Sword" and Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
This may mean that their current development direction is still in line with the "expectations" of that existence and will not cause direct intervention or destruction for the time being. However, if they are openly related to Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, especially Kraken, a dangerous subordinate, once word spreads, the "bright" image of "Holy Sword" will be fatally affected.
"Your existence is a big problem in itself." Ye Shuhua took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. "'Holy Sword' takes light, protection, and fighting evil as its banner. If you are too closely related to Soul Beast, especially Mr. Kraken, once it is exposed, we will lose the foundation of our foothold."
"Then don't expose it." Yo-Yo shrugged. The heavy shoulder movement made him look like a rocking hill, "I can continue to be Elder Chen's 'distant cousin' and a stronger guard.
Or, you can assign me any identity, such as sweeper, janitor, or mover. I am easy to support, as long as I have food and a place to sleep.
I promise not to disturb you when you are doing your business, and will only provide a little 'little help' when... necessary." As he spoke, he also bent his arms, which were thicker than ordinary people's thighs, to show off his non-existent biceps.
Ye Shuhua and Ye Qingning looked at each other, and both saw the helplessness and solemnity in each other's eyes. They couldn't drive them away. Fighting... let alone fighting, once they started, they would completely break their faces and become enemies of Kraken and even the forces behind it. The consequences would be disastrous. Accepting? It means putting a bomb that will explode at an unknown time next to you, and having to disguise it for him.
"Mother..." Ye Qingning looked at Ye Shuhua with inquiry in her eyes. Although she was already the leader of "Holy Sword", she still needed her mother's wisdom when faced with such a major and strange decision.
Ye Shuhua closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, her eyes were filled with determination and clarity. She looked at Yo-Yo, her tone returned to calmness, but with unquestionable firmness. "You can stay. But you must abide by our rules.
First, the body or aura of Soul Beast is not allowed to be revealed in any form without permission. Second, you are not allowed to actively cause trouble or harm humans without reason. Third, your actions must be approved by me or Qing Ning. Fourth, your true identity is only known to the people in the hall at the moment. If a fifth person learns from you, it will be regarded as betrayal."
"No problem!" Yo-Yo agreed very readily, as if he had been waiting for this sentence for a long time, "The boss said that when I come here, I will listen to you. As long as you don't let me starve, don't let me do too delicate work, everything else is easy to say!"
Ye Shuhua nodded, no longer looking at him, but turned his gaze to Elder Chen, who was almost exhausted, and softened his tone. "Elder Chen, you have also seen what happened today. My 'Holy Sword' situation is far more complicated than what the outside world sees. We have received your sincerity. The alliance can be discussed in detail. But about what we saw and heard today..."
"I understand! No word of what happened today will be leaked out of this hall or into my ears! If there is any violation, heaven and earth will punish you, and the sect will be completely destroyed!" Elder Chen didn't wait for Ye Shuhua to finish speaking, and hurriedly swore to the sky, his voice was urgent and fearful.
Now he just wants to hold tightly to the "Holy Sword", which may be the only ship that can save his life, so how can he dare to have any dissent? As for cooperating with Soul Beast? After seeing the horror of Yo-Yo and the deeper forces behind it, he only feels that being alive and allowing the sect to continue is the best result.
"That's very good." Ye Shuhua nodded slightly, "Qing Ning, you first discuss the details of the alliance with Elder Chen. As for... this 'guard'," she glanced at Yo-Yo, "I'll temporarily arrange for a casual position in the outer courtyard guard team, and find someone to 'take care' of him."
"Yes, mother." Ye Qingning agreed, looking at Yo-Yo with still complex eyes, but he had regained his composure as a leader.
Yo-Yo smiled innocently, hugged Ye Shuhua and Ye Qingning, and then patted Elder Chen on the shoulder "kindly": "Elder Chen, we will be colleagues from now on! Please take care of me!"
Elder Chen squeezed out a smile that was uglier than crying, but his heart felt like crying without tears. He knew that from now on, the fate of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was not only tied to "Holy Sword", but also to this bottomless undercurrent. And he was the one who tied this rope.