The Black Market's retaliation came even faster than Di Yao had expected.
On the second day after the Soul Hunting United Decree was established, something happened while Dugu Yan was being relocated.
Dawn had just broken.
The mist around the outskirts of Sunset Forest was thick.
Hu Liena escorted Dugu Yan to a temporary safehouse with three Martial Soul Hall Deacons.
Dugu Yan wore a fitted jade-green outfit. Her complexion looked better than before, but her mouth was still as sharp as ever.
With her arms folded, she walked in the middle of the group and said unfriendly, "Do you people at Spirit Hall always look so grim when protecting someone?"
Hu Liena walked ahead without looking back. "As long as you make it there alive, expressions aren't part of the mission."
Dugu Yan snorted.
"Did you learn that from Di Yao?"
Hu Liena's steps paused slightly.
Then she said coldly, "Don't compare me to him."
Looking at her back, Dugu Yan suddenly wanted to laugh.
She had obviously been around him too long.
Even the way she spoke was starting to choke people like he did.
But she did not say that aloud.
She did not want to fight too fiercely with Hu Liena right now.
After all, following yesterday's meeting, she had heard quite a lot from her grandfather.
Tang Hao.
The Black Market.
The Herb Garden.
The Heaven Dou Nobles.
With all those things pressing down on her, she realized for the first time that her little tempers had indeed been childish before the true bigger picture.
Hu Liena suddenly raised a hand.
The group stopped.
Dugu Yan frowned. "What is it?"
Hu Liena did not turn around, her gaze fixed on the mist ahead.
"The smell is wrong."
The three Deacons immediately went on guard.
The