Chapter 542: Chapter 0537: Hao Family

The Hao Family Head, a powerhouse in the Late Guiyuan Realm, was absolutely a towering figure within Ningshan Prefecture.

At this moment, however, he was all smiles, offering his respects to Zou Yuhong and the others with great reverence.

Some onlookers, unaware of what it meant for the Kunyun Sacred Land to have envoys, were incredibly surprised.

In their view, Chen Yu, Luo Haotian, and Yin Chengzhuang, though young, commanded such politeness from the Hao Family’s upper echelons, including the Family Head–this was beyond their comprehension.

“Ladies and gentlemen, after your long journey, please come inside. The Hao Family will soon prepare a banquet to welcome and refresh you.”

Hao Liang said slowly.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Zou Yuhong nodded, not rejecting the offer.

Within the sacred land, competition was fierce, with almost everyone striving determinedly for upward mobility.

Additionally, with dangerous missions and treacherous human hearts, everyone was always on edge.

This time, returning to the ancient country for their mission, and with their esteemed status, they naturally wanted to fully enjoy and relax.

“Who are they, to warrant such solemn reception from the higher-ups of the Hao Family?”

“I heard they are envoys from the sacred land.”

“Could it be the legendary Kunyun Sacred Land? That is indeed the most sacred and superior place in the entire Kunyun Realm, a place countless cultivators dream of.”

After Zou Yuhong and others had left with the senior members of the Hao Family, discussions buzzed among the nearby members and descendants of the Hao Family.

In a sumptuously grand hall, the envoys and senior members of the Hao Family gathered.

Shortly after, mountain delicacies and seafood, as well as fine wines and dishes, were served.

Then, amidst soothingly beautiful music, a dozen or so exquisitely graceful women danced into the hall.

The guests appreciated the dances, savored the food, and gradually relaxed, with one or two completely immersing themselves in the feast.

“This wine is excellent.”

Zou Yuhong tasted the fine wine and complimented.

“This is brewed using a special technique from twenty-eight precious ingredients including Heavenly Blue Ganoderma and Dragon Fragrant Fruit.”

Hao Liang stroked his beard, his eyes twinkling as he smiled, “May I ask, esteemed envoys, what brings you here?”

“Recently, Ningshan Prefecture has been quite unsettled. We have heard that remnants of the Blood Moon Sect are causing trouble, and we are here to eradicate them and restore peace to Ningshan Prefecture.”

Zou Yuhong shifted his gaze from the fine wine to Hao Liang.

“The Blood Moon Sect!”

Many individuals from the Hao Family, upon hearing these three words, had varied expressions.

“If the holy envoys are putting in efforts for Ningshan Prefecture, and it is uncertain how many days you will stay, why not reside in the Hao Family for a while? Let us properly host you.”

Hao Liang took the initiative to suggest.

“We shall gladly accept your invitation, then,” Zou Yuhong said with a smile.

In fact, upon the arrival of the envoys from the sacred land, the Hao Family Head knew very well they intended to stay, but he couldn’t let the envoys say it themselves, so he, as the head of the family, proactively made the suggestion.

“As the Hao Family is a major clan in Ningshan Prefecture, you must be well-informed about the current situation. Could you please share some details?”

Zou Yuhong asked, quietly scrutinizing Hao Liang.

According to Elder Chang, it was very likely the Hao Family was colluding with the Blood Moon Sect.

However, this was only suspicion; without concrete evidence, they couldn’t just act against the Hao Family.

Therefore, they decided to stay in the Hao Family to investigate from within.

“In Ningshan Prefecture, things have indeed been unsettled lately. First, there’s the ‘Broken Blade Bandit Group’ that hides in Mist Forest. Over the past few years, they’ve grown progressively bolder, committing murder, arson, and robbery unabated. There are rumors that people from the Blood Moon Sect have been spotted nearby.”

“Secondly, within Ningshan Prefecture, the Zhang Family and Wei Family, within five years, rose from modest third-tier families to now second-tier families. While unrest spreads everywhere in Ningshan Prefecture, these two families remain untroubled, which is highly suspicious.”

Hao Liang explained.

“Splendid, the Hao Family indeed knows the situation in Ningshan Prefecture well.”

Zou Yuhong remarked with a smile.

His attitude towards Hao Liang was somewhat indirect; if the Hao Family truly was colluding with the Blood Moon Sect, they should be concealing information, not revealing so many suspicious points at once.

However, this might also be a ploy by Hao Liang to clear the family’s name.

After all, with a group of envoys from the sacred land visiting, the Hao Family would certainly guess their intentions and realize they were under scrutiny.

However, everything still required investigation, starting with verifying the information given. This would also help gauge the intentions of the Hao Family.

“I wonder if the Hao Family has suffered any disturbances from the ‘Broken Blade Bandit Group,’ or perhaps from the Blood Moon Organization?”

Zou Yuhong inquired.

“As a leading family in Ningshan Prefecture, our Hao Family is greatly influential; currently, they wouldn’t dare provoke us.”

A Hao Family Elder said proudly.

“Well, thank you for the information provided by the Hao Family.”

The banquet lasted until nighttime.

“It’s getting late; we shall retire for the night,” Zou Yuhong said.

“Esteemed envoys, please rest well. If you need anything, just let us know.”

Another senior member said before leading them to their accommodations.

After sending off the envoys from the sacred land, the grand hall emptied, leaving only three individuals behind.

“Big brother, why are we letting them stay in the Hao Family? Isn’t this inviting the wolf into the house?”

A red-skinned man spoke coldly.

“Third brother, you’re thinking too simply,”

“The envoys claim to be here to quell the rebellion but their main purpose is likely investigating our Hao Family. If we were to refuse them, wouldn’t that seem like we have something to hide? We might as well let them in willingly.”

Beside him, an elder with long hair spoke in a slow voice.

“The Second Brother is right, besides, our Hao Family also has its own mission to contact these envoys.”

Hao Liang’s gaze was profound.

“Is what Big Brother saying about finding the insider and getting intelligence from their hands?”

The man with ruddy skin asked softly.

Actually, the Hao Family had already pledged allegiance to the Blood Moon Sect a long time ago.

They had always kept it well hidden, and revealing themselves now was also to coordinate with the insider to obtain intelligence.

At the same time, they were to kill as many from the Sacred Land as possible, which was also the first strike Blood Moon Sect launched against Kunyun Sacred Land.

The other two people nodded, not speaking, seemingly in thought.

“This is going to be difficult,” the man with ruddy skin scratched his head.

There were a total of eleven envoys, a large number; how could they know who the insider was?

The Hao Family could not rashly make contact and reveal their identities; if they contacted the wrong person, it would be like handing over the evidence to the other side, and the Hao Family would be finished.

And those insiders might not be aware of the true stance of the Hao Family, so they wouldn’t easily expose their identities.

“We will find out eventually, let’s try probing them tonight.”

Hao Liang spoke slowly.

Meanwhile, the eleven Holy Guards gathered in a room.

“What are your thoughts about the Hao Family?”

Zou Yuhong asked.

Before coming here, Elder Chang had already told everyone that the Hao family might be in collusion with the Blood Moon Sect and was one of the primary investigative targets.

“I don’t think the Hao Family looks like they are colluding with the Blood Moon Sect.”

“No, I think two of the Hao Family Elders look at us particularly differently; there must be something wrong with this Hao Family.”

People present had differing opinions.

“I think the Hao Family should be fine.”

Chen Yu spoke.

Regardless, he was more or less affiliated with the Blood Moon Sect, although he hadn’t taken this matter to heart much, but he would help if he could.

“Hmph, the whole Ningshan Prefecture is in chaos, only the Hao Family is unharmed; if there is no issue, who would believe that?”

Fu Sanguang snorted coldly, opposing Chen Yu’s view.

At this time, he should have been cultivating within the Sacred Land; it was only because of Chen Yu’s appearance and their ensuing conflict that Fusang was also forced to take on the mission.

Fu Sanguang had already decided, he might ignore other tasks, but he would not let Chen Yu have his way and would make trouble for him as much as possible.

“Alright, let’s divide ourselves into four teams among the eleven of us and investigate the Hao Family, the Broken Blade Bandit Group, followed by the Zhang Family and the Wei Family, and make sure not to scare the snake.”

Zou Yuhong seemed to have planned this beforehand and now spoke.

“I will stay with the Hao Family, Fu Sanguang you lead two people to investigate the Zhang Family, Xie Yue you lead two people to check on the Wei Family, Chen Yu you lead three people to investigate the Broken Blade Bandit Group.”

In the team, Fu Sanguang, Xie Yue, and Chen Yu were all Silver Emblem Holy Guards.

The rest were either Bronze Emblem or reserve members.

“Hehe.”

Fu Sanguang glanced at Chen Yu.

Of these three tasks, investigating the Broken Blade Bandit Group was obviously the most dangerous.

Chen Yu had just become a Silver Emblem Holy Guard, but Zou Yuhong assigned him the most dangerous task, showing that the team leader was not very fond of Chen Yu.

“Early tomorrow morning, go execute the mission; every five days, communicate with me to report the situation.”

Zou Yuhong, with a stern expression, started issuing commands.

As a Golden Emblem Holy Guard, he was experienced and methodical in his approach.

After returning to his room, Chen Yu sat down, circulating his Cultivation Technique to consolidate his skills.

If one’s talents were inferior, they had to work harder than others.

Even though he had just become a Silver Emblem Holy Guard, in the Sacred Land, Silver Emblem Holy Guards were not much; above them were the Golden Emblem Holy Guards and the Law Enforcement Holy Guards.

Moreover, Chen Yu was essentially undercover, which made him feel very insecure.

“Ah, why does the Blood Moon Organization have to oppose Kunyun Sacred Land.”

Chen Yu sighed.

He had joined the Blood Moon Organization first and then entered the Sacred Land unknowingly.

Whichever identity he abandoned, he would offend another superpower, which was truly dangerous.

Psychologically, Chen Yu identified more with Kunyun Sacred Land since under its rule, the whole Kunyun Realm was relatively peaceful. Historically, the Blood Moon Sect had always been labeled as a cult.

However, Xue Feng had invited him twice before with a good attitude, and the Blood Lotus Saintess Tong Yuling was also in the Blood Moon Organization; Chen Yu did not want to become their enemy.

“Envoy, are you asleep?”

Just then, a knock on the door sounded, and a gentle and pleasant voice came through.

“Who are you, what do you want?”

Chen Yu asked.

“I am Hao Yuhong, the adopted daughter of the Family Head; I greeted you during the banquet just now.”

The door opened, and a captivating woman in a red dress, with a grace and allure in every move, walked in.

“Miss has long heard of your distinguished name; you were the top contender in the previous grand competition, and you were radiant at the Talent Tea Party, being chosen by the Sacred Land… Upon seeing you today, I can’t stop thinking about you, so I came to disturb you late at night, please don’t mind, Envoy.”

The alluring woman approached Chen Yu slowly, each movement seductively captivating.