Chapter 253 Lady Xia Hua
Xia Zhiguang urged Xia Hua, his adoptive daughter, to take action over the matter. However, no matter what he would do, Xia Hua would not budge. All the more so when she said that she would enter into seclusion and would only come out when something gets out of hand.
"Oh, my dear daughter, why would you do this?" Xia Zhiguang was not displeased; he was just disappointed that Xia Hua would not tell him a word about something.
However, he soon understood that there must be something more than what he saw on the surface. Xia Hua's cautious personality was not unfounded. Obviously, he, an old man, who had insufficient, was unable to see through anything unusual.
Having cultivated the Mind Path, his instincts immediately sunk in and told him that something seemed to be not in place. Although he could not point out what exactly was wrong, he could guess anything from Xia Hua's behavior.
Xia Hua, on the other hand, did not want to complicate Xia Zhiguang. She naturally sensed that something was wrong. If Xia Zhiguang was not an idiot for his age, he would definitely get a hold of what was going on.
It was just… different to Xia Zhiguang, Xia Hua noticed a powerful existence outside the sect. It was an existence she could presently not contend. As for the rules she comprehended, they would not even be half of what this person should have already comprehended.
She could deduce the other party's intention and found out that the person did not have any ill intent toward the sect. However, it was better to be careful than carefree. This was the main reason why she did not tell her old man—because that person had already sensed her presence and seemed to be wary of her as well.
Needless to say, the other party was not able to see through who she was. That was why she was going to enter into seclusion while not really going into seclusion. She only wanted to observe things and how they would develop. Again, if things really got out of hand, it would not be too late for her to take action.
Their main pillar, Yang Lujia, wasn't here. They only had themselves to rely on. It was better to be careful.
Meanwhile, Xia Zhiguang was regularly tending to the requests of Envoy Lu Han. He was also somewhat grateful to this envoy as the latter did not make any presumptuous request, except today.
"Sect Master Xia, mind if I ask you about something?" Envoy Lu Han asked. "I wonder if you can fulfill this envoy's request."
Envoy Lu Han maintained a respectful gesture, but he really could not hide the arrogance in his tone and the way he spoke condescendingly. Regarding this, however, Xia Zhiguang understood. Envoy Lu Han was an esteemed figure of the Demon-Subduing Autonomous Order. People were usually like this. Even the "him" before liked to put on arrogant airs—like everything was below him and he was the only one at the apex of the hierarchy.
"Of course, Lord Envoy! What is it that you want this old man to do?"
When Envoy Lu Han heard Sect Master Xia's voice, he was elated inwardly and immediately said, "A subordinate of mine sensed a very strong presence of extreme yin qi in the depths of your sect. May I have the honor to know why this is so? Is there some kind of treasure within your sect?"
When Envoy Lu Han finished his words, his eyes revealed a strange light.
Xia Zhiguang could not help but choke up. He naturally knew about the extreme yin qi pervading in the depths of the sect's premises. That was where his daughter had entered into seclusion!
Seeing the troubled look on Xia Zhiguang's face, Envoy Lu Han quickly sneered, "If it's a treasure and something valuable, then do not say it. This envoy is just curious. However, my subordinate also said another matter to me…"
Hearing the former sentences of the other party, Xia Zhiguang felt like a huge boulder was lifted off his shoulders. Luckily, this envoy did not pursue this matter. However, what was said next made his heart grow cold.
"You… what are you hiding? Or… to appropriately say it, who are you hiding?" Envoy Lu Han's eyes sharpened.
Xia Zhiguang was speechless. It seemed like they already discovered something odd from his side. Recalling how he went to see his daughter, he immediately recalled the attitude Xia Hua had toward him. It was like she became foreign and increasingly cold.
It should be related to this!
Xia Zhiguang showed a flustered look but that was only momentary. He immediately restored his calm appearance, despite panicking inside. Xia Hua was his greatest reliance. If she would come out, who knew the enemy would strike a fatal blow at her?
"What do you mean, Lord Envoy?" Xia Zhiguang showed an innocent look, as though he really did not know anything.
However, as they say, the eyes wouldn't be able to completely shadow the truth. It was the same case for Xia Zhiguang. No matter what, Envoy Lu Han was not an ordinary person but a cultivator himself! These subtle changes in expression, he had long caught it in his eyes.
Seeing such behavior of Xia Zhiguang, Envoy Lu Han felt like pursuing the matter more. He was extremely curious about how some other unknown party could make the old man accompanying him outside the sect feel the threat. It had to be said that the old man outside was an extremely powerful Saint Emperor, despite him being only an Inferiora. He was a higher elder in the Demon-Subduing Autonomous Order. His understanding of the rules he comprehended was very deep, the reason why he could reach such a height today.
But the old man actually felt some threat from this puny sect in a very desolate area.
Can the Third Region still produce powerhouses at that old man's level?
Or could it be that the Autonomous Region had long been wary of this and had instead annexed the region by going through the Heavenly Selection? It would also be a waste if there were geniuses who would grow fettered in this desolate region.
Scoffing, Envoy Lu Han crossed his arms and said, "Originally, I don't want to pursue this matter, but… this really roused my curiosity. Can I have the honor to meet this person backing you?"
Xia Zhiguang's face turned cold. "Lord Envoy… it's…"
He couldn't find the right words to enunciate. He might have reached the threshold of the Half-Step Saint Emperor Realm, but it was still a far cry from real Saint Emperors. The difference in strength would be obvious if a fight would break out.
And he knew exactly the mystery surrounding the Autonomous Region. Even if he sent an information spy there, that person could still not grasp or understand the situation in the region. Yes, he knew about the Autonomous Region's geography and how people lived their lives there, but big-shot information were very hard to acquire.
This was the reason why he was quite wary after meeting Envoy Lu Han. Especially the two men in black accompanying this extravagant-looking man.
"Even you cannot decide on this matter? I really want to meet this person…" Envoy Lu Han grinned, seemingly interested in such a matter.
Xia Zhiguang then sighed and had no choice but to concede. However, before he even uttered a word, a cold voice but one that carried deep-seated gentleness rang into everyone's ears. Even Envoy Lu Han seemed infatuated after hearing the voice of that person.
"Do you really want to force this lady to come out?"
"Who are you?" Envoy Lu Han's eyes showed vigilance, regaining the calmness on his face.
Just now, if not for the expert secretly protecting him, he would have already sustained injuries. Regarding this, his heart grew cold as he now realized that he might have kicked a metal plate.
"Regarding that, you don't have to know," the lady said.
However, Xia Zhiguang had long been shocked when his daughter stepped up. "Hua'er! You shouldn't have come out! Your father is incompetent!"
Envoy Lu Han's eyes constricted. "She's your daughter?"
When Envoy Lu Han saw the outstanding looks of Xia Hua, he was very mesmerized… he even had the idea to directly pounce on her and drag her to a bed. She was that kind of beauty that could leave any man naked without a thought.
She was just truly beautiful!
However, when he realized something amiss, his eyes showed a terror-stricken look as he looked at Sect Master Xia, "You! Are you hiding your cultivation level?!"
Regarding this, Xia Zhiguang shook his head. "I'm really a Half-Step Saint Emperor… As for my daughter, she was just too talented that she directly surpassed her father just after several years…"
GASP!
Even the men in black behind Envoy Lu Han could not quite grasp what kind of situation they encountered.
"His Highness doesn't want to cause trouble, but he will definitely not be afraid of trouble. If you dare probe into this lady further, don't blame me for taking action!" Xia Hua's pressure spread out.
The disciples who were originally practicing in the sect grounds were startled, their eyes showing despair or fear. The pressure that came just now was very strong. Although it was only for a short time, they really felt suffocated!
"Could something have happened to Sect Master Xia?"
"What do you mean? Sect Master Xia has Lady Xia Hua backing him! What trouble he would encounter?"
"But I've seen that there were some people who arrived earlier. Their carriage was flying and it was quite extravagant. Could this be related to such matter?"
Meanwhile, Envoy Lu Han's eyes almost rolled back.
Fear.
Yes! Fear!
He actually felt the fear he would only feel from his father!
"Young Lord, do not pursue this matter any longer. This old man is not confident in defeating this lady even if I go all out. I might even die. If I die, what would happen to you? Lord of Order is not here," a hoarse voice entered into his mind that he shivered involuntarily.