Chapter 2242 - 1200: Return to the Motherland (3)

Upon hearing this, Sheng Yanlin almost laughed, slowly opened his eyes, and shook his head, "Do you think the Cannibal Buddha is someone with spare time? The Esoteric Sect and Dharma Sect are in a standoff on the border, there’s always the risk of conflict breaking out; he’s definitely not leaving the Royal City."

"So he’s not concerned about us?" Yang Xiao looked out through the dark car window, alarm bells ringing around him, unsure if it was just psychological, feeling ambushes everywhere.

Seeing Yang Xiao’s genuine anxiety, Sheng Yanlin leaned on his Wisdom Stick and reassured him with a smile, "Little Yang, don’t worry, just relax. I promise that nothing will happen."

"In the convoy, I’m the only one alive who’s a Mid-stage Nether Realm expert, but it’s hard to say for those half-dead," Sheng Yanlin revealed a cunning old smile.

Yang Xiao understood immediately, "Are you talking about those... Holy Servants?"

"Hehe, how about we make a bet?" Sheng Yanlin suggested, confidently, "I suspect one of those three trucks behind us is carrying Holy Servants and a Grand Temple Master from the Secret Temple."

"If we encounter powerful foes, they will immediately ’awaken’ the Holy Servants. If the Dharma Sect truly dares to ambush, they will never return, giving the High Priest an excuse to deploy troops."

Sheng Yanlin’s eyes gradually turned cold, his tone becoming sinister, "To be honest, I truly hope they come, killing two Netherworld Envoys would be a good way to make them bleed and avenge my ten years of humiliation!"

"With me here, plus those few behind in the truck, as long as it’s not the Dharma Sect’s White Robe Sect Leader personally coming, no matter how many, I’ll kill however many come, and pick the most talented one for you to turn into a Puppet to play with later."

"Elder Sheng, that’s some tough talk!" Yang Xiao gave Sheng Yanlin a thumbs up, then thought about it and raised two.

At this moment, having left the Esoteric Sect Royal City and escaped the control of the Cannibal Buddha, Yang Xiao keenly realized that Elder Sheng’s displayed demeanor was different from before.

If he was stable and restrained before, now he was all sharp edges.

After all, in the Esoteric Sect territory with a strong figure like the Cannibal Buddha suppressing him, staying together long term had made Yang Xiao somewhat overlook Elder Sheng’s identity and stature in the martial arts world.

Thinking back now, he was the head of the Upper Three Book House Yiling Academy, a true power in the region. Wherever he went, he was naturally a guest of honor, and he carried a prideful aura, embarking on a journey to reclaim everything he lost.

Although Elder Sheng hadn’t yet returned to his peak, he was, at least, infinitely close to super first-class strength. In his own words, unless it’s truly bizarre, he can easily eliminate those below Mid-stage Nether Realm.

Indeed, strength is a person’s true confidence, and Yang Xiao wondered when he could achieve Elder Sheng’s level of power.

The rest of the journey was predictably bumpy, but fortunately, they arrived safely.

At midnight, the group arrived at the dock smoothly. They took their cargo and switched to a ferry waiting for them, crossing the river.

Upon touching home soil, Yang Xiao instinctively walked toward the person responsible for receiving them, but after a few steps, he noticed that Elder Sheng was standing still.

Yang Xiao turned around instinctively, only to see Elder Sheng standing there in dim light, tears streaming down his face. He held a handful of freshly picked soil from the ground, mixed with fresh fallen leaves.

"Ten years! I’ve finally returned! Heaven has eyes!"

Upon seeing this, Yang Xiao and everyone present were deeply moved.

But it was only for a moment, as Sheng Yanlin soon wiped his tears away, discarded the soil, and strode towards the team that came to receive him.

Yang Xiao knew that this septuagenarian man had shown all his warmth, and now, it was time for revenge.

This time, the Patrol Defense Office had arranged a straightforward journey — no bus, directly driving to the airport where a plane awaited them.

They flew directly to Taian City in Jintong Province, and upon landing, the group again took a Provincial Office car. They arrived secretly at the Jintong Province Office located in Taian City before dawn.

The frontline command center for this operation was established here, and the Patrol Defense Office gave Elder Sheng the respect he deserved. The two main Provincial Office Chief Directors and other relevant provincial officials were all present to welcome Sheng Yanlin.

"Elder Sheng, you have suffered," Hong Anguo quickly stepped forward, extending both hands to tightly shake Sheng Yanlin’s.

"Elder Sheng, we’ve received explicit orders from the General Bureau. We’ll assist you in cleansing the rebels and returning to Yiling Academy," said the middle-aged man standing beside Hong Anguo, speaking with a heavy accent and a serious demeanor.

Yang Xiao noted that this man’s uniform was also a first-class position like Hong Anguo, both being Chief Directors, indicating this person was the Provincial Bureau Chief of Jintong Province.

With his spiritual power at that moment, Yang Xiao could clearly sense this Director’s strength surpassed Hong Anguo, although not quite there yet in the Nether Realm, close enough—a true expert indeed.

Yang Xiao had known for a long time that their Jiangbei Province’s overall strength was mid to lower rank among the Patrol Defense Office’s provincial sequence.

That’s putting it kindly—not so kindly, they’d be nearly last.

This distribution is based on the security situation of each province. Their Jiangbei Province, being inland, experiences relatively good security conditions.

The other day, his good brother Fu Qingzhu remarked that since Yang Xiao left, Rongcheng’s security had suddenly improved, with Evil Cultivators decreasing by half, nobody knowing why.