Chapter 423: The Plan Begins
Nan Gongwan was extremely nervous, babbling, "Boss Huo, you must be joking, right? The Vice Leader is a Rank 97 Super Douluo! Her strength far surpasses mine I wouldn't even last a few moments against her.
Besides, I've been an elder in the Holy Spirit Cult for many years. I know a lot of inside information, and because of my position, I can serve as an undercover informant for you. Please believe me I'm far more useful alive than dead!"
Huo Yuhao stood with his arms crossed over his chest, watching Nan Gongwan with an impassive expression, saying nothing.
As he spoke, Nan Gongwan carefully observed Huo Yuhao's expression.
The moment he saw Huo Yuhao's calm and indifferent demeanor, his heart sank.
He felt a deep sense of dread after all, his life was in Huo Yuhao's hands!
So, he forced a pitiful look onto his face and pleaded, "Even if you really want me to kill the Vice Leader, at least give me some help! I think Ming Lei is perfect for the job he's not only a Title Douluo but also a Rank 9 Soul Engineer. In the Holy Spirit Cult, he's considered one of the stronger elders."
Nan Gongwan was completely resigned to his fate. If Huo Yuhao truly ordered him to kill the Vice Leader, then resisting would only mean dying sooner.
At the very least, if he accepted the mission, he could live a little longer.
Of course, he didn't want to die during the assassination, either.
That meant he needed an accomplice.
And who else could help him but Ming Lei Douluo, who was also under Huo Yuhao's soul core seal?
Even if they weren't strong enough to defeat Feng Ling head on, they might have a chance to succeed if they took advantage of her trust and ambushed her.
Ming Lei Douluo's face darkened immediately.
He was furious that Nan Gongwan was trying to drag him down with him.
Killing the Vice Leader? That was practically suicide!
The Vice Leader's strength was terrifying, and he had no confidence in defeating her.
He wanted to stay alive for as long as possible.
Maybe, if fate favored him, he could one day break free from Huo Yuhao's soul core seal.
If that happened, he could reunite with Nan Shuishui and spend the rest of his life with her.
Even though Nan Shuishui was already married and had a daughter, Ming Lei Douluo had never stopped loving her.
Even now, he wasn't willing to let her go.
So, he immediately rebuked Nan Gongwan:
"Nan Gongwan, what nonsense are you spouting?! Boss Huo hasn't even given his orders, yet you're already jumping to conclusions! Are you disregarding Boss Huo's authority? What are you really trying to do?!"
Nan Gongwan was stunned.
What's wrong with this idiot?!
If I die, do you think you'll have a good time either?!
Wouldn't it be better to work together and ambush the Vice Leader?
If they took advantage of her trust, they might succeed and survive.
Of course, he couldn't voice these thoughts in front of Huo Yuhao.
At that moment, Huo Yuhao spoke.
"Nan Gongwan, I was just joking earlier. Why would I have you kill Feng Ling? After all, I intend to recruit her, just like I recruited you."
Huo Yuhao had only been testing them.
Every Title Douluo level Evil Soul Master was a murderer with blood on their hands.
None of them were truly loyal to anyone.
If he didn't establish dominance, even if their lives were in his hands, they might still not take their tasks seriously.
Nan Gongwan let out a long sigh of relief.
Hearing Huo Yuhao casually joke about his life had made him feel like he was walking on thin ice.
With a forced smile, he said, "Boss Huo, you really have a great sense of humor. It's a blessing for the Vice Leader that you're willing to recruit her. So, are you planning to act today?"
Huo Yuhao nodded. "Yes. I've already confirmed that your Vice Leader, Feng Ling, will be attending the tournament today."
Nan Gongwan's heart clenched.
He and Ming Lei Douluo had been together the entire time they had never reported Feng Ling's attendance to Huo Yuhao.
In fact, Huo Yuhao had never even asked them for this kind of information.
Yet he knew.
Which meant he had an unknown source of intelligence.
Nan Gongwan felt an immediate sense of crisis.
But he still forced himself to smile and responded, "That's correct. If any exceptional talents appear during the tournament, the Vice Leader will want me to recruit them into the Holy Spirit Cult. Boss Huo, what exactly is your plan?"
As he spoke, he cautiously glanced at Huo Yuhao, trying to gauge his intentions.
Huo Yuhao stated simply, "I'll disguise myself as your subordinate and attend the tournament with you. Once the opportunity arises, I'll make my move against Feng Ling."
Nan Gongwan exhaled in relief.
However, he still had some concerns.
"Boss Huo," he asked hesitantly, "could we wait until after the tournament, when the Vice Leader is somewhere more secluded, before making a move?
Right now, there are too many people present powerful figures from various factions and a huge audience.
If word of this leaks out, it could be disastrous.
Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao aren't people to be trifled with."
He wasn't worried about Huo Yuhao's ability to handle Feng Ling he was worried about causing unnecessary trouble.
Huo Yuhao was too strong.
And with his exceptional talent, there was no way Kong Deming wasn't protecting him.
For all Nan Gongwan knew, Kong Deming might be watching them right now.
After all, once Kong Deming passed away, Huo Yuhao would become the backbone of the Sun Moon Empire's Soul Engineer faction.
If the empire didn't take precautions to protect him, they'd be taking an enormous risk.
Huo Yuhao nodded, accepting the suggestion.
Then, he donned a mask and a black robe, remaining in the alley with Nan Gongwan while Ming Lei Douluo entered the Green Velvet Hotel.
Shortly afterward, he emerged with three contestants representing the Xishui Alliance.
After a brief conversation, they all boarded a carriage and set off for the outskirts of Mingdu.
Nan Gongwan had arranged for them to travel by carriage since there was still plenty of time before the event began.
Moreover, it was a tradition for the Xishui Alliance to arrive at the tournament this way.
Arriving at the Tournament Grounds
After some time, the carriage arrived at the western outskirts of Mingdu, five miles from the city.
This was the designated final venue for the Mingdu Soul Engineer Elite Tournament, organized by the three major underground factions of Mingdu.
Now, representatives from the Pingfan Alliance, the Odu Business Association, and the Xishui Alliance were all gathered here.
The air was thick with tension and anticipation.
Huo Yuhao's plan had officially begun.
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