Chapter 844: Xu Zhifan

In a flash, a day had passed.

And within the Evil Realm, it was ten days' time.

Luo Town.

Array Master Hall.

Xu Zhifan and a group of Array Pivot Envoys stood respectfully outside the door.

A crowd of Array Pulse Soldiers and Array Reserve Soldiers stood on both sides, a grand and imposing sight.

Xu Zhifan's face was full of worry, even appearing somewhat restless.

Only today had he received news regarding the arrival of Ma Zhiyao, the Deputy Prefect of Zhiyang Prefecture.

Ma Zhiyao's arrival was far too unexpected; the only explanation Xu Zhifan could think of was the loss of his six Array Pivot Envoys earlier.

Wen Jianjian was also somewhat nervous, leaning in close to Xu Zhifan to say:

"Array Master, you requested all Array Pivot Envoys to come, but Chen Yan did not come..."

Xu Zhifan frowned and waved his hand:

"If he doesn't come, he doesn't come. His entire body is overflowing with malice; the Deputy Prefect will be able to see at a glance that the malice has already seeped into his very marrow.

Doing so would only leave a worse impression of my Luo Town."

These past few days, Xu Zhifan had been constantly frowning.

On one hand, he had lost six Array Pivot Envoys during the last clearing of Law Enforcers, which was a grave offense.

On the other hand, he had privately claimed the credit for the dozen or so Law Enforcer settlements that had already been destroyed by someone else.

After all, it was a guilty conscience; even he would worry about the matter being exposed.

Furthermore, Jiang Guanxin had actually gone missing.

Jiang Guanxin was the next Prefect he had personally selected, yet he had just vanished like that.

With all these troubles combined, his white hair had increased quite a bit.

As for Chen Yan.

Xu Zhifan had long since forgotten about him.

Now, Xu Zhifan only hoped he could safely weather this crisis.

"By the way, has Jiang Guanxin been found?" Xu Zhifan looked toward Wen Jianjian.

Hearing this, Wen Jianjian's expression darkened:

"No, his father doesn't know where he went either."

At the mere thought of Jiang Guanxin, Wen Jianjian was already roaring inside.

On the day Jiang Guanxin achieved the rank of Deputy Array Master, the Wen family had brought out a large amount of precious medicine to congratulate him.

Originally, Wen Jianjian and the entire Wen family thought this was a safe and profitable investment.

But who would have thought.

Jiang Guanxin was gone.

At this moment, Wen Jianjian's heart was bleeding.

Soon, the streets of Luo Town were suddenly brightly lit, and the sound of voices rose in a clamor.

Xu Zhifan's expression tightened as he looked toward the corner of the street.

There, a carriage was driving toward them.

The carriage stopped at the entrance of the Array Master Hall, and Ma Zhiyao, the Deputy Prefect of Zhiyang Prefecture, dressed in purple robes, stepped down.

"Greetings, Deputy Prefect!"

Xu Zhifan, Wen Jianjian, and the others hurriedly bowed.

Ma Zhiyao, however, hurriedly grabbed Xu Zhifan's arm and smiled cordially:

"Brother Zhifan, it has been a long time, why be so formal?"

Ma Zhiyao's attitude stunned everyone, and even Xu Zhifan was somewhat bewildered.

Although he was an Array Master, Ma Zhiyao was a Deputy Prefect, with a status far above his own.

Yet at this moment, he was calling him Brother Zhifan?

Ma Zhiyao looked at Xu Zhifan with a smile, pulling Xu Zhifan's arm as they walked into the Array Master Hall.

A dozen days ago, Ma Zhiyao had originally come to convene a meeting with the Array Masters of Luo Town, Chen Town, and Bai Town.

But on the way, he had discovered over a dozen Law Enforcer settlements that had been artificially destroyed.

In one of the settlements, Ma Zhiyao had discovered traces left behind by the 【Obliteration】 Grand Array.

At that time, Ma Zhiyao had no heart for a meeting and instead hurried back to Zhiyang Prefecture to report the matter to the Prefect.

After all, within the Evil Realm, experts capable of deploying the 【Obliteration】 Grand Array were one in ten thousand.

But Ma Zhiyao had not expected that he had only just returned to Zhiyang Prefecture.

Xu Zhifan's duty report had arrived at Zhiyang Prefecture right after him.

Xu Zhifan's duty report stated very clearly that those dozen or so Law Enforcer settlements were destroyed by him.

In other words, Xu Zhifan was the expert who had created the 【Obliteration】 Grand Array.

At this moment.

Ma Zhiyao held Xu Zhifan's arm, as if treating a long-lost brother.

Ma Zhiyao knew that since Xu Zhifan could create the 【Obliteration】 Divine Array, he would likely be a figure he would need to look up to in the future.

If he didn't curry favor now, when would he?

"Originally, the Prefect intended to come as well, but with the Small Tide approaching, the Prefect is busy, so he had me come first to see you."

Ma Zhiyao said with a chuckle, looking at Xu Zhifan:

"You must not blame the Prefecture Master."

Ma Zhiyao's polite pleasantries made Xu Zhifan feel alarmed, and he hurriedly replied:

"How would Xu Zhifan dare to blame the Prefecture Master."

Behind him, Wen Jianjian and a group of Array Pivot Envoys followed, their eyes filled with shock for a moment.

They were truly stunned.

They also did not know that Xu Zhifan actually had such great face, to be treated this way by the Prefecture Master's Deputy Envoy.

Soon, Ma Zhiyao and Xu Zhifan entered the main hall and sat down.

Ma Zhiyao's repeated inquiries made Xu Zhifan feel increasingly confused.

Until a certain moment, Ma Zhiyao, sipping sweet tea, looked at Xu Zhifan and smiled:

"Brother Zhifan, show us a trick, let me, your younger brother, broaden my horizons today."

Xu Zhifan frowned slightly, feeling unsure for a moment, and leaning close to Ma Zhiyao, he whispered:

"Show what?"

Ma Zhiyao revealed an ambiguous smile and waved his hand.

Soon, the previously crowded Wen Jianjian and the others saw this and withdrew.

As they withdrew, they were all curiously sizing up Xu Zhifan.

Xu Zhifan must have some powerful means they knew nothing about.

"Alright, old brother, there's no one here now, you can show us a trick."

Ma Zhiyao said with a chuckle.

Xu Zhifan was stunned for a long while, meeting Ma Zhiyao's curious gaze, and the next moment he gritted his teeth, stood up directly, and saluted:

"Deputy Envoy, this subordinate truly does not know what you want this subordinate to show."

Ma Zhiyao was a bit bewildered by this sudden turn of events; the smile in his eyes gradually faded, and he said slowly:

"Naturally, the Annihilation Great Array."

Xu Zhifan's eyes widened as he looked at Ma Zhiyao and gave a bitter smile:

"Deputy Envoy, please do not joke with this subordinate; how could this subordinate possibly know how to cast a divine array."

In an instant, the smile vanished from the corners of Ma Zhiyao's eyes, his pupils sinking like a cold pool.

"Xu Zhifan, weren't those dozen or so Penalizer settlements cleared out by you personally?"

Ma Zhiyao said in a cold voice.

As Ma Zhiyao's voice fell, Xu Zhifan's eyes grew panicked, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing against the seam of his trousers, and he immediately hurried to salute:

"It was indeed this subordinate who led the Array Pivot Envoys to clear them out, and for this, six Array Pivot Envoys were lost..."

Xu Zhifan dared not look at Ma Zhiyao again.

But at this moment, he also dared not admit that he had falsely claimed the credit.

However, as the Prefecture Master's Deputy Envoy, how could Ma Zhiyao not see the strangeness in Xu Zhifan at this moment.

For a moment, killing intent even surfaced in Ma Zhiyao's eyes.

Damn it, he actually dared to lie to me!

Soon, Ma Zhiyao summoned one of his subordinates and whispered a few words to them, and the subordinate soon took their leave.

And Xu Zhifan was already as silent as a cicada in winter, not daring to speak.

Soon, the subordinate arrived and spoke a few words to Ma Zhiyao.

Ma Zhiyao stood up abruptly and walked directly out of the main hall.

"Deputy Envoy, you..." Xu Zhifan's voice was somewhat panicked.

Ma Zhiyao stopped in his tracks and gave Xu Zhifan a faint glance:

"Xu Zhifan, you lost six Array Pivot Envoys."

Xu Zhifan's face turned pale.

Ma Zhiyao, however, sneered:

"The Small Tide is approaching; if Luo Town encounters problems because there are not enough Array Pivot Envoys, I will hold you accountable!"

The next moment, Ma Zhiyao left directly.

And Xu Zhifan stood rooted to the spot, his face already deathly pale.

Unlike when Ma Zhiyao arrived, Ma Zhiyao did not give anyone a pleasant look when he left.

Such a change was too obvious, making the waiting Wen Jianjian not even dare to breathe loudly.

"Damn Xu Zhifan, after the Small Tide, I will kill him with my own hands!"

Ma Zhiyao returned to the carriage, his expression already cold to the extreme, and looked at the subordinate beside him:

"Are there no abnormalities with those few Array Pivot Envoys?"

The subordinate hurriedly said:

"This subordinate has already tested them one by one using the Dream Illusion Array; not one of them is the one who created the divine array."

Bang!

Ma Zhiyao punched the wall of the carriage:

"Xu Zhifan, what great audacity, to actually dare to falsely claim credit, and not only that, but he also destroyed six Array Pivot Envoys!

If it weren't for the fact that the Small Tide is imminent, he would still have some use.

Otherwise, I would have killed him just now!"

Ma Zhiyao narrowed his eyes:

"Go to White Town; finding that expert is the top priority. Someone who can create a divine array is a candidate for Prefecture Master."

"Even..."

"Yes!" the subordinate replied.

Inside the Array Master Hall.

Xu Zhifan remained standing, cold sweat sliding down from his temples.

He did not know why Ma Zhiyao had changed so drastically.

But the other party's attitude had already made it difficult for him to maintain his composure.

In an instant, Xu Zhifan felt as if his world were collapsing.

"The Small Tide... the Small Tide must not go wrong!" Xu Zhifan was drenched in cold sweat, still remembering the last sentence Ma Zhiyao said when he left.

He walked out of the main hall and looked at Wen Jianjian and the other bewildered Array Pivot Envoys outside the door.

"Listen to my orders!"

Wen Jianjian and the others bowed to Xu Zhifan instantly.

"My Luo Town governs sixteen villages; starting today, mobilize the villagers of three villages to gather at the fourth village.

Dispatch four Array Pivot Envoys—Chen Zebin, Yu Wen Bo, Fu Shouli, and Chen Yan—to the four villages.

Additionally, White Town will assist my Luo Town.

I will provide each of you four with five Array Reserve Soldiers, five Array Pulse Soldiers, apprentices, and a number of Array Attendants under your command."

His voice fell.

In an instant, among the Array Pivot Envoys, three people's faces turned cold.

"Array Master, you cannot do this!"

The Array Pivot Envoy named Chen Zebin spoke up hurriedly:

"I... how can I protect the population of four villages alone!"

The Array Pivot Envoy named Yu Wen Bo stumbled, nearly fainting, and when he looked at the Array Master, anger already appeared in his eyes:

"Xu Zhifan, you want the four of us to die!

Just because we four have no background, you think we will accept such an order?!"

Chen Zebin's expression gradually changed, and he also said angrily:

"It is because you handled things poorly and lost six Array Pivot Envoys that there are not enough Array Pivot Envoys now.

You want us to go to our deaths?!"

The Array Pivot Envoy named Fu Shouli had tears in his eyes and knelt down directly:

"This cannot be, Array Master, in the past it was always... two Array Pivot Envoys protecting four villages.

Now, how can one person protect four villages?"

Cold light appeared in Xu Zhifan's eyes, and in the next instant, his figure flickered; he rushed in front of Chen Zebin and the other two, striking out with his palms.

The next moment, a pitch-black array disk was imprinted on each of the three.

Suddenly, Chen Zebin and the other two felt as if they had fallen into an ice cellar.

They could feel the death threat emanating from the array disks on their bodies.

"I am the Array Master; do you dare to disobey my orders?" Xu Zhifan said coldly:

"The reduction in the number of Array Pivot Envoys is already a great disaster for my Luo Town.

At this time, if no one stands up, do you want my Luo Town to be completely wiped out?"

Xu Zhifan sighed heavily, a trace of helplessness appearing in his eyes:

"When danger is imminent, someone must always stand up."

The remaining Array Pivot Envoys dared not speak, but they felt a sense of relief in their hearts.

Six of Luo Town's Array Pivot Envoys had died, and one had gone missing.

Now, the number of Array Pivot Envoys in Luo Town was severely insufficient.

The four Array Pivot Envoys like Chen Zebin who were being sent out were basically facing an unknown fate.

Xu Zhifan glanced at Wen Jianjian:

"Go notify Chen Yan to head to Qiming Village immediately to resist the Small Tide; if he does not listen, tell me."

"Yes!" Wen Jianjian saluted, cold sweat appearing on his forehead.