Chapter 410: Arrogant and Domineering

"Which god-forsaken wretch killed my son?"

An old woman dressed in gorgeous attire and covered in jewelry said through gritted teeth, her eyes filled with venomous resentment.

"Beast! If I ever find out who that guy is, I'll kill him with my own hands to avenge my good brother!"

"Killing him is letting him off too easy; at the very least, he must be hacked into ten thousand pieces to soothe the hatred in my heart!"

The crowd chimed in one after another, shouting with great agitation.

Clearly, the people present were all friends and family of Yan Luo and the others, and many among them were family of the former president, Qi Yuangu.

Therefore, they did not hold these few people before them in any regard at all.

"Alright, everyone, please be quiet for a moment."

Hai Qiong felt like his head was splitting in two; he raised his voice and said it several times before the rowdy crowd finally quieted down, each of them glaring at him with hostile eyes.

"Calling everyone here today is actually to discuss another matter with you all."

"What, another matter?"

"Another matter?"

"What other matter? Hai Qiong, you called us here, isn't it to tell us who the murderer is?"

"I am very sorry, the matter of the murderer is still under investigation," Hai Qiong said with a face full of apology. "Headquarters said they would send a Hunter over, but it is not yet clear when they will arrive."

"What, you don't know?"

"You don't know, so why did you call us here?"

"It's been so long, and you still can't even find out who the murderer is? What exactly is your lot at the Awakened Association good for!"

"What did you say!" As soon as these words were spoken, the few people beside Hai Qiong could no longer sit still.

Back when Yan Luo and the others were around, they had endured the arrogant and domineering attitude of these people time and time again.

But now that Yan Luo and the others were dead, ninety percent of this group were ordinary people, and even if there were Martial Artists or Awakened among them, they were all just loafers with no combat ability—what right did they have to act so high and mighty here?

The person who said this seemed to realize that the situation was no longer what it used to be and instinctively shrank back, but still said stiffly: "Since you don't know who the murderer is, isn't calling so many of us here just a waste of everyone's time?"

"Exactly, exactly. Hai Qiong, if there's nothing else, we'll be leaving first. Come notify us when you have news about the murderer."

"What a bore, let's go, let's go."

"Speechless."

The group muttered to themselves, stood up one after another, and headed toward the door.

"President!" Several Awakened saw this scene and were furious.

"Wait a moment!" Hai Qiong frowned, suppressing his inner dissatisfaction, and said loudly: "Everyone, what I have to say isn't finished yet; you cannot leave now."

As soon as the words fell, two Awakened immediately stepped forward to block their path.

In an instant, the atmosphere in the room suddenly became tense, as if sparks were permeating the air.

The crowd, who had been aggressive just a moment ago, now wore expressions of fear.

When it came down to it, most of them were just ordinary people, and even if there were a few stronger ones, they weren't that strong and certainly were no match for these few Awakened before them.

Now that their path was blocked, how could they not panic?

Thinking of this, many people cast their gazes toward the man who looked somewhat similar to Yan Luo.

This person was Yan Luo's younger brother, Yan Hua, and more importantly, he was an Awakened.

"Hai Qiong, what is the meaning of this?" Yan Hua turned around and questioned him with a face full of rage. "My eldest brother and the others just passed away not long ago, their bodies are not yet cold, and the murderer hasn't been found, yet you are in such a rush to make a move on us?"

Hearing this questioning from Yan Hua, Hai Qiong felt a buzz in his head, and his head instantly felt like it was splitting in two.

He had actually anticipated this situation long ago; in fact, he knew clearly that this was only the beginning. Once he laid out the president's request, the reaction of these people would likely be even more intense.

Su Luo was someone he had gone to great lengths to retain; within the Association, he was the person who should support Su Luo the most.

Thinking of this, Hai Qiong sighed helplessly and said as gently as he could: "Yan Hua, sit down first, let's talk this over properly."

Hearing this, Yan Hua stared fixedly at Hai Qiong, his gaze as if he wanted to swallow him alive.

Hai Qiong said nothing, quietly looking back at him.

And the two Awakened blocking the path stood like two stone statues, motionless.

It was clear that without Hai Qiong's order, no one present would be able to leave easily.

"Well played, Hai Qiong!" Yan Hua said through gritted teeth. "When my brother was here before, I never saw you act with such prestige! The moment my brother and the others pass away, you can't wait to bare your fangs at us. Good, very good indeed!"

As he spoke, he sat down on a chair in a huff and said ungraciously: "Then I'll listen to what you have to say, since you've brought us here today."

Since Yan Hua had sat down, the others exchanged glances and also sat back down one after another, though everyone wore expressions of dissatisfaction and anger.

"Ahem." Hai Qiong cleared his throat, his gaze slowly sweeping over everyone present, and he said with a serious expression: "The matter I am about to speak of is very important, and I hope everyone can listen carefully."

"Why are you spouting so much nonsense? If you have something to say, say it; if you have a fart, let it out!"

"Exactly, Hai Qiong, stop putting on an act here."

"Hurry up and say it, I'm in a rush to go back to sleep."

The group shouted impatiently. They had never thought much of Hai Qiong on ordinary days, and now seeing him acting so high and mighty, they were even more incensed.

"Fine, then I will be direct." Hai Qiong raised his voice. "After the City Lord and the president and the others met with disaster, everyone knows clearly what the current situation is in our Yongan City.

On the surface, it is calm and tranquil, but no one can say for sure when an accident might happen.

For example, if Evil Cultists sneak in, wanted criminals cause trouble in the city, or if a Beast Tide breaks out again one day, do you all think that with our current strength, we can hold them off?"

As soon as Hai Qiong's voice fell, the entire room instantly went quiet.

In the eyes of many, expressions of fear could not help but emerge.

They weren't particularly afraid of Evil Cultists or wanted criminals; after all, Yongan City was so large that even if such people did sneak in, it wouldn't necessarily be them who were unlucky.

But the moment a Beast Tide was mentioned, everyone knew in their hearts that it would be an absolute catastrophe.

"So?" Yan Hua narrowed his eyes and asked coldly.

"So, I have invited an Awakened with immense power to serve as the president of our Yongan City Awakened Association."

"His strength can be called top-tier among C-Class Awakened; it is no exaggeration to call him the ceiling level. He can easily defeat C-Class Awakened of the same level."

"Even an Elite-level Fierce Beast like the Fire-Scaled Pig is no different from an ordinary Elite-level Fierce Beast in front of him. This point is not only something I have seen with my own eyes, but many others in the Association are also clear about it."

Speaking of this, Hai Qiong turned his head to look at the few people beside him, signaling them to testify.