Chapter 436: Immobilization Incense

"You want me to take all those words back?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Hua laughed until he was doubled over, tears nearly spilling from his eyes.

Hai Qiong's expression, however, grew increasingly gloomy and cold.

He had already realized that the guy before him was clearly and deliberately looking to stir up trouble.

Originally, out of consideration for the fact that they were acquaintances and had some past history, he hadn't wanted to burn all bridges.

But looking at it today, if he didn't act now, there was no telling when this Yan Hua might cause a major disaster.

Thinking this over, Hai Qiong secretly made up his mind; rather than having endless trouble in the future, it would be better to kill this Yan Hua right here today to eliminate the root of the problem.

"President Hai, look at that gaze of yours, cold as ice. You wouldn't be thinking of killing me, would you?" Yan Hua's mouth curled up slightly, his tone full of sarcasm.

"That's right, I do indeed have that intention." Hai Qiong took a deep breath, trying his best to keep his tone steady, and said, "Yan Hua, if you are willing to come with me to see someone right now, I can spare your life and guarantee that I will plead for you before that person."

"Hahaha..." Yan Hua burst into a fit of wild laughter. "Hai Qiong, oh Hai Qiong, we've reached this point, and you still haven't figured out the situation? Do you think I would have called you here without preparing a backup plan? Feel it carefully—can your body still move as freely as it usually does?"

"What?" Hai Qiong's heart skipped a beat as he suddenly realized his body was as if bound by an Immobilization Technique, unable to move a single inch!

"This... what exactly is going on?" His face turned deathly pale in an instant. He hurriedly sniffed the air, suddenly waking up as if from a dream, and blurted out, "Immobilization Incense!"

"Congratulations, you guessed right. Unfortunately, it's all too late." After saying this, Yan Hua clapped his hands triumphantly and shouted, "Brother Meng, you all can show yourselves now."

Following a burst of chaotic footsteps, several figures quickly closed in from all directions, surrounding Hai Qiong in the center.

"!!!"

Seeing this, Hai Qiong's face turned ashen. He could never have imagined that so many people were hidden around here. He could only blame himself for being too careless; he hadn't even been able to detect and identify the burning Immobilization Incense in time!

"President Hai, it's been a long time since we last met."

This voice sounded somewhat familiar. Hai Qiong stared intently, his mouth hanging open in shock, his face full of disbelief.

"What's the matter, President Hai? It's only been two or three years; have you already forgotten us?"

The remaining few also walked to his side one after another.

"It's... it's you!" Hai Qiong couldn't help but exclaim.

In fact, he had recognized these few people from the very beginning, and precisely because of that, he found this matter too incredible.

"Meng Rang, three years ago, didn't you..."

"Get kicked out of Yongan City, is that it?" Meng Rang interjected.

"Yes... yes."

Cold sweat beaded on Hai Qiong's forehead as his gaze passed through the gaps in the crowd to glance at Yan Hua.

He understood in an instant: it must have been this guy Yan Hua who revealed the news that Meng Rang and the others had been kicked out of the city, which led to the scene unfolding before him.

"I really underestimated this brat Yan Hua!" Hai Qiong's face grew paler, and he was filled with regret.

Last night, he had been paralyzed by Yan Hua's feigned submission, thinking the other party had recognized reality. He hadn't expected that this guy would find Meng Rang and the others as soon as he returned to the city, and immediately set this trap for him.

It was easy to imagine what kind of fate awaited him now that he had witnessed all of this.

"President Hai, weren't you quite the talker before?" Yan Hua swaggered to the very front, looking triumphant as he said, "Why aren't you saying anything now? Huh? You even said you were going to take me to see someone—that person must be the one surnamed Su, right?"

"Yan Hua." Hai Qiong licked his dry lips, his voice slightly bitter as he said, "Do you think I don't know what you're thinking? You brought Meng Rang and the others here not just to deal with me, but also to go against the President, right?"

"Take my advice: the President's strength is far beyond your imagination. Stop now; it's not too late to turn back."

"Pah!" Yan Hua spat fiercely on the ground, looking at him with utter contempt. "The one surnamed Su's strength is beyond my imagination? Heh, do you think I was scared into submission? Open your eyes and take a good look at who is standing in front of you."

Hai Qiong cast his gaze toward Meng Rang, who was in the lead, and couldn't help but sigh, saying, "Meng Rang, I really didn't expect that three years later, our first meeting would be under these circumstances..."

"Indeed," Meng Rang said with emotion. "I truly didn't expect that I would have a day where I could return to Yongan City."

"I remember that when you left back then, there were quite a few others, like Xiaolong, Xiaibai, and the rest..."

"They're all dead." A flash of grief and sorrow crossed Meng Rang's eyes as he said slowly, "Of those who left Yongan City back then, only we few remain."

Hearing this, Hai Qiong couldn't help but be stunned. He subconsciously glanced at Yan Hua again.

The reason Meng Rang and the others had suffered such a fate was entirely because of Yan Hua's older brother, Yan Ming.

By all logic, Meng Rang and the others should have hated Yan Hua to the bone.

Yet now, both sides seemed to have reached some kind of cooperation.

This truly lived up to the old saying: in this world, there are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.

Even so, a strong desire to survive drove Hai Qiong to try and persuade them once more.

"Meng Rang, you've returned this time, surely you want to deal with the President and take back Yongan City, right?"

Meng Rang and the others looked at one another, none of them responding immediately.

"If that is truly the case, take my advice and give it up."

"Our President is named Su Luo, and he is a ruthless character. Never mind C-Class Awakened, even the top-tier Elite-level Fierce Beast would only have a dead end under his hands, being slaughtered without him suffering a scratch. Although your strength may have improved greatly in the few years you've been gone, it's really hard to say whether you can defeat him..."

"Hai Qiong!" Yan Hua impatiently interrupted him and shouted, "Stop trying to scare people here! Do you think we'll believe your nonsense? Hmph, Hai Qiong, for the sake of our past acquaintance, I can give you a chance to live. As long as you beg me for mercy, I will spare your life. How about that?"

After saying this, his eyes were filled with mockery. Hai Qiong, oh Hai Qiong, you never dreamed that the situation would change so quickly, did you?

Of course, Yan Hua knew in his heart that letting Hai Qiong go was complete nonsense.

He hated this guy to the core and wished he could tear him into eight pieces to satisfy his hatred.

Therefore, before killing him, he had to humiliate him severely.

"Yan Hua, you really are despicable and shameless."

Hai Qiong was so angry he gritted his teeth, filled with endless regret. If he had known today would come, he should have acted decisively yesterday to eliminate this guy.

"I appreciate the compliment," Yan Hua said, still looking triumphant. "Since ancient times, it has always been that the winner is the king and the loser is the bandit. As for whether the methods are honorable, who cares?"

"Hai Qiong, enough nonsense. I'll give you one last chance: beg me for mercy and I'll let you go. Otherwise, I'll make you taste what it's like to be unable to live and unable to die!"

The bearded man and the others heard this and all turned their gazes toward Meng Rang in unison.

The latter shook his head slightly.