Chapter 80: You Even Refuse

"Yes, as long as you're at ease."

"Good night."

Francis hung up the phone, and the gentle smile on his face faded.

He lifted his hand and tapped the table.

"Laide."

Laide, clad in silver‑white armor, walked in from the doorway:

"Please give your orders, Your Majesty."

Francis's eyes grew deep, his tone indifferent:

"There is a group called the Divine Authority Association that previously tried to control our Saints and make us their servants."

"This is a slap in the face, an insult to my lord."

"Take your brothers, capture their President, and bring him before the Saints."

"Except for the most important ones, the Heavenly Bestowed Artifacts and Holy Artifacts are at your disposal; go."

"What?! How audacious!" Laide flared up instantly and said:

"Yes, I'll do it right now!"

Having said that, he turned and strode out, his armor clanking in rhythm with his steps, exuding a palpable sense of oppression.

Francis remained seated, dialing An Yu, his tone softening again:

"An Yu, what's the plan? Stay with the Saints or have a room to yourself?"

"A single room… that's fine. Do your best; I believe that someday, hmm, someday."

"Alright, I won't disturb your rest; see to the Saints' safety."

"If you face an unbeatable foe, use the ring I gave you; I will come to your side."

"Mm, good night."

After hanging up, he finally withdrew his smile, then picked up a scripture and began leafing through it.

Laide will see to everything.

He is a reliable partner.

Southeast Asia.

A remote town in a border nation that abuts Da Xia.

On the surface, this Southeast Asian border town falls under governmental jurisdiction.

But the residents all know—the true rulers are the Hu Clan.

From mayor to street office, every official either bears the surname Hu, is a son‑in‑law, subordinate, or even a concubine of the Hu family.

Government documents? Just a signature from their head, Hu Baihao.

Yet few realize that Hu Baihao is merely a puppet piece used for appearances.

In the city's outskirts, amid mountains and forests, a seemingly abandoned villa complex hides the Divine Authority Association's secret base underground.

Twelve high‑back chairs surround a black‑obsidian long table, each chair back engraved with a different zodiac pattern.

At the far end of the table sits the true controller of the Divine Authority Association—President Mo Hai.

Years ago he fled the Da Xia Civil Affairs Bureau as a Five Qi Realm strongman, but with his Heavenly Authority, even if Grand Void intervenes, he can counter with a couple of moves!

Now, after many years, no one knows how far his strength has risen.

His face is stern, eyes knife‑sharp; his fingertips tap the table lightly, the sound echoing in the silent underground hall.

"The Heavenly Bestowed Artifact from Shennongjia—"

"Shennong Whip."

His voice is deep, bearing unquestionable authority.

"According to ancient records, the Shennong Whip can perfectly discern the properties of herbs and even extract their essence."

"With it, we can mass‑produce toxin‑free divine medicine!"

"Then our power will surge, and we can use it to attract more Awakeners and Cultivators to our side!"

"So—"

His gaze swept over the Twelve Envoys, each word deliberate:

"We must get our hands on this Heavenly Bestowed Artifact!"

"No matter what scheme Da Xia sets, no matter the price we must pay!"

Among the Twelve Envoys, Chen Long slowly rose.

He wore a wide‑brimmed hat, the shadow covering most of his face, only a cold smile visible at the corner of his mouth.

"President, leave this matter to me."

His voice is hoarse yet confident.

"With my Five Qi Realm strength and my Heavenly Authority, snatching it won't be hard."

"I am confident—"

He lifted his head slightly, a flash of crimson beneath the hat brim.

"Even if Grand Void intervenes personally, I can still escape!"

However, Mo Hai slowly shook his head.

"No."

His voice remained icy, but now carried a hint of warning.

"You underestimate Da Xia, you underestimate Grand Void, especially Da Xia's Grand Void!"

"Therefore, I'll have you all mobilized; even I will act from the shadows!"

"Only success is allowed, no failure!"

"Of course."

He looked around and said: "Anyone who doesn't want to go can speak up now."

"I'm giving you one chance."

"After all, this mission carries a high probability of death; even I might die!"

The twelve envoys fell silent upon hearing this, glancing at each other.

Finally.

A blond-haired woman, also known as You Ji, stood up:

"Chairman, I didn't join you to throw away my life."

"Besides, with my strength I can at most face that Su Qu; facing Tai Xu Realm means certain death, so I won't go."

From her words it's clear that she was the one who fought Su Qu and saved the man who held the Authority of the Illusory Wanderer.

Mo Hai nodded, his face showing no anger, merely raising his hand to gesture:

"Then you may leave."

"Is there anyone else?"

Seeing the woman already walk out of the doorway, the remaining eleven envoys stood up again, two of them.

Hai Zhu and Wei Yang likewise rose:

"Chairman, I too."

"You know, I'm a Christianity follower; we Saints said no one may go, and we must not defy the Saints!"

"Come on, why didn't you say earlier you were a Christianity follower? Be straightforward—if you don't dare, just say you don't dare like me; Chairman, I wish you success."

The two turned and walked toward the doorway.

"Very well, then those who remain......" Mo Hai's expression grew somewhat grim, yet he still did not flare up; seeing no one else rise, he opened his mouth to say something.

Suddenly a voice came from the doorway, cutting off his words:

"Sorry, today none of you may leave."

"Huh?" Mo Hai listened to this unfamiliar voice, lifted his gaze toward the doorway.

With the sound of footsteps.

Silver-white armor gleamed coldly in the dim underground hall; Laide's towering figure stood like an impregnable wall, blocking the doorway.

In his right hand he held the already unconscious You Ji, tossing her aside like trash, his icy gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall.

"I am Laide, Laide De Lion."

His voice was low and oppressive, each word seeming to be squeezed from between his teeth.

"Before, it was you——"

His gaze finally settled on Mo Hai in the chief seat, killing intent suddenly surging.

"You want to take our Saints as servants?"

Mo Hai's expression had already been completely replaced by solemnity.

He slowly rose to his feet, his black robe stirring without wind, a faint yet palpable pressure emanating from him.

"That Laide, one of the current Twelve Knights of the Round Table?"

His voice low, with a hint of probing.

"Just you alone today?"

"Where does your confidence come from?"

"Or——"

He narrowed his eyes, his tone tinged with mockery.

"Can you summon the other knights?"

"Will they obey you?"

Upon hearing this, Laide's lips curled into a faint cold smile, as if he'd heard something ridiculous.

"I cannot call upon my brothers to act together."

"But——"

He shifted slightly, his eyes sharp as blades.

"The Saints can."

As his words fell, heavy footsteps sounded from outside the corridor.

One after another, figures appeared behind Laide, their silver-white armor flashing cold light in the dim illumination.

Eleven Knights of the Round Table arrived at his side, forming a line that completely blocked the doorway!

Laide slowly drew the great sword at his waist, the blade pointing straight at Mo Hai, his voice booming like thunder:

"You had better pray——"

"That you and your followers can withstand ten minutes under my and my brothers' hands!"

Mo Hai's eyes turned utterly gloomy.

He knew that today could not be settled peacefully.

"Heh..."

He gave a low chuckle, his aura suddenly surging, a Tai Xu Realm pressure exploding forth!

"You may not necessarily defeat me!"

But the next moment——

Boom!!!

Twelve strands of Holy Light burst forth simultaneously, the entire underground space instantly filled with divine pressure.

Walls cracked, the ceiling collapsed, and rubble fell like rain.

Laide slowly raised his left hand, the Holy Light of the twelve Knights intertwined in the air, condensing into a colossal sword of light that spanned heaven and earth.

"Judgment."

The two simple words were spoken, and the giant sword cleaved down.

"Damn it!"

Mo Hai frantically exerted all his strength, yet in the Holy Light he was like thin snow under a scorching sun, quickly melting.

The ground began to shake violently, and the entire mountain let out a groan as if unable to bear the weight.

The city's citizens gazed in terror toward the outskirts—

Boom—!!!

A Holy Light Pillar hundreds of meters in diameter shot up into the sky, illuminating the night as bright as day.

Immediately followed by an earth-shattering explosion, the distant mountain range, under everyone's gaze, collapsed as if struck by a god's hammer!

Smoke and dust shot up into the sky, blocking out the heavens and the sun.

Soon after, peace was restored.

Afterward.

People could only learn from news reports that yesterday an earthquake with no casualties had occurred, and due to mirages and various meteorological factors, yesterday's situation came about.

All explanatory authority belongs to the officials; those who don't believe can just go argue about the memory erasure.

Da Xia, night.

Inside a suburban warehouse.

Mo Hai and his subordinates were thrown to the ground, bones broken all over their bodies, yet they remained conscious.

He stared at Laide, gritted his teeth: "Why did you bring us here?"

Are you going to hand us over to the Civil Affairs Bureau?!

Laide said nothing, merely standing to the side waiting.

Until footsteps sounded from ahead, a figure emerged from the shadows.

Mo Hai looked over, his expression indeed as expected:

Yu Lin, is it really you?!

Yu Lin's face emerged from the shadows, the light above casting his features in a pale glow, he said with a faint smile:

You don't even want to call me by name,

Saint Yu Lin.