Protect Our Patriarch

Such a sudden change.

The two members of the Huangfu's Clan were all changing their expressions.

Especially Ancestor Huaye, who was the host of tonight's banquet, never expected that someone from the patrol camp would burst into the main house of the Huangfu's Clan, repeatedly accusing "the former Ma Huangfu's Clan of colluding with the Yinsha Sect to betray the country".

What a great humiliation this was?!

His anger surged in his heart, and he suddenly turned to the city lord Xiahou Hongde: "Lord City Guard, what is the meaning of this? I, Huangfu Huaye, have never offended you. During your tenure in Changning Guard, our Huangfu family has also been assisting with all our heart and strength."

Xiahou Hongde's face also became serious at once.

Very obviously, today's scene was beyond his expectation.

Immediately, he said in a heavy voice: "Zhou Zhenwu, what are you doing?"

"It turns out that the Lord City Guard is also here, that's even better." Zhou Zhenwu seemed to have just noticed Xiahou Hongde, and immediately saluted him, "During my official duties, I discovered that the former Ma Huangfu's Clan was colluding with the Yinsha Sect, colluding inside and outside, and plotting to betray Daqian. From the intelligence, I learned that the Clan Leader of the former Ma Huangfu's Clan, Huangfu Deyun, was here, so I led my brothers to arrest him."

"Absurd!" Ancestor Huaye could no longer restrain himself, and scolded coldly, "What do you think the main house of my Huangfu family is?"

Zhou Zhenwu stared at Ancestor Huaye, and said with a fake smile: "As the leader of the patrol camp, I have the responsibility to maintain peace and eliminate enemies. Where can't I go? Or should I just watch your Huangfu family harbor traitors?"

Just as Ancestor Huaye was about to get angry, Huangfu Jin Huan hurriedly stepped forward to make peace: "Commander Zhou, our ancestor didn't mean that. Our Huangfu family is a prestigious seven-rank family that has been granted a seal by the court to co-manage the local area. You arbitrarily lead soldiers into our house, repeatedly accusing us of harboring traitors. Once this spreads and forms rumors, causing our reputation to be tarnished, I'm afraid you won't be able to bear the responsibility, will you?"

"Clan Leader Huangfu." Zhou Zhenwu said expressionlessly, "Since I led the soldiers to arrest people, I naturally have sufficient evidence. Since the Lord City Guard is also here, I will report to him."

With that, Zhou Zhenwu saluted Xiahou Hongde again, and explained the important parts of the cause and effect.

In the end, he said loudly: "The whole incident, hundreds of brothers from our three patrol camps are witnesses, and the evidence of collusion is conclusive. Since the Lord City Guard is here, please order the arrest of the traitor Huangfu Deyun, as well as the people of the former Ma Huangfu's Clan."

With Zhou Zhenwu's explanation, everyone's faces changed, and they all cast strange and wary eyes at the people of the former Ma Huangfu's Clan.

It is inevitable that there will be contradictions, frictions, and conflicts between families due to interests or other factors. But how terrifying it is to join forces with the Yinsha Sect to annihilate other families?

Even though Zhou Zhenwu was only talking about the former Ma Huangfu's Clan from beginning to end, and did not involve the Changning Huangfu's Clan. But anyone with discerning eyes knows that the former Ma Huangfu's Clan has always been looking up to the main family.

Huangfu Jin Huan and Huangfu Deyun looked at each other, both seeing fear and anger in each other's eyes.

That thing was done so secretly, not only was it seen through by the other party, but also a big game was set up, and their people were caught in one fell swoop.

Especially when he heard that the ancestor of his family, Huangfu Jinyuan, had died in battle, Huangfu Deyun's face turned pale, and his heart was even more painful.

If it weren't for the environment at the scene, he might have already burst into tears.

The Clan Leader of the Tianren Lei's Clan, Lei Yangyu, was about to leave, but he didn't expect such a big drama. Moreover, the Huangfu's Clan actually colluded with the Yinsha Sect, which was really lawless.

He simply didn't leave, and said with a mocking tone: "So this is how the Huangfu's Clan leads, it's really eye-opening."

The Clan Leader of the Changning Xu's Clan, Xu Anbang, was also "outraged": "Huangfu Deyun, you've gone too far! We just didn't want to cooperate with you, but you colluded with the Yinsha Sect to harm us. Fortunately, Commander Zhou received a tip-off, which saved the lives of our clan members. This matter absolutely cannot be let go, please Lord City Guard to make a decision for us!"

After that, Xu Anbang "excitedly" saluted Xiahou Hongde, looking as if he had suffered a huge blow.

Xiahou Hongde's face was also very ugly.

He never expected that within his jurisdiction, there would be a local family colluding with the Yinsha Sect, and it was even exposed in front of the direct disciple of the Zifu Academy.

This was undoubtedly a slap in his face, how could he not be angry?

Moreover, he was about to leave office, and they gave him such a drama, wasn't this deliberately not wanting him to leave office smoothly?

If he doesn't handle this matter properly today, his reputation in the officialdom will definitely worsen. By then, let alone being promoted, he might be demoted to some remote place.

Just as he was about to speak.

Huangfu Jin Huan suddenly stepped forward and said: "Lord City Guard, wait a moment, although Commander Zhou is very sure. But I believe that it was just the private actions of Huangfu Jinyuan and Huangfu Kangping, and it has nothing to do with the former Ma Huangfu's Clan."

During the conversation, Huangfu Jin Huan hinted at Huangfu Deyun with his eyes. Since the other party already had sufficient evidence, at this moment, they could only abandon the car to protect the commander.

Huangfu Deyun was in great grief, but he could only step forward and say: "I was shocked to hear about this. I never expected... I never expected that the two elders in my family would dare to commit such a great crime! Ah~~ But I can guarantee that this has nothing to do with our former Ma Huangfu's Clan. It must have been a decision made by the two elders privately.""Ridiculous!" Xu Anbang's eyes were aflame with anger as he retorted, "Huangfu Deyun, your clan's first and second ancestors are both involved, yet you dare to claim that the Huangfu Clan had no knowledge of this? Do you take us for fools?!"

"Xu Anbang, as the saying goes, 'catch the adulterer in bed, catch the thief with the loot.'" Huangfu Jin Huan sneered, "The matters mentioned by Commander Zhou only implicate Huangfu Jinyuan and Huangfu Kangping, two old thieves colluding with the Yinsha Sect. What evidence do you have to prove that the entire Huangfu Clan is involved?"

"Are you suggesting that if one or two members of a family commit a crime, the entire clan should be implicated?"

"Brother Xu~" Huangfu Deyun played the victim, "I truly had no knowledge of this. Our two ancestors... sigh, they were so foolish."

"Whether you knew or not, we'll find out after a thorough interrogation." Xu Anbang laughed in anger, "Both of your clan's ancestors are involved, how can you possibly escape responsibility?"

Both sides were at a stalemate, their gazes turning to the city lord, Xiahou Hongde.

At this moment, Xiahou Hongde was also feeling a headache.

Today's events had occurred too suddenly, he was completely unprepared.

He glared at Zhou Zhenwu, why hadn't he been informed since there was a tip-off?

However, this was an internal matter of the city guard, he couldn't vent his anger here and expose his shortcomings.

He took a deep breath, his expression serious, "Commander Zhou, do you have evidence to prove that this was a collective act of the Huangfu Clan? Or has Huangfu Kangping confessed?"

"Reporting to the city lord, although Huangfu Kangping has confessed, he did not admit that the Huangfu Clan was the mastermind." Zhou Zhenwu reported truthfully, "As for how to deal with it, I ask for your guidance, city lord."

Xiahou Hongde, who had cultivated to the realm of a celestial being and ruled over a region, was naturally no fool. He knew that this was a struggle between clans.

Even though Huangfu Kangping had not confessed, the entire Huangfu Clan was likely involved. It was even possible that the celestial Huangfu Clan was implicated.

Every decision he made now could influence the outcome of this open and covert struggle.

Immediately, he said solemnly, "The Huangfu Clan is, after all, an eighth-rank noble family bestowed by the imperial court. Everything must be based on evidence. Since Huangfu Kangping has not confessed, how can we arbitrarily arrest people?"

This was not Xiahou Hongde shirking responsibility. Once a matter involved a clan struggle, it would become extremely complicated.

Whether it was the Huangfu Clan, Xu Clan, or Wang's Clan, each had its own foundation and connections. Offending any one of them would be unwise.

He could only act according to the evidence, so as not to favor one side or leave any future troubles, especially since he only had three years left in his term.

"I will follow the city lord's orders."

Although Zhou Zhenwu wanted to make greater contributions, if the city lord did not support him, he could only act according to the evidence.

Huangfu Jin Huan's face was still ugly, but he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Although this plot had failed and the losses were heavy, it was more important to separate the two families from the Huangfu Clan, even if it implicated the celestial Huangfu Clan.

As for the grudges, there would be plenty of opportunities to settle them in the future.

Some neutral families and units also saw the strangeness of this incident. They understood that this was a contest between the Xu Clan of Changning and the Huangfu Clan, which naturally involved other families like the Wang's Clan of Ping'an.

Although it seemed that the Xu Clan and Wang's Clan had the upper hand, if they did not completely eliminate the Huangfu Clan, it could become a potential threat in the future.

Those families that were on good terms with the Huangfu Clan breathed a sigh of relief.

Although the Huangfu Clan had suffered heavy losses, they had managed to preserve some vitality. As long as they could stabilize their footing, they could plan their counterattack.

Qian Xue'an, the manager of the Qian's Merchant Group in Changning, who was on good terms with Wang Shouzhe, couldn't help but worry for his brother Wang Shouzhe. He feared that if he didn't kill the snake, he would be bitten back.

The people in the hall had different thoughts, and the atmosphere was tense. However, Wang Shouzhe remained calm, looking completely at ease.

Just then, another commotion came from outside.

The shouts of family guards and soldiers could be heard from afar, "Has the Patrol Camp gone mad? They just came, and now they're here again!"

From outside came the stern voice of a man, "Get out of the way, or I'll arrest you all for obstructing law enforcement and colluding with the enemy."

In the midst of the conversation, a middle-aged general with a steady demeanor led a team rushing in from outside.

The man was Wang Dingzu, along with his Second Patrol Camp.

This scene infuriated the members of the Huangfu Clan.

Huaye, the ancestor, was so angry that his whole body trembled. He shouted, "Just now the Third Patrol Camp came, and now the Second Patrol Camp is here! Xiahou Hongde! Do you really think our Huangfu Clan is made of mud?!"

With this, even Xiahou Hongde's face couldn't hold up. He scolded sternly, "Wang Dingzu! As the commander of the Patrol Camp, do you really want to get involved in a clan struggle? Do you know what taboo you're breaking?"

"Reporting to the city lord." Wang Dingzu was calm and composed, bowing his hand, "I am performing my official duties, I don't understand what the city lord is referring to?"

"Very well! I'd like to see what official duties you're performing!" Xiahou Hongde laughed in anger, "If I find out that you're using your position to suppress other clans, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

"Yes, city lord."

Wang Dingzu responded calmly.

Then he waved his hand, and several soldiers brought in Ding Youde.Wang Dingzu said, "This Ding Youde is the second manager of the Fortune Casino. He served as my witness, reporting the Fortune Casino, the Jinxiu Manor, and the former Huangfu Clan for harboring evil Yinsha people!"

This was the first time in his life that Ding Youde had seen so many big shots gathered together.

He immediately knelt down tremblingly, "I, Ding Youde, have been working in the Fortune Casino for twenty years."

Although he was not a big figure, he was a well-known figure in Changning Wei, known for his ruthless debt collection and vicious methods. Many people present had heard of him or knew him.

"Indeed, it's Ding Youde."

The crowd was discussing, which helped confirm Ding Youde's identity.

"Lord City Guard, besides Ding Youde, the head manager of the Fortune Casino, Huang Huai Anye, has been arrested." Wang Dingzu said solemnly with a bow, "After preliminary interrogation, Huang Huai Anye has confessed to his crimes and pointed out the major steward of Jinxiu Manor and the former Huangfu De Yun of the Huangfu Clan."

With that, he took out the signed confession and handed it to Xiahou Hongde, "Please review it, Lord City Guard."

Xiahou Hongde took a look.

Sure enough, the confession was complete, legal and valid.

Immediately, his face changed, and he looked at Huangfu Deyun with a bad look.

Previously, due to lack of evidence, he had stopped Zhou Zhenwu's request to arrest people. Unexpectedly, in less than half an hour, Wang Dingzu had slapped him in the face with evidence.

Huangfu Jin Huan quickly stood up and said, "Lord City Guard, Wang Dingzu is a member of the Wang Clan. Both emotionally and legally, he should not be involved in this matter."

"Lord City Guard," Wang Dingzu said coldly, "I just received a tip-off that the Fortune Casino, Jinxiu Manor, and the former Huangfu Clan are suspected of colluding with the enemy and betraying the country. I investigated this case according to the law and came to arrest people according to my duty. What does this have to do with the Wang Clan?"

Huangfu Jin Huan's face changed, but he argued, "The people of the Fortune Casino are all lowly people. Just based on their words, isn't it too hasty for Commander Wang to arrest people? If that's the case, I can find a hundred beggars at any time to say that the Wang Clan is colluding with the Yinsha Sect. Are you going to arrest Wang Shouzhe?"

"All the evidence in this case has nothing to do with the Huangfu Clan. Why is the Huangfu Clan so jumpy?" Wang Dingzu was calm and composed, "I won't arrest people just based on one-sided words. Bring the physical evidence."

With a wave of his hand, two soldiers brought in a large box of account books.

Wang Dingzu reported methodically, "These are the account books of the Fortune Casino and Jinxiu Manor that have not yet been destroyed. Although their accounting is covert, some of the funds are unaccounted for. After verification, they were all used to purchase cultivation materials for the disciples of the Yinsha Sect in the black market of Bai Dao Wei, and eventually ended up in Jinxiu Manor. All the accounts can be matched. Lord Huangfu, if you want to see the detailed evidence, please apply to the City Guard House according to the Daqian Law."

"In addition, we have already sealed off Jinxiu Manor, where traces of the life and cultivation of the Yinsha evil path can be found." Wang Dingzu said calmly, "Just these superficial evidences are enough to arrest people. As long as we interrogate carefully, we can make everything clear."

With both human and physical evidence.

City Lord Xiahou Hongde looked sternly at Huangfu Deyun, "Lord Deyun, Commander Wang has abundant evidence. I advise you to go with him."

"Rest assured, Lord City Guard." Wang Dingzu said, "As long as I arrest Huangfu Deyun and his people, I will be able to investigate this matter clearly and not let a single bad person go."

As soon as these words came out, not only did Huangfu Deyun's face turn pale, but even Huangfu Jin Huan and Ancestor Huaye's faces changed.

The operation of the whole matter, although the Huangfu Clan seemed to be clean on the surface and the accounts could not be traced back to them, if Huangfu Deyun couldn't stand the torment...

The head of the Xu Clan in Changning, Xu Anbang, sneered disdainfully, "Huangfu Deyun, I thought you were a character, but I didn't expect you to have a connection with the Yinsha Sect."

After saying that, he bowed his hand and said, "Lord City Guard, in my opinion, a small eighth-grade family has limited power. How could they collude so deeply with the Yinsha Sect? I ask Lord City Guard to thoroughly investigate this matter for the long-term stability of Changning Wei and restore the clear world of Changning Wei!"

The head of the Lei Clan of the Heavenly People, Lei Yangyu, also took the opportunity to add fuel to the fire, "The former Huangfu Clan has always looked up to the Huangfu Clan of the Heavenly People. If you say that the Huangfu Clan of the Heavenly People knows nothing about this, I, Lei, will be the first to disbelieve."

"You, you are slandering my Huangfu Clan of the Heavenly People." Huangfu Jin Huan was furious, he was also a little flustered.

If City Lord Xiahou Hongde was determined to investigate this matter, even if the Huangfu Clan of the Heavenly People hid it deeply, it would be dug out.

At this moment, Ancestor Huaye's face gradually became angry, he laughed in anger, "Good, good, good, our Huangfu Clan has always been committed to protecting Daqian, but I didn't expect such a scum to come out of the branch family. It's my fault, I didn't manage them well."

With that!

A strong and unmatched aura emanated from him, and with a flash, he was in front of Huangfu Deyun, a palm wrapped in swirling flames slapped towards his head, "On behalf of the ancestors of the Huangfu Clan, I will clean up this scum."

"Boom!"

In the midst of the fiery light, Huangfu Deyun was actually slapped to death with one palm, and even his corpse was burned, turning into a pile of ashes.

In this, although Huangfu Deyun didn't expect Ancestor Huaye to make a move, or was instinctively unwilling to resist due to his deep-rooted prestige, it also showed the unfathomable strength of Ancestor Huaye.A cultivator in the initial stage of the Spirit Platform Mirror was killed instantly with a single slap!

The other two cultivators at the Heavenly Realm watched this scene unfold without intervening. After all, the former Huangfu's Clan was a branch of the Changning Huangfu's Clan. In a sense, this was an internal matter within their entire Huangfu's Clan.

However, this raised a strong suspicion of silencing by murder.

The scene fell into silence.

Some were calm and composed, while others showed fear in their eyes.

Only Xu Anbang, the head of the Xu Clan, sighed and added fuel to the fire, "Brother Deyun died too quickly, it's not easy to investigate the mastermind behind the scenes. Ancestor Huaye was too impulsive, didn't this cut off the clues?"

Lei Yangyu, the head of the Lei Clan, also said with a strange tone, "Brother Xu, you are wrong. It's not easy for Ancestor Huaye to eliminate his own kin for justice when such a traitor who colludes with the evil Yinsha appeared in our clan. Therefore, it can be seen that the mastermind behind the scenes has absolutely nothing to do with the Heavenly Huangfu's Clan."

"Two juniors!" Ancestor Huaye's face darkened, and he said angrily, "You are so disrespectful. Even your ancestors wouldn't dare to be so presumptuous in front of me..."

Although Ancestor Huaye was old, he had always had a smooth life and no one dared to defy him. His temper was quite fiery.

Huangfu Jinhuan also recovered from his shock. He broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly tried to calm Ancestor Huaye, "Ancestor, please calm down. It's our fault for not leading our branch clans well. It's normal for some gossip to occur. Please don't get angry with the juniors today."

The implication was that they had already made up their minds to kill in public to silence others. It was not suitable to cause any more waves today. Everything should wait until things calm down to avoid falling into the other party's trap.

"Humph!" The various changes today had made Ancestor Huaye's face extremely ugly. He bowed to Xiahou Hongde and Fang You'an and said, "I have made a fool of myself in front of you two today. I'm not feeling well, so I'll take my leave."

With that, Ancestor Huaye left the scene without any desire to stay.

With his departure, the matter was settled.

Xiahou Hongde still adhered to his usual principle, everything should be done according to the procedure and evidence. Although Huangfu Deyun was dead, under the abundant evidence, some key figures in the former Ma Huangfu's Clan would inevitably be involved.

Immediately, he ordered, "Zhou Zhenwu, Wang Dingzu, listen to my command. I order you two to jointly supervise this case. You must ensure strict procedures and act according to the law. Arrest those who should be arrested, and interrogate those who should be interrogated."

"Yes, Lord City Guard."

Zhou Zhenwu and Wang Dingzu took the order and went to carry out their duties.

With Xiahou Hongde's final decision, the former Ma Huangfu's Clan was probably completely finished, with no chance of turning over.

All the people who participated in the night banquet, who had the mood to stay, all got up and left one after another.

In a short time, the once lively main house of the Huangfu's Clan became deserted.

There was a sense of desolation as if the people had left and the birds had flown away.

...

On the wide avenue.

A carriage was moving slowly, with Wang Shouzhe and Xu Anbang sitting in it.

Once they were in this private carriage, Xu Anbang dropped his disguise and immediately entered an excited state, "Shouzhe, we have won a complete victory this time. We have knocked out the Yinsha Sect and the former Ma Huangfu's Clan, these two minions. And after this ordeal, the reputation of Changning Huangfu's Clan is ruined. Who would dare to trust them again? Now, the Huangfu's Clan is just a bare pole commander. Haha, did you see the look on Huangfu Jinhuan's face at the end? It was as wonderful as it could be."

"Uncle Wu, have a sip of spirit tea to calm down." Wang Shouzhe leisurely brewed a pot of spirit tea and poured him a cup, "Although the minions are destroyed, the Heavenly Huangfu's Clan is still a huge monster, we should not underestimate them."

Wang Shouzhe was also very excited about the success of this plan, but as someone who had weathered many storms, he could keep his cool.

"Afraid of them?" Xu Anbang took a sip of the spirit tea, quite spirited, "When our several eighth-grade families unite, our overall strength is stronger than theirs. Moreover, our ancestor Beichen is only half a step away from the Heavenly Realm."

The Changning Xu's Clan had been suppressed by the Huangfu's Clan for hundreds of years, always being the perennial third in Changning Guard. Now they finally have the chance to break free from the Huangfu's Clan's control, how could Xu Anbang not be excited?

Although they achieved a great victory today, it was the result of Wang Shouzhe's years of planning. It was only natural to achieve a phased victory. However, dealing with the Changning Huangfu's Clan, which had been hurt, might not be so easy in the future.

"Wait, this spirit tea seems to be mine?" Xu Anbang drank the spirit tea, the more he drank, the smoother it became. When he looked closely, it seemed that this was his carriage!

This made him somewhat amused. Shouzhe really knew how to turn the tables. He was caught off guard just now and thought he had entered his carriage.

At this moment.

From outside the carriage came the cheerful voice of Lei Yangyu from the Heavenly Lei's Clan, "Brother Anbang, Brother Shouzhe, may I join you in the carriage for a chat?"

Lei Yangyu was one of the only two clan leaders of the Heavenly Realm families in Changning Guard. His status was no less than that of Huangfu Jinhuan, a figure who commanded the wind and clouds in Changning Guard.

With such a status.

Xu Anbang and Wang Shouzhe naturally did not dare to show any negligence. They hurriedly went down to invite him into the carriage, and they chatted over a cup of spirit tea.

The three of them made small talk, and after three rounds of tea, they seemed to have become much closer.Lei Yangyu then chuckled and said to Xu Anbang, "Brother Anbang, congratulations. Your workshop's technology has become so advanced that even the former Ma Huangfu's Clan was willing to collude with the Yinsha Sect to destroy and seize it. It's clear that your technology is top-notch in our Longzuo Commandery. Tsk tsk, but then again, you guys really kept it under wraps, only revealing this move at the crucial moment. With this, your family's rise to power is just around the corner."

"Brother Yangyu, it's just luck, pure luck," Xu Anbang hurriedly replied modestly, "If it weren't for Huangfu's Clan being too aggressive, our Xu's Clan wouldn't have had to resort to such measures."

The Xu's Clan and Wang's Clan had an agreement to publicly claim that technologies like silk reeling were developed by the Xu's Clan themselves. This also helped to take some unnecessary heat off the Wang's Clan.

As for in front of Lei's Clan, he did not deny that there was a premeditated plan for tonight's battle.

After all, every family head is not a fool. Anyone with clear eyes could see that today was a game of open and covert competition between the Huangfu's Group and Xu's Group.

In the end, it was simply that Xu's Group had the upper hand and won.

If he were to deny it outright, it would inevitably leave a hypocritical impression.

"In the final analysis, it's because the former Ma Huangfu's Clan and the Yinsha Sect really colluded. Their downfall is their own fault," Lei Yangyu sneered, "If one does not act righteously, destruction is only a matter of time. My Lei's Clan is different. Although we can be somewhat domineering at times, we ultimately only resolve internal conflicts internally and do not collude with evil sects and demons."

"It's a pity about the former Ma Huangfu's Clan's founding ancestor, Huangfu Jinyuan. Once a young prodigy, he ultimately couldn't escape the control of the main family and ended up in such a state."

Wang Shouzhe and the others also sighed, feeling somewhat sorry for Huangfu Jinyuan.

However, Wang Shouzhe also thought it was normal. Not to mention the relationship between the main family and branches of the Xuanwu noble family. Even in many modern Earth families, many people cannot escape the influence and invisible control of their original families.

Physical and psychological imprints often accompany a person's life.

Suddenly!

Outside the carriage, a slightly authoritative voice came, "Is the head of the Wang family, Shouzhe, here? I am Xiahou Hongde, and I have come to ask a few questions."

The voice seemed to contain an unsettled anger.

No wonder the city lord was in a bad mood.

From beginning to end today, he had been used as a tool.

And he didn't even have a chance to resist or say no, he was just silently arranged!

Lei Yangyu of Lei's Clan and Xu Anbang of Xu's Clan both looked at Wang Shouzhe with slightly worried eyes. Judging from the tone of City Lord Xiahou Hongde, it seemed like he was here to cause trouble.

But Wang Shouzhe, still with a calm and composed demeanor, gave them a reassuring look, and said in a neither humble nor arrogant tone, "If City Lord Xiahou has a summons, how dare I not answer?"

...