At this point, only two hours had passed in the outside world. It was the hour of the rabbit, a time when everyone was usually drowsy. The brothers Zhao Huaiyu and Zhao Huaide had spent the entire night in a state of high tension, as had their entire legion of Greater Martial Masters. Yet, Xuhai City remained deathly silent, without a stir. Most had concluded that Ye Xingchen, Deputy Commander of the Shadow Guard, must have already departed; having slaughtered the majority of the officers at the Martial General level within the vanguard of the Prince of Yan’s eastern expeditionary force, he had no reason to stay.
The Zhao brothers, however, thought otherwise. They had personally heard the massive commotion in the forest two kilometers away. Knowing Ouyang Qian as they did, if he were still alive, he would have either returned to Xuhai City or secretly contacted Zhao Huaiyu, who was commanding the troops. The total silence suggested that Ouyang Qian had been slain by Ye Xingchen during the earlier battle, and that Ye Xingchen had perhaps sustained injuries, which was the only reason he had not pressed his advantage.
Their imagination was vivid, but the reality was stark. Had the brothers known the true whereabouts of Prince of Shicheng Hua Tianxiong, their jaws would have hit the floor.
Chapter 457