The once bustling headquarters of the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association now stood deserted.
The main gate was tightly shut, and a suffocating atmosphere of desolation hung in the air.
Occasionally, passersby would widen their eyes in bewilderment upon seeing such a scene.
They couldn’t fathom what had happened to cause the once lively Martial Arts Association to fall into such a state.
The few who knew kept their lips tightly sealed.
"I’m sorry, Brother Shi, but there’s really nothing I can do about this."
In an office on the second floor, a middle-aged man looked at Shi Tao with an apologetic gaze.
This man was Yang Yi, the City Lord of Jiangnan City, an A-level Awakened.
"Brother Yang, you don’t need to feel embarrassed. This has nothing to do with you. The fact that you came here at this time is more than enough for me."
Shi Tao said with a smile.
"Yes, indeed."
Chang Fei and the others beside him nodded repeatedly.
Ordinary people wouldn’t know what had happened here.
But those with some influence in the city could find out, and as a result, they all wished to distance themselves from the Association, let alone come and see.
As the City Lord of Jiangnan City, for Yang Yi to come at this time and if word got out, the Song Family and the Revival Association wouldn’t necessarily let it pass.
That’s why their hearts were deeply touched.
"Alas."
Yang Yi sighed and then slammed the table in front of him, fuming, "These people from Feng Country are simply lawless! On the land of our Yan Country, they dare to be so arrogant! It’s outrageous!"
"It’s all because of some people in the Elder Council." Chang Fei said angrily, "It is families like the Songs that allow these Feng Country people to be so arrogant, not putting us Yan Country people in their eyes."
After his words fell, Yang Yi’s ears twitched, and he tentatively asked, "What if we blow this matter up and force the Elder Council to intervene? Would that work?"
"This?"
Shi Tao and the others exchanged glances.
"City Lord Yang, we actually discussed this, but we think it’s unlikely to work." Shen Si shook his head, "The fact that the Feng Country people could come all this way to our Yan Country is thanks to the Elder Council. Besides, our Martial Arts Association is naturally the enemy of the Noble Families. They won’t help us."
"Why not give it a try?"
Yang Yi was unwilling to give up.
"The Elder Council has a good relationship with the Revival Association. But if this matter gets blown up, everyone in Yan Country will know. They have to consider their reputation. If they allow the Revival Association to kill you, wouldn’t that chill everyone’s hearts?"
Chang Fei and the others couldn’t help but look at Shi Tao.
What Yang Yi said seemed to make some sense.
Besides, they were waiting here like sitting ducks.
Why not give it a shot, as a last resort?
Shi Tao was also somewhat tempted.
At that moment, the phone beside him rang.
The room immediately fell silent.
Yang Yi closed his mouth tightly, not daring to make a sound.
"Hello, who’s this?"
Chang Fei answered the phone.
In the past two days, some people had called to inquire.
Of course, they were merely expressing concern and sympathy, which they appreciated.
"Is this the headquarters of the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association?"
A cold male voice rang out.
"Yes, and you are?"
Chang Fei frowned and put the call on speaker so everyone in the office could hear the conversation.
His intuition told him that the caller harbored hostility.
"My surname is Xu, you can call me Director Xu." The other party said.
"Director Xu?"
Chang Fei was even more confused.
Shi Tao’s face, however, changed slightly.
He seemed to have thought of something.
"Where is your President?" Director Xu asked.
"He is... here."
Chang Fei hesitated before answering.
"Alright, let him take the call."
Chang Fei looked over.
Shen Si and the others beside him also tensed up.
Shi Tao walked over and said, "This is Shi Tao speaking. What can I do for you?"
"Shi Tao, you have quite a nerve to kill members of the Revival Association in broad daylight and detain the Song Family. Do you really think no one can handle you in this world?"
The moment these words were spoken, anger surged in the hearts of everyone in the room.
Shi Tao raised his hand to signal everyone to stay silent.
He had already figured out who this Director Xu was.
"Director Xu, this is not what you think, it’s..."
"I didn’t call to listen to your excuses."
The other party interrupted Shi Tao and asked, "Where is Chen Fan? Is he there too?"
"Chen Fan? He’s not here."
"Not here? Then where did he go?"
"I don’t know."
Shi Tao shook his head.
He genuinely didn’t know.
And even if he did, he wouldn’t say.
"You don’t know?"
Clearly, the other party didn’t believe him. "As the President of the Association, you don’t know where your subordinate is? How are you even a President? Enough, I don’t want to waste words with you. Everyone involved in this matter must report to the Elder Council building in Baijiang City within half a day to await punishment. If you’re late, suffer the consequences. Got it?"
"What! The Elder Council building in Baijiang City!"
"The Elder Council!"
"He’s from the Elder Council!"
Chang Fei and the others, upon hearing this, instantly understood Director Xu’s identity.
No wonder he was so arrogant; he was sent by the Elder Council.
Yang Yi, standing beside, was also stunned.
He had heard every word of the conversation.
The Elder Council wanted Shi Tao and the others to go to Baijiang City to await punishment?