With this development, the remaining five families among the Eight Great Clans also seemed inclined to stay and watch the spectacle. None of them showed any intention of leaving.
They had no plans to lend a hand, of course.
Nevertheless, with these three clans making demands, the Rejuvenation Island Domain did not dare show any negligence. Prince Huo, Commander He, and several important figures from Winterend Island were all summoned together.
The most anxious among them all was
Three great clans might have lost six prodigies. And the killer was most likely one of the two trial participants selected by Sin City.
"Xie Wushang, you explain this to our distinguished guests yourself! Look at the mess you've made." The Garrison Commander was clearly looking to shift blame, berating Xie Wushang and intending to push all responsibility onto him.
Xie Wushang looked the picture of innocence: "Garrison Commander, I received orders from your office and devoted myself wholeheartedly to the selection process, fulfilling my duties to the fullest. I believe I have honored every instruction the Garrison Commander gave me."
Xie Wushang genuinely felt he had been wronged. The Garrison Command had never once indicated that this selection would serve as prey for the prodigies of the Duowen Divine Kingdom to hunt.
Had that fact been disclosed, Xie Wushang might have reconsidered—not selecting candidates who were too formidable.
On the contrary, the Garrison Command had specifically instructed him to raise the selection standards and ensure that only the absolute top talents were chosen.
He had poured enormous effort and time into this selection. In the end, it had turned into nothing but disaster, and he found that deeply unjust.
If he were made a scapegoat because of this, he felt it would be the height of unfairness.
Lord
The Garrison Commander hastened to reply: "Yes, yes! We must root out the killer and punish them without mercy!"
Xie Wushang and the others nodded along, though their hearts were filled with contempt. They felt the most aggrieved of all—as people of Winterend Island, they harbored a natural wariness toward outsiders.
To have the very candidates they selected turned into hunting prey had already rubbed them the wrong way.
Fine, turning them into prey was one thing. But when the hunters proved incompetent and got killed by the prey, blaming someone else? That was going too far.
Seeing Xie Wushang looking rather dejected,
Though Xie Wushang loathed these people, he dared not show it. After a moment's thought, he replied respectfully: "In my assessment, the one called Jiang Huang is more likely.
"Jiang Huang?" Kuang Han, Xuan Zan, and
"Prince Huo, now that the killer has been identified, the restricted zones of the Black Nightmare Mountains should be fully opened to allow us entry to pursue the culprit, shouldn't they?"
Prince Huo's expression became troubled: "My lords, the Black Nightmare Mountains truly are the vital core of Winterend Island. If someone were to break in and damage the foundation, the entire operation of Winterend Island would be thrown into complete disarray!"
Kuang Han flew into a rage: "Prince Huo, are you suggesting that the prodigies of our Eight Great Clans are worth less than the so-called foundation of some wretched exile colony?"
"Indeed, Prince Huo. I've heard that Winterend Island was originally a place for imprisoning the worst criminals. It's a domain abandoned by the Rejuvenation Island Domain. How important can its foundation possibly be?" Xuan Zan wasted no courtesy in berating Prince Huo.
Prince Huo was, after all, a member of the royal family—high-ranking and powerful. Being dressed down like this did not sit well with him. But he knew perfectly well that these were people he could not afford to offend.
He cast a helpless glance toward the Garrison Commander.
The Garrison Commander steeled himself and spoke: "My lords, please leave the pursuit of the killer to our Garrison Command. We are more familiar with the terrain of the Black Nightmare Mountains, and with certain clues from the prohibition formations, our chances of catching the killer are greater. You are unfamiliar with the terrain—if you charge in rashly, there could be all manner of unforeseen dangers."
"Insolence. Prince Huo, Garrison Commander Ding—by stalling like this, are you simply trying to keep us out? Are you protecting the killer?"
Prince Huo's expression changed upon hearing this. He knew the people from these three clans were already on the verge of losing all reason, and could only force an obsequious smile: "My lords, Garrison Commander Ding makes a fair point. You are unfamiliar with the terrain of the Black Nightmare Mountains, and entering rashly would indeed invite considerable trouble. Since the Garrison Command are the ones who know every corner of this island, entrusting the task to them seems the better option. Perhaps you distinguished guests could rest in the outer perimeter for now, and let the Garrison Command handle the pursuit..."
Bang!
Kuang Han slammed the table: "Prince Huo, I don't want to hear a single word of this nonsense. If the Garrison Command truly knows the terrain, then let them lead the way. Regardless, those two trial participants killed the geniuses of our clans, and we will absolutely participate in this pursuit!"
"Exactly, Prince Huo. If you refuse, you must have something to hide!"
Seeing these people refuse to be reasonable, Prince Huo was rendered speechless. He knew that resistance was likely futile.
He nodded: "Very well. The Garrison Command will dispatch three groups, each guiding one of your three clans in their search. The remaining Garrison Command personnel will conduct their own search separately. How does that sound?"
Though the Garrison Commander was inwardly unwilling a hundred times over, he could only accept Prince Huo's arrangement. He too could see that these three great clans were teetering on the edge of erupting.
"Enough of this. We've wasted too much time jawing—by now, that killer may have fled far indeed."
"All forces, assemble! Prepare to enter the Black Nightmare Mountains!"
Thus, the tranquility of the Black Nightmare Mountains was shattered beyond repair.