Mo Hua’s thoughts momentarily jumbled.
"How could it be Xiao Tianquan? Did he betray the Xiao family? No, that’s not it..."
Mo Hua examined the people behind Xiao Tianquan, noticing their demeanor and every movement bore the distinct style of the Taoist Court.
These people were all Enforcement Leaders from the Xiao family.
Mo Hua’s eyelids twitched, and he couldn’t help but glance at Gu Changhuai.
Gu Changhuai furrowed his brow, his gaze heavy, evidently as surprised as Mo Hua to find that these reinforcements were from the Xiao family.
Yet, Xia Canonical Official nodded faintly, asking, "Is everyone here?"
Xiao Tianquan respectfully replied, "Reporting to the Canonical Official, all 112 from the Xiao family are present, awaiting your orders."
"Good," Xia Canonical Official nodded, "You all know the plan. Later, we shall embark on boats and follow me to the depths of the Mistwater River to encircle and eradicate the river bandits and eliminate this scourge."
Xiao Tianquan cupped his hands and said, "Understood!"
He then lifted his head, casting a sharp glance at Gu Changhuai, but said nothing, turning instead to convey orders to the cultivators of the Xiao family.
Gu Changhuai kept a stern face, remaining silent.
Afterward, everyone embarked; the Xia family’s cultivators placed over thirty spirit boats into the water.
Then, according to plan, everyone boarded the boats methodically.
Xia Canonical Official took the lead on the foremost boat, with Gu Changhuai alongside her.
Mo Hua needed to guide the way, so he was on this boat as well.
As for Xiao Tianquan, who also seemed eager to board the same boat as Xia Canonical Official,
Xia Canonical Official hesitated for a moment, then said:
"Xiao Zhisi, may we trouble you to lead your people at the rear."
Xiao Tianquan nodded perceptively, cupping his hands and replying "Yes," before moving to the rear boats.
With everyone on board, over thirty spirit boats silently embarked under the veil of night.
Mo Hua led the way in the front.
All the other cultivators followed behind.
The night was quiet, the water calm, with only the gentle sound of flowing water accompanying the journey forward.
In the midst of this silence, as they reached the midway point, Gu Changhuai finally couldn’t hold back and asked Xia Canonical Official:
"How is it the Xiao family?"
His voice was low, tinged with confusion and a hint of inquiry.
Mo Hua immediately perked up his ears.
"What about the Xiao family?"
Xia Canonical Official’s tone was calm, nonchalant.
Gu Changhuai frowned, "Do you seriously not know?"
The Gui Water Sect and the Xiao family had long been bound together, like locusts on the same rope.
Xia Canonical Official paused for a moment, clearly having words she couldn’t speak.
But looking into Gu Changhuai’s clear and questioning eyes, she contemplated for a while, ultimately choosing to speak softly:
"The Xiao family has already defected to our Xia family..."
"This whole affair began with the Xiao family secretly reporting the many misdeeds of the Gui Water Sect to my uncle, which led the Taoist Court to investigate the Gui Water Sect."
Gu Changhuai’s eyes trembled.
Mo Hua, eavesdropping from the front, also inhaled sharply.
Good heavens, this mole from the Xiao family turned their back.
Previously, they were whispering sweet nothings with Gui Water Sect, only to stab them in the back...