Chapter 285 - The Call (1/2)

Hao Xuan managed to safely return to the mansion without getting seen. On the way over he ran past many thousands of soldiers running towards the outer wall at full speed.

All businesses were closed down and a curfew put in effect for the remainder of the night. All families that were located outside the city wall were ordered to come in.

Hao Xuan sent Kuo a message and told him to take a few dozen soldiers with him to escort the Khan family safely inside himself. They were taken to one of the many smaller mansions owned by Yangdi in the inner district for the night.

When he got the news, Hao Xuan went to check out their situation for himself. Everyone other than Maaz was present and accounted for. Kuo told him that Maaz had been called in by the military since he was on active duty. (Read 4th Auxillary chapt for details on the family)

Hao Xuan was standing on a tree branch a street away and looking in from an open window. The entire family was huddled in front of the fire in the living room, watching the news on the TV.

”Aren't you going to go meet them?” Kuo's voice came from his left.

Even in this heavy rain Hao Xuan was able to hear him coming from a few dozen meters away so he wasn't surprised by his query. He shook his head softly.

”No need. Did you hear anything from First brother or any of the others?”

”No. Nothing at all. As far as I know, no one from the Red Legion was sent out tonight,” Kuo spoke in a whisper.

Hao Xuan nodded and turned to meet Kuo's gaze.

”Alright, that will be all. Sorry to call you out for such a small task. We should be getting new orders in a few days so keep the men on standby,” he said with a smile and patted Kuo's shoulder.

Kuo shook his head helplessly, ”You're our leader. You don't have to apologize for using your authority. You should be more assertive.”

”Mhm, I'll do that,” Hao Xuan nodded earnestly.

Kuo was one of the few people that Hao Xuan could always count on. Whether he knew it or not, but Hao Xuan always listened to Kuo's advice, whatever it may be.

Kuo didn't comment on Hao Xuan's change in appearance nor did he bring up his elevation to the Spirit realm. Unless Hao Xuan mentioned something himself, Kuo usually would never pry into his affairs.

He turned around and quickly disappeared into one of the 3 streets around the corner, leaving Hao Xuan standing there all alone.

Hao Xuan stood there for a few more minutes before turning around to leave when...

*Cough*Cough*

The skin around his neck flushed red as he keeled over and threw up several mouthfuls of crimson blood. The fight with Gertrude and Rhea was not an easy one.

He took a direct hit from Gertrude's greatsword while fending off Rhea and some of the attack's Qi was still rampaging inside his body.

Although the external wounds closed up rather quickly, the actual damage was on the inside.

He lost his balance and fell down from the tree, landing head first on the ground. Thankfully, his physique had reached such a level that instead of taking damage he left a 3-inch deep imprint in the muddy ground.

Still, his appearance was quite messy and with the blood stains on his robe and the mud on his face, it looked he was beaten up badly.

He fumbled about in the dark and finally reached back home where Xu Qing was waiting for him with an umbrella. She quickly ran over and grabbed his arm, supporting him up.

Hao Xuan had called all his summons out of the mind palace. All of them were staying in the mansion so he couldn't summon them to help him out.

Xu Qing looked at him with anxious eyes. She couldn't 'see' what was wrong with him which worried her even more.

”Should I call for a doctor?”