While Xu Hai’s call was ongoing, Han Wu also received a call from Sun Qingnian, which he picked up immediately.
“Han Wu, I just learned something that’s going to shake the entire Divine Civilization. The divine war between the Dark Faction and the Light Faction, which has been going on for fifty years, ended twenty minutes ago. The God King of Darkness has fallen!”
Having just heard it from Su Lan, Han Wu was not taken by surprise. “I just found out too.”
“Do you know why the evenly matched divine war suddenly ended today?” Sun Qingnian asked.
Han Wu raised an eyebrow. “You’ve got insider information, don’t you? Stop holding back and just tell me.”
“My informant says two outside forces barged into the war. The first was a special unit sent by the War Faction. They crushed several of the Dark Faction’s ace squads with overwhelming force. The second was the Destruction Clan. Unconfirmed reports claim that the God King of Darkness died at the Destruction Clan’s hands.”
Han Wu hissed as the pieces fell into place. The War Faction and the Destruction Clan had intervened in the Light Faction’s divine war. Their goal was most likely to pull the Light Faction into an alliance.
All three of those forces had a grudge against Han Wu, and he couldn’t shake the foreboding feeling that he was the next target on their list.
He didn’t doubt Sun Qingnian’s intel for a second. Although his friend was reckless and fickle when it came to romance, he was actually loyal to the point of taking a blade for a friend. Any information he passed along had been verified.
With that, Sun Qingnian hung up. Xu Hai’s call ended soon after as well. The Wisdom God King’s face was pale.
“Sir, we have to go rescue her!” He Xu said from the side.
During the call, he had heard the Goddess of Enchantment say that the Light Faction’s forces were hunting down the Dark Faction’s remnants. Su Lan could be in serious danger if no one intervened.
Xu Hai’s expression was terrifying. Veins of red crept across his eyes as he fought to keep his emotions in check.
“The Wisdom Faction can’t get involved,” he finally said, voice coming out low and strained.
He Xu shot to his feet. “Why not?!”
Having followed Xu Hai for years, He Xu naturally knew his teacher’s temperament well. The Wisdom God King was no coward.
“If I were just Xu Hai, I could go,” Xu Hai said. “But right now, I’m the Wisdom God King and the leader of the Wisdom Faction. I have a responsibility to every member of this faction. I can’t drag the Wisdom Faction into the conflict between the Light and Dark Factions.”
Han Wu could feel the urgency and anguish radiating off his teacher. Walking over, he grabbed a sheet of paper from the desk, scribbled a few words, and slapped it down.
Xu Hai picked it up with trembling hands. The paper stated two simple words: Withdrawal Request. Han Wu was requesting to leave the Wisdom Faction.
“Han Wu, this situation is too complicated. The God King of Darkness’s sudden fall is a sign that something bigger is going on. I won’t allow you to get involved!” Xu Hai said firmly.
Han Wu stood his ground. “Sir, some things aren’t so easily avoided. I’ve already made enemies of both the War Faction and the Destruction Clan. They’re not going to let me go. I’m not running, and I won’t run. If I leave the Wisdom Faction now, they can’t use me as an excuse to come after you. This isn’t just about helping you. The Dark Faction has been good to me. The God King of Darkness helped me when I was in trouble. Even though he’s fallen, I haven’t forgotten that debt.”
“Han Wu...” Xu Hai’s voice cracked.
What a kid, he thought to himself. What have I done to deserve a student this good?
“Wait for my good news, sir.” Han Wu turned to leave.
“Hold on,” Xu Hai called out. “I’m not comfortable with you going alone.”
He wiped the corner of his eye, then opened his interface for the faction and tapped through a series of commands.
Less than a minute later, furious banging came from the door. It swung open to reveal Jia Gui, face twisted with rage, one hand still pounding the air and the other holding his pants up. He had left in such a rush that he hadn’t finished getting dressed.
“Xu Hai, what the hell gave you the right to kick me out of the Wisdom Faction?” Jia Gui demanded. “I’ll have you—”
His tirade came to an abrupt halt when he spotted Han Wu standing to the side, the words dying in his throat as if he had been grabbed by the neck.
“Han Wu, buddy! You’re here too,” he said, his furious expression melting into a smile. “If I’d known, I wouldn’t have come.”
Han Wu looked at Jia Gui, then back at Xu Hai. “Sir, you want him to come with me?”
Jia Gui had no idea what was going on. All he knew was that he’d been kicked from the faction while sitting on the toilet. Life in the Wisdom Faction was good, filled with fine food, ample resources, and adoring students. Losing all of that was unthinkable.
When he heard Han Wu’s question, he realized Xu Hai was likely assigning him to work alongside Han Wu, and his legs went weak at the thought.
“Jia Gui recently ascended as a Major God,” Xu Hai said with a nod. “His progress has been extraordinary, especially after absorbing the Concealment Jurisdiction. I’m confident he’ll be a major asset on this mission.”
Han Wu glanced at Jia Gui. Across their several collaborations, Jia Gui had proven unreliable in more ways than one, but his luck was consistently absurd.
“Alright, Jia Gui and I will head out together,” Han Wu agreed, pulling a 3-Star Divine belt from his divine realm and tossing it to Jia Gui to hold up his pants.
Jia Gui caught the belt with his gnarled, bark-like hands, sighing inwardly as he did. Accepting a belt from Han Wu was the same as boarding his bandit ship. It was anyone’s guess if he’d make it out alive.
Han Wu took the lead as the pair made to leave. Jia Gui took the opportunity to linger and silently mouth a message at Xu Hai through the open office door. So I used a few of your resources. You didn’t have to sell me to your student. Thanks a lot!