Hu Wen had not been with Daybreak for long, at least the last time Yang De saw him and documented it in the Research Institute's intelligence, there was no clear record of him siding with Daybreak.
So it wasn't just the Research Institute that feared He Ao might set an ambush, Daybreak also feared He Ao would defect to the Research Institute, setting up a trap for them.
Under such suspicion, Daybreak could not possibly send someone particularly powerful.
Noding had once lived here; he knew the area well and had interacted with people like Zuo Nuo who had no Transcendent powers, proving his own strength was not formidable. He was the best candidate.
Therefore, He Ao wasn't surprised by Noding's arrival.
He Ao found a water jug in the corner, and a resident had brought it over that morning; He Ao had saved his life the night before from the hands of a violent, murderous Rogue Soldier.