Jiang Wuming and Li Lianyi arrived at a wooden house not far from the Taoist temple after meeting the Heavenly Dragon Taoist.
It was his former residence.
Next to the wooden house was a small wooden house, where Dongfang Xiaoyao used to live.
Back then, Dongfang Xiaoyao was responsible for Jiang Wuming’s daily life according to the arrangements of the Heavenly Dragon Taoist.
In front of the wooden house was a vegetable patch, filled with all sorts of vegetables. This was all Zhu Yong’s doing.
Although Jiang Wuming had not been on Longhu Mountain for years, and had not even returned, Zhu Yong had consistently managed this vegetable patch for him, and regularly cleaned Jiang Wuming’s wooden house.
“This house has no weeds outside, and not a hint of musty smell inside. It’s obvious it’s cleaned often. Brother Zhu treats you very well,” Li Lianyi said sincerely as she entered the room.
She was a person who paid attention to details. Not only did she see everything in the room, but she also realized that there were only two people in the entire Taoist sect, the Heavenly Dragon Taoist and Zhu Yong, and knew that all this was done by Zhu Yong.
“Second Senior Brother and Master are my family. Otherwise, how could this place be called home?” Jiang Wuming felt warmth fill his heart.
Li Lianyi was slightly taken aback.
At this moment, she could clearly see the brilliant smile on the young man’s face.
This was a smile she rarely saw on the young man’s face.
It was a smile of genuine happiness.
As the Heavenly Dragon Taoist had said, he had instructed Zhu Yong to move all the ancient books related to alchemy to Jiang Wuming’s room, stacking them on a table.
However—
Li Lianyi saw the ancient books she had longed for, but instead of immediately flipping through them, she took out her laptop and sat down at the desk.
Seeing this, Jiang Wuming thought Li Lianyi was going to handle some work, so he didn’t disturb her. Instead, he went out to find his Second Senior Brother, Zhu Yong.
He had been away from Longhu Mountain for so long and had not returned. He could only talk to his Second Senior Brother, Zhu Yong, by phone, and there were many things to discuss.
An hour later, when Jiang Wuming returned to the room, Li Lianyi was still sitting at the desk, a smile appearing on her beautiful face.
Seeing this, Jiang Wuming gave a wry smile and said, “It seems Li Shang is right. You were born for medicine. Work makes you happy.”
“I’m not working. I’m looking at news related to you. Do you want to come and see?” Li Lianyi said with a smile.
“Oh?”
Jiang Wuming was first taken aback, then realized something. He walked directly to Li Lianyi’s side and looked closely. He immediately confirmed his guess: Li Lianyi was reading about the news of foreign envoys delivering messages, and the challenge posed by martial arts prodigies from other worlds!
However, what surprised Jiang Wuming was that Li Lianyi was logged into the Divine Net Forum.
But, immediately, Jiang Wuming was relieved—the Li family was the most prominent medical family in Long Country, and even globally. Obtaining an account on the Divine Net Forum was as easy as pie.
“Breaking News: We are about to usher in the dawn of a comprehensive ceasefire!”
This post was pinned and highlighted by the forum administrator, marked as breaking.
“According to information from the Long Country Military Department, the outer world has dispatched envoys to the Loulan ancient battlefield. The envoys from the outer world have delivered a message: to wash away the shame of the battle at the East Sea Martial Arts Academy, the martial arts prodigies from the outer world will issue a challenge to martial arts prodigies worldwide in five days!
According to the outer world envoys, five peerless prodigies from the outer world, all under the age of thirty-five, will be sent. If we have any martial arts prodigies under thirty-five who can defeat one of the outer world’s martial arts prodigies, the outer world will cease this invasion war!”
Li Lianyi clicked on the post, and Jiang Wuming saw the content.
Then, Li Lianyi scrolled down, and a series of hot comments appeared in front of Jiang Wuming.
“Long Country’s Jiang Wuming humiliated the outer world in the battle at the East Sea Martial Arts Academy. This time, can he continue his legend, defeat the martial arts prodigies of the outer world, and end the war, becoming the hero of this world?”
“If there is any martial arts prodigy on Earth who can defeat the martial arts prodigies of the outer world, it must be Long Country’s Jiang Wuming!”
“That’s right, if Long Country’s Jiang Wuming can’t do it, other martial arts prodigies are even less likely!”
“One battle to decide the fate of the world! Long Country’s Jiang Wuming carries the hopes of the entire world!!”
…
Seeing these hot comments, Jiang Wuming felt no surge of excitement or exhilaration, but a look of calm.
“They would never have dreamed that just after they tried to trip you up, the challenge from the martial arts prodigies of the outer world would appear, and the stakes would be to end the war—they must be panicking now!” Li Lianyi said with a mocking smile, seeing Jiang Wuming’s calm expression. She knew Jiang Wuming was still dwelling on the actions of the Long Shengzhe and Long Qisheng brothers.
…
Yanjing.
Long Qisheng, wearing a ghost mask, suddenly appeared in the headquarters courtyard of the Military Department and headed directly for Qi Wufu’s office.
Qi Wufu stood by the window of his ancient office building, sensing Long Qisheng’s rapidly approaching aura, but remained unmoved.
At the entrance of the ancient building, Zhu Jian, the head of the Military Department’s Enforcement Division, stood as instructed, his gaze fixed on the approaching Long Qisheng.
“Master Long, please stop.”
Then, as Long Qisheng reached the entrance, Zhu Jian stepped forward and blocked him.
Hmm?
Long Qisheng raised an eyebrow and looked at Zhu Jian.
“The Marshal guessed you would come and specifically instructed that he is handling official business and cannot see you. Please return,” Zhu Jian said again, his words polite but his expression cold.
He knew everything that the Long Shengzhe faction had done against Jiang Wuming, and he also knew that his master, Qi Wufu, had gone to the Red Wall Courtyard and been refused entry. Qi Wufu had arranged for him to wait at the entrance for Long Qisheng, intending to give him a taste of his own medicine.
“No one in the Military Department can stop me, and no one can refuse me an audience,” Long Qisheng said coldly. His aura suddenly erupted, his entire body enveloped in golden light, like a great Buddha, as he walked past Zhu Jian.
Throughout the entire process, Zhu Jian did not speak or obstruct him.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to, but that he couldn’t. He only felt as if his heart was being pressed down by a giant mountain, suffocating and unbearable. His entire body felt frozen, completely unable to move.
Long Qisheng smoothly entered the ancient building and walked into the office. He glanced at Qi Wufu, who was standing by the window, and said with a playful smile, “You knew your disciple couldn’t stop me, so why waste your effort doing something so childish?”
“Heh… such great might!” Qi Wufu turned around, staring coldly at Long Qisheng, who was wearing a ghost mask. “Why don’t you show your might on the battlefield? Why don’t you display your prowess on the fighting stage of the Global Martial Arts Conference?!”
“Didn’t you also hide your strength and not enter the arena, but instead let Kunlun Yuntian Sword, whose true strength is inferior to yours, enter?” Long Qisheng retorted.
“Do you think I didn’t want to? When Shenglun @ Luomai took that step, neither I nor Yuntian Sword could change the outcome. I wish that day I wasn’t the Marshal of the Long Country Military Department, and could have swapped identities with Brother Yun and entered the fight!” Qi Wufu said coldly. His ranking on the Global Five-Star Warlord list was not as high as Yuntian Sword’s, but his true strength was already at the tenth stage of Five-Star Warlord, surpassing Yuntian Sword.
“Indeed, you are the Marshal of the Long Country Military Department. If you had suffered a crushing defeat, the dignity of the Long Country Military Department and even the Long Country martial arts world would be gone. Even if Zhuge Lingjun had appeared later with the God-Slaying Saber, he couldn’t have truly regained the initiative,” Long Qisheng commented, then said, “Alright, I’m not here to talk about these meaningless things with you, nor to engage in verbal sparring, but to convey an order.”
“Order?” Qi Wufu raised an eyebrow.
“No matter what method you use, you must make Jiang Wuming participate. This is the Grand Elder’s order!” Long Qisheng said directly, his tone admitting no doubt.
“Hahaha…” Qi Wufu laughed in anger upon hearing this.
“What are you laughing at?” Long Qisheng narrowed his eyes and asked coldly.
“I regret to inform you that I cannot comply!” Qi Wufu coldly refused.
“Qi Wufu, you should know the significance of this martial arts challenge—it will determine whether the invasion war by the outer world will cease!” Although Long Qisheng had some psychological preparation before coming, and had a premonition when he saw Qi Wufu laugh, he was still shocked and somewhat annoyed by Qi Wufu’s unceremonious refusal.
“I know,” Qi Wufu said, his smile subsiding.
“Then you?” Long Qisheng stared intently at Qi Wufu.
“If you knew this would happen, why did you do it in the first place?” Qi Wufu taunted unceremoniously.
“Qi Wufu, you…” Long Qisheng glared at Qi Wufu.
However—
This time, before he could finish his sentence, Qi Wufu coldly interrupted, “Wuming has already clearly stated his refusal to participate. I am not capable of making him participate. If you are capable, go to Longhu Mountain and invite him yourself!”
“Heh… Qi Wufu, are you sure you want to do this?” Long Qisheng asked coldly.
“You’ve woven your own trap. Bowing your heads and admitting your mistakes is your only choice!” Qi Wufu indirectly gave his answer.
…