Ye Family Manor, Yanjing.
The Ye family manor was composed of three connected courtyard houses. Ye Zheng, the patriarch of the Ye family, conducted his daily business and lived there.
Apart from major festivals and family gatherings, other Ye family members rarely came here.
To be precise, very few people in the entire Ye family were qualified to meet Ye Zheng at the Ye family manor.
For example, Ye Rui was not qualified.
Yet, Ye Feng, also of the younger generation, was qualified.
As the eldest young master of the Ye family, he was currently the captain of the Azure Dragon Special Forces in the military, holding the rank of Colonel. His combat power was immense, and he was hailed as the future successor of the Ye family.
Today, after returning from a mission, Ye Feng came to the Ye family manor and met Ye Zheng in the study.
"Grandfather."
Ye Feng saluted Ye Zheng, his body as straight as a spear, exuding an aura of iron and blood.
"You're back."
Looking at Ye Feng's sun-darkened face and resolute expression, and feeling the iron-blooded aura emanating from him, Ye Zheng smiled with satisfaction.
He had already received reports that, like on many previous missions, Ye Feng had successfully led the Azure Dragon Special Forces to complete their mission with zero casualties.
"Grandfather, as soon as I returned to the country, I heard about the incident in Donghai. That Jiang Wuming is simply too arrogant!" Ye Feng said, frowning.
"As I informed you through your second uncle to convey to the outside world, Jiang Wuming has nothing to do with the Ye family. You don't need to waste your thoughts on him; it's meaningless," Ye Zheng reminded him.
"Grandfather worries too much. How could I possibly waste my thoughts on someone like him?"
Ye Feng's words were filled with disdain. "I just think that he, under the halo of Jiang Zhan, acts arrogantly, but he doesn't know that times have changed—Jiang Zhan has been dead for twelve years, and this is no longer Jiang Zhan's era!"
"Mmm."
Ye Zheng nodded.
Not long after the military disbanded the War Dragon Special Forces, the Azure Dragon Special Forces were established with the aim of replacing the War Dragon Special Forces and becoming the sharpest blade of the Dragon Country's military!
Now, under Ye Feng's leadership, the Azure Dragon Special Forces were invincible, striking fear into the hearts of foreign powers, and their reputation was no less than that of the War Dragon Special Forces in their prime.
However—
Ye Feng was not satisfied.
His goal was for the Azure Dragon Special Forces to surpass the influence of the former War Dragon Special Forces. Similarly, his own strength and influence within the military also had to surpass Jiang Zhan's!
"And that woman named Xia Xueqin, she actually dared to clamor about gathering the pillars of the martial arts world to question you face-to-face at the Ye family manor. Truly suicidal!"
As Ye Feng spoke, his iron-blooded aura intensified. "In due time, I will definitely visit the Donghai Martial Arts Academy and let her know the price of speaking out of turn!"
"Xiao Feng, don't concern yourself with these matters. Focus on improving your own strength."
Ye Zheng waved his hand and then said, "When Gu Tianlong was watching the battle between the Hall Master of the War Dragon Hall and Liu Xin, he was reprimanded on the spot by the Hall Master of the War Dragon Hall. It seemed to have stimulated him, and he has been in seclusion at Longmen recently, preparing with all his might to fight the Hall Master of the War Dragon Hall in the future!"
"Grandfather, a penned tiger is not as good as a wild wolf. Moreover, Gu Tianlong is not qualified to be called a tiger. Don't worry, he will never be qualified to be my opponent in this lifetime!"
Ye Feng said with confidence. His strength was honed and improved between life and death, built upon the blood and bones of his enemies, far beyond what a hothouse flower like Gu Tianlong could compare to.
...
The Qinling Mountains are the dividing line between north and south in the Dragon Country. The temperature, climate, and terrain vary between the north and the south. They are revered as the Dragon Vein of the Dragon Country and hold an extremely important position among all the mountain ranges in the Dragon Country.
Longmen is the most powerful martial arts force in the Dragon Country, with a long history and profound heritage. Its sect is located in the Qinling Mountains, hence it is honored as the guardian of the Dragon Vein.
In the Qinling Mountains, on an unnamed peak, there was a figure.
The person sat cross-legged on a rock at the summit, breathing and absorbing energy in the face of the setting sun, his entire body filled with true qi.
Gu Tianlong, the young master of Longmen!
Swish!
Suddenly, as the sun completely set behind the mountain, Gu Tianlong's eyes snapped open, a sharp glint flashing within them.
Immediately, he stood up, the true qi in his body dispersed, and he flashed down the mountain.
A moment later, Gu Tianlong returned to his residence, took a shower, changed his clothes, and then took out his mobile phone from his desk. Upon checking it, he found missed calls and immediately dialed back.
The person who called was a dandy from Yanjing. His father worked in the intelligence department and was one of Gu Tianlong's followers and his intelligence chief.
"I told you, don't call me unless it's something important. You've called three times in a row, has something major happened?"
When the call was connected, Gu Tianlong got straight to the point.
"Young Master Gu, there are two matters that I believe are quite important, so I wanted to report them to you."
The dandy on the other end of the phone said respectfully, "Firstly, after the identity of Jiang Zhan's son was exposed, Li Lianyi ended her training and returned directly to the Divine Doctor Valley. She is likely trying to specifically avoid Jiang Wuming."
"Heh... There are no such good things as toads wanting to eat swan meat in this world. Li Lianyi is doing this to make that insignificant nobody retreat and voluntarily break off the engagement," Gu Tianlong sneered.
"Yes, Young Master Gu, that Jiang Wuming isn't even qualified to lick Li Lianyi's shoes!"
The dandy agreed and then continued, "The second matter is, Jiang Wuming in Donghai..."
"He brings trouble upon himself and cannot live. Without the Ye family's protection, relying only on his weak martial power and his so-called identity as a teacher at the Donghai Martial Arts Academy, he would be unable to protect himself in the Dragon Country. Going abroad would be a sure death!"
After hearing the report, and learning about Jiang Wuming's affairs in Donghai and the Ye family's dissociation from Jiang Wuming, Gu Tianlong sneered, "Alright, that insignificant fish is destined for a dead end. From now on, unless there is news of his death, there's no need to report anything about him to me. I don't want to waste my time."
"Understood, Young Master Gu!"
The dandy immediately obeyed.
Gu Tianlong said no more and ended the call directly.
...
Divine Doctor Valley.
After having dinner, Li Lianyi sat in her study reading a book. Incense was burning in the censer, emitting a faint aroma that refreshed the spirit.
"Knock knock—"
Suddenly, there was a knock on the study door.
"Come in."
Li Lianyi did not look up.
Immediately, a middle-aged man wearing a dark blue robe walked in. He bore some resemblance to Li Lianyi.
He was Li Lianyi's father—Li Yin Zhi.
"Dad, you're here."
Li Lianyi put down the ancient book she was holding and got up to make tea for Li Yin Zhi.
"Lianyi, do you know about Jiang Zhan's son's affairs in Donghai?"
A few minutes later, Li Yin Zhi took the tea his daughter handed him, but did not drink it. He asked.
"I know." Li Lianyi sat back down at the desk.
"Do you also know about the news from the Ye family?" Li Yin Zhi continued to ask.
"Mmm."
Li Lianyi nodded lightly.
"Do you want to take this opportunity to break off the engagement?" Li Yin Zhi stated his purpose.
"Dad, why should I break off the engagement?" Li Lianyi asked in return.
"Are you trying to use the engagement as an excuse to keep those who pursue you away?"
Li Yin Zhi was taken aback at her words, then looked thoughtful.
"Dad, I have my own plans for this matter."
Li Lianyi avoided answering directly and couldn't help but think to herself.
"If the Ye family, led by Ye Zheng, knew that Jiang Wuming was the renowned Hall Master of the War Dragon Hall and ranked first on the Two-Star God of War list, they would surely regret their actions today, wouldn't they?"