"Elder Zhu is here, quickly, quickly, please sit."
"Elder Zhu, if you have anything on your mind, just say it. We will help as much as we can."
"Yes, thank you, Elder Zhu, for your help. We, the Five Dragons of Huaxia, are immensely grateful."
Seeing Zhu Zhi arrive, Huo Zhu and the others all stood up and welcomed him.
Zhu Zhi chuckled.
Then, he and the stewards from Central Island took their seats one by one.
"Actually, there's nothing much. I just wanted to tell you that martial arts are flourishing in Lin Hai City. If you encounter any promising talents, feel free to take them under your wing. We have no objections to this."
This!
Upon hearing this, Huo Zhu and the others were stunned. They exchanged glances, then said excitedly,
"Elder Zhu, wouldn't this be inappropriate? After all, this is your territory. Us recruiting and developing here would be like openly competing with you for people, wouldn't it?"
Zhu Zhi waved his hand dismissively.
"Heh, it's not as serious as you think. I've already spoken with Zhang Yang. Since we now have a common enemy, we should join forces."
"Therefore, your development and our development are entirely the same."
"Besides, not everyone in Lin Hai City can adapt to Central Island's management style. Perhaps the Five Dragons of Huaxia are a better fit for their growth."
After hearing Zhu Zhi's words, Huo Zhu and the others were overjoyed.
Although they had come to Lin Hai City to seek refuge, they felt a sense of being under someone else's roof.
Unexpectedly, Zhu Zhi not only didn't reject them but was also very generous, directly inviting them to develop their influence here.
At this moment.
The people from Central Island who accompanied Zhu Zhi also spoke.
"You don't need to worry so much. Do as you see fit. Lin Hai City values martial arts. We may not have much else, but we have the most martial artists. If anyone opposes your development, I, Hu Han Tian, will be the first to disagree," Hu Han Tian said with a laugh.
"That's right. If you need anything, you can contact me in advance. Of course, you'll have to pay for it; we can't give things away for free," Hong Tao added with a smile.
These two were the closest to Zhang Yang.
Upon learning that the Five Dragons of Huaxia were Zhang Yang's forces, they became even more enthusiastic to help.
"Thank you all very much," Huo Zhu said repeatedly.
"We, the Five Dragons of Huaxia, will remember this kindness."
Zhu Zhi and the others shook their heads, unconcerned.
"Go ahead and do it boldly. If nothing unexpected happens, that kid Zhang Yang will give us another surprise."
Surprise?
Huo Zhu was taken aback.
After leaving the Imperial City, Zhang Yang had not come to Lin Hai City.
He had only told everyone that he had a very important matter to attend to.
"Does Elder Zhu know where Zhang Yang went?" Huo Zhu asked.
"I heard he went to Xijiang to find the Beast King of Zhenxi. He didn't tell me what he was doing there," Zhu Zhi replied with a smile.
To Xijiang?
To find the Beast King of Zhenxi?
Huo Zhu and the others exchanged glances, suddenly understanding Zhang Yang's intention.
"Could it be that Zhang Yang also wants to recruit the Beast King of Zhenxi to join us?" Huo Zhu asked.
"The possibility is likely high, but we can't be certain. It mainly depends on how Zhang Yang handles it."
"However, this kid always manages to surprise people. Perhaps this time, he'll actually succeed."
"Hahaha, I'm afraid the current Emperor still can't figure out why provoking Zhang Yang would change the entire world's landscape," Zhu Zhi speculated.
As they spoke.
Zhu Zhi burst into laughter. He was extremely happy.
He never imagined that one day he would be able to stand on the same side as Zhang Yang and fight shoulder to shoulder.
Huo Zhu and the others were also filled with anticipation.
The Emperor was the mastermind behind the demise of the Five Dragons of Huaxia.
They would definitely avenge this debt!
"That's right, we will return sooner or later, and we will attack the Imperial City together!" Huo Zhu and the others said indignantly!
Although they didn't know when that day would come, they would definitely be there!
"Therefore, you need to accumulate strength and develop now. There are quite a few martial arts talents in Lin Hai City. Although they may not have top-tier combat power, with a little nurturing, they can become fighters," Zhu Zhi said with a smile.
Huo Zhu nodded.
"I understand. We will discuss it these next two days and plan our expansion."
"Well, then you'd better hurry. In fact, the time we have left should be quite tight. The Emperor will definitely not sit idly by."
After speaking, Zhu Zhi did not linger and left with his entourage.
Huo Zhu and his group immediately began planning to expand their forces and decided to recruit more people!
...
At the same time.
The Wolf King of the Northern Territory and the Dragon King of Dongjiang had returned to the Imperial City.
The Emperor's face was ashen.
The two War Kings dared not speak, trembling.
"The people of the Five Dragons of Huaxia have escaped! Zhang Yang has not returned to Jiangnan City either! What have these six imperial uncle families been doing?"
"A large group of living people disappeared from Jiangnan City, and not a single trace was found?"
"With all the resources I provide them annually, they only produce such useless individuals?"
The Emperor roared in anger.
The two War Kings lowered their heads, remaining silent.
At this moment.
The six old ancestors of the imperial uncle families, who had been summoned by the Emperor, arrived.
As soon as they entered the Imperial City's grand hall, they felt the incredibly oppressive atmosphere.
They all knew what was going on.
They had also heard about the incident in Jiangnan City.
The Emperor summoning them this time was definitely to hold them accountable.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
The six old ancestors knelt down in unison.
"Hmph! Look at the mess you've made! I ordered you to keep an eye on the people of the Five Dragons of Huaxia in Jiangnan City, and what happened? Where did they go?"
"Can any of you tell me?"
The six old ancestors remained silent, unable to find an excuse for a moment.
"What? Do you think remaining silent will make this matter go away and let you off the hook?" the Emperor said sternly.
"If you cannot give me an explanation today, I truly don't know what use you are to me!"
Upon hearing this.
The six old ancestors knew they couldn't escape and could only confess.
"Your Majesty, please forgive us. This matter is indeed our fault. We were negligent in our guard, allowing the people of the Five Dragons of Huaxia to escape."
"However, we truly don't know how they escaped. The forces of our six imperial uncle families were basically all deployed. We had a comprehensive blockade on land, sea, and air. We really don't know how they disappeared."
"That's right. Initially, the people of the Five Dragons of Huaxia were always within our sight. The only day they disappeared was when the two War Kings made their move."
Hearing this, the Emperor's eyes narrowed.
"So, you are suggesting that the Wolf King of the Northern Territory and the Dragon King of Dongjiang let the Five Dragons of Huaxia go?"
The two War Kings felt the Emperor's killing intent-filled gaze and were instantly enraged!
"Hmph! Do you six think we two War Kings are easy to bully?"
"Six old geezers, daring to shift the blame onto us. Do you think we'll take the fall for this? Or do you want to have a go at us?"
Suddenly.
The atmosphere in the Imperial City's grand hall became extremely tense.
The six old ancestors of the imperial uncle families repeatedly shook their heads.
Although their strength was formidable and their family foundations were sufficient.
They were no match for the War Kings personally cultivated by the Emperor.
"No, we absolutely did not mean that. How could we dare to fight the War Kings?"
"Yes, yes, yes, we just want to express that there were no oversights when we were monitoring the Five Dragons of Huaxia. The people of the Five Dragons of Huaxia were always within our sight."
"We also find their departure peculiar. We have already sent people to investigate!"
Hearing this.
The two War Kings let out a cold snort and did not pursue the matter.
The Emperor, however, narrowed his eyes, his expression sinister.
"You six old geezers don't seem to understand what I mean. I asked you to give me an explanation, not to listen to your apologies!"