The Imperial Hall.
The Emperor scanned the assembly, and seeing everyone present, immediately motioned for Zhang Yang to stand beside him.
"Listen up, from this moment on, Zhang Yang will be the newly appointed War King of Huaguo, the King of Jiangnan. The Five Dragon Generals of Huaxia will receive treatment akin to that of the Imperial Uncle's family! The southern region of Huaguo and its borders will be under his jurisdiction."
"When you see him, it is as if you are seeing me, do you understand?"
This!
King of Jiangnan!
Upon hearing this, the entire Imperial Hall erupted in commotion.
To date, Huaguo had only enfeoffed three War Kings: the Wolf King of the Northern Territory, the Beast King of the Western Frontier, and the King of Dongyang.
These three War Kings were not in the capital; they were all guarding their respective regions in the north, west, and east.
As for the southern region, there had been no enfeoffment of a king until now.
This was because many incidents had occurred in Jiangnan, preventing anyone from being suitable for the position, thus it had remained vacant.
For a time.
The Second Prince and the Sixth Prince, who were on good terms with Zhang Yang, were unsure whether this was good news or bad news.
As for the others, they were already smiling inwardly.
This new King of Jiangnan was likely to get into trouble. The waters in Jiangnan were very deep.
"I'm quite looking forward to seeing if the indigenous people will get angry and attack again when they know the King of Jiangnan has appeared."
"Haha, congratulations to the King of Jiangnan on his ascension. May the King of Jiangnan have whatever he wishes for in Jiangnan."
"This is truly a cause for celebration. We wish the King of Jiangnan great success in Jiangnan, achieving his royal status."
"..."
The First Prince and the few behind him immediately cupped their hands, congratulating Zhang Yang.
However, their words did not sound like congratulations at all, but rather like schadenfreude.
The Second Prince and the Sixth Prince were helpless, shaking their heads and sighing silently.
Only when the Emperor narrowed his eyes, and a dragon's might enveloped them, did these people restrain themselves.
In this regard.
Zhang Yang was also quite curious, but he was used to it.
Ever since Zhang Yang had intended to rebuild the Huaxia Five Dragons and establish their base in Jiangnan City, the Emperor had instructed Xiao Zhan to inform him about the Dragon Group and the Patrol Division yielding their positions.
Zhang Yang knew that there was definitely something fishy going on.
It seemed.
This peculiarity lay with the King of Jiangnan.
After the announcement, the people in the Imperial Hall dispersed one by one. They had received the Emperor's orders to spread the news.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yang was kept behind by the Emperor alone.
Seeing Zhang Yang's silence, the Emperor was surprised, "Don't you have anything you want to ask me?"
"What is there to ask? If you want to say it, you will. If you don't want to say it, I won't get anything even if I ask," Zhang Yang shrugged and chuckled lightly.
He who wishes to wear the crown must bear its weight.
Zhang Yang was indifferent to whether he was enfeoffed as king or not.
However, for the resources the Emperor bestowed upon the Huaxia Five Dragons, Zhang Yang felt obligated to contribute.
There was no free lunch in this world, especially since the Emperor had saved his mother, Luo Shan. It was not impossible for Zhang Yang to help him solve his problems.
"You brat, you are truly unusual, exceeding my expectations. Since that's the case, I won't play coy with you anymore," the Emperor chuckled, his expression turning serious.
"Zhang Yang, there is a reason why the King of Jiangnan has not been enfeoffed until now."
"The Jiangnan region is close to the sea, and the Wokou are extremely rampant. Now, not only at sea, but even on land, the Wokou have many industries, though we are unaware of them."
"It is precisely because of their existence that Jiangnan City has been without a leader and in chaos."
Hearing this, Zhang Yang frowned slightly.
"With the current combat strength of the Imperial City, it shouldn't be unable to deal with mere Wokou, right?"
Hearing this, the Emperor couldn't help but smile bitterly.
"Don't underestimate these Wokou. If I told you that they are citizens of the former dynasty's imperial city, who were driven out after I ascended the throne, you wouldn't think that way."
This!
Zhang Yang's eyes widened. There was such an inside story!
The Wokou were actually citizens of the former dynasty's imperial city. No wonder it had been difficult for the Emperor to resolve this.
It also explained why the princes had mocked him earlier. It seemed that was the reason.
However, with his current strength, it should not be too difficult to resolve.
"Your Majesty, can you provide a general strength distribution map of the Wokou?" Zhang Yang asked.
"Yes, there's no rush. I will bring the specific details of the Wokou along with the commendations for the Huaxia Five Dragons," the Emperor said.
Zhang Yang nodded and said nothing more.
Afterward, as the two were chatting, three women entered the Imperial Hall.
Zhang Yang's mother, Luo Shan, arrived with Luo Yiren and Han Xiyao.
"Your Majesty."
The three bowed respectfully to the Emperor and then looked at Zhang Yang, teasing him.
"Greetings, King of Jiangnan."
This greeting made Zhang Yang somewhat speechless. He said helplessly,
"Please, just call me Zhang Yang. Don't call me King of Jiangnan anymore; I'm not used to it."
"That won't do. His Majesty said that seeing the King of Jiangnan is like seeing him. We dare not be disrespectful," Han Xiyao said with a smile.
"Yes, the King of Jiangnan has been promoted. I wonder if he will look down on us," Luo Yiren also teased.
Even Luo Shan followed with a smile and asked, half-jokingly,
"Now that the King of Jiangnan has a noble status, I wonder if he will still recognize me as his mother."
This...
Zhang Yang frowned slightly. He looked at Luo Shan and fell into contemplation.
He had been abandoned since childhood, but Zhang Yingxiong and Luo Shan had no choice. In such a critical situation, they had left him in the safest place.
This was clearly an expression of fatherly and motherly love.
After all, the two had given him life, allowing him to come into this world. He had no reason to blame them.
With this thought, Zhang Yang's face showed a sincere smile, and he called out,
"Mom, what are you saying? How could I not recognize you? Not only do I recognize you, but after I pacify the southern Wokou situation, I will also set out to find Father."
Zhang Yang's genuine emotion instantly brought tears to Luo Shan's eyes, and she nodded vigorously.
"My child, my good child, if your father knew of your achievements now, he would surely be proud of you."
After speaking, Luo Shan excitedly hugged Zhang Yang tightly.
Tears also fell from Zhang Yang's eyes. He was finally no longer an orphan.
Han Xiyao and Luo Yiren beside them were happy for them, and even the Emperor wore a smile.
The Zhang Yingxiong family had suffered too much; the mere words "long-lost reunion" could not fully describe it.
If Zhang Yingxiong had not agreed to his request back then, their family might not have ended up in such a state, with each person in a different place.
However, fortunately, Zhang Yang's achievements had exceeded everyone's expectations, which indirectly helped Zhang Yingxiong.
Afterward.
The Emperor quietly departed, instructing that no one be allowed to enter the Imperial Hall. He wanted Zhang Yang and the others to have absolute peace and warmth.
...
One day later.
With matters in the capital concluded, Zhang Yang and the others left the capital and returned to Jiangnan City.
At this moment.
The entrance to the Huaxia Five Dragons' base was already crowded.
The news of Zhang Yang being enfeoffed as the King of Jiangnan had already spread.
All influential forces and families in the south had rushed to offer their congratulations.
The scene was even more lively than the reconstruction ceremony of the Huaxia Five Dragons.
Even the other three War Kings of Huaguo had sent people to deliver congratulatory gifts.
This situation naturally involved a lot of socializing, which kept Zhang Yang busy for a long time.
Fortunately, with the help of Han Xiyao and Luo Yiren, and the support of Luo Shan and Huo Zhu, Zhang Yang was able to extricate himself.
When they arrived in Jiangnan City, the cultivation resources belonging to the Huaxia Five Dragons also arrived.
Xiao Zhan was the one delivering these cultivation supplies, and he also had a piece of intelligence regarding the Wokou.
The two entered a room, and Xiao Zhan handed a scroll of intelligence to Zhang Yang.
"This is all the intelligence we have so far, but it's definitely not the complete situation of the Wokou," Xiao Zhan said.
Zhang Yang nodded silently and took the intelligence to read it.
Half an hour later, Zhang Yang put away the intelligence and exclaimed,
"No wonder the Wokou remnants couldn't be eliminated. They actually have such means! They can even forcibly replicate experts at the Hunyuan realm!"
"Exactly. This is also what makes the Wokou so troublesome. If the source cannot be found, or their strongest individuals eliminated, there's no way to eradicate these Wokou," Xiao Zhan said with a wry smile.
Xiao Zhan had personally led troops to suppress these remnants of the former dynasty, the Wokou.
However, the situation was not good. Although they won, it was a pyrrhic victory.
The Emperor later learned of this and decided to strike while the iron was hot to capture them all, so he dispatched experts from the Imperial Uncle's family.
But the result was still a pyrrhic victory.
This clearly indicated that something was wrong.
Later investigations revealed that the Wokou's Hunyuan realm experts were different each time.
As soon as one group fell, another group would immediately appear to replace them.
They were almost inexhaustible. No matter who took action, the Wokou would lose, but they would only achieve a pyrrhic victory.
Fortunately, apart from operating in the waters of Jiangnan, the Wokou had no interest in other places.
Later, to ensure national strength, the Emperor simply chose to ignore them.
However, with Zhang Yang's appearance now, the Emperor saw a glimmer of hope.
You have numbers, but Zhang Yang has inexhaustible strength. This is something worth trying.
"Are there only two individuals above the Hunyuan realm on their side?" Zhang Yang frowned.
"We can only say that we have seen two; we are not sure of the exact number," Xiao Zhan replied.
This...
Zhang Yang was immediately frustrated.
Apart from the commercial industries and corporations of the Wokou in the south, Xiao Zhan's intelligence provided no information about their martial strength.
Commercial matters were easier to handle, but these martial arts experts were troublesome.
It seemed he couldn't directly lead the Huaxia Five Dragons there, as it would surely lead to disaster.
"Thank you, War God Xiao. I have a general understanding of the situation. I will find a way to resolve the Wokou as soon as possible," Zhang Yang said, closing the intelligence.
"Zhang Yang, just call me Xiao Zhan. No need to be so formal," Xiao Zhan said, shaking his head and smiling.
"Also, the Emperor instructed that you can take your time with this matter, with no deadlines. If you truly find it impossible, don't force yourself; protecting yourself is the key."
Zhang Yang nodded upon hearing this, "Please convey my thanks to His Majesty for his kind intentions."
"Alright, I'll be leaving now," Xiao Zhan said goodbye.
...
That evening.
After the congratulatory guests had departed, Zhang Yang and the others sat together, and he informed them about the Wokou situation.
Everyone was shocked to hear this. They had no idea such a behemoth existed in the southern part of Huaguo.
Huo Zhu had heard some rumors.
"No wonder the ministers came here together back then. They were probably investigating, right?"
"Zhang Yang, the Wokou are very strong. What are your plans now?" Huo Zhu asked.
"I plan to act alone and scout the situation first. Otherwise, if the Huaxia Five Dragons' main force appears, it will attract too much attention and easily alert the enemy," Zhang Yang said.
However.
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone disagreed.
"No, you are the King of Jiangnan. The Wokou must know your complete situation. If you go alone, it will be dangerous!" Luo Shan, concerned for her son, immediately refused.
"That's right. If you go, we all go. Who cares about Wokou or not? If it's not right, we'll just fight!" Luo Yiren said fiercely.
"I also disagree. It's too dangerous for you to go alone," Han Xiyao also disagreed.
"Zhang Yang, although the Huaxia Five Dragons' strength is not what it used to be, they still have a certain combat capability. If we are to act, let's do it together," Huo Zhu also refused.
Although the Huaxia Five Dragons were still far from their peak strength, as long as Zhang Yang could handle the top experts, they would be capable of fighting.
Seeing everyone's concern, Zhang Yang felt a warmth in his heart.
However, he still insisted on his own idea and chuckled.
He flicked his right hand over his face, and his entire face transformed into the face of a stranger that no one had seen before.
This!
Everyone was startled. They suddenly remembered Zhang Yang's disguise technique and understood.
"Now, does anyone have any objections?" Zhang Yang asked with a smile.
"We almost forgot you had this trick, you brat," Huo Zhu and He Ao said with a laugh.
Luo Yiren and the other two also reacted, while Luo Shan, who had never seen Zhang Yang's disguise technique, appeared very surprised.
She even stepped forward and pinched Zhang Yang's cheek. Finding no flaws, she exclaimed,
"Child, this skill of yours is almost heaven-defying."
"Heh, it's just a bit of street magic, but it's enough to protect myself," Zhang Yang said with a smile.
"Since no one objects, please create the impression that I am at the Huaxia Five Dragons' base during this time, so as not to arouse suspicion."
Everyone nodded immediately.
Now that Zhang Yang was enfeoffed as king, there would surely be Wokou spies in Jiangnan City gathering intelligence.
And Zhang Yang would be secretly sneaking out, so they had to maintain the illusion of Zhang Yang being in Jiangnan City to facilitate his actions outside.
...
That night.
After Zhang Yang and everyone else had finalized their plans, he secretly left Jiangnan City.
He left alone without arousing any suspicion.
The reason he chose to venture out alone was that he did not want the Huaxia Five Dragons to suffer too many innocent casualties.
Even if the conditions allowed.
Zhang Yang intended to resolve the Wokou himself before notifying the Huaxia Five Dragons to take over the territory.
Two hours later.
Zhang Yang had driven far away from Jiangnan City and arrived at Linhai City.
This city was named so because it bordered the sea. It could be said that this was the place where the Wokou had the strongest control on the mainland.
Further beyond this was their island headquarters at sea.