"How is Zhang Yang? Did you find the entrance?"
Seeing Zhang Yang return, He Ao and the other two quickly stepped forward, asking with concern.
"I found the entrance, but I couldn't get in. I was blocked by a solid steel wall," Zhang Yang shook his head.
What?
A steel wall blocked the way in.
"Is it the Zhang family's doing?" He Ao frowned and guessed.
"Most likely the Zhang family. Otherwise, no one else would know about this," Jiang Pan agreed.
"Damn it, this must be the Zhang family's doing! I didn't expect them to have discovered the underground entrance?" Zhang Lihe reacted a bit more strongly, showing anger.
Zhang Yang silently observed the reactions of the three.
Especially Zhang Lihe, Zhang Yang wanted to find some clues from his expression.
However.
It seemed there was no gain. He Ao and Jiang Pan were more curious.
As for Zhang Lihe, he was mostly angry, but it was within a normal range.
"Senior Zhang, you've been in the capital for quite some time. Is it really just the Zhang family behind Peach Blossom Water Town?" Zhang Yang asked.
Zhang Lihe frowned and said.
"The information I've investigated indeed indicates that. As for whether there are other families, I'm not sure."
He Ao saw that Zhang Yang's words had a deeper meaning and couldn't help but ask.
"Zhang Yang, did you discover anything else tonight?"
"Yes."
Zhang Yang nodded, then told everyone what had happened that night.
However, he quietly concealed the matter of cooperating with the Zhao family.
After listening, all three looked grim.
"The Zhang, Zhou, and Wu families are also involved behind Peach Blossom Water Town? If you hadn't unexpectedly saved the Zhao family tonight, I wouldn't have known this news!" Zhang Lihe suddenly felt self-reproach.
"Old friend, don't blame yourself. Our current identities are not what they used to be, and it's not easy for you to move around and gather information. It's normal that some things cannot be investigated," He Ao comforted him.
Zhang Lihe shook his head, his face still showing self-reproach, and muttered.
"This is indeed my fault. After hiding in the capital for so many years, I've only managed to scratch the surface."
"Moreover, the Young Minister just said the underground entrance was sealed with a steel wall. Could it be that the items in the underground headquarters have already been looted?"
"This... I've failed the organization. I am a sinner."
Saying that.
Zhang Lihe suddenly beat his chest and stamped his feet, tears welling up in his eyes.
He Ao felt unbearable seeing this.
He intended to tell him some hidden details to comfort him, but Jiang Pan stopped him.
This was because Jiang Pan noticed Zhang Yang winking at him.
At this moment, Zhang Yang also spoke up to comfort him.
"Senior Zhang, you really don't need to blame yourself. The Zhang, Zhou, and Wu families are, after all, major families in the capital. It's normal that you can't investigate precise intelligence."
"If I hadn't saved the second daughter of the Zhao family tonight, I wouldn't have known about this either."
"As you said, the five major families are the most powerful in the capital. Some things they know themselves doesn't mean we can know them too."
With Zhang Yang's comfort, Zhang Lihe's expression softened, and he said.
"Thank you for your understanding, Young Minister. However, I still cannot escape responsibility, but I will investigate this matter thoroughly as soon as possible."
"Then I'll trouble you, Senior Zhang." Zhang Yang nodded.
"Zhang Yang, you said the second daughter of the Zhao family also went to Peach Blossom Water Town to cause trouble tonight? Do you know the Zhao family's objective?" He Ao said.
Jiang Pan and Zhang Lihe were also quite curious about this matter and looked at Zhang Yang.
"They mentioned it, but not much. It's because they invited me to take action against these three families together tomorrow, but I refused," Zhang Yang said.
This!
The Zhao family intends to fight three against one?
Isn't this a bit too overconfident?
"Old Zhang, is the Zhao family that strong?" He Ao asked.
"The strength of the five major families in the capital is comparable. The Zhao family does have a slight advantage."
"However, they don't have the strength to fight three against one, unless the Zhao family has found external help," Zhang Lihe explained, a strange glint in his eyes.
"Seeking external help? If that's the case, it's not impossible," He Ao also thought this was likely.
At the same time, knowing this news, He Ao also felt a bit excited.
Since the Five Dragons of Huaxia left the capital, allowing the five major families to dominate, the capital had been in a state of peace.
Was it finally going to be chaotic?
This was perfect, as it would allow them to take advantage.
Moreover, if the situation allowed, He Ao even wanted to deliver a final blow.
After all.
The Zhang, Zhou, and Wu families dared to transform the headquarters of the Five Dragons of Huaxia into a pleasure spot.
He Ao was extremely displeased.
"Young Minister, you two rest for the next couple of days. I will start investigating the internal affairs of Peach Blossom Water Town and try to ascertain whether the underground headquarters has been emptied."
"If they haven't succeeded, I'll see if I can find a way to enter," Zhang Lihe guaranteed.
After speaking.
Zhang Lihe left in a hurry, wanting to handle the matter overnight.
Zhang Yang and the other three, who remained in the hall, exchanged glances and then turned to leave.
Returning to their temporary resting place.
Luo Yiren did not follow them in. She was idly browsing her phone at the entrance.
However, her peripheral vision was scanning everywhere.
As for Zhang Yang and the other two who entered the room, they also closed their eyes slightly, sensing something.
Suddenly.
Zhang Yang took out a pen and paper and wrote a passage on the white paper on the table.
"Someone is monitoring us. Zhang Lihe is suspicious."
He Ao and Jiang Pan had also noticed this.
However, the issue of being monitored was not a problem for Zhang Yang.
Instantly.
The true qi within him surged out.
A wisp of ethereal true qi appeared silently, enveloping the three of them and shielding them from all external perception.
"Jiang Pan, did you also find Zhang Lihe suspicious?" He Ao asked.
He clearly remembered that when he was about to reveal the hidden details of the underground headquarters to comfort Zhang Lihe, Jiang Pan had secretly stopped him.
"How could I have discovered it? I saw Zhang Yang shaking his head at me, so I secretly signaled you," Jiang Pan shook his head.
Then.
Both of them turned their gaze to Zhang Yang, wanting to know how Zhang Yang had discovered something was wrong.
"Seniors, there's no need to be surprised. In fact, I only suspected it at first."
"Because you told me that the entrance to the underground headquarters of the Five Dragons of Huaxia was very hidden, and almost no one knew about it."
"However, the Zhang family did renovate and decorate the headquarters of the Five Dragons of Huaxia, so it's possible they discovered it."
"But the only point that made me suspicious was that Zhang Lihe claimed to know nothing about the alliance between the Zhang, Zhou, and Wu families."
"This is highly inconsistent with Zhang Lihe's usual behavior, but it is within the realm of deception."
"Because we are new to the capital and completely in the dark, Zhang Lihe thought we wouldn't suspect anything here, which is precisely what made me suspicious."
So that's how it is.
Jiang Pan and He Ao understood.
Indeed, as Zhang Yang said.
If Zhang Yang hadn't saved the Zhao family members tonight, how could they have known these inside stories?
If they didn't know, it wouldn't matter whether Zhang Lihe told them or not.
In the end, if they suffered a loss, they might be finished in the capital.
"So, the discovery of the underground headquarters by the Zhang family and others was very likely due to Zhang Lihe's tip-off?" He Ao asked displeasantly.
"Not possibly, it should be him!" Zhang Yang confirmed.
When he went to Peach Blossom Water Town today, he searched for a long time before finding the entrance.
He even had to break through two meters of ground to find the entrance to the tunnel.
Without guidance, the chance of accidentally discovering it was extremely small.
Even Zhao Linglong had only reached her conclusion through guesswork.
"This traitor who sells out his own people, I'll find an opportunity to kill him later!" He Ao was furious and slammed the table.
"Old friend, don't be hasty," Jiang Pan stopped him.
"Listen to Zhang Yang finish first. Since Zhang Yang didn't expose him just now, it means Zhang Yang has his own plan."
Zhang Yang smiled immediately.
He Ao had a fiery temper, while Jiang Pan was more reserved.
The two complemented each other, making them a good pair of partners.
"I do have a plan, but before that, shouldn't you two tell me if there's anything else you haven't told me?"
Zhang Yang's smiling expression made the two old men blush.
"You guessed it?"
"What do you think?"
"..."
Jiang Pan sighed and said apologetically.
"It's not that we didn't tell you, but the situation wasn't right at the time, especially with Zhang Lihe present."
"We thought you wouldn't act immediately after finding the entrance tonight, so we planned to tell you when you returned."
Zhang Yang remained silent, smiling and waiting for them to continue.
"Even a cunning rabbit has three burrows. How could the underground headquarters of the Five Dragons of Huaxia be so simple?"
"Even if the Zhang family entered for the first time, they could only obtain some unimportant items. The truly valuable things are on the second underground level."
"And entering there is not a simple matter, because only the five ministers of the Five Dragons of Huaxia know the method of entry."
"He Ao and I know because our War Dragon Department Minister told us the method of entry before leaving."
As expected.
Zhang Yang's face lit up.
Earlier, when he had voluntarily mentioned that someone might have entered the underground headquarters of the Five Dragons of Huaxia,
He Ao and Jiang Pan's reactions were noticeably calmer.
It seemed they already knew the inside story, which was why they were so composed.
"So, the Dragon Transformation Water is still in the headquarters?" Zhang Yang asked.
"There's an eighty percent chance it's still there," He Ao replied, but then his brow furrowed.
"Even if the Dragon Transformation Water is there, you can't get it. If you can't break through the steel wall, how can we?"
"Moreover, your sudden action today will definitely make the Zhang family vigilant. What if they guard it strictly, or wait for us to come to them, things will be even more troublesome."
Zhang Yang was not worried about this point that the two were concerned about.
He smiled mysteriously and told them about his cooperation with the Zhao family.
After listening, He Ao and Jiang Pan's eyes widened.
"So, the strong reinforcement the Zhao family found is you!"
Zhang Yang smiled and nodded.
"It's a mutually beneficial arrangement between the Zhao family and me. Although I don't know what the Zhao family wants to do, they will help me pass through the steel wall tomorrow."
Hearing this.
He Ao and Jiang Pan did not hesitate and quickly told Zhang Yang the method to enter the second underground level of the headquarters.
About half an hour later.
Zhang Yang also removed the true qi barrier.
The three of them walked out of the room together, sat outside to cool off for a while, and then returned to their respective rooms to rest.
Not far away.
Zhang Lihe's subordinate, who had been monitoring them, did not notice anything unusual and continued to lie in wait in the shadows.
Little did he know.
He had already been exposed.
...
On the other side.
Zhang Lihe, who had left, appeared at the Zhang family!
As expected.
Zhang Yang's guess was correct; Zhang Lihe had defected.
In fact.
It couldn't be said that Zhang Lihe had defected, because Zhang Lihe was originally a member of the Zhang family.
Although Zhang Lihe belonged to Zhang Yang's father, Zhang Yingxiong's lineage.
However, Zhang Xiao gave him too much, so...
"Why are you here so late?" Zhang Xiao frowned.
Two enforcers from the Zhang family had died tonight, and Zhang Xiao, scared out of his wits, had returned with his tail between his legs, in a very bad mood.
"Young Master, did something happen at Peach Blossom Water Town tonight?" Zhang Lihe asked directly.
Zhang Xiao raised his eyebrows upon hearing this.
"Did Zhang Yang go to your place? Has he really gained the trust of those old guys from He Ao?"
Zhang Lihe nodded.
"Yes, they just arrived at my place today, brought by the two deputy ministers of the War Dragon Department."
Crash.
Suddenly.
Zhang Xiao threw the teacup in his hand in front of Zhang Lihe.
Then, Zhang Xiao stood up and cursed.
"Zhang Lihe, you useless piece of trash! Why didn't you tell me earlier that Zhang Yang was going to Peach Blossom Water Town upon arriving in the capital?"
"Have you forgotten Zhang Yingxiong and are planning to treat Zhang Yang as the young master?"
The fragments of the teacup and the tea splashed onto Zhang Lihe's face.
This caused Zhang Lihe's gaze to darken.
A hint of killing intent appeared in the depths of his eyes, but he explained with extreme respect.
"Young Master misunderstands me. The reason I didn't tell you is that Zhang Yang and the others just arrived today."
"If he had encountered a planned ambush on his first move, I would have no way to infiltrate and gain their complete trust."
"And if I can't gain their trust, we'll never know the method to open the second underground level of the Five Dragons of Huaxia."
Hearing this.
The anger on Zhang Xiao's face subsided, and he apologetically took Zhang Lihe's hand.
"It seems I've wronged you. Please don't take it to heart."
"It's mainly because two of the Zhang family's enforcers died at Zhang Yang's hands tonight, and I myself was almost ambushed by Zhang Yang, so I was quite agitated."
"It's alright," Zhang Lihe shook his head, not taking offense.
"Young Master, I came tonight to tell you something else, about the Zhao family."
"The Zhao family?" Zhang Xiao's expression turned serious.
"What about the Zhao family? Have they teamed up with Zhang Yang?"
Zhang Lihe nodded, then shook his head again.
"I dare not confirm this. Zhang Yang did not admit it."
"However, Zhang Yang did say that the Zhao family mistakenly believed that Zhang Yang had a grudge against your three families, so they invited Zhang Yang to join them in dealing with you, but Zhang Yang refused."
Hearing this.
Zhang Xiao's eyes narrowed into a slit, and he began to ponder.
It seemed that the things they had done in the past month had been discovered by the Zhao family.
Otherwise, Zhao Linglong wouldn't have risked going to Peach Blossom Water Town alone to bid for the five Moon Maidens.
"Alright, I understand. Is there anything else?" Zhang Xiao asked.
Zhang Lihe's heart stirred, and after a moment of thought, he said.
"Young Master, Zhang Yang and the others have already discovered the steel wall in the underground passage. If they cannot penetrate the steel wall, then the second underground level of the Five Dragons of Huaxia cannot be opened."
"So I was thinking, could you tell me the method to penetrate the steel wall?"
"This way, I can not only gain their trust but also learn the method to enter the second underground level."
Zhang Xiao stared at Zhang Lihe for a long time. Seeing that his expression remained unchanged, he slowly said.
"Zhang Lihe, are you sure?"
"It's all up to the Young Master's decision. I'm just stating my thoughts. If the Young Master doesn't trust me, then consider it as if I never mentioned it," Zhang Lihe said frankly.
Zhang Xiao fell silent and pondered for a moment.
Suddenly, he smiled. However, this smile was too insincere.
"Look at what you're saying, how could I not trust you? I'll tell you..."