When Zhang Yang returned, He Ao and Jiang Pan quickly stepped forward.
"How was it this time, Zhang Yang? Did you find the Dragon Transformation Water?" He Ao asked.
"Yes, but also no," Zhang Yang replied with a bitter smile.
This...
He Ao was a bit confused. What did that mean?
"We found the Dragon Transformation Water, but it can't be used anymore," Zhang Yang said, shaking his head, his mood not good.
"Zhang Yang, who is this person beside you?" Jiang Pan asked, his face full of surprise and uncertainty.
He gestured towards Huo Zhu, who was standing next to Zhang Yang.
At this moment, Huo Zhu's long hair still covered most of his face.
But for some reason, Jiang Pan felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity.
He Ao also followed Jiang Pan's gaze towards Huo Zhu.
Upon seeing him, He Ao was stunned and hesitantly called out.
"Are you... the Grand Elder?"
"He Ao, Jiang Pan, long time no see," Huo Zhu said with a chuckle, greeting them.
"It really is you! Grand Elder, why do you look like this? What happened to you?" Jiang Pan and He Ao exclaimed excitedly.
With that, they quickly stepped forward, grabbing him and asking with concern.
"These past few years, alas..."
Huo Zhu sighed, unsure where to begin.
At this moment, Zhang Yang spoke.
"Let's go inside to talk. It's too inconvenient standing at the doorway."
"Yes, yes, let's go in quickly."
"..."
He Ao and Jiang Pan quickly led Huo Zhu inside.
After they were all seated, Zhang Yang looked around and asked first.
"Grandpa He, where is Zhang Lihe? Where did he go?"
"He just went out, saying he was going to scout the situation outside," He Ao replied.
Although both of them knew Zhang Lihe had betrayed them and were displeased with him, they hadn't interfered with his personal freedom as Zhang Yang had instructed them to remain inactive.
"He's gone? He found out so quickly?" Zhang Yang frowned.
Huo Zhu also looked surprised. "Did Zhang Lihe get wind of something?"
Seeing the strange expressions on Zhang Yang and Huo Zhu's faces, He Ao couldn't help but press further.
"What's wrong? What happened?"
Afterward,
Zhang Yang told them what had happened that day.
Then, Huo Zhu recounted his experiences over the years.
Although the details were omitted in the brief explanation, He Ao and Jiang Pan were both filled with anger.
So it was!
Zhang Lihe, the traitor, had betrayed them long ago.
He had even framed Huo Zhu, leading to his ambush and imprisonment underground for five years!
Eating poisoned rat meat!
If Zhang Yang hadn't discovered it early, Huo Zhu would likely have met a tragic end!
"That traitor Zhang Lihe! I'll go catch him right now and make him kneel before the Grand Elder to repent!" He Ao declared angrily.
His temper flared, and he intended to go out and apprehend him.
This time, Jiang Pan didn't stop him; instead, he silently rose and followed him out.
"Wait a moment, both of you," Zhang Yang called out to them.
"Zhang Lihe's sudden departure must be because he got wind that the Grand Elder came out with me, so he's trying to escape in advance."
"If you go out now like headless flies, not only will you not find him, but if you fall into an ambush set by the Zhang family, won't we be in a passive situation?"
The two stopped immediately, but their hearts were still unwilling.
"Are we just going to let the traitor Zhang Lihe go?" He Ao asked.
Zhang Yang shook his head slightly.
"Letting him go is out of the question, but there's no need to rush. Grand Elder, when do we make our move?"
"The Zhang, Zhou, and Wu families must be eradicated. The heavens in the capital are also due for a change," Huo Zhu said solemnly.
Clearly,
the experiences of the past five years had prepared Huo Zhu for a bloody retribution.
Zhang Yang had no objections to this.
These three families were truly detestable!
If it weren't for them, Zhang Yang could have returned to Han Xiyao immediately after finding the Dragon Transformation Water.
"If my guess is correct, Zhang Lihe will definitely go to the Zhang family knowing his identity is exposed. We can deal with him together then," Zhang Yang said.
At this moment,
Luo Yiren, who was outside the door, suddenly ran in, her face full of surprise.
"Zhang Yang, your guess was spot on. Quite a few things have indeed happened outside."
"Sister Yiren, what did you find out?" Zhang Yang asked.
After Zhang Yang and the other two returned, Zhang Yang had asked Luo Yiren to go outside and inquire about what had happened in the capital today.
After all, with the Zhao family's significant actions today, they were bound to do something.
Although Zhang Yang wasn't interested in the Zhao family's affairs, it wouldn't hurt to know more.
"Today, the Zhao family attacked the Zhou, Wu, and Zhang families successively, causing chaos and countless casualties."
"In the end, they even set fire to the Zhou and Wu families."
This incident had a significant impact.
Almost everyone with power in the capital was aware of it.
What!?
The Zhao family, on its own, attacked the Zhang, Zhou, and Wu families.
And they even destroyed the lairs of two of the families!
This!
Does the Zhao family have such great strength?
Even though the Zhang, Zhou, and Wu families had dispatched True Essence realm experts to ambush Zhang Yang today, this was not the full extent of their strength. How did the Zhao family manage this?
"Young lady, did you find out anything else?" Huo Zhu asked.
Huo Zhu was also aware of the strength of the five major families in the capital and found it incredible.
"Anything else? Senior, what do you mean?" Luo Yiren asked.
"Besides the Zhao family members, did anyone else participate in this matter? For example, their attire, weapons, or anything else?" Huo Zhu inquired.
"This..." Luo Yiren fell into thought.
She carefully recalled what she had heard and suddenly said,
"I heard that when the Zhao family attacked these three families, the temperature suddenly dropped very low, and in some places, frost was falling. Does that count?"
The temperature was very low?
And there was frost?
Upon hearing this, the few of them fell into deep thought.
Jiang Pan and He Ao felt a sense of familiarity but couldn't recall it immediately.
Huo Zhu, with his extensive knowledge, reacted first and pressed further.
"Did you see any blue sword shadows?"
"Yes, yes, Senior, how did you know?" Luo Yiren replied.
"So it was them. Now I understand," Huo Zhu said.
"Grand Elder, who are they?" Zhang Yang asked.
"People from Cold Moon Villa. It seems the Zhao family's schemes are not small," Huo Zhu chuckled, then added.
"However, it doesn't matter. What they intend to do won't have much impact on us."
"Moreover, perhaps there will be a special harvest this time."
A different gleam flickered in Huo Zhu's eyes, and an immature idea began to form in his mind.
Cold Moon Villa?
Where did this come from?
Why did it feel like everything was becoming chaotic since arriving in the capital?
"Grand Elder, where does Cold Moon Villa come from, and what does the Zhao family intend to do?"
"The Zhao family openly attacked the other three major families this time. Don't these three families have any helpers to support them?"
"They are all in the capital. What's the point of fighting like this?"
Zhang Yang voiced all his doubts.
Huo Zhu patiently explained.
"Heh, Cold Moon Villa comes from the Northern Cold Lands and possesses formidable strength. However, strictly speaking, they are not helpers of the Zhao family but hired mercenaries."
"Cold Moon Villa is a force that acts for money. I don't know how much the Zhao family offered this time to deploy such a powerful lineup."
"As for the helpers behind the Zhang, Zhou, and Wu families, of course, there are. But the Zhao family also has them, and don't forget the Sun family."
"Although the Sun family has remained silent, they have secretly allied with the Zhao family to mutually restrain each other."
"But the nature of this matter has changed. The Zhao family has gone too far, even burning down their lairs."
"I believe the Zhao family will have follow-up measures, otherwise, if the three families unite, the Zhao family and the Sun family might not be able to withstand them."
"Just watch, the drama in the capital is about to get more interesting."
Huo Zhu paused at this point.
"Since the Five Dragons of Huaxia disappeared and Qingcheng Mountain remained aloof from worldly affairs, everyone in the capital has been aiming for sole dominance."
"Even though Huaguo has made great efforts to cultivate the Patrol Division and the Dragon Group to counter them, these two organizations are still too young and cannot suppress these ambitious families and forces."
"Just watch, the entire capital will be reshuffled before long, and the five major families will eventually become one."
...
Again, for the sake of profit?
Zhang Yang finally understood.
Originally, these five major families had all submitted to the Five Dragons of Huaxia.
But after the disappearance of the Five Dragons of Huaxia, they became independent.
Zhang Yang suddenly thought of.
Zhao Linglong went to Peach Blossom Water Village to investigate the Zhang family's actions.
It seemed.
These five families had been secretly vying for power for a long time.
Zhao Linglong probably felt that the time was ripe, which is why she chose to make a move.
However, these matters had nothing to do with Zhang Yang.
The Dragon Transformation Water was gone, and Zhang Yang wouldn't linger in the capital for long.
As long as he eliminated the culprits responsible for the disappearance of the Dragon Transformation Water, Zhang Yang would leave and continue to find a way to save Han Xiyao.
"Since what the Zhao family intends to do doesn't conflict with us, shall we act tonight?" Zhang Yang asked.
"We can, then tonight," Huo Zhu replied.
After confirming the time of action,
He Ao and Jiang Pan disguised themselves and went out to gather information.
Since they hadn't shown their faces in the capital, the chances of them being discovered were relatively small.
Zhang Yang, on the other hand, carefully recalled whether there was any way to resolve Han Xiyao's condition in the "Carefree Immortal Scripture."
Although he had searched many times without success, Zhang Yang still wanted to try again.
...
As the sun set, and the evening sun completely disappeared below the horizon,
He Ao and Jiang Pan also returned.
At the same time, they brought back news.
The Zhou and Wu families had gathered at the Zhang family's residence.
These three families had clearly sensed something, so they had pooled all their strength together.
Currently,
these three families still had over a dozen early-stage True Essence realm experts.
There were six in the middle stage, and it was even heard that three late-stage clan guardians who were in seclusion had also been alerted.
"These three families know we're going for revenge and have been preparing for us," Huo Zhu chuckled.
Upon hearing this news, he showed no surprise.
"Grand Elder, with three late-stage True Essence realm experts among these three families, can you and Zhang Yang handle it?" He Ao asked, frowning.
He Ao knew Huo Zhu's strength, which was also in the late True Essence realm.
Fighting one against three would not be advantageous.
Moreover, it was said that tonight would be a night of slaughter. Apart from Zhang Yang and Huo Zhu,
He Ao and Jiang Pan were not strong enough to participate, unless the hidden ailments in their bodies were completely healed and they returned to their peak state.
"It's fine, three are manageable. Zhang Yang, what about you?" Huo Zhu chuckled.
"I can do it too," Zhang Yang said solemnly.
He had killed middle-stage True Essence realm cultivators before.
Killing one was the same as killing ten.
"If that's the case, the plan remains unchanged," Huo Zhu chuckled.
Just as he was about to set out with Zhang Yang, one of the Five Dragons of Huaxia warriors, who had been taken away by Zhang Lihe, suddenly returned.
"Greetings, Young Minister. Greetings, Grand Elder."
As soon as this person appeared, he knelt before the two.
Although he was trembling, he was extremely respectful.
"You dog, how dare you come back! Believe it or not, I'll kill you right now!" He Ao said angrily.
Zhang Lihe had left today.
These people had also left one after another.
It was obvious that they had all followed Zhang Lihe in his betrayal.
And now they dared to return?
Did they really think they were fools?
This returning Five Dragons of Huaxia warrior had an unfriendly expression.
However, he ignored He Ao and completely disregarded him.
Although He Ao was the deputy minister, he was the deputy minister of the War Dragon Department, and what did that have to do with their Azure Dragon unit?
That attitude infuriated He Ao, and he was about to make a move.
Fortunately, Zhang Yang stopped him in advance and asked,
"Why have you returned?"
"Young Minister, your subordinate is here to deliver a message from Deputy Minister Zhang. He already knows that the Grand Elder has returned, and that you will be seeking revenge tonight."
"Therefore, he suggests that you postpone your action until tomorrow, as today is not a suitable time."
What!?
The message brought by this person left Zhang Yang and the others bewildered.
"What's the reason?" Zhang Yang asked.
This person did not dare to delay and directly relayed Zhang Lihe's words.
"Because the Zhao family launched a surprise attack on the three families this morning, causing them heavy losses. Coupled with the fact that the Young Minister rescued the Grand Elder, the three families, facing enemies on both fronts, are in a state of panic."
"The Zhang family cannot withstand the pressure. Under the suggestion of the Zhou and Wu families, they have decided to open the ancestral residence of the Zhang family."
"Deputy Minister Zhang said that within the Zhang family's ancestral residence, there is something the Young Minister desires, something that can resolve Han Xiyao's condition."
This!
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yang became instantly excited.
Because Huo Zhu was poisoned and had to use up the remaining Dragon Transformation Water, Zhang Yang felt extremely distressed.
Who would have thought.
That Zhang Lihe's subordinate would bring such news.
"Zhang Yang, be careful, it might be a trap," He Ao warned Zhang Yang, seeing his excitement.
"Don't worry, Grandpa, I know what I'm doing," Zhang Yang said, taking a deep breath and looking at the person before him.
"How can I trust Zhang Lihe?" Zhang Yang asked in a deep voice.
"Young Minister, Deputy Minister Zhang said that because of the Grand Elder's matter, you would definitely not trust him anymore."
"But he is absolutely not lying to you about this matter. As for whether to believe him or not, he said you will know by experiencing it yourself."
Zhang Yang frowned slightly at this.
Experiencing it himself?
Is Zhang Lihe hinting that he should open the mechanism to enter the underground headquarters, as he told him this morning?
Indeed.
On this matter, Zhang Lihe had not deceived him.
"Where is Zhang Lihe now?"
"At the Zhang family."
"Alright, I understand. You can go back."
The person did not linger and turned to leave.
However, as he reached the doorway, he seemed to reconsider and added.
"Young Minister, the following words are my own. Deputy Minister Zhang truly did not betray the Five Dragons of Huaxia, and the matter of the Grand Elder is also unrelated to Deputy Minister Zhang."
With that, the person left.
...
As for Zhang Yang,
Everyone fell silent, waiting for Zhang Yang to speak.