The Beast King of Zhenxi departed.
Zhang Yang returned along the same path to the outskirts of Jiangnan City. The Wolf King Army and the Dragon King Army had also returned.
At this moment.
Xue Lang was covered in blood.
Of course.
This was all from chasing the Beast King Army; he himself was unharmed.
"How is the King of Jiangnan? Did you kill the Beast King of Zhenxi?" Xue Lang asked.
"No," Zhang Yang shook his head, his face filled with regret.
"Alas, the Beast King of Zhenxi still had a trump card. I carelessly suffered a hidden loss, and he escaped."
Xue Lang and the others were startled upon hearing this.
Seeing Zhang Yang covered in blood and appearing disheveled, they believed him.
"I didn't expect the Beast King of Zhenxi to have so many tricks. Such a good opportunity and he still got away!" Xue Lang lamented the missed chance.
"Alas, if the Beast King of Zhenxi escapes, things will become troublesome," the leader of the Dragon King Army, a woman, said with concern.
Today, their two Battle Wolf Armies had slaughtered nearly forty thousand of the Beast King Army.
The two sides had reached a point of no return.
Now that the Beast King of Zhenxi had escaped, their next meeting would be one of mortal enemies.
At this moment.
The Second Prince and his entourage also stepped forward, happily patting Zhang Yang.
"Zhang Yang, I knew you wouldn't act without cause. You truly held something back!"
"Yes, you truly surprised us today. When did you break through to the Yuan Mansion realm?"
"Haha, after this battle, your reputation as the King of Jiangnan has been established. I believe many experts will come seeking to join you soon. Then, Huaxia Five Dragons will develop rapidly!"
"..."
Everyone was laughing heartily.
Zhang Yang let out a cold laugh, his face full of feigned smiles.
"Heh, the matter of me holding back something back, didn't the Second Prince and the others anticipate it? Otherwise, you would have produced the Emperor's order long ago. Why wait until I fought the Beast King of Zhenxi to the death?"
This!
As soon as these words were spoken.
The Second Prince and the others looked embarrassed and quickly explained.
"Zhang Yang, we actually had our difficulties. It was because..."
"No need. I don't want to hear your explanations. Some things are best left unsaid, and we all know what's going on. That's all I have to say," Zhang Yang said with a cold laugh, not wanting to listen.
Afterward.
He thanked the commanders of the two Battle King Armies.
"When you return, please thank your Battle Kings for me. I, Zhang Yang, remember their kindness. Today's events mean I owe them a favor."
Having said that.
Zhang Yang directly signaled Huo Zhu and the others to leave together.
Leaving the Second Prince and his group bewildered.
The group was filled with regret.
"Alas, I knew things would turn out like this! We should have been honest with Zhang Yang earlier," the Sixth Prince sighed.
"You can't blame us for this. What could we do? This was the Emperor's request. We..." The Second Prince was also helpless.
The others also had varied expressions.
Although they didn't regret it as much as the two princes, they felt the matter was handled improperly.
It was likely that after today, they would completely lose Zhang Yang as a friend.
"Let's go. We should report back to the capital first. If Zhang Yang can come to terms with it, that's best. If not, that's his problem," the two old ancestors said faintly.
They had followed the Emperor for the longest time and naturally knew the Emperor's intentions!
Zhang Yang's reaction just now was no different from digging his own grave.
"People, sometimes it's better to play dumb. Those who are too clever usually die quickly. Huaxia Five Dragons are the best proof!" the two old ancestors sneered.
"Heh, let's go," Xiao Zhan also smiled helplessly.
They were all trusted confidantes of the Emperor.
Some things were naturally clearer, but it was still not good to say them out loud.
...
Subsequently.
The entire group from the Imperial City returned.
As for Zhang Yang.
After defeating the Beast King of Zhenxi, there was naturally a celebration.
Everyone was very happy and drank heartily.
After several rounds of drinks, everyone dispersed.
Zhang Yang looked at Luo Yiren and Han Xiyao and asked, "Where is Di Yun'er?"
"She left. The Second Prince and his group took her away," Luo Yiren replied.
Left?
Zhang Yang was stunned.
He inwardly gave a wry smile.
It seemed this entire matter was a conspiracy from beginning to end.
To think he had trusted Di Yun'er so much, only to find her acting skills were so superb!
However.
Things were not as Zhang Yang imagined.
Di Yun'er returned crying!
"Alright, if she's gone, she's gone. Where is the Grand Elder? Ask them to come over."
Zhang Yang waved his hand, putting the matter of Di Yun'er aside, and asked Luo Yiren to summon them.
Soon.
Huo Zhu, He Ao, and the other leaders of Huaxia Five Dragons all arrived.
As soon as they came.
Huo Zhu couldn't help but ask first.
"Zhang Yang, is there something strange about this matter? Why did you tell us not to take it too seriously? Just put on a show?"
It turned out.
When Zhang Yang went to pursue the Beast King of Zhenxi today.
Zhang Yang had ordered Huo Zhu to just put on a show and not to fight too hard to kill the Beast King Army.
This matter had left Huo Zhu and the others very confused.
The enemy was right in front of them, yet they weren't killing them!
What was the logic behind that?
Seeing their confusion, Zhang Yang couldn't help but smile.
"Heh, because the Beast King of Zhenxi is very likely to become our friend. His living value is far greater than his dead value!"
As soon as these words were spoken.
Everyone was dumbfounded.
"Zhang Yang, are you mistaken? You killed so many of the Beast King of Zhenxi's experts today. How could they become friends with us?"
"Exactly. They must hate us to death now! Unless they've lost their minds, they would become friends with us."
Clearly.
Everyone didn't believe what Zhang Yang said.
However, Huo Zhu remained very calm.
Recalling Zhang Yang's pursuit of the Beast King of Zhenxi earlier, he suddenly asked.
"So you intentionally let the Beast King of Zhenxi go, not that you failed to stop him?"
Zhang Yang gave Huo Zhu a thumbs-up.
"As they say, old ginger is spicier. Look at the Grand Elder, then look at you all. You only see what's in front of you!"
Everyone became curious!
"Zhang Yang, then tell us quickly, what exactly is going on!"
Zhang Yang pondered for a moment and said.
"This matter probably has to start from when I went to Linhai City."
"Before I went to Linhai City, the Emperor trusted me very much. But when I returned from Linhai City, that might not have been the case."
"Di Yun'er being rescued by me halfway was the Emperor's first test of me. I feel that the Emperor knows eighty to ninety percent of what I did in Linhai City."
"Otherwise, he wouldn't have let me go to war with the Beast King of Zhenxi, nor would he have let the Second Prince and the others have orders in hand but delay in producing them!"
Huo Zhu immediately understood.
"The Emperor doesn't trust you and thinks you've been bought by the Japanese pirates? Is that what you mean?"
"That's right," Zhang Yang nodded.
"Actually, our term 'Japanese pirates' is incorrect. The people of Linhai City are descendants of the Ming King. Their character and conduct are quite good."
"I experienced a lot during my month in Linhai City..."
Subsequently.
Zhang Yang recounted his time with Zhu Zhi and others on Central Island.
After listening, everyone also gained a new perspective on the descendants of the Ming King.