"But that was only in the past."
"The Zhang family now has a completely new look and is no longer the original Zhang family."
"After the demise of the Five Dragons of Huaxia, all family powers associated with them were severely hit."
"Very few survived, almost none," Grandpa He sighed.
He was a witness to the rise and fall of the Five Dragons of Huaxia.
Whenever he recalled past events, his face was filled with sorrow.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yang, who harbored a sliver of doubt towards Grandpa He,
pondered for a moment.
He decided not to inquire further into the matter.
After all,
he harbored no affection for his biological parents.
In fact, he even harbored some resentment.
Zhang Yang resented them for giving birth to him and then abandoning him!
"Grandpa, since the Five Dragons of Huaxia are gone, how can you help me seize the dragon脉 of Jiangnan City?" Zhang Yang asked.
In response to this,
Grandpa He smiled mysteriously.
He stood up from the stone stool, hands clasped behind his back.
With a heroic spirit and imposing demeanor, he declared,
"Even a starving camel is bigger than a horse. Even though the Five Dragons of Huaxia are gone, those who survived possess strength enough to make their enemies tremble."
"If you are willing to seize the dragon脉, I will naturally find a way to help you."
"However..."
Mid-sentence, Grandpa He's expression turned serious, and he fixed his gaze on Zhang Yang.
"Zhang Yang, if you agree to seize the dragon脉, it means you will be completely aligned with us."
"At that point, your enemies will also consider you one of us."
"So, have you made up your mind?"
Zhang Yang fell into deep thought.
Grandpa He had confused him.
It seemed that the reason he had called Zhang Yang over tonight was not to gain anything from him.
Instead, it was to offer him benefits?
They would block the enemies, allowing him to seize the dragon脉?
Although seizing the dragon脉 would invite covetous glances from enemies,
the benefits were tangible and directly obtained by Zhang Yang.
Furthermore, Zhang Yang was not afraid of retaliation.
If they dared to seek trouble with him, he wouldn't mind eliminating them one by one.
After a pause,
Zhang Yang re-examined Grandpa He's intentions.
A thought suddenly struck him.
Had he misunderstood Grandpa He all along?
With this thought,
Zhang Yang inquired,
"Grandpa, have you heard of a Guardian of the Dragon脉?"
"Guardian of the Dragon脉? Are you referring to the abbot of Lingtai Temple?" Grandpa He narrowed his eyes and replied.
"You know him too?"
"Not exactly. We've crossed paths before. What is the meaning of your sudden question?" Grandpa He asked, feigning ignorance.
Zhang Yang pondered for a moment.
Since he had already guessed that Grandpa He meant him no harm,
he decided not to deceive him and would instead truthfully explain his reasons for not helping.
"Grandpa, you said earlier that the dragon脉 of Jiangnan City is a Spiritual Dragon, and I am the best candidate, right?"
"Actually, that's not true. Han Xiyao is the best candidate."
"Because..."
After hearing Zhang Yang's explanation,
Grandpa He showed no surprise but pretended to ponder for a moment before continuing,
"So, you intend to help the abbot of Lingtai Temple and let Han Xiyao take the dragon脉?"
Zhang Yang nodded, offering a slight apology.
"That's right, that's my intention. So, I'm afraid I can't agree to your request."
This...
Grandpa He fell silent again.
However, this was merely a pretense.
Grandpa He was not surprised by Zhang Yang's answer at all.
This was, after all, a part of their plan.
"Alas..."
Grandpa He suddenly sighed and turned to Zhang Yang.
"You kid, you're still too deeply attached. Do you know how difficult this makes things for me?"
"I know, which is why I didn't choose to hide it," Zhang Yang replied.
"If you decide to make a move against me later, I can only offend you. I will then apologize with a thorn bush."
This was Zhang Yang's honest truth.
Regardless of Grandpa He's motives,
he had given him a meal when he was young.
Therefore, based on both sentiment and reason,
Zhang Yang would not raise his hand against Grandpa He. However, he would still fight for what he wanted.
"Are you sure everything the abbot of Lingtai Temple said is true?" Grandpa He suddenly asked.
This...
Zhang Yang thought for a moment and said,
"He shouldn't lie to me, right? Didn't you also say he was a Guardian of the Dragon脉?"
"Moreover, Han Xiyao does indeed show a reaction to the dragon脉. These two points cannot be faked."
Grandpa He closed his eyes in thought.
His expression shifted between conflicted, pained, and unwilling...
"Zhang Yang, do you know how important this dragon脉 in Jiangnan City is to the Five Dragons of Huaxia?"
"If you are willing to help us seize the dragon脉, then the Five Dragons of Huaxia will have a chance to rise again."
"Don't forget, your father was once the minister of the Spiritual Dragon division of the Five Dragons of Huaxia, and as the son of the minister of the Spiritual Dragon division, absorbing the Spiritual Dragon脉 will undoubtedly bring you unexpected gains."
"Therefore, this dragon脉 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for both you and the Five Dragons of Huaxia."
Zhang Yang understood Grandpa He's words.
If he accepted the dragon脉,
it would be equivalent to being bound with the Five Dragons of Huaxia.
Moreover, Grandpa He had said that
his father was once part of the Five Dragons of Huaxia.
Correspondingly, if he agreed to join,
he would have to shoulder the responsibility of reviving the Five Dragons of Huaxia.
However...
Han Xiyao was still in danger, and he had no intention of concerning himself with the affairs of the Five Dragons of Huaxia.
"Grandpa He, let's forget it. Han Xiyao is more important to me."
Zhang Yang shook his head.
If it weren't for the matter concerning Han Xiyao,
perhaps, upon learning of his identity today,
Zhang Yang might have actually agreed to his request.
Grandpa He showed disappointment.
He sat on the stone stool, smoking one cigarette after another.
"Alas..."
"Are even the heavens watching the Five Dragons of Huaxia perish? Giving no opportunity at all?"
Exhaling a puff of smoke, Grandpa He looked up at the sky, filled with unwillingness.
Zhang Yang listened silently, choosing not to respond.
He had no grand ambitions; he only wished to save Han Xiyao and stay by her side.
After waiting for a while,
Zhang Yang saw Grandpa He shedding tears.
He hesitated for a moment,
but still decided not to mention He Qiyan.
Whether Grandpa He knew about He Qiyan or not,
the man was currently in a state of sadness, and it was best not to bring it up.
"Grandpa, I'm sorry. I have my own principles. If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now."
"If He Qiyan needs to kill anyone from the Seven Kills during the upcoming turmoil, I will help if I have the capacity."
With that, Zhang Yang got up to leave.
However, just as he reached the doorway, Grandpa He suddenly spoke.
"Zhang Yang, wait a moment."
"Is there something else?"
Zhang Yang turned back, his expression filled with suspicion.
Grandpa He seemed to have come to a realization, walked towards Zhang Yang, and patted his shoulder.
"Child, you don't need to blame yourself. Perhaps this is fate."
"You have your own choices, and it was I who imposed my own obsessions upon you."
"Rest assured, I will stand by your side and help you in this dragon脉 contest."
This!
Zhang Yang's eyes widened in surprise.
"Grandpa, you should know that I am fighting for Han Xiyao for this dragon脉. I won't..."
Grandpa He waved his hand.
"I know, which is why I want to help you. Otherwise, how could you possibly seize the dragon脉 with your current strength?"
To be honest,
at that moment, Zhang Yang felt a surge of emotion.
He hadn't expected Grandpa He's attitude to change so quickly.
Not only did he give up on the chance for the Five Dragons of Huaxia to rise again,
but he was also willing to expose the remaining strength of the Five Dragons of Huaxia to help him contend for the dragon脉.
"But..."
Zhang Yang still wanted to say something, but Grandpa He shook his head.
"There are no 'buts.' It's decided. Regardless, you are still a descendant of the Five Dragons of Huaxia."
"Are you saying that just because you won't help us, I should just watch you die?"
Grandpa He chuckled, as if he had found release.
After speaking,
before Zhang Yang could reply, Grandpa He added,
"By the way, there's no need to deal with killing anyone from the Seven Kills anymore, because He Qiyan during this period is not the real He Qiyan."
Grandpa He's words were astonishing, and he voluntarily revealed He Qiyan's strangeness.
This time,
it caused even greater turmoil in Zhang Yang's heart.
"Grandpa, you know about this too?"
"What? Judging by your tone, you've found out too?" Grandpa He retorted.
Zhang Yang nodded.
After a moment of thought, he decided to tell Grandpa He the truth.
From the current situation, it seemed that Grandpa He would not harm him.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have brought up He Qiyan's matter.
Therefore, Zhang Yang recounted the events of Li Dabai's return to Grandpa He in full.
After hearing Zhang Yang's account,
Grandpa He became extremely excited, grabbing Zhang Yang's shoulders.
"Zhang Yang, is what you're saying true? You found Qiyan? Is she alright now?"
"Although she's injured, she's no longer in critical condition," Zhang Yang replied, shaking his head.
"This is truly wonderful." Grandpa He clapped his hands repeatedly.
He was as happy as a child receiving lucky money during the New Year.
Such a display of emotion could not be faked.
"Can I go see Qiyan?" Grandpa He asked.
"Grandpa, Qiyan still needs to recover from her injuries. Perhaps we can talk about it after the dragon脉 turmoil is over?" Zhang Yang suggested.
"Besides, if someone with ill intentions discovers her, He Qiyan will be in danger. We will also gain a hidden enemy."
Grandpa He considered this carefully and abandoned the idea of visiting He Qiyan.
"Alright, let's go along with the plan," Grandpa He regained his composure and said imposingly.
Zhang Yang nodded. "Then I'll be leaving now."
...
After Zhang Yang had left for a while,
Jiang Pan, who had been hidden in the shadows, also appeared.
"Old friend, I didn't expect your acting skills to be so good. If I didn't know the truth, I would have been completely fooled by you."
As soon as Jiang Pan appeared, he praised Grandpa He without reservation.
"Heh heh, it's not entirely acting," Grandpa He replied with a slight shake of his head.
What he had told Zhang Yang tonight
was largely the truth, and it also reflected his genuine thoughts.
Aside from deliberately concealing his alliance with the abbot of Lingtai Temple,
everything he told Zhang Yang tonight was true.
"Jiang Pan, get ready. The storm is coming soon."
Grandpa He looked up at the oppressive night sky and murmured to himself.
Jiang Pan nodded.
"I've been waiting for this moment for a long time, and it's not just me; others are also restless."
The two exchanged glances, a strong fighting spirit rising within them.
This time, they were determined to win the dragon脉 contest.
No one was allowed to take it from them!
"By the way, do you think Zhang Yang will resent us after he learns the truth?" Jiang Pan suddenly said.
"Heh heh, how could he resent us? If he would, would this old man have called him over tonight?"
Grandpa He chuckled sinisterly.
The words "cunning and treacherous" could be used to describe him accurately.
"In this matter, that old bald donkey from Lingtai Temple will take the blame for us."
"And we will not only be free of responsibility but also gain Zhang Yang's favor. This way, Zhang Yang will surely be grateful to us."
"Moreover, to save Han Xiyao, Zhang Yang will be even more reliant on us."
Jiang Pan nodded, feeling a sense of admiration for Grandpa He.
For the rise of the Five Dragons of Huaxia,
the man had undoubtedly rehearsed this countless times in his mind, considering every aspect.
"It looks like it's about to rain. Let's wait and see," Jiang Pan also looked up at the sky, his heart filled with anticipation.
...
Rumble~
Deep in the night,
in the sky over Jiangnan City.
Silver arcs hidden within the dark clouds collided, emitting sparks and a dull thunderous sound.
Subsequently,
a wind began to blow in the southern region of Jiangnan City.
Finally,
a deafening clap of thunder echoed, waking the sleeping residents.
The sound of dripping rain followed.
The sky had completely changed.
The powers within Jiangnan City sensed something.
Their gazes converged on the southern region, and they all thought of the same thing.
A celestial anomaly, the dragon脉 is about to appear!
However, they wondered,
where exactly would the dragon脉 manifest.
...
At the Seven Kills stronghold,
"It's time for us to go too," Zhang Xiao said, smiling at Tuoba Hong beside him.
"Indeed, we should go and see. Most of the southern region is under my father's control, so we will be the first to know when the dragon脉 appears," Tuoba Hong also smiled.
This time, his father had personally come to Jiangnan.
The sidelining of Huang Rui, the mayor of Jiangnan City, was to pave the way for Tuoba Hong.
...
In the rain, a monk wearing a kasaya and holding a nine-ringed staff arrived at the old residential area.
...
"Miss Qin, is your information reliable?" Gao Feng asked the woman beside him earnestly.
"Naturally reliable. If you don't believe me, I can leave right now," the short-haired woman replied.
Gao Feng exchanged glances with the person beside him and replied,
"In that case, let's set off together. We'll each take what we need."
...
The Dragon Group base was also fully prepared.
However, they had not yet departed.
They were still waiting.
Waiting for someone's arrival.
"Little sister!"
Suddenly, Qi Dalei in the formation called out.
The entire Dragon Group turned their gaze towards the entrance, where a woman in a long dress, holding an oil-paper umbrella, was approaching them.
...
A man in a hospital gown also appeared.
In his arms, he held a昏迷 (comatose) woman of mature charm.
Although the umbrella was small, it could barely shield the two from the wind and rain.
However, the woman in the hospital gown did not have a single corner of her clothes dampened.
"Child, for your... I can only apologize to you." The man in the hospital gown murmured, looking in a certain direction of Jiangnan City.
...