"How is it? Have you found that flute-playing woman?" As soon as Xiao Yunlong entered the grand hall, he asked Nan Wang Lu Zhengong.
Lu Zhengong stood up from his chair and shook his head, "We haven't found the flute-playing woman yet, but we've possibly located the stronghold of the Wonderful Sound Sect. For the specific details, Deputy Officer Zhou will brief the North King."
There weren't many people in the council hall, apart from three guardian elders, there was also the leader of Nan Dao Ling. After all, this matter was not to be publicized for the time being.
Deputy Officer Zhou stood tall. He first cupped his hands towards Xiao Yunlong and said, "It's like this, Your Highness the North King. These past few days, we have mobilized all the forces of the great camp according to your orders for a comprehensive search. Finally, our efforts have paid off. Through the words of a ginseng-picking elder, we learned that a valley in the hinterland of the Ten Thousand Mountains is very suspicious."
Xiao Yunlong said, "Since it's suspicious, have you sent people to investigate further?"
Deputy Officer Zhou smiled wryly, "Originally, a few guards who were searching wanted to sneak in, but I stopped them. Because in my opinion, if the valley is indeed the stronghold of the Wonderful Sound Sect, those guards would likely be discovered with their skills, so..."
Xiao Yunlong nodded slightly, agreeing, "Your consideration is very thoughtful. Deputy Officer Zhou is indeed a meticulous person. Fortunately, you stopped them in time."
"Thank you for your praise, Your Highness the North King. But this is what I should do. According to the description of the ginseng-picking elder, occasional inexplicable singing can be heard from that hinterland valley, and strange things often happen there, so it is highly likely to be the stronghold of the Wonderful Sound Sect!"
Deputy Officer Zhou said with a humble smile.
Xiao Yunlong then turned to Lu Zhengong and said, "In that case, it seems we need to ask the three guardian elders to personally take action."
Nan Wang Lu Zhengong nodded, then instructed, "Elder Tai Yi and Elder Xiu Er, I will trouble both of you to make this trip. You must investigate thoroughly and be extremely cautious, as the Wonderful Sound Sect is not to be trifled with."
"Rest assured, Nan Wang. We will proceed with caution!" The two guardian elders did not hesitate. They cupped their hands and left directly.
Lu Zhengong then waved for Xiao Yunlong to sit down and asked, "The situation in the Northern Territory is becoming increasingly tense. You have been running around for my Southern Territory's affairs during this time. I feel guilty and extremely sorry. I don't understand the situation in the Northern Territory well. If the North King has any needs, please do not hesitate to ask."
"Nan Wang, you are too kind!" Xiao Yunlong waved his hand and smiled, "The war in the Northern Territory has reignited, but that Northeast Tiger, Zhang Qingyun, is not to be underestimated. With him there, he should be able to hold them off for a while. After dealing with the Wonderful Sound Sect, I will rush back to the Northern Territory!"
"Although Northeast Tiger Zhang Qingyun has stationed himself in the Northern Territory without authorization, the imperial capital has not officially issued any documents. You are still the King of the Northern Territory. You should indeed go back at this time. If you need anything then, please tell me!" Lu Zhengong said sincerely.
"I will!" Xiao Yunlong nodded, then formally introduced Liu Ruyan, and then took his leave.
Returning to his residence, Xiao Yunlong found Wei Qianqian busy with the servants in the courtyard, thoughtfully preparing snacks and afternoon tea.
Seeing this, Xiao Yunlong couldn't help but say, "Ruyan, this Wei Qianqian is your classmate and a guest. You don't need to let her do these things."
"Okay, I'll go tell her right away!" Liu Ruyan smiled slightly.
Just as she was about to speak, Wei Qianqian, who was arranging snacks and tea cakes in the pavilion, smiled charmingly and said, "It's alright, Brother Xiao. I'm used to it. We country folk can't stay idle for a moment. When I went home for holidays before, I also helped my family with farm work."
Liu Ruyan smiled and said, "That's true. Qianqian is very diligent at school. Not only is she a committee member of the student union's life department, but she also works diligently and is a model worker!"
Xiao Yunlong nodded and didn't say anything more about it. He looked up at the sky and said, "The weather is quite nice today. There are many interesting little items in the market. You two can go for a stroll this afternoon. The shopping malls here are also very prosperous."
"At this critical juncture, can we really do that?" Liu Ruyan blinked and asked. Shopping and buying things is almost the nature of most women.
"Of course, you can. Don't worry, I'll send someone to follow you secretly!" Xiao Yunlong said, patting her head with affection.
"That's great, then Qianqian, let's go. It's not very interesting to drink tea here with a few big men anyway!"
Liu Ruyan smiled charmingly, then took Wei Qianqian's hand and went out.
After the two walked away, Xiao Yunlong sat down on the stone bench in the pavilion and asked, "How is it? Have you found out Wei Qianqian's background?"
Zhuge Wushuang stepped forward and cupped his hands, "I've investigated, my lord. However, she is indeed from a rural village. Her parents are alive, and she also has a younger brother. There seems to be no problem with these details."
Xiao Yunlong frowned and murmured, "Am I really overthinking it?"
Zhuge Wushuang suddenly added, "However, my lord, our spies discovered something special during their investigation."
"What special thing?" Xiao Yunlong asked.
"According to the people in her village, Wei Qianqian's entire family loves musical instruments. Her parents play the pipa and the flute respectively, and they are both very skilled. Whenever there are celebrations or happy occasions during festivals, the villagers invite them to perform."
Xiao Yunlong's eyes suddenly narrowed upon hearing this. He was stunned on the spot.
Seeing Xiao Yunlong's change in expression, not only Zhuge Wushuang and Tang Bowen, but even Tu Fu, who was usually slow to react, understood.
"Don't the disciples of the Wonderful Sound Sect also excel at music and instruments? Could it be... their entire family are members of the Wonderful Sound Sect?" Tu Fu widened his eyes.
"Wei Qianqian approaching us at this critical juncture, if she is indeed a member of the Wonderful Sound Sect, then she must have ulterior motives!" Jun Bufan also said.
"My lord, to be safe, should we immediately control this Wei Qianqian?" Zhuge Wushuang asked.
Xiao Yunlong immediately waved his hand to refuse, "Controlling her at this time will surely alert the enemy. If she has any conspiracy, then her target must be me!"
Speaking of this, Xiao Yunlong raised the corner of his mouth slightly and sneered to himself, "It's not that easy to scheme against me. Since that's the case, let's play along with their plan!"
"My lord, what do you mean..." Tu Fu and the others clearly didn't fully understand.
"For the next period, you don't need to do anything deliberately. Just act as usual, and make sure not to arouse Wei Qianqian's suspicion!" Xiao Yunlong instructed.
"Yes!" Zhuge Wushuang and the others cupped their hands.
For the next two days, the entire Southern Territory camp was waiting for news from the two guardian elders who had gone to investigate.
Xiao Yunlong basically stayed indoors for these two days, spending most of his time with Liu Ruyan. He originally wanted to continue searching for ancient jades containing spiritual energy, but he dismissed the idea.
After all, at this critical juncture, and with Wei Qianqian, who was suspected to be from the Wonderful Sound Sect, by his side, he had to be more cautious in his actions than usual.
Early the next morning, the two guardian elders finally returned, bringing with them an exciting piece of news.
"Nan Wang, North King, we have thoroughly investigated the hinterland valley in the Ten Thousand Mountains, and it is indeed the location of the Wonderful Sound Sect's stronghold!"
"Excellent, thank you, Elder Guardians, for your hard work!"
Nan Wang Lu Zhengong said, then turned to Xiao Yunlong and asked, "North King, what shall we do next..."
Before he could finish, Xiao Yunlong said, "As the saying goes, the longer the night, the more dreams. We will set out tonight. We don't need too many people, just elite experts, to strike directly at the stronghold of the Wonderful Sound Sect!"
"Alright, then everyone go back and prepare. We will set off overnight in half an hour!" Nan Wang Lu Zhengong nodded.
Half an hour later, Xiao Yunlong and Liu Ruyan got into the back seat of the car and set off together.
Originally, Xiao Yunlong did not intend to bring Liu Ruyan, as it was too dangerous. However, he thought that if Liu Ruyan stayed behind, she would still have the highly suspicious Wei Qianqian by her side. If Wei Qianqian intended to scheme, Liu Ruyan would probably not be able to handle it.
Moreover, Liu Ruyan herself insisted on going along. In the end, Xiao Yunlong had to agree. Fortunately, by this time, he had already seen that Ruyan's martial arts cultivation had already stepped half a foot into the realm of the Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown Martial King, making her a quasi-Martial King.
Frankly speaking, such cultivation speed was astonishing. Such martial arts talent was truly immense, even far surpassing Tang Bowen and Jun Bufan, who also had strong martial arts talents.
Soon, several cars drove out of the Southern Territory camp under the cover of night, and then quickly headed towards the Ten Thousand Mountains in the southwest.
Just as Xiao Yunlong and the others drove out of the camp, Wei Qianqian, who was standing on the second-floor balcony quietly watching this scene, saw her usually harmless and sweet smiling face gradually disappear, replaced by a sinister and venomous cold smile, like that of a viper.
"They even want to annihilate us. Go, all of you, go. Next, I guarantee you will never return!" Wei Qianqian sneered to herself.