At noon, after treatment, the Southern Border King was able to get out of bed and walk, though still very weak.
After lunch, the Southern Border King summoned Xiao Yunlong alone in the pavilion in the backyard, seemingly wanting to speak with him privately.
Waving away the servants around him, the Southern Border King shook his head and gave a wry smile, "Speaking of which, our current situations are quite similar. Our powers have both been hollowed out, leaving us as laughingstocks!"
Xiao Yunlong also gave a wry smile, "I'm far worse off than you. Not only was I ambushed, but now my Northern Frontier camp has been occupied. I can't even go home!"
"Don't try to play the victim!"
The Southern Border King waved his hand and smiled, "Although my health hasn't been good these past six months, I know everything you've done in the Eastern Region like the back of my hand. Otherwise, why would I have given you the Southern King Seal? Did you really think I was that foolish?"
Xiao Yunlong asked, "Since you've been marginalized, how do you know in detail what I've been doing in the Eastern Region?"
"Naturally, Deputy Officer Zhou told me. In fact, he had already set up informants in the Eastern Region, and it's said he even has eyes and ears in your Northern Frontier," the Southern Border King replied truthfully.
"So that's how it is. It seems this Deputy Officer Zhou is quite capable and resourceful!" Xiao Yunlong said noncommittally.
The first impression Xiao Yunlong had of this Zhou Yun was generally good, and his abilities were decent. However, for some reason, Xiao Yunlong felt a sense of unease.
Perhaps it was because Deputy Officer Zhou always appeared too perfect, even impeccably so, which made him seem somewhat out of place.
Of course, without any evidence, Xiao Yunlong wouldn't rashly suspect anyone!
The Southern Border King clearly trusted his deputy, nodding and smiling, "Indeed, Deputy Officer Zhou is very capable. He has been with me for five years and is considered an old subordinate who came to the Southern Border Camp with me. If not for his help in handling affairs during this time, my situation would undoubtedly be even more difficult!"
Xiao Yunlong nodded and said no more. In fact, he knew that the reason the Southern Border King was marginalized was not due to his personal incompetence.
In reality, the fact that the Southern Border King Lu Zheng-tong was chosen by the imperial capital to succeed to the position of Southern Border King indicated his considerable ability. Furthermore, his martial arts cultivation was also quite formidable; he was a true Martial King master.
The reason for the current situation in the Southern Border was twofold. Firstly, it was due to historical issues in the Southern Border. The five great ridges had, in earlier years, still implemented the chieftain system, each controlling their own territories and consistently obeying the orders of the Southern Border Camp in name only. Even when the old Southern King was alive, he could only exert slight deterrence.
One could imagine the immense difficulties and challenges Lu Zheng-tong faced upon his arrival in the Southern Border. Of course, the primary reason was the decline of the Lu family, the foremost noble family in Jincheng, a vital gateway to the Eastern Capital.
During its peak, the Lu family not only controlled the gateway to the Eastern Capital from Jincheng but also had individuals holding important positions within the Celestial Strategy Mansion. Thus, there was once a saying in the martial arts world that the Lu family was the king of Jincheng!
It was precisely because of the Lu family's vast power in those years that Lu Zheng-tong was chosen to succeed as the Southern Border King. However, shortly after his arrival in the Southern Border, the Lu family encountered trouble. Within less than two years, they rapidly declined, which led to Lu Zheng-tong's current predicament of being isolated and unable to act effectively.
Xiao Yunlong pondered for a moment and then asked, "Southern King, could you tell me about the current situation of the five great ridge lords of the Southern Border?"
"Of course, even if you didn't ask, I was planning to tell you!"
King Lu Zheng-tong smiled slightly and then said, "Among the five great ridge lords, the weakest is the Chuanlong Ridge Lord. Of course, he has already been defeated by you. If my guess is correct, Longyan should have fled to the Baiyue Ridge!"
Xiao Yunlong nodded in agreement.
"As for the Baiyue Ridge Lord, Yue Bucong, you saw him just now. This fellow is a stubborn troublemaker, but like the Chuanlong Ridge Lord, he lacks deep scheming and cunning. Therefore, they are not difficult to deal with!" the Southern King said.
"What about the Guiyun Ridge Lord?" Xiao Yunlong asked.
"The Guiyun Ridge Lord, Miao Rencheng, is a brute. His methods are rough and tyrannical, and he is also not a person with much cunning. However, Miao Rencheng is a subordinate of the Canggu Ridge Lord!"
"A subordinate of the Canggu Ridge Lord? From what I understand, Canggu Ridge is the largest ridge in the Southern Border, and the Canggu Ridge Lord's influence is the strongest!" Xiao Yunlong said.
King Lu Zheng-tong nodded, "Yes, the Canggu Ridge Lord's influence is indeed the strongest. The ridge lord, Zageboya, is an old fox and the most difficult to deal with. It is precisely because Zageboya took the lead that the other ridge lords have followed suit and refused to obey the camp's orders!"
"I see. What about the last ridge lord?" Xiao Yunlong asked.
Since he was going to rectify the situation in the entire Southern Border, it was naturally necessary to gain a detailed understanding of the five great ridges, especially the attitudes and leanings of the five great ridge lords towards the Southern Border Camp.
"The last one, the Nandao Ridge, is isolated overseas and has always remained aloof. However, the ridge lord, Ke Zhennan, has some connection with my Lu family. Therefore, after I arrived in the Southern Border, he was one of the few who truly supported me!" Lu Zheng-tong said with a wry smile.
Xiao Yunlong nodded slightly and pondered, "So, the ones we truly need to deal with are the four ridges excluding Nandao Ridge!"
"Yes, but Chuanlong Ridge and Baiyue Ridge are not difficult to deal with. The truly troublesome one is Canggu Ridge. Zageboya's influence is too strong, and he is supported by the Mizang Sect. It's really not easy to move against him!" King Lu Zheng-tong sighed.
"Mizang Sect?" Xiao Yunlong raised his eyebrows. He had naturally heard of this ancient sect, but he didn't know much about it.
Lu Zheng-tong sighed, "The Mizang Sect is full of powerful individuals. Two years ago, I went to Canggu Ridge to inspect the people's conditions and encountered an assassination attempt, nearly not returning. Later, Deputy Officer Zhou investigated and confirmed that it was people from the Mizang Sect who made the move!"
Xiao Yunlong became angry, snorting coldly, "This Mizang Sect is too audacious! An ancient martial sect dares to assassinate the Southern Border King? They are simply seeking death!"
Lu Zheng-tong could only offer a wry smile, as he didn't know how to respond to these words for the moment.
"By the way, what about the four guardians of the Southern Border? What are their attitudes?" Xiao Yunlong asked after thinking for a moment.
"The four guardians, don't even mention them!"
Lu Zheng-tong sighed again, and then said, "Among the four guardians, two are elders of the Mizang Sect and naturally support the Canggu Ridge Lord. The remaining two, one supports the Guiyun Ridge Lord, and only the last one supports me."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yunlong couldn't help but sigh, "Even the four guardians don't support you. No wonder you've been marginalized and even subjected to assassination and curses."
Speaking of which, the situation in the Southern Border was even more complicated than that in the Northern Frontier.
King Lu Zheng-tong gave another wry smile and said, "Now you understand how difficult my situation is. But really, it's up to you, the Northern King. For the sake of the people of the Southern Border, I implore you to act no matter what."
Xiao Yunlong nodded heavily, "Since I have already accepted the Southern King Seal, I will do my utmost from now on!"
Afterward, the two continued to discuss the situation of the Miaoyin Sect, but neither side knew much, and they couldn't come to any conclusions for the moment. Given the current situation, they could only wait for the Guiyun Ridge Lord's reaction tomorrow before making further plans.
King Lu Zheng-tong had just recovered from his serious illness and was still very weak, unable to chat for long. Xiao Yunlong then took his leave and returned to his residence.
He remained indoors for the entire day, cultivating in his bedroom. After absorbing and refining throughout the night, the eight-hundred-year-old ginseng in his hand had completely withered.
And within Xiao Yunlong's divine kingdom, eighty-eight divine kingdoms had now been opened up, an increase of eighteen compared to last time. This showed how rich the spiritual energy contained within the centuries-old ginseng was.
"Eighty-eight divine kingdoms, that's almost enough. Once I reach one hundred divine kingdoms, it will be time to head to the imperial capital, or return to the Northern Frontier!"
Xiao Yunlong clenched his fists, feeling the surging power within his body, and said in a deep voice. He then got out of bed.
It was already the next morning. After a simple breakfast, Xuanyuan Qingfeng rushed in to report, "Your Highness the Northern King, the Guiyun Ridge Lord Miao Rencheng has arrived. The Southern King requests that you go to the Southern King's Mansion immediately!"
Xiao Yunlong couldn't help but be surprised and chuckled, "I didn't expect the Guiyun Ridge Lord to still dare to come. Could it be that he wasn't responsible for the demonic flute curse?"
Saying this, he immediately brought Zhuge Wushuang, Tu Fu, and others, and hurried towards the Southern King's Palace.