As the sun rose, Xiao Yunlong emerged from his underground training room. After a night of cultivation, his Three Thousand Divine Kingdoms technique had improved significantly.
During this time, Liu Ruyan had also been busy. After returning from the film set, she would generally go into seclusion to cultivate if she had no other matters. She already possessed good martial arts talent, and coupled with the peculiar situation in her dantian, her cultivation speed was remarkably fast.
At this rate, she would likely reach the Huajin Grandmaster realm before long. At that point, she might be able to tap into the energy of the peculiar golden light cluster in her dantian.
“Any news from the Zhang family?” Xiao Yunlong asked as he ate breakfast at the dining table.
“Reporting to Big Brother, there are no unusual circumstances with the Zhang family. Early this morning, the entire Zhang family compound was adorned with white streamers. It appears they are holding a memorial service for Zhang Houxiu!” Jun Bufan replied truthfully.
Xiao Yunlong nodded slightly, saying no more. However, he felt a vague sense of unease that morning, as if something significant was about to happen.
He knew very well that the Zhang family, as the foremost influential family in Jiangdong, would not let such a significant loss go unaddressed. The Zhang family had deep roots; in addition to their second master who commanded the Eastern Domain Army camp, they also had backing from Longhu Mountain.
“At this moment, that second master of the Zhang family should be on his way back to Jiangdong!”
Xiao Yunlong smiled slightly, then remembered something and looked up at Liu Ruyan. “Ruyan, if there’s nothing urgent with the film crew today, take a day off.”
“Take a day off? Yunlong, do you have other arrangements?” Liu Ruyan asked.
“Not at the moment, but I have a premonition that something big might happen today!” Xiao Yunlong shrugged slightly.
“Is that so? Alright, I won’t go to the film set today then!”
Liu Ruyan smiled and nodded. She didn’t ask further about what might happen, as it was unnecessary.
Having spent so much time together, Liu Ruyan understood him well. Since Big Brother Xiao said something significant would happen, it was highly likely to be true, and it was probably something of great importance.
After breakfast, seeing that there was nothing else to do, they decided to take a stroll around the neighborhood.
This villa complex was a high-end residential area in Jiangdong, with a beautiful environment, featuring various rockeries and pavilions, and even an artificial lake inlaid like amber in the center.
They had been living in this community for some time, and this was actually the first time Xiao Yunlong and Liu Ruyan had casually wandered through it without a specific destination.
Hand in hand, they walked along the path by the lake, like an ordinary couple. The morning sun was not too harsh, and the gentle breeze blowing across the lake brought a sense of refreshing tranquility.
“During this time, we’ve been cultivating whenever we had time after returning home. It’s rare to have such a leisurely and relaxed walk like today. This feeling is quite nice!”
Liu Ruyan said softly, her face blooming like a flower, facing the morning breeze.
Xiao Yunlong couldn’t help but laugh. “Actually, you don’t need to be so tense all the time, especially when it comes to cultivation. It requires a balance of work and rest.”
“I know, I’ll be mindful of that.”
Liu Ruyan nodded slightly, but in her heart, she thought, *I can’t slack off. I must work even harder to catch up with your pace as soon as possible!*
“By the way, that drama should be nearing its end, right? After the filming is done, what are your plans? Do you want to continue acting? I’ll tell Big Fatty Buddha to arrange another role for you, and you can choose the script!” Xiao Yunlong asked.
“Soon, it should be finished in about three or four days. As for acting, I won’t be taking on any more roles. I need to pursue my master’s degree at Imperial Capital University!”
Liu Ruyan smiled slightly and added, “Once I’m at Imperial Capital University, if my studies aren’t too demanding, I might take on some part-time jobs at film sets.”
“Going to Imperial Capital? When are you planning to go?” Xiao Yunlong frowned subconsciously.
“In about a week. My supervisor asked me to report early, saying there’s a project that needs to be done by us new students!”
Liu Ruyan then noticed that Xiao Yunlong’s expression seemed a bit off and asked, “What’s wrong, Yunlong? Is there a problem with this?”
“It’s nothing. It just so happens that I’ll be returning to Imperial Capital in a while. I’ll come find you then!” Xiao Yunlong said with a slight smile.
“That would be great! Then we can be together again!” Liu Ruyan smiled charmingly.
Xiao Yunlong smiled and said no more. They continued their aimless stroll along the lake.
In fact, Xiao Yunlong had his concerns. With his whereabouts increasingly exposed, especially after the live broadcast by the Jiangdong Martial Alliance yesterday, he believed that the major aristocratic families in Imperial Capital would have taken notice by now.
Naturally, some of them would not overlook Liu Ruyan, who was the fiancée of the King of Zhenbei. Such an important person could not be ignored.
Therefore, Xiao Yunlong couldn’t help but worry that once Liu Ruyan arrived in Imperial Capital, she might be targeted by these powerful factions, which would undoubtedly put her in great danger.
*Forget it, it seems I’ll have to deploy the secret forces in Imperial Capital to provide necessary protection for Ruyan!* Xiao Yunlong sighed inwardly.
As for why Xiao Yunlong didn’t plan to return to Imperial Capital with Liu Ruyan, firstly, his martial arts cultivation was not yet sufficient. Even if he went now, it would be difficult to turn the tide, as the waters in Imperial Capital were too deep. He didn’t want to repeat past mistakes.
Secondly, Xiao Yunlong needed to go to the Southern Territory and return to Chuan City. After all, the revenge for his parents’ deaths was irreconcilable, let alone the annihilation of his clan. He could not let this hatred go unavenged!
They spoke no more, walked around the complex, and then returned to the villa.
As soon as they entered the hall, Jun Bufan hurried over with a post. “Big Brother, someone delivered an invitation!”
“Who delivered it? Is it from the Zhang family?” Xiao Yunlong asked.
“I don’t know. The person didn’t say anything, just delivered the post and left immediately!” Jun Bufan replied.
Xiao Yunlong nodded slightly, took the post, and opened it. He saw a line of gilded characters written in a bold, flowing script.
“At noon, Jiangxin Tower, we await the King of Zhenbei’s presence!”
There was only this line, with no signature or closing. Xiao Yunlong’s eyes narrowed, and a thoughtful expression appeared on his face.
From this line, he read information that others could not discern.
Firstly, the sender not only knew his identity but dared to address him by name on the invitation. This was a direct declaration, indicating that the sender was fully prepared, and their strength was likely extraordinary, otherwise, they would not dare to openly challenge the King of Zhenbei!
Secondly, in all of Jiangdong, only the Zhang family of Jiangdong would dare to set up such a banquet. However, the Zhang family did not sign their name, meaning they were not coming forward under the Zhang family’s banner, perhaps to avoid implicating themselves.
“Looking at this, it’s likely that the third master of the Zhang family, the commander of the Eastern Domain Army camp, initiated this, and Longhu Mountain has agreed to act. It’s even possible that certain forces in Imperial Capital are secretly involved, otherwise, just relying on an Eastern Domain commander and Longhu Mountain, they wouldn’t dare to openly address the King of Zhenbei!”
Xiao Yunlong sneered inwardly.
From just these eleven words on the invitation, Xiao Yunlong had fully analyzed the information behind it. It had to be said that he possessed powerful and keen insight.
Of course, even if the Zhang family was aware of the experts from Longhu Mountain, and even if Imperial Capital was involved, Xiao Yunlong was now completely unafraid!
As the saying goes, in the face of absolute strength, all schemes and tricks will turn into paper tigers!
Standing shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Yunlong, Liu Ruyan also saw all eleven words on the invitation.
At this moment, Liu Ruyan stood motionless, but her heart was already churning like a stormy sea.
“King of Zhenbei, he really is, really is the King of Zhenbei, truly that god-like man!”
Liu Ruyan felt her head buzzing. Although she had long known that her Big Brother Xiao’s identity was extraordinary, she had never imagined that her fiancé was the King of the Northern Territory of Longguo, the faith of Longguo!
In fact, Liu Ruyan should have known earlier. After all, Xiao Yunlong’s identity had been revealed when they went to the western mountains to eradicate the Gu Poison Sect. At that time, Jun Bufan, Big Fatty Buddha, Tang Shanbao, and others already knew.
However, Liu Ruyan had not been present that night, and Jun Bufan and the others did not dare to speak without Xiao Yunlong’s instruction. Therefore, Liu Ruyan had only had a premonition but was not certain.
Fortunately, during this period, Liu Ruyan had been so shocked by the methods Xiao Yunlong displayed that she had become accustomed to it. Thus, she quickly calmed down, not revealing her失态 (loss of composure) or the shock in her heart.
However, at this very moment, Liu Ruyan felt that the pressure on her seemed to have increased.
To her, Xiao Yunlong now felt like a mountain, an insurmountable mountain. She knew how much hardship she would have to endure to climb this mountain.
*No matter what hardships I have to face, since fate has brought us together, I will not give up. One day, I will stand proudly beside you!* Liu Ruyan vowed silently.
Xiao Yunlong withdrew his gaze from the gilded eleven words on the invitation and then asked Jun Bufan, “Jiangxin Tower? Do you know what kind of place that is?”
Jun Bufan frowned and said, “It should be an island in the middle of the river, similar to the sandbars of Jiangdong Pavilion, but this island is much smaller. There is only one tower on it. It is said that such towers do not often operate for the public, but rather entertain distinguished guests.”
After saying this, Jun Bufan asked, “Big Brother, shall I go and investigate the background of Jiangxin Tower first?”
“No need, and besides, there isn’t enough time. Call Tang Bowen and have him meet us!” Xiao Yunlong said lightly.
“Big Brother, although this invitation is an invitation, it’s obvious to anyone with eyes that this is clearly a trap. Should we bring more people just in case?”
Jun Bufan frowned and said after some thought.
“There’s no need. Moreover, today’s matter cannot be resolved simply by having more people. Let’s go. We haven’t had lunch yet. Since someone is inviting us to eat, and at such a good place, wouldn’t it be a pity not to go!”
Xiao Yunlong smiled slightly, took Liu Ruyan’s hand, and walked directly towards the garage.
“Alright then, it seems that today’s matter is likely to be extraordinary!”
Jun Bufan shook his head and sighed, then made a call to Tang Bowen, walked to the driver’s door, opened it, and sat inside.
Then, the car sped away from Ziyun Villa, heading rapidly towards Jiangxin Tower.
Meanwhile, at the Zhang family manor, white streamers were already hanging as they prepared the funeral for the Fifth Elder, Zhang Houxiu. Guests came and went, creating a noisy scene, but it also demonstrated the Zhang family’s influence.
In the backyard of the manor, the family head Zhang Quanming was greeting guests in the front hall. Suddenly, his third brother, Zhang Quanlin, who was in a wheelchair, was pushed rapidly towards them by a servant.
“Big Brother, didn’t you say that Second Brother and the four great generals of Longhu Mountain had already returned? Why haven’t I seen them yet, and it’s almost noon?” Zhang Quanlin asked.
Zhang Quanming did not turn his head, only saying coldly, “They have indeed arrived!”
“Arrived? But where are they? Why haven’t I seen them?” Zhang Quanlin asked, bewildered.
“They arrived in Jiangdong this morning, but they did not come home!” Zhang Quanming said.
“Did not come home? Why not? Where did they go? Do we no longer need to avenge our Zhang family’s grievance?”
“They are precisely going to avenge us!” Zhang Quanming said.
Zhang Quanlin became even more confused and exclaimed, “Since Second Brother and the others are going to avenge us, why didn’t they call us? There are still several experts in the family!”
The family head Zhang Quanming cast a helpless glance at his third brother, then pushed the wheelchair, and the two went to a secluded spot in the backyard.
“Do you know why Second Brother didn’t come home and didn’t involve anyone else from the family?” Zhang Quanming asked.
“Why?” Zhang Quanlin asked, stunned.
“That’s because that fellow named Xiao is not an ordinary person. He is the King of Zhenbei!” Zhang Quanlin said through gritted teeth.
Zhang Quanlin sat there blankly in his wheelchair, looking bewildered, as if he hadn’t fully comprehended it yet.
Zhang Quanlin glanced at him and yelled impatiently, “Do you understand the King of Zhenbei? He is the faith of our Longguo, a god-like man! Do you know what kind of existence you provoked and offended back then? I’m telling you, you and your son are still alive now completely because of Father’s face!”
Only then did Zhang Quanlin react, murmuring, “King of Zhenbei? You’re saying that fellow named Xiao is our Longguo’s King of Zhenbei, the man who guards the northern border gate single-handedly, the one whom many dark forces in the world call the God of Slaughter?”
Suddenly, Zhang Quanlin felt a chill of fear.
Zhang Quanlin snorted, “Precisely because he is not ordinary, Second Brother did not involve more Zhang family members. Even if he fails, I believe that fellow named Xiao, out of respect for Father’s status as one of the ten founding scholars, will not annihilate our Zhang family. Second Brother is leaving a way out for our Zhang family!”
“So that’s how it is. Then Second Brother and the four seniors from Longhu Mountain are already taking action. Where are they acting?” Zhang Quanlin asked.
“You don’t need to know that. In short, if this matter is successful, Second Brother will return with that fellow’s head to pay respects to Fifth Uncle. If he fails, then our Zhang family’s fortune has likely come to an end!”
Zhang Quanming sighed to himself after speaking, then slowly walked towards the front hall.
At the same time, in the tower of Jiangxin Island, Zhang Quanche stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the leisurely flowing Jiangdong River water in front of him. Although his surface appeared as calm as the river water, his heart was turbulent with tension. After all, he was about to face the King of Zhenbei of Longguo!
The four great generals sat in the corners facing the southeast, northwest, and south. All four had their eyes closed, appearing very composed.
Suddenly, the adjutant shouted from outside the door, “Reporting to Commander, they have arrived and have boarded the boat and crossed the river!”
Zhang Quanche did not turn around, only saying leisurely, “They are finally here. If I win this battle, our Zhang family of Jiangdong will soar to the heavens!”