The three alliances fought against the Dragon Country, and he had been in a spectator state, neither helping nor hindering. However, he had not expected that the alliance led by the Azure Kingdom would be counter-killed by the Dragon Country.
This was beyond his expectations. What surprised him even more was that the Azure Cloud Sect's strength had reached such a level, capable of destroying a major kingdom. Such a terrifying existence was probably no less than the Black Shadow Organization.
"Valley Master, the Azure Cloud Sect's power is immense. If they are allowed to develop further, it will be a great threat to the Black Shadow Organization!"
An elder said, "The Valley Master has a grudge against the Sect Master of the Azure Cloud Sect, I'm afraid..."
"Water will be defended by earth, and ice will be blocked by divine intervention!" Du Qianqiu narrowed his eyes. "If my guess is correct, that item must be on that brat. Otherwise, how could he have such strength? Even with exceptional talent, he couldn't have reached such a high realm in these few years!"
"The Valley Master has been searching for many years. Since you already know the item is in his possession, why haven't you acted yet?" the elder asked, surprised.
"Initially, it was just a guess. Moreover, with the Dragon Country protecting him, it was not convenient for me to act openly. But now that it is confirmed, I will naturally go and meet him!"
Du Qianqiu said coldly, "Let him bask in glory for a few more days. When I find that item, it will be the day of his death!"
The elder nodded solemnly. The Lu family's tragedy years ago was all orchestrated by Du Qianqiu. His goal was to find an item, but despite massacring the Lu family members back then, he still couldn't find it.
Now that the descendant of the Lu family had reappeared, this item must be on him. However, Du Qianqiu remained indifferent, appearing unfathomable. Even though Lu Fan now possessed immense power, he still seemed unconcerned, as if everything was under his control.
Returning to the Dragon Capital of the Dragon Country, the disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect finally settled down to rest. The Dragon Group, however, was not among them. When they entered the Dragon Country's border, they had parted ways. After all, the Dragon Group's participation in the annihilation of the Black Bear Country was something that, if known to outsiders, would not be beneficial to the Dragon Country.
Lu Fan brought Jiang Meili back to the Jiangjing Longting. Lin Ke and Jiang Meili's faces were pale. Lin Ke quickly stepped forward, "Meili, what's wrong? Why do you look so unwell?"
"It's nothing. He's just not used to it," Lu Fan said with a light smile. "It's his first time in the outer battlefield. To be like this is already very good!"
Lin Ke nodded and helped Jiang Meili towards a room. These past few days, he had been worried sick, fearing that Lu Fan and Jiang Meili might get into trouble. Now that they had returned safely, it was a great relief.
"Xiao Ke, I've made you worry these past few days!" Lu Fan touched Lin Ke's embroidered hair. Su Dan Novel Network
"Indeed, I was very worried!" Lin Ke nodded solemnly. "Sometimes, how I wish I could also become a martial arts expert, how I wish I could protect the one I love! So that he wouldn't get hurt!"
"I am Lord Lu of Jiangnan, the guardian god of the Dragon Country. How could I get hurt?" Lu Fan smiled. "Silly girl, don't overthink it!"
Lin Ke nodded solemnly. He knew that Lu Fan faced life-and-death crises in the outer battlefield. While he didn't wish for Lu Fan to be in such situations, as a person of the Dragon Country, he was proud of Lu Fan for being willing to dedicate everything for the greater good of the nation.
Meanwhile, at the Dragon Country Headquarters, Han Bing and others were summoned to the conference room. Several elders sat in the conference room with rather indifferent expressions.
Han Bing and the others stood there, their faces showing a hint of embarrassment. Being called to the headquarters immediately upon arriving in the Dragon Country probably meant no good. Although they had annihilated the Black Bear Country this time, they had acted without authorization. Such actions, in the eyes of the Dragon Country's higher-ups, were considered dereliction of duty.
"Speak, what exactly happened!" the Fourth Elder said. "It's best if you can give me an explanation!"
"Cough, cough..."
Long Aotian coughed a few times, his face showing a hint of embarrassment. "You elders must already know about the annihilation of the Black Bear Country. The Dragon Group was also involved, but this was not the Dragon Group's intention!"
"Not the Dragon Group's intention?" the Fourth Elder frowned. "Could it be that young Lu kidnapped you?"
"More or less! The Dragon Group has strict rules and would never act rashly. If Lord Lu hadn't threatened us, we wouldn't have had such audacity!" Long Aotian spoke righteously.
Han Bing stood aside, his eyes a little vacant. The other members of the Dragon Group also looked at Long Aotian. They knew very well that this matter was their own volition, not forced by Lu Fan.
By saying this, Long Aotian had shifted the blame. In this way, wouldn't Lu Fan become the scapegoat?
"If it was truly this brat's doing, I won't let him off lightly!" the Fourth Elder said coldly. "He's simply lawless, daring to threaten even the people of the Dragon Group! Will he not threaten us one day!"
"That's exactly what I'm saying!" Long Aotian quickly added. "Although Lord Lu is called the guardian god, and he has made countless contributions in the outer battlefield, he shouldn't behave like this!"
"The headquarters will not pursue this matter!" the Fourth Elder waved his hand. "But if there is a next time, the headquarters will not listen to your one-sided account!"
"Thank you, Elder!"
Long Aotian quickly cupped his fists. The other members of the Dragon Group also cupped their fists, not daring to delay. They could see that the elders were also giving them an out. If they weren't smart about it, they would face punishment.
After they left, the elders showed smiles. "These scoundrels are quite good at putting on an act, and they've thrown all the blame outward!"
"Isn't this good?" the Seventh Elder smiled. "This way, we don't need any excuses!"
Outside the Dragon Country Headquarters, Han Bing and others looked at Long Aotian with strange expressions.
"Don't look at me like that, there's nothing written on my face!" Long Aotian rolled his eyes. "If I hadn't said that, the elders would have blamed us, and the Dragon Group couldn't afford to bear it."
"But if Lord Lu finds out that you said this, he won't let you go!" Han Bing shrugged. "I'm being serious!"
"I know, of course!" Long Aotian nodded. "Do I have any better options? Or should I just turn you all in?"
The members of the Dragon Group were somewhat helpless. As Long Aotian had said, if they had told the truth, they would likely all be punished.
As members of the Dragon Country's Dragon Group, acting without authorization, even if they made great contributions, would still be punished as they should be. They were well aware of this.
However, they had no regrets. Even if all the credit went to the Azure Cloud Sect, they had long hated the Black Bear Country's many powerhouses who killed Dragon Country experts in the outer battlefield. Now that they could eliminate this cancerous growth, it was a great fortune.
As night deepened, Lu Fan was admiring the moon in the garden of Jiangjing Longting when a figure arrived in the courtyard like the wind.
"Fourth Elder?"
Lu Fan was slightly surprised. "Why are you here? The celebration banquet is in a few days. The Dragon Country should have many things to attend to!"
"I came specifically to see you!" the Fourth Elder smiled.