The Ling family's elder immediately narrowed his eyes, watching the shattered primal energy. A sliver of panic flickered in his gaze.
As a Ling Venerate, he couldn't discern the intruder's cultivation level, but judging by the way the primal energy and aura had crumbled before the force of the attack, this person was undoubtedly a Heaven Melting Realm expert, no less formidable than Lie Feng Hou.
Lie Feng Hou stared at Zhang Liao in astonishment. The man was clad like a mighty general of a dynasty, yet his display of power clearly marked him as a Heaven Melting Realm expert, even if Lie Feng Hou didn't recognize him.
Pei Yin frowned as she looked. In her decades spanning the Ten Great Dynasties, she had never seen this man before. Even during the last Holy War when Heaven Melting Realm experts from the Ten Great Dynasties came and went, she had never encountered such an exceptionally heroic and distinguished general.
The Ling family's elder quickly regained his composure. The moment the visitor entered the inn, he had inquired if it was a Ling family establishment. While his grandson, Ling Lan, was now the patriarch, he was still young and his connections needed strengthening. The sudden turn of events had already thrown him off balance.
"Indeed, this place is a Ling family establishment. May I inquire as to the purpose of your visit, esteemed sir?" the Ling family elder asked, bowing his head and clasping his hands, his tone cautious. The mere presence of a Heaven Melting Realm expert's aura was enough to make him humble and deferential.
"Seeking someone!" Zhang Liao declared, his gaze sweeping across the room, completely disregarding Lie Feng Hou and Pei Yin, both Heaven Melting Realm experts.
"Oh!"
" Whom do you seek, sir? Do you have any information that might aid my search? I will do my utmost to investigate," the Ling family elder replied, bowing again.
Zhang Liao extended his palm, handing the Ling family elder a blue crystal that shimmered with faint spiritual light. As soon as the crystal was presented, the Ling family elder understood. This man was undoubtedly a general from the Great Han. This blue crystal was a unique method of information storage exclusive to the Ling family, and the craftsmanship indicated it was an item reserved for the patriarch.
Besides his grandson, Ling Lan, the only other person who could possess such a crystal was the former patriarch, Ling Mu.
"Follow me!"
The Ling family elder extended his hand, nodded slightly at Zhang Liao, and led the way towards the inner courtyard of the inn.
As Zhang Liao, carrying his hook-bladed saber, passed Lie Feng Hou, the latter spoke softly, "You possess great skill, sir. Might I know your name?"
"Zhang Liao!"
Zhang Liao walked past, his voice carrying back lightly, spoken in a calm tone.
Lie Feng Hou glanced at the disappearing figure, narrowing his eyes slightly. Then, he cast a look at the composed Pei Yin and turned to leave the inn. With Pei Yin present, he had no desire to invite trouble.
...
Pei Yin rose and entered the premium room. Peeking through the window towards the inner courtyard, she saw the Ling family elder leading Zhang Liao into a manor. She couldn't help but frown, murmuring softly, "This inner courtyard seems to be the resting place of the Great Han's Green Lotus Sword Immortal Li Bai, the seventh-grade alchemist Sun Simiao, and the Great Han's Tiger Marquis Xu Chu. For this person to enter this courtyard, and to be another Heaven Melting Realm expert, he is likely another military official or general of the Great Han. This Great Han is truly more formidable than ever before."
"Squeak squeak!"
She closed the window and looked towards another window overlooking the Sacred Origin Dynasty's imperial palace, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Interesting. Sacred Origin Human Emperor, I wonder if you have the confidence to handle this Great Han Heaven Melting Realm expert this time?"
Her spies had gathered intelligence indicating that the Sacred Origin Human Emperor was planning to cooperate with the Blood Sun Dynasty and the Great Cloud Dynasty to cripple the Great Han King Yang Hao's left and right hands, with the ultimate goal of eliminating the Great Han forces that had occupied the coastline.
When this news reached the ears of Empress Weiyang, she flew into a rage. Unlike the other imperial rulers, she was solely focused on the development of the Human Race territories, never forgetting her ambition: to stand before countless martial artists, mobilizing the entirety of Weiyang's resources to eradicate the Ancient Wilderness, which had harassed the Human Race territories for hundreds of thousands of years.
Unfortunately, this path was exceptionally arduous. On several occasions, the Human Emperor Hall could have advanced into the Ancient Wilderness, but the rulers of various dynasties, consumed by their own schemes and pursuit of personal gain, had caused the Holy Wars to collapse time and again.
Disappointed repeatedly, she no longer held much hope in the Human Emperor Hall. In every Holy War, she did her utmost to eliminate the fierce beasts. The crushing weight of her disappointment led her to gradually withdraw from political affairs, dedicating herself entirely to cultivation.
... Su Dan Novel Network
"Lord Li, Lord Sun, Tiger Marquis!" Zhang Liao cupped his fists, greeting them all.
"Hahaha, Wenyuan, what brings you here?" Xu Chu clapped Zhang Liao on the shoulder, asking with a hearty laugh.
"Heh, Tiger Marquis, His Majesty fears that the imperial dynasties might act against our Great Han. General Li Wenzhong needs to remain in Chang'an, so His Majesty has sent me to Sacred Origin to lend you all a hand," Zhang Liao said, bowing slightly.
"Lord Sun, Lord Wan has received the prescription for the Ten Thousand Vials Pill that you sent back. Large-scale production has already begun."
"Excellent!" Sun Simiao stroked his beard with a smile. The Great Han currently had sixteen ancient heroes at the Ling Venerate realm. Once these sixteen advanced to the Heaven Martial Realm, it would undoubtedly further strengthen the Great Han.
In the blink of an eye, a week had passed.
The capital of the imperial dynasty was now bustling with activity. Inns and taverns everywhere were packed daily, and many martial artists sat on the ground by the roadside.
Today was the enthronement ceremony of Ying Zhong, the new Human Emperor of the Sacred Origin Dynasty. As dawn broke, martial artists who had failed to find lodging all rose and headed towards the imperial palace, seeking to secure the best vantage points.
The inns lit their lamps early, with martial artists rising and preparing themselves for the day.
Li Bai and the others, led by Ling Mu, emerged from the inner courtyard into the main hall, where they encountered Pei Yin.
"Pei Yin, an official of the first rank from the Weiyang Dynasty, pays her respects to the esteemed adults of the Great Han!" Pei Yin bowed slightly, her face beaming. Currently, the Great Han's actions appeared measured in the eyes of Empress Weiyang. Coupled with the Great Han's revealed strength, which was not inferior to that of a seasoned dynasty, and with the impending Holy War, Empress Weiyang desired to ally with the Great Han to contribute to the Human Race territories.
"Greetings, Esteemed Pei!" Li Bai and the others returned the salutations. Empress Weiyang was the only Human Emperor who refused to participate in the activation of the Human Emperor Codex by the Blood Sun Human Emperor. This had garnered some favor from Yang Hao towards Empress Weiyang. Furthermore, the Great Han had unearthed intelligence from several Holy Wars, earning Yang Hao's admiration for the Empress.
Even with a weakened imperial power and a fractured populace in the Human Race territories, Empress Weiyang had tirelessly upheld the dignity of the Human Race territories, dedicating herself to the Holy Wars. She was truly a woman of exceptional caliber!
"Shall we all travel together to the Sacred Origin Dynasty's imperial palace?" Pei Yin asked with a smile, extending her hand.
"That would be most agreeable!" Ling Mu readily agreed with a chuckle.