To avoid burdening Liu Ruyan, Xiao Yunlong ultimately did not kill Fang Chengcheng and the others. He then drove away.
However, on the way back to Beiyun Residence, sensing someone secretly following him, Xiao Yunlong sneered slightly and said, "Xuanwu, go deal with the tails behind us!"
"Yes, Master!" Xuanwu General Zhuge Wushuang replied, then turned the car around to handle the matter.
Upon returning to Beiyun Residence, Pan Chaofeng came to report, "Master, an elder has come to visit. He claims to be an old acquaintance of the Old Northern King. I've had the servants escort him to the reception hall next door."
"An old acquaintance of the Old Northern King? Did he state his name?" Xiao Yunlong asked, frowning.
"He didn't say his name, only that he is the third among his peers," Pan Chaofeng replied, looking perplexed.
Hearing this, Xiao Yunlong immediately quickened his pace towards the adjacent hall. His demeanor clearly indicated he had already guessed the visitor's identity.
Indeed, upon entering the reception hall next door, Xiao Yunlong saw a familiar figure.
The visitor was dressed in a neat Zhongshan suit. Although his hair had turned white, his physique was robust, and he appeared clean and energetic.
"It is indeed the Third Grandmaster. Junior did not know of your esteemed presence, Third Grandmaster, and did not welcome you. Please forgive me!" Xiao Yunlong immediately stepped forward and cupped his hands towards the elder.
It turned out this elder was Jing Yeli, the Third Grandmaster of the Dragon Country's Wentian Pavilion. In addition to this identity, Jing Yeli was also a long-time friend of the Old Northern King, and could even be considered half a disciple of the Old Northern King.
Years ago, when in the Imperial Capital, the Old Northern King had introduced Xiao Yunlong to this elder of the Dragon Country.
"There's no need to be so formal. Yunlong, I've heard about the recent events in the Northern Territory. You've done an excellent job. The Old Northern King truly did not misjudge you!"
Jing Yeli waved his hand and smiled. Among the seven Grandmasters of Wentian Pavilion, the Third Grandmaster Jing Yeli was one who supported the faction of King Xiao Bei.
Xiao Yunlong, uncharacteristically humble, said, "Junior's achievements today are all thanks to the Old Northern King's careful guidance in the past, and of course, also to the pointers from Senior Third Grandmaster. May I ask why you have suddenly visited today?"
"As an old man, can't I just come to visit?" Jing Yeli retorted.
The usually assertive Xiao Yunlong was left speechless, unsure how to respond.
Jing Yeli chuckled, "Actually, I don't have any particular business today. It's mainly because I knew you were in the Imperial Capital. As the successor of an old friend, I felt I absolutely had to come and see you. Besides, I was a frequent visitor to Beiyun Residence in the past!"
Xiao Yunlong replied, "It was my oversight. Junior has only recently arrived in the Imperial Capital, so I haven't had the chance to invite you yet."
Jing Yeli waved his hand, "You don't need to be so polite. Although we've only met a few times, since you are the person designated by the Old Northern King, I naturally believe in you. Moreover, I trust my own judgment. Your conduct and handling of affairs are indeed excellent, truly a rare talent!"
Xiao Yunlong no longer offered further humility, but simply smiled slightly and sat down to drink tea with him. As the saying goes, one does not visit the temple without a reason. He knew that the Third Grandmaster's visit today must have a purpose, and it couldn't just be for pleasantries.
Indeed, after some pleasantries, Jing Yeli said, "Yunlong, have you been waiting for the Dragon Country's enfeoffment?"
Xiao Yunlong was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "No."
Jing Yeli sighed, "This matter is indeed unfair to you, but where in this world is there absolute fairness? Regarding your enfeoffment as the God of War of the Southern Front, the Wentian Pavilion has temporarily shelved it due to considerations of balancing various forces."
Xiao Yunlong had already anticipated this. Otherwise, since he had arrived in the Imperial Capital, the Tian Ce Mansion or the Wentian Pavilion would not have remained silent.
"What are your thoughts on this?" Jing Yeli asked.
Xiao Yunlong shrugged slightly and said, "Whether I am enfeoffed or not is irrelevant to me. My purpose in coming here this time is only for revenge!"
Jing Yeli nodded slightly, "This is not surprising and is understandable. However, you have not visited the Imperial Capital many times, and your understanding of the unfathomable depths of the Imperial Capital is likely not very profound. Although the Imperial Capital might not be a place where dragons and tigers crouch, it is certainly not simple."
Xiao Yunlong understood that the elder had come to explain the various forces to him. He cupped his hands and said, "I wish to hear the details!"
The Third Grandmaster nodded and continued, "You should know about the four great aristocratic clans and powerful families of the Imperial Capital, shouldn't you?"
"I know this. Among the four great aristocratic clans and powerful families of the Imperial Capital, the Wang family is one of them. Besides the Wang family, there is also the Long family, which currently controls the Tian Ce Mansion!" Xiao Yunlong replied.
In fact, Xiao Yunlong was well aware that the ambush outside the capital over a year ago, although the Wang family was the frontrunner, the true planner or mastermind behind the scenes was the Long family, which controlled the Tian Ce Mansion, known as the Great General Tianlong!
"What about the other two great families?" the Third Grandmaster asked.
"The other two great families are the Baili family and the Feng family. The elder patriarchs behind these two families are the current First and Second Grandmasters of the Wentian Pavilion." Xiao Yunlong replied.
Jing Yeli, the Third Grandmaster, smiled, "It seems you know quite a bit about this. But do you know the attitude of the surrounding Chief Grandmaster and Second Grandmaster towards you?"
"I do not know about that," Xiao Yunlong shook his head.
Jing Yeli paused for a moment, seemingly choosing his words carefully, before saying, "Actually, within the Wentian Pavilion, the biggest obstacle to your enfeoffment being shelved comes from the Second Grandmaster. He has a marital relationship with the Long family of the Tian Ce Mansion. There is a saying in the Imperial Capital that the Dragon and Phoenix are one. Do you understand now?"
"So that's how it is," Xiao Yunlong nodded impassively.
Jing Yeli had been observing the young man in front of him. Upon hearing this news, he was surprised that the latter could remain so composed, and his respect for him grew.
"As for the First Grandmaster..."
Jing Yeli paused again and said, "The First Grandmaster's attitude is truly unfathomable. I still cannot figure out his stance towards you. However, one thing is certain: everything the First Grandmaster does is from the perspective of the Dragon Country's interests. In other words, as long as it does not violate or harm the interests of our Dragon Country, he supports it; otherwise, he opposes it."
Xiao Yunlong listened and smiled slightly, "That's quite good. It's a bit like the meaning of a sword wielder."
"Yes, yes, speaking of the sword wielder, it reminds me of something he said about you in the pavilion earlier," the Third Grandmaster said.
"What did he say?" Xiao Yunlong asked.
"He said that you, King Xiao Bei, are like a sword, a sharp sword that kills without drawing blood. He also said that the current Imperial Capital is too conservative and too stubborn, and it needs a sword like you to break through these drawbacks!" the Third Grandmaster said.
Xiao Yunlong chuckled upon hearing this, "I understand. He sees me as a sword, and himself as the sword wielder. In other words, I, Xiao Yunlong, am merely a tool in his hands!"
Saying this, Xiao Yunlong changed the subject and said coldly, "However, if he wants to be my sword wielder, I'm afraid he doesn't have the qualifications. If I, Xiao Yunlong, am a sword, then I can only be my own sword. No one can control me!"
The Third Grandmaster was slightly stunned by the dominance emanating from Xiao Yunlong. However, he eventually shook his head and said, "It's good for young people to have vigor and ambition. But Yunlong, you must first understand that this is the Imperial Capital, not like your Northern Territory. The depths of the water in this Imperial Capital are far beyond what ordinary people can imagine. Not to mention the four great families of the Imperial Capital, above them there are even..."
He was about to mention the existence of the even larger Dragon Guard Pavilion, but he swallowed the words back, as the Third Grandmaster did not want to dampen the young man's confidence.
"Currently, both the Tian Ce Mansion and the Wentian Pavilion have chosen to remain silent. What do you plan to do next?" the Third Grandmaster changed the subject.
"Three days. I arrived in the Imperial Capital yesterday and issued an ultimatum to Lan Yongzheng and his son, giving them only three days. Once the deadline passes, I will launch a thunderous operation!" Xiao Yunlong said coldly.
"What exactly is the thunderous operation you mentioned?" the Third Grandmaster asked again.
Xiao Yunlong did not wish to continue this topic and replied, "You will know when the time comes, Senior!"
"Alright, it seems you have made your deployment arrangements. In that case, I will not interfere further. However, I still want to kindly remind you that the Imperial Capital is not as simple as it appears on the surface. You must be extremely careful!"
As the Third Grandmaster spoke, he stood up. Then, as if remembering something, he added, "By the way, my intelligence recently received news that the Kunlun Hidden Sect in the Western Regions has dispatched a large number of experts, even their sect-guarding powerhouses have been mobilized. If my guess is correct, their objective this time is definitely the Imperial Capital!"
"Is this the work of the Wang family?" Xiao Yunlong asked, standing up.
Jing Yeli, the Third Grandmaster, shook his head and smiled, "The Wang family is merely mid to high-level within the Tian Ce Mansion. Although they are one of the four great aristocratic clans and powerful families of the Imperial Capital, the Wang family does not have the capability to invite such sect-guarding powerhouses from the Western Regions Hidden Sect. However, the Long family does have that strength!"
Although the Third Grandmaster did not explicitly state it, his meaning was clear, and Xiao Yunlong naturally understood.
"Farewell. If you have time, please come visit me!" the Third Grandmaster cupped his hands slightly and then strode away.
"Certainly!" Xiao Yunlong stood up to see him off and only returned after the elder had gotten into his car and departed.
As soon as he entered the main hall, Pan Chaofeng, who was in charge of intelligence, immediately stepped forward and said, "Master, after our search for one day and one night, the Black Armored Guard has preliminarily located Lan Yongzheng's whereabouts. However, his son has not been found for the time being. Shall we initiate action immediately?"
"No need. I said I would give him three days, so I will give him three days. For now, just monitor him and do not act rashly!" Xiao Yunlong waved his hand.
"Yes!" Pan Chaofeng replied and retreated.
"The Long family? The Feng family, Dragon and Phoenix united? Very well, now I shall see just how extraordinary this Imperial Capital, where dragons and tigers crouch and phoenixes soar, truly is!" Xiao Yunlong sneered inwardly.
If it were a year ago, he would not have had such great confidence. But after cultivating the Art of Three Thousand Divine Kingdoms, especially after achieving minor success in the Art of Divine Kingdoms, he was now filled with confidence.