After lunch, Xiao Yunlong began a series of arrangements.
On one hand, he sent Zhuge Wushuang and Tang Bowen to search for the female disciple of the Wonderful Sound Sect who was playing the flute. On the other hand, he instructed Zhuge Wushuang to cooperate with Deputy Officer Zhou's men to secretly search for the whereabouts of the Chuanlong Ridge Lord in Baiyue Ridge.
"By the way, after you arrive at Baiyue Ridge, besides searching for the whereabouts of that old fellow Long Yan, try to collect as much evidence of Yue Bucui's crimes as possible!" Xiao Yunlong added after some thought.
Deputy Officer Zhou nodded and asked, "Your Highness the Northern King, are you planning to make a move on Baiyue Ridge?"
Xiao Yunlong smiled faintly and said, "These major ridge lords are arrogant and disobedient to the command of the main camp. Naturally, they must be removed. Otherwise, the current predicament in the Southern Border cannot be fundamentally changed."
"Your Highness the Northern King is absolutely right. In fact, I have been paying attention to this aspect over the years. I already have some leads regarding the criminal activities of the Baiyue Ridge Lord, but there is no conclusive evidence yet and further investigation is needed!" Deputy Officer Zhou pondered.
Xiao Yunlong suddenly thought of Xuanyuan Qingfeng. That guy was sent by Deputy Officer Zhou to Chuanlong Ridge to investigate Long Yan. It seemed that Deputy Officer Zhou's methods were far more than that, and he had likely sent people to secretly investigate other ridge lords as well.
He just didn't know why he was doing this.
Xiao Yunlong remained impassive, only sighing inwardly. Such a deputy officer, whose actions far exceeded his duties. In other words, he must have ulterior motives for doing this!
"That's excellent. You all work hard these few days and make sure to find Long Yan's whereabouts and collect conclusive evidence against Yue Bucui!" Xiao Yunlong said.
"Yes!" The few people cupped their fists in response, then quickly left the main camp and headed for Baiyue Ridge in two groups.
Xiao Yunlong kept only Jun Bufan by his side. The afternoon suddenly became quiet. The early winter sun was still quite warm. At the invitation of Nan Wang Lu Zhengtong, Xiao Yunlong drank tea and played chess with him in the courtyard.
Leisurely and relaxed times always pass by inadvertently. The next morning, Xiao Yunlong declined Lu Zhengtong's invitation and decided to take Jun Bufan to stroll through the vast Southern Border City.
The Southern Border camp was very large. After many years of development, it had become a city, but the inner city was not open to ordinary people.
The streets in the outer city were bustling with shops, full of life. Of course, Xiao Yunlong was not aimlessly wandering. He soon led Jun Bufan to an antique street.
Seeing this, Jun Bufan knew that his elder brother was probably going to look for those ancient jades again.
Xiao Yunlong had only intended to try his luck, but as soon as he entered the first shop, the divine kingdom within his body reacted.
Finally, after spending tens of thousands of yuan, Xiao Yunlong acquired this thumb-sized ancient jade. Of course, it was an uncarved rough jade. Otherwise, if it were an artifact, it would probably cost hundreds of thousands or millions to acquire.
However, Xiao Yunlong did not care about money. For him, money was often just a concept.
By the time they returned to the inner city of the main camp, it was completely dark. Xiao Yunlong then announced that he was going into seclusion and instructed Jun Bufan not to disturb him unless it was a matter of extreme urgency.
For three consecutive days, Xiao Yunlong did not leave his residence. The ancient jade did not disappoint him. After three days of continuous cultivation and absorbing and refining the spiritual energy contained within the ancient jade, the number of divine kingdoms in his body increased from eighty-eight to ninety-nine.
"It's only one short of a hundred, a bit of a pity, but it's almost there. After the Southern Border matters are settled, it will be time to set off and return!" Xiao Yunlong slowly opened his eyes, and suddenly two golden lights shot out from his pupils, shining brightly and looking extraordinary.
This cultivation increased his divine kingdoms by eleven, further enhancing Xiao Yunlong's combat power. Not only did his strength and speed increase, but his physique also improved, and even his meridians were widened.
What shocked Xiao Yunlong even more was that his dantian seemed to be gradually expanding and growing larger!
"This Three Thousand Divine Kingdoms Technique is too miraculous. It not only improves and enhances the physical body but can even widen the dantian. This kind of transformation is all-encompassing. I can't imagine how powerful my combat strength will be if I complete the cultivation of all three thousand divine kingdoms!" Xiao Yunlong clenched his fists secretly, feeling the surging power within him like an ocean, his heart filled with excitement.
With an expanded dantian, it meant that he could accommodate much more internal energy or innate true qi and primordial energy than martial artists of the same level, which also meant stronger combat power!
Just then, there was a hurried knock on the door outside!
"Something's wrong, Master. We've received news from the Northern Territory that something has happened!" It was Zhuge Wushuang's voice from outside the door.
"Something happened in the Northern Territory?" Xiao Yunlong frowned and immediately got out of bed to open the door.
"Master, the Northern Territory..."
Zhuge Wushuang was about to speak, but Xiao Yunlong waved his hand to interrupt him, "Don't panic, come in and sit down first."
"Yes, Master. Look at my composure. I lose my sense of proportion as soon as something happens. I'm still far behind you, Master!" Zhuge Wushuang shook his head and turned to close the door.
"Tell me, what happened?" Xiao Yunlong asked after sitting down.
Zhuge Wushuang took a breath and said, "Master, just now Vermilion Bird contacted me through secret channels and told me that the Snow Wolf Kingdom, in alliance with the three northern desert kingdoms, has assembled an army of 500,000 troops and is already approaching the border. Judging by the current situation, they are expected to launch an attack in the dead of winter!"
Xiao Yunlong's expression turned grim, and he snorted, "The Snow Wolf Kingdom truly has wolfish ambitions. They are provoking war again so quickly. It seems that last time only hurt them badly, but did not completely frighten them!"
Zhuge Wushuang gritted his teeth and said, "This is all because you, Master, are not stationed in the Northern Territory. The Snow Wolf and other northern desert kingdoms probably saw that the Northern Territory is currently in internal turmoil and thought they could take advantage of it, so they want to seek revenge!"
At this point, Zhuge Wushuang hurriedly asked, "What should we do, Master? Should we return to the Northern Territory immediately?"
Xiao Yunlong waved his hand, "No hurry. The overall situation in the Northern Territory is being handled by that Northeast Tiger for now, so it won't fall into chaos immediately. Besides, it will let this Northeast Tiger know that being the King of the Northern Territory is not so easy!"
Zhuge Wushuang was not stupid and immediately understood. He nodded, "I understand what you mean, Master. The attack by the Snow Wolf and other northern desert kingdoms at this time can serve as a test for that Northeast Tiger. If he wants to be the King of the Northern Territory, he must withstand the pressure and defeat the invasion of the northern desert kingdoms. Otherwise, he is not qualified!"
Xiao Yunlong smiled slightly and said, "If he can withstand the attack of the 500,000 troops from the Snow Wolf and other kingdoms, then it proves that this Northeast Tiger indeed has some ability and means. What's wrong with letting him be the King of the Northern Territory!"
"However..." Xiao Yunlong's tone suddenly changed at this point.
"However, what?" Zhuge Wushuang quickly asked.
Xiao Yunlong shook his head and said, "However, with the ability of that Northeast Tiger, I'm afraid he can't withstand the fierce offensive of the northern desert kingdoms this time. I am still the Northern King, and if the Northern Territory falls into crisis, no matter what, even if those people in the imperial capital have wronged me, I cannot stand by and watch!"
Zhuge Wushuang nodded in agreement. In fact, the main reason he was willing to follow this younger man than himself was precisely because of the sense of national righteousness and broad vision that Xiao Yunlong possessed!
"Then, Master, what should we do next?" Zhuge Wushuang asked.
Xiao Yunlong pondered for a moment and said, "The situation in the Northern Territory should not be in chaos for the time being. Since we are in the Southern Border now, let's resolve the predicament in the Southern Border first. Otherwise, the Southern Border will eventually fall into chaos, and then countries like the Brahma Kingdom and the ancient Yue Kingdom will inevitably take advantage of the situation!"
"However, we must speed up. You call Deputy Officer Zhou immediately and see if there has been any substantive progress in Baiyue Ridge."
Zhuge Wushuang immediately dialed Zhou Yun's number and put it on speakerphone.
After listening, Zhou Yun on the other end of the phone pondered and said, "Currently, we have not found conclusive evidence of the Baiyue Ridge Lord's crimes, but there is a breakthrough."
"What breakthrough?" Xiao Yunlong immediately asked.
"Jinyue Company. Baiyue Ridge has a large gold mine. This company specializes in gold mining and has almost a monopoly. According to the preliminary investigation by my people, Jinyue Company has been embezzling funds for more than ten years, using its position to illegally take a large amount of gold. And the backer behind Jinyue Company is Yue Bucui!" Zhou Yun said.
Xiao Yunlong said, "You mean we should directly target this Jinyue Company?"
"Yes, Your Highness the Northern King. My people tried to infiltrate before, but the Jinyue headquarters is heavily guarded with experts. My people could not infiltrate. Since Your Highness is so eager for a breakthrough, you can use a surprise attack to directly strike Jinyue Company headquarters, obtain their accounts, and control a few high-level officials!" Zhou Yun paused and then added, "That gold mine is a very important strategic resource and belongs to the Southern Border main camp. These years, Jinyue Company has been illegally mining and embezzling. As long as it is confirmed, the Baiyue Ridge Lord will not escape punishment!"
Zhuge Wushuang said at this moment, "Even if it is confirmed, just embezzling the gold mine might not be enough to bring Yue Bucui down!"
"No, there's no need to bring him down completely. As long as it's confirmed and he's apprehended, removing his power is enough. Moreover, as long as he's controlled, it's not too late to gather other evidence!" Xiao Yunlong waved his hand.
Zhou Yun smiled and said, "Your Highness the Northern King is absolutely right. I think so too. If Yue Bucui loses his power, he will be like a tiger without claws, and he will no longer pose any threat!"
Just then, Xiao Yunlong's phone suddenly rang. It was Tu Fu calling.
As soon as he answered, Tu Fu said, "Master, we've found the whereabouts of that old fellow Long Yan."
"Where?" Xiao Yunlong asked immediately.
"In a secluded manor outside Baiyue City, but there are powerful experts guarding it. I'm not confident and dare not act rashly to capture him!" Tu Fu said.
Although Tu Fu's personality was rough and impatient, he was actually meticulous. He had never made a mistake in any important matter in the past.
"You closely monitor them secretly and don't alert them. We will rush over immediately!"
"With these two clues, it's enough. Act immediately!" Xiao Yunlong finished speaking, picked up his coat from the sofa, and hurried out.