The autumn morning in the Eastern Region's great camp was clear and tranquil. From the distant training grounds, the shouts of soldiers practicing occasionally echoed. The warm morning sun cast its rays upon the land, bringing a refreshing and gentle warmth.
Xiao Yunlong did not take a carriage this time. Instead, he walked unhurriedly along the main road towards the Grand Commander's official residence.
This was to give Pan Chaofeng and Zhuge Ya bie time to mobilize their personal guards and surround the entire residence, preventing Zhang Quanche from slipping away quietly, as the official residence was quite sizable.
Soon, those on the road saw several groups of people hurrying forward. These were Pan Chaofeng's men, followed by Zhuge Ya bie's. Many junior commanders on the training grounds saw this and couldn't help but feel puzzled.
"Were those the personal guards of Commander Zhuge and Captain Pan Chaofeng? What are they trying to do?" a junior commander asked.
"I don't know. Such a commotion early in the morning, could something have happened?"
"Damn it, their direction seems to be towards the Grand Commander's official residence. Could these two be planning to attack the Grand Commander's residence? Are they crazy?"
"Bloody hell, the sun didn't rise from the west today. Let's go take a look and see what these two are up to!"
At that moment, many junior commanders on the training grounds stopped their training and, bringing their personal guards, followed along. Xiao Yunlong continued to walk forward unhurriedly.
In fact, for Pan Chaofeng and Zhuge Ya bie, the psychological pressure of doing this was immense. Their legs trembled slightly as they walked, their lips were dry, and their faces were pale.
Both of them knew very well that once they took action today, they would have completely fallen out with the Grand Commander, with no room for reconciliation. If Xiao Yunlong failed today, the Grand Commander would surely seek retribution later, and their lives would be forfeit.
Of course, since they dared to do this, they naturally chose to trust Xiao Yunlong. After all, this was the former King of Zhenbei. Even though he had lost power, he was still not someone to be trifled with casually!
Soon, Zhuge Ya bie and Pan Chaofeng, leading dozens of personal guards and followers, completely surrounded the Grand Commander's official residence.
The entire residence was instantly alerted. A guard rushed towards the office. Grand Commander Wang Kezheng was currently seated in his office chair, reviewing documents.
"Bad news, Grand Commander! Many people have suddenly arrived outside. Deputy Commander Zhuge Ya bie and Captain Pan Chaofeng, leading dozens of guards and followers, have surrounded the entire residence!" the guard shouted.
Wang Kezheng heard this and did not even lift his eyelids, continuing to review documents. He merely snorted coldly, "What's the panic? You are a guard of the Grand Commander's official residence, yet you have no backbone. You are fined half a month's salary. Remember this well in the future, and don't disgrace the reputation of my Grand Commander's official residence!"
The guard was completely taken aback by this turn of events and stood stunned.
Wang Kezheng then snorted coldly, "Zhuge Ya bie is directly under the command of the Fifth Commander, right? Immediately notify Fan Xingchang and have him apprehend Zhuge Ya bie and Pan Chaofeng. As for the others, lock them all up!"
"Yes, Grand Commander!" The guard bowed and immediately turned to leave.
However, the moment the guard left, Grand Commander Wang Kezheng, who had been engrossed in reviewing documents, suddenly looked up and mused, "No, Zhuge Ya bie and Pan Chaofeng don't have the guts to surround my official residence. Someone must be instigating them!"
"This is bad..."
At this point, Grand Commander Wang Kezheng's face suddenly changed dramatically. He immediately moved to go outside but suddenly stopped. He picked up his dedicated mobile phone and made a call.
As soon as the call connected, Wang Kezheng immediately shouted, "Zhang Quanche, you must slip away through the back door immediately!"
Zhang Quanche, who had just woken up in the guest room, was bewildered and asked, "What's wrong, Grand Commander? Did something happen?"
"Stop the nonsense and leave quickly!" Wang Kezheng said, but then he suddenly realized something was wrong and quickly changed his words, "No, don't leave. It's too late now!"
After speaking, Wang Kezheng immediately hung up the phone and then hurriedly made another call.
As soon as the other side answered, Wang Kezheng immediately said in a deep voice, "Immediately have the four hidden masters in the back mountain rush to the official residence as quickly as possible!"
"Yes!" the person on the other end of the line said with a single word.
Only after hanging up the phone did Wang Kezheng slightly relax. He looked outside and muttered with a cold snort, "Xiao Yunlong, oh Xiao Yunlong. As the saying goes, a fallen phoenix is not as good as a chicken. I didn't expect you to dare to force your way into my residence. I'll see if you have the guts to take someone away right under my nose!"
By this time, Zhang Quanche had already been scared out of his sleepwear. Trembling, he put on his clothes and hurried towards the office.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yunlong, unhurriedly, finally arrived at the entrance of the Grand Commander's official residence.
Seeing this, Zhuge Ya bie and Pan Chaofeng, who were in conflict with the Grand Commander's residence guard captain, finally breathed a sigh of relief. They thought, "It's good that this lord has arrived. If he hadn't, we would have been skinned alive today."
"Zhuge Ya bie, Pan Chaofeng, you have great audacity! How dare you lead people to surround the Grand Commander's official residence? This is insubordination! Have you eaten the heart of a leopard? Get out of here quickly!" the residence guard captain gritted his teeth and shouted coldly.
Zhuge Ya bie and Pan Chaofeng were too lazy to argue with him. They quickly stepped towards Xiao Yunlong and said, "Master, as per your instructions, the entire residence has been surrounded. Not even a fly can escape silently!"
"Well done. Let's go inside!" Xiao Yunlong nodded slightly and was about to step inside.
"Stop right there! Who dares to trespass into the Grand Commander's residence? Are you looking for death!"
As a cold shout rang out, Fifth Commander Fan Xingchang rushed over with a troop of men.
By this time, many junior commanders and soldiers from the great camp who had come to watch the excitement had already gathered around. Everyone was pointing and discussing.
Of course, after several major incidents in the Eastern Region great camp a while ago, none of these junior commanders were unfamiliar with Xiao Yunlong. In fact, they already knew Xiao Yunlong's true identity, both openly and secretly.
"This is going to be a good show. This former King of the Northern Territory seems to be targeting the Grand Commander!"
"Yes, ever since he dealt with Third Commander Wu Shenyong and killed those Japanese ronin warriors, it was destined that he would have a conflict with the Grand Commander. It's just unknown whether this former King of the Northern Territory, who has lost power, will be a match for the Grand Commander!"
"It's hard to say. Although he has lost power, the imperial capital has never officially revoked his status as king. However, this is still Grand Commander Wang Kezheng's territory, so everything is still uncertain!"
"Why worry so much? Anyway, we can't get involved at this level. Let's just watch the show!"
While the surrounding crowd was murmuring and discussing, Fifth Commander Fan Xingchang had already arrived with his men. He had brought a considerable number of troops, directly guarding the entire entrance of the residence.
Xiao Yunlong raised his eyebrows and said coldly, "I remember your name is Fan Xingchang, right? Are you really planning to block me?"
When Fan Xingchang saw that the person was Xiao Yunlong, he secretly cursed himself and even cursed the ancestors of the person who had notified him.
Because the person who called him earlier said that only Zhuge Ya bie and Pan Chaofeng had brought people to surround the Grand Commander's residence, but they hadn't mentioned Xiao Yunlong. Therefore, after receiving the notification, he immediately brought his men without a second thought.
But now that he was here, he couldn't just turn around and leave. After all, he was the Fifth Commander of the Eastern Region great camp. If he backed down in front of everyone, how would he maintain his dignity and how would he continue to mix in the Eastern Region great camp in the future?
Calming himself, Fan Xingchang tried his best to put on a smile and said, "So it's Mr. Xiao. I apologize, I mistook you just now. However, even if you want to visit the Grand Commander's official residence, you should send someone to announce it and enter after receiving the Grand Commander's reply!"
In fact, Fan Xingchang had already lowered his stance as much as possible. Of course, under normal circumstances, Xiao Yunlong would have let him send someone to announce his arrival. However, this was a special period, and he wanted to be forceful, to strike the snake by hitting the grass and alarm Wang Kezheng.
Xiao Yunlong said coldly, "Who do you think you are, talking to me like that? You even dare to ask me to wait here for your announcement. Listen carefully, I'll only say this once: if you don't want to die, get out of the way!"
Fan Xingchang's liver also started to burn. He thought, "I've lowered my stance, but you're not giving me any room to maneuver. This is too much of an insult."
"I am, after all, the Fifth Commander of the great camp. This is the Eastern Region great camp. I don't think anyone here has the guts to kill me!" Fan Xingchang shouted coldly.
"Is that so? Have you forgotten how Wu Shenyong died!"
Xiao Yunlong sneered and waved his hand, "Tu Fu, this dog is blocking my way, kill him for me!"
Upon hearing this, Tu Fu stepped forward directly. He didn't even bother to waste words, clenched his fist, and was about to attack.
Fan Xingchang's head buzzed, and he went completely dumbfounded. A cold chill ran down his back. He finally remembered that the Fourth Commander Wu Shenyong was precisely killed by this god of slaughter!
Perhaps out of fear, Fan Xingchang was so scared that he retreated repeatedly!
Tu Fu lunged forward, his large hand about to reach out. Just then, the old butler hurried out from inside.
Although this old butler looked frail, he actually rushed to Fan Xingchang's side in the blink of an eye, before anyone could react. This showed that this person was definitely a hidden master.
"My apologies, everyone. Our Grand Commander did not know that Mr. Xiao was visiting, so there has been a misunderstanding. As they say, the Dragon King's temple was flooded by rainwater. The Grand Commander said he immediately invites Mr. Xiao, please..."
As the old butler spoke, he lightly avoided Tu Fu's attack. Of course, he also skillfully blocked this blow for Fan Xingchang.
Tu Fu, missing his target, immediately realized he had encountered a master. However, with his temperament, how could he easily back down, especially since Fifth Commander Fan Xingchang had tried to force his way into the courtyard villa where his master lived? He still had pent-up anger.
At that moment, he clenched his fist and was about to attack again!
"Alright, Tu Fu, stand down!" Xiao Yunlong said, and then walked straight inside.
Seeing this, Tu Fu had no choice but to retract his hand and followed Zhuge Wushuang and others inside.
"Mr. Xiao, this way, please!" The old butler gestured to the side, personally leading the way.
Only after Xiao Yunlong and his group had completely entered did Fan Xingchang, who was leaning against the doorpost, let out a long sigh of relief. It was then that he realized his back clothes were all wet, and his face and lips were pale.
Seeing the many junior commanders below still whispering, Fan Xingchang became furious and gritted his teeth, shouting, "What are you looking at? Hurry up and take your teams to train! If you dare to slack off again, don't blame me for punishing you!"
The many junior commanders then shook their heads with amusement and left.
Passing through screens and corridors, as soon as they reached the front hall, Xiao Yunlong saw Wang Kezheng, dressed in a plain long gown, walking towards him.
Behind Wang Kezheng were four old men. These four men had withered faces, gloomy expressions, and fierce eyes, exuding a chilling aura.
It was clear that these four old men were likely from the Yin Ming Sect, an ancient hidden martial arts sect from the Western Region!
"I am truly sorry. I didn't know Mr. Xiao was visiting. It is my fault that as the Grand Commander of the Eastern Region great camp, I have not formally invited Mr. Xiao to my residence. This is my negligence and incompetence!"
Wang Kezheng stepped forward and extended his hand.
Xiao Yunlong, however, had no intention of shaking his hand. He said directly, "Grand Commander Wang, as the saying goes, one does not visit the temple without a reason. I am not here to be a guest today."
"Oh? Then what is Mr. Xiao visiting my residence for today?" Wang Kezheng pretended not to know.
"To take someone!" Xiao Yunlong said.
"Take someone? Take whom?" Wang Kezheng retorted.
"Third Deputy Commander of the Eastern Region great camp, Zhang Quanche. Grand Commander Wang, don't tell me Zhang Quanche is not in your residence!" Xiao Yunlong stood with his hands behind his back, like a javelin in the front courtyard.
Wang Kezheng narrowed his eyes and looked at him, then retorted, "If I say Zhang Quanche is not in my residence, how does Mr. Xiao intend to proceed?"
"Then search for him. Even if you have to dig three feet deep, find him!"
Xiao Yunlong sneered, his gaze fixed on the other man, "Grand Commander Wang, are you also planning to stop me?"
Wang Kezheng narrowed his eyes and stared intently at Xiao Yunlong in silence. The chill emanating from the four old men behind him intensified, and the atmosphere in the courtyard suddenly became tense.
Just as Xiao Yunlong was about to raise his hand to issue an order, Wang Kezheng suddenly burst into laughter and said, "There's nothing to stop. Zhang Quanche is indeed in my residence. Call him out!"
After speaking, he turned to signal the old butler, who immediately turned and walked inside.
Seeing this, Xiao Yunlong was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected the other party not to obstruct him. He had originally planned to take the opportunity to thoroughly search the official residence and see if he could find any clues related to the King of the Eastern Region.
From this, it could be seen that Grand Commander Wang Kezheng was not simple in his methods, strategies, and composure. He was indeed a remarkable figure!