Xiao Yunlong knew very well that the two fully live-streamed battles today would be noticed by those with intentions, and his identity could no longer be concealed. It was even possible that major world powers would become aware of him.
It was foreseeable that Xiao Yunlong would likely face a series of assassinations, not only from the Dragon Country but also from various dark forces abroad.
Fortunately, during the battles, Xiao Yunlong had deliberately hidden some of his strength, so even with video analysis, it would be impossible to discern the depth of his martial arts cultivation.
Of course, Xiao Yunlong also knew that with his current combat power, his strength was still far from enough to contend with the major families in the capital, let alone challenge the Kunlun Hidden Sect in the Western Regions.
So, after lunch, Xiao Yunlong chose to go into seclusion again, while Liu Ruyan went to the film crew.
After a full day of fermentation, the two battles of the Jiangdong Martial Alliance had finally subsided. After all, for the vast majority of ordinary people, the world where Xiao Yunlong and his group were located was too distant and inaccessible to them.
However, this matter had a significant impact on Jiangdong, especially for those who loved martial arts, as it had greatly inspired them. Thus, early in the morning, the martial arts halls under the Jiangdong Martial Alliance were packed with people, all coming to sign up for martial arts training.
With Xiao Yunlong's support, Lin Zhezong had now taken over as the acting alliance leader. After finally handling these matters, he rushed to Purple Cloud Villa.
Lin Zhezong knew very well that even with Xiao Yunlong's support, as the saying goes, one must be strong oneself. With his current martial arts cultivation as a Grandmaster of Hua Jin, if he were to truly become the leader of the Jiangdong Martial Alliance, it would be difficult to gain the respect of everyone.
If Xiao Yunlong were to stay in Jiangdong forever, with him presiding, it was likely that no one would dare to cause trouble. However, Lin Zhezong knew Xiao Yunlong's identity and understood that the King of the Northern Territory of the Dragon Country could not stay in a small pond like Jiangdong forever. After all, a dragon like him belonged in the sea.
Lin Zhezong arrived at Purple Cloud Villa early in the morning, just as Xiao Yunlong was finishing breakfast.
"Mr. Xiao, I hope I haven't disturbed you by arriving so early," Lin Zhezong said with a respectful bow.
"Not at all, you've come at the perfect time. Let's go to the underground training room!"
After speaking, Xiao Yunlong got up and beckoned. The two then walked into the underground training room.
The reason for helping Lin Zhezong break through was, firstly, that the man had decent character, and secondly, it was for Jun Bufan's sake. The Jun family had a close relationship with Lin Zhezong. Moreover, Xiao Yunlong considered that if he were no longer in Jiangdong in the future, Lin Zhezong and others could help support his maternal grandfather's family and the Liu family in Sucheng.
"Bufan, you guard the entrance. No one is allowed in without my permission!" Xiao Yunlong instructed before entering the training room.
"Yes, Big Brother!" Jun Bufan nodded.
Lin Zhezong followed him in with a mixture of excitement and slight trepidation. He had been stuck at the Grandmaster of Hua Jin realm for over ten years and had made no progress. Therefore, he himself had little confidence in being able to step into the realm of Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown.
After the two entered, the door to the training room was heavily closed. This door had been specially modified, not only for excellent soundproofing but also for its sturdiness and bulletproof nature. Jun Bufan stood motionless at the entrance.
In the blink of an eye, three hours passed, and it was already noon. Finally, the door opened again, and Xiao Yunlong slowly walked out.
Jun Bufan couldn't help but ask, "How is it, Big Brother? Did Grandpa Lin manage to break through?"
Xiao Yunlong wiped the sweat from his forehead and smiled, "Of course. His internal energy cultivation had already reached the required level. It was just that for some reason, some of his meridians were blocked and not smooth, preventing him from circulating freely, which is why he couldn't break through to the Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown realm."
Jun Bufan was overjoyed. "That's great! Thank you so much for your help this time, Big Brother!"
"No need to be so polite. In fact, I was just going with the flow; it's not much of a favor. Let's go to the Tang family first. This afternoon, we'll pay our respects to the late Mr. Zhang Houfu together. As for Lin Zhezong, he needs to continue his seclusion to consolidate his realm!"
After speaking, Xiao Yunlong walked directly into the main hall on the first floor, with Jun Bufan following closely behind.
The two then drove to the old Tang family villa. By now, everyone in the Tang family knew Xiao Yunlong's identity. Therefore, after being informed of Xiao Yunlong's impending visit, the Tang family members had already made preparations to welcome him. Even his fourth aunt and her family had arrived.
The large old villa was very lively, and the Tang family had specially prepared a sumptuous lunch banquet!
"Come, come, Yunlong, we've finally been waiting for you. Please, come in quickly!" Aunt Nian Hongyan rushed forward, eager to take Xiao Yunlong's hand and personally invite him in. Her attitude was extremely attentive and fawning.
Xiao Yunlong's expression remained calm. After all, he was a man who had seen great storms, and such trivial family matters were not enough to bother him.
In contrast, Tang Bowen felt rather helpless. He thought to himself that these were the same people who had repeatedly insulted, mocked, and even tried to drive Yunlong away before, and now they were the most attentive and polite. Did they have any shame?
However, as it was his mother, Tang Bowen naturally wouldn't say much.
Overall, the banquet at the Tang family that noon was very lively, with a harmonious and joyful atmosphere. During the meal, everyone toasted him, and Xiao Yunlong naturally accepted every glass.
The banquet finally concluded at three in the afternoon. Originally, his third aunt and the others wanted to keep Xiao Yunlong longer to chat and get closer. Xiao Yunlong expressed his helplessness.
"Alright, didn't Yunlong say he has something to do? What are you all doing, still lingering?" Tang Zenshou couldn't stand it anymore and said coldly with a stern face.
The two aunts then stopped talking, only smiling and saying, "Since Yunlong has something to do, hurry and attend to it. Remember to come back often in the future. We are your family, and this is your home, understand?"
Xiao Yunlong nodded with a smile, then took Jun Bufan and Tang Bowen and drove away.
Following the address provided by Chu Huaimin, the City Lord of Jiangdong, the car drove directly towards the burial site of Mr. Zhang Houfu, one of the Ten Great National Scholars of the Dragon Country.
Mr. Zhang Houfu was a hero during his lifetime. As one of the Ten Great National Scholars, he was one of the few people Xiao Yunlong respected. He hadn't known before, but now that he did, he felt compelled to pay his respects and express his admiration for the old hero.
Originally, as the City Lord of Jiangdong, Chu Huaimin should have accompanied him personally for such an occasion. However, considering the current conflict and animosity between Xiao Yunlong and the Zhang family, his presence might lead to further clashes with the Zhang family.
Therefore, to avoid getting involved in this turmoil, Chu Huaimin made an excuse to decline, merely providing an address.
The burial site was located at the Martyrs' Cemetery at the foot of the western suburbs of Jiangdong!
Strangely enough, Mr. Zhang Houfu was not a martyr. He died of old age and illness and should not have been buried in this Martyrs' Cemetery.
However, the old gentleman had made a will during his lifetime, stating that most of the people buried in this Martyrs' Cemetery were his former comrades and brothers. He wished to be reunited with his former brothers after death, which was why he specifically requested to be buried in this place.
Mr. Zhang Houfu's tomb was neither grand nor ostentatious. It was located in a corner of the Martyrs' Cemetery, with only a simple tombstone. The inscription on the tombstone simply read "Tomb of Zhang Houfu."
If one didn't know who Zhang Houfu was during his lifetime, seeing this unremarkable and even somewhat simple tomb, no one would have imagined that the tomb's owner was one of the founding Ten Great National Scholars of the Dragon Country!
Xiao Yunlong approached the tomb with solemn respect, then personally placed flowers and bowed three times!
Jun Bufan and Tang Bowen stood behind him. All three wore plain black attire, but these three young men looked extraordinary.
However, at this moment, black luxury cars began to drive into the cemetery and stopped by the small path next to Zhang Houfu's tomb. There were a total of five top luxury cars. Subsequently, bodyguards dressed in black suits and sunglasses emerged from the cars, creating a grand scene.
An old man, resembling a butler or servant, opened the door of the middle extended luxury car. Immediately after, a greasy middle-aged man and a noble lady stepped out of the car.
"Have them bring the things down. Today is the old man's death anniversary, and we cannot be negligent. Do you hear me!" the noble lady commanded imperiously.
It turned out that these two middle-aged men were none other than Zhang Zhenyun's parents, the third master of the Zhang family, Zhang Quanlin.
Since it was the old master Zhang's death anniversary, Zhang Quanlin and his wife had come to pay their respects, but they happened to run into Xiao Yunlong and his group.
Xiao Yunlong merely glanced at them and then withdrew his gaze, not bothering to pay much attention. Tang Bowen and Jun Bufan naturally said nothing either.
Here, Zhang Quanlin and his wife, along with a group of servants and bodyguards, carried offerings in boxes of various sizes and headed towards the tomb in a grand procession.
"Let's go!" Xiao Yunlong shook his head and turned to leave.
However, Zhang Quanlin had already walked up close, and they passed each other.
Suddenly, a familiar face flashed through Zhang Quanlin's mind, and he blurted out, "Stop, you kid, stop! Surround them!"
Following their boss's command, the dozen or so bodyguards in suits and sunglasses moved like a flowing stream, instantly surrounding Xiao Yunlong and the other two.
Xiao Yunlong had no choice but to stop, but his expression remained as usual. Tang Bowen and Jun Bufan still stood behind him, maintaining a distance of half a meter from Xiao Yunlong.
"Quanlin, these people seem to be here to pay respects to the old man. They appear to admire and respect him. Is there something wrong with them?" Zhang Zhenyun's mother asked, not understanding.
Zhang Quanlin ignored his wife and waved his hand, bringing two of his highly skilled personal attendants to Xiao Yunlong.
"I thought you looked familiar, kid. So it's you, you damn Xiao!"
Zhang Quanlin stared up and down at Xiao Yunlong, a cold smile spreading across his lips, and then said, "Right, it seems you probably don't know who I am. I am Zhang Zhenyun's father, the third master of the Zhang family in Jiangdong!"
"What? This short-haired young man is the one who broke Zhenyun's leg? Good kid, you broke Zhenyun's leg, and you still dare to come and pay respects to our old man? You're really too bold!"
Zhang Zhenyun's mother was furious, pointing at Xiao Yunlong and scolding him.
Xiao Yunlong stood with his hands behind his back and said calmly, "I am here to pay respects to Mr. Zhang Houfu because I admire his character and heroic deeds. Does that conflict with me breaking your son's leg?"
"Look, Quanlin, this kid is too arrogant. He clearly doesn't take us seriously. He's too presumptuous and lawless!" Zhang Zhenyun's mother was almost driven mad.
Zhang Quanlin narrowed his eyes and gritted his teeth, "You surnamed Xiao, I know you have some skills, but you don't have the capital to be arrogant and presumptuous in front of me. The strength of our Zhang family is not something you ignorant kids can provoke or offend!"
"Exactly. I thought the other party had some extraordinary abilities, but I didn't expect it to be just you three young lads. This is too ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth. Quanlin, we don't need to waste any more words with him. Let's just take them down and avenge our son!" Zhang Zhenyun's mother said through gritted teeth.
Zhang Quanlin said coldly, "You surnamed Xiao, kneel down immediately, crawl to our old man's grave, kowtow and apologize, and then break your own legs, and I'll spare your dog's life. Otherwise, today I will surely use your dog's head as a sacrifice!"
Xiao Yunlong's expression instantly turned grim, and he said word by word, "Listen carefully. For the sake of Mr. Zhang Houfu, and because we are at his old man's grave, I'll give you one chance. Tell your people to get lost immediately, and I'll let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite!"
"Damn it, this is utterly arrogant! Even now, he dares to threaten me? All of you, go! Take him down first!"
Zhang Quanlin shouted coldly and waved his hand. The dozen or so bodyguards in suits immediately swarmed forward.
Xiao Yunlong didn't move. These guys didn't require him to act personally. He just gave a slight nod, and Tang Bowen and Jun Bufan rushed out.
Then, sounds of impact echoed. In just a blink of an eye, all these bodyguards in suits were sent flying backward.
Even Zhang Quanlin's two personal attendants, who were martial artists and had half a foot in the Hua Jin realm, were quickly subdued by Tang Bowen and Jun Bufan.
"This... how is this possible? They were hired with a lot of money, especially these two masters. How could they be defeated like this!"
Zhang Quanlin's eyes widened, filled with disbelief.
"What should we do, Quanlin? What should we do now?" Zhang Quanlin's wife finally began to feel afraid and kept retreating.
"It's okay, wife. We are from the Zhang family. I am the third master of the Zhang family. I doubt this kid would dare to do anything to us!" Zhang Quanlin gritted his teeth and held his head high.
Xiao Yunlong still stood with his hands behind his back and said with a cold smile, "I gave you a chance just now, and you didn't cherish it. For the sake of Mr. Zhang Houfu, I won't kill you!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Quanlin and his wife breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that this kid was indeed afraid of the Zhang family's vast power.
However, the next moment, Xiao Yunlong's words plunged them into despair.
"The death penalty can be waived, but punishment for the living cannot be avoided. Break both his dog legs as a penalty!"
After speaking, Xiao Yunlong couldn't be bothered to look further and walked directly towards the car.
As soon as he reached the car, the sound of Zhang Quanlin's pig-like screams and wails came from the direction of the grave.
Soon, Tang Bowen and Jun Bufan returned to the car, and the three of them drove away at high speed.
It was already dusk when they returned to Purple Cloud Villa. As soon as Xiao Yunlong stepped into the courtyard, his sixth uncle, Tang Shanbao, called.
"It's bad, Yunzi, something big has happened!" Tang Shanbao shouted urgently as soon as the call was connected.