Xiao Yunlong and his group crossed the Jiangdong River by boat to the small building in the middle of the river.
It was a seven-story wooden tower with an ancient design, appearing to have some history.
Normally, it was a restaurant, catering to high officials or wealthy merchants. However, today, this Jiangxin Building had been bought out and was no longer open for business.
Guided by his two deputies, Xiao Yunlong went straight up to the seventh floor along the wooden stairs.
"Please come in, my master has been waiting for a long time!"
Xiao Yunlong pushed the door open and his gaze fell directly on the four elders sitting cross-legged on futons.
Four old men with snow-white hair and beards, the youngest estimated to be over eighty. Perhaps to ordinary people, these four elders who had returned to simplicity were no different from old men taking a stroll in the park.
However, at this moment, in Xiao Yunlong's eyes, these four men had vigorous blood like the scorching sun, possessing an inexplicable and powerful deterrent force!
"Truly magnificent internal energy. It seems these four old fellows have entered the Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown Martial King realm many years ago. They can probably all manifest their energy into form!"
Xiao Yunlong sighed inwardly, but his expression remained calm. Of course, even without guessing, he already knew the identities and origins of these four old fellows.
Zhang Quanche then turned around, his sharp eyes scanning Xiao Yunlong up and down. After a long while, he said, "They all say the King of Zhenbei is exceptionally talented and young. Seeing you today, you are even younger than I imagined. Truly a hero emerging from youth!"
Xiao Yunlong walked straight over, pulled out a chair, and sat down, saying faintly, "If I'm not mistaken, you must be the second master of the Zhang family, Zhang Quanche, right?"
"His Highness the King of the North is indeed wise!" Zhang Quanche merely smiled slightly, then looked at the four elders and said, "These four, I presume, do not need further introduction?"
Xiao Yunlong grinned playfully, "Your Zhang family is indeed the foremost hidden aristocratic family in Jiangdong. In terms of heritage, I'm afraid no one in Jiangdong can compare!"
Zhang Quanche then burst into hearty laughter and said, "His Highness the King of the North is too kind. It's rare for the King of the North to condescend to grace us with his presence today. Why are you still standing there? Hurry up and serve the dishes. We must not neglect His Highness the King of the North!"
As his words fell, exquisite dishes were soon brought up, filling the large round table.
Xiao Yunlong was not polite and directly picked up his chopsticks to feast.
Seeing this, Liu Ruyan, Jun Bufan, and the others naturally said nothing more and joined in the meal. However, they couldn't help but wonder if the Zhang family wasn't planning a banquet to seek revenge. Why were they now genuinely hosting Xiao Yunlong?
During the meal, Zhang Quanche chatted casually with Xiao Yunlong, talking about everything and nothing. Those who didn't know would have thought they were good friends.
Only the four elders remained sitting cross-legged with their eyes closed, motionless, creating an indescribably strange atmosphere.
Xiao Yunlong was not in a hurry either. It was lunchtime, and the dishes here were truly good. It would be a waste not to eat them.
As everyone was nearly finished eating, Zhang Quanche wiped his mouth with a silk scarf and chuckled, "There's a saying, 'Courtesy before force.' Your Highness the King of the North, I have fulfilled the courtesy now. If this were to be passed down in the future, I wouldn't be criticized. Next, let's talk about force!"
Xiao Yunlong nodded, "Your courtesy is very thoughtful, and there's nothing to fault. Then tell me about your force!"
Zhang Quanche said leisurely, "As you just said, my Zhang family in Jiangdong is the foremost aristocratic family in Jiangdong. My father is one of the ten founding national scholars of the Dragon Country. In terms of status, he is no lower than any king. Therefore, the authority and face of my Zhang family cannot be trampled upon by others. Does His Highness the King of the North think this is reasonable?"
Xiao Yunlong surprisingly nodded and smiled, "It's reasonable. I killed many of your people and broke your third brother's legs, so you've come to seek revenge and use my blood to wash away your Zhang family's shame, right?"
"Do you think this is unreasonable?" Zhang Quanche retorted with a mocking grin.
Xiao Yunlong put down his chopsticks, straightened his body, and said solemnly, "As the Deputy Commander of the Great Camp of the Eastern Domain Army, you should know better than anyone that anyone who attempts to harm a king of a realm can be charged with treason. Kings have the power of life and death!"
Unexpectedly, Zhang Quanche burst into loud laughter after hearing this, his laughter deafening. After a long while, he sneered, "A king of a realm? You think you are still a king now? Xiao, I call you His Highness the King of the North, and you actually put on airs for me?"
Saying this, Zhang Quanche snorted heavily and continued, "There's a saying, 'A dragon in shallow water is harassed by shrimp.' You are now nothing more than a stray dog, yet you still want to act tough in front of me. Do you think you're worthy? The reason I invited you to this meal is because of your past contributions to the Dragon Country. Now that you've eaten your fill, it's time to send you on your way!"
Xiao Yunlong remained seated, motionless, but his eyes slowly narrowed, and killing intent surged around him.
"Zhang Quanche, I originally intended to spare your dog's life out of respect for your father. Since you insist on seeking death, then you can't blame me!"
At this very moment, the four elders of Longhu Mountain, who were sitting cross-legged, simultaneously opened their eyes, and a fierce gust of wind swept through the entire private room.
The atmosphere instantly became tense and murderous.
"A mere stray dog, even if you were the King of Zhenbei in the past, what of it? I have four seniors from Longhu Mountain. Today will be your death day!" Zhang Quanche sneered.
"Just by relying on those four? You should know how many powerful individuals were dispatched from the capital during the ambush outside the capital. Yet they couldn't keep me. Do you think those four can shake me?" Xiao Yunlong's expression remained as usual, his entire being unmovable.
"Those four might not be enough, but what if we add our four!"
As a hoarse, ancient voice sounded, accompanied by a gust of wind, four figures in loose black robes suddenly appeared in the private room.
These four were all wearing fanged masks, their true faces hidden. However, each of their auras was incredibly powerful, and they were all Grandmasters of the Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown Martial King realm!
Xiao Yunlong was not surprised in the slightest. He remained seated, motionless, and merely sneered coldly, "I knew it. These four old fellows from Longhu Mountain alone wouldn't dare to challenge me. You four must be from the capital, right? Of course, it's not impossible that the Kunlun Hidden Sect of the Western Regions is also involved!"
The leading black-robed figure snorted in a hoarse voice, "In this world, too many people want your dog's life, so where we come from doesn't matter. If you really want to know, go ask King Yama in the underworld!"
Zhang Quanche then gritted his teeth and shouted, "Sirs, I have cleared out everyone downstairs. Everything that happens next, I guarantee no one will know. Today, we absolutely cannot let this Xiao fellow leave, otherwise, there will be endless trouble!"
"You've prepared quite thoroughly. Very well, today this King will unleash his full strength and see how capable you all are!"
Xiao Yunlong said as he slowly stood up, simultaneously waving his hand, "Ruyan, you guys, go to the tea room next door!"
Liu Ruyan's face was full of worry, and just as she was about to speak, Jun Bufan interjected, "Sister-in-law, the martial cultivation of these people is not something we can interfere with. If we stay here, we'll only be a burden. Let's go!"
"Alright then, Yunlong, you must be careful!" Liu Ruyan was not one to be indecisive. After speaking, she, Jun Bufan, and Tang Bowen went to the adjacent tea room.
Zhang Quanche and the others did not stop them. After all, their target was Xiao Yunlong. As long as this King of Zhenbei was dealt with, the rest would naturally be easily captured.
Only then did the four Longhu Mountain elders slowly rise and say in unison, "Mr. Xiao, we did not wish to act against you, but the Zhang family of Jiangdong has a life-saving grace towards us. Moreover, as their retainers, we have received orders from our master, so today we can only take your head!"
After speaking, the four Longhu Mountain elders stepped forward and, along with the other four black-robed figures, surrounded Xiao Yunlong. As for Zhang Quanche, he retreated to the side, as he could not participate in battles of this level.
Moreover, Zhang Quanche stood in a very strategic position, by the window. The window was open, and below it was the Jiangdong River. As soon as anything went wrong, he could leap directly into the Jiangdong River to escape!
The fact that eight Grandmaster level experts were joining forces today showed how much importance they placed on the King of Zhenbei.
Xiao Yunlong was too lazy to waste any more words. Suddenly, sounds like muffled thunder echoed within him, as he activated his internal divine kingdoms one by one.
As he fully mobilized the vital energy in his dantian, a faint golden mist soon appeared around Xiao Yunlong. His aura became immensely vast, and his clothes fluttered in the wind.
"Kill!" As a black-robed figure exhaled, the eight Grandmaster level experts moved instantly.