"A martial arts alliance to討伐 me?"
Xiao Yunlong stared blankly at the bright red invitation in his hand, finding it hard to believe his eyes.
It wasn't out of shock or fear, but rather disbelief that three small mountain sects would dare to launch a讨伐 against him.
What kind of behavior was this? This was clearly a case of an old man living too long and hanging himself – he was tired of life!
Xiao Yunlong suppressed his anger, looked up at the old men from the three ancient martial sects, and said word by word, "If you don't give me a satisfactory reason today, I guarantee I'll make you crawl out of here!"
The expressions of the three sect elders changed. Before coming, they had already learned about Xiao Yunlong's recent actions in Jiangdong. Of course, they hadn't wanted to come, but since the sects had assigned them the task, they had no choice.
However, having come, they represented their sects and couldn't let their sect's reputation and momentum falter!
The elder from Shaoshi Mountain said in a deep voice, "This martial arts讨伐 assembly targeting you is initiated by our Shaoshi Mountain, and there are three reasons. First, you have repeatedly injured and killed our Shaoshi Mountain disciples. This is not only a provocation to the remaining hundred years of Shaoshi Mountain but also a cruel act that the martial arts world cannot tolerate!"
As the elder from Shaoshi Mountain spoke, he became more agitated, even spitting as he spoke. He continued, "Second, although our Shaoshi Mountain possesses various ancient martial arts and techniques, they have always been kept secret. To our knowledge, you have stolen and learned our Shaoshi Mountain's Great Vajra Palm!"
"Third, you are bloodthirsty and cruel like a demon, causing trouble and acting with impunity in Jiangdong. As a righteous sect of the martial arts world, our Shaoshi Mountain has an obligation to uphold justice. Therefore, this martial arts讨伐 assembly is unavoidable!"
His words were filled with righteous indignation and impassioned fervor. The bald monk from Shaoshi Mountain seemed quite pleased with his performance, raising his head proudly with a smug expression after finishing.
The envoys from Wudang Sect and Longhu Mountain echoed in unison, "Indeed, to uphold martial arts justice, we must convene this讨伐 assembly and condemn you, this wicked and ferocious madman!"
Xiao Yunlong remained seated, as still as a mountain, and said calmly, "Are you finished?"
"Finished? Aren't these reasons enough? Xiao, are you accepting this invitation or not?" the bald monk from Shaoshi Mountain shouted coldly.
"Accept it, why wouldn't I? They've openly convened a讨伐 assembly. If I don't accept, won't I be laughed at by the martial arts world? It just so happens that I'm planning to visit your so-called ancient martial sects. Go back and tell the old bald monks of Shaoshi Mountain that I will arrive on time. Tell them to set the rules for the competition!"
Xiao Yunlong spoke with firm conviction.
"Good, then on the fifteenth of July, during the Ghost Festival, we will await your esteemed presence at Shaoshi Mountain. Farewell!"
After speaking, the three sect elders turned and prepared to leave.
Xiao Yunlong coldly said, "You come when you want and leave when you want. Is this my home or your backyard?"
The three immediately stopped in their tracks and shouted, "What do you mean by that? Are you going to attack us? We are representing three major sects today. If you dare..."
However, before the three could finish speaking, Xiao Yunlong moved.
A sudden gust of wind swept through the courtyard, and a dark figure darted out like a ghost.
Then, with three muffled thuds, the three sect elders were sent flying backward like kites with broken strings.
As they flew backward, all three opened their mouths, spitting out their front teeth mixed with blood.
"Ignorant fools, daring to speak to me disrespectfully! Go back and tell your sect leaders that if they are wise enough to cancel this damn martial arts讨伐 assembly and send sect representatives to kowtow and apologize to me, I might forgive their ignorance and stupidity. Otherwise, don't blame me for leveling your mountain sects!"
"Now get out!" Xiao Yunlong roared coldly, exuding an aura of overwhelming dominance.
These three sect elders were all figures of elder status in their respective sects, genuine Grandmasters of Huajin realm. Yet, when Xiao Yunlong made his move, they couldn't even resist or fight back, let alone see how he attacked.
This demonstrated that the opponent's martial arts cultivation was terrifyingly high, far surpassing theirs.
Therefore, these three sect elders no longer dared to be defiant. They stumbled to their feet and, tails tucked between their legs like stray dogs, departed.
As soon as the three left, Liu Ruyan emerged from the basement, having apparently heard the commotion from above.
Her face was filled with worry, and she quickly walked over and asked, "Yunlong, did I just hear that Shaoshi Mountain is joining forces with Longhu Mountain and Wudang Sect to hold a martial arts讨伐 assembly specifically targeting you?"
"Yes, this is the invitation they sent!" Xiao Yunlong replied truthfully.
"This... this might not be good. The three major sects joining forces, these are three ancient martial sects. If they all gang up against you, then..."
Liu Ruyan said with great concern.
Xiao Yunlong waved his hand and smiled, "Don't worry. Although the three ancient martial sects joining forces makes a big stir, your Brother Xiao is not an ordinary person!"
Liu Ruyan still looked worried, "I'm worried that this time, it's not just the three sects targeting you, but also forces from the capital or the Kunlun Hidden Sect of the Western Regions. After all, there was a precedent at Jiangxin Tower last time."
"You've reminded me!" Xiao Yunlong nodded slightly, falling into deep thought.
Liu Ruyan didn't speak further, slowly sitting down beside him.
As for Xiao Yunlong, although his cultivation had greatly increased after practicing the Three Thousand Divine Kingdoms technique, if the forces from the capital and the Kunlun Hidden Sect of the Western Regions were involved in this martial arts讨伐 assembly, the situation might not be so optimistic.
After all, even the best fighter cannot fight multiple opponents, and they would be in the dark while he was in the light.
"The incident in the capital half a year ago must not happen again!" Xiao Yunlong thought, finally making up his mind.
As the King of Zhenbei of the Dragon Country, a dignified king, even if he had lost power, a fallen camel was still larger than a horse. The ambush and severe injuries in the capital more than half a year ago were largely due to carelessness.
Even though the Northern Territory camp had been taken over by the Zhang family, known as the Northeast Tiger, there was still a personal team belonging to Xiao Yunlong hidden deep within the Northern Territory.
This team was the core of the Northern Territory Army, the elite of the elite!
Seeing that Xiao Yunlong had made up his mind, Liu Ruyan asked, "How is it, Yunlong? Have you thought of a plan to deal with this? Or should I decline the offer to go to Imperial Capital University? I'll try to break through to Huajin before the Ghost Festival, so I can help you a little."
Xiao Yunlong reached out and brushed a strand of her hair, smiling, "Don't worry. Have you forgotten who I am? I am the War God of the Dragon Country. I still have a mysterious force in the Northern Territory. I originally planned to use it when I returned to the Northern Territory, but it seems it's time to deploy it now."
"You have a mysterious force in the Northern Territory? Really?" Liu Ruyan asked.
"Of course, it's true. When have I ever lied to you? Alright, don't worry about my affairs. I don't take three small sects seriously. Your studies cannot be delayed. Go to the Imperial Capital as planned!" Xiao Yunlong smiled.
Liu Ruyan nodded slightly and said, "If that's the case, then I'll feel more at ease. I'll go pack my things, and we'll return to Su City this afternoon to visit Grandpa. I've booked my flight to the Imperial Capital for tomorrow!"
Xiao Yunlong waved at her. After Liu Ruyan turned and went into the room, he immediately picked up the phone and called Tang Bowen and Jun Bufan separately.
Soon, Tang Bowen and Jun Bufan rushed back.
"Brother, why did you call us back so urgently? Do you have any important tasks for us?" Jun Bufan asked after getting out of the car.
Xiao Yunlong was still sitting at the stone table in the courtyard, drinking tea, and asked, "How is my sixth uncle's situation?"
"Very good. Now, in the entire Jiangdong, both the City Lord's Mansion and the Jiangdong Martial Alliance have to show respect to you, Brother. All matters are progressing smoothly!" Jun Bufan replied.
Xiao Yunlong nodded slightly and said, "Take a look at this invitation first, and I'll assign you tasks later!"
Tang Bowen seemed to have sensed something was wrong. He immediately picked up the invitation, and his expression changed drastically.
"Shaoshi Mountain, Longhu Mountain, Wudang Sect, three ancient martial sects joining forces to hold a martial arts讨伐 assembly to讨伐 you, Yunlong?" Tang Bowen exclaimed in shock.
"What? Three sects joining forces to讨伐? Have they gone mad? Don't they know Brother's identity?" Jun Bufan grabbed the invitation and scanned it.
Xiao Yunlong said nothing, just picked up his teacup and drank.
Tang Bowen frowned and said, "From the tone of the invitation, even if the three sects know Yunlong's identity, they are deliberately not mentioning it, only proposing to resolve it through martial arts means. I must say, this is their cleverness!"
"Nonsense! Don't these ancient martial sects know that the whole world belongs to the king, and all people are his subjects? Brother is the King of Zhenbei, a dignified king. How dare they be so disrespectful? This is a capital offense!" Jun Bufan snorted.
Tang Bowen said with a wry smile, "Under normal circumstances, they would not dare to provoke or challenge a king so casually. But you know as well as I do that Yunlong's identity is currently very sensitive and special, especially the ambiguous attitude from the capital. That's why these ancient martial sects dare to be so presumptuous!"
"Damn it! I have to say, what are these people in the capital, especially the Wen Tian Pavilion and the Tian Ce Mansion, thinking? Don't they know that Brother is the War God of the Dragon Country, our faith in the Dragon Country? It is precisely because of Brother's existence as a pillar over the years that the world powers have not dared to act rashly. Don't they understand this?"
Jun Bufan said with great confusion and anger.
Tang Bowen shook his head and said with a wry smile, "What you're saying, the capital naturally understands. However, it is precisely because of this that Yunlong is in his current predicament?"
"Why?" Jun Bufan was even more confused.
Before Tang Bowen could explain, Xiao Yunlong waved his hand to interrupt, "Alright, you can ask Bowen about this later when you have time. Also, when you have time, Bufan, you should read more strategy and military books. They will be useful in the future. Now, I have something for you to do!"
"What task, Brother, tell me!" Jun Bufan nodded.
Xiao Yunlong looked at Jun Bufan and said sternly, "Later, I will write a letter. You will take my letter to the Eastern Territory Army camp and meet the King of the Eastern Territory!"
"Go to see the King of the Eastern Territory?" Jun Bufan's eyes widened. This matter seemed to be far beyond his expectations.
"Yes, meet the King of the Eastern Territory. Regardless, Longhu Mountain and Wudang Sect are under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Territory. Tell the King of the Eastern Territory to rein in and manage these two sects!" Xiao Yunlong said.
"No problem, Brother. But if I notify him according to your instructions, what if the King of the Eastern Territory doesn't do anything?" Jun Bufan asked.
"If the King of the Eastern Territory doesn't do anything, then I will!"
Xiao Yunlong snorted and said in a deep voice, "Asking you to deliver the message is just a formality. If I have to take action and level these two sects again, the Eastern Territory will have to shut up obediently!"
"Now I understand, Brother. This is called 'courtesy before force'!" Jun Bufan nodded heavily.
Xiao Yunlong then turned to Tang Bowen and said, "Cousin, next, you will personally take my token and go to the Northern Territory, to a place called Tianzang Mountain!"
As he spoke, Xiao Yunlong took out his Royal Token and handed it over.
Tang Bowen's expression immediately became solemn and serious. He immediately took it with both hands and said, "What should I do when I arrive at Tianzang Mountain?"
"When you arrive, you will issue my Royal Order and summon the Four Divine Generals, the Thirty-Six Heavenly Kings, and the Seventy-Two Dragon Blood Generals to immediately proceed to Shaoshi Mountain to assist the king!"
Xiao Yunlong said with a resounding voice.
"Yes, Master!" Tang Bowen nodded heavily.
"You should leave immediately. Calculating the time, a month and a half is enough for the round trip!" Xiao Yunlong waved his hand.
Tang Bowen said no more, and holding the Royal Token, he turned and left.
Afterward, Xiao Yunlong went to the study and personally wrote a letter. Jun Bufan took the letter and did not delay, heading directly to the Eastern Territory Army camp.
Although Liu Ruyan in the room was packing her things, her hearing, which had greatly improved after her cultivation, allowed her to hear everything outside without missing a word. Hearing this, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
After packing her things, Xiao Yunlong and Liu Ruyan first went to the Tang family, then bid farewell to her maternal grandfather, and then went to the mall to buy some things before returning to Su City.
At the Liu family in Su City, apart from Grandpa Liu Hongguo, the rest of the family, including Liu Jianmin and his wife, already knew Xiao Yunlong's identity and naturally did not dare to neglect him. This time, the Liu family was extremely solicitous, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.
It was unknown who leaked the news of Xiao Yunlong's return, but the City Lord of Su City, the Jun family, and other officials and wealthy businessmen also came to pay their respects.
As the saying goes, one should not refuse a smiling face. Xiao Yunlong met with everyone, and the banquet lasted until midnight.
The next morning, Xiao Yunlong personally drove Liu Ruyan to the airport.
"Brother Xiao, I'll be heading to the Imperial Capital then. Remember to come and see me soon!" Liu Ruyan said reluctantly at the airport, dragging her suitcase.
"Don't worry, I'll definitely come to the Imperial Capital after I've handled things. Study and research diligently when you get to school!" Xiao Yunlong smiled.
"I will. Then I'll see you in the Imperial Capital!" Liu Ruyan, holding back tears of parting, embraced and parted ways with him.
After personally watching Liu Ruyan enter the airport, Xiao Yunlong immediately took out his phone and dialed a very long and strange number.
This was a number connected to the Imperial Capital.
When the call connected, the person on the other end said in a very strange tone, "I thought you would never call this number!"
"Protect someone for me!" Xiao Yunlong meant business.
"Protect whom? For you to use this number, you know, even when you were ambushed in the capital, you didn't make this call!" the person on the phone said with a hint of mockery.
"She is my woman. You should know what that means!"
Xiao Yunlong hung up the phone without waiting for a response and drove away from the airport.