Liang Minghui knelt on the ground, not even daring to look at the token of the King of the Northern Territory in his hand. He felt the token was heavy, and he could barely hold it. At this moment, his whole body was trembling.
Liang Minghui wanted to speak, but suddenly found his throat dry, as if blocked by something, making it impossible to speak.
Xiao Yunlong glanced at him and said, "Get up. My identity is sensitive and special now, so please don't publicize it widely."
Although the ambush outside the capital two months ago was not announced or reported by the Dragon Country, and most ordinary citizens were unaware of it, officials in major cities had some understanding.
However, because the matter was too significant, even though everyone knew why the King of the Northern Territory was ambushed, no one dared to speak.
Especially as the King of the Northern Territory disappeared and his life and death were unknown, people became even more hesitant to speak, fearing they would bring trouble upon themselves.
Liang Minghui could never have imagined that this powerful figure had already arrived in Su City, on his territory, without anyone noticing.
Thinking of this, Liang Minghui couldn't help but feel a chill. Fortunately, he hadn't taken action to apprehend the person, otherwise, he would likely be dead by now, and it would have been a futile death.
"Get up!" Xiao Yunlong said indifferently.
Only then did Liang Minghui slightly recover and cup his hands, saying, "Yes, Mr. Xiao!"
After standing up, he finally understood why Liang Youming, the director of the Supervisory Bureau, was so obedient to Mr. Xiao. It turned out that this fellow had known Mr. Xiao's identity all along.
It was also understandable why Mr. Xiao dared to kill Bai Zhenwei, and did so so readily. According to the laws and regulations of the Dragon Country, anyone who attempted to harm the King of the Northern Territory would be treated as a traitor, and the King of the Northern Territory would have the absolute power of life and death.
In other words, Bai Zhenwei was dead, and it was a death that could not be avenged!
"Mr. Xiao, I was ignorant of your identity just now, and I deserve to die. I beg for your forgiveness!" Liang Minghui cupped his hands and bowed, appearing extremely nervous.
In the pavilion, Liu Hongguo already knew Xiao Yunlong's background, so he was not overly surprised. However, Jun Bufan was different. At this moment, he was completely petrified, staring blankly at Xiao Yunlong with an expression of shock.
Jun Bufan had originally thought that Mr. Xiao was unfazed by the Director of the City Defense Bureau due to his powerful martial arts skills. But now he realized he was wrong. It turned out that Mr. Xiao's identity was also extraordinary.
"I should have realized it sooner. How could I be so foolish? Mr. Xiao is so young, perhaps not even a year older than me, yet possesses such formidable martial arts skills. It is clear he cannot be an ordinary person."
Jun Bufan sighed inwardly, and then quickly thought, "But who exactly is Mr. Xiao, that even the Director of the Su City Defense Bureau has to kneel respectfully before him!"
As he spoke, he blinked his eyes, trying to get a clear look at the token.
However, Liang Minghui had already handed the token over, and Xiao Yunlong had taken it back. Jun Bufan could not see it clearly, and of course, he could not ask too many questions at this moment.
Xiao Yunlong picked up a white chess piece again and said, "Do you know why I didn't act against you immediately, but instead revealed my identity?"
Originally, given Liang Minghui's actions, as long as he dared to give the order to attack, Xiao Yunlong could counterattack or even eliminate Liang Minghui directly.
Liang Minghui still felt a lingering fear and cupped his hands, saying, "I am foolish. Please enlighten me, Mr. Xiao!"
Xiao Yunlong played chess and said, "I asked Liang Youming, and he said that since you took office as Director of the City Defense Bureau, you have been diligent and dutiful. It is also said that you have been on the battlefield and killed enemies in the past. Do you understand now?"
Liang Minghui suddenly understood: "I understand. Mr. Xiao is truly benevolent. I am impressed, but..."
As he spoke, Liang Minghui suddenly appeared hesitant to speak.
"But what?" Xiao Yunlong asked.
In the eyes of the people of Su City, Liang Minghui was considered a good official to some extent. This was also why Xiao Yunlong did not act against him; frankly, he had a good impression of him.
Liang Minghui shook his head and said, "I know I shouldn't ask this question, but if I don't, I won't feel at ease. So..."
Before he could finish, Xiao Yunlong said sternly, "Since you shouldn't ask, then don't."
Liang Minghui was stunned. After looking at Xiao Yunlong for a long time, he nodded and said with a wry smile, "Mr. Xiao is absolutely right. I shouldn't have asked. It was my rashness and offense."
Actually, Liang Minghui wanted to ask why he was ambushed outside the capital two months ago and by whom. But then he quickly realized that such a question was not something he, with his status, could ask.
Xiao Yunlong had already seen what he wanted to ask, which was why he stopped him in time. After all, the incident outside the capital involved too much.
Let alone a mere Director of the Su City Defense Bureau, even Xiao Yunlong himself did not dare to say he had enough strength to resolve it. He still needed to lie low.
"Alright, the rain has stopped. Take your men and go back!" Xiao Yunlong waved his hand.
"Yes, Mr. Xiao. I apologize for the disturbance. Please forgive me!"
Liang Minghui cupped his hands, then turned and withdrew from the pavilion. With a wave of his hand, he immediately led his original team and quickly withdrew.
After leaving the Liu family's main gate, the two old masters of the Huajin Grandmaster realm couldn't help but ask, "Director, who exactly is that young man named Xiao?"
Liang Minghui waved his hand, "It cannot be said. It is best that you two do not know about his background."
"You can't even tell us?" The two old men were clearly more curious.
Liang Minghui shook his head and said with a wry smile, "You two have worked hard this time. I will reward you handsomely when we return. However, it is best that you do not inquire about Mr. Xiao's background."
But as he got into the car and drove away, Liang Minghui suddenly thought of his eldest son, who held a position in a crucial department in the capital. What's more, his eldest son had also trained in the Northern Territory Army in the past.
"It seems necessary to have a good talk with my son about this matter," Liang Minghui mused.
Meanwhile, at the Liu family's estate, in the villa next to the main building, Liu Jianmin's family had been watching the commotion at the main building from the second-floor balcony.
They had been hoping that the Director of the City Defense Bureau would apprehend Xiao Yunlong this time. But when they suddenly saw Liang Minghui leading his men away, it was like the heavy rain that had just passed. Liang Minghui had arrived with a large and imposing force, but he left as quickly as he came.
"How could this be? How could he just leave like that? Liang Minghui is the Director of the City Defense Bureau, and this time he mobilized almost all his forces, yet he just left like that?" Liu Feiyan was filled with confusion and disappointment.
Because Xiao Yunlong was sitting in the pavilion, Liu Feiyan and the others could not see what was happening inside the pavilion from their vantage point. Moreover, the rain had been too heavy, so they could not hear the conversation in the pavilion.
Therefore, they did not know what had actually happened, only that Liang Minghui had quickly led his men away shortly after entering the pavilion.
"It seems that even the Director of the City Defense Bureau cannot do anything to this fellow named Xiao!" Liu Jianmin sighed inwardly.
Huang Tingting couldn't help but say, "Then does this mean we will never have a chance to rise?"
Liu Guohao snorted coldly, "This is outrageous! As long as this brat is in our Liu family for one day, we will never be able to truly hold our heads high!"
"No, I don't believe there's no one in this world who can deal with him. We just have to wait. One day, I will see how he is ruthlessly trampled underfoot!"
Liu Feiyan said fiercely through gritted teeth.
At this moment, Xiao Yunlong had already walked out of the pavilion and was slowly heading towards the study.
Liu Ruyan had been in the study comprehending the method of sensing the Dantian all this time and had not yet come out. Xiao Yunlong wanted to check on her situation, fearing that something might go wrong.
Liu Ruyan was still sitting cross-legged, her brows furrowed as if in deep thought. It was only when Xiao Yunlong approached that she snapped back to attention.
"How is it? Have you gained anything?" Xiao Yunlong asked with a smile.
"Not yet. Although I have a general understanding of the overall meaning of this sensing method, it doesn't feel as easy to operate. However, I will not give up easily!" Liu Ruyan said with a brilliant smile.
Xiao Yunlong chuckled, "That's natural. Sometimes, the eyes understand, but the hands may not. The hands understand, but the mind may not. The mind understands, but the body may not. This sensing method requires the body and the mind, or spirit, to be completely integrated and comprehended before one can enter a very special state."
"Enter a very special state? Yunlong, can you tell me specifically what kind of state it is?" Liu Ruyan asked.
"I can't quite describe the specific state. It is something that can be understood but not expressed in words. However, the book mentions that it is a state of emptiness."
"A state of emptiness?" Liu Ruyan's brows furrowed slightly.
"Yes, emptiness. Once one can enter this state, they will not be far from sensing the inner energy of the Dantian," Xiao Yunlong explained patiently.
"So that's how it is. I understand. I will try to empty my body and mind next," Liu Ruyan said.
Xiao Yunlong immediately said, "Empty? That's a fitting word. It's a state of complete mental and physical emptiness, thinking of nothing, yet thinking of everything, as if in a vast space without gravity, like being in outer space."
"It seems my direction just now was correct. I will continue to cultivate. Yunlong, by the way, I won't be coming out for dinner. Ask the servants to bring it in later. I want to strike while the iron is hot and continue my comprehension." Liu Ruyan said.
Xiao Yunlong nodded, but after leaving the study, he shook his head, feeling a bit exasperated. He couldn't help but sigh, wondering if this was the legendary diligent female scholar.
Meanwhile, Liang Minghui had driven back to the City Defense Bureau. As soon as he got out of the car, he went straight to his private office.
"Listen to me, both of you. Do not let anyone in without my permission!" Liang Minghui instructed, then walked in and closed the door.
Immediately afterward, Liang Minghui took out his phone and called his eldest son.
The call was connected quickly, and the voice on the other end said, "How is it, Dad? Have you caught that brute who killed Uncle Bai?"
Liang Minghui immediately said, "Son, go to a safe place immediately. From now on, what I'm about to discuss with you absolutely cannot be overheard by anyone else."
"Is it that confidential? Then wait for me for a moment!" The voice on the other end said. There was silence for about two minutes, and then it said, "Okay, Dad. You can speak now."
Liang Minghui then said, "Son, guess who I met today?"
The voice on the other end immediately became impatient, "Dad, you're not young anymore. Why are you still using this childish way of speaking? If you have nothing else, I'm hanging up!"
"The King of the Northern Territory. I met the King of the Northern Territory today!" Liang Minghui said in a deep voice.
His eldest son, who was about to hang up, was shocked by these words, "Dad, what did you say? You met the King of the Northern Territory?"