Returning home.
When Ye Longlin got back home, he found his wife asleep but her eyes wide open, anxiously watching the door.
"You're back, the food is cold. I'll warm it up for you."
Mu Hanqi rubbed her eyes and said with forced cheerfulness.
Compared to the shootout in Star City, today's events were much safer.
But this kind of incident made Mu Hanqi feel even more afraid and helpless. To put it bluntly, she could die, but she absolutely would not allow anyone other than Ye Longlin to touch her.
She felt tired after returning and wanted to sleep. But thinking that Ye Longlin hadn't eaten yet, she focused on preparing the meal and then waited for Ye Longlin.
She also knew that Ye Longlin had gone to seek justice for her.
Ye Longlin hugged Mu Hanqi from behind and said softly, "It's okay."
Mu Hanqi tilted her head back, resting against Ye Longlin's shoulder. Her hands fell onto Ye Longlin's, and she smiled faintly.
...
This incident also thoroughly made the forces in the capital city realize one thing: Mu Hanqi absolutely could not be touched!
Even if Ye Longlin abdicated, he would still be a martial arts giant, not someone anyone could bully. Moreover, the Imperial Guards' intervention this time represented the attitude of the Second Elder. The Second Elder had clearly stated that Mu Hanqi was his granddaughter, and anyone who provoked her was provoking the Second Elder.
No one would be that foolish.
Besides, the Second Elder was still in office.
Leaving aside Mu Hanqi having the Second Elder's backing, even if Ye Longlin retired and Yuan Gang took over Dragon Pavilion, he would definitely not let Mu Hanqi be harmed.
As everyone knew, Yuan Gang was Ye Longlin's confidant. If something happened to Mu Hanqi, he would not simply stand by and watch, at least not for a short period.
There would definitely be action.
For this reason, all the families and forces strictly issued orders, distributing Mu Hanqi's photograph and forbidding anyone from provoking her!
"Eight Thousand Years awaits a duel, by the end of the month, at Shenglong Lake."
A message, like a massive stone, was dropped into the deep pit of the capital, creating immense ripples.
As soon as the news from the Martial Arts Association was released, countless people exploded.
Although the Martial Arts Association did not reveal the opponent in this duel, the high-ranking officials, influential families, and martial arts circles in the capital knew very well who Eight Thousand Years was challenging.
Or rather, this was a plan by the interest groups behind the Martial Arts Association to probe Ye Longlin's strength.
No one in the capital knew the depth of Ye Longlin's cultivation so far.
They had investigated countless times from Star City after Ye Longlin's return, then to Nan Province, Qing City, Jinling, and other places, but they never got accurate information. Instead, the information they received was always different, ranging from low to high. Consequently, they could only push out the Martial Arts Association's chairman, a martial arts giant, to test Ye Longlin's cultivation.
Although the public was unaware of who the Martial Arts Association chairman was dueling, they knew that the chairman's appearance would definitely cause major turmoil.
Inside the Martial Arts Association.
Wu Ji sat in the chairman's seat. Benches were arranged on both sides, filled with Martial Arts Association elders and enshrined elders, all present.
"By the end of the month, I will fight Ye Longlin. The Martial Arts Association is not allowed to interfere, nor can it interfere."
Wu Ji spoke slowly, feeling quite helpless.
Before reaching the Dao realm, he had no confidence in fighting Ye Longlin. However, the people behind him had already spoken, and he had no choice but to act.
But during this process, he did not want the Martial Arts Association to intervene. Once they did, the nature of the matter would change.
The Martial Arts Association was something he had founded, and he did not want it to be destroyed by his hands.
"Chairman, Ye Longlin is officially abdicating at the end of the month. Is this your intention, or someone else's?"
The Great Elder asked after a moment of thought. They also did not wish for their chairman to fight Ye Longlin, but if it was someone else's intention, then they had no other choice.
The current Martial Arts Association was no longer the Martial Arts Association of the past. They also wished to return to the former Martial Arts Association, not the current interest group.
"This matter has nothing to do with you. For the time being, I will continue to be in seclusion, striving to break through to the Dao realm. Only then will this battle have a chance of winning."
As he spoke of entering seclusion to break through to the Dao realm, a hint of an unreadable light flashed in the eyes of the Martial Arts Association chairman.
"Do you need us to go?"
Wu Ji shook his head. "If you act, it will no longer be a matter between Ye Longlin and me. Yuan Gang might lead the Dragon Pavilion to surround the Martial Arts Association, which would be even more troublesome."
The conflict between the Martial Arts Association and the Dragon Pavilion had reached an irreconcilable point. If both sides acted at this time, the consequences would extend beyond these two parties.
The Imperial Guards and the Royal Guards would intervene to mediate, and the Zhenwu Division would also take action to suppress.
However, they would not suppress the Dragon Pavilion, as the Dragon Pavilion was their own. The suppression would only be for the Martial Arts Association. But with so many people behind the Martial Arts Association, the final outcome might be that no one intervenes, and they are left to fight amongst themselves.
And if they fought amongst themselves, both sides would suffer casualties. Coupled with rumors of Hetu and Hedao amassing troops.
Under these circumstances, only the Martial Arts Association would suffer.
Wu Ji was not foolish.
"Understood. We will fully withdraw. I will have all Martial Arts Association branches and powerful Dragon Elephant realm experts return for defense."
The Great Elder stated.
After Wu Ji nodded, he stood up and left, heading directly to the top floor of the Martial Arts Association's tower.
At this moment, an old man wearing a traditional jacket was already waiting for him there.
"Elder Ye, I am no match for Ye Longlin. You all know this, why do you still want me to deal with him? You are pushing me into a fire pit!"
Wu Ji looked at Elder Ye and said with a cold tone.
Elder Ye smiled and said, "I am here to help you."
As he spoke, he presented a box. After opening it, Wu Ji's eyes fixed on the item before him, and his breathing quickened.
"Using this thing has very strong side effects. You should know that, in the end, you are still dissatisfied with me."
Wu Ji looked at Elder Ye and said unhappily. They wanted to replace him with a new administrator.
Elder Ye let out a cold laugh. "Think whatever you want. This is the result we have decided upon. If you want this, I will leave it here for you. If you don't want it, I will take it away. Of course, if you end up dying, it will have nothing to do with us. We have done what we should to help you, understand?"
Wu Ji's expression turned ugly. He said nothing further, grabbed the box, and left.
Elder Ye looked in the direction Wu Ji had left, a cold smile appearing on his lips. "Since you don't like being a obedient dog, you can prepare the hot pot ingredients."
"After all, there are plenty of obedient dogs."