"Uncle, I have something to tell you. I met someone in the Tang Sect in Shu this time. He said his name was Tang Wudi and that he was friends with you and my parents. Is that true?"
Facing Song Shadao's "dismissal," Shen Lang not only didn't leave but also pulled a chair and sat down in front of Song Shadao, asking with a face full of curiosity.
"Tang Wudi? A name I haven't heard in many years."
Song Shadao smiled upon hearing this and said, "Tang Wudi was the eldest son of the former Tang Sect leader, Tang Yuntian. He was exceptionally skilled in everything from chess, chess, calligraphy, and painting to hidden weapons and poisons. His martial arts talent was unmatched, with few in the world comparable."
"When your mother was thirteen, I accompanied her on a trip to Shu. While visiting Jian'ge, we met Tang Wudi. Tang Wudi was evenly matched with your mother in chess, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and his martial arts cultivation was on par with mine. Thus, they developed a mutual appreciation and became close friends, staying at the Tang Sect for half a month."
"Tang Wudi had a dual personality. On one hand, he was ruthless and killed without batting an eye, with unfathomable schemes and depths. On the other hand, he was generous, magnanimous, and righteous, which is why he was called the Great Demon God."
"How should I put it? Among his peers, besides your father, Tang Wudi was the only one I truly admired."
"However..."
Tang Jiutian sighed here and said, "Thirty years ago, Tang Wudi's martial arts broke through to the peak of the Heavenly Realm Grand Completion. He then went into seclusion to explore the legendary Innate Realm. As a result, he was poisoned and ambushed by his own brother, Tang Jiutian, who pursued him relentlessly. His fate remains unknown, and his wife and daughter were also killed by Tang Jiutian."
"I thought he was dead, but I never expected him to still be alive in this world. And after thirty years, he could actually make a comeback and reclaim everything that belonged to him. Not bad, I didn't misjudge him; he is indeed a remarkable person."
In this world, besides Shen Tianjun, Song Shadao rarely praised anyone. However, Tang Wudi was an exception; the man indeed possessed extraordinary qualities.
"Uncle, since you were friends with Tang Wudi, why didn't you go to his rescue when he was being hunted?"
Shen Lang asked curiously.
"Because... I was also in seclusion exploring the Innate Realm at the time."
Song Shadao replied, "By the time I came out of seclusion, Tang Wudi's matter had already been settled. I originally intended to kill Tang Jiutian to avenge him, but I held onto a sliver of hope that Tang Wudi was not dead, so I didn't act."
"Alright, I have another question."
Shen Lang smiled after hearing Song Shadao's words and then asked, "Uncle, have you reached the legendary Innate Realm?"
The Innate Realm was merely a legend. In the history of human martial arts, there was no record of anyone reaching the Innate Realm, so Shen Lang was very curious if his uncle had.
"I can tell you clearly that I have glimpsed the threshold of the Innate Realm, but to truly break through and experience the scenery of the Innate Realm may still take a very long time."
Song Shadao said, "First, stabilize your own realm. When I break through to the Innate Realm, I will impart all my experience to you, allowing you to bypass many detours."
"Alas, before us, no one left any information about the Innate Realm, so people of my generation and Tang Wudi's can only grope in the dark."
"However, I am confident that I will be able to break through to the Innate Realm."
Song Shadao's eyes were filled with confidence.
"Alright, then I have nothing else to ask. I'll go prepare, and I have to take action tonight."
Shen Lang said with a smile and then quickly turned and left Song Shadao's office, returning to the Criminal Investigation Department office.
Shen Lang, Yu Youwei, and others worked diligently until six in the afternoon, then they had dinner together. At seven-thirty in the evening, Shen Lang, Yu Youwei, and others, fully equipped, drove from the Military Guard Department, heading towards the Nanling Grand Hotel.
As Shen Lang and his group were en route, the Nanling Grand Hotel was adorned with lanterns and festive decorations. All the prominent figures of Nanling were present.
The reason for such a grand occasion was that it was the engagement ceremony of Chu Ge and Zhao Shengtian.
What was Chu Ge? She was the eldest daughter of the Chu family.
The Chu family was not a major family in Nanling, but their family business was worth tens of billions, making them truly wealthy.
However, if it were merely because of the Chu family, prominent figures in Nanling would not have all come to grace the occasion.
The true reason for all of Nanling's important figures to attend was the groom, Zhao Shengtian.
Zhao Shengtian was the eldest young master of the Zhao family in Longdu, and the Zhao family of Longdu was a true member of the Five Great Clans, possessing immense power and wealth that could rival a nation. Naturally, everyone wanted to find an opportunity to curry favor with such a person.
"Young Master Zhao, congratulations! A talented man and a beautiful woman, you are indeed a perfect match."
Zhao Shengtian was 1.85 meters tall, with sharp facial features as if chiseled by a knife. Coupled with his phoenix eyes and aquiline nose, Zhao Shengtian exuded an imposing aura, as if he were the protagonist of the world.
Looking at Zhao Shengtian, who stood beside Chu Ge with a glass of wine in his hand, the influential figures and wealthy businessmen attending the engagement ceremony all stepped forward to greet him and begin to build connections.
Those invited were naturally people Zhao Shengtian deemed worthy, so Zhao Shengtian also clinked glasses with everyone and exchanged pleasantries.
"Young Master Zhao, today is your big day. We raise a glass to express our congratulations."
After Zhao Shengtian finished interacting with the guests, two elegantly dressed men approached and said with a smile.
These two were none other than the long-absent Qi Tuojiang and Kong Wudao.
Qi Tuojiang was as gentle and refined as ever, wearing a gentle smile for everyone he met. However, what he was thinking in his heart was likely something only he himself could guess.
Kong Wudao, on the other hand, was as he always was, with an air of arrogance written all over his face, as if he looked down on everyone.
Zhao Shengtian was not interacting with these two for the first time. In fact, they had known each other since childhood and had lived in the same compound for many years.
As fellow children of the compound, they naturally understood each other's personalities. Zhao Shengtian raised his glass to clink with Qi Tuojiang and Kong Wudao and said with a smile, "It is my honor that Young Master Qi and Young Master Kong could attend my engagement ceremony. I toast you."
"Young Master Zhao, you are too kind. We are all brothers from the same compound, we are family."
Qi Tuojiang glanced at Zhao Shengtian, then at Chu Ge, who was stunningly beautiful, standing beside him, and said with a smile, "Sister-in-law is very beautiful. Young Master Zhao is truly blessed."
"Thank you for the compliment, Young Master Qi."
Zhao Shengtian looked at Chu Ge beside him with affection in his eyes and said with a smile.
At this moment, the host picked up the microphone and called out to Zhao Shengtian and Chu Ge, "Newlyweds, the engagement ceremony is about to begin. Please take your positions."