"It's you, He Ao! You're not dead after all!"
The abbot of Lingtai Temple stared at Grandpa He for a while, and a figure deep in his mind slowly overlapped with him.
He Ao.
One of the Five Dragons of Huaxia, Deputy Minister of the War Dragon Department.
At his peak, he had never lost a battle and was infinitely glorious.
Wherever he went, any force had to bow to him and dare not act presumptuously.
However...
That was in the past. It was rumored that after that incident years ago.
The overall combat strength of the Five Dragons of Huaxia suffered a blow, and their strength all plummeted.
Eventually, the situation escalated, and the Five Dragons of Huaxia were either dead, injured, or fled.
Once upon a time, the arrogant He Ao.
Now he had become like an old man on the verge of death, utterly dejected.
"You old bald donkey aren't dead, so why should I be?" Grandpa He said in a bad tone.
"In the past, people of your status didn't even qualify to carry my shoes."
The abbot of Lingtai Temple snorted coldly and retorted.
"You know that was the past, but now is now. It seems your hidden illness cannot be cured, right?"
"Heh heh, it's truly pathetic, truly sad. The dignified Five Dragons of Huaxia dedicated themselves to the country, only to end up in such a state."
"If you can't speak, then shut your mouth for me," Grandpa He roared.
Obviously.
The abbot of Lingtai Temple's sarcastic words had struck a raw nerve in Grandpa He's heart.
"Old bald donkey, you won't be able to take this girl Han Xiyao away today. If you disagree, come and try," Grandpa He said in a deep voice.
"Amitabha." The abbot of Lingtai Temple's gaze sharpened, and he recited a Buddhist mantra.
"In that case, don't blame this monk for transforming into a Vajra Asura. No one can stop me today!"
As the words fell, the abbot of Lingtai Temple's aura changed.
With a boom.
The internal energy exploded, and his clothes fluttered without wind.
The abbot of Lingtai Temple formed his hands into palms and struck at Grandpa He with the force of lightning.
"Old bald donkey, you have grasped the ultimate Buddhist techniques thoroughly, but so what?" Grandpa He extinguished the cigarette butt in his hand and faced the opponent with a serious expression.
Instantly.
Terrifying energy swept through the surroundings.
The abbot of Lingtai Temple's moves were steady, each palm strike carrying immense power.
On Grandpa He's side, his fighting spirit was soaring.
As the former deputy minister of the War Dragon Department, He Ao was most skilled in combat.
Although he hadn't made a move in a long time and suffered from a hidden illness.
However.
Even a dragon in shallow waters is not to be trifled with by any common fish.
Bang!
Boom!
Rumble.
The battle between the two was exceptionally fierce.
The surrounding walls, utility poles, and other structures could not withstand the aftermath of the energy and collapsed.
Fortunately.
There were no pedestrians passing by nearby.
Otherwise, it would have caused a huge sensation, making pedestrians look around everywhere.
Searching for film cameras, wondering where they were set up.
This battle lasted for a long time.
The two exchanged over a hundred blows back and forth.
In the end, neither could gain the upper hand, and they chose to temporarily cease their attacks.
"Old bald donkey, is this the best your Meridian Protectors can do? It seems they have also declined," Grandpa He mocked.
The abbot of Lingtai Temple glanced at Grandpa He and said in a low voice.
"The renowned Five Dragons of Huaxia are not much better. Aren't you also forced to hide away?"
"You..." Grandpa He was instantly choked with anger.
"Amitabha, He Ao, you and I actually have no enmity."
"As long as you return Han Xiyao to this monk, this monk can let bygones be bygones and will not reveal your hiding place in Jiangnan City," the abbot of Lingtai Temple said.
This statement had a double meaning.
If Han Xiyao was handed over, the abbot of Lingtai Temple could pretend not to know.
But if she was not handed over, then the abbot of Lingtai Temple would reveal that Grandpa He was hiding in Jiangnan City.
"Are you threatening me?" Grandpa He lit a cigarette, exhaled a puff of smoke, and said grimly.
"If you understand it that way, it's not wrong. Of course, if we were to fight to the death, the one who survives would still be this monk. Do you believe this?" the abbot of Lingtai Temple said confidently.
He Ao fell silent, staring intently at the other party.
A trump card?
He wasn't without one.
The main issue was that he couldn't guess whether the abbot of Lingtai Temple's words were true.
But there was one thing...
The abbot of Lingtai Temple was currently the strongest among the Meridian Protectors.
With the various forces and powerhouses in Jiangnan City eyeing them covetously, if this bald donkey wanted to protect the dragon脉 for Han Xiyao, he must have some trump cards.
If the two sides were to truly fight to the death, He Ao would have less certainty.
It wasn't that his trump cards weren't strong enough, but rather because...
His current physical condition might not be able to withstand it.
After thinking it through.
Grandpa He suddenly changed his demeanor, smiling brilliantly.
"Old bald... no, old monk, we are old acquaintances."
"Don't be so quick to fight and kill as soon as we meet. It's bad for our friendship. Look, we've already knocked down the walls."
"I think we should go inside and talk first. Otherwise, if someone finds out later, we'll have to pay a lot of money."
Grandpa He's old face crinkled into a smile like a chrysanthemum.
As he spoke, he walked towards the abbot of Lingtai Temple.
Then he slung an arm around his shoulder and offered him a cigarette.
"I don't smoke," the abbot of Lingtai Temple shook his head.
At this moment.
He was as confused as a monk who had been tricked.
He was very puzzled why He Ao, who had been so serious just now and wanted to suppress him with force, had suddenly become like a different person.
"Let's go, let's go. Didn't you want to see that girl Han Xiyao? Come with me."
Grandpa He, with a smile, led the abbot of Lingtai Temple inside.
However...
The more Grandpa He acted like this, the more the abbot of Lingtai Temple felt uneasy.
"We can talk outside. There's no need to go in," the abbot of Lingtai Temple broke free from Grandpa He and stood his ground.
"Tsk, you're so scared," Grandpa He said with a cigarette dangling from his lips, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth.
The abbot of Lingtai Temple shook his head slightly. "It's not about being scared. Since I could find this place, I know where Han Xiyao is."
"If you have anything else to say, say it quickly. I must take Han Xiyao away today anyway."
For the sake of the future of the Meridian Protectors, the abbot of Lingtai Temple's attitude was very firm.
Grandpa He flicked the ash from his cigarette.
The situation was currently at a stalemate. Although he had some preparations, they were not many.
If he used them now, he would have nothing left for when the dragon脉 appeared in the future.
However, he couldn't push the old bald donkey in front of him too far, or it would be bad for everyone.
Therefore...
"Old monk, do you know why I kidnapped Han Xiyao?" Grandpa He suddenly said.
"I'm willing to listen."
"You should know the inside story of the change in the Five Dragons of Huaxia. The reason I abducted Han Xiyao is also because..."
Grandpa He sighed, finally deciding to reveal the truth.
After all.
The current conflict and consumption between the two would only benefit others.
"..."
About an hour later.
The abbot of Lingtai Temple left Grandpa He's place.
And.
He left alone.
It seemed that in the past hour.
The abbot of Lingtai Temple and Grandpa He had reached some sort of consensus.
Otherwise, they would not have parted ways peacefully.
"Amitabha, may Buddha protect my Meridian Protectors."
The abbot of Lingtai Temple looked in the direction of the old residential area, recited a Buddhist mantra, and then disappeared from the vicinity.
...
Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
During these two days, everything was calm.
The Nangong family, who had lost their territory in the old residential area, did not retaliate for revenge.
It was as if.
They had resigned themselves to bad luck, swallowing their pride.
The Patrol Division.
It was even quieter.
It seemed that everyone was waiting for the dragon脉 to appear.
They were unwilling to waste any more strength before then.
However...
Today, one matter had tugged at the hearts of some people.
Today was the day to exchange Han Xiyao.
For these three days.
Zhang Yang had been waiting for the abbot of Lingtai Temple to contact him.
However.
The other party had remained silent, and no news had come.
In Zhang Yang's opinion, the other party had probably not found Han Xiyao.
Early in the morning.
He Qiyan found Zhang Yang.
"Zhang Yang, has Qin Shengnan contacted you?"
As soon as she entered, He Qiyan asked directly.
Before coming to find Zhang Yang, He Qiyan had returned to Grandpa He's place.
She had personally seen that Han Xiyao was still in the room, and then she hurried towards Zhang Yang.
She wanted to know who this person was who wanted the token from Zhang Yang!
What trick was he playing?
When she went back.
He Qiyan had told Grandpa He about Qin Shengnan's plan to exchange Han Xiyao today.
In response.
Grandpa He just smiled.
His expression was calm, and he said nothing.
"Not yet, but..." Before Zhang Yang could finish speaking, his phone rang.
Looking at the unfamiliar incoming call number, Zhang Yang glanced at He Qiyan.
Then he answered it and turned on the speakerphone.
The person on the phone did not exchange pleasantries and went straight to the point.
"If you want to exchange Han Xiyao, come to Shuixiang Qiaopan. Remember to bring your token. Come alone, otherwise, I can't guarantee Han Xiyao's life or death."
"Okay, I'm coming now."
After receiving Zhang Yang's reply, the other party hung up.
Zhang Yang then set off for Shuixiang Qiaopan.
He Qiyan, who was still in shock, had not yet calmed down.
However, to avoid missing out, she hurried to follow.
However.
Her heart was like a stormy sea.
The voice on the phone was indeed Qin Shengnan's.
This...
What was going on?
Was Qin Shengnan really not dead?
But she had clearly stabbed the other party in the heart three times.
And after confirming that the other party had no Meridian Protection, their pulse had stopped beating, and she had thrown them into the wilderness.
How could the other party still be making calls now?
How did Qin Shengnan survive?
Who?
Who had the medical skill to save them?
Zhang Yang did not notice He Qiyan's change.
Now.
His mind was filled with Han Xiyao's image.
During this time.
Han Xiyao had been captured and must have suffered a lot behind the scenes.
She might even have been abused and injured.
No matter what, he had to rescue her today.
The Mercedes-Benz GT coupe sped along.
Soon, they would arrive at Shuixiang Qiaopan.
However.
Before they arrived, Zhang Yang stepped on the brakes in advance and said to He Qiyan.
"You get out first and follow behind secretly to observe."
He Qiyan nodded silently, opened the car door, and left alone.
Zhang Yang drove a bit further and stopped at Shuixiang Qiaopan.
Shuixiang Qiaopan.
It was a famous tourist attraction in Jiangnan City.
Water and bridges were the main themes here, and the most striking scenery.
On the clear and calm lake, countless covered boats drifted.
Occasionally, charming Jiangnan folk songs could be heard from the boats.
Coupled with the light drizzle falling from the sky today.
It gave people a feeling of misty rain entering Jiangnan, with mountains and water as if dyed with ink.
Currently.
It was the peak tourist season, and there were many tourists coming to Shuixiang Qiaopan.
Upon arriving, Zhang Yang looked around.
But he did not find Han Xiyao or Qin Shengnan.
At this moment.
Zhang Yang's phone rang again.
"I've arrived, where are you?"
This time, Zhang Yang spoke first.
"Go up the bridge you're facing. In five minutes, a covered boat will pass under the bridge."
"The boatman rowing the oars is wearing a gray shirt and a blue felt hat. You can throw the token down."
The person on the phone instructed Zhang Yang.
However, Zhang Yang sneered.
"Qin Shengnan, you're thinking too naively. I haven't even seen Han Xiyao yet, and you want me to give you the token. Do you think that's possible?"
There was a moment of silence on the phone.
Then, the voice spoke again.
"You don't have the right to negotiate with me now, unless you want Han Xiyao to have an accident."
Zhang Yang clenched his phone tightly, his veins bulging on the back of his hand.
At this time.
Zhang Yang knew that he absolutely could not show any sign of backing down, or he would only be led by the nose.
By then, not only would Han Xiyao not be rescued, but once the token was lost, he would also lose the only thing he had to restrain the other party.
"I'll say it again, if you want the token, it's a handover of person for goods."
"Otherwise... I'm leaving, and if Han Xiyao has an accident, I'll destroy the token in my hand."
"We can just go our separate ways!"
Zhang Yang's assertiveness once again made the other party fall silent.
This time, the silence was quite long.
Finally, as if she had thought of something, the voice said.
"Then, as you said, in ten minutes, board the covered boat with the colorful flags. We'll be waiting for you in the cabin."
"Okay. I'll be waiting."
After they confirmed, Zhang Yang secretly thought, "As expected."
If he had followed Qin Shengnan's instructions earlier.
He might have lost the token and still not been able to rescue Han Xiyao.
Fortunately, he was firm enough.
Ten minutes passed quickly.
Zhang Yang saw the covered boat with colorful flags slowly sailing towards him.
He didn't care about the crowd anymore and immediately leaped off the bridge and onto the boat.
It was done in one go, without any hesitation.
This scene instantly caused the surrounding tourists to exclaim.
"Wow, this person knows Qinggong, so amazing."
"This isn't Qinggong, there must be a rope tied somewhere nearby."
"I think so too. Aren't there many scenic spots that have actors filming to create an immersive experience for tourists?"
"..."
Zhang Yang was unaware.
The scene of him leaping off the bridge and onto the boat had caused such a stir.
After jumping onto the boat, Zhang Yang passed by the startled boatman.
He lifted the cabin curtain and entered the interior of the cabin.
At this moment.
There were two women and one man in the cabin.
Han Xiyao was in a coma, leaning against a chair.
Qin Shengnan stood with another old man with white hair and a withered, emaciated body.
From the other party.
Zhang Yang faintly sensed a powerful aura.
If nothing unexpected happened, the other party should be a True Essence realm expert.
Zhang Yang stared at the pale-faced Qin Shengnan, becoming vigilant.
It seemed.
The token in his hand was very important.
Otherwise, there wouldn't be a True Essence realm expert accompanying and guarding Qin Shengnan.