When Zhang Lihe left the Zhang family, it was already past midnight.
The Kyoto in autumn had a hint of coolness.
However, as Zhang Lihe walked out of the Zhang family's residence, a flame flickered in his heart.
He turned back to look at the Zhang family plaque hanging high above the gate, his fists clenched tightly, his gaze flickering uncertainly, as if lost in thought.
...
The next morning.
Zhang Lihe found Zhang Yang first thing.
"Senior Zhang, is there something you need so early in the morning?" Zhang Yang asked curiously.
Although he disliked Zhang Lihe, Zhang Yang's demeanor remained unchanged.
He maintained the same attitude as always.
"Young Minister, last night I mobilized everyone to investigate what you mentioned. We have succeeded and found a way to enter the steel plate wall.
That steel plate wall is not actually airtight. It has a hidden mechanism, located in the top right corner."
The top right corner?
Zhang Yang's heart stirred upon hearing this, and he exclaimed in surprise.
"You've already found out? This matter should be very secretive. How did you find out?"
"Perhaps it was good luck, or maybe I found the right direction for the investigation. Yesterday, you told me about the underground steel wall, so I contacted all the manufacturers in Kyoto capable of producing such a scale overnight, and finally found the original construction company.
After some interrogation, they revealed this secret." Zhang Lihe replied.
He knew that if he directly told Zhang Yang the location of the underground steel wall, Zhang Yang would surely become suspicious.
So, he came up with a story overnight to avoid Zhang Yang's suspicion.
Zhang Yang nodded slightly, but inwardly he sneered.
This reason was indeed flawless.
However, he no longer trusted Zhang Lihe.
"Is that so? Then thank you very much, Senior Zhang. I'll try it later," Zhang Yang said.
"Yes, Young Minister, be careful when you act. After all, you've already alerted them. They will definitely be heavily guarding there waiting for you.
If you need to go, you can notify me in advance, and we'll go together!" Zhang Lihe said.
This statement came from Zhang Lihe's genuine concern. He truly worried about Zhang Yang's safety.
However, Zhang Yang did not see it that way.
His heart was filled with cold amusement.
If I notify you, wouldn't that give you an opportunity to tip them off?
"Alright, I'll notify you in advance when I make my move. Peach Blossom Water Town will surely be on high alert these two days. Let's wait for them to relax their vigilance before we act," Zhang Yang said.
"Good," Zhang Lihe nodded.
It was best for Zhang Lihe that Zhang Yang was patient and not in a hurry.
After discussing this matter, Zhang Lihe took his leave.
At this moment, Luo Yiren looked at Zhang Yang, somewhat puzzled.
"Little brother, is this Zhang Lihe really problematic? I feel like something's not quite right."
At any time.
When Zhang Yang discussed important matters with others, he did not deliberately exclude Luo Yiren.
And Luo Yiren was also sensible, never speaking out of turn to disturb them.
But she was not idle either.
She was constantly observing the other person's expression, trying to decipher the meaning and truth behind their words.
"Sister Yiren, don't be fooled. Would a spy really have the words 'spy' written on their face?" Zhang Yang chuckled and shook his head.
"Is that so? Am I just being too sensitive?" Luo Yiren murmured to herself.
...
After breakfast.
Around ten o'clock in the morning.
Zhang Yang received a text message from Zhao Linglong, and then he drove away with Luo Yiren, saying they were going out for a stroll.
Zhang Lihe and He Ao were chatting together and did not accompany them.
Upon arriving at the Zhao family's residence.
Zhang Yang found the entire Zhao family on high alert.
In the Zhao family courtyard, nearly a hundred experts had been assembled.
Zhang Yang took a brief look and found that the weakest among them were at the peak of the inner Qi realm.
And the experts above the True Essence realm that Zhang Yang had sensed at the Zhao family yesterday had also appeared, three of them.
One of them was even in the middle stage of the True Essence realm.
With such a grand mobilization so early in the morning, what was the Zhao family planning?
"Zhang Yang, you're here."
At this moment, Zhao Linglong and Zhao Fenghuang, the sisters, walked towards Zhang Yang and greeted him.
"Why did you call me here so early?" Zhang Yang asked.
"Of course, to tell you the method to break through the underground steel wall," Zhao Linglong said with a chuckle, continuing.
"According to the intelligence I have, the steel wall you encountered yesterday actually has a mechanism.
The mechanism is located in the top left corner. There's a hidden compartment there. As long as you press it with force, a passage will appear, large enough for an adult to pass through."
This!
A hidden compartment in the top left corner?
Zhang Yang felt that these words were very familiar.
Zhang Lihe had just mentioned this to him in the morning!
What was going on?
Luo Yiren and Zhang Yang exchanged a glance.
Did Zhang Lihe actually tell them the location of the mechanism?
Could it be...
He wasn't a spy? Was Zhang Yang mistaken?
Or perhaps, this was a trap to lure the enemy?
Were there ambushes waiting for them behind the steel wall?
Zhang Yang pondered inwardly, but his expression remained calm.
"Alright, I understand. When do you need me to act?" Zhang Yang asked.
The Zhao family's early morning mobilization and calling him here must have a reason.
"If possible, you can act now. We will provide cover for you. As for what happens after you go in, we won't be involved. We have other matters to attend to," Zhao Linglong said.
"Now?" Zhang Yang frowned, thought for a moment, and said.
"Yes, I can set off now."
...
An hour later.
The experts assembled by the Zhao family arrived at Peach Blossom Water Town in full force.
Zhang Yang and Luo Yiren followed behind them, stealthily lurking.
"Doesn't Peach Blossom Water Town close during the day? Why is the gate open?" Luo Yiren asked.
"I smashed the signboard yesterday, and you smashed the gate. Have you forgotten?" Zhang Yang gave her a sideways glance.
Luo Yiren patted her head and smiled shyly, "Really? I don't remember being so violent."
Zhang Yang: ...
According to the plan.
The Zhao family would launch a surprise attack on Peach Blossom Water Town, creating an opportunity for Zhang Yang to reach the entrance of the underground steel wall.
Therefore, as soon as the Zhao family entered, they chose to engage in combat without a word.
Instantly.
Sounds of battle erupted from within Peach Blossom Water Town.
Zhang Yang knew it was time for him to make his move.
"Sister Yiren, the situation today is quite dangerous, so please stay here. Wait for me to come out and then you can provide support," Zhang Yang instructed.
"Okay," Luo Yiren nodded.
Her current strength was indeed of little help, so she didn't rush to join.
*Swish~*
Zhang Yang suddenly burst into action, his figure like a ghost, unnoticed by anyone, and stealthily entered the Peach Blossom Water Town club.
As soon as he entered, Zhang Yang was stunned.
Peach Blossom Water Town also had heavy ambushes within.
The number of people ambushing was comparable to the Zhao family. It seemed they were indeed waiting for him.
Fortunately, he had cooperated with the Zhao family and didn't barge in alone, otherwise, he might have suffered a loss.
Taking advantage of the ongoing battle, Zhang Yang moved towards the entrance to the underground passage.
Along the way.
Three people noticed Zhang Yang's suspicious movements.
However, before they could cry out, Zhang Yang killed them on the spot.
Arriving at the entrance, Zhang Yang looked around and then leaped into it, heading underground.
He reached the steel wall that had blocked his path yesterday. Zhang Yang's True Qi surged within him.
With a palm strike, he slammed it onto the top left corner of the steel plate wall.
Instantly.
With a rumble.
A groove was indeed formed on the top left corner of the steel plate wall by Zhang Yang's palm.
*Clank, clank, clank~*
Suddenly, there was a sound of chains rattling from within the steel wall.
"The mechanism has been triggered," Zhang Yang thought to himself.
Soon, in the center of the steel wall, which was previously airtight, a circular opening appeared, leading to the other side of the steel wall.
"It's actually two meters deep!"
Upon learning the thickness of the steel plate wall, Zhang Yang couldn't help but exclaim.
No wonder he had spent so much time and effort yesterday without being able to break through the steel plate.
With such thickness and density, it was indeed difficult to break through the steel plate.
...
Before passing through the circular opening in the steel wall, Zhang Yang thought for a moment and directly destroyed the groove mechanism on the steel wall.
This was to prevent anyone from discovering it later and closing the steel wall, which would prevent him from leaving.
Passing through the steel wall, Zhang Yang continued downwards.
Ten minutes later, he arrived in front of a stone door.
This stone door was carved with five divine and majestic dragons, each lifelike and imposing.
Zhang Yang recognized this stone door mural.
This was the underground entrance to the Hua Xia Five Dragons underground headquarters.
Then, following the method previously told to him by He Ao, he successfully found the mechanism to open the stone door.
*Rumble, rumble.*
The stone door was heavy and made a loud noise as it opened.
Instantly.
A strange, foul odor wafted towards him.
Zhang Yang frowned.
The smell was somewhat pungent and made breathing difficult.
At the same time, his expression turned grim. This was the underground headquarters of Hua Xia Five Dragons.
It was a place where important items were stored. Logically, even if it were built underground, there should be a ventilation system.
However.
The current pungent, foul smell was clearly abnormal.
It could only mean that the ventilation system had been damaged, or that something was inside.
Zhang Yang became extremely vigilant and slowly walked inside.
Before coming here, He Ao had mentioned that if the Hua Long Water was present, it would be on the second underground floor. Zhang Yang was currently on the first floor.
To enter the second floor, one needed to reach the end.
At the end of the first floor, there was a hidden mechanism that led to the second floor.
Along the way.
Zhang Yang encountered no danger.
Looking at the messy first underground floor, Zhang Yang guessed that the Zhang family had already been here.
Fortunately, the Hua Long Water he needed was on the second floor.
Otherwise, this trip would have been in vain.
As he went deeper.
The pungent, foul smell became increasingly stronger.
Suddenly!
As Zhang Yang was about to reach the end, he heard a noise not far ahead!
The sound was like chains dragging on the ground.
Someone was here!
Zhang Yang's vigilance increased, and he slowly crept forward.
As he went deeper, the pungent, foul smell in the air took on a different scent, mixed with the smell of human excrement.
Not an ambush?
Was someone imprisoned here?
This was Zhang Yang's first impression.
True Qi flowed throughout his body, and Zhang Yang could finally see the end of the first underground floor.
Indeed, there was a person there!
A figure with hair hanging down, tattered clothes, and limbs bound by chains!
Whether it was a man or a woman, Zhang Yang couldn't tell for sure at the moment.
However.
Zhang Yang's appearance also attracted the attention of the other party.
"Ah!"
"Ah! Ah! Ah!"
As soon as the other party discovered Zhang Yang, they let out an angry roar.
Then, like a fierce beast, they suddenly charged towards Zhang Yang.
Instantly.
Zhang Yang's hair stood on end!
This was the aura of the True Essence realm. The other party was at least in the middle stage of the True Essence realm!
*Swish.*
A chain as thick as an arm was swung by the prisoner towards Zhang Yang.
Zhang Yang's True Qi erupted within him.
The True Qi gathered in his palm and was unleashed, blocking the extremely powerful impact of the chain.
"Ah!"
Seeing that Zhang Yang was unharmed.
The prisoner let out another frantic roar and relentlessly attacked Zhang Yang again.
Looking at their posture, it seemed as if they intended to kill Zhang Yang on the spot!
"Who are you!"
Zhang Yang shouted loudly while blocking the other party's attack.
However...
The other party did not answer Zhang Yang, continuing to shout.
"Damn it! You all deserve to die! Everyone from the Zhang family deserves to die!"
"You won't get the secret to entering the second underground floor from me!"
This!
The secret to entering the second underground floor?
Zhang Yang's heart stirred.
Perhaps he had guessed the other party's identity and quickly shouted.
"Senior, you've misunderstood! I am not from the Zhang family, nor from the Wu family or the Zhou family! I am also a member of Hua Xia Five Dragons!"
He Ao had once said.
Only a few people knew the secret to entering the second underground floor of Hua Xia Five Dragons.
And the other party said the Zhang family was interrogating him, which meant they also knew.
Therefore, this imprisoned person must be a member of Hua Xia Five Dragons!
So.
Zhang Yang quickly declared his identity and voluntarily ceased his attack.
However, this prisoner not only did not accept his explanation but became even more enraged!
"Bastard, do you think I'm senile? You think after five years, I would forget the tricks you used to use!"
After a furious roar.
The other party's aura became even stronger.
A mouthful of blood spurted from their mouth, staining their hanging hair red.
But that wasn't the most important thing. The most important thing was that they had become stronger!
"Late stage True Essence realm!"
Zhang Yang's forehead veins bulged, and he exclaimed.
This person was in the middle stage of the True Essence realm just now, how did they advance a realm now!
*Swish.*
This time, Zhang Yang was directly hit by the chain, spitting blood and falling heavily.
Fortunately, the chains binding the prisoner had a limited length, preventing them from pursuing Zhang Yang.
"Get lost! If you come near again, I'll kill you!" the prisoner roared.
*Whoosh~*
Zhang Yang glanced at his chest. The spot where he was hit by the chain was now bleeding continuously.
After slightly stopping the bleeding, Zhang Yang stood still, not daring to make any rash moves.
"Senior, I am truly a member of Hua Xia Five Dragons. My father is Zhang Yingxiong!"
"Heh, do you think I'll believe that?" the prisoner scoffed.
Clearly.
This tactic had also been used by members of the Zhang family before.
Then, to prove he wasn't an actor hired by the Zhang family, Zhang Yang mentioned the matters concerning He Ao, Jiang Pan, and others.
However, the prisoner remained unmoved, maintaining a stubborn demeanor.
This time.
Zhang Yang was at a loss.
With the entrance to the second underground floor so close.
Yet...
He couldn't enter. What was this situation!
Moreover, there was no signal in this underground chamber.
Even if Zhang Yang wanted to make a video call to He Ao and the others, it was not feasible.
As for going outside to call He Ao and the others, there was no time.
Could it be...
He had to give up like this?
Suddenly!
He thought of a way, and his eyes lit up.
Perhaps this would make the other party believe his identity.
"Senior, I am truly a member of Hua Xia Five Dragons, I..."