Regarding the inside information about Kunlun Mountain, as the Town North King, Xiao Yunlong naturally knew it clearly.
Setting aside other matters, a major event in the Dragon Country alone could reveal some clues.
The first was in the last century, when the Dragon Country, after sweeping across the land, intended to establish Kings of the Four Realms: the Eastern, Western, Southern, and Northern regions. The Eastern, Southern, and Northern regions were implemented smoothly.
However, the Western Region, which was the Kunlun Mountain area, encountered significant obstruction, causing the Dragon Country's establishment plan to be shelved and eventually abandoned.
The biggest reason for the inability to implement it was that, it was said, Kunlun Mountain housed many powerful ancient martial arts sects, and even those incredibly mysterious hidden aristocratic clans.
Even Xiao Yunlong, as the Town North King, was not entirely clear about these ancient martial arts sects and hidden aristocratic clans.
Xiao Yunlong only knew that in the capital of the Dragon Country today, some crucial departments, such as the Heavenly Strategy Mansion or the Wen Tian Pavilion, likely already had the influence of these Western Kunlun sects.
It was even possible that his ambush in the capital back then was not unrelated to these Kunlun hidden sects.
"Do you know where in Kunlun the leader of the Jiangdong Martial Alliance specifically comes from?" Xiao Yunlong asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I don't know about that."
Lin Zhechong shook his head and said with a wry smile, "I believe Mr. Xiao also knows that the various sects and forces in Kunlun are very secretive and do not easily reveal themselves."
Xiao Yunlong nodded slightly and chuckled, "If that's the case, then the martial arts attainments of your Jiangdong Martial Alliance leader must be extraordinary."
Lin Zhechong still smiled wryly, "To be honest, I haven't seen the Alliance Leader make a move for several years, so I'm not sure about his current martial arts cultivation. I only know that fifteen years ago, he was already a Grandmaster of Hua Jin."
Speaking of this, Lin Zhechong looked at the challenge letter in his hand and asked thoughtfully, "Mr. Xiao, what about this challenge letter..."
"Put it down. Go back and tell your Alliance Leader that on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, the Dragon Boat Festival, I will definitely be there!" Xiao Yunlong said with a light laugh.
"Alright, Mr. Xiao. I will deliver your message truthfully. If there's nothing else, I shall take my leave."
Lin Zhechong placed the challenge letter down, cupped his hands, and turned to leave.
Although Lin Zhechong knew Mr. Xiao's identity and background, the current situation of the Northern King was truly awkward and special. Especially with the increasing calls in the capital to depose the king, and the Zhang family from the Northeast forcibly entering the Northern Territory.
On the other hand, the leader of the Jiangdong Martial Alliance came from Western Kunlun and had the backing of the Kunlun hidden sects. The leader of the Jiangdong Martial Alliance might not fear this Town North King who had fallen on hard times.
"I wonder who will win this battle on the Dragon Boat Festival. However, such matters are like gods fighting; it's better for me, a mortal, to stay away!"
Lin Zhechong shook his head and walked out of the courtyard, then instructed the driver to drive away. To be honest, he did not want to get involved in such matters.
The afternoon sun shone on the gilded challenge letter on the stone table in the courtyard, emitting rays of dazzling light.
Xiao Yunlong picked up the challenge letter, gave it a brief glance, and then tossed it back onto the table.
Liu Ruyan could tell that his mood had suddenly become somewhat listless, so she didn't ask much, only suggesting they go to the underground secret chamber to cultivate. Xiao Yunlong decided to accompany her.
Time quietly slipped away in their cultivation, and a day passed in the blink of an eye.
The Dragon Boat Festival was still two days away. After breakfast, Liu Ruyan went to the film crew. Filming was nearing its end, and she couldn't take too many leaves of absence.
Seeing that there was nothing else to do, Xiao Yunlong drove to the old Tang family mansion to visit his maternal grandfather.
Perhaps because he already knew Xiao Yunlong's true identity, his third uncle, Tang Tianbao, appeared very enthusiastic and even respectful this time.
As Xiao Yunlong had barely stepped into the courtyard, Tang Tianbao hurried out.
"Yunlong, why do you have time to visit today? I was actually planning to visit you." Tang Tianbao said with a fawning smile.
"I have nothing to do today, so I came to sit and chat with Grandpa!" Xiao Yunlong nodded.
"Grandpa has gone for a walk and will be back soon. Come, Yunlong, don't just stand there, come in and sit!" Tang Tianbao quickly welcomed him in.
Xiao Yunlong nodded slightly and walked directly towards his eldest cousin, Tang Bowen, who was sitting in a corner of the courtyard.
Although Tang Bowen was still in a wheelchair, his overall demeanor was much better than before. At this moment, he was continuously inhaling and exhaling, facing the morning sun.
What shocked Xiao Yunlong was that as Tang Bowen's breathing rhythmically rose and fell, a faint, invisible aura of energy appeared around him.
"This... is a sign of Qi leaving the body?" Xiao Yunlong was incredibly astonished.
Qi leaving the body had always been something only Hua Jin Grandmasters could achieve. Now, with the signs of an energy aura leaving Tang Bowen's body, it meant he had already taken a half-step into the ranks of Hua Jin Grandmasters.
It had only been a few days since his eldest cousin began cultivating. Even with Xiao Yunlong providing him with several ancient artifacts to aid his cultivation, this speed was still too fast.
"His cultivation talent is truly formidable. It looks like it won't be long before he reaches the Grandmaster level. By then, even if his legs are not fully healed, he should be able to walk." Xiao Yunlong sighed inwardly.
Sensing someone approaching, Tang Bowen stopped his breathing and opened his eyes. Upon seeing Xiao Yunlong, he was startled and then said, "So it's Yunlong, why are you here? You've come at the right time, I have a few cultivation problems that I need your advice on."
"Speak!" Xiao Yunlong nodded slightly and sat down beside him.
Tang Bowen pondered for a moment, organized his thoughts, and then said, "It's like this. With my continuous cultivation these past few days, the internal energy in my dantian has been increasing. According to what you said earlier, I want to make my Qi leave my body, but no matter how I try, I can't succeed."
Xiao Yunlong chuckled dismissively upon hearing this, thinking, "How long has he been cultivating, and he's already thinking about making his Qi leave his body? Isn't that too impatient?"
However, upon closer consideration, he understood. Xiao Yunlong knew that his eldest cousin desperately wanted to walk freely. Because once his Qi could leave his body, and then be applied to his legs wrapped in Qi, he would most likely be able to stand up.
Xiao Yunlong vaguely felt that this internal drive was what caused his martial arts cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds in such a short period.
After thinking for a moment, Xiao Yunlong said, "Cousin, have you heard of the idiom 'when the water flows, a channel is formed'?"
"When the water flows, a channel is formed?" Tang Bowen frowned.
"Yes, it's like irrigation. Only when the channels are all cleared and prepared, and only when enough water is accumulated at the source, can the water flow continuously into the channels once the gate at the source is opened, thus truly forming a channel when the water is ready?" Xiao Yunlong said leisurely.
Tang Bowen stared blankly, seemingly contemplating the profound meaning of his words.
Xiao Yunlong remained silent, knowing that with his eldest cousin's intelligence and wisdom, he would surely understand.
Indeed, two minutes later, Tang Bowen said, "I understand. The so-called 'when the water flows, a channel is formed' requires two conditions: one is sufficient accumulation of water at the source, which is the internal energy in my dantian, and it's not enough yet. The second is that the channels must be cleared and strengthened beforehand, meaning my meridians still need to be widened and reinforced."
Xiao Yunlong nodded with satisfaction upon hearing this.
"Thank you, Yunlong. Your words have truly enlightened me. I now know what my problem is: I was too impatient, only focusing on making my Qi surge out of my body. I know what to do next," Tang Bowen said.
"In fact, you don't need to be too anxious. Your martial arts talent is very strong. At the current pace, you should be able to achieve Qi leaving your body soon. Even if your legs haven't recovered, normal walking will definitely not be a problem," Xiao Yunlong said.
Tang Bowen nodded heavily, a look of full confidence and motivation on his handsome face.
Xiao Yunlong said no more. Just then, his maternal grandfather, Tang Zengshou, returned from his walk.
"Yunlong, you're here! You've come at the right time. Today, let's have a few rounds, grandfather and grandson!" Tang Zengshou was clearly very happy, and Xiao Yunlong was naturally willing to accompany him.
A chessboard was set up on the stone table in the courtyard pavilion, and the two began to play. Eldest cousin Tang Bowen, having likely understood the importance of balance, came over to watch.
Third Aunt-in-law, Ni Hongyan, came out of the living room, glanced at Xiao Yunlong, and then said to Tang Tianbao, "What's going on? Didn't we tell this troublemaker Xiao Yunlong to get lost? Why is he back?"
Tang Tianbao was stunned, unsure how to respond to his elder sister-in-law's words.
Just then, Third Aunt-in-law and Tang Zijun and Tang Wenya also came out from inside.
"I say, Tianbao, have you gone soft? Didn't you do as we said and drive Xiao Yunlong, this jinx, out of Jiangdong?" Third Aunt-in-law said with a stern face.
Tang Tianbao stood under the eaves of the living room, looking helpless. He wanted to explain, but didn't know where to start.
"Dad, this Xiao Yunlong, he openly killed Sun Lihu that day. You should know Sun Lihu, he was the Deputy Commander of the Jiangdong City Lord's Mansion. Xiao Yunlong has committed a heinous crime. If you don't drive him away, and instead invited him in, what if the City Lord's Mansion pursues it? Won't we be finished?"
Tang Wenya also angrily questioned her father.
Facing the questioning of several close relatives, Tang Tianbao instinctively wanted to tell them Xiao Yunlong's identity, but he swallowed the words back.
In fact, after learning Xiao Yunlong's identity that night when they eliminated the Gu Poison Sect, Tang Tianbao used some of his connections in the capital to make discreet inquiries and finally learned a lot about the Town North King.
At the same time, Tang Tianbao also knew that Xiao Yunlong's current identity was very sensitive, even somewhat awkward, which was why he didn't want to say much.
Because of this, Ni Hongyan and the others still didn't know Xiao Yunlong's identity and background.
Thinking of this, Tang Tianbao said helplessly, "Regardless, Yunlong is our relative. We can't just drive him away, can we? That would be too much."
"Too much?" Third Aunt-in-law snorted coldly, her face darkening as she reprimanded, "If this fellow surnamed Xiao had any conscience, he wouldn't have come to our door, lest he implicate us, the Tang family. Haven't we been implicated by him enough over the years?"
Eldest Aunt-in-law Ni Hongyan also raised her voice and deliberately shouted, "Xiao Yunlong, this disaster-maker, killed Sun Lihu and even openly defied the Deputy City Lord. If we let him come to our door again, and if the City Lord's Mansion finds out, don't you think they will vent their anger on us? At that time, our Tang family will inevitably be harmed by him and unable to establish ourselves in Jiangdong."
"Exactly! Although Xiao Yunlong has some skills, we don't need to bother with such an ungrateful, heartless, and inconsiderate troublemaker..."
"Enough!"
Tang Tianbao was furious. He roared and interrupted their words, saying exasperatedly, "You all truly have long hair and short insight. Don't you see it yet? Yunlong's identity is not simple. Let alone killing Sun Lihu, even if he killed the Deputy City Lord Liao Huachen, the Jiangdong City Lord's Mansion wouldn't dare to do anything to him!"
"What did you say? You said this fellow surnamed Xiao's identity is not simple, and the Jiangdong City Lord's Mansion wouldn't dare to do anything to him?"
Eldest Aunt-in-law Ni Hongyan laughed, a laugh full of playful mockery. "This guy who can't accomplish anything but messes things up and causes trouble, you're saying his identity is not simple? I think you've been deceived by his smooth talk!"
"People like this are the most detestable. They only know how to talk. Otherwise, why would Grandpa be completely fooled by him? And eldest cousin, he's also being fooled by that guy into meditating and messing around all day, even saying that this can heal his legs. This is simply a colossal international joke!" Tang Wenya said with great sarcasm.
"No, this cannot go on any longer. I heard that the Jiangdong City Lord returned from his business trip from the Eastern Region this morning. He definitely won't let this go easily. If you are all too soft-hearted, I will be the villain. Today, no matter what, I must drive this dog surnamed Xiao out!"
Ni Hongyan gritted her teeth, stamped her foot, and walked directly towards Xiao Yunlong.
Tang Tianbao wanted to stop her, but he was fiercely glared at by his wife and daughter. Then Tang Wenya and the others also walked towards Xiao Yunlong angrily.
In fact, throughout the entire process, Xiao Yunlong heard every word of their argument. He just shook his head slightly, too lazy to pay them much attention, and continued to play chess with his grandfather.
Just as Ni Hongyan and the others were about to reach him, a car roared towards them.
Four guards wearing the distinctive uniform of the City Lord's Mansion escorted an old man in a Zhongshan suit directly in.
Ni Hongyan and the others stopped abruptly upon seeing the newcomers and blurted out, "This is... City Lord's Mansion guards. Could it be that the Jiangdong City Lord is about to make a move?"
"May I ask who is Xiao Yunlong?" the old man in the Zhongshan suit asked loudly.
"I am!" Xiao Yunlong said faintly, without looking up.
"Why are you still sitting? On the order of the City Lord, follow us immediately. As for the reason, I don't think I need to elaborate, right?" the old man in the Zhongshan suit said sternly.
"If it's really someone from the City Lord's Mansion, it seems the Jiangdong City Lord already knows about Sun Lihu's death and is officially making a move against this Xiao Yunlong!" Ni Hongyan said.
"The City Lord personally ordered the arrest. Let's see how this fellow surnamed Xiao can resist now!" Tang Wenya said gloatingly.
Xiao Yunlong held a chess piece, still not looking up, and said coldly, "Can't you see I'm in the middle of a game and don't have time? Get lost!"
"Presumptuous!" The four personal guards of the City Lord were instantly enraged and were about to make a move to arrest him.
The old man in the Zhongshan suit waved his hand to stop them. After all, he had thoroughly investigated beforehand. Although this fellow surnamed Xiao was young, his martial arts skills were terrifying. Therefore, the City Lord had instructed him before leaving not to act unless necessary, and only to invite the person to the City Lord's Mansion.
"Xiao Yunlong, it seems you don't understand. I am here on the order of the City Lord. So, you'd better come with us obediently, otherwise the consequences will be absolutely severe!"
The old man in the Zhongshan suit tried his best to suppress his anger.
"So what if he's the Jiangdong City Lord? He still wants me to go see him? He doesn't have that much face!"
Xiao Yunlong snorted coldly, took out the Town North King token from his inner pocket, and handed it to Tang Tianbao. "Third Uncle, take this token to the City Lord's Mansion immediately and tell the Jiangdong City Lord to come and see me. Tell him I'll give him half an hour. If he's late, the consequences will be severe!"
"Yes!" Tang Tianbao took it with both hands, then turned and left.
"You brat, you have quite the nerve. I'll see what pretense you're putting on. If the City Lord finds out you're deliberately toying with him, you'll surely die a terrible death!"
The old man in the Zhongshan suit snorted and turned to leave. However, at the doorway, he said, "You four, guard the entrance and keep an eye on him, understand!"
"Yes!" The four guards immediately cupped their hands and stood there like door gods.
Xiao Yunlong just gave a faint cold smile, too lazy to pay them any more attention.