The family stronghold of the Huanglong lineage had completely vanished.
Small animals scurried in panic throughout the wilderness park on the outskirts of Longhe Town.
Above the town, flocks of birds took flight in alarm.
Long Dijun and his group fled in disarray into the woods, and Chen Baidi, upon receiving the news, personally led a rescue party.
Even as they boarded Chen Baidi's war chariot, these members of the Long family were still shaken.
Chen Baidi found it strange, "I inquired with Chudu, and it seems there was no earthquake. How did the family stronghold collapse so suddenly?"
Long Dijun remained silent.
Long Jianye glared defiantly, disheveled.
Only Huang Tianji's eyes darted, and he smiled, "This is a good thing."
Huh?
This was a good thing?
Chen Baidi asked with uncertainty, "Please enlighten me, Uncle Huang, what good is it?"
Huang Tianji chuckled, "This matter is a long story, and it's related to the turtle dragon of Wanchun Lake. We activated the array at the family stronghold today, intending to use its aura to test the turtle dragon's strength!"
Chen Baidi scratched his head like a fool, "Has that turtle dragon already succeeded in transforming into a dragon?"
Huang Tianji chuckled evasively, "Yes, that's why the turtle dragon unleashed its supreme divine power and destroyed our family stronghold. But rest assured, we had planted a restriction within the turtle dragon before it fully formed. Killing it will be quite simple then."
Chen Baidi became excited, "I never expected the turtle dragon's strength to be so great. If I take the dragon's blood then, won't I be able to reach a higher realm?"
"Baidi, we all have high hopes for you. With your current strength, coupled with the turtle dragon's invincible essence blood, you will undoubtedly become the strongest expert in the world!"
Huang Tianji's rambling talk actually filled Chen Baidi with joy. He turned and ordered a camp to be set up north of the Longhe River, and commanded his subordinates to rebuild a palace for the Long family members to reside and rest.
After the foolish Chen Baidi alighted, Huang Tianji's expression turned grim, "Listen carefully, all of you. You must not let Chen Baidi know the truth, especially not let him lose confidence. If he becomes scared, our plan will be ruined!"
Long Dijun and the others were now extremely respectful towards him, "You are truly capable, Uncle-in-law. What was originally an embarrassment for our Long family, you've spun into a good thing."
Huang Tianji stroked his beard and sneered, "Remember one thing: Chen Baidi is our current ally. Also, regarding the matter of turtle dragon essence blood enhancing cultivation, we've only heard legends. We've never tested it. Therefore, Chen Baidi must be the guinea pig. If he takes it and is fine, then you can use it!"
Only Chen Baidi's cultivation was suitable to be a guinea pig.
The most brilliant part was that this man was arrogant, but not very sharp; his intelligence was quite low.
The members of the Long family chuckled inwardly and relaxed.
Only Long Dijun still wore a somber expression.
"Uncle-in-law, was it truly Qin Yexuan who sabotaged the family stronghold just now? I still can't comprehend why the stronghold's array was rendered useless."
Huang Tianji shook his head awkwardly, "Don't dwell on this. I am certain it was Qin Yexuan's doing. But it's fine, he's still under our control."
Long Dijun looked skeptical, "Uncle-in-law, if Qin Yexuan is so powerful, how can we control him?"
Huang Tianji continued to stroke his beard, then after a moment of silence, he smiled, "If you speak of Qin Yexuan's strength, then I admit, he once defeated us hidden clans, leaving us in utter disarray during his three battles that established the realm. However, his weakness is also very obvious!"
A strange smile flickered in Huang Tianji's eyes. "When Qin Yexuan was at his peak, our hidden clans secretly studied him. Then, we sent a girl surnamed Su to him, and Qin Yexuan truly fell for that girl. They even went overseas together, abandoning the Great Xia."
Long Dijun nodded, "We all know this. But that girl seemed to have died later?"
Huang Tianji slapped his thigh, "Good that she died! Once that woman died, Qin Yexuan seemed to have lost his soul. All his heroic spirit vanished. He actually hid in Jiangcheng to take care of the Su sisters. Ha, doing laundry and cooking, like a servant. Tell me, isn't his weakness women?"
Long Dijun's spirits lifted, "Good, indeed it is Uncle-in-law's analysis that is superior. Currently, Su Xueqing is in our hands, and the plan to transform her is almost complete."
Huang Tianji clapped his hands, "Don't forget Shen Bingmei. We investigated her. Since that incident years ago, the only woman Qin Yexuan had physical intimacy with was that actress, Shen Bingmei!"
Long Dijun's confidence grew even stronger, "Shen Bingmei has also been arranged for. She's already a bird in a cage, unable to fly far."
Thus, the Huanglong lineage, full of confidence, began to reorganize.
At this time, Qin Yexuan was meeting a delegation from the Imperial Capital in a small courtyard of a rural guesthouse three li outside Chudu City.
"Chen Wanchun was apprehended immediately upon his return to the Imperial Capital. We express our deepest apologies on behalf of the Imperial Capital," the new Imperial Capital secret envoy said courteously, showing utmost respect to Qin Yexuan.
Qin Yexuan picked up his teacup.
The Imperial Capital special envoy quickly rose to pour the tea.
Qin Yexuan took a sip of tea and smiled faintly, "I heard that my disciples are currently being held by you in the Imperial Capital?"
The Imperial Capital secret envoy repeatedly waved his hands, "How could that be? We don't have that much capability."
He forced a smile, "Your先生's disciples are now voluntarily staying at home. Even the renowned Marshal Li Tianxing has publicly announced he is recuperating at home. However, most of your industries are still operating normally. On Tianxin Island in Jiangcheng, the trillion-asset conglomerate still belongs to you."
The envoy hesitated at this point, "The elder gentlemen in the Imperial Capital all said that if you,先生, wish to live in seclusion, they would not obstruct you. In fact, they all believe that you living a quiet life as a wealthy man, enjoying wealth and honor for a lifetime, is wiser than getting involved in this matter."
Qin Yexuan had understood.
"The Imperial Capital's choice is for me not to intervene, and for you to deal with the Huanglong family yourselves."
The envoy nodded, "Times have changed. We mortals in the secular world have also trained true experts. We are preparing to eradicate the Long family in one fell swoop during the World Martial Arts Tournament!"
Qin Yexuan put down his teacup and shook his head, "Then you are seeking your own destruction. Although the hidden clans were crippled by me, they have recuperated for so many years. Their emergence this time will undoubtedly be more ferocious. You cannot even defeat Long Dijun alone, let alone him colluding with Chen Baidi."
The envoy's eyes flickered, and his tone changed slightly, "先生, times have changed. To be frank, you are no longer that important. In the recent Imperial Capital meeting, there were two factions. Those who do not want you to intervene constitute eighty percent, and the remaining twenty percent are also hesitant."
Qin Yexuan let out a scoff and flicked his finger, shattering the teacup with a "bang."
He abruptly stood up, "So, you look down on me, Qin. Alright, you can leave. I will not interfere in this matter!"
With that, he turned and walked away.
The special envoy did not even attempt to stop him. He merely blinked and muttered, "What kind of person is he? Does he really think the Imperial Capital can't manage without you, Master Qin? Hmph, who does he think he is? Isn't he just a useless piece of trash now? He was decadent for three years after a woman died. What kind of great hero is he? I think he's just so-so!"