As Hu Lei, Long Xiao took a taxi directly to the Jingcheng Martial Alliance upon exiting the airport.
Ming Tianya was having tea with a few friends when someone reported Hu Lei's arrival. Ming Tianya hurried to the entrance to greet him.
Hu Lei's reputation within the Martial Alliance was now immense. Two consecutive championships had solidified his position as the foremost figure among the younger generation.
Upon seeing Ming Tianya, Long Xiao quickly stepped forward, saying, "President Ming, you're being too formal."
Ming Tianya clasped Long Xiao's hand and patted his shoulder, stating, "Hu Lei, you are now a celebrity in our Martial Alliance, a celebrity among Chinese martial artists."
After a few pleasantries, they entered the living room, where Ming Tianya introduced Long Xiao to his friends.
Once seated, Long Xiao said, "President Ming, I'm here at Long Xiao's request to handle a matter for him."
When Long Xiao explained the situation, everyone present gasped. They had never imagined that Long Xiao would oppose the Nangong family.
"Elder Hu, the Nangong family is one of the eight great martial arts families in China. Even if we mobilize everyone in our Martial Alliance, we won't be their match."
Long Xiao looked at Elder Ming and replied, "I am entrusted by a friend and will fulfill my duty to him. This matter is mine to handle. Don't worry, I won't implicate the Martial Alliance. If necessary, the Martial Alliance can help suppress the Luan family, so that I don't have to fall out with them and ruin our cordial relationship."
Ming Tianya nodded and said, "Suppressing the Luan family is no problem. With your status, the Luan family wouldn't dare to do anything to you."
Long Xiao knew Ming Tianya's character; he would do his best to keep his word. With Ming Tianya's promise, Long Xiao felt reassured and decided to go to the Luan family the next day to prevent the marriage.
Concerned that the Nangong family might be present at the Luan residence tomorrow, which could lead to conflict, Long Xiao used the night to make some preparations.
After spending the night at the Martial Alliance, Long Xiao had someone from the alliance drive him to the Luan family early the next morning.
The arrival of an Elder from the Martial Alliance's Law Enforcement Hall prompted a hurried welcome from Luan Mingkai and several other Luan family disciples.
Luan Mingkai's father, Luan Daping, was the head of the Luan family. However, as Luan Daping frequently entered seclusion for cultivation, Luan Mingkai largely managed the family's affairs.
Luan Mingyu, the father of Luan Jiping, was assigned only a nominal position, receiving a living allowance but holding virtually no power.
Although the Luan family was considered one of the five great families in Jingcheng, they were far inferior to the other four. The Luan family members conducted themselves with humility in Jingcheng, not daring to be arrogant, and were heavily suppressed by the other four families.
For the Luan family to stand on equal footing with the other four great families, they needed a powerful backer.
The Nangong family ranked first among the eight martial arts families. While all eight families possessed Heaven Realm experts, the Nangong family surpassed the other seven in terms of financial resources, manpower, and the number of Heaven Realm experts.
Luan Second Master devised a plan and personally acted to contact the Nangong family, intending to facilitate this marriage. To his dismay, he returned to Jingcheng with both arms broken after his efforts in Donghai were thwarted.
Luan Mingkai, dressed in a custom-tailored suit, exuded an imposing presence and the demeanor of a successful man.
Long Xiao, on the other hand, maintained his appearance as a migrant worker, unremarkable in the street, unlikely to be mistaken for a Martial Alliance Elder.
The few followers behind Long Xiao, clad in identical uniforms bearing the Martial Alliance emblem, stood expressionlessly, projecting an air of authority.
At the entrance to the Luan family estate, after exchanging pleasantries, they courteously entered.
In the living room, Long Xiao directly stated his purpose, telling Luan Mingkai that he was acting on behalf of a friend and would see this matter through.
Luan Mingkai looked at Long Xiao and, with a forced smile, said, "I'm afraid, Elder Hu, that the person left this morning for the Nangong family. The wedding date has been set, and we've decided against the usual engagement ceremonies. The wedding will take place directly in ten days."
Long Xiao was surprised by the Luan family's haste. It seemed they were somewhat afraid of him, otherwise, they wouldn't have rushed Luan Jiping to the Nangong family.
"Are you afraid Long Xiao will come looking for you?" Long Xiao asked.
Luan Mingkai nodded and replied, "Yes, I'm afraid he'll come looking for me. Long Xiao himself isn't frightening, but the experts around him are."
Long Xiao remained silent, watching Luan Mingkai. Luan Mingkai continued, "Elder Hu, why are you so insistent on interfering in this matter?"
"A friend asked for my help, and I promised. I must see it through to the end."
"If Elder Hu is determined to intervene, then you should go to the Nangong family. There are still ten days left; it will be too late if you delay," Luan Mingkai said with a smile.
Seeing Luan Mingkai's schadenfreude, Long Xiao replied, "I will definitely go to the Nangong family. I'd like to see how powerful the foremost of the eight martial arts families truly is."
Long Xiao stood up, his face filled with anger, preparing to leave. Luan Mingkai said, "Elder Hu, please convey a message to Long Xiao for me. Tell him that in Donghai he was a dragon, but in Jingcheng, he will be a worm. My Luan family will do as we please with him."
Long Xiao looked at Luan Mingkai, surprised by his arrogance.
Long Xiao nodded and said, "I will certainly deliver your message. I wish you good luck, Mr. Luan."
"I will undoubtedly have good luck. Long Xiao is merely an adopted orphan. What can he use to contend with my Luan family, one of the five great families of Jingcheng?"
Long Xiao glanced back at Luan Mingkai and smiled, saying, "A frog in a well."
Watching Long Xiao's receding back as he left the Luan residence, Luan Mingkai quietly instructed the Luan family members around him, "Keep an eye on this Hu Lei. Investigate him and find out exactly who he is."
When Long Xiao left Donghai, Xiao Ming was busy persuading Elder Dao Xiao and his disciples to go out and make money. Elder Dao Xiao, with his dirty water and fire Taoist robe, a fiery red wine gourd, and his ruddy face, bore a striking resemblance to an immortal hermit.
Xiao Ming and Meiling brought the scrap metal unearthed from the dragon's cave to the antique street, causing an immediate sensation. With Elder Dao Xiao standing before the scrap metal, its prices instantly soared.
There were even instances of two people fighting over a bronze artifact.
Xiao Ming, fond of excitement, reveled in the crowds and shouted his wares even louder.
In just one morning, Xiao Ming's bank account had over ten million more yuan.
As the scrap metal was nearly sold out, police officers and officials from the Bureau of Cultural Heritage appeared, startling the three individuals into fleeing. The remaining dozen or so items were left at the scene.
Xiao Ming knew that the police and cultural heritage officials wouldn't do much to him, but this incident could cause trouble for Long Xiao and lead to gossip.
The three returned to Xinglin Herb Hall. Xiao Ming gave Elder Dao Xiao a healing pill, which Elder Dao Xiao received as a treasure and carefully put away.
The three hadn't seen Long Xiao all afternoon and felt something was amiss. Xiao Ming inquired with Mi Tianfu and learned that Long Xiao had already gone to Jingcheng.
Elder Dao Xiao stated without hesitation, "Xiao Ming, let's go to Jingcheng too. Donghai is definitely not as fun as Jingcheng."
Xiao Ming looked at Elder Dao Xiao strangely and asked, "Aren't you not going to concern yourself with Brother Long's affairs?"
Elder Dao Xiao nodded and said, "Yes, I don't dare to meddle in his affairs, but I must follow him to prevent someone from killing him. That would be a significant loss."
Elder Dao Xiao's cultivation had significantly improved since practicing the technique Long Xiao had given him. He felt he benefited greatly from being with Long Xiao, with good food, drinks, and cultivation techniques that didn't hinder his progress. It would be foolish not to stay close.
As the three planned to go to Jingcheng, Xiao Ming found himself in a predicament as Elder Dao Xiao and Meiling lacked identification. Reluctantly, Xiao Ming decided to drive his extended Lincoln.
Following their usual practice, Xiao Ming bought a large quantity of food overnight and loaded it into the car, filling two refrigerators to the brim, as if food wasn't available in Jingcheng.
The three planned to set off the next morning. Luo Tianshui and Ye Mei overheard this and immediately expressed their desire to join. Long Xiao was in trouble, and Elder Dao Xiao was going to watch the excitement; if they didn't help, who would?