Slightly surprised, Shuidong Liu walked forward.
The green-robed guards on all four sides stood solemnly, their blades already drawn.
Before the carriage, the black-robed elder, Huang Yi, was like an unsheathed sword—one could not look at him directly.
His realm was clearly above the Qi Cultivation Realm.
“Halt!
My master is the son of the Mansion Master who governs the ninety-nine cities and oversees Dongling!” Huang Yi said, his face expressionless.
The haughty tilt of his head revealed the extraordinary status of his master.
“Uninvolved parties…”
“Show some respect!”
Huang Wenlong rose and stepped down from the carriage.
Someone immediately rushed forward, bending over to serve as a human step for Huang Wenlong to tread on.
“Master…”
“I am the fiancé of the Xiao Mansion’s eldest young miss, and Shuidong Liu is the fiancé of the second young miss.
This matter…”
But Huang Yi interjected contemptuously, “Master, your engagement to the eldest young miss was settled long ago.
But he…
he has yet to receive the approval of the Duke and the Duchess.”
“Besides, a son of a disgraced official, an exiled criminal—how could he possibly be mentioned in the same breath as you, Master!”
“Shut your mouth!” Huang Wenlong snapped angrily.
“The second young miss is the number one genius of our Yunlong Dynasty.
Not even His Majesty would refute her opinion.
Besides, the affairs of Duke Zhen’s Mansion are not for you to make irresponsible remarks about!”
“I…”
“Apologize!” Huang Wenlong stared at him coldly.
Huang Yi clenched the fists hidden within his long robes.
He shot a resentful glare at Shuidong Liu before saying grudgingly, “I’m sorry!”
“Louder!”
“Master Huang, there’s no need…”
“No!” Huang Wenlong stopped Shuidong Liu.
“My Huang Family has no place for people who look down on others.
What’s more, we will be brothers-in-law in the future, as close as blood brothers.
There can be no friction between us!”
“More importantly, we cannot allow a rift to form between the two young misses of the Xiao Family!”
Huang Wenlong’s expression was one of utmost seriousness, his values so upright that Shuidong Liu found himself unable to argue.
Huang Yi secretly took a breath, then cupped his fists and bowed.
“Master Shui, it was I who judged a book by its cover.
I hope you can forgive me!”
Shuidong Liu nodded.
“There’s no need for that.
Mountains have peaks and valleys, and people have high and low stations.
I understand that.”
‘Shuidong Liu knew full well that it was the same in any world: if you’re in a lower class, you bow your head!’
But Huang Wenlong shook his head.
“You are the son of the Champion Marquis.
What a hero the Champion Marquis was back then.
Everyone knows what really happened.
If the Marquis were still here, your status would be far higher than mine!”
“All of you, listen closely.
From now on, when you see Master Shui, it is the same as seeing me!”
“Yes!”
The group of men hurriedly bowed in respect.
“We pay our respects to Master Shui!”
Their voices echoed through the alley, drawing attention!
A rare smile appeared on Shuidong Liu’s face.
‘Xiao Liang, Huang Wenlong…
There really are more good people in this world!’
“Master Huang!”
“Just call me Wen Long!”
“Alright.
Please, let’s talk inside!” Seeing them waiting outside his door, Shuidong Liu had guessed they might have business with him.
He pushed the door open and entered.
The inside had already been cleaned up by Xiao Liang’s men.
Except for Huang Yi, everyone else remained on guard outside the door.
“Did you come here for a reason, Wen Long?”
“I just heard about your situation and came to get acquainted.
Coincidentally, on my way here, I heard you were targeted in an assassination attempt.
I was about to have someone investigate, but it turns out Second Brother already has the Wind Group on it!”
Shuidong Liu nodded.
“Unfortunately, they’re all dead.
I don’t know who was behind it.”
‘Shuidong Liu was still reeling from shock.
The person behind the scenes was so ruthless, killing over a thousand people just to silence them.
How could an ordinary person do such a thing?’
‘A person this dangerous must be utterly annihilated, ground to dust.’
‘Otherwise, I’ll never be able to eat or sleep in peace!’
Huang Wenlong gave a cold smile.
He was dressed in white and had clearly lived a pampered life, his skin as fair and delicate as a woman’s.
But now, as his face turned cold, it carried a hint of chilling frost.
“To dare make a move against a son-in-law of the Xiao Family in Celestial Fragrance City…
they must have a death wish!”
Shuidong Liu took out the Linglong Pendant.
“It’s all because of this thing.”
“The Linglong Pendant.
It can double a cultivator’s speed, so it certainly draws attention.
But…
that might not be the real reason.” Huang Wenlong gave it only a brief glance, his gaze clear and upright, as if he wasn’t particularly interested in the pendant.
Shuidong Liu’s eyelids twitched.
“The assassins said they came for it!”
“Dongliu, you’ve spent years in the mines and don’t understand the evil in people’s hearts.
Why would they let you know their true motive?”
Shuidong Liu was genuinely confused now.
“There’s another reason?”
“This so-called doubling of cultivation speed depends on who’s using it.
In the hands of a good-for-nothing, it’s useless.
What’s the point of taking it?” Huang Yi said with a cold, contemptuous sneer.
“Master Shui may have the second young miss’s favor, but you’re not very bright!”
Hearing this, Huang Wenlong was about to fly into a rage.
But Shuidong Liu paid it no mind.
Instead, he asked respectfully, “Then I ask for Senior’s guidance!”
Huang Yi was surprised.
‘This fellow killed five men without batting an eye, yet now he can act like this…
He’s not so ordinary after all.’
“It’s simple.
The second young miss is the number one genius in the Yunlong Dynasty!”
“What?”
“Do you have any idea how many Martial Arts geniuses from the Four Directions Countries want to marry the second young miss?
If she had married a genius from a renowned family, that would be one thing.
But of all people, she chose you!”
Huang Yi continued, “The Hero Gang was just a pawn…
They don’t even count as that!”
“You should really be thanking my master.
His visit is a declaration that you have the Dongling Mansion backing you!” Huang Yi said with a dry chuckle, his tone drawn out and dripping with sarcasm.
His gaze toward Shuidong Liu was filled with scorn.
‘A mere Sin Slave dares to be on equal footing with my master?’
Shuidong Liu quickly stood up.
“Thank you, Wen Long!”
Huang Wenlong waved his hand with a warm laugh.
“On a personal level, you and I will soon be brothers-in-law, and I have always admired the Champion Marquis.”
“He swept across battlefields without a single defeat, conquered seventy-two cities in three days, and fought all the way to the capital of the Guanghan Dynasty.
He is an inspiration to our generation!”
“On an official level, my father is in charge of Dongling Mansion, and I don’t want some unknown power lurking in the shadows, potentially threatening the stability of Dongling Mansion itself!”
“In any case, I still have to thank you!”
At this moment, Shuidong Liu truly felt the treacherous undercurrents swirling around him.
He originally thought the mine pit was dangerous, never knowing when he might be buried alive.
But now that he was out of the mine, it seemed even more dangerous!
Huang Wenlong asked curiously, “Everyone said you were an ordinary person, but you’re actually a Martial Artist at the Body Refining Realm.
But this realm…
isn’t it a bit too low?”
“I just broke through,” Shuidong Liu said, seeming rather embarrassed.
Huang Wenlong thought for a moment, then drew the folding fan from his waist and pulled off its pendant.
“Master!” Huang Yi’s expression changed drastically.
But Huang Wenlong handed it to Shuidong Liu.
“Your realm is too low.
You’ll have trouble dealing with things if they happen.”
“It’s alright, I have secret…”
“The Second Young Master sent guards?” Huang Wenlong shook his head.
“Your own strength is the only thing that’s real.
Otherwise, it’s like trying to quench a nearby thirst with distant water.
This is a Luminous Jade.
If you absorb all the Spiritual Qi within it, it’s enough for you to reach the Super Body Realm, or even the Extraordinary Realm!”
Shuidong Liu was shocked.
What did they dig for in the mine where he worked?
Luminous Stones.
It was a treasure most Martial Artists used to cultivate and absorb Spiritual Qi!
And a Luminous Jade was the very essence of a Luminous Stone.
From the age of seven to his current eighteen, in a full ten years, only three Luminous Jades of this size had been excavated from the entire two-hundred-li mining area.
“Master, the Mansion Master went to great trouble to obtain this one.
It was for your breakthrough…”
Huang Wenlong waved his hand, cutting Huang Yi off.
“I have guards wherever I go, and with you by my side, who would dare touch me?”
“But…”
“You’ve said far too much today…
Get out and stand guard!”
Huang Yi shot another hateful glare at Shuidong Liu before turning and leaving.
Shuidong Liu also said, “Wen Long, this is too valuable!
I can’t accept it…”
Shuidong Liu was truly grateful.
To be given something so precious at their very first meeting…
This man had the bearing of a true gentleman of old!
“Take it.
Cultivate well and break through quickly.
If you’re strong, no one will dare to move against you again.
If you need anything, you can come find me anytime!” Huang Wenlong patted Shuidong Liu’s shoulder.
“Thank you!”
“I’m going to investigate the surrounding cities.
You focus on your cultivation!”
Huang Wenlong left with his men.
Huang Yi was still indignant.
“Master, you are too generous!
A Luminous Jade is so precious!
It’s enough for someone in the Body Refining Realm to cross eight or nine minor realms and reach the Super Body Realm, or even the Extraordinary Realm!”
“This…
If the Mansion Master finds out…”
“You dare tell him?!”
“N-no…
I wouldn’t dare!” Huang Yi met Huang Wenlong’s gaze and instantly lowered his head.
“When I do things, I don’t need you to run your mouth.
You are just my guard.
Remember your place!”
“Yes!”
After seeing Huang Wenlong off, Shuidong Liu looked at the Luminous Jade and also calmed down.
‘For a first meeting, isn’t Wen Long’s gift a bit too valuable?’
“Master Huang has a great reputation.
He’s known as the Timely Rain of Dongling.
Don’t be fooled by the gold carriage he travels in; every year, he helps no fewer than ten thousand people, regardless of gender or age, be they beggars or the rich.”
“In Dongling, Master Huang’s reputation is even greater than that of his father, the Mansion Master!”
Feng Wuqing suddenly appeared and said, “A Luminous Jade is incredibly precious, but this is indeed something he would do!”