In a spacious room, the lights were bright, but the far end was shrouded in a hazy mist, making it difficult to see clearly. The hall was empty, except for a few steps leading to a large platform. On the top of the platform was a massive chair occupied by a person whose face was not clearly visible due to the lighting. However, Murong Feiyan stood in the center of the hall.
"How did it feel meeting that young man tonight?" the person in the chair asked.
"Although he remains as indifferent as ever and reluctant to share details about himself, there has been a slight change in his attitude," Murong Feiyan replied.
"Oh, what kind of change?" the person asked curiously.
"The previous two times, he hesitated and avoided, unwilling to come. Even when he did come after numerous invitations, he would abruptly leave before the meal ended, for some reason. But this time, he not only came but also stayed until we finished a bottle of wine before bidding farewell," Murong Feiyan explained.
"Finished a bottle of wine..." the person muttered. "During the drinking, did you talk about anything?"
"We didn't discuss much, just casual conversation. He still refuses to reveal his name to me," Murong Feiyan said helplessly.
"Oh? This is unexpected!" the person expressed doubt.
"I've asked him twice, but he always finds an excuse to avoid answering," Murong Feiyan said.
"What excuses did he use?" the person asked curiously.
"A wanderer without a destination, an inconspicuous individual," Murong Feiyan sighed.
"A wanderer without a destination, inconspicuous..." the person muttered to himself. "That seems plausible!"
"Master, do you know him well?" Murong Feiyan asked with confusion.
"You don't need to know that. Just focus on the task I've given you," the person replied.
"Yes. Master, there's something I'd like to mention," Murong Feiyan said.
"What is it?" the person inquired.
"I believe there's someone he deeply loves waiting for him in his hometown," Murong Feiyan said.
"How do you know that?" the person asked.
"It's an intuition," Murong Feiyan replied.
"Can you be sure your intuition is correct?" the person questioned.
"Yes," Murong Feiyan said firmly.
The person remained silent, seemingly pondering something, and after a while, he smiled and said, "It seems sending you was the right decision! You truly understand a man's heart!"
"Master is too kind. All of this is thanks to your guidance!" Murong Feiyan said.
The person laughed loudly, then suddenly stopped and said to Murong Feiyan, "Take advantage of this insight and see if you can gather any useful information from him."
"Yes!" Murong Feiyan agreed with her words, but her eyes revealed a sense of helplessness and sigh. This expression, however, was something only she could understand.
"All right, if there's nothing else, you can go back now," the person said.
After hearing this, Murong Feiyan acknowledged and turned to leave.
Watching her departing figure, the person sighed, "For such extraordinary beauty, not a hint of attraction. Rare, truly rare!"
Murong Feiyan walked out of the room and proceeded along the corridor until she reached the outer gate. Outside, a carriage was waiting, and as soon as the coachman saw Murong Feiyan, he lifted the curtain of the carriage. Murong Feiyan entered, the curtain was lowered, and with a crack of the whip, the horse-drawn carriage swiftly disappeared into the thick night.
Boom... Boom... Boom...
Spears thrust into the ground, emitting a faint sound. However, some of the spears remained suspended in the air in front of Tianhua. Upon closer inspection, the spears seemed to show signs of slowly moving toward Tianhua, but the movement was minimal, barely noticeable to the naked eye. After a while, the spears suddenly changed direction, flying straight toward Changqing. Changqing twisted his body and evaded.
"No match in strength, using the airflow in the sky to divert the direction of most of the spears, leaving only a few to resist head-on. Indeed, a clever strategy. It seems you are not only agile but also sharp-minded!" Changqing remarked.
"Soon, you'll feel even better!" Tianhua said.
Changqing was about to say something when his expression suddenly changed. He quickly leaped to the side. Just as he stabilized himself, a huge sword plunged into the ground where he had been standing moments ago, sending soil and stones flying. Changqing looked at the giant sword, frowning.
The giant sword slowly lifted from the ground, and as it was fully withdrawn, a colossal earthen figure emerged from the dust. The earth figure walked up to Changqing and stood before him. Changqing turned his gaze to Tianhua, sighing, "I didn't expect you to create physical entities so rapidly!"
"Mr. Chang, please don't always praise the younger generation. If praised too much, I might become arrogant!" Tianhua said with a smile.
"In this aspect, you have every reason to be proud!" Changqing said seriously.
The giant sword swung directly at Changqing. At that moment, it seemed like the sword was about to strike Changqing's head. However, Changqing stood motionless, staring at the giant sword. Tianhua, puzzled, watched the moving sword and the unmoving Changqing.
Bang...
A loud sound echoed as the giant sword halted just above Changqing's head. The sword was only a short distance away from him, but it couldn't descend any further.
Tianhua looked at that direction and noticed a longsword positioned beneath the giant sword, preventing it from continuing its descent.
Suddenly, the sword from underground flicked upward, and the earth figure took a few steps back. At this moment, a massive figure leaped out from behind Changqing, wielding a longsword and slashing towards the earth figure. Tianhua was surprised and quickly stepped back. The longsword struck the ground, causing it to crack open, and dust rose into the air.
In the midst of the dust, Tianhua vaguely saw a gigantic stone figure holding a longsword, standing there. When the dust settled, Tianhua could clearly see the appearance of the stone figure: wearing a stone helmet, draped in a massive stone armor, wielding a huge longsword, and carrying a longbow and arrows on its back! The stone figure exuded a domineering aura as it faced Tianhua.
"It's been many years since I used this for combat! Now, I'm starting to miss the scenes from the past!" Changqing looked at the stone figure, feeling nostalgic.
Tianhua stared at the stone figure for a long time before slowly saying, "Mr. Chang, as expected of an elder. It's truly challenging for me to create something like this instantly!"
"You have the ability, but it needs refinement," Changqing advised.
The stone figure and the earth figure faced each other. Suddenly, the stone figure leaped into the air, swiftly drawing a longbow. "Swish... Swish... Swish..." Several arrows shot towards the earth figure. The earth figure swung its giant sword, deflecting the arrows. At this
moment, the stone figure descended, slashing with its longsword. The earth figure countered with a horizontal swing of its giant sword.
Bang...
Chapter Thirty-One: Doubt
Tianhua suddenly felt a surge of force, and the earth figure, as if impacted by this force, involuntarily knelt on the ground. The long knife pressed down, and the giant sword slowly moved downwards.
"Oh, no..."
Tianhua exclaimed inwardly. The long knife had already penetrated the left shoulder of the earth figure, and Tianhua, noticing it, felt nervous. Glancing at Changqing, who was observing intently, Tianhua quickly considered a strategy in his mind.
The long knife continued its slow descent into the left shoulder of the earth figure. Just as it was about halfway in, it suddenly pulled back and leaped to the side. The earth figure swiftly swung its giant sword upward, clashing with the stone figure that had leaped into the air. The two clashed, and the stone figure jumped, swinging its longsword and forcing the earth figure to step back. The earth figure then retracted its long knife, gripping it tightly and slashing downward.
Boom...
The long knife struck the ground, causing the earth to crumble and dust to fill the air. The stone figure rotated its blade, pointing it upward, and pushed the long knife forward. The ground seemed to be plowed as the stone figure ran forward. The earth figure leaped and swung its sword, blocking the path of the advancing long knife. The giant sword swung horizontally, aiming at the stone figure, which raised its long handle to block the attack. Suddenly, several spears appeared in front of them. The stone figure swiftly evaded, and the spears fell to the ground. As the stone figure stood upright, wielding its longsword, the spears scattered around it.
"Well done! The 'Multiple Control' technique of the Tianlong tribe is impressive for someone of your age, truly worthy of being the son of Tianlong!" Changqing praised.
"It's also thanks to Mr. Chang's formidable warriors. If I didn't have such abilities, that earth figure might have been defeated by Mr. Chang earlier!" Tianhua replied.
"You don't need to praise me like that. Now, I am in my twilight years, and my strength is waning. While you couldn't be easily defeated just now, facing these two warriors would still consume most of your energy. For you, a day or two of rest might suffice for recovery, but for me, it could take a long time! So, today, we are evenly matched!" Changqing explained.
"Mr. Chang, does that mean you are giving up now?" Tianhua asked in confusion.
"Yes, that's exactly what I mean," Changqing affirmed.
"But Mr. Chang came here today to take me back. Moreover, I am still an enemy of Mu Xiong! You had the chance to capture me today. Why let me go?" Tianhua inquired.
"You are wrong on three points. First, from the current situation, you are not an enemy of Mu Xiong. Second, I didn't come here to take you back today. Third, I'm not letting you go; I am returning," Changqing explained.
"If one day I truly become an enemy of Mu Xiong, won't Mr. Chang regret today's decision?" Tianhua asked.
"If that day comes, it won't be too late to capture you then!" Changqing said.
"Times change, circumstances change. Perhaps, at that time, Mr. Chang won't be as simple as today!" Tianhua remarked.
"If that day truly comes, I have nothing to say!" Changqing smiled.
Changqing finished speaking, and the stone figure suddenly dispersed with a loud noise. Changqing looked at Tianhua and said, "Today ends here. Seeing the son of Tianlong like this, I am also pleased!"
Upon hearing this, Tianhua wanted to say something, but Changqing had already turned and quickly disappeared into the darkness.
Tianhua stared into the darkness, lost in thought. The wind was blowing gently, the moon was absent from the sky, and darkness surrounded him. After a while, Tianhua involuntarily shivered. When he snapped back to reality, he found himself with another doubt in his mind: what connection did this world have with his own? Changqing didn't seem to be a bad person, but why was he helping Mu Xiong? Most importantly, he was also a member of the Tianlong tribe. Why did he stay here? What happened in the past?
Tianhua stood alone, contemplating. He began to hypothesize and question the connection between this world and his own. Lost in his thoughts, he sighed, "Forget it! It's better to go back early!"
As Tianhua turned to leave, the earth figure suddenly dispersed with a loud noise.
The ground was in disarray, and the wind carried the dust around. It was deep into the night, and Tianhua walked forward slowly, soon engulfed in the quiet darkness.
In the darkness, Changqing swiftly moved and soon arrived at a mansion. He stood at the entrance, removed his mask gently, held it in his hand, and looked at the large gate. Lost in thought, he approached and knocked. When the door opened, someone inside panicked, "Master, the town lord has been waiting for you for a long time!"
Changqing nodded silently and entered.
Inside the gate, through the courtyard, the flowers were in full bloom. Changqing walked past and paused for a moment, looking at the vibrant flowers. He furrowed his brows slightly, sighed softly, and continued walking inside. In the back hall, the lights were bright, and Changqing entered to find Mu Xiong sitting in the main hall.
Seeing Changqing enter, Mu Xiong smiled and said, "Mr. Chang, you've worked hard tonight!"
Changqing glanced at Mu Xiong, walked over, took a seat beside him, and said, "How should I interpret the town lord's words?"
"Mr. Chang, how did that young man perform tonight?" Mu Xiong asked, still smiling.
"Like father, like son," Changqing replied thoughtfully.
"Mr. Chang means dealing with him should be an easy task?" Mu Xiong inquired.
"Otherwise, from today's situation, if I want to defeat him in the future, I will have to make significant sacrifices. Perhaps, it will be a mutual loss," Changqing explained.
"Mr. Chang is praising him, isn't he?" Mu Xiong asked in confusion.
"The son of Tianlong, inheritor of the Tianlong abilities, his capabilities are not comparable to ordinary tribe members," Changqing stated.
"Regardless, we need to act against him. We must find out the whereabouts of Tianlong and other elite members of the tribes since Lord Yulong unified the thirteen tribes fifty years ago. Despite no activity from them for half a century, that young man's appearance suggests otherwise," Mu Xiong said.
"From these few days, it seems that he knows nothing about his identity and the 'Three Cities and One Town.' It appears Tianlong did not tell him much about the past," Changqing remarked.
"That's just your speculation. Regardless, Lord Yulong has always been uneasy about the hiding place of Tianlong and others, wanting to find them," Mu Xiong said.
"But why bother? It has been fifty years since they chose to hide, realizing the brutality of war and the treacherous nature of
humanity. They lived in seclusion. Even with Lord Yulong, there are few who can challenge his position," Changqing said.
"Mr. Chang, don't forget that Tianlong took away the 'Tianlong Battle Armor.' If they return, who can stop them?" Mu Xiong reminded.
"That thing is too domineering. Tianlong proposed destroying it back then, but Lord Yulong insisted on keeping it. Now, it seems like a wrong decision," Changqing sighed.
"Lord Yulong hoped it could be used for his own benefit. He just never expected Tianlong and the others to suddenly disappear and go into hiding," Mu Xiong explained.
"Even now, they are in their declining years. Their abilities are not what they used to be. Even if they have the 'Tianlong Battle Armor,' I think the threat to Lord Yulong has greatly diminished," Changqing said.
"But regardless, Lord Yulong still hopes to find them," Mu Xiong said.
"So, what do you plan to do?" Changqing asked.
"I want to start with that young man," Mu Xiong replied.
Chapter Thirty-One: Doubt
"How do you plan to proceed? That young man's current abilities are not to be underestimated. Even if I were to face him, I cannot afford to be careless," Changqing said.
"I am well aware of that. Rest assured! I have already devised a plan, and besides, I have placed a spy by his side. If we can extract the location of their hiding place, it would be excellent. Otherwise, we'll have to expend extra effort!" Mu Xiong chuckled.
"Since you have everything under control, I won't say much. Just be cautious," Changqing advised.
"That's precisely why I came to you tonight, Mr. Chang," Mu Xiong said.
"Oh?" Mr. Chang raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"While I believe the plan is foolproof, for safety's sake, I need you, Mr. Chang, to be there when the time comes. To prevent any unexpected incidents," Mu Xiong explained.
"That can be arranged. When do we take action?" Changqing inquired.
"At the moment, it's uncertain. When the time comes, I'll personally invite you, Mr. Chang," Mu Xiong replied.
"Very well!" Changqing nodded.
"In that case, I'll take my leave!" Mu Xiong said.
"Take care, I won't see you off!" Changqing stood up and said.
Mu Xiong nodded, turned, and left. Watching Mu Xiong's departing figure, Changqing sighed softly, "Fifty years of tranquility may have come to an end."
Having spoken, Changqing sat back in his chair, contemplated for a moment, then stood and walked outside. In the courtyard, he halted and observed the blooming flowers. Though the flowers were vibrant, the passage of time was evident. The scenery in the courtyard remained the same, but the years had taken their toll.
Changqing strolled through the courtyard, reminiscing about past events. Lost in thought, he suddenly remembered the recent battle with Tianhua. Softly sighing, he said to himself, "The rising tide on the Yangtze River has arrived. It seems we are truly growing old."
As Changqing pondered, a voice interrupted him, "Master, it's already late. You should rest."
Changqing looked at the gatekeeper and asked, "You've been here for over forty years, haven't you?"
"Yes, Master, precisely thirty-seven years," the gatekeeper replied.
"Fifty years, fifty years..." Changqing muttered, "Oh, it's nothing. You can rest now."
The gatekeeper acknowledged and left. Changqing watched him depart, glanced at the courtyard, and then turned away.
The night was silent, and if one listened carefully, the sound of the wind could be discerned.
Tianhua lay in bed, eyes open, gazing into the surrounding darkness. Though pitch black, it seemed as if Tianhua saw something. He stared fixedly into the dark, eyes unmoving. After a while, he thought, "Changqing is of the same clan as me. Why is he here? What happened in my hometown? Why did they choose to live in isolation? What connection does this world, they call 'outside,' have with my world? Why does Mu Xiong want to know about my hometown?"
Various doubts swirled in Tianhua's mind. He considered multiple hypotheses, but each one was eventually overturned. Lost in contemplation, Tianhua suddenly had an idea: go back home. Let his father explain the matters concerning his hometown and the thirteen tribes. Perhaps, his father could unravel the mysteries in his heart.
Thinking about it, Tianhua chuckled bitterly, "How would Dad ever tell me? When I was at home, he never mentioned anything about the village. If I were to ask him upon returning, he surely wouldn't say. In that case, I'll figure everything out here!"
Tianhua smiled. Originally, he only came to take a look around, but he unexpectedly discovered something astonishing. Though he couldn't see the scenery now, this unexpected gain might compensate for the loss of the scenery he missed.
Closing his eyes, Tianhua soon fell asleep.
As dawn broke, while many still slept, Tianhua woke up. He opened his eyes, glanced out the window, and promptly got up.
Tianhua walked out of the room into the quiet courtyard. Stretching, he felt that last night's sleep was incredibly refreshing—the best he had experienced since leaving the village. With a contented sigh, he thought, "If the sleep was this sound, then my spirit must be in the best state as well."
In high spirits, Tianhua cleaned the entire courtyard and then went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Once everything was ready, and it was still a bit early, Tianhua went to the front of the house and tidied up the area. As he opened the front door, a person hurriedly approached, saying, "Young Master, my mistress invites you to the Tianxiang Pavilion tonight. Here's a letter!"
Tianhua took the letter, glanced at it, and said, "Please tell your mistress I will be there as agreed tonight!"
The person expressed gratitude and left.
The daylight was just like any other day. After completing his tasks, Tianhua saw the moonlight dim, and the inn became sparsely populated. Tianhua then said to Mr. Han, "Uncle Han, I have some matters to attend to tonight. You can handle things here!"
"Sure, Tianhua. If you have matters to attend to, go ahead. I can manage here!" Mr. Han replied with a smile.
Hearing this, Tianhua bid farewell to Mr. Han, left the inn, and headed towards the town center. Mr. Han watched Tianhua's figure until it disappeared into the dim night. He sighed faintly and continued with his work.
Tianhua approached the Tianxiang Pavilion step by step. As he walked, the night scenery reminded him of many things.
In a spacious room, the lights were bright, but the far end was shrouded in a hazy mist, making it difficult to see clearly. The hall was empty, except for a few steps leading to a large platform. On the top of the platform was a massive chair occupied by a person whose face was not clearly visible due to the lighting. However, Murong Feiyan stood in the center of the hall.
"How did it feel meeting that young man tonight?" the person in the chair asked.
"Although he remains as indifferent as ever and reluctant to share details about himself, there has been a slight change in his attitude," Murong Feiyan replied.
"Oh, what kind of change?" the person asked curiously.
"The previous two times, he hesitated and avoided, unwilling to come. Even when he did come after numerous invitations, he would abruptly leave before the meal ended, for some reason. But this time, he not only came but also stayed until we finished a bottle of wine before bidding farewell," Murong Feiyan explained.
"Finished a bottle of wine..." the person muttered. "During the drinking, did you talk about anything?"
"We didn't discuss much, just casual conversation. He still refuses to reveal his name to me," Murong Feiyan said helplessly.
"Oh? This is unexpected!" the person expressed doubt.
"I've asked him twice, but he always finds an excuse to avoid answering," Murong Feiyan said.
"What excuses did he use?" the person asked curiously.
"A wanderer without a destination, an inconspicuous individual," Murong Feiyan sighed.
"A wanderer without a destination, inconspicuous..." the person muttered to himself. "That seems plausible!"
"Master, do you know him well?" Murong Feiyan asked with confusion.
"You don't need to know that. Just focus on the task I've given you," the person replied.
"Yes. Master, there's something I'd like to mention," Murong Feiyan said.
"What is it?" the person inquired.
"I believe there's someone he deeply loves waiting for him in his hometown," Murong Feiyan said.
"How do you know that?" the person asked.
"It's an intuition," Murong Feiyan replied.
"Can you be sure your intuition is correct?" the person questioned.
"Yes," Murong Feiyan said firmly.
The person remained silent, seemingly pondering something, and after a while, he smiled and said, "It seems sending you was the right decision! You truly understand a man's heart!"
"Master is too kind. All of this is thanks to your guidance!" Murong Feiyan said.
The person laughed loudly, then suddenly stopped and said to Murong Feiyan, "Take advantage of this insight and see if you can gather any useful information from him."
"Yes!" Murong Feiyan agreed with her words, but her eyes revealed a sense of helplessness and sigh. This expression, however, was something only she could understand.
"All right, if there's nothing else, you can go back now," the person said.
After hearing this, Murong Feiyan acknowledged and turned to leave.
Watching her departing figure, the person sighed, "For such extraordinary beauty, not a hint of attraction. Rare, truly rare!"
Murong Feiyan walked out of the room and proceeded along the corridor until she reached the outer gate. Outside, a carriage was waiting, and as soon as the coachman saw Murong Feiyan, he lifted the curtain of the carriage. Murong Feiyan entered, the curtain was lowered, and with a crack of the whip, the horse-drawn carriage swiftly disappeared into the thick night.
Boom... Boom... Boom...
Spears thrust into the ground, emitting a faint sound. However, some of the spears remained suspended in the air in front of Tianhua. Upon closer inspection, the spears seemed to show signs of slowly moving toward Tianhua, but the movement was minimal, barely noticeable to the naked eye. After a while, the spears suddenly changed direction, flying straight toward Changqing. Changqing twisted his body and evaded.
"No match in strength, using the airflow in the sky to divert the direction of most of the spears, leaving only a few to resist head-on. Indeed, a clever strategy. It seems you are not only agile but also sharp-minded!" Changqing remarked.
"Soon, you'll feel even better!" Tianhua said.
Changqing was about to say something when his expression suddenly changed. He quickly leaped to the side. Just as he stabilized himself, a huge sword plunged into the ground where he had been standing moments ago, sending soil and stones flying. Changqing looked at the giant sword, frowning.
The giant sword slowly lifted from the ground, and as it was fully withdrawn, a colossal earthen figure emerged from the dust. The earth figure walked up to Changqing and stood before him. Changqing turned his gaze to Tianhua, sighing, "I didn't expect you to create physical entities so rapidly!"
"Mr. Chang, please don't always praise the younger generation. If praised too much, I might become arrogant!" Tianhua said with a smile.
"In this aspect, you have every reason to be proud!" Changqing said seriously.
The giant sword swung directly at Changqing. At that moment, it seemed like the sword was about to strike Changqing's head. However, Changqing stood motionless, staring at the giant sword. Tianhua, puzzled, watched the moving sword and the unmoving Changqing.
Bang...
A loud sound echoed as the giant sword halted just above Changqing's head. The sword was only a short distance away from him, but it couldn't descend any further.
Tianhua looked at that direction and noticed a longsword positioned beneath the giant sword, preventing it from continuing its descent.
Suddenly, the sword from underground flicked upward, and the earth figure took a few steps back. At this moment, a massive figure leaped out from behind Changqing, wielding a longsword and slashing towards the earth figure. Tianhua was surprised and quickly stepped back. The longsword struck the ground, causing it to crack open, and dust rose into the air.
In the midst of the dust, Tianhua vaguely saw a gigantic stone figure holding a longsword, standing there. When the dust settled, Tianhua could clearly see the appearance of the stone figure: wearing a stone helmet, draped in a massive stone armor, wielding a huge longsword, and carrying a longbow and arrows on its back! The stone figure exuded a domineering aura as it faced Tianhua.
"It's been many years since I used this for combat! Now, I'm starting to miss the scenes from the past!" Changqing looked at the stone figure, feeling nostalgic.
Tianhua stared at the stone figure for a long time before slowly saying, "Mr. Chang, as expected of an elder. It's truly challenging for me to create something like this instantly!"
"You have the ability, but it needs refinement," Changqing advised.
The stone figure and the earth figure faced each other. Suddenly, the stone figure leaped into the air, swiftly drawing a longbow. "Swish... Swish... Swish..." Several arrows shot towards the earth figure. The earth figure swung its giant sword, deflecting the arrows. At this
moment, the stone figure descended, slashing with its longsword. The earth figure countered with a horizontal swing of its giant sword.
Bang...
Chapter Thirty-One: Doubt
Tianhua suddenly felt a surge of force, and the earth figure, as if impacted by this force, involuntarily knelt on the ground. The long knife pressed down, and the giant sword slowly moved downwards.
"Oh, no..."
Tianhua exclaimed inwardly. The long knife had already penetrated the left shoulder of the earth figure, and Tianhua, noticing it, felt nervous. Glancing at Changqing, who was observing intently, Tianhua quickly considered a strategy in his mind.
The long knife continued its slow descent into the left shoulder of the earth figure. Just as it was about halfway in, it suddenly pulled back and leaped to the side. The earth figure swiftly swung its giant sword upward, clashing with the stone figure that had leaped into the air. The two clashed, and the stone figure jumped, swinging its longsword and forcing the earth figure to step back. The earth figure then retracted its long knife, gripping it tightly and slashing downward.
Boom...
The long knife struck the ground, causing the earth to crumble and dust to fill the air. The stone figure rotated its blade, pointing it upward, and pushed the long knife forward. The ground seemed to be plowed as the stone figure ran forward. The earth figure leaped and swung its sword, blocking the path of the advancing long knife. The giant sword swung horizontally, aiming at the stone figure, which raised its long handle to block the attack. Suddenly, several spears appeared in front of them. The stone figure swiftly evaded, and the spears fell to the ground. As the stone figure stood upright, wielding its longsword, the spears scattered around it.
"Well done! The 'Multiple Control' technique of the Tianlong tribe is impressive for someone of your age, truly worthy of being the son of Tianlong!" Changqing praised.
"It's also thanks to Mr. Chang's formidable warriors. If I didn't have such abilities, that earth figure might have been defeated by Mr. Chang earlier!" Tianhua replied.
"You don't need to praise me like that. Now, I am in my twilight years, and my strength is waning. While you couldn't be easily defeated just now, facing these two warriors would still consume most of your energy. For you, a day or two of rest might suffice for recovery, but for me, it could take a long time! So, today, we are evenly matched!" Changqing explained.
"Mr. Chang, does that mean you are giving up now?" Tianhua asked in confusion.
"Yes, that's exactly what I mean," Changqing affirmed.
"But Mr. Chang came here today to take me back. Moreover, I am still an enemy of Mu Xiong! You had the chance to capture me today. Why let me go?" Tianhua inquired.
"You are wrong on three points. First, from the current situation, you are not an enemy of Mu Xiong. Second, I didn't come here to take you back today. Third, I'm not letting you go; I am returning," Changqing explained.
"If one day I truly become an enemy of Mu Xiong, won't Mr. Chang regret today's decision?" Tianhua asked.
"If that day comes, it won't be too late to capture you then!" Changqing said.
"Times change, circumstances change. Perhaps, at that time, Mr. Chang won't be as simple as today!" Tianhua remarked.
"If that day truly comes, I have nothing to say!" Changqing smiled.
Changqing finished speaking, and the stone figure suddenly dispersed with a loud noise. Changqing looked at Tianhua and said, "Today ends here. Seeing the son of Tianlong like this, I am also pleased!"
Upon hearing this, Tianhua wanted to say something, but Changqing had already turned and quickly disappeared into the darkness.
Tianhua stared into the darkness, lost in thought. The wind was blowing gently, the moon was absent from the sky, and darkness surrounded him. After a while, Tianhua involuntarily shivered. When he snapped back to reality, he found himself with another doubt in his mind: what connection did this world have with his own? Changqing didn't seem to be a bad person, but why was he helping Mu Xiong? Most importantly, he was also a member of the Tianlong tribe. Why did he stay here? What happened in the past?
Tianhua stood alone, contemplating. He began to hypothesize and question the connection between this world and his own. Lost in his thoughts, he sighed, "Forget it! It's better to go back early!"
As Tianhua turned to leave, the earth figure suddenly dispersed with a loud noise.
The ground was in disarray, and the wind carried the dust around. It was deep into the night, and Tianhua walked forward slowly, soon engulfed in the quiet darkness.
In the darkness, Changqing swiftly moved and soon arrived at a mansion. He stood at the entrance, removed his mask gently, held it in his hand, and looked at the large gate. Lost in thought, he approached and knocked. When the door opened, someone inside panicked, "Master, the town lord has been waiting for you for a long time!"
Changqing nodded silently and entered.
Inside the gate, through the courtyard, the flowers were in full bloom. Changqing walked past and paused for a moment, looking at the vibrant flowers. He furrowed his brows slightly, sighed softly, and continued walking inside. In the back hall, the lights were bright, and Changqing entered to find Mu Xiong sitting in the main hall.
Seeing Changqing enter, Mu Xiong smiled and said, "Mr. Chang, you've worked hard tonight!"
Changqing glanced at Mu Xiong, walked over, took a seat beside him, and said, "How should I interpret the town lord's words?"
"Mr. Chang, how did that young man perform tonight?" Mu Xiong asked, still smiling.
"Like father, like son," Changqing replied thoughtfully.
"Mr. Chang means dealing with him should be an easy task?" Mu Xiong inquired.
"Otherwise, from today's situation, if I want to defeat him in the future, I will have to make significant sacrifices. Perhaps, it will be a mutual loss," Changqing explained.
"Mr. Chang is praising him, isn't he?" Mu Xiong asked in confusion.
"The son of Tianlong, inheritor of the Tianlong abilities, his capabilities are not comparable to ordinary tribe members," Changqing stated.
"Regardless, we need to act against him. We must find out the whereabouts of Tianlong and other elite members of the tribes since Lord Yulong unified the thirteen tribes fifty years ago. Despite no activity from them for half a century, that young man's appearance suggests otherwise," Mu Xiong said.
"From these few days, it seems that he knows nothing about his identity and the 'Three Cities and One Town.' It appears Tianlong did not tell him much about the past," Changqing remarked.
"That's just your speculation. Regardless, Lord Yulong has always been uneasy about the hiding place of Tianlong and others, wanting to find them," Mu Xiong said.
"But why bother? It has been fifty years since they chose to hide, realizing the brutality of war and the treacherous nature of
humanity. They lived in seclusion. Even with Lord Yulong, there are few who can challenge his position," Changqing said.
"Mr. Chang, don't forget that Tianlong took away the 'Tianlong Battle Armor.' If they return, who can stop them?" Mu Xiong reminded.
"That thing is too domineering. Tianlong proposed destroying it back then, but Lord Yulong insisted on keeping it. Now, it seems like a wrong decision," Changqing sighed.
"Lord Yulong hoped it could be used for his own benefit. He just never expected Tianlong and the others to suddenly disappear and go into hiding," Mu Xiong explained.
"Even now, they are in their declining years. Their abilities are not what they used to be. Even if they have the 'Tianlong Battle Armor,' I think the threat to Lord Yulong has greatly diminished," Changqing said.
"But regardless, Lord Yulong still hopes to find them," Mu Xiong said.
"So, what do you plan to do?" Changqing asked.
"I want to start with that young man," Mu Xiong replied.
Chapter Thirty-One: Doubt
"How do you plan to proceed? That young man's current abilities are not to be underestimated. Even if I were to face him, I cannot afford to be careless," Changqing said.
"I am well aware of that. Rest assured! I have already devised a plan, and besides, I have placed a spy by his side. If we can extract the location of their hiding place, it would be excellent. Otherwise, we'll have to expend extra effort!" Mu Xiong chuckled.
"Since you have everything under control, I won't say much. Just be cautious," Changqing advised.
"That's precisely why I came to you tonight, Mr. Chang," Mu Xiong said.
"Oh?" Mr. Chang raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"While I believe the plan is foolproof, for safety's sake, I need you, Mr. Chang, to be there when the time comes. To prevent any unexpected incidents," Mu Xiong explained.
"That can be arranged. When do we take action?" Changqing inquired.
"At the moment, it's uncertain. When the time comes, I'll personally invite you, Mr. Chang," Mu Xiong replied.
"Very well!" Changqing nodded.
"In that case, I'll take my leave!" Mu Xiong said.
"Take care, I won't see you off!" Changqing stood up and said.
Mu Xiong nodded, turned, and left. Watching Mu Xiong's departing figure, Changqing sighed softly, "Fifty years of tranquility may have come to an end."
Having spoken, Changqing sat back in his chair, contemplated for a moment, then stood and walked outside. In the courtyard, he halted and observed the blooming flowers. Though the flowers were vibrant, the passage of time was evident. The scenery in the courtyard remained the same, but the years had taken their toll.
Changqing strolled through the courtyard, reminiscing about past events. Lost in thought, he suddenly remembered the recent battle with Tianhua. Softly sighing, he said to himself, "The rising tide on the Yangtze River has arrived. It seems we are truly growing old."
As Changqing pondered, a voice interrupted him, "Master, it's already late. You should rest."
Changqing looked at the gatekeeper and asked, "You've been here for over forty years, haven't you?"
"Yes, Master, precisely thirty-seven years," the gatekeeper replied.
"Fifty years, fifty years..." Changqing muttered, "Oh, it's nothing. You can rest now."
The gatekeeper acknowledged and left. Changqing watched him depart, glanced at the courtyard, and then turned away.
The night was silent, and if one listened carefully, the sound of the wind could be discerned.
Tianhua lay in bed, eyes open, gazing into the surrounding darkness. Though pitch black, it seemed as if Tianhua saw something. He stared fixedly into the dark, eyes unmoving. After a while, he thought, "Changqing is of the same clan as me. Why is he here? What happened in my hometown? Why did they choose to live in isolation? What connection does this world, they call 'outside,' have with my world? Why does Mu Xiong want to know about my hometown?"
Various doubts swirled in Tianhua's mind. He considered multiple hypotheses, but each one was eventually overturned. Lost in contemplation, Tianhua suddenly had an idea: go back home. Let his father explain the matters concerning his hometown and the thirteen tribes. Perhaps, his father could unravel the mysteries in his heart.
Thinking about it, Tianhua chuckled bitterly, "How would Dad ever tell me? When I was at home, he never mentioned anything about the village. If I were to ask him upon returning, he surely wouldn't say. In that case, I'll figure everything out here!"
Tianhua smiled. Originally, he only came to take a look around, but he unexpectedly discovered something astonishing. Though he couldn't see the scenery now, this unexpected gain might compensate for the loss of the scenery he missed.
Closing his eyes, Tianhua soon fell asleep.
As dawn broke, while many still slept, Tianhua woke up. He opened his eyes, glanced out the window, and promptly got up.
Tianhua walked out of the room into the quiet courtyard. Stretching, he felt that last night's sleep was incredibly refreshing—the best he had experienced since leaving the village. With a contented sigh, he thought, "If the sleep was this sound, then my spirit must be in the best state as well."
In high spirits, Tianhua cleaned the entire courtyard and then went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Once everything was ready, and it was still a bit early, Tianhua went to the front of the house and tidied up the area. As he opened the front door, a person hurriedly approached, saying, "Young Master, my mistress invites you to the Tianxiang Pavilion tonight. Here's a letter!"
Tianhua took the letter, glanced at it, and said, "Please tell your mistress I will be there as agreed tonight!"
The person expressed gratitude and left.
The daylight was just like any other day. After completing his tasks, Tianhua saw the moonlight dim, and the inn became sparsely populated. Tianhua then said to Mr. Han, "Uncle Han, I have some matters to attend to tonight. You can handle things here!"
"Sure, Tianhua. If you have matters to attend to, go ahead. I can manage here!" Mr. Han replied with a smile.
Hearing this, Tianhua bid farewell to Mr. Han, left the inn, and headed towards the town center. Mr. Han watched Tianhua's figure until it disappeared into the dim night. He sighed faintly and continued with his work.
Tianhua approached the Tianxiang Pavilion step by step. As he walked, the night scenery reminded him of many things.
