A Grand Gift

Of the three, the one in front was an old man with crane-white hair and a youthful face. Clad in green, he looked like an immortal; his kind, benevolent face carried an aura of authority even without anger.

Behind Elder in Green followed two middle-aged men, dressed in black with silver flying eagle totems embroidered on their chests.

Liu Qiang drew a deep breath and quickly went forward. Cupping his fists, he leaned forward, his face full of respect. "May I ask whether the three of you are honored guests from Black Eagle Prefecture?"

Elder in Green at the front stopped, his gaze casually sweeping over them as he slowly nodded. "That's right. I am Sun Baitan of Black Eagle Prefecture."

With confirmation, Liu Qiang became even more respectful, almost trembling with apprehension. "So you truly are honored guests from Black Eagle Prefecture. Wonderful. We have been waiting here for a long time. We are immensely grateful that the three of you could come."

"Clan Leader Liu!" Sun Baitan casually glanced at them before saying disdainfully, "No need for nonsense. Lead the way. We'll discuss this at your Lineage."

"Yes, yes, yes." Liu Qiang extended a hand. "Three honored guests, this way."

Liu Qiang bent at the waist and, with utmost deference, personally led the three men back to the Liu Family.

Along the way, Liu Qiang was incomparably shaken, and he truly came to understand the might of Black Eagle Prefecture.

From Sun Baitan's group of three, Liu Qiang could not sense the slightest fluctuation of profound energy. There were only two possibilities: either they had no cultivation, which was clearly impossible, or all of them surpassed him in cultivation, leaving him unable to see through them.

Upon arriving at the Liu Family, a crowd stood in rows to welcome them, their faces filled with reverence.

Several young and beautiful maidservants stepped forward, swaying their bodies as they awaited orders at any moment.

Sun Baitan was highly satisfied as he looked at those young maidservants.

Inside the main hall!

The banquet had long been prepared. Sun Baitan got straight to the point. "Clan Leader Liu, the Second Madam sent us here. If you have something to say, speak freely."

"Elder Sun, with those words, I'm relieved." Liu Qiang hurriedly explained the entire sequence of events. By the end, killing intent surged from his body without the slightest concealment.

"Elder Sun, I have only this one son. Qin Jishi severed the Liu Family's bloodline. This hatred is irreconcilable. If the Yang Family and Zhao Family had not meddled in the matter, we certainly would not have dared trouble you by asking you to come."

"Grandpa Sun~"

Liu Kai knelt down, crying bitterly. "You must uphold justice for me."

Sun Baitan's expression shifted. "Clan Leader Liu, did you not report the name of our Black Eagle Prefecture?"

At those words, Liu Qiang hesitated and stammered. "How could I not have? But that fellow Yang Kun not only refused to show any respect, he even brazenly claimed that even if the Black Eagle Prefecture Lord came in person, he would not be given any face."

"Hmph! Arrogant..." A trace of anger appeared between Sun Baitan's brows. "A mere Yang Family dares to spout such wild words. They truly think far too highly of themselves."

"Clan Leader Liu!"

Sun Baitan changed his tone. "Rest assured. Black Eagle Prefecture will uphold justice for you in this matter."

"Thank you, Elder Sun."

"Thank you, Elder Sun!"

Liu Kai rose from the ground and sat down again.

When Sun Baitan received instructions from Liu Qiang's younger sister, he had already secretly investigated the backgrounds of the Yang and Zhao Families. They turned out to be nothing more than ordinary families.

Though they held some status in Soaring Dragon City, they were not worth mentioning before Black Eagle Prefecture.

"Elder Sun." After a slight pause, Liu Qiang spoke again. "A few days ago, my son was accepted as an official disciple by Black and White Academy. I had someone visit Myriad Treasures Tower to request a meeting with a senior from Black and White Academy, but they have yet to reply. What I mean is, Elder Sun, could you perhaps...?"

How could Sun Baitan fail to understand Liu Qiang's intentions? He frowned slightly. "Clan Leader Liu, do you wish for Black and White Academy to intervene in this matter?"

"Elder Sun, you misunderstand." Liu Qiang hurriedly explained, "Yang Xuan and Zhao Xiong were likewise accepted as disciples by Black and White Academy. I am merely worried that Black and White Academy..."

"Clan Leader Liu!" Sun Baitan said in a low voice, "I understand your concern. However, this matter has its cause. If Black and White Academy truly holds us accountable, Black Eagle Prefecture will naturally give them an explanation."

"In that case, I'm relieved." To be honest, Liu Qiang truly feared that Black and White Academy would take offense. If that happened, the Liu Family would be unable to bear their wrath.

Since Sun Baitan had guaranteed it so confidently, Liu Qiang no longer had any worries.

Liu Qiang raised his wine cup. "Elder Sun, you have traveled thousands of miles to come here and must surely be exhausted. After we finish eating, I will have someone arrange elegant quarters for you."

"There's no need." Sun Baitan shook his head. "Our bodies are not that frail. After we eat, take us there. The sooner this is finished, the sooner we can return and report back."

To be honest, if not for Liu Qiang's younger sister speaking on the matter, they would truly have disdained coming here.

"Good, good, good!" Liu Qiang seemed unable to wait any longer. "I'll have someone notify the Yang and Zhao Families right away."

"Mhm. Our time is precious. Move quickly," Sun Baitan said blandly.

In his eyes, the so-called three great families of Soaring Dragon City were merely targets waiting to have their heads lopped off. If he wished to destroy them, a mere flick of his finger could cast them into eternal damnation.

Upon hearing this, Liu Qiang immediately ordered the Great Elder to notify the Yang and Zhao Families, telling them to go to the Zhang Family to receive a grand gift.

The sky darkened, thick clouds gathered, and thunder roared with flashes of lightning as though they would tear the heavens apart.

"How did the weather change so suddenly?" Zhang Jinhua stood outside the main hall, his brows tightly furrowed as he gazed into the empty sky.

For some reason, he suddenly felt restless and uneasy today, as though something major were about to happen. Coupled with the changing weather, he could not calm himself for a long time, growing increasingly irritated.

"Clan Leader!" At this moment, a disciple hurried over. "Clan Leader Yang and Clan Leader Zhao request an audience."

Clan Leader Yang?

Clan Leader Zhao?

Zhang Jinhua was stunned. After coming to his senses, he quickly descended from the main hall. "Invite them in at once."

Before long, Yang Kun and Zhao Tai led disciples from their respective families into the Zhang Family.

It was clear that confusion filled their faces.

"Brother Yang, the Liu Family invited us here and said they wanted to give us a grand gift."

Zhao Tai's brows sank. "I wonder what medicine they're selling in that gourd."

"Hmph!" Yang Kun snorted coldly. "Does that even need saying? Liu Qiang invited us to the Zhang Family at this time because he clearly intends to settle both old and new grudges at once."

Old and new grudges?

The corner of Zhao Tai's eye twitched. "Brother Yang, what do you mean by that?"

Could the Liu Family really contend against them through its own strength alone? Zhao Tai did not believe it.

"Brother Zhao." Yang Kun narrowed his eyes. "The Liu Family is so confident. If I'm not mistaken, they must have something to rely on. Black Eagle Prefecture has likely sent someone."

Other than that possibility, Yang Kun truly could not think of any other.

The Liu Family had explicitly stated that Black Eagle Prefecture was their backing. Now they had summoned them to the Zhang Family; clearly, the force behind them had arrived, giving them sufficient confidence.

"Black Eagle Prefecture?"

Zhao Tai looked somewhat astonished. "Brother Yang, should we tell Qin...?"

"No need!"

Yang Kun raised a hand. "If the Liu Family wants to play with fire and burn themselves, let them. As for Black Eagle Prefecture, it would be best if they know what's good for them. Otherwise, their thousand-year foundation will be destroyed in a single day."

If Zhao Tai had not known about Qin Jishi, he certainly would not have believed Yang Kun's words.

But now?

Not to mention Black Eagle Prefecture—even Black and White Academy was nothing to fear.

Destroy the Liu Family...

"Clan Leader Yang, Clan Leader Zhao." Zhang Jinhua arrived. "May I ask what brings you here?"

Seeing the two great families arrive in such force, Zhang Jinhua could not help but feel puzzled.

"Clan Leader Zhang, come... let's talk inside..."

"..."