Sending a Big Gift

Among the three, the foremost was an elder with white hair and a youthful complexion. Clad in green robes, he resembled an immortal, and his kind, benevolent face exuded an aura of natural authority.

Following behind the elder in green were two middle-aged men, dressed in black with a silver flying eagle emblem embroidered on their chests.

Liu Qiang took a deep breath and quickly stepped forward. He clasped his hands, bowed, and with a face full of respect, asked, "Excuse me, are you esteemed guests of the Black Eagle Prefecture?"

The elder in green at the front stopped. He glanced at them casually and nodded slowly, "That's right. I am Sun Baitan of the Black Eagle Prefecture."

Upon confirmation, Liu Qiang's attitude became even more respectful, bordering on fearful. "So you truly are esteemed guests of the Black Eagle Prefecture! That's wonderful. We've been waiting here for a long time. We are immensely grateful for your visit this time."

"Patriarch Liu!" Sun Baitan gave them a cursory glance and said dismissively, "No need for pleasantries. Lead the way. We'll discuss matters at your family estate."

"Yes, yes, of course." Liu Qiang gestured, "Esteemed guests, please."

Liu Qiang bowed, and with an air of utmost deference, personally led the three back to the Liu Family estate.

Along the way, Liu Qiang was filled with shock. This encounter truly made him realize the power of the Black Eagle Prefecture.

Sun Baitan and his two companions – Liu Qiang couldn't sense any trace of Profound Energy fluctuations from them. This situation meant one of two things: either they had no cultivation, which was clearly impossible, or their cultivation was far beyond his own, preventing him from discerning it.

Upon arriving at the Liu Family estate, a group of people lined up to greet them, their faces etched with reverence.

Several young maidservants stepped forward, their bodies swaying, ready to be at their beck and call.

Sun Baitan was very pleased looking at these young maidservants.

Inside the main hall!

The banquet had long been prepared. Sun Baitan got straight to the point, "Patriarch Liu, the Second Madam arranged for us to come. Please speak freely about your matters."

"Elder Sun, with your words, I am reassured." Liu Qiang quickly explained the entire sequence of events, finally unleashing his killing intent without reservation.

"Elder Sun, I only have this one son. Qin Jishi has cut off our Liu Family's lineage. This is an irreconcilable hatred. If it weren't for the Yang and Zhao families meddling, we wouldn't dare trouble you to come."

"Grandfather Sun~"

Liu Kai knelt down, weeping, "You must help me get justice."

Sun Baitan's expression shifted. "Patriarch Liu, did you not mention our Black Eagle Prefecture's name?"

Hearing this, Liu Qiang stammered, "How could I not? But that fellow Yang Kun not only didn't back down, he arrogantly claimed that even if the Black Eagle Prefecture Lord himself appeared, he wouldn't be given any face."

"Hmph... Arrogant..." A trace of anger appeared between Sun Baitan's brows. "A mere Yang Family dares to speak such wild words. They are too self-important."

"Patriarch Liu!"

Sun Baitan's tone changed. "Rest assured, our Black Eagle Prefecture will handle this matter for you."

"Thank you, Elder Sun."

"Thank you, Elder Sun!"

Liu Kai got up from the ground and sat down again.

When Sun Baitan received instructions from Liu Qiang's sister, he had already secretly investigated the backgrounds of the Yang and Zhao families. The results showed they were merely ordinary families.

Although they held some status in Soaring Dragon City, they were nothing compared to the Black Eagle Prefecture.

"Elder Sun." After a slight pause, Liu Qiang spoke again, "A few days ago, my son was accepted as a formal disciple by the Black and White Academy. I sent someone to the Myriad Treasures Tower to invite seniors from the Black and White Academy, but they have yet to reply. My intention is, could Elder Sun perhaps...?"

Liu Qiang's intentions were clear to Sun Baitan, who frowned slightly. "Patriarch Liu, you wish for the Black and White Academy to intervene in this matter?"

"Elder Sun, please don't misunderstand." Liu Qiang quickly explained, "Yang Xuan and Zhao Xiong were also accepted as disciples by the Black and White Academy. I am just worried about the Black and White Academy..."

"Patriarch Liu!" Sun Baitan said in a low voice, "I understand your concerns. However, this matter has its reasons. If the Black and White Academy truly holds us accountable, our Black Eagle Prefecture will provide them with an explanation."

"In that case, I am relieved." To be honest, Liu Qiang truly feared the Black and White Academy's reprisal. If that were to happen, their Liu Family would not be able to withstand their wrath.

Since Sun Baitan had given his solemn guarantee, he no longer had any worries.

Liu Qiang raised his wine cup. "Elder Sun, you have traveled a long distance to be here, and you must be tired. After we eat, I will arrange for a comfortable residence."

"No need." Sun Baitan shook his head. "We are not that frail. After eating, you can take us there. Let's get this over with quickly so we can return and report."

Frankly, if it weren't for Liu Qiang's sister's request, they wouldn't have bothered coming.

"Yes, yes, yes!" Liu Qiang seemed impatient as well. "I will have someone notify the Yang and Zhao families immediately."

"Yes, our time is precious. Act quickly," Sun Baitan said indifferently.

In his eyes, the so-called three great families of Soaring Dragon City were merely paper tigers. If he wished to destroy them, he could do so with a mere flick of his finger, bringing them to utter ruin.

Upon hearing this, Liu Qiang immediately ordered the Grand Elder to notify the Yang and Zhao families, telling them that they would be delivering a grand gift to the Zhang Family.

The sky darkened, and dark clouds gathered, with lightning and thunder seemingly tearing the firmament apart.

"How can the weather change so quickly?" Zhang Jinhua stood outside the main hall, frowning as he gazed at the sky.

For some reason, he felt inexplicably uneasy today, as if something major was about to happen. Coupled with the changing weather, he couldn't calm his mind and grew increasingly agitated.

"Patriarch!" At that moment, a disciple hurried over. "Patriarch Yang and Patriarch Zhao request an audience."

Patriarch Yang?

Patriarch Zhao?

Zhang Jinhua was taken aback. He quickly composed himself and descended the hall. "Quickly, invite them in."

Yang Kun and Zhao Tai, along with disciples from their two families, soon entered the Zhang family's residence.

It was clear they wore expressions of confusion.

"Brother Yang, the Liu family invited us here, saying they had a grand gift for us."

Zhao Tai furrowed his brow. "I wonder what their true intentions are."

"Hmph!" Yang Kun snorted. "Does this even need asking? Liu Qiang inviting us to the Zhang family at this time clearly means he's preparing to settle old and new scores."

Old and new scores?

Zhao Tai's eyes twitched. "Brother Yang, what do you mean by that?"

Zhao Tai didn't believe the Liu family could contend with them on their own.

"Brother Zhao," Yang Kun narrowed his eyes. "The Liu family is so confident, if I'm not mistaken, they must have some backing. I suspect someone from Black Eagle Prefecture has arrived."

Besides this possibility, Yang Kun couldn't think of any other reason.

The Liu family had explicitly stated that their backer was Black Eagle Prefecture. Now, inviting them to the Zhang family's place clearly indicated they had the support of a powerful force and sufficient confidence.

"Black Eagle Prefecture?"

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

"No need!"

Yang Kun raised his 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 are sensible. Otherwise, their thousand-year foundation will be ruined in a single day."

If Zhao Tai didn't know about Qin Jishi, he definitely wouldn't have believed Yang Kun's words.

But now?

Let alone Black Eagle Prefecture, even Black and White Academy held no fear for him.

Destroy the Liu family...

"Patriarch Yang, Patriarch Zhao," Zhang Jinhua arrived. "May I ask why you've come?"

Seeing the grand procession of the two major families, Zhang Jinhua couldn't help but feel puzzled.

"Patriarch Zhang, come... let's go inside and talk..."

"..."