Unexpected (Part 1)

Two days later.

On the winding Official Road mountain road, oxcarts moved slowly and steadily toward Qingchuan Prefecture.

Zuo Han, draped in a black cloak, gazed into the distance.

Standing beside him were the other members of the Thousand Stone Sect, as well as Sun Chaoyue and others who had come with him.

"Mr. Zuo, how is the situation?" Zhang Yunqi, a member of the Rebel Sect, coughed a few times and stepped forward to ask in a low voice. His injuries had not yet fully healed; his lung meridian had been damaged.

"No problem. After several attacks, they have suffered heavy losses and should have given up." Zuo Han shook his head and replied.

Their First Squad was attacked on their way to Great Capital.

After receiving news of Yue Dewen's death from Great Capital, everyone was shocked and hurriedly rushed to Qingchuan Prefecture.

On the way, they were attacked by more than one group of people.

"The first two groups and the last two groups shouldn't be together. It seems the master is in quite a bit of trouble," Zuo Han said in a deep voice.

"If there's nothing else to do, what use are we?" Zhang Yunqi smiled.

"That makes sense." Zuo Han agreed, patting him on the shoulder. "You're quite good. Keep working hard for the adults, and you might get a chance to live for decades longer in the future."

His meaning was ambiguous, but Zhang Yunqi was extremely familiar with these matters and understood immediately.

I understand that Zuo Han was referring to Worship God.

He thanked them calmly, but he knew in his heart that he could never do anything to Worship God.

In this world, Worship God may seem glamorous, but in reality, it's a far cry from the glamorous life of it all. The convoy slowly climbed over the next hill. As dusk approached.

Finally, a vast and prosperous city gradually emerged from the foot of the mountain ahead.

The entire city resembled a large white patch, covering the surrounding dark green earth.

Further away on one side, there is a blue sea and sky, with seabirds flying about.

"We've finally arrived!!"

Zuo Han leaped and landed lightly on a branch of a large tree, gazing at the panoramic view ahead.

"This time in Qingchuan Prefecture is different from before."

He used to lead the Thousand Stone Sect, living a life similar to that of nomadic peoples, except that nomadic peoples relied on animal husbandry and plunder.

They, on the other hand, relied solely on plunder.

They plundered some unruly and wicked wealthy merchants and officials who refused to obey their orders.

If you're broke, just rob someone; if you want something, just take it.

If anyone resists, kill them.

Therefore, the number of people in the Thousand Stone Sect was not large in the past, partly because their casualty rate was not small when they plundered.

On the other hand, it's because this model can't support many members.

Now, Zuo Han took a deep breath and smiled.

"My lord, it's been a long time! I, Zuo, have returned with everyone!"

He suddenly spoke loudly.

The sound traveled far and wide, echoing softly.

"Uncle Zuo."

At this moment, a tall, burly man led First Squad men and quickly approached along the Official Road.

It was Zhang Rongfang who had come to greet them.

He had a genuine smile on his face and looked up at the convoy.

"You've all had a long journey, and we appreciate your hard work! We've prepared a feast at your lodgings, so please enjoy your food and drinks and rest for a few days."

"What are you saying, sir!"

"We are willing to serve you!"

"We swear to follow you to the death, sir!"

"We are all your retainers, there's no need for such formalities. Just give us your orders, my lord!"

A number of people responded.

Whether it was the Rebel Sect or the Thousand Stone Sect, having received a large investment of resources and money, they had long regarded Zhang Rongfang as their only leader.

Although they had been traveling constantly, the money and resources they consumed every day never stopped.

A group of people were taking drugs every day, and their strength was increasing rapidly.

Such treatment, if given to other forces, would likely cost the equivalent of supporting a thousand people out of the resources to support just a few hundred.

Only a magnanimous person like Zhang Ying Daozi could be so generous and forthright.

"Very well, we are all part of my Aloeswood Palace. Today, let's drink until we're drunk!" Zhang Rongfang with a big smile, opening his arms wide.

After waiting for so many days, he finally had enough of his own manpower to use.

During his time in Qingchuan Prefecture, apart from the few people he managed to win over through intimidation, the rest of the people completely disobeyed him and outwardly complied but inwardly defied him.

He couldn't act directly, because these people were basically connected to the Twelve Clan Estates' network of relationships.

If there's even the slightest trouble, all sorts of connections will come knocking on your door.

Even Grandmaster Ning Hongli had conveyed messages to her nephews and nieces.

It annoyed him to no end.

But now, when Zhang Rongfang and Zuo Han's eyes met, Zuo Han immediately understood that there was something important they needed to discuss.

Half an hour later.

With everything arranged, everyone enjoyed a feast and rest at Zhang Rongfang's Mansion.

Inside a small, separate courtyard of the Mansion.

Zhang Rongfang stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the lotus flowers in the small pond in the courtyard, remaining silent.

He was waiting for someone.

Zuo Han slowly entered through the courtyard gate, clasping his hands in a respectful gesture.

"Your Crown Prince."

"Uncle Zuo, I've been waiting for you for some time." Zhang Rongfang turned around. "Qingchuan Prefecture is a complex place, the very foundation of our Great Dao Sect. The surrounding Twelve Clan Estates are incredibly powerful, so we must be extremely careful in everything we do."

"I know a little about this. My Holy Gate was taken advantage of by the Great Dao Sect back then, which led to its collapse." Zuo Han nodded solemnly.

As someone who experienced that great battle back then, no one knew better than him how strong the Great Dao Sect truly was.

"I originally thought that the Jade Void Palace had been suppressed by the Ling Ting and disappeared without a trace, but I didn't expect it to be developing secretly here!" Zuo Han felt a little heavy-hearted.

"Old Zuo, there are many Grandmasters here, but recently, Jade Void Palace is doing something big. As far as I know, they have already dispatched a lot of forces, and not many have been left here to guard the area." Zhang Rongfang ignored Zuo Han's sentimental recollections and spoke directly.

"What does the Crown Prince want to do?" Zuo Han's heart stirred, and he understood why Zhang Rongfang had asked him to come alone.

"Among the remaining experts in the Jade Void Palace, only Great Grandmaster Shangguan Feihe governs people with rules, so we should do things according to the rules. As long as we don't reveal our identities, everything will be fine."

But here, Returning Cause Master Yue, I have offended someone."

Zhang Rongfang slowly recounted Shang Dingye's story.

As the story unfolded, Zuo Han's eyes narrowed even more.

"And what about the aftermath? What does the Crown Prince mean?"

"It was the Rebel Alliance that got the blame," Zhang Rongfang replied. "As long as there's no evidence, nobody knows what kind of power is behind the Rebel Alliance. They've had so many people killed; they'll eventually seek revenge. So, in retaliation, the deaths of one or two Grandmasters are to be expected. But..."

He sighed.

"However, we must be careful not to let this person escape. This time, things might get serious, Uncle Zuo."

"The Worship God Grandmaster at the Jade Void Palace is indeed not easy to deal with." Zuo Han nodded solemnly. "However... if we proceed this way..."

His eyes darted around, and this usually honest and upright man surprisingly devised a simple scheme.

His words made Zhang Rongfang's eyes light up.

"But this is too risky for you, Uncle Zuo," Zhang Rongfang said sincerely.

"Serving the Crown Prince is nothing," Zuo Han shook his head. "This arrangement is the greatest guarantee for the Crown Prince's safety."

Zhang Rongfang sighed and nodded slightly.

"Alright, let's do it the way Uncle Zuo does!"

"So, when does the Crown Prince intend to make his move?" Zuo Han asked.

The returning group arrived in Qingchuan Prefecture not long afterward.

At this time, the largest restaurant in the Prefectural City was Jiangsong Restaurant.

Inside the most luxurious Cloud and Mist Residence.

Shang Dingye slowly picked up his chopsticks and ate his lunch little by little.

On the large round table in front of him were over a hundred dishes, including chicken, duck, fish, goose, beef, mutton, monkey, deer, and all sorts of rare mountain and sea delicacies.

"Master Shang." A very respectful female voice came clearly from outside the private room.

"What is it?" Shang Dingye slowly swallowed the beef in his mouth and gently wiped his mouth with a silk handkerchief.

"Zhang Ying Daozi just went outside the city and brought back a large group of his men from Citong. He seems to be in high spirits," the woman said in a deep voice.

"Come in and talk," Shang Dingye clapped his hands.

"Yes."

The door slowly opened, and a beautiful woman in a green dress quickly entered, bowing respectfully to Shang Dingye's side.

She is one of the managers of the Shang Family in Qingchuan.

The entire restaurant actually belongs to the Shang Family.

She was one of them, of course.

"Continue." Shang Dingye didn't even glance at her.

Beauty was something he had long since grown tired of; now he was only interested in all kinds of food.

When he has free time, he prefers to study recipes and learn how to cook delicious dishes.

"Yes." The woman nodded. "Also, there's something else. We've found thirteen groups of people you instructed us to find, based on their distinctive features. Two of them are survivors from the previous cleanup operation."

Their address has been confirmed, but it's temporary and could change at any time. Should we arrest them immediately?

"Oh? You found it?" Shang Dingye became interested in this.

For the first time in many years, he had paid so much attention to a few ants. If it weren't for that damned Zhang Ying causing trouble, he would never have cared about a few pieces of trash that he could crush with a flick of his wrist.

"Yes, Master, if we need to arrest them immediately, we must do so as quickly as possible," the woman said.

"Both groups consisted of an elderly man and a beautiful woman. The first group consisted of Zhao Yunfei and Qi Xiang."

The second group consisted of two people: Zhang Xuan and Xiao Qingying.

"Zhao Yunfei? Zhang Xuan?" Shang Dingye recalled that he seemed to have heard the old man call out "Rong Fang" before. It was clearly Zhang Ying, but he called him Rong Fang. It seems there is a secret hidden in this. Zhang Ying, Zhang Rongfang, these two names are connected.

Suddenly, a very faint sound came from outside the right wall.

"Who!?" Shang Dingye's eyes suddenly sharpened as he looked in that direction.

Among the guards outside, a skilled fighter transformed into Shadow and rushed into the next room.

Bang! In less than two seconds, the person who went in was sent flying back out.

The corpse sprayed blood mid-air and broke in two before it even hit the ground.

A chorus of screams erupted inside the restaurant.

"How dare you!"

Shang Dingye's ears twitched slightly. He heard a muffled thud from next door and then broke through the window, jumping down from the third floor.

The expert who just rushed in under his command was already at the Ninth Grade rank, but he was instantly killed.

This shows the strength of the person next door.

"You think you can run away from me?!"

Without hesitation, Shang Dingye also got up and leaped, crashing into the side window.

Puff.

The wooden window was broken, and he, like everyone else, jumped from the third floor to the ground.

After a dull thud, Shang Dingye landed and immediately rushed towards the person.

But that person was incredibly fast, only slightly slower than him.

The two chased and fled, quickly breaking out of the bustling city center and heading towards the suburbs.

'Are you deliberately trying to lure me in?' Shang Dingye was a seasoned veteran, and he realized it immediately.

But he was not afraid at all. In front of outsiders, the strength he showed was only a small part of his true self.

In reality, no one knew that his hidden strength far exceeded his outward appearance.

Although the three levels of Grandmaster do not determine strength, he had already entered the highest level of the Full Moon before he Worship God.

Crescent moon, Half Moon, full moon—only the full moon can maintain its peak condition.

So, if anyone thinks they can directly ambush him, they are sorely mistaken! Because he has already used this tactic to kill several opponents.