Longchuan

"Senior Brother? Causing trouble?"

The sudden accusation was unmistakably rude to Huang Lei. Her expression darkened a little. She didn't need to turn around to know who was coming—Thousand Hand Sword Longchuan!

Thousand Hand Sword Longchuan was Great Hero of Southern Mountain's younger brother. He was around forty, with a long beard. Though handsome, he looked somewhat effeminate. At that moment, he hurried over with an unfriendly expression, hurling insults before he'd even arrived. Clearly, he was extremely displeased with Huang Lei.

Before Huang Lei could say anything, Zhang Yunhao looked at Longchuan and sneered. "Causing trouble? Your Roaring Dragon Villa begged us to come help, then threatened to beat us to death. And now you're accusing us of causing trouble? Your Roaring Dragon Villa is even more overbearing than Eunuch Cao!"

"What did you say? Don't think you can run wild here just because you're that woman's senior brother! This is Roaring Dragon Villa!"

Longchuan flew into a rage. To compare Roaring Dragon Villa to Eunuch Cao—what an insult! A mere Tian Ming dared to speak to him like that? He was courting death!

"Run wild? Who's the one running wild? Hmph, you're nothing but a spoiled brat living off your father's and elder brother's reputations. And you dare speak to me like that?"

Zhang Yunhao didn't mince words. He looked down on Longchuan—and, in truth, Longchuan wasn't worth his respect!

"You're asking to die!"

Longchuan erupted, his face flushing red with rage. What he hated most in life was people constantly calling him Great Hero of Southern Mountain's younger brother. Zhang Yunhao had struck right at that wound, and Longchuan's murderous intent surged. His hand was already on his sword hilt.

He would show Tian Ming just how formidable he, Thousand Hand Sword, really was!

"That's enough!"

Huang Lei had no choice but to speak up. Though she had never liked Longchuan, she couldn't let her brother-in-law get hurt here.

Before anyone else could say a word, Huang Lei pointed to Zhang Yunhao and Lei Jue and introduced them as quickly as she could. "This is Divine Fist Blood Hand Tian Ming, the overlord who unified all the bandits and outlaws in Nanyang Prefecture. And this is Senior Raging Fire Mad Saber Lei Jue."

Huang Lei was clever. At a moment like this, no amount of pleading could calm things down as effectively as stating Zhang Yunhao and Lei Jue's identities. That would make a fight impossible. She knew her brother-in-law well: he bullied the weak and feared the strong!

"The overlord who unified Nanyang Prefecture?"

"Raging Fire Mad Saber? He's still alive?"

The people around them cried out in shock. Both were astonishing revelations. No wonder Tian Ming had dared to provoke Roaring Dragon Villa—he was now an overlord, and he had brought Raging Fire Mad Saber with him. He certainly had the standing to do so.

After their initial shock, the evil-path experts were delighted. At last, someone would stand up for them. They had been swallowing their anger for long enough. The righteous, meanwhile, looked far less pleased.

"An overlord? Raging Fire Mad Saber?"

Longchuan, who had been about to attack, froze. Now he didn't know whether to advance or retreat. If he fought, he might lose—and then he'd make a fool of himself in front of everyone. But if he backed down, where would that leave his pride? So many people were watching!

Longchuan's face went pale, then red. He had no idea what to do. He felt that everyone around him was laughing at him, and his heart filled with resentment. He hated Zhang Yunhao, and Huang Lei even more!

Just then, a hearty laugh rang out as a towering figure strode over. "Wonderful! With Divine Fist Blood Hand and Raging Fire Mad Saber joining us, Eunuch Cao is as good as dead!"

Everyone turned. Then, except for Zhang Yunhao and his companions, the righteous and evil-path experts alike bowed respectfully and greeted him in unison. "Great Hero of Southern Mountain!"

The newcomer was indeed Great Hero of Southern Mountain, a man revered by both the righteous and the evil-path factions!

"No need for formalities, everyone."

Great Hero of Southern Mountain laughed heartily, then walked up to Zhang Yunhao and cupped his fists. "Brother Tian, you were right earlier. This time, it was indeed I who asked you to help. For All Living Beings, I beg you to join me in assassinating Eunuch Cao!"

The righteous and evil-path experts were all moved. For the sake of Great Jin State, for the sake of All Living Beings, this great hero had actually said "beg." Such compassion and righteousness!

No one looked down on Great Hero of Southern Mountain. If anything, they admired him more than ever!

"Great Hero of Southern Mountain truly is noble and magnanimous. Rest assured: since we're here, Senior Lei and I will do everything we can to help."

Zhang Yunhao cursed him as a hypocrite in his heart, then said, "But while we're here to kill Eunuch Cao, no one gets to bully us evil-path experts. And no one can send us off to die!"

"Of course. I, Long, give my word here: everyone will be treated equally, and I will never show favoritism."

Great Hero of Southern Mountain spoke with righteous conviction. Everyone believed him, for he was, after all, a great hero.

But Zhang Yunhao scoffed inwardly. He didn't believe for a second that the man knew nothing about the earlier clash between the righteous and evil-path factions. And that wasn't even mentioning that he had already betrayed everyone and gone over to Eunuch Cao!

Of course, Zhang Yunhao didn't show his hand. He nodded and said, "That's good. Speaking of which, Great Hero Dragon, I'd like to test myself against you. Do you think we might have the chance?"

Everyone's eyes lit up. In the past, if they'd heard Tian Ming wanted to fight Great Hero of Southern Mountain, they would have scoffed and mocked him. He wouldn't have been worthy.

But judging by what had just happened, Tian Ming was no longer the man he'd been. He really could put up a fight, and it would surely be an exciting match!

So everyone looked forward to it. The righteous, in particular, hoped Great Hero of Southern Mountain would give Zhang Yunhao a good thrashing, vent their anger, and avenge Fierce Arhat!

Of course, both the righteous and evil-path experts believed that Tian Ming was no match for Great Hero of Southern Mountain. After all, he was Great Hero of Southern Mountain!

Unfortunately, Great Hero of Southern Mountain shook his head. "Most of the people have arrived. We need to discuss how to deal with Eunuch Cao. When we get the chance, I'll be sure to have a proper contest with you, Brother Tian."

"In that case, never mind. There'll be a chance eventually."

Zhang Yunhao was a little disappointed, but he didn't press the matter. Besides, it wasn't time to kill Great Hero of Southern Mountain yet.

Then Great Hero of Southern Mountain led everyone to a secret chamber to discuss the details of assassinating Eunuch Cao. Thousand Hand Sword Longchuan watched Great Hero of Southern Mountain's retreating figure, his hand gripping his sword hilt so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

Great Hero of Southern Mountain had just bailed Longchuan out, but Longchuan wasn't happy at all. If anything, he was even angrier, because everyone had ignored him!

"Why is he Great Hero of Southern Mountain? Why does everyone answer his call? Why does everyone admire him so much?"

Longchuan gritted his teeth. He had the same surname, Long. He was only two years younger, yet the Soaring Dragon Swordplay, the status, the glory—everything belonged to Great Hero of Southern Mountain. And in the Jianghu, Longchuan would always be known as Great Hero of Southern Mountain's younger brother!

"I'm going to become the master of Roaring Dragon Villa. I'm going to kill Tian Ming. I'm going to kill that bitch!"

Longchuan's face twisted with venom. He would repay the humiliation he'd suffered today a hundredfold!