The former glory and majesty of the Wei capital have long since vanished.
The black-armored banners of the Qian Yuan Divine Dynasty fluttered atop the city walls, replacing the insignia of the Wei royal family.
The streets were deserted, shops were closed, and only the heavily armed soldiers of the Primal Origin Divine Dynasty patrolled the area, creating a somber atmosphere.
Inside the Imperial Palace, it became a temporary command center, frequented by Qianyuan generals and cultivators dressed in Confucian Robe.
A side hall was temporarily requisitioned as the residence of the person in charge of the area.
Inside the hall, Zhang Qingyue sat upright in the main seat, her well-tailored Confucian Robe accentuating her tall and straight figure, her aloof demeanor carrying an undeniable sharpness.
Ten years have passed, and her appearance remains beautiful, but the gentleness of the past has faded, replaced by the dignified air of someone who has long held a high position and the frost of deep-seated hatred.
After merging with the "Literary Dao Sacred Heart", her Cultivation had reached the level of Third Rank Land Immortal. Her every move exuded a Daoist charm that made people dare not look directly at her.
At this moment, her face was frosty, her gaze sharp as lightning, sweeping over a middle-aged general of the Primal Origin Divine Dynasty who was kneeling on the ground, trembling with fear.
"Waste!"
Zhang Qingyue's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a chilling coldness, as if it could freeze one's Divine Soul:
"A small Wei Kingdom, and a Xiao Family whose highest level of power is no more than the Grandmaster Realm."
"Your Qianyuan army was pressing in, and you sealed off the border in advance, yet you still managed to let them slip away right under your noses?"
The middle-aged general, his forehead dripping with cold sweat, replied in a trembling voice:
"Please calm down, my lord. It is not that we have not done our best."
It's true... the Wei royal family, especially the core of the Xiao family, seemed to have a premonition and secretly moved away before our army could encircle them. Their whereabouts are unknown.
I have ordered a city-wide search and the blockade of all major roads, but... there is still no definite news.
They seem... they seem to have had the help of a master, who erased most of the traces...
"A master? Hmph!"
Zhang Qingyue snorted coldly, her fingertips lightly tapping the armrest of her chair, each tap seeming to strike the general's heart:
"Keep searching, send more people, and expand the search area."
Even if it means digging three feet into the ground and turning over every inch of Yuhua Prefecture, I will drag out the Remnants of the Xiao Family.
Especially Xiao Xuan, Xiao Fenghua, and Xiao Meier.
I will personally tear them to pieces to appease the spirits of my father and grandfather in heaven!
Her eyes burned with the flames of hatred.
The general felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and repeatedly replied "Yes," before scrambling out, fearing that if he was even a step too slow, he would be beheaded.
Silence returned to the hall, but Zhang Qingyue's anger did not subside.
Just as she was feeling agitated and her Killing Intent was surging, a respectful announcement came from Hall Door:
"Your Excellency, a man is requesting an audience outside the palace gates. He claims to be... your fifth brother."
Fifth brother?
Zhang Qingyue was taken aback at first, then her delicate body trembled violently, and she abruptly stood up from her seat, her beautiful eyes flashing with disbelief:
"Is Xiao Heng still alive?"
When the Zhang Family suffered a sudden calamity, she always thought that everyone in the Marquis Estate had perished.
How could I not be excited upon suddenly hearing news of my "fifth brother"?
"Quick, let him in."
No... I will go to pick them up myself!
Zhang Qingyue could no longer restrain herself. With a swift movement, she transformed into a gentle breeze and swept out of the hall, not even caring about maintaining the composure of Land Immortal.
The palace gates were heavily guarded.
A lone figure stood there, out of place among the brightly armored Qianyuan soldiers around him.
He looked to be around thirty years old, but his face bore the weariness and vicissitudes of his age. His eyes were sharp as a hawk's, yet they also concealed an unyielding gloom and exhaustion.
It was Zhang Heng had endured countless hardships and was single-mindedly seeking the power of revenge.
Over the course of ten years, under the "guidance" of the Dongqing Immortal, he cultivated evil arts, Cultivation leaps and bounds, reaching the Heaven Ascension Realm.
"Xiao Heng?"
Zhang Qingyue's figure appeared instantly in front of the palace gate.
She looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar young man before her, her voice trembling slightly.
Despite the drastic change in her demeanor, the contours of her brows still faintly resembled those of the boy who used to follow her around calling her "Third Sister."
Zhang Heng raised his head and looked at Zhang Qingyue, who was walking briskly towards him.
Ten years have passed, and my Third Sister has changed a lot as well.
No longer the gentle yet timid girl from my memory, but a powerful Land Immortal deity, dressed in a scholar's Confucian Robe, with the majesty of a superior and a deep-seated hatred between his brows.
A complex emotion flashed in his eyes, a mixture of excitement at a long-awaited reunion and an instinctive closeness to family.
But more than anything, there was a chilling aura tainted by hatred, and a subtle, almost imperceptible scrutiny.
"Third Sister." Zhang Heng's voice was somewhat hoarse, and his tone was rather cold, as if he were merely confirming an identity.
Zhang Qingyue quickly stepped forward, looked Zhang Heng up and down, her eyes slightly reddening:
"Xiao Heng, you... you've changed a lot."
The fifth brother she remembered, though somewhat spoiled, was handsome with bright eyes; he had never looked so weathered and gloomy.
What exactly has he gone through all these years?
"Bearing Sea of Blood and only wanting revenge, a person will naturally change."
Zhang Heng's voice was calm, yet it carried a chill that penetrated to the bone.
He stared intently at Zhang Qingyue, "I wonder if, all these years, Third Sister, you still remember the blood feud between my Marquis Estate and the rest of the household?"
"Of course I won't forget!"
Zhang Qingyue's expression was resolute, and hatred reappeared in her eyes:
"My purpose in coming to the Wei Kingdom this time is to first destroy the Xiao Family and avenge the first blood debt."
As for the two culprits, Zhang Yu and Zhang Lingyun... they disappeared without a trace after the battle in the Eastern Sheng Kingdom.
I used my Confucianism connections to inquire from various sources, but still found no definite information. However,
She abruptly changed the subject, her tone filled with confidence and Killing Intent:
"Now that I have the Cultivation of Land Immortal and am backed by Confucianism, I can mobilize a portion of the Primal Origin Divine Dynasty's troops."
Once they are found, they will pay for their crimes in blood!
She felt that her strength and status were now vastly different from before, and that revenge was within reach.
Zhang Heng listened to Zhang Qingyue's words, a cold, almost mocking smile curled at the corners of his lips:
Third Sister is so thoughtful.
However, putting Zhang Yu and Zhang Lingyun aside for now, as for the Remnants of the Xiao Family... I do know where they are hiding."
"What?"
Zhang Qingyue's beautiful eyes lit up, and she eagerly asked, "Where is it? Tell me quickly!"
The sinister glint in Zhang Heng's eyes deepened, and he slowly said:
"That old fox Xiao Xuan has three burrows."
As soon as rumors of the Primal Origin Divine Dynasty sending troops to Yuhua Prefecture began to circulate, he sensed something was wrong and secretly arranged for his core clansmen to evacuate.
I've been secretly monitoring the Xiao Family's movements, and I'm certain they've hidden in the Immortal Medical Immortal Valley of the Qingmu Domain.
She went with that woman named Hu Qingxuan!
"Medical Immortal Valley?"
Zhang Qingyue frowned.
She had heard of the Medical Immortal Valley, a rather unique neutral force in the Qingmu Domain, renowned for its Medical Skill and alchemy. It was a peaceful and unassuming place, rarely involved in conflicts, and enjoyed a high reputation in the surrounding areas.
"That's right, it's the Medical Immortal Valley."
Zhang Heng gritted his teeth and said:
"Although I have located their hiding place, my own Cultivation is limited, and I am powerless to take revenge."
"Medical Immortal Valley... Hu Qingxuan..."
Zhang Qingyue repeated in a low voice, a cold glint in her eyes:
"What a disgrace to the Medical Immortal Valley! How dare they harbor my enemy, Zhang Qingyue's enemy, and oppose the Confucianism and the Primal Origin Divine Dynasty! They are utterly courting death!"
Killing Intent surged within her.
The Xiao Family is her primary target, and in her eyes, the Medical Immortal Valley, which dares to protect the Xiao Family, is already courting death!
"Third Sister's Cultivation is now profound, she holds power in this area, and the Qianyuan army is under her control."
Zhang Heng added fuel to the fire at the opportune moment, his tone laced with encouragement and expectation:
"Taking over the mere Medical Immortal Valley and capturing the Remnants of the Xiao Family should be a piece of cake."
I am willing to be the vanguard, hoping only to personally avenge my enemies and bring peace to the spirits of my parents Ancestors in heaven!
Zhang Qingyue looked at Zhang Heng and saw the same overflowing flames of hatred in his eyes as she herself, and the last trace of doubt in her heart disappeared.
This is her younger brother, a relative who shares the same blood feud and the same goals as her!
"Good!"
Zhang Qingyue took a deep breath, suppressing her surging Killing Intent, and regained the composure and majesty of a Land Immortal:
"Xiao Heng, the information you provided is crucial."
"Pass on my order: muster your troops, select your experts, and immediately march into the Qingmu Domain to surround the Medical Immortal Valley."
I will make Hu Qingxuan know what fate awaits the enemy who protected me, Zhang Qingyue.
We must also make the Xiao Family... completely disappear from this world.