Li Baitian and his partners could not believe that they had left Mount Tong so easily until they had returned to the downtown area and was close to Yonghua Villa.
However, Li Tianlan didn’t think there was anything special about this result. After all, he did not know much about The Six in Zhongzhou State, nor about their strength respectively. In his opinion, Zhuang Huayang, an important figure from the Academics, had made his appearance personally. Furthermore, Qin Weibai, the spokesperson of another big shot, had also emerged. Therefore, he thought it would be as easy as pie for the two to bring them down the mountain.
Nonetheless, Li Baitian didn’t think so.
In addition to him, Ning Qiancheng and Wang Yuetong looked serious along the way too. Apparently, they thought it was abnormal for them to come down the mountain so easily. The Prince Group was the last ruling group. It was now the third year of the general election and was not the time for the mid-term election yet. This period was arguably the heyday of the Prince Group. In terms of superficial strength, it was even stronger than the Academics, the ruling group right now.
Moreover, Zhong Yongming of the Zhong family was the person that was most likely to be the new leader of the Prince Group at present. As his favorite youngest son was disabled, it would not have been a surprise for anyone else if this powerful figure was to react violently. Weirdly, everything tonight was a dead calm. Zhong Yongming even did not show up.
This was obviously not normal.
Such an anomaly could only mean that the subsequent revenge of the Zhong family would be more brutal.
The top leader of Huating was surely different from other high officials. That person would always be a member of the Decision Making Committee and it would not be exaggerated to consider him the leader of Zhongzhou State. Zhongzhou State had the world’s largest bureaucratic system, but there were only 20 members in the Decision Making Committee, including several magnates of power. Thus, the Decision Making Committee was a true organ of top authority. If such a person was determined to take vengeance on his enemy, then there would be no place for his enemy to hide even if in Zhongzhou State, let alone in Huating.
The Zhong family was uncharacteristically quiet tonight. This could only be a sign of more dangerous follow-ups rather than safety.
“What are you thinking about? There’s something wrong with the atmosphere.”
Sitting in the car, Zhuang Huayang easily sensed the solemn atmosphere inside the car. Suddenly, he said with a smile on his face in a relaxed tone.
They were now sitting in the car heading for Yonghua Villa. Everyone was here except for Han Xinyan and Zhang Houlong. The vehicle had been lengthened and was more than six meters long. The seats faced each other vertically and there was a large space inside the car. And it was all right to accommodate a few more people.
After taking Li Tianlan and others down Mount Tong, Zhuang Huayang had planned to bring these excellent freshmen back to the Sky Academy. Everything happened tonight would absolutely be a big problem wherever it took place. Therefore, they would only be safe in the academy.
Zhuang Huayang was not only one of the top ten experts in Zhongzhou State but also the headmaster of the Sky Academy. Hence, it would be hard for either Zhong Yongming or Tan Qinghua to put their hands in the academy easily. At best they could instigate some students to retaliate against their enemies. With Li Tianlan and his companions’ strength, Zhuang Huayang had nothing to worry about.
Qin Weibai, however, did not want Li Tianlan to go back so early. Zhuang Huayang had lived so long and obviously, he was able to tell that the young couple had already immersed themselves in deep love and affections. Naturally, they were unwilling to separate. So after hesitating for a short while, he accepted Qin Weibai’s advice and went to Yonghua Villa.
The Samsara Palace was Qin Weibai’s backer. The Wang family of Beihai and Kunlun City always tried their utmost to guard against this mysterious foreign force. Even the Zhongzhou government was reluctant to welcome it to develop within the borders. But over the past few years, Samsara Palace did solve some things that Zhongzhou State was inappropriate to do. As a result, every group had to show Samsara Palace some respects.
Even if the Zhong family and Tan family were in a rush to avenge their sons and went completely mad, there were two or three Super Masters from Samsara Palace by Qin Weibai’s side. If the two sides really fought each other, Qin Weibai would never suffer losses. That was why she had the confidence to ask Li Tianlan and his companions to stay behind.
However, Zhuang Huayang was still worried, so he got in the car too. He was not to blame for his caution because the chip that Li Tianlan had thrown out was truly lethal.
When talking with the chief on the phone, he threw out the chip that Li Tianlan had offered him. The calm chief could no longer stay calm. He ordered Zhuang Huayang to save Li Tianlan at any cost and almost sent his own bodyguards over, as if having no idea who Zhong Yongming was.
Obviously, Zhuang Huayang knew the reason.
A 17-year-old Thunder-shocking Realm expert represented too many things.
Under normal circumstances, no matter how talented a person was, it was simply impossible for him to reach the Thunder-shocking Realm at the age of 17; not because of a lack of talent, but because the physical strength of a 17-year-old teenager was completely unable to accommodate the power of the Thunder-shocking Realm.
Although Martial Artists’ talent was varied, their physical strength was about the same. At least until the human skeletal muscles had fully taken shape, that was, before the age of 20, no one could withstand the mighty power of the Thunder-shocking Realm.
Even if a Martial Artist had the talent to enter the Thunder-shocking Realm before he was a grown-up, the extreme power could also destroy his relatively tender bones and muscles in an instant once he entered this realm, unless his physical strength had met the requirements of this realm.
According to the explicit records of some confidential information in Zhongzhou State, in the last 100 years, the youngest Martial Artist who had reached this realm was 23 years old. And that was after his musculoskeletal system was fully formed as well. Coincidentally, the one who maintained this record also came from Xuanyuantai of Kunlun. He was the God of War of Zhongzhou State 200 years ago.
It was extremely difficult to achieve an effective and quick improvement in physical strength, but it was not absolutely impossible.
At least when Zhuang Huayang was young, he had heard it from a big shot who had passed away that there was a treasure called Map of God of War in Xuanyuantai of Kunlun, in which there was a passage explaining the essentials of Martial Arts that could help a Martial Artist to increase his physical strength relatively quickly.
No one had ever seen that passage, but it was said that with a wry smile on their faces, several Gods of War of Zhongzhou State from Xuanyuantai of Kunlun had stated it as the most powerful essentials but also chicken ribs.
And that passage was named Invincible Manual!
Zhuang Huayang was not clear which part of the Invincible Manual was of little value, but he was well aware of what the words “most powerful” meant in Xuanyuantai of Kunlun. Li Tianlan successfully entered the Thunder-shocking Realm at the age of 17 by practicing the Invincible Manual, which was sufficient to prove how effective this manual was. How mighty he would be once such a person who possessed Wind and Thunder Veins reached the Invincible Realm in the future?
Protect Li Tianlan at any cost!
That chief said this sentence without the slightest hesitation. And this was almost the consensus of the whole Academics.
Therefore, feeling the atmosphere inside the car, Zhuang Huayang smiled again and said, “Don’t worry. It’s alright.”
His glance swept around, and finally, he fixed his eyes on Li Tianlan and Qin Weibai. Although the interior space was spacious, Qin Weibai almost lay in Li Tianlan’s embrace. The two were very close and seemed to be whispering.
Zhuang Huayang felt helpless. He could tell that there was no worry written on their faces.
Except for them, the others worried a lot about what happened tonight.
“Headmaster, there’s something amiss with the Zhong family’s reaction tonight. It’s just too abnormal.”
Leaning against the seat, Ning Qiancheng coughed and said calmly. He didn’t know what exactly the powder that Li Tianlan had forced him to swallow was, but he knew it was absolutely out of ordinary, otherwise, the little princess of the Wang family would not carry it with her. So by now, he was in stable condition. Although there was still a considerable distance from recovery, at least he could move slowly.
“I feel the same way.”
Wang Yuetong continued with a frown, “Zhong Shaofeng enjoys high status in the Zhong family. Zhong Yongming has three children in total. His eldest son is engaged in business. Although his daughter has become an official, she is a female after all. Zhong Shaofeng has been regarded as the political successor of the Zhong family by Zhong Yongming. But now, something this big has happened, yet Zhong Yongming was able to stay calm and did not show up. Moreover, his secretary did not make his appearance either. This is really too weird.”
“Today is the thirtieth day of this month, right?”
Qin Weibai, who was laying in Li Tianlan’s embrace, suddenly asked lethargically.
Wang Yuetong froze as if she had realized something. However, she just turned her head with a pout without uttering any word.
“The thirtieth day?”
Li Baitian and Ning Qiancheng looked distracted. Then they nodded and said, “It turns out to be the end of this month, no wonder.”
For the vast majority of people, the end of a month was nothing new. But for top management, if there were no particularly important foreign affairs or other arrangements, Zhongzhou Decision Making Committee would hold a plenary session at the end and beginning of each month respectively. As a member of the Decision Making Committee, if there was nothing else important, Zhong Yongming must go to Youzhou for a meeting. That was to say, he was not at Huating these days at all.
“What a coincidence.”
Li Baitian remained silent for a while and added with a laugh, “Aren’t we safe? Zhong Yongming can only come back in two or three days. At that time, we’ll hide in the Sky Academy together. What can he do to us then?”
“It’s not something interesting to be a coward. After all, we cannot hide in the academy and don’t come out forever.”
Li Tianlan, who had put all his attention on Qin Weibai, suddenly opened his mouth. He seemed to speak to Li Baitian, but his eyes glanced at Zhuang Huayang, intentionally or otherwise.
Zhuang Huayang kept his countenance and said nothing. He understood what Li Tianlan meant, but it was not convenient for him to take a stand right now. The Academics had a weak influence over Huating, so he could do nothing big even if he wanted to. His bottom line now was to save Li Tianlan. As for what he would do next, it all depended on the situation. If there was an opportunity, the Academics would not hesitate to take actions.
“It’s not the right time to talk about that.”
Qin Weibai suddenly opened her mouth, her expression soft and calm. She said in a low voice, “The trouble has only just begun. The Zhong family’s revenge will come sooner or later and we cannot escape that. But because Zhong Yongming is not in Huating presently, perhaps this period of time can let him calm down roughly. As long as Zhong Shaofeng is still alive, there’s room for negotiation. At least there’s hope for a superficial reconciliation. Before Zhong Yongming comes back, what we should guard against most is Tan Qinghua.”
“Tan Qinghua…”
Li Tianlan raised his eyebrows and repeated the name.
Indeed, it now appeared that Tan Qinghua’s possible response was the key. While they were on Mount Tong, although Zhuang Huayang did not express his anxiety frankly, Li Tianlan could tell that from his expression. Later, after asking him straightforwardly, Li Tianlan was clear that Zhuang Huayang also worried about Tan Qinghua’s response.
Compared with Zhong Shaofeng’s status in the Zhong family, Tan Xilai’s status in the Tan family was even higher. It was said that Tan Qinghua had had high hopes for him. Nevertheless, he was killed by Ning Qiancheng tonight. After seeing his beloved child die before himself, who knew what Tan Qinghua, the military hardliner, would do?
It was said that 2,000 elite soldiers from the Eastern Theater of Operations were now in Huating, preparing for a maneuver with the Huating Special Operations Bureau in a few days. If Tan Qinghua insisted on wreaking revenge and truly surrounded Mount Tong with his men, even Zhuang Huayang would have difficulty dealing with this matter.
Li Tianlan lit a cigarette and was absorbed in thought.
“How will Tan Qinghua react?”
He took a knee-jerk look at Ning Qiancheng. Thinking of Ning Qiancheng’s grievances against the Tan family, he shook his head inadvertently. How would a man who could even stand being cuckolded react?
“Is it possible that Zhong Yongming and Tan Qinghua reach a tacit agreement?”
Li Tianlan suddenly raised a question. What happened tonight were exactly two things, but there was nothing wrong to connect them together. Zhong Yongming was having a meeting in Youzhou, while Tan Qinghua was in Huating, but for them, the killers were all in the same gang. If the two people could reach a tacit understanding, it could almost represent the military and political aspects of Huating to a certain extent.
Tan Qinghua was the Deputy Commander of the Eastern Theater of Operations, whose headquarters were in Jinling. However, Huating was under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Theater of Operations as well. The Tan family was originally an influential family who had entered Huating together with the Zhong family and had a lot of influence on the military. Who knew what would happen once the two of them reached a tacit understanding?
Li Tianlan subconsciously glanced at Qin Weibai.
Qin Weibai had some hesitation written on her delicate face, but she did not say anything.
“There must be a solution for you to bring us here tonight, Boss Qin?”
Zhuang Huayang asked all of a sudden.
“No matter what they do, we’ll always have a corresponding method to deal with it. Everything will be fine a few days later.”
Qin Weibai moved in Li Tianlan’s embrace and replied in an insipid tone.
“What if we cannot live past these days?”
Zhuang Huayang asked as he stared at Qin Weibai. This young lady seemed overconfident. The Six would indeed show some respects to Samsara Palace nowadays, but that did not mean a bottomless pit of compromise. Samsara Palace almost had no mighty force in Zhongzhou State. Once the Prince Group insisted on harming Li Tianlan and joined hands with Kunlun City, how could Qin Weibai protect Li Tianlan?
If they ignored Samsara Palace, an organization that was unable to meddle in affairs of Zhongzhou State, Qin Weibai literally had no choice.
Qin Weibai straightened her body. She shot Zhuang Huayang a glance and said in a calm and soft voice, “Although Samsara Palace is nothing in Zhongzhou State, it cannot be humiliated and bullied by a Deputy Commander of the Eastern Theater of Operations so easily.”
The corners of Li Baitian’s mouth twitched. He glanced at Qin Weibai secretly and did not dare to speak.
Who would have thought that the little woman who looked so quiet and unthreatening now was so aggressive and powerful on the mountain?
Facing hundreds of policemen, she was the first to take out her gun and the first to shoot as well.
No one could believe that Qin Weibai dared to shoot, even if He Qingting, the Deputy Director General of Huating Police Station, the one whose forehead was pointed by Qin Weibai’s gun.
So when Qin Weibai asked her to kneel down, she just sneered, “Shoot if you dare”.
Then Qin Weibai really shot. Without a word, she pulled the trigger directly while pressing the muzzle of her gun hard against her forehead.
She did this without the slightest hesitation. Her decisiveness dumbfounded everyone.
If He Qingting had not sensed that Qin Weibai’s finger was really pulling the trigger and if she hadn’t knelt down at the critical moment, her head would have exploded due to a shot to her forehead.
Even so, the bullet brushed against her scalp and she had a near brush with death. She knelt on the ground to avoid the bullet with her head full of blood and she could not utter a word. Petrified, she was too scared to move for a long time, as if she had grown silly due to the shock.
It was the first time Li Baitian saw such a domineering lady since he was born, a pure queen.
Li Tianlan disabled Zhong Shaofeng because of the latter’s one sentence.
Qin Weibai dared to kill He Qingting for the same reason.
Li Baitian sighed in his heart. “The couple is indeed a perfect match.”
