Tan Tao, however, paused, seemingly lost in thought… watching the Unrestrained Cloud-Rider vehicle careen wildly down the street. "Actually, a year ago, I met Hu Qianqiu. I concluded that his vital energy had waned; he would never break through the Earth Wheel Sixth Meridian within ten years. He needed time to truly comprehend the ways of the world, to no longer be swayed by ambition, and to temper his spirit before he could advance further. Zong Yuan was similar; despite his prodigious talent and self-created martial arts, his spearplay had flaws, preventing further progress. Yet now, I see he has not only surpassed the Martial Ancestor realm, but his spear momentum has also become supremely fluid. I truly wonder what kind of experiences befell these two." Seeing Lin Shina’s growing impatience, Tan Tao smiled and quickly composed himself. "One is the son of the Iron Tiger Clan Leader, the other the most outstanding rising talent from a collateral branch of the Zong family. Yet, it appears both willingly serve that Zong Shou, not hesitating to stir up trouble in our Xuanshan City for him. It is truly astonishing!" Lin Shina, never one to be simple-minded, was slightly taken aback, her expression immediately turning grave. "You mean that Hu Qianqiu, and even Zong Yang, have already defected to Zong Shou? How is that possible? Right, if these two were only here to escort Zong Shou back to Qiantian Mountain, they absolutely wouldn't be fighting so desperately today!" Tan Tao’s tone remained light. "As for Zong Yang, I am not certain; perhaps today was entirely Zong Yuan’s own initiative. But Hu Qianqiu placing his son beside this Young Lord clearly signals his allegiance." Lin Shina’s gaze shifted again. Though a woman, she grasped the general situation in Qiantian Mountain. Qiu Wei alone controlled nearly thirty percent of Qiantian Mountain's military might. Adding the Iron Tiger Clan would solidify the power balance, causing the majority of forces in Qiantian Mountain’s cities to align completely with Zong Shou. And if Zong Yang were added, the others would stand no chance whatsoever. Her eyes darted around, filled with both anger and bewilderment.

Just then, a man standing nearby suddenly let out a cold snort. "I don't care what Hu Qianqiu and Zong Yang are plotting! These two acting so recklessly truly insult the lack of capable men in Xuanshan City! Insulting the City Lord is grounds for death! If you, Tan Tao, can tolerate it, I, Luo Yan, cannot bear it any longer. To consecrate my Ancient Yang Axe with the blood of these two would be excellent! Once I am truly enraged, I’ll slay that Zong Shou along with them!" This man appeared to be in his mid-thirties, carrying a large ancient bronze axe, his face flushed. His scattered beard resembled steel needles. Even when silent, no one could ignore him, but when he spoke, he immediately exuded a startling, arrogant dominance. He leaped from the fifty-foot-high, nine-story tower. Landing on the ground, he made a heavy thud, and within a few strides, he was already miles away, speeding toward the commotion.

Lin Shina finally smiled, showing relief, but the next moment, her expression turned cold and mocking. "This Luo Yan has always been bloodthirsty and utterly defiant, and he always acts upon his word. Since he has said this, he will certainly show no mercy and will not spare the lives of Hu Zhongyuan and the other. General Tan, why did you not speak up to dissuade him just now?" "No need! The lives of those two depend not on Luo Yan, but on the City Lord!" Tan Tao shook his head, unconcerned, then smoothly shifted his tone. "Perhaps the City Lord’s wife has misunderstood something. Even if Zong Shou possesses some cleverness and has Hu Qianqiu’s backing, he is still not a suitable match for Miss Yiren. That good-for-nothing simply doesn't deserve her. For the sake of the young lady’s future, and for the future of Xuanshan City, it would be best to sever this engagement sooner rather than later." Lin Shina’s annoyance melted into joy, though a hint of worry remained in her eyes.

Tan Tao didn't need to look to know her thoughts; he continued smiling and explaining, "Madam need not worry. Do you think the City Lord cherishes his reputation or cares deeply for his public image?" "How could he?" Lin Shina raised an eyebrow; she knew her husband’s temperament best. "If he truly cared for his reputation, he would never have married me, a disciple of the Demonic Sect, back then, bringing such great disaster upon Xuanshan City." "Exactly! The City Lord doesn't care for reputation; he only cares for Miss Yiren. Madam, as long as you focus on this point, no matter how those others curse and insult him, they cannot shake his decision. The more this Young Lord acts forcefully and the deeper he gets involved in the Qiantian Mountain affairs, the more uneasy the City Lord will become." Tan Tao nodded, his tone assured, carrying a slight air of a strategist dictating policy. "However, just in case, we must get news of this Young Lord out as quickly as possible. The Flame Mountain of Yunxia Mountain didn't know his whereabouts before. Now that he has revealed himself, those two Demon Kings absolutely cannot allow him to live! It is best if this Young Lord dies soon." Lin Shina’s initial delight vanished, replaced by a pale expression of disapproval when she heard this. Tan Tao, however, paid it no mind and politely bowed to Xuanyuan Yiren. "Miss Yiren, please forgive me. All my planning, I, Tan Tao, do it for your future and the welfare of the million people in Xuanshan City. Please do not hold my offense against me!"

Xuanyuan Yiren merely pouted, showing disdain. She had thought this man different from the others, but in the end, he was the same. Such is human nature. More than a decade ago, her father marrying her mother brought forth hundreds of thousands of soldiers who besieged Xuanshan, only relieved by the aid of Qiantian Mountain. A few years ago, it was Zong Weiran who extricated hundreds of thousands from Xuanshan City; in truth, he saved the lives of the majority of people in the city. Yet, only months after the Qiantian Demon King died, not only did her mother forget that profound debt of preservation, but even people like Tan Tao sought to bring about Zong Shou’s death? It seemed not a single soul in the entire city remembered the kindness Zong Weiran showed back then. Thinking of this, Xuanyuan Yiren felt a surge of confusion. Was the path of benevolence and righteousness she insisted upon truly so out of step with the times? Her anger toward Zong Shou suddenly diminished. Almost everyone in Xuanshan City held deep animosity toward Zong Shou, some even wishing him dead. A few insults hurled his way seemed almost understandable. If it were her, she would likely be boiling with resentment too. An inexplicable sympathy and indignation welled up, almost moving her to tears for the suffering Zong Shou endured. Practicing martial arts with a Dual Meridian physique, enduring so much hardship and betrayal since childhood—it was a wonder he could still smile so brightly every day.

However, others’ pity was likely superfluous for Zong Shou. That man, even if cast into the deepest hell, would claw his way out with his own hands. He often appeared carefree, as if nothing bothered him, yet he possessed an unbreakable backbone. With this thought, Xuanyuan Yiren lost the desire to dwell on the path of righteousness. She simply stared blankly at the Unrestrained Cloud-Rider vehicle in the distance.

xxxxx

The long avenue echoed with the sounds of slaughter. Hu Zhongyuan and Zong Yuan raced one after the other down the dozens of feet wide main road, with the Unrestrained Cloud-Rider vehicle carrying Zong Shou following closely behind. Though the group maintained swift, unbroken speed, soldiers were beginning to appear densely along the street. Yet, none managed to form a proper line; under Hu Zhongyuan’s Tiger Tyrant Blade, they lasted only moments before their charge collapsed like rotten wood. Under Zong Yuan’s Purple Thunder Spear, few could retreat unscathed. Except for that halberd-wielding brute earlier, and those few Martial Ancestor powerhouses, almost no one could momentarily block the pair, allowing the two Gale-Chasing Colts to constantly smash their way down the street.

At this moment, they were less than a few miles from the City Lord’s Residence. Zong Shou, being at the Innate realm, focused his sight and could clearly see the situation atop the fifty-foot-high tower. Indeed, the girl was Xuanyuan Yiren, and her eyes were fixed, staring blankly toward him. "Strange! Has this girl been missing me too much these past few months? Why is she acting so lovestruck now?" Zong Shou mused inwardly, then felt a touch of smugness, wondering if he had become a love saint after reincarnation. Had he enchanted Xuanyuan Yiren so quickly? He didn't recall having such skill in his previous life. He touched his face, considering if his current appearance was the reason. Just then, he felt Ruoshui behind him straighten her back, her sword-gripping hand suddenly clenching tight.

"Young Lord, they are deploying crossbows!" Zong Shou’s eyebrows shot up as he glanced out the window. Sure enough, a group of Martial Masters had leaped onto the surrounding buildings, raising powerful bows and heavy crossbows, aiming directly at them. These Martial Masters possessed only four or five thousand catties of strength. Individually, even with perfect archery, they posed little threat to a Martial Ancestor powerhouse whose skin was as hard as iron stone and whose body was shielded by protective gang energy. But if thousands of arrows rained down from above, they couldn't be ignored. And if there were a dozen or so Innate Martial Masters among them, wielding ten-thousand-catty bows, they might even possess the ability to slay a Martial Ancestor.

Zong Shou sneered coldly. If these people truly relied on crossbows, he would be delighted, as he had ways to handle it. In the next instant, his gaze truly narrowed. He felt a ferocious and intense aura cross the air, instantly arriving above them. A Seventh Meridian Earth Wheel, a Black Tortoise Grandmaster!

Hu Zhongyuan had sensed it long ago and unleashed his full strength instantly. The Tiger Tyrant Blade's aura shot ninety-nine feet high, striking directly at the sky! Simultaneously, an enormous ancient bronze axe abruptly materialized a hundred feet up, cleaving downward. When the blade and axe collided, the entire stone street instantly shattered into dust! Nearly all buildings within eight hundred feet were utterly pulverized and collapsed by the dispersing residual wind, leaving chaos everywhere.

Hu Zhongyuan felt a sweetness in his mouth, his limbs feeling as if they were about to be crushed. He was inevitably thrown backward by the overwhelming force, sliding over two hundred feet across the ground before finally stopping. His vital energy was violently disordered, and he couldn't summon even a fraction of his strength. The massive axe shadow paused only briefly before relentlessly pursuing him. The towering axe force seemed intent on crushing him! Hu Zhongyuan’s eyes widened in fury, attempting to rise for another fight, but countless wounds suddenly erupted across his body, and the nascent qi he had gathered instantly dissipated. His heart plummeted to the bottom; he couldn't help but inwardly smile bitterly—he would likely not survive today. He had truly been reckless just now. Why had he listened to the Young Lord’s instigation, attacking without restraint and fighting as if his life didn't matter? The Iron Tiger Clan had this flaw: once the hot blood surged, they forgot everything. He had truly lost his senses; he was finished this time.