So long no see, are you finally willing to show yourself?
Xuanyuan Ziyan turned and looked in the direction of the voice.
She saw a burly, handsome middle-aged man walking over, accompanied by two maids in tight-fitting attire on either side.
Upon seeing the middle-aged man, Xuanyuan Ziyan's heart turned cold!
This middle-aged man was Yun Lang!
In Xuanyuan Ziyan's memory, Yun Lang had always been a refined, gentle, and elegant noble young master.
But now, his face was full of gloom, and he exuded a strong aura of malevolence!
"Daddy!"
Xuanyuan Ziyan looked at Yun Lang and couldn't help but softly call out.
Yun Lang's eyes widened when he saw Xuanyuan Ziyan, "Yan'er? Is that really you, Yan'er?"
A hint of displeasure flashed across Xuanyuan Ziyan's brows, "I am not Yan'er, I am Xuanyuan Ziyan, and Xuanyuan Ziyan is your sister!"
Xuanyuan Ziyan's parents had died early, leaving only a younger sister.
Xuanyuan Ziyan had grown up with her father and had always seen Yun Lang as her gentle and elegant elder brother, her idol!
When Yun Lang heard this, his face immediately darkened. He stared coldly at Xuanyuan Ziyan, "Whether you are Xuanyuan Ziyan or Xuanyuan Ziyan's substitute! This family will never welcome you!"
Yun Lang's tone was filled with endless disgust.
A look of disappointment flashed in Xuanyuan Ziyan's eyes, and she turned to leave.
But at this moment, Xuanyuan Ziyan suddenly noticed a huge scroll hanging on the wall not far away!
"Yun Lang, where did this come from?"
Xuanyuan Ziyan's tone was somewhat confused.
Yun Lang's eyes flashed with surprise, "Yan'er, you haven't even noticed the painting you drew yourself?"
Upon hearing this, Xuanyuan Ziyan's face showed a look of realization, "So it was painted by my own hand!"
"Indeed!" Yun Lang nodded and said, "Yan'er, do you know how precious this painting is? This painting was personally created by Emperor Xuanyuan back then!"
"Imperial Brother?" Xuanyuan Ziyan's expression flickered upon hearing this, as if she were contemplating something.
"That's right, your father, Yun Lang! In the past, he was the God of War of our Bei Ming Kingdom, with illustrious achievements. He once led the army to destroy a major camp of the demon race. To protect the safety of the Xuanyuan imperial family, your ancestor presented this painting to him!" Yun Lang explained calmly.
"I see!" Xuanyuan Ziyan nodded slightly, "Since it is something left by Father Emperor, it is naturally precious. I certainly cannot take it out without permission!"
"That's good!" Yun Lang nodded with satisfaction and continued, "Our Xuanyuan family has always had a rule that the direct descendants of the Xuanyuan family are generally not allowed to fall into the hands of outsiders. Your identity is special, and you must be well-protected. If someone were to steal this painting, it would be disastrous!"
"Daddy means that I cannot leave here, right?" Xuanyuan Ziyan asked.
Yun Lang nodded slightly, "Yan'er, I know you love Yun Lang very much, but he is already dead! You are Xuanyuan Ziyan now! And you are a direct descendant of our Xuanyuan family, so you should naturally take pride in the Xuanyuan clan!"
Xuanyuan Ziyan couldn't help but smile upon hearing this.
"Father, I think I understand!" After saying this, Xuanyuan Ziyan quickly left.
Yun Lang stood behind Xuanyuan Ziyan, his gaze fixed on her retreating figure, his eyes filled with even more intense hostility.
"Holy Master, this Xuanyuan Ziyan is not simple!"
Beside Xuanyuan Ziyan, a burly man spoke, "Although she is only a concubine-born of the Xuanyuan family, she is more favored by the Holy King than Xuanyuan Ziyan!"
Yun Lang snorted coldly, "So what? No matter how outstanding she is, she is still just a lowly concubine-born, and she can never change her identity!"
As Yun Lang finished speaking, hurried footsteps echoed.
Xuanyuan Ziyan quickly ran into Yun Lang's study.
Her steps seemed somewhat anxious and restless.
"Father! I have something I need your help with!"
Xuanyuan Ziyan looked at Yun Lang, who was sitting in his grand tutor's chair, and quickly called out.
Yun Lang glanced at Xuanyuan Ziyan, his expression blank, and said indifferently, "Yan'er, do you want me to kill you?"
Upon hearing this, Xuanyuan Ziyan's face suddenly darkened, and her tone also turned cold, "What I want you to do is very simple: restore the Xuanyuan family to its former glory!"
"Restore glory? Heh~!" Yun Lang sneered upon hearing this, "Xuanyuan Ziyan, do you know that the Xuanyuan family has long since declined? The current Xuanyuan family, apart from imperial power, has already obtained almost everything else!"
Xuanyuan Ziyan's heart sank upon hearing this, a sense of foreboding washing over her.
Yun Lang continued, "The Xuanyuan family is no longer the Xuanyuan family of the past! We can no longer maintain the prosperity of the Xuanyuan family!"
Xuanyuan Ziyan's expression changed drastically upon hearing this.
She had never expected the matter to be so serious.
She had always thought that the Xuanyuan family was the most powerful existence in the Bei Ming Kingdom, but she never imagined that the glory of the Xuanyuan family was merely a fleeting moment!
It seemed she had been mistaken.
No matter what, she had to snatch that painting!
With this thought, Xuanyuan Ziyan took a deep breath and said, "Daddy, don't worry, I will definitely reclaim what belongs to me!"
Yun Lang's eyes gleamed more intensely, "Yan'er, do you have confidence?"
Xuanyuan Ziyan shook her head, "Daddy, I don't have confidence, but I will never give up!"
Yun Lang nodded, "Alright, this matter is entrusted to you!"
"En!" Xuanyuan Ziyan nodded and turned to leave the study.
At night, Yun Lang was drinking tea in his palace.
Xuanyuan Ziyan's figure slowly walked in.
"Daddy, I have found out that the region where our Xuanyuan family resides is called the Southern Domain! It is a very remote and backward place, with no cultivators at all!"
Yun Lang's face showed a satisfied smile upon hearing Xuanyuan Ziyan's words.
This Xuanyuan Ziyan, although a bit spoiled, was a clever and quick-witted girl. As long as she worked hard, she believed she could soon replace Xuanyuan Ziyan.
Yun Lang felt his mood instantly lift with this thought.
"Yan'er, have you found out who is secretly targeting the Xuanyuan family?" Yun Lang suddenly remembered this matter and asked.
Xuanyuan Ziyan shook her head, "I couldn't find out!"
"Hmph! It must have been your mother!" Yun Lang snorted coldly, "Xuanyuan Ziyan, your mother and I broke up because of her back then! If you dare to seek revenge, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
"Daddy, my mother didn't do it intentionally. She has always been loyal and devoted to you!" Xuanyuan Ziyan immediately retorted upon hearing this.
"Hmph, she is loyal and devoted, but I am not that foolish Yun Lang. I was indeed infatuated with her to the extreme, and even married her!" Yun Lang's expression became even colder as he spoke, "The woman I, Yun Lang, have must be unique. Otherwise, even if you are her daughter, I will not show mercy!"
"Daddy, I..." Xuanyuan Ziyan saw this and opened her mouth, wanting to explain something.