Following the guidance of the Golden Core, Zhang Yang soon discovered something placed in a corner.
The object was small and unremarkable.
It was a small, dark ball, no bigger than a fist.
What on earth could this be?
Zhang Yang picked it up and examined it closely.
"What is this thing? Do you know?" Zhang Yang asked.
Looking at what Zhang Yang held, Zhu Tai and the others were taken aback.
The black ball was so small; if Zhang Yang hadn't picked it up, they truly wouldn't have noticed it.
"Could it be a fragment or decoration that fell off some treasure? Has anyone seen it?" Zhu Tai said.
"No."
Everyone shook their heads in unison.
Clearly, none of them had any impression of this inconspicuous item.
"You all don't recognize it? Then I'll take it. Perhaps I've found a hidden gem," Zhang Yang said with a smile.
Then he took out the Azure King Wood from his embrace and handed it to Zhu Tai.
Zhu Tai joyfully accepted the Azure King Wood and held it tightly.
With this Azure King Wood!
The Ming King might also have a chance of resurrection!
...
Leaving the treasury.
Zhu Tai, holding the Azure King Wood, left in a hurry.
Meanwhile, Hu Hantian and the others surrounded Zhang Yang!
And then...
They started to argue.
The reason was a dispute over Zhang Yang's allegiance.
"Hong Tao, stop spewing nonsense! Zhang Yang's temperament is most suited for my Imperial Guard. He must join my side!"
"Shut up! Who was it that couldn't keep an eye on Zhang Yang on the ship? Regardless, I'm determined to have Zhang Yang! If you dare to snatch him, I won't distribute weapons to you!"
"No, Zhang Yang should come to me. Our Assassination Corps also needs fresh blood."
"I disagree. My Vanguard needs talented individuals like Zhang Yang who are sharp and bold!"
"..."
Instantly.
They argued fiercely over Zhang Yang, unable to reach a consensus.
Seeing this scene, Zhang Yang couldn't help but smile wryly.
Was he actually this sought after?
So many people wanted him?
Where should he go then?
"Can you all stop arguing? Can I choose myself? If not..." Zhang Yang tried to mediate.
But before he could finish, he was interrupted by everyone.
"No! This is none of your business. You must come with me. Anyone who dares to disagree, I, Hu Hantian, will fight them to the death!"
"Who do you think you are, Hu Hantian? If you really want to fight, then come on!"
"That's right. If we can't agree, let's fight. Let's see who can last until the end, and Zhang Yang will belong to them!"
After saying that,
These elders, who were powerful and held high positions,
Rolled up their sleeves and were about to start fighting!
This...
Zhang Yang was instantly speechless.
It seemed he couldn't intervene in such a matter.
Instantly.
The atmosphere in the hall became charged with tension, as if ready to explode!
Fortunately, patrolling soldiers promptly relayed the news to Zhu Tai.
Zhu Tai, who had just left, rushed back with another elder.
"Hmph! What are all of you doing? How old are you, and you're still acting like children? Aren't you making yourselves a laughingstock?" someone next to Zhu Tai said.
This~
Upon hearing the voice, everyone stopped, quickly put down their sleeves, and respectfully said,
"Greetings, Grand Elder!"
The Grand Elder's name was Zhu Zhi, Zhu Tai's father.
He was also the ninth son of King Ming, the only one who survived the past turmoil!
"Look at your behavior just now! How unbecoming!" Zhu Zhi said with dissatisfaction.
Hu Hantian and the others chuckled sheepishly upon hearing this, not daring to retort.
Although Zhu Zhi was of similar age to them, his status was undeniable.
In their youth, many of them had been mentored by Zhu Zhi.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have achieved what they had today.
After reprimanding Hu Hantian and the others, Zhu Zhi looked at Zhang Yang, his eyes narrowing slightly as he assessed him.
Instantly.
Zhang Yang felt an immense pressure.
This Zhu Zhi was no ordinary person; even if he couldn't compare to the Emperor, he wasn't far off.
He quickly suppressed his Golden Core, fearing that the other party might detect it.
The atmosphere in the hall became so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Even Zhu Tai and the others grew tense.
Fortunately, after more than ten minutes, Zhu Zhi smiled.
"Young friend Zhang, you are truly extraordinary. I heard that the stone tablet brought from the far west by the late Emperor can respond to you?"
"It was just good luck. Everyone was present at the time, and I don't know what happened," Zhang Yang said, scratching his head with a smile.
"Heh heh, luck is also a part of strength. Just like your talent was altered by those from the Mo King's lineage; if it were just the altered talent, you wouldn't have reached your current realm without diligent cultivation," Zhu Zhi said with a smile.
"Grand Elder, you flatter me. Isn't everyone who practices martial arts diligently hoping to achieve something great?" Zhang Yang replied with a smile.
"Heh heh, well said, 'achieve something great.'" Zhu Zhi chuckled, then directly invited Zhang Yang.
"I heard from Zhu Tai that you came here merely to seek refuge?"
"Yes, that's right. You all know about the Azure King Wood matter. I'm just hiding from the pursuit of the Mo King's successor." Zhang Yang stated truthfully.
"If you think I'm likely to betray you and don't want to take me in, I can leave now."
Zhu Zhi shook his head upon hearing this. "I don't mean that. I just want to clarify your specific intentions. If you only want to seek refuge, then you can accept any of Hu Hantian's invitations."
"However, if you wish to join us, that's another matter entirely, because I have a better place for you. I want you to join the Ming Dragon Army. What do you think?"
This!
The Ming Dragon Army!
Upon hearing Zhu Zhi's words, everyone, including Zhu Tai, was shocked!
No one had expected Zhu Zhi to think so highly of Zhang Yang, wanting him to join the Ming Dragon Army!
After all, since the original Ming Dragon Army perished,
The newly re-established Ming Dragon Army was just one person short of a full complement of ten!
Although this Ming Dragon Army was small in number, their combat power was incredibly top-tier.
Not only were they talented, but each of them was capable of killing opponents of higher cultivation levels!
In the past, the Ming Dragon Army was one of King Ming's major trump cards.
When they retreated to the Imperial City, if it weren't for the previous generation of the Ming Dragon Army holding the line with their lives,
Their chances of escaping would have been greatly reduced.
The current generation of the Ming Dragon Army was still in the early stages of its re-establishment.
If Zhang Yang were included, the numbers would indeed be complete.
However...
Was Zhang Yang's own strength sufficient?
Wasn't his talent forcibly altered by the Mo King's successor?
Could such externally obtained talent truly be worthy of joining the Ming Dragon Army?
Hu Hantian and the others all looked at Zhu Zhi with doubt, hoping he could provide a reasonable explanation.
"I know what you're worried about, but my judgment has never been wrong. Moreover, even setting aside other factors, the mere fact that he can make the stone tablet react is enough reason for him to join the Ming Dragon Army."
"Don't forget, this stone tablet was something even King Ming couldn't deal with, yet he can."
Hearing this,
Hu Hantian and the others pondered for a moment and said nothing further.
Instantly.
Everyone felt happy for Zhang Yang.
But!
The next moment, Zhang Yang's answer shocked them all!
"I don't want to join, is that okay?"