The person on the phone, Liang Youming, was clearly in a difficult position. However, after careful consideration of Xiao Yunlong's terrifying identity, he knew what he had to do.
While the Director of the City Defense Department was the most powerful person in Su City, and the Liang family behind him was the foremost of Su City's three ancient clans, they were no match for Xiao Yunlong, the King of Zhenbei in the Dragon Nation. In fact, the comparison was like a mayfly to a mighty oak.
Su City's three ancient clans and prominent families were often jokingly referred to as Liang Shang Junzi. Xiao Yunlong had already made contact with the Shang and Jun families. As for the Liang family, the foremost of the ancient clans, he had not yet encountered them.
Although Liang Youming shared the surname Liang, he had no direct relation to the prominent Liang family of the ancient clans; he was not a direct descendant.
The reason the Liang family was known as the foremost of Su City's three ancient clans was largely because the Liang family patriarch, Liang Minghui, held the position of Director of the City Defense Department.
This City Defense Department was responsible for all defense and security matters in Su City and commanded a large number of city defense guards. Therefore, its status and power far surpassed that of the Supervisory Office. In a theoretical sense, the Director of the City Defense Department was the top authority in Su City.
Furthermore, it was rumored that among the third-generation direct descendants of the Liang family, there was an extraordinary genius. Before the age of twenty-five, he was already serving in a crucial department in the capital.
It was said that before being transferred to the capital, this Liang family prodigy had also trained in the Northern Border Army. It was imaginable that with this Liang family genius, their family's influence was no longer confined to the small territory of Su City. In the future, as this Liang family genius was transferred back from the capital to Jiangdong.
At that time, the Liang family's influence would naturally extend to the provincial capital of Jiangdong. Therefore, it was only right that the Liang family was considered the foremost of Su City's ancient clans.
When Director Liang Minghui of the City Defense Department received Liang Youming's call, he was furious. "Liang Youming, what are you saying? A live-in son-in-law of the Liu family, a murderer, and he wants this Director to personally go find him? He has quite the audacity!"
Liang Youming had clearly anticipated the other party's anger and could only say with a fawning smile, "Director, I am not hiding anything from you. Mr. Xiao is not only extremely skilled in combat, but his identity is also extraordinary, so..."
"So what? So you want to cover for him?"
Before Liang Youming could finish, Liang Minghui interrupted sternly, "Let me tell you, this is my jurisdiction. I don't care who he is. Even if he's the illegitimate son of some aristocratic family from the capital, if he commits murder in my jurisdiction, he will still be punished!"
"Bai Zhenwei was the Chief of General Affairs of the City Defense Department! In broad daylight, that brat surnamed Xiao killed him as he pleased, and even killed Bai Zhenwei's son along with him. This is simply insane. If this Director doesn't apprehend this brute today and bring him to justice, what dignity would our City Defense Department have? How could I face Bai Zhenwei's family and the people of Su City?"
Hearing the other party's righteous and impassioned words, Liang Youming found it difficult to refute. He could only say, "Anyway, I have conveyed Mr. Xiao's words. Whether you go or not is up to you, Director. As for me sending people to arrest Mr. Xiao, that is something I will not do!"
"Nonsense, Liang Youming, are you openly defying orders? The day before yesterday, Bai Zhenwei reported to me that you were abusing your authority and covering for that fellow named Xiao Yunlong. Now it seems Bai Zhenwei was absolutely right. It is precisely because you are his protector that that brat surnamed Xiao dares to act so recklessly. You cannot escape responsibility for Bai Zhenwei's death. Once that brute surnamed Xiao is apprehended, I will settle accounts with you!" Liang Minghui gritted his teeth and roared.
Liang Youming was very helpless, but he said solemnly, "Alright, Director. If you can apprehend Mr. Xiao, then I will personally come to you to confess my guilt!"
"Then you wait for me. I will send two trusted subordinates now to directly bring city defense guards to arrest him!" Liang Minghui said, and hung up the phone with a snap.
Liang Youming shook his head and sighed, thinking that the Director should not act rashly, otherwise, he might end up like Bai Zhenwei.
However, Liang Youming also knew that Director Liang Minghui had been diligent and dedicated during his tenure. Therefore, Mr. Xiao would likely not attack him. After all, Liang Minghui's action to apprehend someone this time was for public duty, unlike the Shang family's previous actions which were for personal matters.
Meanwhile, back at the Liu family manor, Liu Ruyan had finally woken up, but her head was still throbbing severely.
Upon hearing the news, Xiao Yunlong quickly returned to the study. After another examination, he asked, "Ruyan, how are you feeling? Do you feel any discomfort?"
"My head is throbbing badly, but I don't feel any other discomfort."
Liu Ruyan then asked, "By the way, Yunlong, you examined me earlier. How is my talent? Can I practice martial arts?"
Xiao Yunlong was stunned for a moment, unsure how to answer.
In fact, Liu Ruyan's talent was quite good. After all, being able to complete a full cycle of the Great Zhou Tian on her first attempt was already a heavenly talent.
However, Liu Ruyan's physical condition was rather peculiar. Because there was something unusual with her Dantian, Xiao Yunlong was unable to guide the internal energy that had circulated through a full cycle of the Great Zhou Tian into her Dantian. This prevented the formation of a complete internal energy transfer.
In other words, without the trace of internal energy that Xiao Yunlong had transferred, Liu Ruyan would not be able to break through to the realm of a Grandmaster of Internal Energy by sensing this trace of internal energy in a short period.
If this were the case, then she would have to start practicing from the beginning of internal energy, requiring constant hard work and training. This process, even with excellent talent, would take a considerable amount of time, which was certainly not what Xiao Yunlong wanted to see.
Especially since Liu Ruyan had persevered through an entire cycle of the Great Zhou Tian, it would be a shame to waste such talent!
Seeing Xiao Yunlong in a daze, Liu Ruyan couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong, Yunlong? Is my talent not good enough? Can I not practice martial arts?"
Xiao Yunlong finally came to his senses. At that very moment, he thought of a way to explain. He shook his head and smiled, "It's not like that. Your talent is very good, even better than when I started practicing martial arts back then."
"Really?" Liu Ruyan's eyes widened. She undoubtedly believed him, as Brother Xiao had never lied to her.
"Of course, it's true. Your talent is quite outstanding, you are material for practicing martial arts," Xiao Yunlong said seriously.
"That's great! Then Yunlong, teach me now, I want to learn martial arts!" Liu Ruyan couldn't contain her joy.
Xiao Yunlong raised his eyebrows and said, "During the internal energy transfer just now, I left a very small portion of my internal energy in your Dantian. Next, I will teach you how to sense the internal energy in your Dantian and the circulation routes."
Liu Ruyan nodded solemnly and said, "Then the first thing I need to do is sense the internal energy in my Dantian, right?"
"Yes, you are indeed very smart, you understood it right away," Xiao Yunlong smiled slightly.
In fact, Xiao Yunlong had not transferred his internal energy into Liu Ruyan's Dantian because it was eventually repelled by the powerful and domineering silver-white strange energy within Liu Ruyan's Dantian.
However, after careful consideration, Xiao Yunlong felt it was best not to tell her for now, to avoid distracting her or affecting her martial arts practice.
After his recent contemplation, Xiao Yunlong suddenly realized that although the strange energy in Liu Ruyan's Dantian was domineering and powerful, it was essentially qi. Since it was internal energy, it meant that it could be sensed and manipulated.
In other words, as long as Liu Ruyan could sense and mobilize it, she could also reach the level of a Grandmaster of Internal Energy. Moreover, because she possessed this strange and powerful energy, once she learned a few moves, her strength would be much greater than that of other Grandmasters of Internal Energy at the same level.
Therefore, after considering both sides, Xiao Yunlong decided to keep it a secret and see if Liu Ruyan could sense that strange energy on her own.
"By the way, Yunlong, how long did it take you to sense the internal energy in your Dantian when you started practicing martial arts?" Liu Ruyan suddenly asked.
"Three days. It took me almost three days back then," Xiao Yunlong replied with a slight smile.
Liu Ruyan nodded, "Then I will sense it within three days, or even less! I will strive to use less time than you, Yunlong!"
"Then I will look forward to it. I believe you can do it!"
Xiao Yunlong smiled, but in his heart, he thought that without a complete internal energy transfer, it would be very difficult to comprehend that strange energy in her Dantian.
Let alone three days, it would be considered remarkable if she could sense it within a month, and whether she could sense it at all was still unknown.
Of course, Xiao Yunlong could not say such things to her face. What he could do now was to encourage her and give her confidence.
"Let's go have lunch first, then take a nap to rest, and I will teach you the sensing method in the afternoon!" Xiao Yunlong said.
"Okay, I'll listen to you!" Liu Ruyan smiled charmingly.
The two of them walked out of the study. Jun Bufan had likely stabilized his realm and had also returned.
"You've consolidated your realm so quickly, that's good. Let's have lunch together!" Xiao Yunlong waved, and then walked towards the dining hall with Liu Hongguo and the others.
However, just as they were about to dine, a guard at the gate rushed in and cupped his hands, shouting, "Bad news! Many people have come from outside, claiming to be from the City Defense Department. They say they are here to arrest Mr. Xiao!"
Everyone turned to look at Xiao Yunlong upon hearing this.
"Let them in!" Xiao Yunlong said calmly.
The guard acknowledged and then retreated.
Liu Hongguo, knowing Xiao Yunlong's identity, was not worried at all. He picked up his chopsticks and began to eat unhurriedly.
Although Jun Bufan knew Xiao Yunlong was very powerful, he was not yet aware of his background. He couldn't help but frown and ask, "I didn't expect the City Defense Department to act so quickly. It seems to be about the matter of Bai Zhenwei and his son. What do you plan to do next, Mr. Xiao?"
"It's lunchtime now. Let's eat first!" Xiao Yunlong said lightly, then picked up his chopsticks and began to eat, completely unconcerned.
Jun Bufan naturally did not say anything more and picked up his bowl to eat.
Soon, a strong, imposing man in an olive-green uniform, accompanied by seven or eight city defense guards, marched in with precise steps.
Jun Bufan whispered, "I recognize him. The tall leader is the Deputy Director of the City Defense Department!"
Xiao Yunlong glanced at him and then looked away, muttering, "They only sent a deputy director? This means they don't take me seriously at all!"
Jun Bufan chuckled awkwardly, as he didn't know how to respond. After all, the Liang family's strength was greater than their Jun family's. Moreover, the Liang family patriarch, Liang Minghui, was the Director of the City Defense Department in Su City, the top authority, commanding nearly three thousand city defense guards.
This was certainly not comparable to that fellow Bai Zhenwei. Therefore, Jun Bufan felt a little uneasy at the moment.
The deputy director walked in, his boots clanking, and shouted, "Who is Xiao Yunlong? Come with us!"