Xiao Yunlong and Liu Ruyan returned to the Liu family manor after eleven o'clock at night. The manor was quiet in the deep night. It had become much quieter since Liu Jianmin's family moved out.
However, the main building villa was still brightly lit. Liu Hongguo had not slept yet. He was standing in the yard, gazing at the bright moon in the sky, seemingly lost in thought.
"It's so late, Grandpa, why aren't you asleep yet?" Liu Ruyan asked anxiously after getting out of the car.
"You're back. Grandpa couldn't sleep, so I came out to enjoy the night view," Liu Hongguo replied with a forced smile.
Liu Ruyan walked over and asked, "Grandpa, is something bothering you?"
Liu Hongguo sighed, then took an invitation card from his pocket and said, "This is from the Shang family. Fei Yan is marrying Shang Dong in two days, and the Shang family has invited us to their wedding banquet."
"The Shang family is inviting us to their wedding banquet? What kind of business is this? Shang Dong's leg was broken by Brother Xiao, and Shang Youde of the Shang family was also crippled by Brother Xiao at the Supervisory Bureau. The Shang family is still inviting us. This is probably a weasel paying a New Year's visit to a chicken, with ill intentions!" Liu Ruyan exclaimed with wide eyes.
Liu Hongguo let out two bitter laughs and sighed, "Actually, Grandpa knows that the Shang family won't have good intentions. The Shang family is, after all, one of the three ancient aristocratic families in Sucheng, with immense power. Especially since the Shang family has an elder who holds a high position in the Supervisory Department of Jiangdong Provincial City. Therefore, the Shang family will definitely not let this matter rest."
"Since the Shang family clearly intends to retaliate, Grandpa, shouldn't we not go?" Liu Ruyan suggested.
"But Fei Yan is my granddaughter after all..." Liu Hongguo said with a look of helplessness.
Liu Ruyan fell silent upon hearing this, as she didn't know what to say either.
The courtyard suddenly fell silent, with only the occasional croaking of frogs from a nearby lake.
Xiao Yunlong walked over, took the invitation card, and said with a smile, "Since there's a wedding banquet, and they've specifically sent an invitation, it would seem rude not to go, wouldn't it?"
"But Brother Xiao..." Liu Ruyan was about to speak.
Liu Hongguo interrupted her, "Ruyan, Mr. Xiao and I have a few words to discuss. You should go back to your room first."
Liu Ruyan glanced at her grandfather, then at Xiao Yunlong. In the end, she didn't say anything more and turned to walk into the hall.
Once they were the only two left in the courtyard, Liu Hongguo said, "Mr. Xiao, can I ask you for a favor?"
Xiao Yunlong smiled faintly and said, "You want to ask me to spare Liu Jianmin and his family of four, right?"
Liu Hongguo nodded and said with a bitter smile, "I know this will put you in a difficult position, Mr. Xiao. Given your status, if it weren't for me, those fools Liu Jianmin and the others would have died several times over for what they did to you. But no matter what, they are my descendants. Moreover, my eldest son has already..."
"Alright, for Ruyan's sake, I'll agree!" Xiao Yunlong waved his hand.
"Thank you, Mr. Xiao. If those fools dare to offend you again, feel free to scold or beat them. Just spare their lives," Liu Hongguo said joyfully.
After all, Liu Hongguo was a seasoned elder. He had already anticipated that something major would happen at the Shang family's wedding in two days. It was possible that the Shang family's joyous occasion might turn into a funeral. If Mr. Xiao were to get angry, even Liu Feiyan and the others might suffer.
This was the reason Liu Hongguo couldn't sleep tonight. After receiving Mr. Xiao's promise, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's very late. Old Mr. Liu, you should go to bed early!"
"Very well, I won't disturb Mr. Xiao's rest!" Liu Hongguo cupped his hands and turned to leave.
The night passed without incident. The next morning at eight-thirty, a Toyota Alphard appeared at the entrance of the Liu family residence. It was the dedicated vehicle for internal artists of Jiaxing Entertainment.
Of course, such a high-level vehicle was usually reserved for senior or popular artists. Although everyone in the crew of "Sucheng Misty Clouds" found it strange why a newcomer was being picked up with the highest specification, they dared not ask any questions since the boss had given the order. They could only comply.
After receiving permission from the Liu family, the special vehicle drove in and stopped directly in front of the main villa.
Liu Ruyan attached great importance to this filming. She had dressed up meticulously early in the morning. To complement the script, she had specifically chosen a light cyan qipao, which perfectly accentuated her tall and graceful figure.
"Brother Xiao, I'm going to filming now," Liu Ruyan called out.
"Go ahead. Remember to call me if anything comes up!" Xiao Yunlong nodded slightly.
He did not accompany her today. After all, he had already instructed Fo Ye last night. With the presence of this "Fat Buddha," Xiao Yunlong naturally had nothing to worry about.
Liu Ruyan walked out with her long, slender legs. A capable short-haired female assistant quickly opened the car door with a smile, her attitude extremely solicitous.
As soon as the crew's car left, Xiao Yunlong's phone rang. It was Fo Ye.
"What is it?" Xiao Yunlong asked directly.
"I apologize for disturbing you so early in the morning. I'm calling mainly to report on what happened after last night," Fo Ye said.
"Go on, I'm listening!" Xiao Yunlong turned and walked back into the hall.
"There are two main things. Firstly, I have made all the arrangements for Miss Liu's filming. Secondly, Jin San and that scarred man have both met their end." Fo Ye reported.
"Alright, I understand. Is there anything else?" Xiao Yunlong asked.
"No, Mr. Xiao. Do you have any further instructions?" Fo Ye inquired.
"Remember to send one or two sharp subordinates into the crew to ensure Miss Liu's safety."
"Mr. Xiao, rest assured. I have already made arrangements for that. I guarantee Miss Liu won't lose a single hair!" Fo Ye patted his chest confidently.
"Well done. Goodbye!" Xiao Yunlong said and hung up the phone.
Fo Ye on the other end of the line was overjoyed upon hearing the last sentence. All his efforts were aimed at gaining Mr. Xiao's approval and even praise.
"Finally, I've taken a step closer to Mr. Xiao. I must continue to strive. If I can truly build a good relationship with Mr. Xiao, then I will have nothing to worry about in Sucheng!" Fo Ye thought to himself.
Xiao Yunlong, of course, paid no mind to what the "Fat Buddha" was thinking. He went straight to the attic on the third floor and then closed the door behind him.
"There have been too many things happening these past few days. Today, I finally have some free time to cultivate properly."
Xiao Yunlong shook his head with a slight smile, then sat cross-legged on the bed, forming a strange hand seal. Once his mind was completely calm, he began to circulate the "Three Thousand Divine Kingdoms" technique.
In fact, he had been choosing to cultivate whenever he had time recently and had made good progress. By now, he had successfully cultivated twelve divine kingdoms within his body. The vital energy in his dantian had increased by more than threefold compared to before, and his combat power was naturally soaring.
Originally, after recovering from his injuries, Xiao Yunlong had broken through to the realm of the Three Flowers Gathering Crown Martial King by chance. He then officially began practicing the "Three Thousand Divine Kingdoms" technique. Xiao Yunlong had a feeling that with his current combat power of twelve divine kingdoms, he could probably sweep aside all Martial Kings.
Xiao Yunlong knew very well that the "Three Thousand Divine Kingdoms" technique was undoubtedly his greatest trump card. Although he was currently in a dormant state, once he cultivated this technique to a profound level, he would inevitably make a powerful return and reclaim everything he had lost!
As Xiao Yunlong practiced repeatedly, a ball of white mist soon appeared above his head. Tiny, milky-white light spots silently entered his body through his pores, and after being absorbed, they were used as energy to open the divine kingdoms.
Time flowed by quietly. In the blink of an eye, it was evening. The fiery red sunset shone through the window. However, the moment Xiao Yunlong opened his eyes, two faint golden lights shot out, appearing extremely mystical.
"I never expected that just a little bit of cultivation would pass the entire day," Xiao Yunlong sighed inwardly and stretched. His body made crackling sounds all over. https:/
"It turns out that as I continue to open more divine kingdoms, not only my internal energy is getting stronger, but my body is also being strengthened," Xiao Yunlong clenched his fist. He could feel that compared to the morning, the pure strength of his fist had increased by about one-third. Even his agility and speed were improving.
"This technique is truly magical. Having only opened fifteen divine kingdoms has already brought about such a huge transformation. I really wonder how powerful I will become once all three thousand divine kingdoms are cultivated!"
A surge of powerful confidence welled up in Xiao Yunlong's heart.
As the sky gradually darkened, Xiao Yunlong picked up his mobile phone from the bedside table and turned it on. Because he couldn't be disturbed during his closed-door cultivation, it had been turned off all day.
However, upon turning it on, he discovered more than a dozen missed calls, all from the "Fat Buddha."
Xiao Yunlong's expression darkened, and he immediately called back.
As soon as the call was connected, Fo Ye said, "My Mr. Xiao, you've finally turned on your phone!"
"Did something happen to Ruyan?" Xiao Yunlong asked, walking quickly downstairs.
"Mr. Xiao, please don't worry. Miss Liu did encounter some trouble, but it's not a major issue," Fo Ye said.
"If it's not a major issue, wouldn't you have helped resolve it?" Xiao Yunlong demanded.
Fo Ye said with a bitter smile, "Mr. Xiao, it's not that I don't want to help, it's that I don't dare to!"
"You don't dare? In Sucheng, there's something that even you, the Great Buddha, dare not do?"
"Mr. Xiao, you flatter me by saying that!"
Fo Ye quickly added, "Mr. Xiao, you've been in Sucheng for some time now. You must have heard of Sucheng's three ancient aristocratic families, right?"
Xiao Yunlong grunted, "Get to the point. What exactly happened to Ruyan!"
Fo Ye then said, "Actually, it's like this. Jin San didn't lie about one thing yesterday. He said a female artist brought her own funds to join the crew and specifically demanded to be the female lead. This is true. As soon as filming started this morning, she arrived and flew into a rage at me. I kindly apologized and offered her the role of the second female lead, but that woman spat at me directly."
Xiao Yunlong asked coldly, "Is that person from one of Sucheng's three ancient aristocratic families?"
"Yes, Mr. Xiao. That woman is named Jun Zifang, from the Jun family. She's quite famous in the entertainment industry. Relying on the powerful influence of the Jun family behind her, she's usually very arrogant within the company. Even I'm a bit hesitant to provoke her. I can't help it; I can't afford to offend the power behind her!" Fo Ye complained bitterly.
"How is Ruyan now?" Xiao Yunlong asked with a frown.
"Miss Liu is currently... still in the crew, and the situation is at a stalemate. I naturally let Miss Liu play the female lead, but that vixen Jun Zifang refuses to back down. I heard that before I arrived, she even slapped Miss Liu. It was only after I had people pull them apart," Fo Ye's voice grew weaker and weaker, and he became increasingly nervous. Even through the phone, he could sense Xiao Yunlong's anger.
"I apologize, Mr. Xiao. I failed to look after Miss Liu properly, but I truly have my own difficulties..."
"Alright, I understand. Send me the address immediately. I'm coming over now!" Xiao Yunlong said and hung up the phone.