Throughout the entire banquet, Liang Minghui appeared outwardly calm, but his heart was filled with bitterness. He couldn't fathom how this young man from the Jun family had managed to catch Mr. Xiao's eye, becoming his personal follower.
Liang Minghui felt a deep sense of resentment. He believed his son, Liang Bendao, was in no way inferior to Jun Bufan in terms of martial cultivation or talent. Therefore, once Liang Bendao returned, he was certain Mr. Xiao would also pay him great attention.
He even believed Liang Bendao would be more highly regarded by the Zhenbei King than Jun Bufan.
With this thought, Liang Minghui turned to Xiao Yunlong, his face creased into a smile, "By the way, Mr. Xiao, I have a personal matter I'd like to report to you."
"What personal matter? Go ahead and tell me," Xiao Yunlong nodded slightly.
"It's like this, my eldest son is planning to return from the capital soon. He previously served in the Northern Territory as a minor general. So, I was thinking, after he returns, he could pay his respects to you, Mr. Xiao. If it's possible, it would be best if he could follow by your side."
Liang Minghui said this with a humble demeanor. To secure his position by clinging to the Zhenbei King, he was willing to put everything on the line today.
Xiao Yunlong was rather surprised and asked, "He was a minor general in the Northern Territory before?"
"Yes, for a short period. Afterward, he went to the capital," Liang Minghui nodded.
"In that case, when he returns, bring him to see me," Xiao Yunlong said.
After all, he was from the Northern Territory. With that slight connection, Xiao Yunlong felt obligated to meet him. If his abilities and character were good, he would take him under his wing.
In fact, Xiao Yunlong could see that the man was returning from the capital, willing to abandon his position there, likely to follow him. This was a chance to try his luck. After all, when he eventually returned to the capital and successfully took charge of the Tiance Mansion, those who followed him closely would naturally become meritorious officials.
"Very well, Mr. Xiao. When Bendao returns, I will personally bring him to visit!"
Liang Minghui couldn't hide the joy on his face. He looked as if he couldn't wait to call his son and have him return immediately.
Xiao Yunlong shook his head and said no more. He raised his wine glass for the third time, and everyone continued to drink.
As the luncheon drew to a close, Zhuge Nie said, "Mr. Xiao, I have a few private matters I wish to discuss with you alone. Is that possible?"
"Of course!" Xiao Yunlong readily agreed. In truth, he also wanted to have a private conversation with this guardian of Sucheng.
Xiao Yunlong then looked at Liu Ruyan and said apologetically, "I'm going to speak with Senior Zhuge. Why don't you wait for me in the courtyard, or I can have Liang Minghui find you a quiet place for a nap?"
Liu Ruyan smiled, "It's alright, Yunlong. You go ahead and talk with the senior. I'm not sleepy, and if you could find me a quiet place to practice, that would be even better."
"No problem. There's a practice room next to the backyard. I'll have the ladies escort Miss Liu there, and then I'll have a few female guards wait outside. If Miss Liu needs anything, she can simply instruct them," Liang Minghui said.
"Then I'll trouble you, Director," Liu Ruyan nodded.
"This is not necessary; it is my duty." Liang Minghui turned and signaled his adjutant.
The adjutant turned and left, and soon two female guards entered and led Liu Ruyan away.
Xiao Yunlong, however, went out with Zhuge Nie through a side door and into the adjacent study.
The study was quite spacious. Once the door was closed, conversation within would be completely inaudible from the outside.
As soon as the door closed, Zhuge Nie directly knelt on one knee and cupped his hands, saying, "I, Zhuge Nie, pay my respects to His Highness the Zhenbei King!"
Xiao Yunlong was completely taken aback by this gesture from the old man. He quickly helped him up and said, "Senior, please rise. This is not permissible. You must know that you are a prominent figure from the same era as the Old King!"
Zhuge Nie laughed heartily, "It was inconvenient to do so outside just now. After all, Your Highness the Northern King's current status is rather sensitive and special, and it is not appropriate to be made public directly. Now that it is just you and me, proper etiquette is necessary. After all, you are the idol of faith for our Dragon Country!"
"The idol of faith for Dragon Country?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yunlong grinned playfully, found a chair, and sat down, saying with a wry smile, "You must have heard about the ambush battle in the capital a few months ago, Senior Zhuge. I am now a stray dog. How can I be called an idol of faith!"
"I heard about that earth-shattering ambush outside the capital three months ago. That is also why I wanted to speak with you privately today, Your Highness the Northern King."
Zhuge Nie nodded and sat down, then continued, "To be honest, when I first heard the news, I was very surprised and shocked. However, after thinking about it, I understood."
"What did Senior Zhuge understand?" Xiao Yunlong asked with great interest.
In fact, Xiao Yunlong had never discussed the earth-shattering ambush outside the capital more than three months ago with anyone. It wasn't that he was taciturn and unwilling to confide, but rather that he couldn't find anyone suitable.
For instance, Liu Hongguo, although old enough, lacked the experience and vision. Even if Xiao Yunlong told him, Old Man Liu might not be able to comprehend it.
Only the white-haired old man before him, the guardian of Sucheng and a hero from the same era as the Old King, possessed such vision and perspective. Xiao Yunlong was willing to open his heart and confide in him.
The white-haired old man, over eighty years old, said, "The capital is, after all, the imperial city. The influence of the aristocratic families and powerful clans is deeply rooted, and they have a very distinct characteristic: exclusivity. They strongly reject external forces!"
At this point, Zhuge Nie gave a wry smile and continued, "Back then, when the Tiance Mansion intended to recruit me to serve in the capital, I also considered this very point. Fearing that I wouldn't be able to integrate, I ultimately refused and decided to remain in Sucheng."
Xiao Yunlong coldly sneered, "Exclusivity is indeed one aspect, but the most important reason is that I intended to take charge of the Tiance Mansion and ascend to become the Tiance God of War, directly surpassing these aristocratic families and powerful clans in the capital. How could they tolerate that!"
"Yes, many of the noble scions in the major clans and families of the capital hold positions in the Tiance Mansion. For Your Highness the Northern King to take charge of the Tiance Mansion as an outsider is something they absolutely cannot allow. That is why the ambush outside the capital occurred!"
Zhuge Nie shook his head at this point, sighing with great regret, "Moreover, the previous Your Highness the Northern King, while undoubtedly brilliant and heroic, was also too high-profile and ostentatious. A combination of many factors ultimately led to the tragedy!"
Xiao Yunlong did not deny it, but he grinned and said, "Actually, I only understood this after suffering such a fall. However, as the saying goes, a blessing in disguise. That ambush might not necessarily be a bad thing for me!"
Zhuge Nie nodded heavily and laughed loudly, "I was worried that Your Highness the Northern King would be utterly defeated by this and was thinking of offering some comfort. It turns out I was overthinking. As expected of Your Highness the Northern King, the faith of our Dragon Country cannot be so easily defeated!"
Xiao Yunlong remained silent, his heart filled with emotion. Frankly speaking, if it weren't for this disaster being a blessing in disguise, and if he hadn't incredibly fortunately discovered that supreme technique of the Three Thousand Divine Kingdoms, he might not be in such high spirits now.
Or, because of that major ambush in the capital, he was severely injured and unable to recover, becoming completely useless. The faith of the Dragon Country might have completely collapsed.
Ultimately, Xiao Yunlong was quite lucky, or perhaps he was a person of great fortune. His two major hardships in life not only did not kill him but also brought him opportunities!
Zhuge Nie asked, "By the way, Your Highness the Northern King, what are your plans next?"
"To lie low for now, and one day return to the capital to exact revenge!"
Xiao Yunlong did not hide anything. With the Three Thousand Divine Kingdoms technique, he had the confidence to do so.
"Revenge, it is only right. The Zhenbei King of Dragon Country, with such magnificent bearing, should not suffer such humiliation in vain. However, this path of revenge will likely not be easy!"
Zhuge Nie sighed deeply.
Xiao Yunlong did not answer immediately. Instead, he stood up and slowly walked to the window, looking at the calm and vast lake outside. He said word by word, "Though there are ten thousand difficulties, I shall go!"
"Good, good! 'Though there are ten thousand difficulties, I shall go.' Truly worthy of the Zhenbei King, truly worthy of our Dragon Country's faith. It is a pity that I am old and frail. Otherwise, I would certainly follow Your Highness the Northern King to venture forth!" Zhuge Nie said with great passion.
Xiao Yunlong turned around and said, "Senior has dedicated his life to Sucheng, protecting Sucheng. This in itself is a boundless merit."
Zhuge Nie waved his hand, shook his head, and slowly walked over. His expression suddenly became solemn, and he lowered his voice, saying, "Actually, the main reason I specifically sought to speak with you privately today, Your Highness the Northern King, is to tell you something."
"Please speak, Senior."
Zhuge Nie glanced outside to ensure no one was eavesdropping, then said, "This matter concerns Liang Bendao, Liang Minghui's eldest son. Let's just say I'm being overly suspicious of a gentleman, but I feel it's very important and necessary for Your Highness the Northern King to know."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yunlong frowned. He didn't speak, gesturing for the other to continue.
Zhuge Nie then said, "More than three years ago, Liang Bendao, in order to secure a position in a crucial department in the capital, went through many connections. He eventually approached me, asking me to contact an old friend in the capital to mediate. Finally, the Liang family spent a large sum of treasure to allow him to ascend."
At this point, Zhuge Nie shrugged and said with a wry smile, "Actually, how should I put it? Such networking is not inherently wrong, but Liang Bendao's demeanor at the time was too eager. It gave me the impression that he was somewhat impetuous and overly anxious for quick success."
Xiao Yunlong was not a fool. Hearing this, he understood immediately. He nodded, his expression solemn, "I understand. Thank you for informing me, Senior. I will be careful."
Zhuge Nie waved his hand with a wry smile, "It is said that idle talk should not involve judging others' faults. But you are Your Highness the Northern King, and I cannot avoid being a petty person this time. Farewell, Your Highness the Northern King. Take care. I hope that in my lifetime, I will see you return to the capital and successfully take charge of the Tiance Mansion. I await the day you don your armor again!"
After saying this, Zhuge Nie turned and walked away. However, as he was leaving, the old man's eyes, with their white hair and beard, were actually a little moist.
Xiao Yunlong cupped his hands in the air and bowed, "Thank you, Senior. Please take care. This junior will make sure you see that day!"