"Duantianya, I'll leave Jiulong City to you," Lu Fan said. "When I arrive, I hope Jiulong City will be safe and sound."
"Your Excellency, rest assured, with me guarding Jiulong City, there will be no problems whatsoever," Duantianya quickly replied.
Lu Fan was quite satisfied. He then led Princess Linglong and others away from Jiulong City, heading towards the Li family patriarch for reinforcement. The news had leaked tonight, and the Li family patriarch and his forces were bound to be ambushed. Princess Linglong understood this clearly, which was why she was so anxious.
Meanwhile, within the city, the Li family patriarch was gradually losing ground. He only wanted to leave and rescue Princess Linglong, but he was constantly being entangled and had no intention of continuing the fight.
"According to normal timing, Princess Linglong should already be dead," Grand Tutor Wen said with a smile. "Once she dies, the Dragon Emperor will undoubtedly be enraged, and the entire Li family will suffer. Why not have Brother Li join the ranks of our Jiutian Dynasty? You will surely hold a high position and wield great power!"
"You wish! As a subject of the Bailong Dynasty, how could I possibly join the Jiutian?"
With a cold glint in his eyes, Old Master Li retorted, "To tell you the truth! If Princess Linglong dies, I will fight you to the death, and we will both suffer heavy losses."
"Is that so?"
Grand Tutor Wen chuckled coldly, his killing intent growing. He knew very well that the Li family patriarch was just being boastful.
Just then, a man in black suddenly rushed over and spoke a few words to Grand Tutor Wen before turning to leave.
Grand Tutor Wen's expression turned slightly grim, but he soon smiled. "Princess Linglong is dead, and Jiulong City has also been taken. As the commander of the Li family, you are likely in grave danger."
The Li family patriarch's body trembled, and his face instantly turned unsightly. "This is impossible! Princess Linglong cannot possibly be in trouble!"
"It doesn't matter whether you believe it or not. In any case, the great deed is done."
Grand Tutor Wen laughed heartily, his words unreserved, as if everything was proceeding according to his plan.
His eyes filled with unwillingness, Old Master Bai's state of mind was instantly damaged, and he was filled with rage. If Princess Linglong truly met her demise, it would undoubtedly be a disaster of annihilation for the entire Li family.
Before their departure, the Dragon Emperor had repeatedly instructed him to ensure Princess Linglong's safety. Now, with such a significant flaw, he would likely be held accountable.
"Brother Li, since matters have come to this, have you considered joining our Jiutian Dynasty?" Grand Tutor Wen said with a faint smile. "I still say the same thing: as long as you join our Jiutian Dynasty, you will be rewarded with high office and generous emoluments. You will never be mistreated!"
"Dream on! I will never comply with you!" Old Master Li's expression was cold. Even if Princess Linglong met her death, he would never betray his country. After all, his entire family was in the imperial city. If he were to do so, what would become of his Li family?
"Since the Li family patriarch is unwilling, then I can't do anything about it." Grand Tutor Wen smiled, as if he had already achieved his goal. The Li family patriarch's current state was extremely unstable, which was the most fatal method of engagement between experts. As long as the opponent's emotions were unstable, they could be defeated with a single move. At that point, the Li family patriarch would undoubtedly be defeated.
"Patriarch Li, you shouldn't just believe hearsay. This princess is alive and well!"
At that very moment, Princess Linglong's voice rang out, and Lu Fan and others were by her side. Hearing the familiar voice, the Li family patriarch was first startled, then instantly overjoyed. He had never imagined that this was a trick.
"The Princess is alright! The Princess is alright!" The soldiers present also cried out in surprise. They had been filled with grief just moments ago, never expecting that this was all just a scheme.
"Damn it!" Grand Tutor Wen's face was grim. He had made all the preparations, but he had never expected things to turn out this way.
"Grand Tutor Wen, your move was indeed quite cunning," the Li family patriarch said with a smile. "You almost got me. You truly impress me."
"There's no other way. To make you fall into chaos, this was the only way." Grand Tutor Wen smiled slightly. "It's a pity it all went to waste. We ultimately failed to kill you. If we had killed you, I could have seized Jiulong City, and according to the rules of the Jiutian Dynasty, more experts would have come to our aid."
"So, your scheme has failed?" Old Master Li smiled. "You have murdered so many generals of our Bailong Dynasty. The Bailong Dynasty will never let this go."
"I doubt you have the ability to do that!" Grand Tutor Wen chuckled coldly. At that very moment, numerous soldiers in the city instantly left via a teleportation array, as if everything had been prepared long in advance.
"Where are the men of the Bailong Dynasty? Avenge our fallen brothers!" a general shouted, charging forward and attacking the soldiers of the Jiutian Dynasty. The other soldiers also rushed forward with an unstoppable momentum. How could they let the deaths of their brothers go unavenged?
"I don't have time to play around with you here!" Grand Tutor Wen said with a light laugh. "But there will be a next time. I wonder if you will be as lucky!" After saying this, Grand Tutor Wen's figure disappeared from his spot, as if this expedition had come to an end.
"What's going on? Are they retreating?" Xiao Qing asked.
"The Jiutian Dynasty does not wish to expend their forces," Princess Linglong said. "That's why they are retreating. If they had succeeded this time, they would have launched a full-scale attack."
"Come to think of it, we have to thank the son-in-law. If it weren't for the son-in-law's intervention, a war might have broken out!" Xiao Qing nodded slightly, her expression turning solemn.
Lu Fan stood to the side, his brows furrowed. From the attitudes of both sides, he could sense that the Bailong Dynasty was inferior to the Jiutian Dynasty. To be toyed with like this was something only the weak would endure.
"Princess, what exactly happened?" the Li family patriarch asked. "Didn't the Jiutian Dynasty send experts to kill you?"
"This time, we have the son-in-law to thank," Linglong said repeatedly. "If it weren't for the son-in-law killing the three Venerables, I probably wouldn't be standing here."
"Killed three Venerables?" The Li family patriarch was slightly startled and deeply moved. He had long felt that Lu Fan was not simple, but he never expected Lu Fan to be able to kill three Venerable powerhouses single-handedly. If this news were to spread, it would undoubtedly cause a sensation.
"Yes, yes. If it weren't for the son-in-law, our Princess would have been in danger," Xiao Qing quickly said.
"Son-in-law, when we return to the imperial palace, you deserve the highest merit!" Old Master Li said with a smile. "If it weren't for your crucial intervention, we would all have lost our heads."
"The commander-in-chief is too kind. I was only doing my duty," Lu Fan said with a smile, appearing even more unfazed.