Besides Prince Zhong, the Fifth Princess and the Fourth Prince also learned of the matter.
Everyone knew that Qin Hanchu must have a Grandmaster protecting him, but no one had ever figured out who this Grandmaster was.
During this battle with the Huangfu family, Qin Hanchu's true strength would be revealed.
The next day, the martial arts powers of the enemy country also heard the news.
Forces like the Toyotomi family, the Walton family, and the Star Merchant Guild all sent people to keep a close eye on the Huangfu family.
As long as they knew who Qin Hanchu's backer was, they would find an opportunity to kill Qin Hanchu.
After spending two days in Hangcheng, Qin Hanchu and his group took a helicopter arranged by Lin Long to Modu.
Modu appeared calm on the surface today, but it was actually a turbulent undercurrent.
Important figures from all over Jiangdong had arrived in the city one after another.
Within the urban area of Modu, there was a mountain within the city, and this was where the Huangfu family's territory was located.
Dozens of villas stretched out, all serving as residences for members of the Huangfu clan.
Today, the mountain within the city was heavily guarded.
Those without significant backing were not even qualified to ascend the mountain.
Situ Guangtao and the peak Grandmasters from his clan had already arrived at the gates of the Huangfu family.
Besides them, the Prefect of Jiangdong and officials from various regions had also arrived.
The head of the Huangfu family and the strong individuals within the clan were already in position at the gates, ready for anything.
As for the Old Ancestor of Haiyun, he was currently entertaining the reinforcement experts in the villa.
Although Zhao Longshuai was over 130 years old, his gaze was sharp, and he showed no signs of aging.
Dressed in military attire, his terrifying aura sent shivers down people's spines.
Besides Zhao Longshuai, the Old Ancestor of the Wu family from Xicheng and the Old Ancestor of the Sun family from Jinling were also seated nearby.
"Longshuai, this Marquis of Champion is too arrogant. We must curb his impetuosity today!" the Old Ancestor of the Sun family said, stroking his white beard.
"The Huangfu family and Longshuai are about to embark on something significant, and he chose this time to provoke them. It's simply disrespectful to you, Longshuai," the Old Ancestor of the Wu family added.
Zhao Longshuai's expression was filled with anger as he said, "He relied on his talent to become a Marquis of Champion and is now acting so presumptuously? With such a mindset, even with monstrous talent, he won't achieve much in the future!"
Many people looked down on Qin Hanchu, the Marquis of Champion.
Zhao Longshuai had deep seniority and was a decorated war hero, so naturally, he didn't think much of Qin Hanchu.
"What Longshuai says is very true," the Old Ancestor of Haiyun agreed.
Just then, a member of the Huangfu family hurried in.
"Old Ancestor, Prince Zhong and the Fifth Princess have arrived."
Upon hearing this, the Old Ancestor of the Huangfu family and others were all shocked.
Prince Zhong and the Fifth Princess had actually come?
Were they here to mediate or to support Qin Hanchu?
"Go out and greet them!" Although Zhao Longshuai held a noble position, he was still a notch below Prince Zhong and the Fifth Princess.
Led by Zhao Longshuai, everyone hurried out.
When they reached the entrance, the motorcade of the Fifth Princess and Prince Zhong had already stopped.
"Greetings, Prince Zhong, Fifth Princess." Seeing the two descend from their cars, Zhao Longshuai took the lead in bowing.
The Old Ancestor of Haiyun and the Prefect of Jiangdong also quickly bowed to welcome them.
"You may dispense with the formalities," Prince Zhong said indifferently.
"Prince Zhong, Fifth Princess, why have you come?" Zhao Longshuai asked, confused.
The Fifth Princess smiled, "To join the fun."
Hearing this, the Old Ancestor of Haiyun twitched his mouth.
Traveling all the way from the capital to Modu just to join the fun?
"Rest assured, we will not participate in the feud between the Marquis of Champion and the Huangfu family," Prince Zhong stated.
Hearing this, Zhao Longshuai breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's not that we won't participate," the Fifth Princess said with a smile. "Father Emperor's intention is simple: there should not be too many casualties."
"That depends on the attitude of the Marquis of Champion," Zhao Longshuai replied.
Just then, three cars drove over.
The car doors opened, and Qin Hanchu, Lin Xiaotian, and others stepped out.
Seeing Prince Zhong and the Fifth Princess, Qin Hanchu, Lin Xiaotian, and the others showed expressions of surprise.
They hadn't expected royalty to show up.
"Greetings, Prince Zhong, Fifth Princess." Lin Xiaotian led the Lin family members forward to pay their respects.
Qin Hanchu also smiled and greeted Prince Zhong and the Fifth Princess.
"Why have you two come?" Qin Hanchu inquired.
"To see what trump cards you have," the Fifth Princess candidly replied.
Qin Hanchu smiled, "It should be enough to deal with the Huangfu family."
"You're that confident?" Prince Zhong asked with a smile. "Where is your Grandmaster? You can't possibly ask Elder Lin to step in, can you?"
Lin Xiaotian chuckled, "Prince Zhong, please don't joke with me. I'm too old to fight anymore."
Qin Hanchu smiled and said, "He should be here soon."
"Marquis of Champion, is it really necessary to make such a big fuss over a single curse?" Zhao Longshuai asked.
"I am, after all, the Marquis of Champion. How can I not pursue the matter when I've been insulted?" Qin Hanchu said, looking at Zhao Longshuai. "If you make the Huangfu family kneel and apologize, I can let bygones be bygones."
"Kneeling is absolutely out of the question!" If it were just a private dispute, having Huangfu Daoming kneel might have been acceptable.
But now that the matter had become a widespread sensation, known to all the powers in Jiangdong, kneeling before Qin Hanchu at this juncture would essentially mean the Huangfu family admitting defeat.
With Zhao Longshuai holding the fort for the Huangfu family, the Old Ancestor of Haiyun paid no heed to Qin Hanchu's status as Marquis of Champion.
"Marquis of Champion, you are asking for too much," Zhao Longshuai said sternly. "Give me some face, and let's let this matter go, shall we?"
Zhao Longshuai possessed both status and power.
For such a prominent figure to propose a peaceful resolution carried significant weight.
"Since Zhao Longshuai has spoken so highly, and the Marquis of Champion has gained face, he should know when to stop."
"Zhao Longshuai is only saying this out of respect for Prince Zhong and the Fifth Princess. If they weren't present, he probably wouldn't give the Marquis of Champion any face."
"I wonder if this Marquis of Champion understands the ways of officialdom?"
The people from the various factions in Jiangdong discussed in low voices.
In their opinion, Qin Hanchu had already gained enough face and should know when to retreat.
Although Huangfu Daoming had insulted Qin Hanchu, it was ultimately a verbal dispute, and there was no need for bloodshed.
"May I ask who you are?" Qin Hanchu, having already guessed Zhao Longshuai's identity, asked with feigned confusion.
"He actually doesn't recognize Zhao Longshuai?"
"Is he playing dumb?"
"It's normal not to recognize him. Zhao Longshuai has been stationed in the maritime region for many years and rarely returns to the capital."
Upon hearing Qin Hanchu's question, Zhao Longshuai's expression showed displeasure. "Zhao Wusheng, bearing the rank of Longshuai!"
Qin Hanchu feigned realization. "Zhao Longshuai, I've heard your name for a long time."
"Let's forgo the pleasantries. Are we making peace or not? Give me a straightforward answer," Zhao Longshuai urged.
"Two conditions," Qin Hanchu said calmly. "First, cripple Huangfu Daoming! Second, the Huangfu family shall never again make a move against the Situ family."
"Huangfu Daoming is a direct descendant of my Huangfu family, and you want me to cripple him!" The Old Ancestor of Haiyun was furious, realizing that Qin Hanchu clearly had no intention of making peace.