He Lanxin utilized [Overlord's Formation Break] to weave through the major damage-dealing points in the crowd, dancing like a golden butterfly, though each movement brought forth a storm of blood.
The already loose formation of thugs and bounty hunters, comprised of individuals with little cohesion, scattered into disarray under He Lanxin's relentless assaults. Their disjointed attacks proved incapable of breaching Mo Chuan's defenses.
Thus, the battle concluded swiftly.
With the presence of the ultimate powerhouses He Lanxin and Mo Chuan, coupled with Luo Ni and Zhang Han Shan easily leveling the numerical disadvantage, and Tang Jing Jing's area-of-effect attacks decimating a significant portion of the low-level thugs (as any player understands AD clearing), the outcome was inevitable.
Only that man in the black robe managed to escape.
However, Mo Chuan's group had no time to dwell on this. They immediately rushed back to the hotel to pack their belongings and prepare for their escape. kuAiδugg
But as they gathered after packing, Zhang Han Shan spoke with a grave expression, "You all shouldn't run with me. The bounty issued by Zhu Jin Cheng is only targeting me; there's no need for you to get involved—Ow!"
Zhang Han Shan clutched his head as Mo Chuan withdrew his left hand and said, "Old Zhang, we've faced death together. Do you think I would abandon you?"
"Come on, Brother Chuan..."
"No need to say more. We're friends, bound by life and death. There's no need for such formalities," He Lanxin shook his head and stated.
"I'll listen to Mo Chuan," Tang Jing Jing declared her stance directly.
Luo Ni remained silent, but she held Mo Chuan's right hand tightly, her attitude clear.
"You all..." Zhang Han Shan suppressed the urge to shed tears. He then took out a communication device from his bag and said, "You go ahead and buy some things. I'll make a call to find out what's going on with the family."
"But won't calling attention to yourself?"
"This is a family encrypted call, no need to worry..." Zhang Han Shan patted his chest, then turned to dial the device.
Mo Chuan and He Lanxin exchanged glances. After a brief discussion, they decided: Mo Chuan would take Tang Jing Jing and Luo Ni to buy supplies, while He Lanxin would stand guard once more.
...
The story diverges, each telling its own tale.
In Jizhou, Tiankou, the Zhang family's Polu Hall.
Zhang Hen Shui frowned slightly as he entered his room.
A few days prior, he had completed the search of the Ye family, sending Ye Ling to prison. Afterwards, as he intended to pursue the Tang family, he suddenly received a notification from his mother, instructing him to return to the main family immediately.
Though unsure of what had transpired, Zhang Hen Shui returned and received shocking news: Emperor Fuxi had passed away, Sui Ren had launched a coup, and Nuwa, with the assistance of her faction and Fu Xi loyalists like Xin Lei, had escaped Long Jing, though she was severely injured and her whereabouts were unknown.
Now, families and individuals at the upper echelons of power were beginning to stir—for it was time to choose sides.
However, many prominent families were unwilling to commit immediately—the Zhang family being one of them.
Consequently, Zhu Jin Cheng began issuing orders through various channels for his subordinate families and officials to attack the Zhang family. The Zhang family, once a dominant force in the three states of Ji, Qing, and Yu, was now forced to retract its influence to Tiankou, Jibei, Handan, Luoyi, and Zheng County.
With a shrinkage in family assets and a decline in official power, the Zhang family suddenly found itself at the bottom of the five great families. Furthermore, Zhu Jin Cheng's growing dissatisfaction with the Zhang family's evasiveness led Sui Ren to issue a secret order—capture alive Zhang Han Shan, the second son of the direct lineage of the Zhang family.
[The current generation of the Zhang family patriarchs are Zhang Chun Lin (Patriarch), Zhang Xia Ting, Zhang Qiu Biao, Zhang Dong Xue (all from the Tiankou main family).
The new generation of the Zhang family: Zhang Le Xi (Qiu), Zhang Ai Lin (Chun), Zhang Hen Shui (Dong), Zhang Yan Yan (Xia), Zhang Han Shan (Chun).]
This signaled an open confrontation between Zhu Jin Cheng and the Zhang family, indicating that the other side had acquired sufficient strength to overthrow the Zhangs but was unwilling to expend excessive energy in a mutually destructive struggle, thus opting to use Zhang Han Shan as a hostage to coerce the Zhang family.
Now, Patriarch Zhang Chun Lin had summoned the clan members for a meeting, likely due to another significant development.
Shortly after, Zhang Hen Shui entered the Polu Hall, which served as the family temple and ancestral shrine—named so because the Zhang family's founding ancestor was once ennobled as a General who Pacified the Barbarians during the Ming Dynasty.
Within the ancestral hall, Patriarch Zhang Chun Lin sat at the head, flanked by his three younger brothers and the clan leaders from the branch families in Jibei, Luoyi, Handan, and Zheng County.
Seeing that Zhang Hen Shui had also taken his seat, the old butler, Fu Lai, struck the Bell of Self-Reflection according to ancestral custom, signaling the commencement of the clan meeting.
"I have a very grave matter to report to everyone," Zhang Chun Lin stated with a somber expression. "Our merchant association in Suzou received news from the western military region reporting that young Zhang Han Shan died in the Dunhuang ruins."
"Young nephew Bai Shi (Zhang Han Shan's courtesy name) was not inferior in talent among the five of them, and he cultivated diligently. How could he perish so easily in the ruins?" Zhang Qiu Biao frowned and inquired.
"No need to guess. Little Stone was likely suppressed by the government. After all, the day after the coup, that 'Tiger in the Woods' Zhuanxu purged his troops and extensively appointed his confidantes and loyal families. Our people certainly couldn't keep up with their speed," Zhang Xia Ting, who was naturally hot-tempered, analyzed and then directly advised the patriarch, "Elder Brother, it's time to state our position! If necessary, let's find Nuwa and establish another king in the south, beyond Sui Ren's dog's reach!"
"What about the Zhang family's industries and operations in the north? This is not advisable," a member from the Jibei branch family shook his head.
"Second Uncle, please don't rush. Let's clarify the situation first. If this matter is not as the western military region claims, it's not too late to make plans," the member from the Luoyi branch family advised.
Just as the hawks and doves were about to engage in a dispute, Zhang Chun Lin rapped on the eight-immortal table, signaling everyone to quiet down.
"I..."
"Beep beep beep beep beep—"
A communication device began to ring.
Everyone frowned slightly, looking towards Zhang Hen Shui, who wore a peculiar expression.
"My apologies, Patriarch," Zhang Hen Shui muttered to himself as he prepared to turn off the device, "Strange... I remember I muted the device..."
But then he realized the sound was not coming from his usual device.
As if struck by an idea, Zhang Hen Shui immediately retrieved the communication device exclusively used by the five members of the main family from his inner pocket.
Indeed—the IP address displayed on the device almost caused Zhang Hen Shui to cry out.
However, his voice still betrayed his barely concealed excitement: "Patriarch! Fifth Brother... Zhang Han Shan is calling!"
The individuals in the ancestral hall immediately became agitated: "Quickly connect it! Put it on speaker!"
...
Returning to Yumenguan.
Mo Chuan loaded food and water into his backpack. Just as he was about to check for medical supplies, he felt his pipe beginning to heat up.
"Jing Jing, Luo Ni, wait for me for a moment. I need to make a call," Mo Chuan said, leaving the supplies and the two girls at a fast-food restaurant before turning into a small alley.
Mo Chuan lit his pipe, and soon, smoke rings coalesced into the shape of a demon face. A voice echoed in his mind, "My dear, do you miss me?"
"Yes, yes, I miss you. I'm in a hurry, quickly tell me what's wrong."
"Why so perfunctory... you scoundrel..." Abe no Seimei grumbled softly from the other end, then continued, "Come to Neon when you have time. That brat Kazuya has been cursed by Utsushihime and is on his last breath. Prince Hironori's faction is already preparing to engage in battle with other factions."
It took Mo Chuan a moment to remember that Kazuya was the current Emperor of Neon. He pinched his brow; calling him "brat" seemed fitting from Shuten Doji's perspective.
"Is that so..." Mo Chuan pondered. The situation in Long Guo was currently murky. It wouldn't be a bad idea to take Mo Fei to Neon to assess the situation and perhaps help Prince Hironori, that good-for-nothing, ascend the throne.
"Alright, I'll be there before the weekend," Mo Chuan discussed further arrangements with Abe no Seimei, then put away his pipe, intending to quickly finish buying supplies and return to discuss matters with Zhang Han Shan and the others.