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The command "one order, one action" didn't an only raising the left foot when told to raise the left foot, or only raising the right foot when told to raise the right foot. It ant they were only going to Four Dukes Mountain, not to fight.
Because Lu Ding was going to unleash his full power the mont he arrived.
If they took action first, the enemy and their own forces would beco mixed together within the target area.
When that happened, Lu Ding wouldn't be able to slaughter freely.
As the order was given, the eight hundred investigators boarded the dragon carriage.
Lu Ding mounted and departed, with Fu Xinghe and An Ning following closely behind. Han Yu also set off with them.
Of course, he wasn't there for combat.
His purpose for going was to, when the ti ca, step forward in front of the public to represent Listening Rain Pavilion and declare their alignnt with An Wuyang.
Since they were going to show off, they had to do it thoroughly!
Although the 'Hail the Dragon King's Return' mode was tacky, this thod truly had a kind of pleasure that flowed directly into the brain without needing thought.
It was guaranteed to blast An Wuyang into a dazed stupor.
Boarding the dragon carriage, An Ning's deanor, like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden, made Fu Xinghe feel a secret sense of pride deep down.
Never seen it before, right?
Never ridden in one before, right?
He harbored no ill intent, rely asking with a simple, show-offish attitude, "Princess An Ning, when your state ruler travels, is it this magnificent?"
An Ning knew Fu Xinghe was showing off.
It didn't matter.
They'd be family in the future, so playing along was fine.
If you ask, I'll tell you: "No, when the state ruler travels, it's by beast-drawn carriage. Whether in magnificence or luxury, it cannot compare to Grand Duke Lu's dragon carriage."
Lu Ding, ahead of them, heard the conversation and silently turned his back to the group to avoid anyone seeing the corners of his mouth curling upward.
Sigh...
Who isn't a bit vulgar?
Doing impressive things in secret was never Lu Ding's style. If you have strength, you have to flaunt it.
On this side.
Lu Ding had just left.
On the other side, Four Dukes Mountain received the news.
After all, he hadn't hidden his movents. The main idea was: I allow you to flee before I arrive, and I also allow you to prepare your resistance before I arrive. First, don't pursue a desperate foe; just don't let see you again in the future.
Second, prepare however you like; if I change my route, I lose.
Such an arrogant signal.
Instantly provoked the collective fury of Four Dukes Mountain.
Four Dukes Mountain was nad after the concept of 'four generations, three dukes.' But because this world possessed supernatural power, an extra position was added to the original three dukes, hence the na Four Dukes Mountain.
Four Dukes Mountain was the last city before heading south into the Royal Capital of Great Jing, also the gateway city.
Controlling Four Dukes Mountain were precisely the Four Ducal Families: Nian, Qu, Feng, and Zhong. Each occupied one of the four celestial pillar divine mountains, connected by Hidden Dragon Ridge. The basin in the middle was where the other forces and common people of Four Dukes Mountain resided.
At this mont, at the Nian Family residence in Four Dukes Mountain.
As the foremost great family of this place, holding the authority of the Ministry of War, they were the undisputed local leader. In the entire Great Jing, only Prince Zhao could match the Nian Family in this aspect. But ho turf differed; whoever went to the other's ho ground would be finished.
If they set clear boundaries and fought a straight battle without external aid, Prince Zhao would win steadily, as his personal martial prowess was truly formidable.
Therefore, the other three families regarded the Nian Family as the greatest, but did not revere them.
At this mont.
The Nian Family's old patriarch, Nian Hu, at the Spirit Refinent realm, sat in the host's seat.
His sharp, upturned eyes swept across the representatives of the other three families present.
He spoke, his voice slightly hoarse yet not lacking in authority: "As the saying goes, one who eats the ruler's salary bears the ruler's worries. Lu Ding's approach this ti is fierce, trampling upon the dignity of our Great Jing nation. We, as ministers, must share our lord's burdens."
"My Nian Family takes the lead in declaring: from top to bottom, all mbers at Celestial Being Three Restrictions and above, regardless of gender, age, or youth, will all go to battle. We are determined to block Lu Ding at Four Dukes Mountain, absolutely not allowing him to take another step south into the Central Plains!"
"Everyone, care to give your stance?"
Although the Nian Family controlled the Ministry of War, they couldn't mobilize troops this ti. If you move troops when the other party is on a diplomatic mission, that's asking for trouble with Great Han. Moreover, the Jing Emperor's current tactic of delay was being used very well, with not the slightest response.
So it could only be a matter of the jianghu, settled by jianghu rules.
They wouldn't act in the capacity of court-appointed officials, only under the Nian Family's na to resist.
As for Lu Ding previously killing the Great Jing envoy sent to make contact...
That was different...
Lu Ding had behind him the Great Han, whose weather was dry and temper hot, which didn't smile, so nobody better make trouble. The main idea was: if you're given face, you better take it.
Faced with Nian Hu's emphasis on Lu Ding.
No one present foolishly jumped out to say things like, 'Lu Ding is rely at the Fifth Restriction, while you, sir, are a Spirit Refinent first layer expert' and so on.
This was a formal eting.
The younger generation had no standing to speak. Once rules were broken, the light punishnt was being thrown out, the severe punishnt was being killed on the spot.
Furthermore, a place nad after Four Dukes wouldn't reach this position without so brains. This was the difference between courtly aristocratic families and jianghu ruffians.
Now, Lu Ding's impressive battle record was laid out here.
His surface-level Fifth Restriction Late Stage cultivation was only one of the factors that made these people even more wary of Lu Ding.
Looking at the other three family's old masters, each had a grave expression.
Although they were all at the Spirit Refinent realm.
The thought that Lu Ding needed only one strike to force Lu Feng to use his three ultimate trump cards while remaining unscathed, yet Lu Feng still ended up dead...
None of them dared claim they could block Lu Ding.
Then, the Feng Family's old patriarch was the first to stand up: "The Feng Family is willing to advance and retreat together with the Nian Family."
With the first, ca the second.
"The Qu Family is willing to advance and retreat together with the Nian Family."
"The Zhong Family is willing to advance and retreat together with the Nian Family!"
Old Master Nian smiled, revealing fierce tiger-like teeth at the corner of his mouth: "There's no need to be like this. Although that youngster Lu Ding is formidable, the four of us are all at Spirit Refinent. One person being unable to block him is understandable, but four people..."
Old Master Nian suddenly leaned his body forward: "Blocking him will be as easy as turning over one's hand!"
"As for those eight hundred accompanying investigators by his side."
"I have only one sentence: anyone in Four Dukes Mountain can die, but those eight hundred investigators—if they can be captured alive, absolutely do not harm their lives."
The Qu Family's old patriarch asked in confusion: "Why is that?"
"If we capture them alive, our casualties are bound to increase. This..."
Old Master Nian glanced at him: "Although we don't know why Lu Ding is on this mission to Great Han, to guard against the possibility of cooperation between Great Jing and Great Han."
"Therefore, we don't kill the investigators. Then, in case Great Jing and Great Han truly decide to cooperate, we leave room for maneuver, making it easier to talk. Even if reforms occur, as long as the four families' foundational power remains unmoved, referencing Great Han's autonomous regions, the Emperor can be emperor in the Royal Capital, and we can also be emperors in Four Dukes Mountain, not interfering with each other."
"Furthermore, turning waste into treasure. Although Great Jing learning reforms would affect our status, Great Han could also beco a springboard for us. We transfer assets to Great Han, then transfer them out from Great Han. Back and forth, what belongs to the state can also beco ours. Otherwise, we can only sit idly on a treasure mountain without being able to use it."
Up to this point, Nian Hu also saw clearly: if Great Han and Great Jing were truly determined to cooperate at the national level, they couldn't stop it.
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