Soon, the entire winding road leading to the summit of Luolin Mountain was packed with luxury cars.
In front of a free-range chicken restaurant at the foot of the mountain.
Du Jingsong, Patriarch of the Du Family—Jizhou's only first-class Martial Arts Clan—stood waiting quietly, his hair and beard completely white. He was accompanied by his two great-granddaughters.
They were waiting for Jiang Xinghai to arrive for dinner.
"Grandpa Zeng, it's seven o'clock. Should we give him a call?" Du Fangfei finally asked, unable to wait any longer.
"Duke Jiang has his own way of doing things. All we can do is wait patiently," Du Jingsong said soothingly.
"Elder Du is here too."
"Elder Du, good evening!"
"Elder Du, it's been a while! You're still looking so hale and hearty!"
"Patriarch Du, long ti no see."
For a ti, passersby who recognized the nonagenarian Du Jingsong greeted him one after another without pause.
Du Jingsong simply offered a faint smile.
With the other three great martial arts clans on par with the Du Family either wiped out or having moved away, Du Jingsong was, by seniority, one of the most respected figures in Jizhou's circles.
"Brother Du, I trust you've been well."
A hunchbacked old man, shuffling along, passed by surrounded by a crowd.
"Brother Wanyan is here as well."
Du Jingsong was slightly taken aback upon seeing him, then said, "It is to be expected."
The people with the hunchbacked elder politely greeted Du Jingsong before continuing to escort the old man up the mountain on foot.
Only after the hunchbacked elder's party had receded into the distance did Du Fangfei ask, "Grandpa Zeng, is that Wanyan Xiong's…"
"Correct."
Du Jingsong nodded thoughtfully. "He is Wanyan Honglie, from one of the Central State Martial Arts Families. He's Wanyan Xiong's father, and the man who calls the shots in the Central State's underworld."
"Elder Du, so the rumors were true. Wanyan Xiong's move here thirty years ago was to expand their territory, not because he was exiled by Wanyan Honglie." A man in his fifties with thick eyebrows and large eyes ambled over; it was Qu Xiangrui, the owner of the First-grade Pavilion.
Another man in his fifties with a buzz cut ca over. He was Cheng Zhipeng, Patriarch of the second-class Cheng Family. "There are also rumors that the Mu Family, who moved to Jizhou around the sa ti as the Wanyan Family, are actually part of their clan. The Central State Mu Family must be scheming for a piece of Jizhou as well."
He had been taken as a servant by Jiang Xinghai, tasked with assisting the Shen Family.
"Old Cheng, you're mistaken about the Mu Family."
Just then, a square-jawed man in his fifties approached. It was Ma Tiebing, Patriarch of the second-class Ma Family. "The Central State Mu Family has already cut all ties with the Jizhou Mu Family."
"Whether they are friend or foe, Duke Jiang will be the one to judge," Du Jingsong said solemnly.
Duke Jiang?
Hearing this, everyone froze.
Du Jingsong called Jiang Xinghai "Duke Jiang"?
What an incredible show of respect.
"He's here! Duke Jiang is finally here!"
Du Fangfei and Du Fangqing both pointed at a man getting out of a car at almost the exact sa ti.
"There he is!"
Smiles spread across the faces of Du Jingsong and the others.
"So everyone is here," Jiang Xinghai said, striding over with a powerful gait.
"Duke Jiang."
"Mr. Jiang."
"Mr. Jiang, I'm Ma Long's father, Ma Tiebing. It's an honor to finally et you."
"Everyone, let's talk over dinner," Jiang Xinghai said with a faint smile, his gaze falling on Du Jingsong.
Soon, they all entered a private room.
At Du Jingsong's prompting, the conversation turned to the arrival of Wanyan Xiong's father, Wanyan Honglie.
Throughout the conversation, Jiang Xinghai heartily ate his food and drank his wine, seemingly unconcerned.
Seeing his deanor, the others felt it was best not to press the issue.
"Brother Hai!"
Just then, Ma Long called. "Wind Leopard has been captured, just as we feared. He can't complete his mission. Let handle it."
"Ma, if they were able to capture Wind Leopard, you're no match for them."
Jiang Xinghai turned his head to look at Ma Tiebing and Qu Xiangrui.
"I am willing to go through hell and high water," Ma Tiebing said, rising and clasping his fist.
"I will not shrink from death itself," Qu Xiangrui also said, standing and clasping his fist.
The two n departed, and Jiang Xinghai went back to his drink.
「Twenty minutes later.」
Ma Long sent word: with the help of Qu Xiangrui and his father, Ma Tiebing, the two n holding Wind Leopard had been eliminated. They were identified as two of Wanyan Xiong's Four Great Kings.
"No wonder only two of Wanyan Xiong's Great Kings are lying in ambush at the summit," Cheng Zhipeng said, the realization dawning on him. "The other two must have gone to capture Wind Leopard. He also has two Guardians, both of whom are Ninth-Grade Grandmasters. I'm sure they're also hiding on the mountain. I may not be much, but with Mr. Jiang's help, I've reached the Venerable realm. Leave them to . That will ensure you can face Wanyan Xiong without any distractions, Mr. Jiang."
He had already sent his n to investigate Luolin Mountain thoroughly.
"As for that old fellow Wanyan Honglie, just leave him to this old fellow," Du Jingsong said with a laugh, stroking his white beard.
Jiang Xinghai, who had been drinking this whole ti, tacitly approved their plan.
7:50 PM.
Jiang Xinghai demonstrated the Disguise Technique before their very eyes.
His new face had delicate features, but his eyes held a demonic glint. Not a single trace of Jiang Xinghai remained.
"Transform Body and Bone!"
"What an incredible technique, Duke Jiang!"
"The legendary Disguise Technique!"
Everyone was stunned into silence.
"Since the admission ticket lists as 'The Mysterious Man,' what's the harm in showing up with a different face?" Jiang Xinghai rose to his feet, ready to ascend the summit.
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