Chapter 74: Targeted

As soon as those words were spoken, Zhang Long's expression changed dramatically. He couldn't understand it. In the Kingdom of Beidou, his talent was absolutely outstanding—how could someone suddenly appear and replace him at the top?

In an instant, suspicion welled up within him; he sensed something shady might be at play.

The next moment—there was a resounding slap. He knelt on the ground, facing Jin Buliang, and spoke:

"Uncle Jin, I want to know who replaced me and what level of cultivation that person possesses."

Jin Buliang was caught off guard by Zhang Long's abrupt action.

"Long'er, get up and speak," he urged.

Yet Zhang Long seemed to have swallowed iron—his resolve was unwavering, and he simply refused to rise.

In the end, Jin Buliang relented and revealed the truth.

"It is a young Martial Marquis," he said.

He had not intended to say it, fearing it would shatter Zhang Long's confidence, but after repeated pressing, he had no choice.

Silence fell. A silence as mysterious as a riddle.

All three were fully aware what the status of a young Martial Marquis signified.

In decades past, the only person to participate in the Ten Nations Tournament with the title of Martial Marquis was the current King of Beidou—the Beidou Monarch himself.

"Uncle Jin, give me one month. I will defeat him myself," Zhang Long suddenly declared, his voice loud and resolute.

Both elders were momentarily stunned.

But soon enough, both were full of praise for Zhang Long.

"Hahaha! Worthy to be my disciple!"

"You old rascal, what fortune you have! To have taken such an extraordinary disciple—I'm positively envious!"

It was clear that Zhang Long's martial heart had shaken both elders to their core.

The path of martial arts demands a heart that presses forward without hesitation.

Only those who do not fear authority can achieve greatness!

In the eyes of those two elders, Zhang Long was exceptional both in temperament and talent.

"Since Long'er calls me uncle, I cannot stand by idly," Jin Buliang said, flipping his right hand.

A bottle of blue jade appeared in his palm.

Immediately, Zhang Long's gaze was drawn to it, though he could only vaguely see that golden liquid flowed inside.

"Old Jin, is that the Golden Dragon Elixir?" Gongsun Miao squinted, somewhat surprised.

"Golden Dragon Elixir?" At the mention of those words, Zhang Long's expression shifted.

He knew this substance well. Legend claimed it was the lifeblood of the royal family; every royal member wishing to become a Martial Marquis and condense the Golden Flying Dragon Martial Statue needed it.

Indeed, it was thanks to this elixir that the Kingdom of Beidou stood as it did. For that reason, Golden Dragon Elixir seldom left the royal family's grasp and was tightly controlled.

"Take it, Long'er. Think of it as an apology from your uncle," Jin Buliang said, handing the bottle directly to Zhang Long.

But Zhang Long seemed lost in thought, and it was Gongsun Miao who reacted quickly, reaching out to accept the Golden Dragon Elixir.

"You foolish boy, don't stand on ceremony with your uncle. If you truly wish to repay him, defeat as many from the Drug Lord Kingdom as you can in the Ten Nations Tournament," Gongsun Miao advised.

"I understand, Master," Zhang Long replied. "Thank you, Uncle Jin."

Joy surged in Zhang Long's heart. With this Golden Dragon Elixir, his breakthrough was as good as assured.

His task now was to hone his physique to an even higher realm, and after the breakthrough, he would possess greater power.

"No need to thank me. If you truly wish to, just do as your master says," Jin Buliang replied with a cheerful smile.

To take out the Golden Dragon Elixir was a considerable risk. If Zhang Long succeeded in breaking through, there would be no problem—the elixir would not have been wasted, and the royal family would not intervene. But if he failed, the royal family would certainly not forgive Jin Buliang lightly.

"Very well!" Zhang Long replied earnestly.

Jin Buliang nodded in satisfaction.

"Long'er, you may return. Your uncle and I have matters to discuss," Gongsun Miao suddenly spoke.

"Yes, Master," Zhang Long replied.

After Zhang Long left, the two elders conversed in hushed tones, their voices so quiet that nothing could be discerned.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, inside a mansion, an old man slammed his cup onto the ground.

"How infuriating! North Desert City and Jin Buhuan—both are truly something!"

The man was none other than Marquis of Venom Serpents, Chang Mang.

He had spent an entire day racing back to his manor without a moment's delay.

As soon as he stopped to reflect on the day's events, anger boiled within him.

He had lost two and a half million taels—enough to make even him feel pain.

"I can't let that fellow off! If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have lost so much silver," he grumbled, taking out a portrait.

"Someone! Contact the Assassins' Alliance for me—I want to place a bounty!"

He had no idea that Xiao Yang was already being watched by another group.

"Ghostshade! The higher-ups want us to move," a silver-ranked assassin whispered to Ghostshade.

The time was approaching, and the Assassins' Alliance executives could no longer sit still.

"Don't rush. It's far more entertaining to take things slow," Ghostshade, the gold-ranked assassin, glanced up at the Wealth Pavilion and smiled.

Yet his smile sent chills down one's spine.

His gaze landed upon Hao Wenlong.

"Understood," the silver assassin answered, not daring to defy him.

He could only comply.

The other assassins continued their surveillance.

Hao Wenlong furrowed his brow, scanning his surroundings.

He had sensed being watched several times now. If it had been once or twice, he might have dismissed it as a trick of the mind, but now it kept happening.

There was definitely something wrong.

He considered, then entered the Wealth Pavilion, intending to inform Xiao Yang that they were being watched.

"Young master, I need to speak with you," Hao Wenlong said.

Xiao Yang was seated by the window, staring into the distance.

Night had fallen, and Zhou Yan had yet to return. He was worried.

He wanted to look for her, but he did not know where her friend's house was.

"Wenlong, just speak plainly," Xiao Yang said.

"Young master, I believe we are being watched," Hao Wenlong replied, turning away from the window to avoid anyone reading his lips.

He clearly understood that some gifted individuals could interpret lip movements.

"Yes. And then?" Xiao Yang answered calmly.

Hao Wenlong was momentarily stunned, but soon explained further.

"I think they're assassins. Should you hide, young master?"

At last, Xiao Yang turned to face him and spoke.

"I know there are assassins. In fact, there are eleven in total," he said.

Hao Wenlong gasped, unable to contain himself.

He had only sensed someone watching the place, not the exact number.

"And their positions: the apple vendor..." Xiao Yang went on, listing the locations of each assassin.

He continued until all eleven were accounted for.

Hao Wenlong was utterly dumbfounded.

Several of these people he had observed closely, yet noticed nothing unusual.

Now, thinking back, their normality seemed excessive.

"Don't turn around—you'll alert them," Xiao Yang's voice warned just as Hao Wenlong was about to pivot.

Hao Wenlong froze, then regained his composure.

"I sense these people are growing impatient," Xiao Yang continued.

Ever since his soul was strengthened, Xiao Yang had discovered his perception was extraordinarily keen.

Within a radius of ten yards, everything was within his grasp.

Every subtle movement of every person could be sensed by him.