This action instantly enraged the Lu Family members, who were barely clinging to life. However, to their despair, the mysterious people with formidable force were never their match. Even if they faced death bravely, they had to learn to accept their inevitable doom.

「Next.」

It would only take a brief moment for these mysterious people to lead every member of the Lu Family to their demise.

But at this moment, these powerful mysterious individuals suddenly turned their attention away from these doomed people. They shifted their gaze towards the very center of the Ming State Underground City. Powerful as they were, they could clearly sense a pair of eyes at the center of the Underground City quietly staring at them.

This made the mysterious group leader's gaze turn increasingly grim. Still, he could only suppress his anger and wave his hand heavily, ordering, "Go! Retreat immediately! If anyone falls into the hands of the Military Department, die if you must. I will avenge you!"

Die if you must, I will avenge you...

No one knew the profound emotional impact and shock this single statement carried. It was because of this very sentence that countless Lu Family members, still barely conscious, were deeply shaken. Despair then filled them, making their souls scatter.

They realized that such disciplined and formidable actions couldn't possibly belong to ordinary people.

「Without a doubt.」

Their Lu Family was truly targeted. Luckily, Ninth Great Uncle and Lu Jade weren't here; otherwise, they too would have undoubtedly been doomed. However, how could they accept this willingly?

Such a team... Our enemies... We can't get revenge! We can't! We can't!...

「And so.」

As pairs of unwilling and resentful eyes fixed upon all the masked men, they hid their expressions behind their masks and replied in unison,

"Yes!"

"Retreat!"

「Then.」

They left these Lu Family members behind to await their doom.

「Meanwhile.」

Outside Ming State City, within a hidden cave, Yao Yao gazed at Ming State City. It still stood tall and proud under the glorious, brilliant, yet fading sunset. Behind her were three young men from noble families. One of them was Lu Pan from the Lu Family, and the other two were, without a doubt, also from Jing State.

「The problem was.」

On the surface, this team should have consisted of only four members. But, to the surprise of some, not long after, a shadow in the cave—so ordinary and unremarkable that no one would have noticed it—transformed in an instant. It became a powerful individual, a mysterious existence possessing Martial King's strength!

「Without a doubt.」

He had always been hidden, only appearing before them after Yao Yao signaled. Thus, in that instant, the three young men from noble families all saw clearly. He was Ku Zhu! The only Martial King by Wang Zhan's side—Ku Zhu!

Of course, to Ku Zhu, he had simply obeyed Wang Zhan's command, quickly put aside his work, and rushed to the Ming State Underground City.

「Therefore.」

His mission was to bring these three scions of noble families to Yang Zecheng. Wang Zhan believed that his partner, Yang Zecheng—the woman disguised as a man who, despite a somewhat delicate appearance, was definitely shrewd—would be able to execute his plan excellently.

But Lu Pan and the other two dared not harbor any other thoughts. Upon seeing Ku Zhu, they could only smile bitterly and say with resignation to the two Martial Kings before them, "You two, where exactly are you taking us? Can't you loosen our restraints a bit? After all, with two Martial Kings right here, even if we wanted to escape, there's no way we could, right?"

「Indeed.」

They were not fools. Just by observing Ku Zhu's attitude towards Yao Yao, they could tell she wasn't merely some beautiful confidante by Wang Zhan's side; she possessed real capabilities.

What kind of ability would it take to make a Martial King maintain such extreme respect and distance from beginning to end?

「Undoubtedly.」

A Martial King! And perhaps a Martial King extremely strong in close combat!

Therefore, they were certain Yao Yao herself was a Martial King; only then could she earn Ku Zhu's respect.

However, Yao Yao paid them no mind. She seemed lost in a daze, gazing at the scenery outside the peephole.

She wondered if Wang Zhan could actually return according to the original plan. And as for herself, a Martial King... it seemed that even having become a Martial King, there was very little she could actually do to help him! This brought a touch of melancholy to her heart, which then morphed into a sense of bewilderment about pursuing strength. Once, all she wanted was to stand by Wang Zhan's side, watch him eat the meals she personally cooked, and then walk hand-in-hand with him to the end of their days.

As for Ku Zhu, who could only act as an instrument, he naturally maintained an indifferent expression. Firstly, he had no desire to speak and had maintained his silence from start to finish. Secondly, this was no place for him to speak. Wang Zhan had already arranged everything that needed to be said and done.

But what about the Martial King role he was promised? He was a powerful Martial King, damn it!

Of course, however unwilling he felt, he could only sigh inwardly.

Ah! This life is as shitty as a salted fish's... And who was to blame for Wang Zhan getting involved with that woman, who was even more terrifying than the female Martial King before them!

「Silence fell for a moment.」

Time slipped by silently. It was unknown how long had passed when a series of tremors, one after another, shook the ground. This instantly caused the mental power of the three young nobles in the cave, aside from Yao Yao and Ku Zhu, to grow taut.

What's happening? Is this place going to collapse?

In reality, they didn't even know where they were. They only knew that ever since Yao Yao had brought them here, she had been sitting in front of that ventilation opening. Then she had left them under Ku Zhu's guard.

「Thus.」

It was only after Yao Yao moved from her spot that these three, forced to follow her, finally witnessed an unbelievable scene they had never experienced before.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!...

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!...

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!...

Outside the air vent, clouds of dust and smoke billowed in the air, seemingly threatening to engulf them. But in reality, it was still a great distance away, as far as heaven from earth.

Accompanying this was the thunderous roar of synchronized footsteps and the silhouettes of figures persistently advancing through the dust and smoke. Upon closer observation, one would see infantrymen sprinting forward, fully armed, yet moving like a host of Coiling Dragons. Following them were armored soldiers responsible for heavy firepower, marching abreast, tasked with security, reconnaissance, and counterattacks. But undoubtedly, once they mobilized, they would instantly become wave after terrifying wave, as if a tidal surge was sweeping across the entire Federation!

At the very front of these two columns were nearly a company of tall horses. The figures upon them were deathly silent, as if devoid of souls. Yet, a single glance in their direction, no matter the distance, was enough to feel the powerful, intimidating aura they exuded. They were an awe-inspiring sight, yet one that crushed any thought of resistance.

Without a doubt, these people were the true strength of the Federation. Only they could truly represent the Federation of today. Because this was the Military Department of the Federation—the Federation's battle formation!

Therefore, Lu Pan and the others immediately realized they must be on a high peak in the wilderness outside Ming State City. And this cave not only afforded them a clear view but also absolutely guaranteed they wouldn't be discovered.

In fact, if they weren't hiding in this cave of unknown location with Ku Zhu and Yao Yao, Lu Pan and the others would even suspect that those soldiers from the Military Department might drag them out for public execution merely for an errant glance, suspecting them of ill intent. Because those were the official corps of the Federal Military Department!

Yet here they were, seemingly skulking in some dark corner, acting like spies.

This wasn't something an upright person should be doing!

But, as the saying goes, when you're under someone else's roof, you have to bow your head.

They glanced at Yao Yao, who was looking at them from over there—and noted Xu Xu had also looked their way—then they looked at Ku Zhu, who remained steadfastly by their side. The three could only smile bitterly.

This is no way to treat partners! If they had known that one day they'd be sidelined and watched over by two Martial King level experts, they would have surrendered long ago!

Moreover, one glance at such a scene and location was enough to know it was undoubtedly Wang Zhan's arrangement. So, they all simultaneously had the same thought.

Wang Zhan, what on Earth are you up to...?

「However.」

What they didn't know was that those "clever ones" in the wilderness on the outskirts of Ming State—those who had just exited the Underground City and left Ming State—were perhaps more qualified than Wang Zhan to answer that question for them. Because not long after these individuals had emerged from the Ming State Underground City, while they were still contemplating how to return to their own territories more comfortably and leisurely, they unexpectedly encountered those gods of slaughter.

「And so.」

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM...

A line of soldiers, without a word, broke from their ranks and charged directly towards them, roaring, "Halt! Resistance is futile—all who resist will be killed without mercy!"

At that instant, these "clever ones" finally understood what Wang Zhan was up to.

They had been tricked! The one behind this was very likely Wang Zhan!

Fortunately or unfortunately, they had glimpsed Wang Zhan's intentions more deeply than Lu Pan and those other young masters from the great noble families. But this realization only filled them with utter despair.

「Therefore.」

They roared and scattered, fleeing in all directions, their hearts trembling even as they looked at the approaching soldiers.

"Why are soldiers hunting us down?!"

"Wang Zhan! Wang Zhan! This must be Wang Zhan's conspiracy!"

"Run! The Military Department has made its move! We can't leave them any evidence! Run, run, run!"

After all, their hands weren't clean. But then again, which of the noble families in the entire Federation truly was?

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