Yan State.

Murong Mansion.

This day, the mansion was bustling as Murong Hou returned from his duties at the Capital City.

Murong Hou is the third son of the old patriarch Murong Daoye and serves as the Commander at the Black Tortoise Bureau in the Imperial Palace.

"Third Young Master, why didn't you notify us of your return? We're not prepared for your arrival."

The old steward of the Murong family, surnamed Duan, welcomed Murong Hou and his entourage into the mansion, saying with a smile, "The Eldest Young Master and Second Young Master are at the State Governor's Mansion, someone has been sent to notify them, they will be back shortly."

"No worries."

Murong Hou smiled faintly, saying, "This return was decided impulsively, how are elder brother and second brother?"

Elder brother Murong You is Murong Daoye's eldest son and the current Patriarch of the Murong family.

Second brother Murong Kang is Murong Daoye's second son and currently the Governor of Yan State.

"Good, all is well."

Steward Duan nodded repeatedly, his gaze drifted over the dozen or so people behind Murong Hou, with a hint of perplexity crossing his heart.

These people looked somewhat strange, dressed in simple attire, yet each had a stern expression and vigilant eyes, observing their surroundings cautiously upon entering the mansion.

Some of them had prominent temples, clearly indicating they had reached the Fourth Grade in cultivation.

These were not the personal guards accompanying Murong Hou to the Capital City.

Among them were a man and a woman, who seemed different from the others.

The woman's eyes were clear, with a smile on her face; her appearance was ordinary yet exuding a gentle and agreeable aura, seemingly unversed in martial arts, her steps appeared light.

The man was tall and handsome, conducting himself calmly with a deep gaze, unlike the others who were observing all around.

Despite wearing only simple clothes, his brows revealed a noble demeanor.

Steward Duan, having grown up beside the old patriarch, had encountered countless people.

The woman seemed inconsequential, but the man appeared to have some background.

As Steward Duan was pondering, Murong Hou asked again, "How is my father's health, is he well?"

"The old master is very well, in good health, though he occasionally thinks of the Third Young Master."

Steward Duan said, "The old master should be in the Inner Courtyard in seclusion; I'll notify him immediately, please wait a moment, Third Young Master."

Murong Hou nodded, and then looked towards the clothed man behind him.

The man in cloth smiled without speaking.

Deep within the Inner Courtyard of the Murong Mansion.

Steward Duan hurried to a room, speaking softly, "Old Master, the Third Young Master has returned from the Capital City."

In the dark room, Murong Daoye sat cross-legged, eyes closed, his form upright, like an iron tower, motionless, seemingly unheard.

Suddenly!

Murong Daoye seemed to sense something, abruptly opened his eyes, slightly glanced outside.

His gaze was like a torch, seemingly able to burn through walls, spanning hundreds of meters!

"We have distinguished guests."

Murong Daoye suddenly said, "Invite them over."

"Ah?"

Steward Duan was slightly taken aback, pondered for a moment, then proceeded to the front hall.

Meanwhile, a few hundred meters away from the Murong Mansion, in a three-story tavern, two women were sitting by a window, a few simple dishes placed on the table before them.

They were looking towards the direction of the Murong Mansion.

Suddenly!

One of the women appeared as though struck by lightning, her body shuddered, quickly withdrawing her gaze, slightly panting, a hint of apprehension flashing deep within her eyes.

"Lord, what is it?"

The woman opposite asked quietly.

This was none other than Zong Zhulan, Marshal of the Vermilion Bird Bureau.

And the woman just now, with brows like willow leaves and phoenix-shaped eyes, her snow-white skin dotted with shallow spots that added a distinctive beauty, was the Vermilion Bird Lord!

"That old patriarch has noticed us."

The Vermilion Bird Lord said softly.

"Ah?"

Zong Zhulan's heart trembled.

Their location was a few hundred meters from the Murong Mansion.

Without any extra movements, just a glance in that direction, they were discovered by Murong Daoye?

Zong Zhulan couldn't help but ask, "What cultivation is Murong Daoye at, could it be…"

"The Four Great Clans all have Grandmaster-level practitioners, yet never acted for so many years; what realm they've reached, none knows."

The Vermilion Bird Lord said firmly, "This member of the Murong family was once hailed as the War God, the leading figure beneath the Transformation Realm, with years passed, even reaching the Transformation Realm is not impossible."

Zong Zhulan nodded, saying, "No wonder His Majesty wants to personally invite him to emerge."

The Vermilion Bird Lord remained silent.

His Majesty's purpose for this visit was certainly not limited to this.

...

Murong Mansion's front hall.

Steward Duan quickly returned, glancing at Murong Hou, then at the pair of man and woman behind him. He cleared his throat softly, saying, "The old patriarch asks the distinguished guest to move to the Inner Courtyard."

When Murong Daoye spoke of distinguished guests, it surely wasn't referring to Murong Hou.

It was most likely these two!

Murong Hou was slightly taken aback.

Yet the man in cloth chuckled lightly, saying, "In that case, I'll trouble the steward."

"Let's go."

With that, the man in cloth took the woman's hand beside him, following Steward Duan towards the Inner Courtyard of the Murong Mansion.

The others wanted to follow, but the man in cloth waved his hand, gesturing for them to stay where they were.

Soon after, the pair followed Steward Duan to the Inner Courtyard.

An old man, eight feet tall, with a beard like a halberd was already standing there, a pavilion beside, furnished with tables and chairs, upon which tea cups were already set.

Upon seeing the man in cloth, Murong Daoye stepped forward, slightly raised his hand, saying, "It's an honor to have Your Majesty grace us with your presence; this old man has been in seclusion for years and couldn't welcome you from afar, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

This man in cloth turned out to be the current Emperor of Qian Country, Yuan Qingshan!

Yuan Qingshan smiled slightly, saying, "Old patriarch, you're too kind. You are a predecessor; this unannounced visit in disguise was a bit abrupt on my part, hope you don't take offense."

Even as the Emperor, Yuan Qingshan remained courteous and humble, without any pride, before this long-revered War God of Qian Country.

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