"I look forward to seeing Lady Aureliand again at His Highness's wedding!"
Wu Xiong Yi left these words behind, and with his formidable guards and the two ruthless killers, one big and one small, he departed from Linhu Residence.
Gazing in the direction where Wu Xiong Yi and his men had departed, Aurelian Dragon gradually fell into deep thought. The light guns designed by Wu Xiong Yi had greatly impressed him. He had used the "magic cannon" designed by Master Gui, and these so-called light guns were simply miniature versions of the "magic cannon." Although their power was somewhat reduced, they were small, exquisite, and easy to carry. If they could be used on a large scale in war, they would be a terrifying force.
Fortunately, such weapons are very difficult to manufacture, time-consuming and labor-intensive. Wu Xiongyi claimed that only his guards were equipped with light guns. Aurelian Dragon naturally did not believe him, but it is estimated that the number should not be very large.
"What exactly is the military's intelligence department doing? It seems they've never provided any useful information, not even a whisper of something this big. Maybe they're just trying to curry favor with Prince Elnario?"
Aurelian Dragon recalled what she had encountered recently. When things happened, the intelligence department seemed to be invisible, only releasing flimsy reports and documents afterward. The military intelligence department still hadn't provided any explanation for Rou Niang's ordeal or the assassination attempt on her and Gilmans late at night. However, the spies Shi Yixin had planted had obtained some useful clues.
It was at this moment that Aurelian Dragon began to have the idea that he should have his own trustworthy intelligence network so that he could be prepared before an incident occurred.
It seems I need to make some careful plans when I get back, and start recruiting people to set up my own intelligence network. If I want to live a more comfortable life, it's better to do this sooner rather than later.
Aurelian Dragon secretly made up her mind, then put on what she thought was her most charming smile and walked toward the terrified mistress. If she didn't comfort her now, when would she?
※ ※ ※
A ferocious and menacing giant appeared before the usually quiet Feifeng Mansion. He had wild, unruly hair, a tangled beard, eyes like copper bells, a gaping maw and a lion's nose, and was bare-chested, revealing his bronze skin that was covered in mounds of hair. He was over eight feet tall and looked like a savage, making people shudder at the sight of him.
The savage looked up at the sky, then at the plaque of Feifeng Mansion, grinned with his blood-red mouth, and stepped onto the steps of Feifeng Mansion.
The guards at the gate immediately stepped forward to block his way, shouting, "Who are you? This isn't a place you can just walk around in!"
"Hi!"
The roar was like thunder, making people's eardrums feel like they were going to burst. The savage suddenly attacked, grabbing two of his servants by the chest and lifting them up.
As the two retainers were flailing their arms and legs, just as they were about to struggle, they suddenly felt a tightness in their chests. It turned out that the savage's large hands and long fingers had gripped their clothes, and the spot where his fingers touched their vital points was right on their chests, instantly shutting down all their power.
"Let go! How dare you cause trouble in front of General Feifeng's residence!"
The two guards felt weak all over and could only shout and curse.
"Hey, isn't this Dragon Boy's house?"
The savage paused for a moment, his arm suddenly went limp, and the two guards' feet finally touched the ground again. They quickly reached out and grabbed one of the savage's wrists, trying to pry and push, but it was like a dragonfly trying to shake a tree; the savage's arm did not budge.
"Hey you two, are you kidding me?"
The savage seemed to have thought of something again, and with a wave of his hand, he grabbed the two poor servants in mid-air once more.
"Is this really not Dragon Boy's home? Then where does he live?"
Seeing that the two guards were struggling and ignoring his questions, the savage became furious. He shook the two guards violently, making the two poor men dizzy.
"Never mind, I'll just wait for him here!"
The savage made up his mind, tossed aside his two servants, strode to the gate of the mansion, looked around, and suddenly made a surprising move.
At the entrance of Feifeng Mansion stood two enormous stone lions, each weighing over a thousand pounds. This savage managed to move both lions, one in each hand, to the gate, completely blocking the two doors. He then sat down on one of the lions, placing his feet on top of the other.
The two servants got up and looked at the situation, secretly groaning. Just who was this unreasonable fellow? He was so powerful; it seemed he could easily pull back a running bull and lift a thousand-pound boulder.
Unfortunately, Phoenix Vane and the others were all out at that moment, and there wasn't a single person in the manor who could rival this guy. What could they do?
Although Feifeng Mansion is located in a quiet, upscale residential area, surrounded by the mansions of princes and nobles, and few commoners would pass by here, after this incident, a considerable crowd of onlookers gradually gathered in front of Feifeng Mansion.
"Brother, you've developed a very strong and robust physique, as solid as a mountain. You must have put in a lot of hard work! May I ask your name? And why are you causing trouble here?"
Garrick Stonewall calmly walked toward the savage and stepped onto the stairs. The savage remained silent and motionless, like a stone man, his copper-bell eyes unblinking, seemingly not taking the giant general before him seriously at all.
Garrick Stonewall approached and saw that the savage remained silent and motionless, as if he were a person without any awareness. He couldn't help but feel angry and was about to reach out when he heard a thunderclap.
"stop!"
Without any warning, the savage suddenly appeared in front of Garrick Stonewall, his massive arm outstretched to block him. He was even more muscular than Stonewall, yet his agility was a complete surprise to everyone.
"You're not Dragon Boy, get off!"
Surprised by the savage-like giant's agile movements, Garrick Stonewall suppressed his displeasure, reached out and pushed aside the savage's massive arm, shouting, "How rude! This is not a place for you to run wild. Get out of here!"
The last word still echoed in his ears as his hand gripped the savage's wrist, shaking and pulling, wanting to teach the savage a lesson.
"Hmm!" the savage uttered softly, his hands crossed over, and his thick hands, like iron hoops, gripped one of Garrick Stonewall's arms. The force of this grip was immense; anyone else would have had their bones crushed.
"Impressive skills!"
Garrick Stonewall sneered, unleashing his extraordinary skills and becoming as hard as metal and stone. Then, with two loud "thuds," two punches weighing over a thousand pounds landed on the savage's left and right ribs.
With a roar like a tiger, the savage managed to withstand Garrick Stonewall's heavy punch, demonstrating that he possessed a kind of invulnerable martial art, such as the Iron Shirt or Golden Bell Cover, making him impervious to blows. Ordinary heavy blows would be no match for him.
With a burst of savage energy, he unexpectedly grabbed Garrick Stonewall by the waist and lifted him up, tossing him down the steps like a stone. He then rushed up and, before Garrick Stonewall could regain his footing, pounced on him wildly again.
Garrick Stonewall was also over two meters tall, but not as muscular and robust as his opponent. This test revealed his opponent's immense strength, making him a rare powerhouse in his life, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement and a desire to fight. He pushed aside the grabbing hand, gripped the opponent's wrist, and with a swift, spun spin and a low back throw, he delivered a powerful back throw.
The savage reacted incredibly quickly, immediately taking a deep breath, rooting himself firmly to the ground, pressing one knee firmly against Garrick Stonewall's thigh, and pulling backward forcefully, instantly turning the two into a wrestling match.
The two were both incredibly strong giants. Their struggle caused the bluestone slabs beneath their feet to shatter into powder, drawing cheers from the onlookers.
Garrick Stonewall, having tested the savage's strength and finding it to be comparable to his own, ceased his pursuit and instead delivered a powerful elbow strike to the savage's left ribs. At the same time, he himself was struck by the savage's palm strike, and the two figures separated.
"Are you one of Dragon Boy's men? Come on, let's have another match!"
The savage roared and charged forward again, like a wild bull.
Garrick Stonewall unleashed his full skill, his punches flying like lightning, landing four heavy blows on the savage's chest almost simultaneously, forcing him to stagger backward. But these blows only fueled the savage's ferocity. Before Garrick Stonewall could retract his attack, a vicious straight palm strike landed on his shoulder, causing Garrick Stonewall to stumble.
"General Zuo, be careful! Have a good fight with him and see how strong he really is!"
Amidst the cheers of the crowd, a heavenly voice reached Garrick Stonewall's ears. He knew who the voice belonged to, but he hadn't expected her to be nearby; why hadn't he seen her?
Despite his thoughts, Garrick Stonewall acted swiftly, immediately bracing himself for a fierce and rare opponent before him. He was determined to show the bystander his strength. Four equally thick arms swung through the air, weaving a dense web of flesh, accompanied by the resounding clang of impacts. What a spectacular battle!
The two exchanged over ten blows in quick succession, neither gaining the upper hand. Although Garrick Stonewall had more opportunities to strike, his opponent's protective martial arts were incredibly strong, completely neutralizing these powerful attacks.
※ ※ ※
Aurelian Dragon saw a crowd gathered in front of his home in the distance, with cheers occasionally rising from the crowd. He was very curious and quickly urged his warhorse on.
"Could it be that some traveling performers have set up a performance in front of our mansion? They don't seem to have come to pay their respects here before?"
Listening to the man beside her mutter to himself, Obsidia Shade could only smile bitterly to herself. What else could this man be but a freak? But strangely enough, she was growing to like him more and more. She always encountered many interesting things around him, which made her feel very happy.
If Obsidia Shade initially followed the Aurelian Dragon solely because of an ancient pact, she now completely dedicates her heart to him.
When Aurelian Dragon rode up to him, he realized that the scene was far from what he had imagined, so he quickly jumped off his horse and walked into the circle.
"Stop right there, all of you!"
Just then, the sound of several women laughing and talking came from a carriage not far away. It was an inconspicuous, ordinary carriage; by local standards, it was the kind of carriage that servants of some status would ride in for their convenience.
"Aurelian is back, should we go downstairs?"
"Hehe, let's wait and see how he deals with this savage?"
Upon hearing Aurelian Dragon's powerful shout, the two giants in the midst of their fierce battle separated to the left and right.
Before Garrick Stonewall, his face covered in sweat, could reply to Aurelian Dragon, the savage opposite him stared at Aurelian Dragon with his large, bell-like eyes, then rushed up to him, grinning with his blood-red mouth and shouting, "Dragon boy, it really is you!"
"Huh, who are you...?"
Aurelian Dragon was taken aback, scrutinizing the savage before her. She frantically searched her memory, but her pitiful mental database seemed to contain no record of such a terrifying figure.
"Hahaha, even you don't recognize me!"
The savage enthusiastically stretched out his arms and hugged the Aurelian Dragon tightly. The speed and strength of his embrace immediately made the bewildered man cry out that he couldn't take it.
"Hey, hey, let me go first..."
Aurelian Dragon tried to push away the mountain of flesh in front of her, much to the amusement of the onlookers. With the help of the goddess warriors, Aurelian Dragon finally managed to break free from the enthusiastic embrace.
"Wow, kid Long, you're really something! You've managed to get so many beautiful women around you!"
Looking at the goddess warriors who had set them off, the savage's copper bell eyes gleamed with envy as he spoke to Aurelian Dragon, who was busy tidying her clothes. His expression evoked a sense of déjà vu in some people.
"Hey, your eyes look weird, you big guy... a little scary..."
Aurelian Dragon, who had also noticed the same problem, stared intently at the large man in front of her. Behind her, Obsidia Shade chuckled inwardly: "You should say you're very familiar with it, because you yourself often give others that terrifying look, you just don't realize it."
"Hey, boss, I'm impressed!" The savage broke free from the goddess warriors' grasp, rubbing his head with his giant hand. "Once he's surrounded by a beautiful woman, he forgets even his own name. Besides you, boss, it'd be hard to find another person with that kind of personality!"
"Go to hell, you bastard!" Aurelian Dragon cursed amidst the laughter of the crowd. "Since you acknowledge me as your boss, don't embarrass him. Come inside with me and we'll talk!"
"Yes, yes!" The seemingly fierce, burly man obediently followed Aurelian Dragon up the steps, reminding Aurelian Dragon of his former boss days. Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he turned around and shouted, "You're that good-for-nothing!"
Garrick Stonewall and Obsidia Shade, who were standing nearby, burst into laughter upon hearing this. Who would have such a name? But then something strange happened.
"Ah, boss, you finally remembered me! I'm Fan Tong!" The savage grinned broadly and grabbed Aurelian Dragon's hand, shaking it vigorously.
"Ouch, that hurts!"
After being hit so hard by this big guy, Aurelian Dragon couldn't help but curse again, "You glutton, when did you learn such good skills? I remember that before, besides having a big appetite and being able to eat and drink a lot, you didn't have any other strengths."
Fan Tong quickly released Aurelian Dragon's arm, defending himself by saying, "Boss, you're underestimating me too much. I was the strongest back then!"
Aurelian Dragon punched Fan Tong, "Even if you're strong, you shouldn't do things like this. Why did you block my doorway for no reason?"
Fan Tong laughed awkwardly, "Boss, I'll move them back right away! It was because they said this was General Feifeng's residence, but I heard from others that this is clearly your home, so..."
Aurelian Dragon was both amused and annoyed. He tapped Fan Tong on the shoulder and scolded, "You stupid ox... hehehehe!" He only said one sentence before he started laughing himself.
Watching Fan Tong effortlessly move two stone lions weighing over a thousand pounds back and forth, Aurelian Dragon was secretly astonished. This big guy had made such progress in just a few years. However, he was also very gratified. It was such a joy to have his brother, whom he had grown up with, back by his side.
※ ※ ※
At the Flying Phoenix Palace, Aurelian Dragon escorted Fan Tong to get a proper makeover. When they reappeared before Garrick Stonewall and Obsidia Shade, they immediately gave them a refreshing feeling.
Aurelian Dragon gave Fan Tong a detailed introduction to everyone. Garrick Stonewall joked, "Brother Fan is truly a man of immense strength. I'll definitely need to hire you when I move in the future."
Fan Tong laughed heartily, touching his head and face, which Aurelian Dragon had ordered to be neatly trimmed, and said sincerely, "General Zuo, you are incredibly skilled. I have never met anyone who could fight me hand-to-hand and almost knock me down."
Garrick Stonewall smiled slightly. In fact, he knew very well that he had secretly used some tricks and the temple's secret magic to increase his strength. If it came down to sheer strength, Fan Tong was definitely the best person he had ever met.
"What a gem! Aurelian, was he your former brother?"
A fragrant breeze wafted from behind, and then several incomparably beautiful women appeared before them. The one who spoke was Phoenix Vane, dressed in a moon-white gown, which accentuated her ethereal beauty. Beside her stood Lynette Quill in a lake-green dress and Lyra Draconis in a purple silk gown.
Everyone hurriedly greeted Phoenix Vane and the others, but Fan Tong stared wide-eyed at the stunning beauties before him, finally managing to say to Aurelian Dragon after a long pause, "Boss, are these all your women? Too...too..."
"Bang, bang!"
Two knocking sounds rang out almost simultaneously. Fan Tong rubbed his head and looked at the petite Lyra Draconis with a disgruntled expression, saying in a muffled voice, "It's fine if my boss hits me, but why did you, little girl, hit me?"
Aurelian Dragon laughed and scolded, "What do you mean 'my woman'? You should call her 'sister-in-law'!"
Lyra Draconis retorted angrily, "You big idiot, I'm not this pervert's woman! I'm his creditor!"
Phoenix Vane and Lynette Quill exchanged a smile and went over to sit with Obsidia Shade and the others. Obsidia Shade then recounted Vane's origins in detail.
"Boss, how did you end up owing this little woman a debt?" Fan Tong had barely asked a question when Aurelian Dragon quickly interrupted him. He didn't want to upset the dragon girl; the thought of his weakness being in this demon girl's hands gave him a headache.
"Fan Tong, how did you find this place? Where have you been all these years? Who taught you all this kung fu? And who else?"
Completely bewildered by Aurelian Dragon's barrage of questions, Fan Tong had long forgotten what he had intended to say.
"I've been learning kung fu from my master for the past few years and haven't had any contact with anyone else."
Composing himself, Fan Tong took a letter out of his pocket and handed it to Aurelian Dragon, saying, "This is from my master. He's that strange old man!"
"What? It's that old man!" Aurelian Dragon was taken aback, quickly unfolding the letter and muttering, "What's going on?" He then handed the letter to Phoenix Vane, "Take a look, what does this mean?"
"That's interesting!" Phoenix Vane glanced at the letter, which contained only a few words. "Keep it up, kid! We'll meet again. Here you go, this big guy."
"Aurelian, your master has sent you a powerful expert. Isn't this exactly what you need?" Phoenix Vane glanced at Fan Tong and suddenly asked, "You practice the Jade Embracing Technique, right?"
"This sister-in-law is absolutely right!" Fan Tong nodded repeatedly, looking extremely impressed.
Phoenix Vane blushed slightly. She was surprised by the way she was addressed, but she felt a strange mix of sweetness and embarrassment.
"You big idiot, that's such a vulgar way of addressing me, it's awful!"
Lyra Draconis glared at the fierce-looking man with her beautiful crescent-shaped eyes, leaving Fan Tong feeling bewildered. He wondered what he had done to offend her, as this beautiful young woman seemed to have a grudge against him.
"Those who have practiced the Jade Embracing Technique have their essence, energy, and spirit contained and do not manifest. When touched, they burst forth like thunder. I had only heard of such magical protective true energy, but I did not expect that I would guess it so quickly."
Phoenix Vane's words drew Fan Tong's attention back. He nodded his big head and said, "Yes, yes! Master told me the same thing, saying that once I mastered it, I would be invincible. But when I fought that kid from the Zuo family just now, I didn't gain any advantage. That bastard master must be lying to me again!"
"You've never been this muscular before, have you?" Phoenix Vane smiled slightly and handed the letter back to Aurelian Dragon.
This time, Aurelian Dragon tapped his head vigorously, flattering him, "You're really amazing! You even noticed that. This guy used to be about the same height as me, but now he's more than a head taller than me. In terms of size, I doubt even General Zuo could match him."
Phoenix Vane said coquettishly, "You're only just realizing how amazing I am now! Let me tell you, there's still a lot more I've figured out, but... I won't tell you." Her expression at this moment resembled that of a coquettish woman. Seeing the noble female general reveal such a rare girlish side, not only was Fan Tong, who inherited the same lineage as Aurelian Dragon, completely captivated, but even the usually composed and courteous Garrick Stonewall was momentarily stunned.
It wasn't until a beautiful young woman, clearly annoyed, slammed her hand on the table and shooed everyone away that the conversation returned to its original topic. Garrick Stonewall, somewhat embarrassed, rose to take his leave, and Aurelian Dragon saw him off, leaving the bewildered Fan Tong to face the "interrogation" of the beauties.