Bringing up this matter on his own, Li Daoqiang couldn't help but ponder it again privately.
The Huang family's vendetta had a massive background, and cooperation could come in a few years.
This was news from Bai Xiaosheng, given to him by the Twin Dragon Heads of the Green Dragon Society.
He had been recommended into the society by the Twin Dragon Heads, so it was only natural they knew his identity.
He wasn't worried about his identity being exposed either; in fact, he preferred these ambitious figures seeking him out.
This time, he had asked the Green Dragon Society to investigate Dongfang Bai's whereabouts, originally intending to surprise Huang Xuemei.
Unexpectedly, the Twin Dragon Heads had emerged.
It could be surmised that this Twin Dragon Head had no small ambitions, and the talk of cooperation in a few years was no simple matter.
Whether it was the deep secrets of the Huang family's vendetta or this cooperation,
Both led Li Daoqiang to decide not to rush into avenging Huang Xuemei.
The reason wasn't complicated—the Twin Dragon Head's words made him feel the inner workings might be deeper than he had imagined.
Come to think of it, his understanding of the pinnacle powerhouse level and the celestial realm above it was far too limited.
He wasn't even entirely sure where his own true strength stood.
He only felt it shouldn't be weaker than someone just entering the legendary celestial realm.
But without full confirmation, he couldn't rely solely on that feeling.
Add to that his lack of insight into the deep secrets involved, and he certainly wouldn't take risks lightly.
Waiting a few years was the best choice.
At the same time, it served as a push for Huang Xuemei.
People, after all, advance quickly when forced.
Without a little pressure, even they might not realize how formidable they are.
It would also bring him closer to her.
Thus, with multiple benefits at once, Li Daoqiang naturally chose this path.
After holding Huang Xuemei for a few dozen breaths in a warm embrace, Li Daoqiang began fulfilling his duties as a husband.
Perhaps one of those benefits had already taken effect.
Huang Xuemei offered little resistance.
Another prolonged battle of wind and rain ensued.
Though Huang Xuemei's current skill and cultivation base were inferior to Wang Yuyan's,
Her resilience and unwavering will far surpassed Wang Yuyan's.
So she remained Li Daoqiang's greatest adversary.
It took considerable effort and energy before Li Daoqiang won that war.
The toil and struggle involved were not for outsiders to know.
The night passed, and the new year officially began.
Black Dragon Stronghold seemed to brim with renewed vitality, an intangible momentum quietly taking shape.
Li Daoqiang didn't do much more, spending time with his women as much as possible and urging them to train.
Especially the two little lambs.
On the other side, he mainly kept an eye on Xiangyang and the Zhongnan Mountains.
Both were places likely to yield him great benefits.
Just after the Lantern Festival, news arrived from Xiangyang.
Guo Jing and his wife, along with the Quanzhen Sect, had widely issued hero invitations to the major sects and righteous forces of the Song Kingdom.
The content was brief, simply calling on heroes to gather and discuss aiding Xiangyang City in resisting the Yuan Kingdom's attack.
Reading the news, Li Daoqiang's eyes lit up.
The opportunity to gain benefits seemed to have arrived.
Of course, while it appeared to be an opportunity, the actual outcome would depend on the specifics at the time.
It wasn't that simple.
For one, the fact that Guo Jing and his wife, along with the Quanzhen Sect, were issuing widespread invitations showed that this Yuan Kingdom offensive was no small matter.
Moreover, in a world where power resided in individuals,
Guo Jing and his wife's strength alone wasn't enough to issue such widespread invitations, hence the inclusion of the Quanzhen Sect.
But nominally, Guo Jing and his wife were the primary organizers, with Wang Chongyang showing no intention of stepping forward.
Given their strength and influence, they could at most rally ordinary grandmaster and top-tier experts.
The conflict between the Yuan and Song Kingdoms, however, involved far more than these two levels of experts.
Exactly how powerful the beings drawn in would be depended on the scale and objectives of this war.
In short, this hero gathering was far from as simple as in the original story.
Just how deep the waters ran would only become clear once events unfolded.
Of course, before that, Li Daoqiang had a decent information channel to gather news.
After waiting a few days, the news arrived.
"To the Great Chieftain, personally read:
Upon receiving the Great Chieftain's orders, I dared not slacken in the slightest, sparing no effort to gather relevant information.
As of now, under Hong Qigong's command, the Beggar's Sect has reached a consensus to fully assist Guo Jing and Huang Rong in hosting this hero gathering. Hong Qigong himself will attend.
This hero gathering is likely of great significance.
The root cause is intelligence suggesting that this Yuan Kingdom offensive is unusual.
Hence, such a stir has been raised.
...
Rest assured, Great Chieftain, I will keep a close watch on this matter and report any findings to you immediately.
Min."
After reading the letter, Li Daoqiang had a clearer picture.
As he had thought, this hero gathering was no simple affair.
But the more complex and chaotic it was, the more it indicated the wealth of benefits within.
Fortune always came from taking risks.
And with Kang Min, a spy of considerable skill, means, and status, Li Daoqiang felt he could test the waters.
After all, no matter how deep the waters, as long as he kept his greed in check, they wouldn't drown him now.
Having made his decision, he didn't set off immediately.
Wu Xingyun's skills still needed a few days to recover.
Some of his targets were also still in preparation, so Li Daoqiang wasn't pressed for time.
Five days later.
Wu Xingyun had fully recovered, and Li Daoqiang could sense she had grown a bit stronger.
Few among the top-tier experts could match her.
But without resolving her inner turmoil and obsession, she couldn't advance further.
That was up to her.
The next day, Li Daoqiang sent Wu Xingyun back to the Spirit Vulture Palace.
Without him around, Black Dragon Stronghold had no one to keep Wu Xingyun in check.
Given her temperament, who knew what she might do.
So he didn't want her staying at the stronghold while he was away.
Fortunately, Wu Xingyun also wanted to return to the Spirit Vulture Palace and cooperated willingly.
Then, Li Daoqiang set out with Ding Chunqiu, Duan Yanqing, Blood Saber Old Ancestor, Kou Zhong, and Yun Zhonghe toward Xiangyang.
Ding Dian was left to guard Black Dragon Stronghold, and Huang Xuemei was persuaded to stay and help hold the fort for a while.
With Wang Yuyan, now at the level of a normal grandmaster, added in,
This force was enough to secure Black Dragon Stronghold.
On the main road, Li Daoqiang led the five at a leisurely pace.
Mainly because he was waiting for news.
Two days later.
A message arrived: they had found the Heartless Valley.
Li Daoqiang smiled slightly. Finally, one target was located.
He changed direction and headed for the Heartless Valley.
Though it deviated somewhat from Xiangyang's direction, the distance wasn't too great, and there was plenty of time.
A few days later, the six arrived in a valley.
Li Daoqiang immediately spotted the valley's unique flowers.
Love flowers.
Curious about their peculiar properties,
And whether they might be useful to him,
He had no foolish intention of testing them himself.
"So this is the Heartless Valley. You all know Gongsun Zhi's character. Speak up.
How can we recruit him into Black Dragon Stronghold faster and better?" Li Daoqiang said calmly.
Hearing this, the five behind him showed subtle changes in expression.
But they all quickly began to think.
Li Daoqiang waited patiently.
Coming to the Heartless Valley was, of course, to turn that vicious wolf Gongsun Zhi into a dog.
He had his own ideas on how to do it.
But with such excellent subordinates, why not use them?
What if their methods were better?
Besides, training them to better understand his intentions had always been his goal.
"Great Chieftain."
After two breaths, Ding Chunqiu, now the top vicious dog, stepped forward respectfully. "Gongsun Zhi is ruthless and shameless, and surely fears death above all.
In my humble opinion, if we beat him half to death, he'll obediently join Black Dragon Stronghold."
Duan Yanqing and the others glanced at Ding Chunqiu, a hint of oddness in their eyes.
Wasn't he describing himself?
Ding Chunqiu had long grown immune to such looks, pretending not to notice.
"And if he offers money to buy his life?" Li Daoqiang asked flatly.
Ding Chunqiu paused slightly, and the others were speechless.
So it was about having it both ways.
Good.
That fit their view of the Great Chieftain perfectly.
"Great Chieftain, Gongsun Zhi isn't righteous and has no backing.
Even if we take him directly, it shouldn't matter. The news likely won't spread," Ding Chunqiu said cautiously.
"Foolish. I set the rules myself, and now you want me to break them?
Break them once, and there'll be a second and more. If word gets out one day, won't it ruin my reputation?" Li Daoqiang said coldly.
Ding Chunqiu shrank back, immediately saying with reverence, "I was wrong. Please punish me, Great Chieftain."
Inside, like Duan Yanqing and the others, he was utterly exasperated.
But having heard Li Daoqiang's earlier words, they understood one thing.
This was one of Li Daoqiang's strengths.
Sticking to the rules.
Even if those rules seemed ridiculous.
Li Daoqiang ignored Ding Chunqiu's plea and waited.
These were all talents he valued; there was no need to hide his intentions.
Only then could they better grasp his thoughts and act accordingly.
"Great Chieftain, how about I go provoke him and let Gongsun Zhi injure me?
That way, you'd have a good reason to take him in," Blood Saber Old Ancestor quickly suggested.
A hint of a smile appeared at the corner of Li Daoqiang's mouth.
Entrapment. He liked it.
That was the way.
"Good. Anyone else have a good idea?"
Li Daoqiang's tone carried a hint of encouragement.
Duan Yanqing kept his eyes down, showing no intention of speaking.
Yun Zhonghe frowned at Duan Yanqing; years of awe kept him from daring to speak up.
Kou Zhong hesitated inwardly. Such matters didn't sit well with him.
But thinking of Gongsun Zhi's character from the intelligence,
(Chapter 1.)
...