The Black Dragon Stronghold was right before him. Feeling like he was coming home, Li Daoqiang was in a good mood and felt like teasing the drama queen again.
He spoke with a straight face.
Wanwan widened her starry eyes, her delicate face looking aggrieved as if she might cry, and asked, "Why?"
Her expressions, gestures, tone, and voice were much more natural than a few days ago.
Clearly, after a short period of extensive practice, Wanwan's acting skills had improved further.
"They are my wives, and you're not. If they bully you, you just have to take it." Li Daoqiang glanced at the drama queen, who was showing signs of evolution, and said matter-of-factly.
Wanwan pouted, her face full of defiance and grievance, looking at Li Daoqiang with a pitiful expression.
She seemed to be saying, "I'm very unhappy. If you don't comfort me soon, I'll cry."
Li Daoqiang smiled, completely unconcerned, and walked toward Wang Yuyan and Ding Dian, who had come out of the stronghold to greet him.
"Husband!"
Before he had taken a few steps, Wang Yuyan let out a sweet cry and, like a gust of wind, threw herself into Li Daoqiang's arms with a blur of motion.
Her powerful momentum carried a fragrant breeze.
Li Daoqiang caught Wang Yuyan with a smile. Her soft body, along with her natural cushioning, absorbed the impact.
Nearby, Wanwan, as well as newcomers like Bi Xuan and Ouyang Feng, all subtly changed their expressions as they watched Wang Yuyan, who seemed completely unconcerned about others' gazes.
This woman's strength!
Suddenly, they shared a tacit understanding.
They might have underestimated the strength of the Black Dragon Stronghold.
This strength wasn't Li Daoqiang's personal power but that of the stronghold aside from him.
For example, this woman was clearly at the grandmaster level.
Never underestimate the importance of the Black Dragon Stronghold's strength.
No matter how strong Li Daoqiang was, he was just one person.
But a powerhouse like him, combined with a sufficiently strong force, would have more than double the influence of Li Daoqiang alone.
Almost simultaneously, they began to scrutinize the members of the Black Dragon Stronghold more carefully.
"Husband, you're finally back." Wang Yuyan buried her face in Li Daoqiang's chest, speaking with a coquettish tone full of dependence.
Since their marriage, Wang Yuyan, who lacked a sense of security to some extent, had unconsciously shifted her focus to Li Daoqiang.
She regarded him as her support.
Even though she herself was already a grandmaster and had a powerful force backing her.
Li Daoqiang, who was well aware of this, was naturally satisfied. He patted her head gently and said with a tender smile, "Alright, alright. You're grown up, why are you still acting like a child?"
Wang Yuyan shook her head shyly, indicating she wouldn't have it.
"Greetings, Chief!"
At that moment, Ding Dian and the others approached and bowed.
"No need for formalities." Li Daoqiang waved his hand casually.
Then, with one arm around Wang Yuyan's slender waist and the other not favoring anyone, he wrapped it around Qifang, who had been brought out by Wang Yuyan and was blushing shyly, leading the way into the stronghold.
When they reached the Assembly Hall, Wang Yuyan and Qifang had already returned to the inner courtyard.
After arranging for Bi Xuan, Wanwan, and the others to be settled, Li Daoqiang began handling the affairs of the Black Dragon Stronghold.
First, he listened to reports from Ding Dian and the others.
Then, he introduced Ouyang Feng, Geshutian, and Gongsun Zhi.
Finally, he issued a series of orders.
The most urgent task was to annex the Tianyu Palace.
The Tianyu Palace had been passed down for many years and was already a deeply rooted and powerful force.
Annexing it was no simple matter.
It would take time and a large amount of manpower and resources to fully absorb it.
"Hall Master Ding, Duan Yanqing, Blood Knife, Lü Tengkong, Wang Lin, Kou Zhong, take twenty brothers at the Xiantian realm and a thousand brothers from the stronghold to accompany Brother Ge in handling the affairs of the Tianyu Palace," Li Daoqiang commanded.
"Yes." Ding Dian and the others responded in unison.
They understood the importance of this matter. Even Ding Dian, who could be considered Li Daoqiang's most trusted confidant, was leaving the stronghold for the first time.
But for this major task, having Ding Dian take charge was the most suitable, as he could coordinate all aspects.
After a moment of thought, Li Daoqiang looked at Ouyang Feng and said with a smile, "Brother Ouyang, I'll trouble you to make the trip."
After some consideration, he decided to send Ouyang Feng.
After all, the Tianyu Palace had a long history. Relying solely on Ding Dian and Duan Yanqing might not be enough to fully suppress the situation.
With Ouyang Feng there, it would be different. Coupled with the injured Geshutian, who had to rely on the Black Dragon Stronghold, the annexation of the Tianyu Palace would go smoothly.
"Yes."
Ouyang Feng paused briefly before agreeing.
Although he had just obtained the *Nine Yin Manual* and wanted to go into seclusion, this was his first mission since joining the Black Dragon Stronghold, so he couldn't refuse.
Li Daoqiang nodded in satisfaction and continued, "As for the White Camel Mountain, Brother Ouyang, you can decide how to handle it. If you need to send a message, find Wang Lin."
"Yes, thank you, Chief." Ouyang Feng gave a slight bow, understanding that this was a gesture of respect from Li Daoqiang.
A comparison with Geshutian's Tianyu Palace made it clear.
After issuing a few more orders, Li Daoqiang dismissed everyone to their tasks.
He then began reviewing the various detailed matters that had accumulated over the past period.
An hour later, Ding Dian and the others descended the mountain.
In fact, regarding the annexation of the Tianyu Palace, Li Daoqiang had already ordered Ding Dian and the others to prepare earlier.
Now that Li Daoqiang had returned to the Black Dragon Stronghold to take charge and Geshutian had arrived, they could act immediately.
In fact, a considerable number of people had already set out ahead of time.
After another hour or so, having reviewed some of the more significant matters that had been separated out, Li Daoqiang returned to the inner courtyard to see his wives.
First, he went to Huang Xuemei.
Arriving at her courtyard, the familiar sound of a zither reached his ears.
Li Daoqiang didn't disturb her but listened quietly until Huang Xuemei stopped playing.
Only then did he approach with a gentle smile and say, "Xuemei, I'm back."
Just six simple words. Huang Xuemei's eyes flickered for a moment before she quickly masked it, maintaining her usual cold demeanor.
Even toward Li Daoqiang, she exuded an air of distance.
Li Daoqiang didn't mind—or rather, he was used to it. He stepped forward and hugged her, ignoring her slight struggle.
Taking a deep breath of her intoxicating fragrance, he whispered sincerely, "Xuemei, I missed you."
"Heh."
Huang Xuemei seemed to think of something, curling her lips in a disdainful sneer.
It was as if she was saying she didn't believe a word.
But instead of being angry, Li Daoqiang was pleased. A reaction was better than none.
His acting skills, honed over the past few days with that little vixen and now seemingly reaching a new level, kicked in. He grabbed one of Huang Xuemei's jade-like hands and placed it over his heart, saying earnestly, "Xuemei, don't you believe me? Feel my heart. I haven't told a single lie. After finishing my work, I came to see you first."
Huang Xuemei looked away uncomfortably, avoiding his sincere and burning gaze, and snorted coldly, "With so many beauties out there, you'd miss me? Do you think I'd fall for that?"
"Xuemei, are you jealous?" Li Daoqiang's eyes lit up with surprise.
"I'm not interested, and I'm not bored. I'm just telling you to save your breath. I don't have time to play games with you." Huang Xuemei said coldly and indifferently.
Her meaning was clear: don't bother me. Spare me the sweet talk. I don't buy it.
Li Daoqiang, of course, didn't believe her. Women—who doesn't like sweet talk?
They only say one thing but mean another.
That included Huang Xuemei, especially since she had once willingly married him.
Holding her tightly, his expression showed no anger, only deeper affection and seriousness. He said solemnly, "Xuemei, no matter what you say, I have to tell you this. There are countless beauties in the world, but there is only one Huang Xuemei. I love you."
"Maybe it wasn't love at first, just possession. But since we married and I've come to know you better, I understand my heart. I love you. You don't have to believe me, but you can't stop me from being good to you. You are my wife, legally wedded, meant to spend a lifetime with me, bear my children, and walk through life together. No one can take you away from me."
Without a hint of awkwardness, Li Daoqiang poured out a string of heartfelt words.
Thinking about it, he felt a bit grateful to Wanwan.
He had evolved too.
(There's another short chapter coming. You can read it tomorrow.)
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