......
Meanwhile.
Second Circle.
In a certain secret chamber.
The half-naked man's body lit up with streaks of light.
Looking closely, it was a vivid dragon-shaped tattoo.
As the light flared.
The dragon's head detached from the man's shoulder; the fury in its eyes solidified and dripped golden flames.
It opened its mouth and a woman's voice rang proudly: "Minglong!!!"
The man opened his eyes; golden pupils gleamed, lighting the dim room."What's wrong, Ling'er?"
The golden dragon turned its head to look at Dong Minglong. In its proud voice there was a touch of sorrow: "Brother... it... was killed by someone!"
Dong Minglong frowned.
Killing intent rose in his gaze: "Who!?"
"Dared to kill a dragon of our Dragon Keeper Clan, the Dong family!?"
The golden dragon bowed its head. "I don't know, but it should be in the Third Circle..."
Years ago, when the Dragon Keeper Clan's ancient ancestor risked everything to ascend and flee to the Second Circle, he couldn't take many dragon breeds or dragon eggs with him, so he left many dragons with less-than-stellar potential in the Third Circle.
Among them was a nest of two eggs.
The golden one became the golden dragon now on Dong Minglong's shoulder.
The other egg hatched into the Hairy Dragon that had been suppressing the national calamity in Wei Gao!
Dong Minglong rose slowly.
He stared ahead; a hint of amusement flashed in his eyes, and he sneered coldly: "The Third Circle, huh, Ling'er. Rest assured—I will avenge your brother. Whoever the killer is, I'll make them pay blood for blood!"
Although back then his ancestor had left the dragon egg behind because he couldn't carry it,
that did not change the fact that the Hairy Dragon belonged to the Dong family!
If the Hairy Dragon committed evil while high mountains and distant emperors prevented Dong family interference, fine—they had no control then. But to kill the Hairy Dragon...
That was an affront to the Dragon Keeper Clan's dignity. Whoever did it must pay.
"But the Third Circle is currently only open for exit, not entry, we..."
The dragon spirit coiled around Dong Minglong and spoke.
The man's mouth curved slowly: "I have a way. Didn't the Su Family keep pressuring the Third Circle Great Han to hand over the killers who slaughtered their bloodline?"
The Su Family was the clan where Di She's father belonged.
Dong Minglong continued: "Because of the Great Han's formidable power in the Second Circle, they held back for now, but holding back doesn't mean swallowing it."
"I will go find them. When they capture their murderer, we will kill our enemy."
"But the Great Han's stance has always been tough. Our previous patriarch tried to negotiate, attempted to send people back into the Third Circle to reclaim our lost dragon breeds and dragon eggs, yet each time the Great Han pushed them back. They probably won't agree this time either, right?"
The dragon spirit's words made Dong Minglong shake his head: "The Third Circle isn't just the Great Han. Although the Third Circle countries formed an alliance after entering the Second Circle,
not every heart is aligned. Someone will always be restless. With the right price, someone will be tempted."
The golden dragon looked at the man: "Thank you, Minglong."
"No need to thank me, Ling'er. Your affairs are my affairs."
Having said that, Dong Minglong strode out of the secret chamber.
At the same time.
Third Circle, Wei Gao.
With the Hairy Dragon's death, the once-stable national calamity erupted explosively.
From a high vantage, one would see these national calamities spewing out and merging into every part of Wei Gao.
By itself, it would not immediately cause massive harm to ordinary people.
But once the national calamity burst forth,
it would usher in upheaval; where chaos rises, warlords are forged, and turbulent times create heroes.
Whether they were heroes or tyrants, two tigers cannot share one mountain. When there are many such figures, resentment breeds easily.
Someone will dislike you, you will dislike them back.
Conflict is inevitable.
Lu Ding emerged from deep within the demon-suppressing site, his speed erupting to its peak.
Finally he stepped out from a dim corner.
He met An Wuyang, who had been waiting for a long time; they exchanged a glance, their tacit understanding requiring no words.
Beside An Wuyang stood a bewildered Kim Gyeong-joo and a composed Kim Yeon-ju.
They turned and walked out.
Gong Cang rushed over, breathless as he asked, "Officer Clark, have you seen our master Nam-won?"
Lu Ding turned: "Huh? Mr. Kim hasn't returned yet? I don't know. He went inside the restriction. I couldn't follow."
Gong Cang pondered this for a long while after hearing it.
Indeed, Clark couldn't have gone in; that restriction was terrifying. Even if Heavenly Perception entered, it would likely be disastrous.
Gong Cang hurriedly bowed his head: "Apologies, Mr. Clark, for being presumptuous. Please leave this place first. It will be dangerous here later."
"It's fine."
Lu Ding replied and led his people outward.
Watching his retreating figure, Gong Cang remained lost in thought, then—uncharacteristically—forced a self-mocking laugh.
"Clark couldn't get in, but Lu Ding could..."
Who didn't know about the Whaleguard Island matter?
But Gong Cang didn't intend to tear off the mask.
Though Kim Nam-won was the formal head of Tianxing Group,
for matters outside the absolute core, Gong Cang handled everything in one hand.
Kim Nam-won wasn't dumb, but Gong Cang was smarter.
How could he not sense something off about Lu Ding?
He was simply powerless.
Even if he belonged to Heavenly Perception, there were things he couldn't do and decisions he could not influence.
This was a great-power game;
Tianxing Group was merely one of the sacrifices.
Besides... his loyalty wasn't to Kim Nam-won as a person, but to the position of Tianxing Group's ruler!!!
If he rashly exposed a rift with Lu Ding, he'd only invite doom upon Tianxing Group.
To put it bluntly.
Tianxing Group's strong Heavenly Perception agents were the upper limit; having a meticulous steward who managed both external and internal affairs like Gong Cang was the lower limit.
Kim Nam-won stood awkwardly in the middle—neither the strongest warrior nor the best manager.
So if he died, Tianxing Group would be thrown into chaos, but another ruler would eventually take his place.
If Gong Cang died, the group's foundation would shake: where would they find someone both loyal to Tianxing Group, trusted by the higher-ups, capable of handling matters, and familiar with both great and small affairs?
Gong Cang understood this clearly; Lu Ding had noticed it too.
After leaving Tianxing Group,
he stopped and, without looking back, asked the two sisters behind him: "Who wants to go speak with Gong Cang?"
Kim Gyeong-joo: "Talk about what?"
Kim Yeon-ju: "I'll go."
At that moment, the difference between them was again clear.
One moved outward; the other stayed inward.
This errand could be dangerous, but she showed no hesitation.
She left one sentence: "Mr. Lu, please forgive my boldness in addressing you like this. If I die, will you take my ashes to the Great Han and scatter them on the wind atop a high mountain so I can finally see sights I never have?"
"Of course."
Upon hearing that, Kim Yeon-ju took her last step and disappeared from sight.
Kim Gyeong-joo's emotions were tangled.
How could she be so foolish...
Doing everything so poorly...
She could understand things in an instant; why couldn't she figure this out no matter how she thought...
The girl felt dejected.
Lu Ding saw her like that and smiled comfortingly: "Everyone has their own strengths. If you want to strive, then give it your all and do your best."
"Leave the rest to fate; learn to be content and find joy."
Big truths—everyone knows them; they tend to feel hollow. But those words came from Lu Ding, and Kim Gyeong-joo heard them.
People are different; the degree they touch the heart varies.
A god actually comforted me...
Kim Gyeong-joo lifted her head, eyes shining as she looked at Lu Ding: "Great deity... and you, what are you good at?"
"Me?"
Lu Ding actually thought for a moment: "We're talking about you right now."
An Wuyang:......
Kim Gyeong-joo:......