In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

Liu Sheng Piaoxu is a female warrior who always stays by Zhang Xiaoshan's side; Manager Feng went to the capital to renovate the Yingbin Building so that Zhang Yuan could take over when he returned.

As for Yuan Ling'er and Yang Xuan? They are two of the eight female sword attendants of the Zhang family.

In just six or seven years, the two women have already broken through to the pinnacle realm, and are even at the minor completion level of the pinnacle realm. This time, they have come to assist Manager Feng.

After all, Bai Feifei was currently cultivating in seclusion in the desert, and Zhang Xiaoshan did not intend to call her back so soon.

Instead, the two girls transformed into valiant sword attendants, practicing the Hundred Flowers Sword Technique. Their martial arts skills were in no way inferior to those of some top-level masters in the martial arts world.

"Young Master, news just arrived from Xingyun Manor that Shangguan Jin Hong intends to take action against Xingyun Manor!"

"Shangguan Jin Hong is going to take action against Xingyun Manor? Is there a reason?"

"Li Xunhuan!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaoshan frowned.

Xingyun Manor is a force he has gathered in the past year, attracted by Long Xiaoyun's ability to make many friends.

Long Xiaoyun is actually not bad either; it's all because of the saying "great kindness turns into enmity"!

After all, the Li family had seven Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) and three Tanhua (third-place winners) from the father and son.

How could Li Xunhuan, who was able to pass the imperial examination as a "third-place scholar," be an idiot? He casually recognized a big brother in the martial arts world and then gave away his fiancée and Li Yuan.

They were all like Long Xiaoyun back then, full of heroic spirit, like Meng Chang of ancient times!

Therefore, Li Xunhuan and Long Xiaoyun can be said to have a mutual respect!

Unaware of Lin Shiyin's identity, Long Xiaoyun also fell in love with her.

Li Xunhuan, who should have been Lin Shiyin's boyfriend, actually chose to give way to Long Xiaoyun and even gave away Li Garden.

Because Li Xunhuan's kindness to Long Xiaoyun was so great, even the former "Meng Chang" Long Xiaoyun could not bear this enormous favor in the face of Li Xunhuan.

Moreover, Long Xiaoyun, who was known as "the best of the best," found it even more difficult to bear after learning the truth!

Thus, the 'hypocrite' Long Xiaoyun emerged.

However, Zhang Xiaoshan didn't care about any of that.

Long Xiaoyun could be used by the Zhang family, while Li Xunhuan was a wandering swordsman who could not be subdued by the Zhang family.

Therefore, in terms of interests, the Zhang family naturally chose Long Xiaoyun.

As for Li Xunhuan?

With Long Xiaoyun possessing strength that surpasses Li Xunhuan's, would he still feel inferior in the face of Li Xunhuan?

No!

Moreover, with the support of the Zhang family, Xingyun Manor has developed rapidly.

In just one year, it became one of the most powerful manors in the northern martial arts world.

Long Xiaoyun practiced the "Absorption Technique" and in just one year, his internal strength improved so rapidly that he became a top-tier master in the martial arts world.

As for the rampant absorption techniques?

The limitation of this technique is that even the peerless realm is the pinnacle, and true masters of top-tier divine techniques, such as those who can practice the Absorbing Power Technique, are limited to those who can truly master it.

If one's true qi is impure, no matter how high one's skill level is, there will be a huge flaw even among peerless masters!

Unless one is like Zhu Wushi, who calms down and cultivates diligently for twenty years to make his skills his own.

What conflict existed between Li Xunhuan and Shangguan Jin Hong?

At this time, Long Xiaoyun's power had greatly increased, and his attitude towards Li Xunhuan had changed.

Just like how money in later generations gave men courage.

Similarly, in the martial arts world, strength is the foundation of a man's confidence in his actions.

"It seems that Li Xunhuan killed several protectors of the Golden Money Gang, but his target should be Xingyun Manor!"

Looking at the intelligence report, Liu Sheng Piaoxu analyzed it briefly, and Zhang Xiaoshan gradually understood what was going on. He then chuckled softly:

"What Long Xiaoyun wants is for the Zhang family to expose their identities so that they can become the backers of Xingyun Manor."

But that's fine too. The Zhang family has nothing to hide, and besides, the status and role of Xingyun Manor will be easier to manage once it's made public.

This matter was immediately reported to Shangguan Jin Hong: if they wanted the Lotus Treasure Mirror, they had to exchange it for something!

"Yes, son!"

The Lotus Flower Treasure Mirror is not some top-tier divine skill or ultimate technique.

At least in Zhang Xiaoshan's eyes, this somewhat mixed manual was not worth his time.

However, this is not something that Shangguan Jin Hong can simply take away; he must at least return something.

"In addition, inform Long Xiaoyun:"

From now on, Xingyun Manor will be one of the Zhang family's subordinate forces, and every move it makes will represent the Zhang family. Therefore, if it crosses the Zhang family's bottom line, the Zhang family will personally clean house.

Furthermore, within Xingyun Manor, various forces have infiltrated the area, especially the Luo Wang (Net of Heaven), and they don't trust any outsiders!

Zhang Xiaoshan still had a very high opinion of Long Xiaoyun.

It's not his ability, but his methods.

Although Long Xiaoyun's scheming may not be particularly clever, he is full of hypocritical pretension, has friends all over the world, and the Zhang family is backing him up.

As long as Long Xiaoyun doesn't court disaster, he can perfectly become the Zhang family's representative in the martial arts world.

Zhang Xiaoshan's purpose was to create public opinion!

After all, public opinion is very important. Although the Zhang family has a good reputation, it still needs to be cultivated.

Undoubtedly, although Long Xiaoyun is not good at business, his reputation management skills, coupled with some public opinion manipulation, make him exactly the kind of talent the Zhang family needs most.

When faced with personal gain, Zhang Xiaoshan didn't care whether he was a hypocrite or a villain.

Chapter 588 Young Master Fusu, Western Shu, Baqing

"Lord Zhao, is the Zhang family's army ahead?"

Before the city of Xianyang, a refined and gentle young man gazed at the slowly approaching procession of carriages in the distance.

As the eldest son of the empire and the future heir to the throne, Fusu's status is second only to the emperor.

But today, to be waiting with Zhao Gao for distinguished guests from afar is an extremely rare and shocking event in Xianyang.

However, those who truly know the whole story understand who Prince Fusu was welcoming.

Zhang family!

They may appear to be a merchant family, but in reality, they are renowned throughout the land.

What everyone fears most is the strength of the Zhang family.

However, these were not the main reasons why Prince Fusu bowed and offered his respects; rather, he wanted to win over the Zhang family's investment in Xianyang.

It is at least a top-tier building that is no less impressive than the Empire State Building!

This was a hint from Qin Shi Huang that he could even forcibly requisition land.

This may seem like a small matter, but it can actually ease the tension within the empire and alleviate the conflicts between the various factions within the empire.

A balance of strictness and leniency is essential for the stable rule of an empire.

As for how to strike a balance, the Zhang family is a good buffer.

Because of the Zhang family's power, no one would easily offend them.

In addition, the luxury spending in top-tier buildings can help alleviate the tension brought on by wartime for most people.

Even Prince Fusu adopted a solemn and respectful attitude towards the Zhang family, even though it was just an "unimportant" Zhang Yuan.

"Reporting to the young master, the one at the front is Zhang Jian, the commander of the guards—the Mad Lion Iron Warrior!"

Rumor has it that this person is obsessed with martial arts to the point of madness, hence the nickname "Mad Lion." His martial arts skills are unfathomable, making him a top master who is half a step into the Grandmaster realm.

The person beside him was his deputy, Zhao Longxiang, who was also a top-notch expert.

He successively served as the leader of the 480 guards at the Zhang Family Trading Company, Zhuxian Town, and Yangzhou Wharf, and was one of the top experts deliberately cultivated by the Zhang Family.

Upon hearing this, Fusu couldn't help but flash a glint of light in his eyes.

A peerless master who was half a Grandmaster was merely the commander of the Zhang family's guards, and in such a manner.

It should be noted that his personal bodyguard was only a master at the peak of the martial arts realm.

Moreover, the ordinary guards behind the two masters were all at the minor stage of physical training, with burly figures over 1.9 meters tall.

It should be noted that a man who is supposed to be seven feet tall is actually only a little over 1.7 meters tall.

Moreover, the Mad Lion Iron Warrior, who is at least 2.23 meters tall, has an imposing height that makes him unapproachable to strangers along the way.

As for the weapons he was equipped with, he had three three-foot-long riot batons at his waist, made of wrought iron, whose power in close combat was in no way inferior to longswords and machetes.

When the three spears are put together, plus a one-foot-long spearhead, they become a spear ten feet long.

It can even transform into a three-section staff for defense, making it less vulnerable to arrow attacks.

"What a gorgeous RV!"

Not only was the carriage made of ancient sandalwood, but the dragon-elephant steed was also exceptionally magnificent.

Although this was no secret in the empire, the rarity of dragon-elephant steeds meant that even Fusu did not have one as his mount.

It wasn't that the empire lacked powerful and capable steeds, but rather that Qin Shi Huang was training him.

Otherwise, if even the eighteenth prince Huhai had one, how could Fusu not?

As the saying goes, "When Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it first tests their resolve and strengthens their body."

Fusu's life wasn't actually difficult; it's just that Qin Shi Huang placed more emphasis on cultivating a spirit of 'lamenting the hardships of the people' in his upbringing.

It means I conquer the world, and you defend it!

So high!

Even Zhao Gao's pupils shrank when he saw the fat man getting off the carriage.

After retraining himself, Zhang Yuan grew two and a half feet taller in just six months thanks to the nourishment from the dragon fish meat, almost reaching the height of Tie Zhan Denggao.

Moreover, the obese figure weighed at least 600 pounds, making it appear extremely large.

Hiss...

Looking at Zhang Yuan's changes, Zhao Gao couldn't help but think of a possibility: Zhang Yuan had cultivated the Wedding Dress Divine Skill.

But it feels impossible.

After all, Zhang Yuan's terrifying physique at this moment, if not a thousand, is at least five hundred, not to mention that he doesn't seem like someone who can endure the pain of the Wedding Dress Divine Skill.

Moreover, how could someone who has lost their cultivation and is starting over be so obese?

The kind of loose, flabby flesh that doesn't resemble a martial artist looks more like that of a pampered landlord.

"Master Zhang?"

At this moment, Fusu was also somewhat stunned; Zhang Yuan's massive size was too oppressive.

It wasn't the oppressive feeling of Tie Zhan or Juexin, but rather a massive physique, at least 500 pounds of fat, equivalent to three men of the same height stacked on top of each other, and even more obese.

"Zhang Yuan, the second son, greets the young master and Lord Zhao!"

One doesn't hit a smiling face, especially when it's a prince of the empire condescending to come. Zhang Yuan felt extremely honored, even flattered.

"Mr. Zhang, it's better to see you in person than to have heard so much about you. I never expected you to be so tall and imposing."

"Hehe, please excuse my rudeness, young master!"

It's not even a child yet, but we've gone to great lengths to improve the old man's health, consuming countless tonics alone.

But this old man is just a businessman. Unlike a martial artist who can strengthen his muscles and bones and build a strong physique, this old man's weight has been increasing by more than 300 pounds in the past few years.

Fortunately, the child possessed extraordinary abilities and used a miraculous medicine to transform him completely.

Even so, this old man now weighs over 700 jin!

Hiss...

Seven hundred catties?