Ten years of dormancy: Starting as a martial arts master at the pinnacle

On the fourth day of the twelfth lunar month in the year of Yi Si, it is auspicious to open a business.

In the Wangfu Street of Kyoto, a bustling crowd gathers in front of a three-story mahogany building.

The sound of firecrackers crackling filled the air, and the area in front of the Tianxiahui headquarters was packed with people, three or four deep.

Lu Bailou, dressed in blue, kept bowing to the guests who came to offer their congratulations.

Thank you for your support!

He was originally the manager of the largest restaurant in Kyoto, and a prominent figure in the entire city.

Those of high status in Kyoto knew that Lu Bailou had another identity.

He was the chief steward of the Prince of Qin's residence.

He was the head of all the external affairs managers in the Prince of Qin's mansion.

Those who wanted to curry favor with the Prince of Qin probably felt closer to him than to their own parents.

However, such a prominent figure has now completely severed ties with the Qin Prince's Mansion.

He became the manager of the World Society headquarters.

In Kyoto, which famous and influential merchant would dare not give Manager Lu face?

They all rushed over to offer their congratulations.

Soon these merchants discovered something that left them speechless.

Logically speaking, Manager Lu and the Prince Qin's Mansion had already severed ties, but the Prince Qin's Mansion's head steward still personally delivered the congratulatory gift.

"Manager Lu, this is a reward from the Prince. Work hard in the Tianxia Society from now on and don't let down the Prince's years of cultivation."

"Grand Steward, please rest assured. I, Lu, will certainly repay Your Highness's kindness with all my might."

The fact that the former employer came to give him a gift is already ridiculous enough.

Most people assumed that the World Society had the King of Qin behind it, and that the King of Qin was its powerful backer.

But soon they discovered that this wasn't the case.

Because after the Grand Steward of the King of Qin, another extraordinary figure arrived.

The eldest son of the Crown Prince, and the eldest grandson of the Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Li Longjing.

He also brought a carload of gifts, specifically to support the World Society.

The guests were just talking about whether the World Society was run by the Prince of Qin.

Now we can be certain.

Absolutely not!

The Crown Prince's residence and the Prince of Qin's residence can no longer even maintain a semblance of peace; the two sides are extremely tense and on the verge of war.

If His Majesty were not present, the King of Qin and the Crown Prince would not even attend the same banquet.

If it really were a business transaction by the Prince of Qin's residence, the eldest grandson of the emperor would have nothing better to do than come and offer his congratulations.

"Thank you, Your Highness! I am deeply grateful. I will certainly pass on Your Highness's kindness to my master."

Lu Bailou's face remained calm, but his heart was already churning with turmoil.

Why would the Crown Prince's eldest grandson come here?

Could it be that they're trying to win me over?

Lu Bailou felt an urge to cry on the spot. He wasn't afraid of refusing the Crown Prince; he was afraid his master would misunderstand.

Now, Lu Bailou is the young prince's man.

If the young prince misunderstands this, wouldn't his bright future be ruined?

Just thinking about this made Lu Bailou feel like his heart was bleeding.

No!

After returning to the Prince's mansion, he must explain to his master that this really has nothing to do with him, Old Lu.

"Please, Your Highness."

Li Changsheng, who originally did not intend to show his face, had no choice but to come out to greet the guests.

Lu Bailou was definitely not qualified to receive Li Longjing. Changqing was unwilling to do so, so Li Changsheng had to take his place.

The two had fought before at the White Horse Temple.

They were both nearly invincible figures in their respective realms, so they couldn't help but feel a sense of mutual respect.

"I will definitely find an opportunity to learn the complete formation of the Flying Knife Formation."

"That would be an honor for me."

Li Changsheng nodded with a smile.

As the two of them went inside, several more important figures presented them with gifts.

Although these people were of high status, they were far inferior to those of the Crown Prince's residence and the Prince of Qin's residence.

The news that the Crown Prince's residence and the Prince of Qin's residence were sending gifts at the same time quickly spread to the residences of the other princes.

The Palace of the King of Wu.

King Li Yuanpeng of Wu smiled as he tapped the lid of the cup repeatedly with his fingers, making a tapping sound.

His advisors were all silent with fear.

Only the scholar with the goatee pondered for a long time before speaking, "If I'm not mistaken, the Prince of Qinghe is behind the World Society."

"I had already guessed that."

Li Changqing did not deliberately hide anything; as long as someone was willing to investigate, they would always find some clues.

Li Yuanpeng smiled and asked the scholar, "What intrigues me is why the Crown Prince's residence sent gifts to the Prince of Qinghe? And why did that guy from the Beggars' Sect pledge allegiance to him?"

The Tianxiahui was able to be established mainly because it was backed by two forces.

One was a local tyrant with connections and money, and the Grand Canal Gang, whose influence extended throughout the country.

Another one, though not very wealthy, boasted hundreds of thousands of members and was known as the Beggars' Clan, the largest gang in the world.

Li Yuanpeng was the first to extend an olive branch to the Beggars' Sect.

To show his sincerity, he even presented a golden statue that seemed to reach the heavens.

But the Beggars' Sect still sided with the Prince of Qinghe?

The golden statue he sent out was returned like trash.

"I can't guess that either. But judging from the state of the Crown Prince's residence and the Prince of Qin's residence, the two sides haven't reconciled. This means that Your Highness still has a chance. Not to mention, we still have that person living in the backyard of the Prince's residence. Once that trump card is revealed, His Majesty will definitely consider Your Highness carefully."

Upon hearing the goatee-bearded scholar's analysis, the King of Wu's expression softened slightly.

"That's right, attending that heroes' gathering wasn't a waste of time after all. Is there anything else the one in the backyard wants?"

"We need as many martial artists as possible at the Profound Realm!"

Upon hearing this request, the King of Wu's face turned extremely ugly.

"Tell him this is the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, not a lawless city of ten thousand men. If he's so capable, let him go to the city of ten thousand men; there are plenty of grandmasters there. Here I am..."

The King of Wu wanted to continue speaking.

"Your Highness, walls have ears."

King Wu, Li Yuanpeng, finally calmed down. After calming down, he looked around and asked, "Tell me, was I wrong?"

The goatee-bearded scholar and his men all understood.

Since their prince has already made the decision, there's no way he can regret it.

Seeking their opinions now is merely a way to ease my conscience.

"Everything is for the sake of legitimacy."

"Although that man's actions were somewhat outrageous, his strength is genuine. If we can subdue him, our Great Zhou will gain a great ally."

"Even if His Majesty finds out, he will surely understand the Prince's situation."

Only after hearing his subordinates' pledge of loyalty did Li Yuanpeng feel relieved.

"Yes, I have also endured humiliation and hardship, all for the sake of my Great Zhou."

Not far from the Wu King's Palace, there was an even more luxurious palace. The plaque above the palace bore the three large characters "Yan King's Palace".

The person living here is undoubtedly the current fourth prince, Prince Yan, Li Yuanfang.

Just like the King of Wu.

Upon receiving the news, the Prince of Yan summoned all his important advisors.

"Dozens of Tianxiahui (a powerful secret society) branches opened simultaneously overnight?"

……