Chapter 173 - 173: Bai Shixiong (1)
“Okay, I understand.”
Guo Jing nodded, signifying his comprehension of Yue Fei’s intention. His situation differed from Yue Fei’s. Yue Fei shared the same status as Han Shizhong—they were both generals of the Great Song.
As for Guo Jing, he was a martial artist and had no interaction with Han Shizhong in the past. Hence, he attracted very little attention from Bai Shixiong.
“But Old Han, with the strength of your Han army, you’re not a match for the Bai family. Could it be that the Bai family has a few Grandmasters among them?”
Yue Fei inquired with a perplexed expression. After all, the strength of the Han army was not significantly inferior to that of the Yue army.
In other words, even if the Yue army appeared in Lin’an City, they would also be suppressed by the Bai family. He had no choice but to take this matter seriously.
“That’s right. I don’t know what method Bai Shixiong has used, but the strength of his subordinates has surpassed the Han army.”
“I also suspect that Lin’an City is now entirely under the Bai family’s dominion. Based on my intelligence, the Bai family has enlisted nearly tens of thousands of soldiers within a year. Initial assessments suggest that they possess around 50,000 soldiers loyal to the Bai family.”
“However, I don’t know where these people are hidden by the Bai family. I haven’t seen them in Lin’an City.”
Han Shizhong’s face was solemn. Others did not know about this, but he had seen the Bai family increase their troops.
“50,000 soldiers!”
Guo Jing couldn’t help but gasp, his eyes displaying a solemn gaze. If what Han Shizhong had disclosed was accurate, it appeared that the Bai family’s actions this time were meticulously planned to address any contingency.
“Guo Jing, report this matter to the lord!”
Yue Fei spoke with gravity. The revelation of the Bai family controlling 50,000 soldiers was a matter of great significance. Furthermore, he held doubts that these 50,000 soldiers were ordinary individuals.
It was an imposing force. It appeared that the Bai family intended to assert their ultimate authority in Lin’an City.
“Okay, I’ll go now!”
Guo Jing also knew the importance of this matter. He stood up and walked out of the Han Residence.
As for Yue Fei, he did not leave and remained in the Han Residence.
He speculated that the Bai family had likely been aware of his presence and status for some time, yet they had not made a move. The reason remained uncertain, but it might be due to him not bringing the Yue army with him.
On the other side, Mei Changge, Xu Chu, and Song Yubai had walked out of the restaurant. Moreover, a large number of people were walking in one direction.
“My lord, do you believe that the three families have genuinely chosen to unveil the dragon-shaped white jade statue for public exhibition?”
Xu Chu asked Mei Changge curiously.
“Not necessarily.”
Mei Changge shook his head slightly. While the dragon-shaped white jade statue had eliminated all members of the Great Song royal family, it also symbolized the uniqueness of the artifact.
He estimated that this should be the Bai family’s fishing method to lure out the ambitious people hidden in Lin’an City.
“My lord, I heard the auction has been canceled, but there’s a new Dragon
Seeker Ceremony.”
Song Yubai had been listening carefully to the conversation of the people around him and said with a puzzled expression.
“Looks like the Bai family is very confident!”
The corners of Mei Changge’s mouth curled up slightly, but he did not care. The auction was just a bait.
After many days, it was likely that most of the individuals who intended to attend had already arrived.
“Let’s go and check out the dragon-shaped white jade statue. Afterward, we can locate an inn and await the development of events.”
Mei Changge looked around. Be it the martial artists or ordinary citizens, they were all heading toward the Seaside Plaza that the Wang family had mentioned.
At that moment, there were many martial artists and people from other families in the Seaside Plaza. They wanted to check out the dragon-shaped white jade statue that would find its owner on its own.
In the center of the Seaside Plaza, there was a building that looked like an arena. There were armored soldiers around it, looking coldly at the people who were constantly gathering.
“Hey, hurry up and show it already!”
A low voice came from the crowd. As soon as these words were spoken, countless people followed.
“That’s right, even the auction has been canceled. Do you lack money to organize it?”
“Did I come all the way to Lin’an City for nothing?!”
Voices came from the crowd from time to time as if they were accusing the Wang family.
“Everyone, listen to me!”
At that moment, a figure descended from the sky. He wore a black robe and had a smile on his face. Although his voice was calm, it resounded in the Seaside Plaza.
When the crowd saw this figure, their pupils constricted. “A Grandmaster? The Wang family has a Grandmaster!”
The figure that descended from the sky was a Grandmaster.
In a restaurant near the square, a masked man had an emerald green flute hanging from his waist.
“Father, is the Wang family very strong? They have a Grandmaster.”
Beside the masked man was a woman in a yellow dress. Her bright eyes were filled with curiosity.
The man’s lips curled up as he looked at the woman beside him and asked.
“Isn’t it just after the Innate realm? Besides, Father, you’re a Grandmaster. I don’t feel you’re very powerful.”
The woman in a yellow dress looked at the scene ahead and said with a curious expression.
“You…”
The man shook his head slightly and pointed down.
“A year ago, attaining the Grandmaster realm could be described as relatively achievable. However, becoming a sect master is not as straightforward.”
“As of now, based on my perception, there are no fewer than 10 individuals down there who have reached the Grandmaster level..”