Startled for a moment, Harvey Wu scrambled out of the car, hurried over to General Chachai, and bent down in greeting: "Harvey Wu at your service, General."
"You’re not needed here anymore. Go and rest." Chachai waved his hand, his gaze settling on Ian and Xiang Shan as they stepped down from the military vehicle.
"Not just Innate Second Layer!"
The instant he saw Ian, Chachai sensed that Ian’s cultivation was far beyond Innate Second Layer. Even though he was used to storms and chaos, he couldn’t help showing a trace of surprise and astonishment.
Suddenly, a pair of eyes landed on him.
It was just an ordinary look, but it made him feel like his whole body was being pricked by needles.
Luckily, that gaze only lingered on him for a split second before withdrawing, but Chachai realized his back was drenched in sweat.
"A peerless expert—that’s the gaze of a true master!"
With that thought, he looked at Xiang Shan with a serious expression. He was just an ordinary-looking man, but his eyes were deeply weathered.
He looked plain and reserved, but Chachai was certain—this man had to be at least Innate Seventh Layer.
To have an expert above Innate Seventh Layer as a follower—clearly, the Zhao Family places great importance on Ian Song!
So, before Ian and Xiang Shan could approach, Chachai strode forward with a genuine smile: "Young Master Song, forgive me for inviting you so abruptly!"
"General Chachai, you’re too kind!" Ian replied with a smile.
Harvey Wu, who hadn’t left yet, was stunned by the scene. The general was being way too enthusiastic. Luckily, he’d treated Ian decently earlier—otherwise...
"By the way, who is this gentleman?" Chachai asked nervously, glancing at Xiang Shan with a hint of restraint.
"Just call him Old Xiang, General Chachai."
Ian smiled, and Xiang Shan nodded in greeting to Chachai, but didn’t speak.
After a round of pleasantries, Chachai personally led them into his study.
Chachai’s study was arranged in an interesting way. Ian glanced around and saw that most of the shelves held ancient Yanhuang books, with some Western war tomes mixed in.
At the same time, all the decorations in the study carried a strong ancient Yanhuang vibe.
Landscape paintings, blue-and-white porcelain—every detail was steeped in the flavor of Yanhuang.
"General, you seem to really love Yanhuang culture?" Ian asked.
"Actually, I’m from the Yanhuang Republic," Chachai said in a deep voice.
Ian was surprised—he hadn’t expected one of Blackfield’s five warlords to be Yanhuang-born.
"By the way, this is top-grade tea from Yanhuang—Pre-rain Longjing. Young Master Song, Mr. Xiang, please!" Chachai smiled, placing two cups in front of them.
"Thank you."
After tasting the tea, more than ten minutes passed. Ian smiled at Chachai: "May I ask why you invited me here, General?"
Chachai’s enthusiasm was so strong that Ian couldn’t help but wonder if he had another motive.
After a brief silence, Chachai pondered and said, "Young Master Song, would you be interested in hearing a story?"
"Go ahead, I’m listening!" Ian nodded.
"Tiger Leopard Gate?" Ian was shocked, his expression growing serious.
In today’s martial world, the Six Major Sects reign supreme: Wolf Gate of the Northwest, Kunshan Sword Sect, Tianshan Dao Sect, Golden Summit Buddhist Sect, Black Mountain Demon Sect, and Bashu Tang Sect.
Below those six, there are hundreds if not thousands of smaller sects.
But Tiger Leopard Gate is the strongest sect under the Six Major Sects, with tons of Innate experts. Rumor has it their sect master reached Innate Eighth Layer a decade ago, and after years in seclusion, many suspect he’s broken through to Innate Ninth Layer.
So, Tiger Leopard Gate’s strength is already on par with the old Six Major Sects.
Unlike the Six Major Sects, Tiger Leopard Gate puts huge emphasis on secular power. They control the entire underworld across the four northeastern provinces—so even the Ten Great Families don’t dare mess with them lightly.
Thinking about it, Ian couldn’t help but give a wry smile: "General, your enemy is way too powerful."
Chachai looked disappointed: "I know Tiger Leopard Gate is strong, but I can’t forget the destruction of my sect and the murder of my master!"
Ian’s voice sounded again: "Of course, taking down Tiger Leopard Gate isn’t impossible!"
"Young Master Song, you’re willing to help me?" Chachai, who’d been losing hope, suddenly brightened.
"Tiger Leopard Gate!" Hearing Chachai’s enemy, Ian couldn’t help but look shocked and serious.
In today’s martial world, the Six Major Sects reign supreme: Wolf Gate of the Northwest, Kunshan Sword Sect, Tianshan Dao Sect, Golden Summit Buddhist Sect, Black Mountain Demon Sect, and Bashu Tang Sect.
Below those six, there are hundreds if not thousands of smaller sects.
But Tiger Leopard Gate is the strongest sect under the Six Major Sects, with tons of Innate experts. Rumor has it their sect master reached Innate Eighth Layer a decade ago, and after years in seclusion, many suspect he’s broken through to Innate Ninth Layer.
So, Tiger Leopard Gate’s strength is already on par with the old Six Major Sects.
Unlike the Six Major Sects, Tiger Leopard Gate puts huge emphasis on secular power. They control the entire underworld across the four northeastern provinces—so even the Ten Great Families don’t dare mess with them lightly.
Thinking about it, Ian couldn’t help but give a wry smile: "General, your enemy is way too powerful."
Chachai looked disappointed: "I know Tiger Leopard Gate is strong, but I can’t forget the destruction of my sect and the murder of my master!"
Ian’s voice sounded again: "Of course, taking down Tiger Leopard Gate isn’t impossible!"
"Young Master Song, you’re willing to help me?" Chachai, who’d been losing hope, suddenly brightened.
Ian looked thoughtful: "But not right now. Sure, the Zhao Family values me, but they wouldn’t wipe out Tiger Leopard Gate just for me. If they did, the other families would jump in too—and maybe the Zhao Family would get crushed instead of Tiger Leopard Gate!"
Chachai nodded in deep agreement: "So what do you suggest, Young Master Song?"
"Give me three years. In three years, we’ll team up and take down Tiger Leopard Gate together!"
Ian spoke with confidence. In just a few months, he’d already reached Innate Fourth Layer and recruited several Innate experts. He was sure that in three years, he’d hit Innate Ninth Layer and gather even more masters. That’s why he suggested waiting three years before going after Tiger Leopard Gate.
Chachai nodded firmly: "Alright, I’ll wait three years for you, Young Master Song!"
Suddenly, Chachai changed the subject: "I heard you opened a jewelry and jade shop in Riverstone City. If you don’t mind, I’m willing to supply half of my mine’s rough stones to you."
"Then I won’t be shy about it!" Ian didn’t bother with fake modesty and agreed at once. With Chachai’s supply, his jewelry store would definitely grow fast.
Just then, a series of short, sharp screams rang out.
All three of them were Innate experts—they instantly realized an enemy had broken into the manor.