NOVPUBSu Changkong saw Duanmu Tao at the entrance of the Demon Suppressing Department and said, "Lord Duanmu, I’ve come uninvited. I hope you’ll forgive me."
Duanmu Tao came back to his senses and smiled, "What an honored guest, Brother Blade, please come inside!"
At the same time, Duanmu Tao couldn’t help but glance at the carriage. He knew that the Monster Qi detected by his Demon-Slicing Divine Weapon was most likely emanating from someone inside the carriage. Who could this person be, to elicit such a strong reaction from the Demon-Slicing Divine Weapon?
Su Changkong drove the carriage with Duanmu Tao into a grand reception hall within the Demon Suppressing Department.
Curious, Duanmu Tao asked, "Brother Blade, you must have something you need from me, right?"
Duanmu Tao was aware that every time Su Changkong came to see him, it was inevitably with a request. Duanmu Tao had been helped by Su Changkong more than once in the past and was willing to do his best to fulfil Su Changkong’s needs.
"To tell you the truth, I’m here to ask for Lord Duanmu’s help, to request that a strong figure from the Great Flame Royal Family lend a hand to an old friend of mine."
Su Changkong got straight to the point.
"An old friend?" Duanmu Tao was puzzled.
Without wasting words, Su Changkong pulled with his five fingers, gathering True Qi into a vortex, creating a sucking force. From the carriage that stopped at the entrance of the hall, the unconscious Pang Shengwu was drawn out and landed in the middle of the hall.
"He is… Vice Master of the Association, Pang Shengwu?"
Duanmu Tao’s expression changed when he recognized Pang Shengwu lying on the ground, the Vice Master of the Life Extinguishing Association whom he had encountered at Ambush Elephant Mountain.
At that time, Pang Shengwu had exerted a tremendous pressure on Duanmu Tao. Even with the Demon-Slicing Divine Weapon in hand, Duanmu Tao had had no certainty of contending against him. It was fortunate that Su Changkong had arrived and driven Pang Shengwu away.
The strength of Pang Shengwu had indeed made a deep impression, being the second-in-command of the Life Extinguishing Association!
Pang Shengwu, now lying on the ground, was covered in blood with wounds all over his body, bones broken, suffering unimaginable severe trauma, and even his Immortal Body struggling to heal, his breath weak.
"He… he’s Pang Shengwu? Brother Blade, you’ve captured him alive?"
Duanmu Tao asked in shock.
Pang Shengwu’s injuries appeared to be from a blade, inflicted by Su Changkong himself!
Duanmu Tao had witnessed Pang Shengwu’s strength with his own eyes. Even when Su Changkong had battled with him a year or two earlier, he had only managed to drive Pang Shengwu off. How had Su Changkong managed to capture him alive in such a short time?
"Indeed… In the Ten Thousand Soul Warrior Tomb, he mastered the Blade Soul!"
Duanmu Tao was certain in his heart that Su Changkong, after spending three full months in the Ten Thousand Soul Warrior Tomb, must have gained substantially, shaped the Blade Soul, and thereby increased his strength significantly to capture Pang Shengwu alive!
"Hmm… this Pang Shengwu possesses a Demon Art that allows him to seize other people’s bodies, and the body he is currently using belongs to an old friend of mine. Their souls are entwined together, making it difficult even for my Blade Soul to kill Pang Shengwu without also harming my friend. Therefore… I am hoping someone within the Yan Imperial Family can resolve this issue."
Su Changkong nodded slightly, informing Duanmu Tao of the current predicament of Hong Zhenxiang and explaining his purpose for coming.
Su Changkong was seeking help for Hong Zhenxiang and could only turn to the experts in the Great Flame Royal Family.
Duanmu Tao was surprised and had great respect for Su Changkong as a person.
Previously, Lian Tianlu had sought Su Changkong and promised substantial rewards, all of which Su Changkong refused, not wanting to get involved in the whirlpool of troubles. Yet now, for the sake of an old friend, he was willing to actively seek assistance from the Great Flame Royal Family, even at the cost of owing favors—an admirable act, indeed!
"Brother Blade, you should stay for a while. I will go to the imperial city immediately and personally report the matter to the royal family. The Xia Yan family is abundant with capable people, and surely someone will be able to resolve the hidden trouble."
Duanmu Tao readily agreed, seeing the benefit in building a relationship with such a powerful individual. Even for the Great Flame Royal Family, it was worth extending a favor, so he promptly agreed. For him, it was simply a matter of reporting the situation to his superiors.
"Thank you very much."
Su Changkong expressed his gratitude.
Afterward, Su Changkong rested temporarily within the Demon Suppressing Department, waiting.
Su Changkong did not have to wait long. Two days later, early in the morning, Duanmu Tao found Su Changkong.
It wasn’t just Duanmu Tao who came, but also another man dressed in blue.
This man in blue was young, no more than twenty-something years old. With his handsome features and fair skin, he exuded a natural nobility that made it obvious to anyone that he came from an extraordinary background, which was indeed the case.
Duanmu Tao introduced the man to Su Changkong, "Brother Blade, this is Xia Yanjie of the Xia Yan family."
"My name is Dao Wufeng," Su Changkong also introduced himself. 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓅𝓾𝒷.𝒸ℴ𝓂
"I’ve long heard of you, Brother Blade," greeted Xia Yanjie, the man in blue, with a warm smile that felt like a breath of spring, exuding a convincing and strangely persuasive power.
"Is he from the Xia Yan family?" Su Changkong knew that this Xia Yanjie must be from the Xia Yan family.
Despite Xia Yanjie’s unassuming appearance and unfamiliar name to Su Changkong, he knew the man was no ordinary figure.
The Xia Yan family, which is the Great Flame Royal Family, boasts an extensive heritage. Even before establishing the Flame Empire, the Xia Yan family was already powerful and ancient, with profound depth. Otherwise, they could not have risen during the tumultuous period two or three thousand years ago and thrived to this day!
Xia Yanjie was among the elite within the Xia Yan family, dispatched in response to Duanmu Tao’s report.
Then Xia Yanjie got straight to the matter at hand, "Brother Blade, let me see the condition of the Vice Master of the Life Extinguishing Association."
"Alright," Su Changkong nodded and led Xia Yanjie to the inner room, where Pang Shengwu lay on a large bed, motionless.
