Chapter 414: Chapter 97: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Yellow Sparrow Behind (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

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At the same time.

At the deep-water port terminal that Zhongshan Island spent a great deal of resources to build, the main figures of the Zhong Family were already waiting in advance.

Among them was Zhong Wannian, the current patriarch of the Zhong Family.

He was not yet sixty years old, in the prime of his life, with a tall and strong physique beneath his luxurious brocade robe, composed and dignified, naturally exuding the demeanor of a noble family leader.

However, today he did not stand in the main position, because the pillar of the Zhong Family, Celestial Human Ancestor Zhong Xiangyang, was also present at the dock.

Among the Celestial Human Ancestors, Zhong Xiangyang was considered relatively old, with a face showing signs of age. But even so, his presence was still as vast as the ocean in front of him, embodying a heaviness and stability that seemed to encompass everything, making no one dare to underestimate him in the slightest.

At this moment, he stood at the forefront of the waiting line, gazing at the large ship gradually approaching.

Besides them, the most notable figure was Zhong Xingwang. In terms of seniority, he was the direct uncle of Zhong Wannian. As the third legitimate son, he was sent to the Academy to gain some recognition due to his relatively poor talent.

However, back in those days at the Academy, Zhong Xingwang was just one of the unremarkable students.

When the Little Celestial Prides or Celestial Pride senior brothers and sisters showcased their talents on stage, he was the type to cheer and wave flags from below, his face full of excitement and admiration.

Soon after, the giant merchant ship slowly docked at Zhongshan Island’s deep-water terminal, and Wang Shouzhe and his entourage disembarked the ship along the prepared steps.

"Welcome~ Welcome~"

As soon as the two Direct Disciples of the Academy set foot on the dock, the Zhong Family Patriarch Zhong Wannian was all smiles and eagerly went forward to greet them.

Direct Disciples of the Academy held high status in the outside world. They not only had a Purple Mansion Ascendant as their master, but they also had the potential to become Purple Mansion Realm themselves in the future.

Given such opportunities for connection, how could one afford to let them slip by?

Even Celestial Human Ancestor Zhong Xiangyang showed a trace of joy.

Establishing ties with two Direct Disciples at once was indeed a matter of significance for the Hundred Islands Guard Zhong Family. Moreover, among the esteemed guests arriving this time were the newly-promoted Seventh-Grade Noble Family from Changning Guard, the Celestial Human Ancestor Xu Beichen of the Changning Xu Family, and members of the Ping’an Wang Family of Changning Guard.

Over the years, due to the connection provided by Zhong Xingwang, the Ping’an Wang Family naturally maintained a good rapport with the Hundred Islands Guard Zhong Family as well.

As the Wang Family’s Marriage Alliance gradually strengthened, commercial collaborations with the Zhong Family increased, and their mutual affection quickly warmed.

Of course, such affections were mostly founded on interests, far less solid than the ties within the Marriage Alliance.

The Hundred Islands Guard Zhong Family naturally prepared the highest standards to entertain the guests.

After a lively and bustling banquet.

Only then did the main figures from both sides sit down to discuss official matters over Spirit Tea.

Zhong Wannian, as the host, naturally spoke first: "Patriarch Shouzhe, you came this time for the matter of the Yin Sha Sect’s covert agents, right?"

Wang Shouzhe cupped his hands towards Zhong Wannian and said, "Regarding this matter, I must thank Patriarch Wannian once again. Thank you, Patriarch, for your support over the years."

A few years ago, Wang Shouzhe’s nephew Wang Zongchang encountered an Outer Evil Cultivator from the Yin Sha Sect in the Hundred Islands Guard and nearly lost his life.

Though Zongchang eventually had the fortune of awakening his Xunfeng Wind Element Bloodline, he knew all too well the peril involved. The grievances between the Ping’an Wang Family and the Yin Sha Sect were long-standing, and he could not easily let go of this lead.

Although those who died on the Chen Family’s merchant ship had concealed their identities, through their social connections, their routes could still be gradually traced.

Subsequently, with the Zhong Family’s assistance and Ancestor Longyan’s extremely keen perception of the Yin Sha Evil Qi, Wang Shouzhe ultimately unearthed the Yin Sha Sect traitor long hidden within the Hundred Islands Guard.

This was an Honored Elder who had been hiding within a Ninth-Grade Noble Family of the Hundred Islands Guard, usually appearing as an old and frail figure, completely unrecognizable as a member of the Yin Sha Sect.

However, to cast a long line to catch the big fish, Wang Shouzhe did not startle the snake but instead kept it nurtured, entrusting experts within the Zhong Family to keep a long-term watch.

"Not at all~" Zhong Wannian replied to Wang Shouzhe with courtesy, "Our Zhong Family is closely connected with the Wang Family, these are trivial matters not worth mentioning. Moreover, the Yin Sha Sect is an enemy of our Daqian. It is only right for our Zhong Family to make efforts against them."

Off to the side, Ancestor Beichen expressed admiration towards Wang Shouzhe: "Shouzhe, you are truly farsighted, planning for the long term, setting the stage for today years in advance."

"The Ancestor Beichen overrates me," Wang Shouzhe replied with a bow, "The Yin Sha Sect has been secretly operating on our territory for some time, and it seems unlikely to be without reason. As my clan member Wang Zongchang’s incident was connected to the Yin Sha Sect, I casually laid a loose net. When it might prove useful, no one could say for sure."

"Even so, it’s amazing, showing the meticulousness of your thoughts," Ancestor Beichen praised, "Working with Shouzhe gives me a great sense of safety. If someone else invited me, I might have had to consider it thrice."

Even Faang You’an cast an admiring look at Wang Shouzhe, thinking that though there were no doubts about the reliability of his methods, the young man did not focus solely on immediate matters either.

"Patriarch Shouzhe, have you come this time intending to make a move? But with merely a Spirit Platform Realm, is there a need for such a large-scale operation?" Zhong Wannian, aware only of the surface matters and not the deeper reasons, could not help but frown slightly.