The Eastern Tang counterattacked. Both sides fought back and forth. For a time, Chang 'an's momentum in conquering Hexi County was slowed down.
However, overall, Chang 'an still had the upper hand. They slowly gained control of every inch of land in Hexi County.
Although there were fluctuations due to the actions of the Eastern Tang, as long as the place was completely stabilized, it would be difficult for the Eastern Tang to cause any more trouble.
Zhang Dongyun, who was in the Daming Palace in Chang 'an, did not worry too much. He allowed Zhang Chong, Chen Jiezhi, Hu Ming, and the others to do whatever they wanted.
Many people from the Dahe Longmen, the Chen family, and the Tingshan Academy went to Hexi County to develop. The few families focused their attention there.
The Hanshan school and the Perak Dynasty, who stayed in Longbei County, were much more relaxed.
They did not care about the land outside Longbei County. They were all focused on developing Longbei County.
During this period, the Hanshan school developed even more rapidly.
Guo Zi, Hui Tianyu, Cao Feng, and the others vaguely realized that the Perak Dynasty had been much more low-key recently.
They did not go to Hexi County. Many of their people stayed in Longbei County and did not move. Instead, they lived in seclusion.
Guo Zi and the others were curious at first, but they suddenly understood.
Almost everyone in the Perak Dynasty was working hard to cultivate.
Their Hidden Martial Arts had been reformed.
It was just like the Hanshan school and the Chen family.
No wonder everyone felt that the Perak Dynasty's situation was a little familiar.
Realizing this, everyone in the Hanshan school felt a little nervous.
The Chen family, the Dahe Longmen, and the Tingshan Academy all showed the intention to expand.
The ones who stayed in Longbei County were mainly the Hanshan school and the Perak Dynasty.
Although the two sides cooperated well on the issue of Chang 'an Xi City, they were essentially competitors.
Previously, the Hanshan school, which was located in the Qinzhou Prefecture, was in a favorable position and had taken the lead.
Whether it was in the Dubhe Hall or the Heavenly Punishment Hall, there were many outstanding disciples of Mount Han who held important positions.
The Hanshan school had also received guidance from Mr Dark Cloud to perfect the Hanshan Heart Sutra and learn the Startling Night Sword.
In the whole of Chang 'an, only they and the Chen family had received such a reward.
But now, the Perak Dynasty also existed.
In addition, Mr. Dark Cloud had previously arranged for them to take charge of Chang 'an West City. Thus, the Perak Dynasty's status had been constantly rising these days.
The head of the Hanshan school, Guo Zi, had a heavy heart. After some thought, he went to visit the head of the Perak Dynasty, Wu Qiong, to find out what was going on.
In the end, when he arrived, Wu Qiong's disciple said that his master was in seclusion.
Guo Zi's heart sank when he heard this.
Just as he was about to leave, Wu Qiong happened to come out of seclusion.
The two of them met. Guo Zi noticed the other's breathing and couldn't help but raise his eyebrows slightly. "Congratulations, Brother Wu. Your cultivation has reached the fifth level."
As he expected, Wu Qiong's cultivation had improved from the fourth level of Martial Arts, Brave Commander, to the fifth level of Martial Arts, Flying General.
Needless to say, this sudden improvement must have come from Mr Dark Cloud's guidance.
"You flatter me. Brother Guo, you're the pioneer. I'm just following your footsteps," Wu Qiong said with a smile.
Previously, almost everyone in the Hanshan school had a breakthrough and was taught the Startling Night Sword. This really made the Perak Dynasty and Wuwei envious.
Mr Dark Cloud hadn't given a similar reward, which made the Perak Dynasty sad.
Wu Qiong suppressed his thoughts and didn't care about these things. He just led the Perak Dynasty to work seriously.
Heaven didn't disappoint those who worked hard. It was finally time for the Perak Dynasty to soar into the sky.
At least his previous efforts weren't in vain.
After the two leaders exchanged some pleasantries, Guo Zi said goodbye and left.
The first thing he did when he returned to the Hanshan school was to urge all the disciples to practice hard and work hard for Chang 'an.
Previously, when the Dahe Longmen and Tingshan Academy left Longbei, the Hanshan school was slightly relieved.
But now, Guo Zi asked them to be nervous again. Otherwise, the Perak Dynasty could surpass them at any time.
On the other side, Wu Qiong sent Guo Zi away and called for a meeting with the higher-ups of the Perak Dynasty. He asked everyone to work hard from now on.
Although the Hanshan school was one step ahead, the lead wasn't big. It wasn't impossible for the Perak Dynasty to surpass the other party.
After receiving the improved internal cultivation technique and the Five Lightning Heart Killing Palm, the other members of the Perak Dynasty were at their most confident. They all patted their chests and promised Wu Qiong.
Wu Qiong was satisfied and asked everyone to leave.
One of the elders of the Perak Dynasty stayed behind and seemed to have something to say.
"What's wrong?" Wu Qiong asked.
"Leader, when you were in seclusion, the disciples of Tongzhou sent a letter saying that they saw something special," the elder said softly. "Earlier, people outside used a signal imprint to contact the previous leader."
Wu Qiong's eyes suddenly turned cold. "Have you reported this to Mr Dark Cloud?"
"Not yet …" the elder answered quietly.
Wu Qiong let out a long breath. "Don't hide it. Report it immediately."
"Yes," the elder of the Perak Dynasty quickly answered.
Wu Qiong went to see Mr Dark Cloud with him. He pondered as he walked.
The previous leader of the Perak Dynasty had contacted a mysterious person before. The other party might be under the command of a certain prince of the Eastern Tang Empire.
However, when the leader of the Perak Dynasty changed, Wu Qiong couldn't find the masked man. After that, there was no news of the other party.
Why did he suddenly appear now?
The other party should know who the Perak Dynasty and the entire Longbei County listened to.
When they saw Mr Dark Cloud and reported the matter, Mr Dark Cloud said indifferently, "Then you go and take a look."
"Yes, sir." Wu Qiong responded and immediately set off.
He left Chang 'an and returned to Tongzhou Prefecture, where the Perak Dynasty originated. He returned to his own sect.
Previously, because of the Tang Army, the sect of the Perak Dynasty was destroyed.
However, later, after Chang 'an occupied the entire Longbei County, the disciples of the Perak Dynasty returned to the site of the sect and rebuilt it.
Although their focus was now on Chang 'an, they couldn't leave the sect behind.
At this moment, Wu Qiong found the mark at the sect.
He followed the mark's signal and went to the meeting place in the middle of the night according to the agreement between the previous leader and the other party.
When he arrived, he didn't see anyone. Wu Qiong frowned slightly.
But at this moment, his ears suddenly moved slightly. He seemed to hear a sound next to him.
The moment Wu Qiong turned his head, someone suddenly flew up and hit Wu Qiong with a palm.
Wu Qiong shouted loudly. His voice was like thunder, shocking the silent night.
He immediately hit his opponent with his palm. When his palm passed through, the air exploded like muffled thunder.
With a loud "boom", the two palms collided head-on.
Wu Qiong stood firmly on the spot. His body didn't even sway.
The enemy who attacked him was shocked and took a few steps back before he could disperse the force.
The man in black's palm was numb. He couldn't help but tremble slightly.
"It seems that the rumor is true." The man in black exhaled and praised.
Wu Qiong looked at him coldly. "What rumor?"
"People who enter Chang 'an will have a leap in their cultivation and strength. They will be far stronger than before."
The man in black said, "Sect Leader Wu has reached the realm of Flying General. The palm technique he uses is also far superior to the martial arts inherited from the Perak Dynasty. I think it's also because of Chang 'an?"
He was also in the Fifth Realm. He fought Wu Qiong with all his strength, but he was no match for Wu Qiong, who had just broken through to the Fifth Realm.
"That's right." Wu Qiong stared at him. "Who are you?"
The man in black took off the black cloth covering his face. "I'm one of my men. I've dealt with the former Sect Leader of your sect. The former Sect Leader of your sect is gone, but I still hope that Sect Leader Wu can do me a favor."
"Go ahead." Wu Qiong didn't bat an eyelid.
"I'd like to ask Sect Leader Wu to introduce me to the person in charge of Chang 'an," the old man said sincerely.
Wu Qiong's heart skipped a beat. "A straightforward person doesn't resort to insinuations. Your master is a prince of the Eastern Tang, right?"
"Sect Leader Wu is right. Although Chang 'an and the Tang Empire are enemies now, it won't affect my prince. I hope to talk to the person in charge of Chang' an."
The old man said apologetically, "Forgive me for not knowing the identity of my prince at the moment. I hope Sect Leader Wu can understand."
He took out a brocade box and a bag. "Here are two gifts. One is to compensate me for my offense just now, and the other is to ask Sect Leader Wu to help me pass on the message."
"Then go to Chang 'an with me," Wu Qiong said, "Whether to see you or not depends on Mr. Dark Cloud."
"Thank you, Sect Leader Wu." The old man smiled.
Wu Qiong said seriously, "If it's not just you, it's best to be open and aboveboard. Otherwise, if you anger Chang 'an, don't blame me for not reminding you beforehand. You won't be able to hide it."
The old man was silent for a moment and then said, "Sure, sure."
They went on their way. Before they left Tongzhou Prefecture, a white cloud suddenly fell from the sky.
It was a middle-aged Taoist priest on the cloud. "Director Xing, His Highness asked I to visit Chang 'an with you."
"It can't be better to go with you. I was worried that I was old and confused and couldn't take on big responsibilities," the old man said.
Wu Qiong smiled faintly.
In addition to the old man, there were indeed other people following them secretly.
He didn't expose the old man's disguise but continued to lead the guest to Chang 'an calmly.
When they saw Chang 'an, the old man and the old man both looked serious.
When they entered the Dubhe Hall and saw Mr. Dark Cloud, they bowed together.
"Liang Zhen of the Xuan Yi Sect is very polite."
"I'm Xing Liande, the deputy director of the Commandery Prince's Mansion in Desolate River."
Mr. Dark Cloud nodded slightly. "You may rise."
On the other hand, Wu Qiong was secretly shocked.
Ever since Chang 'an had grown stronger and the Thunderbolt Sect had pledged allegiance to them, Wu Qiong had strived hard to adapt to the changes. He had trained himself to not be limited to a mere prefecture or county, but to look at the entire Eastern Tang.
Even if he didn't know much about King of Tang's adult sons, he had at least a general idea.
Commandery Prince Duohe? Wasn't he the youngest prince, Li Qiong?
He had always been inconspicuous, but it turned out that he had been secretly plotting to build his own forces.
Was his goal also the position of Crown Prince?
And it was obvious that he wasn't fooling around.
Judging by the Taoist priest who came to Chang 'an with the director of his mansion, the Ninth Prince was not as low-key as he seemed.
The Xuan Yi Sect was one of the four famous Eastern Tang Taoists, along with Green Cloud Temple, Qingbokgung, and Fuzhen Guan.
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