At this moment, inside the most luxurious room of Yang City’s renowned establishment, ’Parking Love by the Maple Woods in Evening,’ a man sat prominently in the seat of honor. He was Dugu Zheng, the eldest son of the Sword Demon Dugu Fa’s second son. He sat with an arm draped around a famous celebrity. This woman, with her innocent appearance and countless fans, was a symbol of purity in the hearts of many ordinary men. But who would have thought she would be here?

In front of him knelt a group of battered and bruised men. They were Xiao Liang, Cui Chong, and their followers. Xiao Liang was the father of Xiao Tianzan, the leader of a provincial capital and Admiral of the Nine Gates. The Sword Demon, however, now aspired to become the Martial Arts Alliance Hierarch. He possessed the ambition of Murong Fu, intending to use the power of the Martial Arts World to directly challenge the official authorities and become the supreme ruler. That was why Dugu Zheng had the audacity to capture a man like Xiao Liang.

"So, what’s your decision?" Dugu Zheng chuckled. "Your influence is quite substantial. The Five Surnames and Seven Families are all renowned, especially you, Xiao Liang. The Lanling Xiao Family is recommending you as the new Clan Leader. You command power in both the Jianghu and with the government. Work for us! When we unify the world, each of you will be made a Duke, with hereditary titles!"

Xiao Liang, Cui Chong, and the others stared coldly at Dugu Zheng. Wang Dawan, Wang Congming, Yun Ma, and other tycoons were also present, reduced to the status of prisoners.

"You rich men better think carefully," Dugu Zheng warned. "No matter how much money you have, you’re all dead if you offend the wrong people!"

"Heh heh!" Wang Congming’s eyes bulged. His face was bruised and swollen, but he still roared, "With men like you and methods like these, even if you seized the throne, the dynasty would fall in the next generation!"

Wang Dawan, Yun Ma, and the other tycoons nodded in agreement. They didn’t know what kind of man the Sword Demon was, but Dugu Zheng’s character was all too clear. Who would submit to a man with such morals, behavior, and methods? A corrupt and incompetent person on the throne would undoubtedly lead the nation to ruin.

"Are you saying the dynasty would fall in the second generation?" Dugu Zheng sneered, pushing the celebrity off his lap. He walked over menacingly and kicked Wang Congming with vicious force.

The kick struck like an iron whip, making Wang Congming cry out in pain.

"What nonsense are you all spouting?" Dugu Zheng raged. "How could I be a ruler who brings ruin to his nation? With my capabilities, I am far superior to Hu Hai and Yang Guang."

Furious, Dugu Zheng’s eyes flashed with a vicious light as he shouted, "Li Shimin killed his brothers and forced his father from the throne, yet he’s considered a wise sovereign! Zhu Yuanzhang was ungrateful to his benefactors, yet he is hailed as a great monarch! I am a man like them! Yes, I will be the next Li Shimin, the next Zhu Yuanzhang! If I take the throne, my dynasty will last for hundreds of years!"

"Don’t think Wu Tian is coming back," he scoffed. "Heh, even if he does, I’m not afraid! I am destined to be a wise and powerful sovereign!"

He was already lost in a fantasy where his father, the Sword Demon, seized power from the Lord of the Four Seas and established the Sword Nation. In his mind, ’Sword Nation’ sounded far better than ’Dragon Country.’ The words ’people of the Sword Nation’ felt powerful and domineering, much more impressive than ’people of the Dragon Country.’ When people of the Dragon Country went abroad, they claimed to be descendants of the dragon, which Dugu Zheng found rather unimpressive. But if he and his father succeeded and founded the Sword Nation, its people could go out and declare, "I am of the Sword Nation." How much more imposing would that sound? Wouldn’t it be better if all the descendants of Yan and Huang called themselves people of the Sword Nation?

Just then, an underling burst into the room, stumbling in his haste. "This is bad! Wu Tian... Wu Tian is back! He’s with the Arrow King, and they’re heading this way!"

Wu Tian was back?

At these words, the atmosphere in the room changed instantly. The messenger who delivered the news seemed to deflate, gasping for breath.

Silence. Utter, deathly silence.

The name Wu Tian alone seemed to carry a murderous intent that filled the room with a sudden chill. Even Dugu Zheng, who had just boasted that he wasn’t afraid of Wu Tian, shuddered from head to toe.

Regaining his composure, he glared at the subordinate, his gaze frosty and severe. "Did you say Wu Tian? The one they call the Martial God?"

Hearing Dugu Zheng’s question, the underling nodded, trembling. Wu Tian’s fearsome reputation was widespread. As a lowly subordinate, he was overwhelmed and scared to death.

"That’s right, it’s Wu Tian." Dugu Zheng trembled, gritting his teeth. "Are you sure you weren’t mistaken? Are you nearsighted? Could it have been someone just dressed like him? Perhaps you were just confused for a moment?"

Feeling his integrity questioned, the subordinate clenched his jaw. "Reporting, Young Master, my vision is perfect. I was not mistaken, please believe me! That man truly is Wu Tian!"

BOOM!

Those words made Dugu Zheng’s mind go blank. When he came to his senses, his scalp tingled with fear. After all, Wu Tian’s reputation was legendary.

Except for his father, the Sword Demon, no one else could be Wu Tian’s opponent.

Now that Wu Tian had returned, a slaughter was inevitable.

Unlike Dugu Zheng, however, the tycoons like Wang Congming breathed a collective sigh of relief. Their fortunes were saved. They had not come by their wealth easily, and the Sword Demon planned to seize it to fund his conquest. And once he conquered the kingdom, would he ever return their money? Now, tears of relief welled in the tycoons’ eyes.

"The Martial God has finally returned! Your end has come!"

"You thought you could conquer the world, but with Wu Tian’s return, all your ambitions are nothing but a pipe dream!"

Their confidence restored, they began to speak out. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Cui Chong, Xiao Liang, and the others were also overcome with emotion, tears streaming down their faces. Mr. Wu Tian had finally returned. This was wonderful, truly wonderful. All these evil spirits would soon be vanquished.

"Young Master, Wu Tian is terrifyingly strong! No one but Lord Sword Demon can stop him! Since Lord Sword Demon isn’t here, maybe we should flee!" the subordinate suggested.

Soon, another group of underlings rushed in, all offering the same advice. "We have to get out of here!"

"Yes, we can’t face Wu Tian head-on!"

"We have to find Lord Sword Demon! Only he can be his match!"

Unlike Dugu Zheng, who had been secluded in the mountains, these men had grown up hearing tales of Wu Tian’s might, and they were terrified. They didn’t dare make an enemy of him. They looked at Dugu Zheng with desperate hope, praying he would choose to save his own life and flee.

However, Dugu Zheng lashed out with a vicious kick, killing the disciple standing closest to him.

"What the hell do you know!" he bellowed. "Now, listen to me! No one is to retreat!"

"Why?" the subordinates asked, puzzled. Dugu Zheng is afraid of Wu Tian too, so why isn’t he leaving?