In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

Page 579

A furious shout echoed throughout the hall like thunder.

"Keep your voice down, you big iron hammer, you're going to kill us with it!"

"No, it's just that the Zhang family has gone too far!"

Who are you looking down on?

The Mechanized City has stood for a thousand years; when has it ever been breached? Even the most naive people do not believe that the Empire could break through the Mechanized City.

"This is what I'm worried about. No one in the Zhang family ever does anything without a certainty."

Since the Zhang family is making such a grand show of force and making no attempt to conceal their intentions, they must be certain that the Mechanized City will fall—this is highly unusual.

Gai Nie's eyes showed worry, and his face was somber!

Having spent so much time by Ying Zheng's side, although he had only interacted with Zhang Xiaoshan a few times, he was well aware of how terrifying Zhang Xiaoshan was.

Ying Zheng was the chosen one, sweeping across the land;

The Zhang family are an anomaly of the heavens, running rampant and unrestrained!

Compared to the Dragon Emperor Ying Zheng, Zhang Xiaoshan is even more terrifying, but just as much, Zhang Xiaoshan is absolutely certain of everything he does.

"Even a million-strong army besieging the mountain with mere imperial cavalry would not be able to breach the Mo family's mechanical city!"

"But what if the Empire, the Quicksand, the Yin-Yang School, and the Gongshu School join forces?"

Hiss...

Everyone realized the seriousness of the situation; indeed, it would be difficult for one family to breach the Mo family's mechanical city.

But what if the four families join forces? There's also the Zhang family, who are eyeing us covetously and might resort to some underhanded tactics; it's entirely possible.

"This time, the quicksand is pursuing us, and given that the Empire and the Mohist School are also enemies, it is entirely possible that they will target the Mohist School with their own forces in the martial arts world."

As for the Zhang family? Since they brought two young children with them this time, they probably won't interfere in the affairs between the Empire and the Mohist School. However, their attitude is very clear: they favor the Empire and are pessimistic about the Mohist School!

However, given the personality of that member of the Zhang family, they must know some secret to be so certain!

"Gai Nie, you are the Empire's number one swordsman? Don't you know the Empire's methods?"

Dressed in elegant white, Gao Jianli was extremely hostile to Gai Nie, but at this moment he had no choice but to unite with him.

"The Empire's methods? To crush the enemy at all costs!"

"The Empire's decision to invite the Quicksand Gang to help this time clearly indicates their intention to kill me. Moreover, the Mohist school has always been a thorn in the Empire's side, and with the addition of the Xiang clan, the Empire is even less likely to let this place go!"

"What should I do?"

Stick to it?

These people are not the type to swallow their pride.

Since the empire is going to launch a strong attack on the Mechanized City, and given that the Yin Yang School and the Gongshu family are mortal enemies, they will not sit idly by and wait to be killed.

"We are already trapped, and can only react to whatever comes our way."

Meanwhile, intensify the search within the fortified city, especially for suspicious individuals. The city's defenses are impenetrable; the least costly way to breach it is from within!

"It's natural!"

Upon hearing this, none of them had a better solution.

As for a counterattack, the empire's forces would only be wasted.

Even with Gai Nie's recent achievements—defeat of the Famous Sword, slaying three demons, and repelling seven swords—he is still no invincible village in the face of the empire's true powerhouses.

Moreover, if they go out, they may fall into the empire's trap of luring them away from their base.

The simplest method is to wait it out. With the impenetrable defenses of the Mechanical City, as long as the Empire is held back for a year, it will retreat on its own.

As for what Gai Nie said about the internal possibilities?

Apart from Gai Nie and the Xiang family, there were no outsiders here; otherwise, the Mechanized City would have been breached long ago.

····

Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaoshan, having left Jiangnan, traveled around enjoying the scenery and was not in a hurry to continue his journey.

After all, it would take quite a while to breach the mechanical city.

Moreover, what Zhang Xiaoshan wanted was the ruins of the Mechanized City, to rebuild a base belonging to the Zhang family on the ruins, not the Mechanized City of the Mo family.

"Daddy, big rabbit, big rabbit... I want to eat spicy rabbit head."

After a chaotic scene of chickens and dogs running amok in the mountains, the Iron-Eating Beast emerged from the forest, carrying a tiger and a wild boar in each hand.

On its shoulder, the two little creatures each carried several rabbits, pheasants, and roe deer... a truly bountiful catch.

This was also the two little ones' first time hunting, and their finger-flicking skills often pierced several wounds.

However, for the two little ones, it's a different experience compared to fishing.

Especially around the little girl, there was a bunch of colorful mushrooms, but they were obviously poisonous.

The little girl usually eats mushrooms, and since it was her first time out, she couldn't tell the difference between poisonous and poisonous mushrooms.

Even though Zhang Xiaoshan repeatedly emphasized that all colorful mushrooms were poisonous, the little girl still didn't remember and picked so many.

"Mom, I want the big tiger leg!"

"Tiger leg isn't very tasty, it's a bit sour and astringent. Pork leg is delicious, I'll roast one for you later!"

Huang Rong looked at her youngest son, noticing his interest in tiger legs, though the meat wasn't as tender and juicy as wild boar legs.

As for the sour and astringent taste?

This was naturally no challenge for Huang Rong, who was a 'goddess of cooking'.

At this time, Hongxiao and Jiangxue had also picked wild fruits, mushrooms, and wild vegetables from the mountains and forests to eat with meat.

Although located in the mountains, the food was quite plentiful.

The joy of outdoor barbecue, the family's harmonious atmosphere, even Zhang Xiaoshan's state of mind was extremely clear.

Several stoves, medicinal cuisine reminiscent of the story of "Farewell My Concubine," golden skewers of meat from a barbecue stall, and wild boar, tiger, and roe deer roasting over a fire, plus several whole roasted chickens, rabbit carcasses, and spicy rabbit heads...

"Alright, the meat skewers are ready. Three skewers each, don't eat too much, just have something to tide you over!"

Zhang Xiaoshan waved his hand and distributed the six meat skewers to the two little ones.

The dish was skewered with mushrooms and wild vegetables, and its aroma was irresistible, making it very appetizing. The two little ones took a bite right away.

"Thank you dad!"

Zhang Xiaoshan smiled indulgently; this kind of spring outing was quite nice.

It wasn't that he didn't want to, but he was worried that if the whole family went out, it would cause panic and some unnecessary trouble.

However, now that the two children are older and quite powerful, the Zhang family can move to the mainland and enjoy spring outings and travels across the empire's landscapes.

Indeed, at this time, Zhang Xiaoshan planned to move away from Peach Blossom Island.

Previously, during a time of chaos, the Zhang family hid in the East China Sea, not wanting to cause trouble, but this time Zhang Xiaoshan has no intention of running away.

With the Dragon Emperor, the Lord of Destiny, gone, Zhang Xiaoshan had nothing left to fear.

What kind of enlightened ruler? A man chosen by Heaven?

In Zhang Xiaoshan's view, it was nothing more than a laughable encounter.

Previously, Zhang Xiaoshan was wary of the Dragon Emperor because being his enemy had led to too many unwarranted killings.

But with the death of the Dragon Emperor, heroes vied for supremacy.

Since so many people are going to die anyway, why can't the Zhang family end this chaotic world?

Moreover, the Zhang family has accumulated strength and prestige over such a long time; in terms of qualifications, the Zhang family is the one destined for greatness.

Moreover, Zhang Xiaoshan sensed that he would eventually leave.

In that case, leaving the dynasty to the Zhang family is the best way to ensure its continuation!

Otherwise, even if it's a dynasty that lasts for a hundred years and a family that has been powerful for a thousand years, what happens after he leaves? The Zhang family might be subject to the combined forces of the powerful families of the Nine Provinces.

Only the imperial family has the capital to be proud of the entire land.

"Since we're here, why not come together?"

"Even from a hundred feet away, you haven't escaped my notice, young master. It seems you have indeed reached the realm of transcendence!"

A surprised exclamation arose as three figures emerged from the distant mountains and forests.

One person was shrouded in a black robe and bamboo hat, appearing extremely mysterious; another was a Taoist priest with white hair and a youthful face, exuding an air of otherworldly wisdom, but with a heroic spirit between his brows, clearly belonging to a Taoist who had transcended worldly affairs; the third was a handsome and dashing young scholar who looked young, but was actually at least over fifty years old.

"Greetings, young master! And greetings to my wife, Li Mahao!"

"Are you here to test our strength?"

Zhang Xiaoshan had nothing to hide, so he directly stated their purpose.

Neither their attitude nor their skillful grilling techniques showed any regard for the three of them.

However, the three of them didn't say anything, because they knew that Zhang Xiaoshan was qualified, and besides, Zhang Xiaoshan had hit the nail on the head with just one sentence.

"Please forgive me, young master!"

"It's nothing, I'm not surprised by your arrival."

As for your concerns? I can tell you that the Zhang family did not make a move; you have simply underestimated the power of the Empire.

"The Mohist school cannot protect the city of the mechanical gates!"

"What does the young master want the Mo Family's Mechanical City for?"

The leader of the Mohist school did not doubt Zhang Xiaoshan's words because he knew that Zhang Xiaoshan had no reason to lie.

Although his attitude angered him, it was just an attitude.

If they angered Zhang Xiaoshan and provoked the Zhang family to take action, it would only worsen the situation for the Mo family.

"It's not a secret that the Zhang family wants to build their own base on the ruins of the Mechanical City."

After all, the location of the Mo Family's Mechanized City is exceptionally advantageous and extremely secluded. Furthermore, with its refinement over a thousand years, the Zhang family doesn't need any mechanisms; they only need the vast area inside, and then the Zhang family can set up their own mechanisms on it!

Chapter 673 The Chosen One? The Conflict Between the Zhang Family and the Empire

"Zhang Family Base?"

"Young Master plans to build the Zhang family's core base in the heart of the Central Plains!"

The young scholar looked horrified.

He knew exactly what changes the Zhang family's base would bring to Kyushu once it was completed.

It should be noted that in the East China Sea, the Zhang family's base is a giant gold mine that everyone in Kyushu covets. Not to mention soap and glass, just the steel alone, the Zhang family exports at least tens of thousands of tons every year.

What does tens of thousands of tons of high-quality steel mean?

No power can afford to ignore it, and high-quality steel is a strategic resource. Whether for forging weapons or for various other purposes, it is in high demand and short supply.

Unfortunately, the Zhang family's base is located in the East China Sea.

Even if they had found it, given the Zhang family's numerous traps and defenses, it wouldn't have been easy for them to spy on it.

Otherwise, the Zhang family's secret wouldn't have remained hidden until now.

Why is the Zhang family venturing into the Central Plains at this time?

"opportunity!"

Timing? What timing?

Is this the time for the destruction of the Fortress of the Machines? Or is it the time for the Zhang family to contend for supremacy in the Central Plains?

As the three pondered, Zhang Xiaoshan took out several skewers of freshly grilled meat and chuckled:

"It tastes good, would you like to try some?"

"Thank you, sir!"

It was dinner time, so everyone ate three skewers each, which was just right.

As for the Taoist priest, he wasn't exactly a vegetarian either, especially since there were quite a few mushrooms and wild vegetables on top, though they were rather oily.

"You should not harbor any illusions that you can stop the empire and preserve the Mo family's thousand-year heritage."