Soon, a ray of morning light appeared on the horizon.
The sun slowly rose from the horizon, illuminating the pitch-black earth.
Last night, Jiang Chen visited the three great clans.
He had annihilated the clan leaders and carried their heads to pay tribute to Grandpa and the deceased Jiang family spirits.
And today, a momentous occasion shook Jiangzhong, and even the five major districts.
The Xiaoyao King's succession ceremony had not officially announced a specific date, but this morning, news broke that the ceremony would take place at noon today, at a military base in Jiangzhong.
This caused a huge uproar.
Countless people were still trying to obtain invitations when the official date was announced.
And then, another bombshell news swept Jiangzhong once again.
"Good morning, viewers! This is Jiangzhong News Channel. Last night, the famous tycoon Wang Yonggui died at home, his head severed. Zhao Jingshan also died at home, and Zhou Deping also died. All three died in the same manner: they were tied to a chair and their heads severed."
"The relevant departments have launched an investigation."
"For further updates, please stay tuned to our latest reports."
A piece of news has caused an uproar.
What?
Wang Yonggui, patriarch of the Wang family, one of the four great families, is worth tens of billions.
Zhao Jingshan, patriarch of the Zhao family, one of the four great families, is also worth tens of billions.
Zhou Deping, patriarch of the Zhou family, one of the four great families, is also worth quite a bit.
What's going on?
Who would dare to cause trouble during the Xiaoyao King's succession ceremony? And the victims aren't just ordinary people, but renowned Jiangzhong tycoons!
This is clearly an act of defiance against Xiaoyao King!
Everyone is talking about this.
Add to that the recent death of Xiao Biehe, patriarch of the Xiao family.
The patriarchs of the four most powerful families in Jiangzhong are all dead. Is this a coincidence, or was it intentional?
Jiangzhong, City Hospital.
Xiao Ruoran was rushed to the hospital promptly. Her severed hand had been reattached, but she would no longer be able to exert force.
She lay on the hospital bed, her face bandaged.
"Ruoran, something terrible has happened! The patriarchs of the Wang, Zhao, and Zhou families are all dead. They've all had their heads severed and are tied to chairs," a prominent member of the Xiao family said.
"What?"
Xiao Ruoran shuddered at the words.
Dead? Dead?
"Ruoran, who exactly hurt you? Is this related to our father's death? Was it the same person who killed the other three clan leaders who hurt you?"
Xiao Ruoran, frightened to a pale face, quickly said, "Brother, hurry! Lead the Xiao family away from the river immediately. The farther away, the better. Never come back."
Xiao Hao, puzzled, asked, "Ruoran, what are you so afraid of? Who is this? Today is the Xiaoyao King's succession ceremony, and he's making such a big news. This is clearly an act of opposition to the Xiaoyao King. How can the Xiaoyao King tolerate this?"
"Don't ask. Listen to me. Leave now, or the Xiao family will be in turmoil!"
Xiao Ruoran was truly terrified.
This was the Black Dragon!
Who was the Xiaoyao King?
If the Xiaoyao King dared to stand in his way, she was sure he would die!
Puzzled, Xiao Hao nodded, "Yes, I'll arrange for my clan members to leave immediately. But what about you?"
Xiao Ruoran shook his head slightly. "It's useless. I've committed a heinous crime. It doesn't matter where I flee. Big brother, go ahead and leave me alone."
Xiao Ruoran knew who Black Dragon was.
He was a true figure at the top of the pyramid.
Escape? How, where?
She believed that no matter where she fled, Black Dragon would find her, and she would be doomed.
If she could retrieve the Huayue Mountain Residence Map, she might be able to atone for her sins, save her life, or even protect the Xiao family.
Xiao Hao didn't know why Xiao Ruoran was so afraid.
But he knew that Xiao Ruoran must have known the identity of his father's murderer, and that this person was the same one who had killed the other clan leaders.
He couldn't help but think of a certain family.
The Jiang family!
There was only one family that held a grudge against the Xiao family, and also held irreconcilable hatreds with the other three major families.
That was the Jiang family, annihilated ten years ago!
Tactfully, he didn't ask any more questions, nor did he say anything more. He turned and left.
Xiao Ruoran lay in her hospital bed, completely hopeless.
She had always wanted the Xiao family to return to its peak.
Now she knew there was no hope. The Xiao family members were lucky to have survived.
"What a terrifying black dragon! It's truly going to cause unrest among the four major families. But it's true. Anyone would find it hard to let go of the hatred for what happened ten years ago," Xiao Ruoran muttered despairingly.
Meanwhile, at a certain military base.
King Xiaoyao wore a battle robe adorned with five stars.
"King, something happened last night. Several people were killed. They were..."
King Xiaoyao's trusted subordinate approached and reported the incident.
"Hmm?"
King Xiaoyao frowned.
"Did Black Dragon do it?"
"It must be Black Dragon. My subordinates have researched. Black Dragon is the man Tang Chuchu rescued from the Jiang family fire ten years ago. His features were burned, and somehow he changed his face. He drifted to the Southern Wilderness and became a soldier, fighting in battle. In just ten years, he achieved countless feats and was named Black Dragon, commanding a million-strong Black Dragon Army."
Hearing this, King Xiaoyao was puzzled and asked, "Does he have any grudges against the four major families?"
"My subordinates have researched. The Jiang family's demise ten years ago was inextricably linked to the Xiao family. Furthermore, the Jiang family fire also implicated the four major families in the Jiang family."
King Xiaoyao seemed lost in thought.
He had previously only known that Jiang Chen killed Xiao Zhan because Xiao Zhan had assaulted Jiang Chen's wife, Tang Chuchu.
He hadn't expected so many other things to be involved.
Tang Chuchu was the one who saved Jiang Chen ten years ago, while the Xiao family was the culprit behind the destruction of the Jiang family.
"King, how should this matter be handled? You're holding your succession ceremony, and Jiang Chen has caused so much trouble. If you don't give the public an explanation, I'm afraid it will affect your reputation!"
King Xiaoyao's face was bitter. "An explanation? How? Do you expect me to send a large army to encircle and suppress Black Dragon? I don't have the courage. Report it and see what the higher-ups do!"
"Yes."
"Wait..."
"King, is there anything else?"
"Forget it." King Xiaoyao thought for a moment and said, "Let's suppress it for now. Find a scapegoat to take the blame for Jiang Chen's death."
"King, you must think carefully. Black Dragon submitted his resignation and returned to Jiangzhong. He's back for revenge. This is just the beginning. Who knows how many people from the four major families will die in the future? Suppressing it once is possible, but can it be repeated? It might cause a huge uproar. Besides, this is under your jurisdiction. If the higher-ups blame you, the responsibility..."
"Suppress it!"
King Xiaoyao took a deep breath.
Who is Black Dragon? This was the Southern Wilds' commander-in-chief, a master of military tactics, unrivaled in strength, and unparalleled in medical skills!
He trusted his superiors not to embarrass Black Dragon. If he reported this, they might become suspicious of him, thinking he was deliberately framing Black Dragon.
If that accusation were to be leveled, he wouldn't be able to bear it.
"Yes, I'll find a way right away. I'll notify the media and give them an explanation."
King Xiaoyao's trusted subordinates departed.
King Xiaoyao, on the other hand, looked thoughtful.
The higher-ups must have known Jiang Chen's true identity, yet they still allowed him to come to Jiangzhong and then transferred him here.
"What exactly are their intentions?"
King Xiaoyao sighed deeply. He couldn't guess their intentions.