Immortal Travel of Longevity

The Tang Family Trading Firm played a crucial role in the struggle for the realm.

Over the years, Prince Yu had risen to power.

Following his father's wishes, Tang Shijing threw his full support behind Prince Yu, secretly providing him with immense assistance.

But because this support remained strictly in the shadows, no one could produce any hard evidence. Many within the Imperial Court had noticed the shifting tides—especially the prime minister. Yet, unable to pin down any proof, they hesitated to move against Tang Mingjing.

First, the factions backing the Tang Manor were formidable. Furthermore, their overt financial contributions to the Imperial Court over the years were substantial. While they were not officially designated as imperial merchants, their actual status far exceeded the title. In official circles and in the shadows alike, the Tang Family Trading Firm enjoyed heavy protection.

Arresting him without concrete proof would undoubtedly spark a fierce backlash, a scenario the prime minister desperately wanted to avoid.

Yet, despite years of digging, he had failed to uncover a single piece of incriminating evidence against Tang Mingjing. Whether scrutinizing ledgers or targeting the man's inner circle, their defenses remained completely watertight.

Now, Tang Mingjing's death presented him with the perfect opportunity.

Naturally, the prime minister refused to let it slip by.

It was far from an ordinary trading firm.

Before he could do that, however, he still needed proof.

But the Tang Manor's reaction had been exceptionally swift.

The moment news of the patriarch's death broke, they immediately summoned all affiliated martial factions in the vicinity to converge on the estate.

This rapid mobilization transformed the Tang Manor into an iron fortress.

Notably, the Tang Manor did not collapse into chaos upon Tang Mingjing's death. His daughter, Tang Yuerong, stepped up to bear the burden. Taking command of the estate, she consulted with the stewards and shopkeepers to stabilize the volatile situation.

Everyone had underestimated the young lady of the Tang Manor. The old adage that a fierce tiger sires no weak cubs applied equally to daughters; in this moment of extreme peril, Tang Yuerong had truly managed to temporarily quell the brewing chaos.

Her ruthless methods left many in sheer awe.

Behind closed doors, however, Tang Yuerong was plagued by a massive headache.

Their current predicament did not appear too dire on the surface.

But if Tang Shijing and Tang Zheng did not return soon, she truly would not be able to hold the line. Dissenting voices were already murmuring in the lower ranks. Throughout the entire Tang Family Trading Firm, very few possessed the authority to keep those veteran shopkeepers in line. Her aunt had passed away years ago, and with her father gone, there was no one left.

Tang Yuerong had dealt with those shopkeepers extensively. She knew better than anyone that aside from her late aunt and father, no one could truly command their obedience.

Tang Yuerong broke into a cold sweat. Her father was currently lying in the ancestral hall, unable to be properly laid to rest. A suffocating anger coiled in her chest at the thought, with nowhere to vent it.

And then there were the outsiders glaring at them like starving wolves. The Tang Manor controlled immense wealth and sweeping enterprises; who wouldn't want a piece of that pie? Those external enemies were her greatest fear.

"Hurry... please, come back soon..."

Tang Yuerong could only comfort herself with those words.

She could not hold the fort much longer.

.

.

The war at the Border Pass had finally eased.

Prince Yu had won the hearts of the people. High-minded men admired him and flocked to join his army. Combined with the heavy fortunes he had spent recruiting troops and purchasing warhorses over the years, his military strength could finally contend with the North Desert People.

The North Desert People were halted beyond the walls, allowing the Border Pass a moment of peace.

But before one storm could settle, another rose to take its place.

Over the years, the vast majority of the military's financial support had come from the secret backing of the Tang Family Trading Firm.

Without it, Prince Yu would never have reached the heights he stood at today.

Now that the trading firm was in peril, he naturally could not stand idly by.

However, the current situation dictated that the Tang Family Trading Firm could not yet be exposed. Tang Shijing understood this truth implicitly. The trade routes across the realm could not be severed; these matters still had to be handled in the shadows.

Prince Yu lent several experts from the jianghu to Tang Shijing. Without exception, all were top-tier martial artists. At the same time, the prince made a solemn vow: if he truly secured his great ambition, he would elevate the Tang Manor to a glory far surpassing its past.

Two separate forces surged northward from the west and the south.

It also guaranteed that a shadow war was about to sweep through Shangjing City.

But how could the journey back be simple?

...

Amidst the rainy night.

Swift Horses galloped, their thundering hooves continuously ringing out.

At the head of the riders was Tang Zheng, flanked by several elite experts from Nanbeilou.

"Rumble!!"

A sudden, deafening crash ripped through the air.

"Halt!!"

Dozens of horses were reined in instantly, their frightened neighs piercing the rain.

"Rumble!!"

A massive boulder tore down from the hillside, blocking the road ahead.

"Whoosh..."

The sound of rain hammered in their ears.

Then, glints of silver began to emerge from the darkness of the surrounding forest.

Tang Zheng's expression turned ice-cold as he drew the sword at his waist.

He naturally knew that this journey would be anything but peaceful.

...

Meanwhile, on the other end.

Tang Shijing had met a similar ambush, just like Tang Zheng.

Seated within his horse carriage, he thumbed a string of prayer beads. His eyes were closed, his demeanor remarkably tranquil.

Outside the carriage, however, the sounds of slaughter raged. Agonized screams tore through the night. The escorts he had brought along on this trip were predominantly elite fighters from Nanyan Tower. Tang Shijing had long anticipated such a situation, and he had not skimped on the number of guards he brought.

...

It was not just the two of them.

A terrifying killing intent had also descended upon the Tang Manor in Shangjing.

That very night, countless assassins besieged the Tang Manor.

To act so brazenly at the foot of the Emperor—these attackers were, without exception, death-sworn soldiers. It was enough to show that the mastermind in the shadows could wait no longer.

Tang Yuerong sat in the Main Hall of the Tang Manor.

Several figures stood around her. They were her father's trusted confidants. Though their origins were unknown, they were, without exception, powerful martial artists.

The moment they received the news, they had all rushed over.

Tang Yuerong rested her hands on the chair. She appeared calm, but her palms were already slick with sweat.

She was only forcing herself to stay composed. Though she had been highly experienced in the affairs of the trading firm since birth, this was her first time facing such a scene.

Many people would die tonight!

Before long, the sounds of combat erupted across the courtyard, rising in wave after wave.

The clash of saber and sword rang out endlessly, accompanied by agonizing screams.

Tang Yuerong took a deep breath. Seeing this, one of the retainers beside her brought over a cup of tea. "Do not worry, Miss Tang," he said. "Master Tang saved all of our lives. We will never let these thieves have their way. Even if the worst comes to pass, I will risk this old life of mine to ensure your safety!"

Tang Yuerong calmed down a little and slowly let out a breath.

At the very front of the hall, a jianghu martial artist paused in wiping down his blade and raised his head, his gaze looking outside.

The motion of his hands stopped entirely. "They're here..." he murmured softly.

Three men and a woman walked in from outside.

Step by step, they advanced directly into the Main Hall.

"Oh, quite lively."

The man walking through the door curled his lips into a smile. "Quite a crowd. We're going to have some fun today."

The retainers in the hall all stood up. The man wiping his blade set down his cloth and rose to his feet. "The Scholar-Swordsman, fifth on the Sword Leaderboard?" he sneered. "Years ago, word spread that you'd joined Nanbeilou and sworn off the affairs of the jianghu. What happened? Are you going back on your word just to wade into muddy waters?"

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