Chapter 89: Leaving
The Nebula National Protection Hall was part of the Nebula Royal Family to begin with.
Luo Cheng and the others had forced Long Ao to leave the National Protection Hall precisely to avoid bringing trouble upon the Hall and the Nebula Royal Family.
But what about now?
Ouyang Fei was clearly siding with Long Ao. If that was the case, what was the point of Long Ao leaving the National Protection Hall? Once the Thunder Royal Family and the three great families came looking for trouble, it would implicate not only the Nebula Royal Family but the Nebula National Protection Hall as well.
"Yu Wei, Vice Hall Master Luo, my mind is made up. No matter what happens to Long Ao, I will back him all the way."
Ouyang Fei had made his stance clear. As the Crown Prince of the Nebula Kingdom, with the Emperor currently absent, there was nothing Luo Cheng or the others could do.
Seeing this, Long Ao suddenly smiled. "Brother Ouyang, having a brother like you makes it all worthwhile. But I'll say it again: from this moment on, I am not only leaving the National Protection Hall, but also disassociating myself from the Nebula Royal Family."
Without giving Ouyang Fei any chance to speak, Long Ao continued, "Brother Ouyang, I'd like to ask you for a favor."
Heaving a deep sigh, Ouyang Fei knew Long Ao's personality all too well. He nodded and asked, "Brother Long, what is it?"
"I need you to look after the Long Family for me, Brother Ouyang."
"Brother Long, rest assured. As long as I, Ouyang Fei, am alive, absolutely nothing will happen to the Long Family. As long as I stand, the family stands. Should I fall, the family falls."
"Thank you. I will repay this kindness one day." With that, Long Ao turned and left, quickly vanishing within the Nebula Post Station.
Watching his departing figure, Yu Wei and the others sneered inwardly. They had finally removed the thorn in their side. Ultimately, Yu Wei's group, and even Luo Cheng, were all filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred for Long Ao.
"Crown Prince Ouyang, the Thunder Battle will officially begin in ten days. The Thunder Royal Family just sent word requesting your presence."
Ouyang Fei nodded, still deeply displeased about what had happened with Long Ao. He turned and swiftly departed.
"Master Luo, don't you think we went a little too far?"
Among the nine of them, Hao Chao was the most honorable. He didn't hold a grudge against Long Ao for defeating him. Compared to Yu Wei, Hao Chao was a man of principle.
Luo Cheng waved his hand, his expression unreadable. "Everything was for the sake of the National Protection Hall and the Nebula Royal Family," he said indifferently.
"Brother Hao, Long Ao brought this all on himself. He has no one else to blame."
In his heart, Hao Chao utterly looked down on Yu Wei. He shot him a fierce glare and immediately gave chase.
"Brother Long, wait for me!"
Long Ao was puzzled to see Hao Chao chasing after him. "Brother Hao, is something wrong?"
Long Ao had a relatively good impression of Hao Chao.
"Brother Long, you were too reckless. Luo Cheng and the others were obviously forcing you out of the National Protection Hall. Now that you've left, what will you do when the Thunder Royal Family and the three great families come after you?"
"A place like the National Protection Hall... I'm better off without it."
"That may be true, but Brother Long, have you thought about your family? You've provoked the Thunder Royal Family and the three great families, and now you've left the National Protection Hall. What will you do if they decide to go after your family?"
"I trust Brother Ouyang will look after my family." Long Ao had complete confidence in Ouyang Fei. Besides, Ouyang Fei had just given him his word.
But Hao Chao didn't see it that way. His voice was grave as he said, "Brother Long, I'm not trying to discourage you, and it's not that I don't trust Crown Prince Ouyang. But the Thunder Royal Family and the three great families are simply too powerful. If they're dead set on dealing with your family, can Ouyang Fei really stop them? When that happens, even the Nebula Kingdom itself might not dare to intervene."
Long Ao was no fool; of course he understood the meaning behind Hao Chao's words.
'He hadn't really considered this before. Thinking about it now, it's just as Hao Chao said. If the Thunder Royal Family and the three great families decide to move against his family, can Ouyang Fei really stop them all by himself?'
'Ouyang Fei may be the Crown Prince of the Nebula Kingdom, and he can certainly throw his weight around there, but what about in the face of the Thunder Empire?'
"Brother Hao, we both know that even if I hadn't left the National Protection Hall, I'd have no way of handling the Thunder Royal Family. Besides, there was no longer a place for me in the Hall. Why should I continue to delude myself?"
With a deep sigh, Hao Chao said, "Brother Long, to be honest, you're the person I admire most. I firmly believe that you are a hidden dragon who will one day soar to the heavens."
Long Ao didn't say anything, only smiled.
"Brother Long, the reason I came after you is that I thought of a way that might be able to help you."
"Brother Hao, what is it?"
After thinking for a moment, Hao Chao said, "Brother Long, the only way now is for you to participate in the Thunder Battle. As long as you can make a name for yourself there, I'm sure the Thunder Royal Family will take you seriously. Then..."
Hao Chao didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.
Long Ao was no fool, so of course he understood. But he asked, "Brother Hao, I've already left the National Protection Hall. Can I still participate in the Thunder Battle?"
The Thunder Battle was a grand tournament held by the Thunder Empire, with participants from the Empire itself and thirty-two vassal Kingdoms.
"Brother Long, you don't need to worry about that. For the Thunder Battle, the Thunder Empire made a clear ruling long ago. Besides the official participants from the Empire and the thirty-two Kingdoms, anyone who is a citizen of those lands can also join. The only prerequisite is that their Cultivation must have reached the One-Line Heaven Realm."
'So that's how it is.'
"Brother Hao, thank you. In ten days, I will participate in the Thunder Battle."
"Brother Long, you must be careful of Yu Wei and his group. When the Thunder Battle begins, I will be on your side and help you."
Long Ao nodded without another word; some things were best left unsaid. That was the kind of person he was. He would repay kindness twofold. Conversely, if someone deliberately caused him trouble, he would ensure that vengeance was served.
Watching Long Ao depart, Hao Chao smiled to himself. 'What a confident young man. I'm really looking forward to seeing him grow. As for the National Protection Hall... you will all regret today's actions.'
After leaving the Nebula Post Station, Long Ao found an inn to wait. He was expecting the Thunder Royal Family and the three great families to come looking for trouble. 'It's all rather frustrating,' he thought. 'I've been in Thunder City for less than two days, and I've already provoked the Thunder Royal Family and the three great families. In that, at least, I'm probably without equal.'
The Jiang, Long, and Duanmu Families, upon hearing that Long Ao had provoked the Third Prince, all ceased their activities. They were waiting for the Prince to deal with him. After all, in Thunder City, the Thunder Royal Family was the undisputed ruler.