Chapter 182: Hidden Dragon in the Abyss
The Zhuge Family had managed to remain standing firm for so many years.
Aside from their many supporters, it was also due to their own abilities.
The Zhuge Family was exceptionally skilled in various occult arts, including the Feng Shui Art.
If he could convince them to come out of seclusion, the problem would definitely be solved.
Dragon Abyss Tower was located within a traditional courtyard residence.
There were guards at the entrance.
Xiao Ye took out a membership card and was finally allowed to enter.
The tower wasn't crowded, and every corner exuded refinement.
Even the smallest decorative piece was undoubtedly an antique.
Xiao Ye didn't go to a private room. Instead, he went straight to the manager and said, "I want to see someone from the Zhuge Family."
"My apologies, sir, but no one from the Zhuge Family has come today. I'm afraid you will be disappointed."
"You could also try again in a few days. You might be lucky enough to run into them."
Xiao Ye's expression didn't change. "Tell them someone from the Hidden Xiao Family is here."
Hearing that he was also from a Hidden Clan, the manager's expression finally turned serious. "Very well, I will pass on your message."
Only then did Xiao Ye enter a private room.
About half an hour later, the manager hurried over. "Please, wait just a moment longer."
Xiao Ye wasn't in a hurry. He leisurely savored the fine, priceless tea.
Another hour or so passed.
Finally, there was a knock on the door, and a middle-aged man walked in.
He looked at Xiao Ye's face, and his expression changed slightly. "Son of Xiao Ling!"
Xiao Ye had already reverted to his original appearance. The Zhuge Family had some skill, so it was natural they could see a thing or two.
"Since you know who I am, you should be able to guess my purpose for coming here."
The man was silent for a moment, but then he came inside, making sure to close the door to the room behind him.
"Aren't you supposed to be dead?"
'So the Zhuge Family really does know.'
"It seems Liu Loulan's actions didn't escape your notice."
"Hmph, that woman never intended to hide it from us. We knew your identity the moment you entered the Imperial City."
But because it concerned the internal affairs of another family, they naturally wouldn't interfere.
Xiao Ye personally poured him a cup of tea. "If that's the case, then you should also know my identity."
"Aside from being a member of the Xiao Family, I have another identity."
"What?"
The man from the Zhuge Family looked at Xiao Ye, his expression extremely grave.
The Zhuge Family was also skilled in face reading, yet he couldn't read Xiao Ye's features at all.
It was as if a layer of thick fog concealed them.
This was something only a true master could achieve—to conceal heavenly secrets!
"Heh, besides having the surname Xiao, I am also a disciple of the Lingxiao Daoist."
CRASH!
The man from the Zhuge Family shot to his feet, his face a mask of disbelief.
"You're Daoist Lingxiao's disciple... Wait, Daoist Lingxiao's disciple is indeed surnamed Xiao, and I think his name is Xiao Ye!"
"No wonder I couldn't read your face. So that's how it is!"
If it involved the Lingxiao Daoist, then he could understand.
After all, that man was a legendary figure before whom even the Zhuge Family had to bow in deference!
Xiao Ye smiled faintly. "No need to be so shocked. It's something you can easily verify with a proper investigation."
"I came here today mainly to propose a collaboration."
"Your Zhuge Family's legacy... you should only have the first half, and not the second, correct?"
"How do you know that?" The man froze, but his mind quickly caught up. "Don't tell me you have the second half?"
"No. To be precise, it's in my master's hands. But what belongs to my master naturally belongs to me."
Xiao Ye looked at him with a grin. "I know where the second half is, and I can give it to you to complete the Zhuge Family's legacy."
"However, in return, you'll need to do something for me."
"Name it! What is it?"
With their legacy on the line, the Zhuge Family was now willing to interfere, even if it was another family's internal affair!
With the second half, the Zhuge Family would surely soar to new heights!
Within three generations, they might even reclaim their former glory!
Xiao Ye put down his teacup. "It's simple. I want you to spread the news that Xiao Ling's son is still alive to the people of the Xiao Family."
"To those who are not loyal to Liu Loulan, who do not believe in her... you should understand what I mean. I trust that with the Zhuge Family's capabilities, this small task won't be a problem."
Indeed, it wasn't a problem.
The Zhuge Family could do it.
It was just a matter of identifying the right people and passing on a message. It was almost too simple.
The Xiao Family had long been split into two factions.
One faction consisted of Liu Loulan's supporters—her lackeys. The other was the part of the Xiao Family that Liu Loulan had suppressed.
"Alright, I agree! But when will you give me the second half of the legacy?"
"That will have to wait until I've handled my business here. Don't worry. I'm a man of my word."
After speaking, Xiao Ye waved his hand, revealing his true facial features to the man's sight.
The moment the man from the Zhuge Family saw it, he was stunned.
This was clearly the visage of a hidden dragon in the abyss!
One that would transform into a true dragon upon encountering the winds and clouds of opportunity!
The dragon's horns had already emerged—his transformation was inevitable!
This was the true face of an Emperor!
He never imagined that he would live to see such a face!
'Xiao Ye is someone we absolutely cannot afford to offend!'
"Do I look like someone who would go back on their word?"
The Zhuge man hastily bowed his head. "No, not at all! I'll get on it right away. If there's any news, I'll inform you immediately."
Xiao Ye nodded in satisfaction. "Very good. Go on, then. If you do a good job, not only will I give you the second half, but I might throw in something extra."
"Thank you!" The man from the Zhuge Family quickly departed.
He didn't let out a long breath until he had walked out of Dragon Abyss Tower.
In the short time he had glimpsed Xiao Ye's true face, his back had become drenched in a cold sweat!
He immediately got in a car, returned home, and recounted everything that had just happened.
The members of the Zhuge Family looked at each other in stunned silence.
"Are you sure you saw the face of an Emperor? If he can conceal it, maybe he can fake it too!"
"That's absolutely impossible. It was the genuine face of an Emperor, the face of one touched by the descent of the Ziwei Star."
The Zhuge Family Patriarch suddenly recalled something. "Twenty-two years ago, the Ziwei Star suddenly appeared."
"At the time, all of us in the Zhuge Family thought an Emperor was about to be born."
"But unexpectedly, just a short year later, the Ziwei Star suddenly dimmed. I thought the person had perished."
"But if you connect this with the events of the Xiao Family, that Xiao Ye... happened to disappear when he was about one year old!"
"If he was truly taken in by the Lingxiao Daoist, then it's entirely possible for his fate and astrological signs to have been hidden!"
Everyone exchanged glances.
"Then let's observe the celestial signs again!"
「Late at night.」
All the members of the Zhuge Family gathered at the stargazing platform.
"The Ziwei Star... It's out!"
"Its light is far brighter than ever before!"
"It all makes sense now. It must be Xiao Ye!"
"Do as he says! Even if we can't befriend him, we absolutely must not provoke him!"
"The Ziwei Star may dim for a time, but for it to reappear like this, it means he will certainly not perish!"
"Xiao Ye is that dragon, and he is destined to be the Emperor brought by the Ziwei Star!"
The members of the Zhuge Family exchanged another glance, their expressions grave.
"With the Ziwei Star revealed and the face of an Emperor emerged, this Imperial City... is about to descend into chaos!"