In the world of martial arts, grind your skill level to become a saint.

Gathering in the inner city?

Su Hao's heart stirred, as if he had also sensed something.

He recalled some things he had heard at the Fuquan Restaurant, wondering if these things were related to the gathering of the major forces tonight.

However, he had already paid someone to deliver the information to Master Liu, so it is estimated that Master Liu's early departure today is also related to what happened tonight.

However, thinking that these things didn't really concern him, he was still planning to buy auxiliary medicinal herbs and items for cultivating the Crimson Blood Palm later.

So I'm not very interested in it.

Thinking of this, he shook his head and said, "Since Brother Zhou is going to the inner city, I'm not very interested in it either. I'll come back tomorrow..."

Thinking that Zhou Zhengtang would have to treat him to a meal and spend money when they went to the inner city, he didn't want to trouble the other party too much, after all, Zhou Zhengtang had indeed helped him a lot recently.

"If we're true brothers, let's not talk about that. I've already prepared the clothes for you!"

Zhou Zhengtang had already guessed that Su Hao would refuse. He then took out a set of clothes and threw them to Su Hao. "Sometimes it's not enough to practice alone. You have to go out and see the world. Zhang Xuantong from Zhangjiabao will also be there tonight. I'll take this opportunity to see what this once-in-a-century genius of Yanshan City is all about."

Su Hao took the clothes, feeling somewhat helpless.

However, considering how well Zhou Zhengtang had prepared for him, he couldn't refuse any longer and could only nod.

After changing into the same black robe as Zhou Zhengtang, Su Hao left Zhou's Pharmacy with Zhou Zhengtang and boarded a carriage to head straight for the inner city.

This was, in fact, his first time entering the inner city, and he also wanted to see who Zhang Xuantong, the number one genius of Yanshan City, really was.

The carriage sped along and soon arrived at the entrance to the inner city.

Because of their business dealings in medicinal herbs, the Zhou family also had business dealings in the inner city, so they were not prevented from entering the inner city.

Looking out the window, the city streets have become much cleaner and more bustling, with buildings standing tall and decorated with lanterns and colorful lights everywhere.

It's like two different worlds from the outer city.

Su Hao couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

From this perspective, the inner city is indeed much better than the outer city.

This is understandable, since those who can live and work in the inner city are basically either rich or noble.

Therefore, even a major medicinal herb merchant like the Zhou family was not qualified to live in the inner city.

Moreover, Su Hao had heard that almost all the industrial and residential land in the entire inner city was linked to the Martial Arts Alliance.

The carriage traveled along the wide, smooth city roads and soon came to a stop in front of a rather large restaurant.

The entire restaurant was built of wood. People came and went at the main entrance, and the interior was brightly lit. Occasionally, there was music and laughter. The exterior was decorated with golden lanterns, which made the glazed tiles on the top shine, making it look magnificent.

"Golden Jade Pavilion..."

Su Hao was somewhat shocked as he looked at the three large golden characters on the restaurant's signboard and the huge wooden building that resembled a palace.

He had never seen such a magnificent wooden building before, not even in his previous life.

Most importantly, these building timbers seem to be made of high-quality rosewood. Su Hao only had some knowledge of carpentry, so he knew a little about the grain and color of rosewood.

The entire building exudes an air of wealth and power!

"Let's go! I've reserved some good stuff for tonight!"

Zhou Zhengtang put his hand on Su Hao's shoulder and said with a smile.

Su Hao nodded, and the two went inside.

As soon as I entered, two beautiful women with curvaceous figures, wearing tight white bodycon mini skirts, came to greet me.

Zhou Zhengtang took out a black jade card and told them his reserved spot. The two women then respectfully led the two to a window seat on the second floor.

"Tonight, Zhangjiabao's team is led by Zhang Xuantong, and their exact location is right across from Shanshui Manor, so this should be their only route."

Zhou Zhengtang looked at the crowd coming and going below and spoke.

"Does Brother Zhou know that these people gathered tonight because of a reunion?"

Su Hao shifted his gaze from the stage below and asked.

There must be a reason why the major powers of Yanshan City have gathered here tonight.

Zhou Zhengtang is well-informed and should know some inside information.

Moreover, he didn't believe the other party was just there for the sake of joining in the fun.

"The forces within the city, after a long period of division, will unite; after a long period of unity, will divide again. Ten years have passed since the last conflict between the Zhang family and the Martial Arts Alliance. Now the Zhang family is powerful, and they have produced someone like Zhang Xuantong. What do you think is the reason for this?"

Zhou Zhengtang asked.

"Does that mean war might be on the horizon?"

Su Hao was taken aback and asked very directly.

"Not necessarily... but it's not impossible." Zhou Zhengtang shook his head. "Back then, the Zhang family suffered heavy losses in their battle with the Martial Arts Alliance and retreated to the outer city to build an earthen fortress. They recuperated and built up their strength over the years, and their influence has grown day by day. Meanwhile, although the Martial Arts Alliance has been living a peaceful life in recent years, it has rarely produced any top-tier masters. So..."

Zhou Zhengtang paused for a moment, then continued, "So the Zhang family is very likely to return to the inner city..."

"Then the government and the imperial court are ignoring it?"

Su Hao asked the question that had been on his mind.

The government of Yanshan City often fails to act on many matters, but that only applies to ordinary people. When it comes to the struggles between these forces, they will more or less intervene.

After all, these forces in the city often control a large portion of the tax revenue, and are the economic lifeline of Yanshan City.

Once these forces start fighting each other, it will consume a lot of money, manpower, and resources. At that point, the government will have no money to make and will naturally not want to see such a situation occur.

Therefore, it is absolutely necessary for the imperial court to step in and check and balance the situation.

"You overestimate these guys with official hats. In their eyes, the fiercer the fighting between the two sides, the more benefits they can legitimately plunder. To be honest, if I were the magistrate, I would not only not interfere, but I would also fan the flames."

Zhou Zhengtang sneered.

Clearly, they didn't have a good impression of government officials.

Indeed, this is true. If these people hadn't been backed by the imperial court, they would have been wiped out many times over.

Su Hao was speechless upon hearing this.

My impression of the entire Great Wu Dynasty worsened even further.

It seems now that the imperial court is truly rotten to the core.

Moreover, it remains to be seen how long such a dynasty, under such circumstances, can last.

The two chatted while drinking tea for about fifteen minutes.

The streets below also began to hum with noise.

At the end of the city road ahead, the faint sound of orderly footsteps could be heard.

Su Hao and Zhou Zhengtang looked in the direction of the sound and saw dozens of guards dressed in black with black swords hanging at their waists walking in orderly steps from a distance.

Each of these guards was over 1.9 meters tall, and each was incredibly strong, like a black whirlwind, silently stirring up the peaceful inner city.

At the very front of these guards, a young man dressed in black robes, extremely tall, with resolute features, and around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, was leading the group forward.

This person walked with a steady gait, each step seemingly carrying a force, as if he had a firm grasp on the rhythm of the entire team. The most striking feature was the pair of straight, unsheathed black long swords that were crossed on his back.

This gave him an extremely sharp and intimidating aura, making him someone people dared not look directly at.

In the entire Yanshan City Alliance, apart from the once-in-a-century genius Zhang Xuantong, there is no one else with such momentum!