by Dragon King
“This man is very talented, but we are in two different circles after all.” Hao Zhonghua smiled. Although he had friends who were in the art circle, he had no intention of getting close to Qin Shaoyang.
“I have been to his art exhibition once. A few of his paintings are quite unforgettable,” Yue Yang said.
“Sister Yue, you like paintings as well?” Zhao Hongyu asked with a smile while she took a glass of red wine from a passing waiter.
“Sometimes. I usually just go and see them when I get tickets from my friends. Hongyu, you should care about arts more than I do, right?” Yue Yang tilted her head a little bit and asked Zhao Hongyu casually.
Since Yue Yang decided to stay in East Ocean City, the relationship between the two moms became closer and closer; they even regretted not meeting sooner.
While the two of them were talking to each other happily, Hao Zhonghua and Zhao Guang started talking about the developments of their career and businesses.
Zhao Yanzi and Hao Ren looked at each other. Then, Zhao Yanzi pouted and snorted.
She ran to the food area to pick the freshest strawberries.
“Ohohoh, The big boss of Mingri Group, Mr. Zhao!” After some small talk with the mayor, Qin Shaoyang smiled and walked toward Zhao Guang.
Zhao Guang was a well-respected man in East Ocean City, and Qin Shaoyang was also considered an important figure of the city. Since Qin Shaoyang was also an inspector, Zhao Guang couldn’t offend him openly.
Therefore, Zhao Guang reached out and pretended to be nice, “Mr. Qin, I’ve heard so much about you!”
“Mr. Zhao’s business is growing bigger and bigger. I haven’t had the time to visit you since I came to East Ocean City!” Qin Shaoyang shook Zhao Guang’s right hand with both of his hands as he appeared to be very sincere.
“Oh, this must be the widely known Mr. Hao and Mrs. Yue!” Qin Shaoyang said as if he was surprised to see Hao Zhonghua and Yue Yang next to Zhao Guang.
“Hello,” Hao Zhonghua reached out his hand.
Hao Ren, who was standing next to Hao Zhonghua, looked at Qin Shaoyang vigilantly.
If Qin Shaoyang tried to do anything harmful to Hao Zhonghua, Hao Ren would attack immediately!
Fortunately, Qin Shaoyang only shook Hao Zhonghua’s hand casually and then let go immediately. However, the inspector immediately saw Hao Ren’s nervousness.
Hao Ren clenched his fist instantly; he saw the threat and mockery in Qin Shaoyang’s eyes.
Bang…
Suddenly, a heavy and sharp force flew past Hao Ren.
Dun! Dun! Dun! Dun! Dun!
Qin Shaoyang, who just shook Hao Zhonghua’s hand, suddenly took five steps back!
Waa…
Also, a champagne tower ten meters away from Qin Shaoyang shattered and collapsed.
The sudden change shocked everyone in the banquet hall.
“It’s okay; it’s nothing. Just an accident!” The mayor, who oversaw the event, immediately raised his arms and yelled.
With the arrival of the cleaners, the banquet hall quieted down slowly.
“Mr. Qin, nice to meet you!” Zhao Haoran’s cold and harsh voice suddenly appeared behind Hao Ren.
Hao Ren stepped aside as Zhao Haoran showed himself.
Qin Shaoyang looked at white-haired Zhao Haoran. Suddenly, a chill struck his spine.
“Based on that force, Zhao Haoran could’ve killed me instantly!” Qin Shaoyang immediately made the correct judgment.
“Mr. Qin, are you okay?” Hao Zhonghua asked.
“Nothing, I’m okay… I slipped,” Qin Shaoyang said while he was wiping the sweat off his forehead with a tissue.
He was planning to get some information from East Ocean by attending this event. However, he was deterred by Zhao Haoran!
If he were to act rashly at this event, this old dragon king would strike without hesitation!
At this moment, Zhao Yanzi held a plate full of fresh strawberries as she walked around the puddle of champagne and headed toward Hao Ren.
Qin Shaoyang took a closer look at Zhao Yanzi and almost doubted his own eyesight… “How come this Zhao Yanzi, who lost her dragon core, suddenly has the aura of a cultivator!? And it seems like she has reached the Foundation Establishment Realm.” he thought.
“Within a few days, 85 openings turned into 98 openings. Not bad,” Zhao Haoran said flatly.
Qin Shaoyang looked at Zhao Yanzi and then at Hao Ren, who was next to her. Finally, he understood the situation; within the time of a few days, Hao Ren’s dragon core had obtained several more openings!
What a terrifying rate of progress!!!
After Zhao Guang heard Zhao Haoran’s comment, he was stunned as he looked at Hao Ren as well.
Zhao Haoran had been cultivating for over 1,000 years and had reached top-tier Qian-level. It was a piece of cake for him to see through Hao Ren’s cultivation progress.
Since he said that Hao Ren now had 98 openings, then it would definitely be true!
“What and to 98?” Yue Yang asked Zhao Hongyu quietly.
“That’s… some sort of index,” Zhao Hongyu didn’t know how to explain it either.
Yue Yang nodded and didn’t ask further.
On the other hand, Qin Shaoyang, who remained standing in the same spot, suddenly understood everything.
Zhao Haoran thought highly of Hao Ren’s potential, and that was why he decided to protect the latter at all cost! He was giving Qin Shaoyang a warning when he unleashed that violent force!
“Hao Ren is part of East Ocean, including his family. They are all under the protection of East Ocean. Whoever dares to harm Hao Ren and his family will face only one thing – death!” that was the message Zhao Haoran was conveying.
Qin Shaoyang quietly took a few steps back and held his own hands awkwardly. “I have some friends over there, excuse me.”
He quickly walked to the corner of the banquet hall; he was staggering a little.
“This Qin Shaoyang, what a nuisance,” Zhao Yanzi muttered as she lifted the plate to Hao Ren’s face. “Yo, take some strawberries. I picked them out, and they are all very sweet!”
Hao Ren smiled as he took a toothpick from the plate and poked at a strawberry.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Yanzi suddenly moved the plate and laughed, “Haha, just kidding. These are not for you!”
She took a gorgeous turn and ran to Hao Zhonghua and Yue Yang. “Uncle, Auntie, these strawberries are for you!”
“Haha, Zi is so lovely!” Hao Zhonghua patted Zhao Yanzi’s head as he was delighted.
Hao Ren held the toothpick in his hand and felt a little helpless.
Zhao Yanzi was showing filial respect to everyone with the strawberries, and the edges of her long dress swung left and right as she ran around as if she was a red butterfly. Once the strawberries were all taken, she ran toward the food area again.
Yue Yang started to like Zhao Yanzi more and more as her eyes were filled with joy.
“Ren, do you want to come and learn something at my studio this weekend?” Zhao Hongyu suddenly asked Hao Ren.
“I am quite busy recently…” Hao Ren was about to reply before Yue Yang suddenly interrupted. “He won’t be able to go this weekend because Zhonghua is planning to take him and Zi out on a field trip.”
Hao Zhonghua sighed. He hadn’t even expressed his opinion, and Yue Yang already decided for him.
Yue Yang made it evident that she wanted to treat Zhao Yanzi as her future daughter-in-law, and there was nothing Hao Zhonghua could do about it.
“Since we are talking about this, I still haven’t thanked you for letting Hao Ren learn at your studio,” Yue Yang continued.
“Not a problem. Ren is very talented; he will do great in the future,” Zhao Hongyu kindly replied.
“Zi is great too, Congming and lively…”
The two moms complimented each other’s kid one by one while Hao Zhonghua looked at Hao Ren with a powerless expression.
On the other hand
, Hao Ren looked away and saw Zhao Yanzi devouring the fresh fruits at the food area; he broke out in a cold sweat.
“This girl, she has only been grounded for ten days at the dragon palace. Now, she acts like a hungry wolf once released, really not afraid of getting fat at all…
“Where is Congming by the way?” Yue Yang, who was happily chatting with Zhao Hongyu, suddenly asked.
“Zhen Congming?” Hao Ren asked, surprised.
“Yeah. Your dad picked him up from school and brought him along,” Yue Yang replied.
Hao Ren’s eyes immediately scanned the room and noticed a little girl who was dressed in a school uniform and stood beside the mayor. The boy who was also dressed in a school uniform and stood beside her was Zhen Congming.
The little girl was cute and quiet. At a young age, she already gave people the feeling that she was a girl from a respectable family.
“Who is that little girl?” Hao Ren asked Yue Yang immediately.
“Oh, that’s the mayor’s daughter, Wu Luoxue. She goes to the same elementary school as Congming, and she happens to be in the class that was beside his. Because your dad is close to the mayor, he conveniently brought her along as well,” Yue Yang looked toward where Hao Ren pointed at and replied.
“Uh…” Hao Ren immediately felt like something was stuck in his throat.
Zhen Congming was trying to stay close to the little girl, yet that girl was keeping a distance from him and stood quietly beside her dad, the mayor.
Clearly…. Zhen Congming had unrequited love toward her…
“Although Wu Luoxue is very quiet, she is already at level six in piano. She can also play the violin, dance, draw; she can almost do everything,” Yue Yang said.
After hearing this, Hao Ren couldn’t help but look toward Zhao Yanzi who was in the fruit area… He saw some words hanging above Zhao Yanzi’s head: Piano, big red cross; violin, big red cross; dancing, big red cross; drawing, big red cross; personality… big red cross…
Hao Ren then looked past the fruit area and saw the Vice Principal of East Ocean University, Lu Qing, appearing at the front door.
Lu Qing looked around a few times before immediately rushing toward Hao Ren’s direction. He approached Zhao Guang and said something quietly.
Zhao Guang’s expression instantly changed.
361 What to Love and What to Hate
Since Hao Ren was standing near Zhao Guang, he was able to hear Lu Qing’s words.
The message that turned Zhao Guang’s face pale was: The West Ocean Dragon Clan officially declared war!
Without the support of the two prominent allies, South Ocean and North Ocean, along with the turning of the other small dragon clans, the West Ocean Dragon Clan was left with no room to retreat!
Zhao Guang didn’t want to start a war; all he could do was to deliver this message to Zhao Haoran.
Yet, Zhao Haoran’s facial expression did not change a bit as if he knew this was going to happen. He nodded slightly.
“Principle Lu, how come you are late?” The mayor, who was busy greeting the guests, walked over immediately.
That stunning little girl, Wu Luoxue, followed her dad and walked over, followed by Zhen Congming.
“I was quite busy today; that’s why I’m a bit late,” Lu Qing smiled and replied.
Publicly, the Mingri Group was the biggest donor to the East Ocean University and held a seat in the Board of Directors of the school. Therefore, it was normal that Lu Qing was close to Zhao Guang.
“How come Manager Sun is still not here?” The mayor asked Lu Qing.
The mayor was talking about Elder Sun, Sun Yun, who was also the boss of Starlight Hotel and the founder of the Sun Yun Martial Art Dojos that had spread across the world.
People who were in this upper-class circle knew that Lu Qing and Sun Yun were good friends. Also, both of them were close to the CEO and Chairman of Mingri Group, Zhao Guang.
Many buildings at the East Ocean University were built and funded by Mingri Group, and Sun Yun’s martial art dojos and hotels were seemingly financed by the Mingri Group as well.
“Manager Sun has to deal with some urgent matters. It seems that he won’t be able to make it today,” Lu Qing replied.
“That’s unfortunate. Principle Lu, please enjoy yourself to the fullest!” The mayor waved at Lu Qing.
As the mayor slowly walked away, Wu Luoxue, who was holding a can of Sprite, followed and walked away. Zhen Congming, holding a glass of water, followed behind as well.
After Hao Ren looked at Wu Luoxue carefully, he realized that she was, in fact, more beautiful than a doll. It seemed like the reason why Zhen Congming wasn’t interested in any other girls was that this girl took his heart.
“Elder Sun has returned to the East Ocean Dragon Palace to deploy troops for battle,” Lu Qing moved closer to Zhao Guang and said quietly after the mayor walked away.
Of course, Hao Zhonghua and Yue Yang weren’t going to find out about what Lu Qing and Zhao Guang were discussing. They held each other’s hand and greeted other people they knew in the banquet hall.
Zhao Yanzi was holding a plate full of cantaloupe when she went back to Hao Ren’s side happily. However, she realized that Hao Zhonghua and Yue Yang had moved to somewhere else.
“Of course, the West Ocean Dragon Clan is going to react like that,” Zhao Haoran said firmly.
Lu Qing immediately looked toward the old dragon king, and Hao Ren’s attention was engaged as well.
“Zeng Xin’s grandson, Zeng Yitao, is now captured by me,” Zhao Haoran said slowly.
Zhao Guang, Zhao Hongyu, Lu Qing, and Hao Ren looked at Zhao Haoran in shock. Zhao Yanzi was the only one that continued to eat the cantaloupe in her plate. Then, she saw everyone’s stunned expression and didn’t know what was going on since she didn’t hear what Zhao Haoran said.
“I will lock him in the East Ocean Dragon Palace and then attack the West Ocean Dragon Palace with ten times the force,” Zhao Haoran said calmly.
The West Ocean Dragon Clan placed Zeng Yitao in East Ocean City simply to anger the East Ocean Dragon Clan. With Zhao Haoran’s temper, he would not allow that to happen!
With the crown prince in Zhao Haoran’s hands, the West Ocean Dragon Clan only had two choices: surrender, or war! In the past, it was the West Ocean Dragon Clan that was secretly bullying the East Ocean Dragon Clan. Since the table had turned, East Ocean was explicitly targeting West Ocean, and there was nothing they could do about it!
With the support of the South Ocean and North Ocean, Oldman Zeng placed Zeng Yitao in the East Ocean City and thought that East Ocean wouldn’t dare to do anything about it.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Haoran returned to the country. Essentially, West Ocean just sent a captive to East Ocean for nothing.
Zhao Guang couldn’t be compared to Zhao Haoran in terms of dominance and determination. Within one day, the North and South Ocean Dragon Clan were forced to back off. One day later, a full-scale war was declared against the West Ocean Dragon Clan!
At the very moment, Hao Ren admired Zhao Haoran greatly.
“This old man dares to do anything, even locking up Zeng Yitao and testing West Ocean Dragon Clan’s limit.”
“But that’s…” Zhao Hongyu was concerned.
The East Ocean Dragon Clan suddenly detained the prince of West Ocean Dragon Clan who was studying in the city. That sounded a bit…
“Huh!” Zhao Haoran walked toward the front door.
An awkward expression immediately appeared on Zhao Hongyu’s face.
“What’s going on with Zeng Yitao?” Zhao Yanzi looked up and asked Zhao Hongyu.
“He’s locked up by your grandpa,” Zhao Hongyu tried to say it calmly.
“Yes! That’s great! That jerk should be locked up!” after hearing the news, Zhao Yanzi was thrilled and almost started jumping.
When she returned to school today, she was furious to find that Zeng Yitao had been transferred back to her school. In addition, he went to
the Middle School Department, asked her about the engagement, and triggered heated discussions in other nearby classes. She had no choice but to use the strength of her Foundation Establishment Realm and throw pencils at him, forcing Zeng Yitao, whose cultivation progress was destroyed, to retreat.
Just when Zhao Yanzi started worrying about being bothered by Zeng Yitao in the future, her grandpa captured Zeng Yitao. How could she not be thrilled about it?
Compare to Zeng Yitao, Zhao Yanzi suddenly felt like Hao Ren was a caring and kind guy who always made her happy.
“I just talked to your Auntie Yue Yang, you should go back with Hao Ren tonight,” Zhao Hongyu said to Zhao Yanzi.
“Mom!” Not sure what she thought that meant, her cheeks immediately turned red.
“Auntie Yue Yang will take you guys on a small trip tomorrow,” Zhao Hongyu continued.
“Oh?” Zhao Yanzi’s expression changed, “Oh…”
“Idiot, idiot, idiot…” Zhao Yanzi thought, “What am I thinking…”
“Oh!” Hao Ren coughed; he misheard Zhao Hongyu’s words as well.
In reality, Zhao Hongyu wanted Zhao Yanzi to stay at Hao Ren’s place not only because of the trip, but mainly because Zhao Guang and she had to go back to the dragon palace to maintain and control the overall situation.
They could not leave Zhao Yanzi in an empty house and didn’t want to bring her back to the dragon palace.
Zhao Yanzi never liked the East Ocean Dragon Palace. Also, since the war was coming, the East Ocean Dragon Palace would most likely be one of the main battlefields where the West Ocean Dragon Clan would send their armies.
“Ren, if you have nothing to do here, you and Zi can go back first,” Zhao Hongyu said.
“Sure!” Hao Ren replied immediately.
If it weren’t because of Zhao Haoran sending a car to pick him up from school, he would never attend these kinds of events.
The reason why Zhao Haoran wished to see him was probably that he wanted to see Hao Ren’s cultivation progress.
Zhao Yanzi stuffed the cantaloupes in her mouth as she seemed to be unwilling to part with the high-quality fruits at the event. However, she was not interested in this event where all the East Ocean City’s elites gathered together. She put two more pieces of cantaloupe in her mouth hurriedly and waved at Hao Zhonghua and Yue Yang who were chatting with their friends. Then, she followed Hao Ren to the front door.
