Chapter 176: Old Master Has Returned

Crash! As they stood utterly stunned, their faces wild with disbelief, an old man strode towards them.

Upon seeing him, everyone present immediately showed their respect, parting to clear a path.

"Is that... Old Master Zhang, the Benevolent Sage of Nine Heavens?" Zhang Liao choked down a gulp, barely managing to control his astonishment.

"I heard Old Master Zhang is over ninety years old and reached the peak of the Profound Connection Realm thirty years ago. Of course, he's respected not just for his age or power, but because he was once a renowned teacher at Hongtian Academy. His students are everywhere; nearly half of the experts here today have attended his classes. Why is he here?"

Zhang Mo's mouth hung open as if an egg had been stuffed into it.

This Old Master Zhang has lived a reclusive life for over two decades, rarely leaving his home. Even Emperor Shen Zhui addresses him as 'Teacher.' What could he be doing here?

Could it be that Du Qiao transferred the mansion to him, and these experts are here to visit him?

Wait a minute... As soon as this thought crossed their minds, they realized they were wrong. This Old Master Zhang was also standing respectfully at the mansion's entrance, waiting without the slightest hint of overstepping.

"Even Old Master Zhang is waiting?" Zhang Liao and Zhang Mo exchanged glances, their lips trembling.

Although Old Master Zhang had been secluded for many years, who in Tianxuan Kingdom wouldn't show him respect? Even to enter the imperial palace, the Emperor himself would personally greet him. Yet now, he was waiting outside a closed door, showing no sign of impatience.

"Brother, should we... still try to steal something?" After a long silence, Zhang Liao couldn't help but look at his elder brother.

"Steal? Are you crazy? Forget about whether we can even get in. Even if we could, with so many experts guarding the entrance, I'm afraid... we'd be beaten to death before we even reached the door."

Zhang Mo shivered, almost bursting into tears.

Good heavens, how could they possibly steal anything? Forget about these Profound Connection Realm experts; even their attendants could flatten them into meat paste.

What in the world was going on with this mansion? Why were so many experts visiting?

"No matter who it is... with such immense influence, shouldn't the royal family intervene?" Zhang Liao suddenly remembered something and couldn't help but ask.

Zhang Mo was also taken aback.

One cannot allow another to snore beside their bed. Regardless of who this person was, to command so many powerful experts, each stronger than the last, and more importantly, to have them willingly stand guard outside, not daring to even knock on the door – such power would surely instill fear even in Emperor Shen Zhui.

*Clatter!* As they pondered, a golden imperial carriage arrived.

"It's Emperor Shen Zhui... He's here. Looks like there's a show about to begin..." Seeing the carriage and the figure descending from it, both Zhang Liao and Zhang Mo trembled.

What they spoke of had indeed come to pass. Emperor Shen Zhui's personal arrival undoubtedly meant he felt the pressure and intended to take action.

While there were many experts, they were still no match for an entire kingdom. Furthermore, it was rumored that the Tianxuan Kingdom's Ancestor had reached the half-step Grandmaster realm, suppressing neighboring countries from making any rash moves. Although this group was formidable, they would still be helpless against such a super-expert.

"Your Majesty, you've arrived!" "Greetings, Your Majesty!" "Your Majesty came early today. I've saved your spot for you, please come over..."

Just as brothers Zhang Liao and Zhang Mo expected a battle to erupt, they watched as the many experts standing at the entrance approached the Emperor, their faces beaming with smiles, to greet him.

Immediately afterward, they saw Emperor Shen Zhui also find a spot among the crowd, standing outside with a respectful expression, waiting.

"Huh?" Both master thief brothers swayed simultaneously.

Could someone tell them what was happening? The venerable Emperor of Tianxuan Kingdom had also joined the crowd, waiting outside...

Who, they wondered, actually lived inside this mansion?

*Clatter!* Before their shock could subside, another carriage stopped, and three old men approached. They wore identical robes, adorned with stars embroidered on their chests that glowed brightly.

"These are... Master Teacher robes! One-star Master Teachers? Three one-star Master Teachers?" Zhang Mo recognized them, clenching his fists.

"I know!" Zhang Liao exclaimed, enlightened. "These three Master Teachers must be giving a lecture, and everyone has come to listen."

It had to be. Only Master Teachers possessed such immense influence, able to attract so many experts without even speaking, even drawing Emperor Shen Zhui himself.

"Greetings, Teacher Liu!" "Teacher Zhuang, it's been years! You're as spirited as ever." "Teacher Zheng, the last time I saw you was seven years ago. I didn't expect you to be in Tianxuan City..."

The arrival of the three Master Teachers immediately caused a stir. The previously unruly crowd respectfully made way for them.

"Please stand in front of me, all three of you..." They had expected the Master Teachers to open the gates and usher everyone inside. Instead, they watched as Emperor Shen Zhui offered his spot, and the three Master Teachers stopped, standing quietly outside, unmoving, waiting just like everyone else.

"Oh, my god..." Zhang Liao and Zhang Mo collapsed internally once more.

Profound Connection Realm experts, revered old masters, the Emperor himself, and even Master Teachers were all standing at the door... Who on earth lived in this mansion?

It was laughable that they had just been planning how to steal from it. Fortunately, they hadn't acted, or they would surely be dead by now.

*Creak!* As they trembled in utter shock, the tightly shut gates slowly opened, and a plump man walked out.

"This... isn't this Sun Qiang, the plump man from Tianyu Trading Company who handles house rentals?" Zhang Liao recognized him.

Having stolen in Tianxuan City for many years, scouting various locations, he knew many people from all walks of life.

Compared to Emperor Shen Zhui, or even themselves, the plump man before them was practically at the bottom of society.

He actually lived in the mansion and had so many powerful experts waiting for him?

"Steward Sun, may I ask if Master Yang has returned today?" Old Master Zhang stepped forward and bowed, clasping his hands.

"I'm very sorry, but the Master hasn't returned yet. Please go back for now; if he does return, I will send someone to inform you all..."

Seeing the dense crowd before him, Sun Qiang's mouth twitched, and he spoke hastily.

As the news spread further, more and more people arrived. From initial shock, Sun Qiang was now almost numb to it all.

What made Sun Qiang even more numb, of course, was that his own Master had gone missing...

He had vanished as if into thin air, nowhere to be found.

If he couldn't find him soon, he truly feared that the people at the door would grow agitated. If that happened, he probably wouldn't live to see another day...

Facing so many powerful individuals all day long, if his mental fortitude hadn't been strong, he would have surely broken down by now.

"Alas, he's not back yet. But that's alright, we can wait here..." Hearing that Master Yang had not returned, everyone couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

"Perhaps you all shouldn't wait..." Sun Qiang, fearing problems if they continued to wait, was about to dissuade them further when he suddenly leaped up, tears welling in his eyes, and rushed towards a certain direction. "Master..."

Slowly returning to the mansion's entrance, Zhang Xuan saw the long line of people and looked utterly bewildered.