Chapter 70

"Welcome back, Du Xue弟. It's truly a pleasure to see you return," Wu Mingzhao, a noble clan disciple who hadn't advanced in over a year, greeted Du Nan as soon as he saw him. Beside him stood a woman who was overly plump and not particularly attractive. When she saw Du Nan, a look of disdain flashed in her eyes, tinged with a hint of mockery.

Among the guests, Tang Zhaixing also noticed Du Nan's arrival.

He strode forward.

"Welcome, welcome. It's been over a year, and you still look as impressive as ever, Du Xue弟," Tang Zhaixing said, looking like he was greeting an old friend as he walked and called out.

His voice caught the attention of the groom, Wu Changlie.

Most of the guests were also drawn by his voice, turning to notice this civilian who wasn't dressed in noble clan attire.

Wu Changlie descended the steps, holding the hand of his bride, who could pass for his granddaughter, and said slowly, "It's been a long time, Du Xiao同学. I didn't expect you to return from Iron Shavings Star in just over a year. The genius of Blue Sea, the only person to fuse with a pure water core in over 260 years, truly acts in unexpected ways."

Du Nan remained silent, unusually calm.

At this moment, even the most cunning old fox couldn't guess what this young man was thinking.

"We had some misunderstandings earlier, but I believe all that is in the past, right, Du Xiao同学? Don't worry, we old men have long forgotten your heated words back then. Come, let me introduce you to today's first distinguished guest, the current head of the Tang family, Mr. Tang Shenglong."

Beside Wu Changlie, an old man with a high opinion of himself barely nodded.

His gesture seemed to suggest that even this nod was a great honor.

"This is the leader of Blue Sea's political scene, President Zhang... This is the naval war marshal, Mr. Mu... This is... " Wu Changlie, like a kind grandfather guiding his grandson to the stage, introduced one powerful figure after another to Du Nan. His demeanor seemed to imply: This is the world of the noble clans, my network of connections, and the strength of the powerful families you claimed to oppose.

Du Nan didn't mind.

He met each one, mentally calculating which ones should die and which ones could live.

"These are my Wu clan relatives, all here to celebrate the old man's joy today," Wu Changlie, who didn't take Du Nan seriously, introduced the members of the Wu clan, who were high-ranking officials, wealthy merchants, and military officers.

Their combined power could easily turn a city upside down.

Eighty-eight noble clans.

Though not as powerful as the Eight Master Clans, they were still one of the eighty-eight strongest forces on Blue Sea.

"This is Wu Anzong, one of my clan nephews. A Red Steel-level armor master, not very accomplished, but he managed to become a colonel in the military. You might not know him, but he was once Su Ru's husband. Poor child, she had a bad fate and passed away on their wedding day. If it weren't for General Jinling taking her in, she would still be Baoye's father," Wu Changlie pulled over a middle-aged military officer and introduced him.

Su Ru, Baoye's mother, she died?

Du Nan was momentarily stunned.

At this moment, Wu Anzong spoke. He gestured with his hand, pointing to a porcelain statue of a completely naked beauty. "Uncle is right, Ru'er passed away suddenly, and I had nothing to remember her by. So, after her cremation, I had her bone ash reformed into this porcelain beauty as a memorial. Du Xiao同学, you were familiar with Xiao Ru, do you think she looks like her?"

Du Nan glanced at it briefly, not saying much.

This unfortunate woman ultimately became a sacrifice to the noble clans.

At this moment,

The guests, seeing the naked beauty statue, all wore strange smiles. This explicit display also sparked some whispered discussions.

"Du Xiao同学, do you have any comments?"

"No," Du Nan smiled, giving a feeling that was indescribably eerie: "She looks very much like her, exactly the same. This is better, as it is the result she should have seen. Wu Changlie, your act is over, let's get to the main business."

Wu Changlie smiled and shook his head, as if talking to a grandchild throwing a tantrum: "Du Xiao同学, I really wasn't putting on an act. I've long forgotten about the past."

"Right, right, we are all warriors of Blue Sea, we should put aside our past grievances and work together," Tang Zhaixing also chimed in.

"Regarding Zhou Zhishan, he got what he deserved. Whether Du Xiao同学 is involved, we will investigate," Wu Anzong added.

"Du Xiao同学, don't take it to heart, we all have our youthful moments," the President also spoke.

"Children's play, not to be taken seriously. The past is over, today we only celebrate the wedding," Mr. Tang Shenglong said, his words carrying the weight of law. Everyone nodded in agreement, showing no sign of defiance. The conflict between a small mana warrior and the noble clans seemed to vanish with his words. The Eight Master Clans were always the eight great mountains of Blue Sea, the eight unclimbable peaks.

Slowly,

The guests dispersed a bit, some staying to admire the porcelain beauty.

Wu Changlie and his group, with smiles on their faces, all looked like victors. Today, they had deliberately arranged this scene to humiliate Du Nan, and it seemed to have worked. Civilians were just civilians; they would falter when faced with the might of the noble clans... They had seen this many times. How many mana warriors had once made grand declarations, but who truly dared to stand up to the noble clans?

Du Nan's silence was a smart move.

The more he ranted, the more they looked down on him.

"You're here again," Du Nan said to the door, strangely: "Today, are you here to stop me?"

The guests were puzzled.

An old man's voice rang out clearly: "No, I'm here to take you away."

Everyone was shocked.

Qiao Banzai, who hadn't left his house in over a year, quickly entered the wedding venue. Without offering congratulations, he walked directly to Du Nan and said, "Child, come with me. I know what you want to do, and I know you can't do it. The old man has prepared a starship to take you away from Blue Sea."

"I thought you were here to stop me, this is strange," Du Nan smiled.

Qiao Banzai indeed had no ill intentions.

But today, he wouldn't leave.

"It's no use, child, they are well-prepared," Qiao Banzai sighed, trying to persuade him: "I understand how you feel, child. You are still young, with a bright future ahead. Come with me, I'll personally take you away. The old man is no longer useful, but I still have some face, and no one will make things difficult for us. Perhaps in the future, you can come back to visit."

"Qiao Laoshi, what do you mean? We have no ill intentions toward Du Xiao同学," Wu Changlie stepped forward to explain.

"Right," Tang Zhaixing added, "It seems Wen Fu and Yinyin also went to Gun Star out of their own excitement. I swear on my family's honor, we never made things difficult for them. All their actions were due to their own impulsiveness."

"Gun Star, the pirate planet?" Du Nan understood a lot upon hearing this.

"Right, right," Wu Changlie, playing the good guy, said, "Du Xiao同学, don't worry. I've already advised Old Li to spend money to hire pirate groups to bring Wen Fu and the others back, but he refused. In time, I won't care about Old Li anymore and will spend my own money to bring them back, ensuring they return unharmed."

"I see, no wonder I couldn't find them on the mana network," Du Nan smiled.

"Yes, Du Xiao同学, don't worry. Although they entered the insectoid territory, where no news can be heard, they are all talented young warriors and will not be in any danger. In time, we will spend money to bring them back," Wu Anzong said sincerely.

Du Nan listened.

He looked at Wu Anzong and said, "No need, you won't have that chance."

"What do you mean, Du Xiao同学?"

"A year ago, I said that when I return to Blue Sea, it will be the day the Wu clan is destroyed. Today, no one can save you, not even the Eight Master Clans or Qiao Banzai," Du Nan's tone was calm, and a cold wind seemed to pass through the crowd.

This young man...

He showed no respect when mentioning the Eight Master Clans and called Qiao Laoshi by his name.

Was he mad?

"Qiao Laoshi, thank you for your kindness, Du Nan appreciates it. If you don't plan to stop me, leave quickly, this is no place for you," Du Nan's tone was calm, and he felt a slight gratitude for Qiao Banzai's kindness but didn't act rashly.

"If you plan to go to Gun Star, I might take you there. Old Yu is there, and Yinyin and the others are fine," Qiao Banzai tried to persuade him again.

Everyone understood the meaning of his words.

It turned out...

Old Yu Shangyang had been protecting those young troublemakers for over a year.

"The noble clan's wedding, there are mechs guarding outside," Qiao Banzai added, hinting that "you've fallen into their trap, they were well-prepared."

"This is my answer," Du Nan waved his hand, and all the Wu clan relatives he had met, except for Wu Changlie, Wu Mingzhao, and Wu Anzong, suddenly exploded into pieces. The terrifying blood and flesh instantly stained the entire wedding venue.

It seemed to signal the opening of a grand feast.

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