Chen Bufan raised his sword, the blade sweeping through the air. Bullets deflected, sparking wildly.
"This..." Xing Ao was stunned. Could the man not even be harmed by bullets? He wasn't human!
He tried to fire a second shot, but a flash of silver cut through the air.
*Clang.*
The gun in his hand was pulverized by a single strike.
He stumbled back, staggering under the sheer force, staring daggers at Chen Bufan. "If you’re a real man, put down the sword. I might just kill you yet!"
Chen Bufan let out a wild laugh. "Fine, as you wish!"
*Schwing.*
The long sword flew from his hand and buried itself deep into the ground, humming with intensity.
"As the leader of the top power in Liyang, I want to see what the master of Kirin Hall is truly capable of!"
With those words, he strode forward.
*Boom!*
It sounded like a stone hammer striking the earth. The ground trembled, and a violent aura whipped up a gale.
"So strong!" Xing Ao’s face shifted drastically. He had assumed Chen Bufan was only formidable because of his blade, but he hadn't expected his own physical strength to be so brutal.
"Damn it, kill or be killed!" Xing Ao took the initiative, channeling his energy, and threw a punch straight at Chen Bufan.
The wind of the blow was fierce, heavy, and forceful.
"Arhat Fist, one of the seventy-two arts of Shaolin. It emphasizes fluidity and devastating power, but your form is weak—the strength just isn't there!" Chen Bufan saw through the technique instantly and countered with a fist of his own.
*CRACK!*
A bone-snapping sound echoed. Xing Ao’s palm split open, his entire arm rendered useless, blood spraying wildly.
"The master of Kirin Hall is all reputation and no substance. Time to go!" Chen Bufan said coldly.
"Chen Bufan, do you have any idea what kind of organization I’m backed by?" Xing Ao shrieked.
"Zhennan Mansion. Why should I be afraid?" Chen Bufan replied with disdain.
"You know of Zhennan Mansion?" Xing Ao was shocked. "It’s far more powerful than you can imagine. If you dare to kill me..."
*Splat.*
Before he could finish, a blade swung down. His other arm fell to the ground, and Xing Ao collapsed, howling in agony.
"Tell me, why did you order Han Lie to kill me four years ago?" Chen Bufan pressed.
"It was an order from Zhennan Mansion! I know nothing else!"
*Splat.*
Chen Bufan struck again. With a piercing scream, one of Xing Ao’s legs was severed.
"Last chance!" Chen Bufan stated icily.
"I really don't know! Please, spare me!"
Xing Ao begged frantically. No one would have believed it—the majestic Xing Ao, the absolute King Realm of the Liyang underworld, a man who had survived decades of bloodshed to reach the pinnacle of Kirin Hall with a pride that bowed to no one, was now groveling for his life.
"If you don't know, then you’re of no use." Chen Bufan picked up the sword from the ground and slashed through the air.
*Thud.*
Xing Ao fell to the ground, his throat rattling. "Who... who are you?"
"The God of War Temple Master, Chen Bufan!"
Xing Ao’s eyes widened, his pupils filled with absolute terror. He truly was the God of War Temple Master. Before he could take another breath, he was dead.
"Search the place. If everything is in order, raze it to the ground," Chen Bufan commanded.
"Understood!" Canglong nodded and rallied the Demon God Army to scour Kirin Hall.
Half an hour later, it was over. Kirin Hall was history, ceasing to exist.
"Donate all the assets of Kirin Hall. As for these people on the ground..." Chen Bufan smiled.
That very night, a phone call was made to Lei Tiansheng, Commander of the Fire Wolf Army.
"Hurry to the Kirin Hall headquarters and make arrests!"
Arrests at Kirin Hall? Lei Tiansheng leaped up and rushed his men to the site.
What he saw made his blood run cold.
Kirin Hall had been wiped out. Xing Ao was dead. Hundreds of elite blade-wielders lay on the ground, each missing an arm, all severed by a single blade.
"How powerful must a person be to flatten Kirin Hall and sweep through their blades?" He couldn't even begin to imagine.
"Commander, who could have done this?" Li Xiaolei asked, her voice trembling.
"Only one person fits the description." Lei Tiansheng took a deep breath.
Li Xiaolei’s heart skipped a beat. She had thought of the same person.
"Chen Bufan!"
In the middle of the night, nothing could be heard but the wind and the sound of thumping hearts.
...
On the way back, Canglong drove while saying, "Lei Tiansheng must have arrived by now. I wonder what his face looked like when he saw Kirin Hall was gone."
"Lei Tiansheng is a man of integrity. He’s always wanted to resolve the threat of Kirin Hall; let him clean up the mess," Chen Bufan replied calmly. Calling it a mess was an understatement; it was an opportunity for advancement, effectively a promotion for Lei Tiansheng.
"Master, the Han family and Kirin Hall are gone, and there are no enemies left in Liyang, so why do you seem so troubled?" Canglong glanced in the rearview mirror and noticed Chen Bufan had been pensive since getting into the car, his brows slightly furrowed.
"I’ve always wondered who wanted me dead back then. It turns out Han Lie was just following orders, and Kirin Hall was doing the same." Chen Bufan was still puzzled. He had thought it would be a small matter, easily investigated, but after eliminating the Han family and Kirin Hall, he realized it was far more complex.
The only ones who could order Kirin Hall around were the people at Zhennan Mansion, touted as the top power in Dongzhou. But Chen Bufan had no ties to them, and his family in Guangling had never known them either.
Could it be the seven great families that wiped out the Chen family? Chen Bufan’s eyes gleamed with cold intent.
"Whoever it is, I will uncover the truth!" he whispered to himself.
…
When he returned home, Jiang Yurou and Sisi were fast asleep. Chen Bufan, not wanting to disturb them, lay down on the sofa.
By early morning, the news of Kirin Hall’s destruction had spread across Liyang. Unlike the fall of the Han family, it didn't cause a massive sensation, as few ordinary citizens knew of Kirin Hall, and the authorities kept details under wraps.
In a five-star hotel downtown:
*Ding-a-ling~*
The doorbell rang. Bai Ruobing, still in her pajamas, opened the door. "Uncle Hui? Why are you here so early?"
"Miss, Kirin Hall has been destroyed," Uncle Hui said, his voice heavy. He still couldn't believe it.
"What did you say? Kirin Hall is gone?" Bai Ruobing’s weariness vanished instantly.
"It’s true. Commander Lei told me himself."
Bai Ruobing felt the temperature drop, a chill washing over her. She couldn't help but shiver. "Kirin Hall was one of the ten halls of Zhennan Mansion. They’ve operated in Liyang for years, housing five hundred blade-wielders and countless martial artists. Even Lei Tiansheng couldn't touch them. Who could have wiped them out in a single night?"
"The identity of the attacker is unconfirmed, but one person fits the description. I think you can guess, Miss."
"Chen Bufan?" Bai Ruobing asked, horrified.
Uncle Hui nodded silently. A heavy silence filled the room, the name Chen Bufan swirling through her mind.
...
Chen Bufan slept until the sun was high. Being the God of War meant he was strong, but he wasn't a god—acting in the dead of night for days had taken its toll.
"Daddy, you're awake!" Sisi appeared out of nowhere and threw herself at him.
"Where’s Mommy?" Chen Bufan asked.
"Mommy went to work. She told me not to disturb you and said there’s food in the kitchen when you wake up," Sisi said sweetly.
"Good girl," Chen Bufan smiled.
As he was washing up to eat, he heard Sisi shriek from outside.
"Sisi!" Chen Bufan dropped his utensils and rushed to the door. Sisi ran into his arms.
"Daddy, there’s a strange man."
A strange man? Chen Bufan looked up, stunned.
At the gate stood a man, bare-chested, with thorny branches strapped to his back, kneeling on the ground.
It was Lei Tiansheng!
"Mr. Chen, I apologize for frightening your daughter," Lei Tiansheng said awkwardly. If anyone saw this, they would be floored—the great Commander of the Fire Wolf Army, kneeling at someone’s doorstep. It was inconceivable.
"Commander Lei, what is this?" Chen Bufan asked curiously.
"I am a man of my word. Since you destroyed Kirin Hall, I have come to offer a formal apology for what I said at Qingfeng Pavilion yesterday!" Lei Tiansheng bowed his head, sincere.
So that was it. Chen Bufan hadn't given the incident a second thought, but he was impressed that Lei Tiansheng was true to his word. For a man of his status to go to such lengths—it made Chen Bufan see him in a new light.
"Get up and we can talk," Chen Bufan said.
"If Mr. Chen won't forgive me, I have no face to stand," Lei Tiansheng insisted.
"It’s a small matter. I haven't taken it to heart," Chen Bufan said.
"Thank you, Mr. Chen!" Lei Tiansheng was moved and finally rose.
"Come inside," Chen Bufan invited.
"Alright!" Lei Tiansheng nodded.
"But do you mind changing? I don't care, but I don't want to scare the child," Chen Bufan chuckled.
"I’ll change immediately!" Lei Tiansheng said, embarrassed, and shouted, "Xiaolei, bring me my clothes!"
She was here too? Chen Bufan’s expression cooled.
...
Soon, Li Xiaolei arrived with clothes. She wasn't in uniform, dressed instead in sportswear with her hair in a high ponytail. But the arrogance was gone; she kept her eyes lowered, unable to look Chen Bufan in the eye.
Yesterday at Qingfeng Pavilion, she had been so overbearing, even trying to teach him a lesson. But he had cracked the floor with nothing but his internal energy—power her own commander couldn't hope to match. Knowing he had flattened Kirin Hall, her hostility had vanished completely. This was a man she couldn't afford to offend.
"Commander," she said, handing him the clothes.
After changing, Lei Tiansheng acted as a mediator. "Mr. Chen, I raised Xiaolei myself. Don't let her gender fool you; she’s one of the best in the Fire Wolf Army, though her personality is a bit fiery..."
"Mr. Chen, I was hasty in my words yesterday. I apologize," Li Xiaolei said.
"I haven't taken it to heart," Chen Bufan said flatly. "Let’s go inside."
...
Lei Tiansheng let out a sigh of relief. If Chen Bufan had held a grudge, he could have easily leveled them.
"How did you know it was me?" Chen Bufan asked.
"The way you cracked the floor at Qingfeng Pavilion yesterday—that alone earned my respect. Only you could have been capable of wiping out Kirin Hall," Lei Tiansheng said with reverence.
Chen Bufan just smiled.
"Kirin Hall had a chokehold on Liyang and supported Han Lie. They were a massive security threat. I always wanted to take them down but never had the chance. I truly thank you for this," Lei Tiansheng said, lifting his tea cup. "A toast to Mr. Chen!" He downed the tea in one gulp.
"They brought it upon themselves. No need for such courtesy," Chen Bufan replied coolly.
"To be honest, I’ve led the Fire Wolf Army for nearly twenty years, and I’ve never seen anyone as formidable as you. I humbly ask for your guidance!" Lei Tiansheng begged, his eyes burning with intensity.
Li Xiaolei watched with similar longing. Before meeting Chen Bufan, they had thought their strength was decent, but now they realized they were in the presence of a true master.
"I see you’ve come with a hidden agenda," Chen Bufan said. "But for the sake of your apology, I’ll offer some pointers. Don't be disappointed."
"How could I be? You’re too kind, Mr. Chen!" Lei Tiansheng was ecstatic.
Chen Bufan examined Lei Tiansheng’s foundation. "You practice typical combat techniques, similar to Xing Ao, but your refinement is lacking."
Lei Tiansheng admitted sheepishly, "To be honest, I fought Xing Ao years ago and was indeed defeated."
"Your shortcoming is in your technique. Focus on improving that." Chen Bufan offered some insights, which Lei Tiansheng treated like gold, grateful beyond words.
Chen Bufan then glanced at Li Xiaolei. She tensed.
"As a woman, your natural strength is less than a man’s. I know you’ve pushed yourself to compensate, but that’s a mistake. Your meridians and bones are damaged. If you keep training this way, you won't grow stronger—you’ll be crippled by illness."
Li Xiaolei paled. He was right. She had often felt pain, as if needles were piercing her body, but she’d ignored it.
"Please, Mr. Chen, teach me!" she begged.
"Soak in medicinal herbs every three days to recover, and learn different techniques," Chen Bufan said casually.
"Thank you, Mr. Chen!" she said, not daring to ask for more.
"Mr. Chen, I had no idea you knew medicine. No wonder Miss Bai was so insistent on finding you," Lei Tiansheng noted.
Chen Bufan’s eyes narrowed. He hadn't heard back from Canglong about Bai Ruobing, so he asked, "What’s her story?"
"She’s from the Bai family of Qingzhou. Centuries ago, they produced a king. They are one of the top ten families in the North, a family with a hundred-year history."
"A powerful background, indeed," Chen Bufan mused.
"Is something wrong with the Bai family?" he asked.
"I heard the patriarch has a strange illness. Hospitals can't treat it. That’s why Miss Bai came to Liyang—looking for a solution."
"A strange illness? What kind?"
"I couldn't help, so I didn't ask," Lei Tiansheng said. "Mr. Chen, if you can help her, it would be a noble deed."
Chen Bufan’s cold gaze locked onto Lei Tiansheng, who felt as if the God of Death was staring him down. Had he said the wrong thing?
"Are you close to her?"
"I served in Qingzhou and received help from the Bai family, but we lost touch when I transferred to Liyang. They’re good people. If you help, they won't treat you poorly."
Chen Bufan didn't respond. He didn't care for the Bai family's favor, and he had no reason to help someone he didn't like.
After some small talk, Lei Tiansheng and Li Xiaolei took their leave.
"Oh, right!" Lei Tiansheng paused. "Mr. Chen, Xing Ao wasn't the strongest in Liyang. His master, Zhang Taishan—the 'Wolong Master'—is the top fighter here. I fear he may come for revenge. Please be careful. If you need me or the Fire Wolf Army, just say the word."
Chen Bufan thanked him and mentally noted the name: Zhang Taishan.
...
That afternoon, Jiang Yurou sent a message about a family gathering that night. It was organized by Yin Xue, a college classmate she’d run into yesterday. Jiang Yurou had tried to decline, but Yin Xue had been persistent.
"Let’s go, then. She is an old classmate," Chen Bufan said.
At 5:00 PM, Chen Bufan and Sisi met Jiang Yurou at Yunlu and hailed a cab.
"Driver, take us to Yanyu Jiangnan," Jiang Yurou said.
"Yanyu Jiangnan?" Chen Bufan was surprised.
"Yin Xue booked it. She said she wanted to go somewhere nice."
"Looks like I’m destined for another meal at Yanyu Jiangnan," Chen Bufan joked.
Thirty minutes later, they arrived.
"It’s different from last time. So many luxury cars," Jiang Yurou remarked.
*Silly girl,* Chen Bufan thought, *last time I booked the place out.*
"They must be open to the public today," Chen Bufan smiled.
"Oh, right! Someone important must have booked the place last time," Jiang Yurou realized.