[Status: Updated to Chapter 3511: Crystal of Life]
[Synopsis: One month ago, during his brother’s wedding banquet, his entire family was tragically persecuted, leaving only his newlywed sister-in-law behind. He, however, was trapped on the battlefield by enemies, unable to return in time to save them. In a fit of rage, he slaughtered tens of thousands of enemy soldiers and executed the Five Great Supremes! Today, the Dragon Head, Lin Ce, has returned! Ye Xiangsi, from now on, I will protect you for the rest of your life...]
***
Chapter 1: The Return of the Dragon Head
The September air was cool; the sudden rain had just subsided.
Zhonghai, Tongzi Road.
A brand-new, military-green off-road Jeep drove slowly to a stop in front of the Lin family residence at the end of Tongzi Road.
"Dad, Mom, Big Brother, I’m late."
A man with a towering physique stepped out of the vehicle. His brows were sharp like sword blades, and his features were deeply defined. His eyes, vast as a starry sea, held an infinite sense of sorrow. He stared at the villa complex, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
A month ago, it should have been the happiest day for his elder brother, Lin Wen. Instead, his foster parents and his brother had all met their tragic ends at the wedding banquet. Only his sister-in-law, Ye Xiangsi, had miraculously escaped. The Beiyu Group, the product of his foster father's lifelong hard work, had been carved up by the four major conglomerates of Zhonghai.
Lin Ce could never have imagined that while he was fighting on the front lines abroad, his family would suffer such a disaster. How could he ever let this go?
Wearing a black trench coat, Lin Ce looked at the familiar residence, a tremor running through his heart. Who would have thought that he, the dignified Northern Dragon Head, would ever have a heart that trembled?
"Eight years!"
Lin Ce sighed softly. After eight years of absence, they were now separated by the chasm between the living and the dead.
"Cough, cough!"
Lin Ce’s face suddenly flushed, followed by a series of violent coughs.
"Dragon Head, your injuries..."
A stunning woman with a cold, sharp countenance hurried forward, her face full of concern. Another man, built like an iron tower and faintly reeking of gunpowder, also came to Lin Ce’s side.
"Dragon Head, the departed are gone. Please take care of your health."
"It's nothing. I’ll be fine in a few days," Lin Ce said calmly. "Wait here; I’ll go in alone."
With that, Lin Ce began to walk toward the Lin family estate.
"Yes!"
Bahu and Qili raised their right hands to their brows in a respectful salute. They were completely obedient to the Dragon Head’s words. They both knew that Lin Ce had joined the military at eighteen. In less than eight years, he had become the Northern Dragon Head, commanding thousands of troops who dared not disobey his orders.
The battle three months ago, in particular, was legendary. He had severely wounded five great powerhouses, cementing his status as the most revered figure in the North. To them, Lin Ce was an undefeated God of War, a living legend. Yet, they never expected that a tragedy like this would happen in the family of the Northern Dragon Head himself.
The two stood with stoic expressions. This small city of Zhonghai was likely to be turned upside down because of the Dragon Head’s return.
***
Inside the Lin family residence, at the doorway of the old house.
"Ten custom-made suits and pairs of leather shoes, worth two hundred thousand."
"Home appliances and kitchenware, roughly three hundred thousand!"
"A complete set of imported French furniture, worth no less than five hundred thousand!"
Amidst shouts of excitement, items from the Lin household were being quickly hauled out. Several men in crisp suits stood at the entrance, directing a group of workers to move everything. These people were all former high-level executives of the Beiyu Group.
"Clear it all out! I don't want a single thing left behind!" Feng Zicai, the sales director of Beiyu Group, commanded with cold eyes, acting as if he owned the place.
Inside the room, a woman was desperately blocking them, refusing to let them take anything.
"Do you have no conscience? This belongs to the Lin family! What right do you have to take it? Put it down!"
The woman was breathtakingly beautiful with a slender, perfect figure. She exuded the aura of a ripe peach, and her beautiful eyes, filled with deep tenderness, were currently burning with rage.
"Ye Xiangsi, why can't you see the situation clearly?" Feng Zicai sneered, a mocking smile on his lips. If it were before, he might have feared her, as she was the general manager’s newlywed wife. But now that Lin Wen was dead, Ye Xiangsi was nothing more than a widow without a backer. What was there to fear?
"Feng Zicai, when Brother Wen was here, he valued you so much! I never expected that before his body was even cold, you would lead a group of people to do something like this. Have you lost your conscience?"
Mentioning this only irritated Feng Zicai further. He stepped forward and grabbed Ye Xiangsi by the collar. "You little bitch, how dare you bring up that dead husband of yours? The Lin family brought nothing but misery to us! We don't know what high-and-mighty figure they offended, but now that people know we are former Beiyu employees, no company in Zhonghai dares to hire us! Since he's dead, and he dragged us down with him, is it wrong for us to take his things?"
With a violent shove, he pushed Ye Xiangsi to the ground. *Rip.* Her cheongsam caught on something, tearing a hole that revealed a glimpse of snow-white skin.
A glint of lust flashed in the eyes of the men present. "Ye Xiangsi, if you don't want us to take the furniture, that’s fine too. Why don't you keep us entertained? You were only after the Lin family money anyway, right? Here, will a hundred bucks do?" He pulled out a hundred-yuan bill and tossed it on the ground.
Ye Xiangsi was a famous beauty in Zhonghai; countless young masters had swarmed around her. But no one expected that she would end up with Lin Wen—or that she would be widowed before the marriage was even consummated.
Ye Xiangsi’s lips trembled. She covered the exposed skin with her hand, tears of humiliation shining in her eyes. "How can you be like this? The memorial tablets for Brother Wen and his parents are right here. There is a heaven above that sees all! Aren't you afraid of retribution?"
Feng Zicai glanced at the black-and-white photos of the Lin family on the table against the wall, his expression filled with disgust. He grabbed the photos and slammed them onto the floor. "There, now they can’t see anything."
Ye Xiangsi lunged for the photos, but in her panic, she cut her finger on the glass.
"Oh, look, you're bleeding. Why bother picking up photos of dead people?" Feng Zicai stepped on the photos, looking down at her. "What a pity. Such a beautiful woman, and Lin Wen didn't even get to enjoy it. Why don't we, the brothers, feast our eyes for your dead husband?"
As his crude hand reached out, Ye Xiangsi’s body trembled. She collapsed, her eyes filled with despair. "Brother Wen, Dad, Mom, I'm sorry. I really couldn't do anything..."
She had never felt so hopeless.
Suddenly, a voice, colder than ice, rang out.
"Animals, take your filthy hands off her!"
A towering figure appeared at the entrance, his eyes burning with the flames of fury. It was the Northern Dragon Head, Lin Ce.
***
Chapter 2: A Pack of Lowlifes
Lin Ce had arrived. But he never imagined that, upon returning to the Lin family home, he would witness such a scene.
A killing intent, sharp as midwinter, surged from his eyes. Everyone present felt the temperature drop, and they couldn't help but shiver.
"Huh?" Feng Zicai turned his head and saw a man wearing a formal suit and a black trench coat. He was tall, his features carved like stone, his brows sharp. Those starry eyes were currently locked onto him like blades.
"Who the hell are you? This is Lin family business. You’re an outsider, so stop causing trouble and get lost!"
Ye Xiangsi stood up with difficulty, stunned. Seeing Lin Ce, she exclaimed, "You... are you Lin Wen’s brother, Lin Ce?"
When she and Lin Wen were dating, Lin Wen often talked about Lin Ce. He had even shown her photos, praising his younger brother for being incredibly handsome and far more capable than himself. The only drawback, he’d said, was that Lin Ce was a bit cold.
Now that she saw him in person, she found it hard to recover. He wasn't just handsome; he possessed an indescribable air—a noble, sharp presence, like an emperor from the heavens.
Lin Ce turned to Ye Xiangsi, the killing intent vanishing instantly. A rare warmth appeared in his eyes. "You must be Sister Xiangsi. I am Lin Wen’s brother. Sister-in-law, I’m sorry you suffered while I was away," Lin Ce said in a deep voice.
Hearing this, Ye Xiangsi’s lips trembled, and tears slid down her cheeks. "Lin Ce, it’s good that you’re back. It’s good you're back."
But she quickly realized the situation. Lin Ce had been a soldier; soldiers were hot-headed and impulsive. Seeing how his family had been treated, he would surely lose his temper. But Zhonghai wasn't the North. In Zhonghai, money and power were everything. How could a mere soldier compete with these people?
"Lin Ce, leave this to me. Don't worry about it, just go inside," she said, stepping in front of him.
Lin Ce reached out and gently stopped her. The Lin family still had a man left; how could he let a woman deal with this? He picked up the memorial tablets from the floor, wiped them gently with his sleeve, and placed them back on the altar.
"They are just ants, Sister Xiangsi. Don't worry. I will make each and every one of them kneel and beg the Lin family for forgiveness."
Ye Xiangsi shook her head, feeling a surge of disappointment. Lin Wen had praised Lin Ce’s intellect, but it seemed he was just an impulsive young man who couldn't read the room. These people were cunning and ruthless; if she couldn't handle them, what could Lin Ce do? Furthermore, with so many of them, Lin Ce would only end up getting hurt.
"Oh, so it's the adopted son the Lin family picked up off the street," Feng Zicai sneered. "A stinking soldier, and you’re spouting nonsense? Have you gone stupid from being in the army?"
He pointed at Lin Ce’s nose. "You’ve returned just in time. The Lin family ruined us! You’ve been a soldier for years; you must have some money. Hand it over as compensation, or don't blame us for being impolite!"
Lin Ce didn't even look at him. "I’ll give you one minute to kneel and apologize. Otherwise, none of you will be leaving."
Feng Zicai laughed as if he’d heard a joke. "Hahaha! You? A stinking soldier? If you touch a single hair on my head, I’ll have my men kill you!"
"Your time is running out," Lin Ce said calmly, walking to the altar. "Sister Xiangsi, I want to offer incense to my parents and brother."
Ye Xiangsi, full of worry, handed him the incense box. Lin Ce lit three sticks. Feng Zicai, seeing this, charged forward aggressively. "Damn it, I'm talking to you! What are you acting so deep for? Burning incense? Do you want me to torch this house and let you burn enough for a lifetime?"
He reached out to grab the incense and break it.
"I happen to need an incense holder. Your hand will do."
*Splat!*
With a cold expression, Lin Ce drove the three sticks of incense directly through Feng Zicai’s palm and into the altar table!
"AAAH!" Feng Zicai let out a pig-like shriek. "You... you dare to strike me!"
Lin Ce remained calm, his hand gripping Feng Zicai’s wrist like a steel clamp. "Don't move. If you move again, it won't be your hand on this altar—it will be your head."
Feng Zicai’s mouth twitched, cold sweat pouring down his face. He wanted to resist, but when he looked into Lin Ce’s eyes, he felt like he was staring into a sea of corpses and blood. *A madman, this guy is a madman!* He was so terrified his legs shook; he couldn't utter a word.
Meanwhile, the other executives and thugs began to shout. "Kid, you’re looking for death! Release Director Guo!"
"Arrogance requires capital! A stinking soldier daring to go against us? Do you want to survive in Zhonghai?"
"Damn it, why waste words? This kid is blocking our path to money. Get him!"
A dozen men charged forward. Lin Ce didn't turn back, merely stroking the photo on the altar with grief. "The minute is up. This is a family home; no blood should be spilled inside. Handle them as you see fit."
The crowd paused, confused. Who was he talking to?
*Whoosh! Whoosh!*
Suddenly, hundreds of men sprang from around the Lin residence. They were dressed in uniform black tactical gear with golden dragon insignia on their chests. A chilling aura of slaughter descended upon the courtyard.
The Hidden Dragon Guards. The most mysterious and elite fighting force in the North, and the personal guard of the Dragon Head. Every member was an elite soldier, possessing the authority to execute those who broke the law.
The thugs stood paralyzed. Before they could react, cries of agony erupted. *Snap! Snap!* They couldn't even see how the guards moved before their legs were shattered. They were forced to their knees, unable to stand again.
"Dragon Head, the lowlifes have been cleared. What are your orders?" Qili and Bahu approached and bowed respectfully.
"Find people to watch them. Make them kneel here for three days. If anyone refuses, kill them without mercy."
Lin Ce never looked back. To him, these people weren't even as significant as a speck of dust on the altar. Ye Xiangsi covered her mouth, her eyes wide with shock.
***
Chapter 3: Dragon Cloud One
Lin Ce offered incense to his family and left with Ye Xiangsi.
Inside the military Jeep.
"Sister Xiangsi, I’m sorry you were frightened," Lin Ce said calmly.
Ye Xiangsi still hadn't recovered. Hundreds of people had appeared out of thin air, each one sharp as a sword. The man and woman by Lin Ce’s side were clearly extraordinary. She realized that the Lin Ce her family used to talk about and the man before her were two different people. What had he experienced in the North? He was clearly more than just a soldier.
But now was not the time to ask.
"Ce, if Feng Zicai and his group didn't have someone backing them, they wouldn't dare act so recklessly. They are backed by the Zhao family." Lin Ce narrowed his eyes. "The Zhao family?"
Ye Xiangsi nodded. "Yes. The Zhao family is one of the four major families in Zhonghai. Though they are the weakest, they are the most greedy. After the Lin family fell, they occupied the Beiyu building and instigated those former employees to seize the house."
Lin Ce smiled coldly. "Don't worry, Sister Xiangsi. The Zhao family won't be jumping around for much longer. Within three days, I will make the Zhao family collapse."
Since the Zhao family was so greedy, he would start with them. Ye Xiangsi was stunned. The Zhao family was one of the four big families! Claiming they would collapse in three days sounded like a tall tale. But for some reason, the iron-blooded, domineering aura Lin Ce exuded made her want to believe him.
"Ce, you are the last of the Lin family. You mustn't do anything foolish. We live in a society governed by law. If something happens to you, how would I face your parents and brother?" She was genuinely afraid he would act rashly.
Bahu couldn't help but chime in. "The person who could make the Dragon Head suffer hasn't been born yet. Those four major families in Zhonghai? We could wipe them out with a flick of our fingers!"
Ye Xiangsi looked at the burly man in surprise. Wipe them out with a flick of his fingers? His tone was even bolder than Lin Ce’s. Were these people crazy?
"Bahu, this is the Dragon Head’s family business. Don't interrupt," Qili scolded.
Bahu chuckled. "Dragon Head, I'm not wrong, am I? With just one word from you, I’ll lead the Hidden Dragon Guards and wipe out this trash."
Lin Ce shook his head. "There must be a conspiracy behind this. It’s better to investigate thoroughly before acting."