Bahu’s expression tightened, and he instantly fell silent.
Ten minutes later.
The off-road jeep arrived at Mount Longyun, slowly making its way toward the peak.
A short while later, the car came to a stop at the summit.
"Sister Xiangsi, we’ve arrived."
Ye Xiangsi got out of the car after Lin Ce, and was surprised to discover that the villa before them was none other than Mount Longyun Number One.
Situated at the peak, the villa commanded a sweeping, unobstructed view.
This villa was far more than just a residence; it was a symbol of power and status in Zhonghai.
Even members of the Four Great Families of Zhonghai had entertained the thought of purchasing Mount Longyun Number One, only to abandon the idea in the end.
Because rumor had it that this villa had long since been bought by the King of Jiangnan, though he had never once lived in it.
This estate had already become a symbol, the ultimate aspiration of every merchant in Zhonghai.
Yet, at this moment, Lin Ce had brought her here.
"Sister Xiangsi, this is my residence. You can stay here for the time being."
The Lin Family residence was a place of painful memories for Lin Ce; it was no longer suitable to live in.
Ye Xiangsi stood there in a daze, unable to process it for a moment.
"Ce, you mean... we're going to live here from now on? Are you out of your mind? This place has never been open to outsiders!"
At that moment, Bahu chuckled playfully from the side.
"With the Dragon Head’s noble status, staying at Mount Longyun Number One is already condescending. Besides, this is just giving Xiao Jiang a chance to make himself useful."
Hearing this, Ye Xiangsi was struck speechless.
Who was this Xiao Jiang they spoke of? Could it be the King of Jiangnan?
She was losing her mind. Everyone was losing their mind.
She had originally thought Lin Ce was just an ordinary foot soldier, but when she saw that battle-hardened elite troop, she had discarded that notion.
She had even been trying to figure out where she could help Lin Ce find a place to stay, yet here he was, bringing her to Mount Longyun Number One.
*Clang.*
The electronic gates swung open wide, and Lin Ce walked in first.
Lin Ce hadn't lied to her—he actually knew how to open the electronic gates!
"Sister Xiangsi, there's no need to be so surprised. It's just a piece of property owned by a friend."
As the Northern Dragon Head, Lin Ce possessed towering authority and wealth that rivaled nations.
Yet, when it came to his family, he felt no need to deliberately put on airs.
Hearing this, Ye Xiangsi nodded thoughtfully, and reluctantly followed him inside.
Eight o'clock in the evening.
Inside the villa, apart from Lin Ce and Ye Xiangsi, there was not a soul in sight.
After taking a shower, Ye Xiangsi put on a silk pajama set and began bustling about in the kitchen.
Along the way, she had noticed that Lin Ce's health didn't seem too good, as he would cough a couple of times every now and then.
Fearing that his constitution was weakened, she had specially brewed a pot of chicken soup for him.
When she thought about it, she really was pitiful. On her wedding night, her husband had died, making her a widow before she even crossed the threshold.
Over the past month, she had made countless efforts to resist the oppression of the Zhou Family, but to no avail.
If Ce hadn't come back today, she wouldn't even have been able to protect the Lin Family residence.
She looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was undeniably pretty, and her figure was something she took great pride in.
When it came to beauty, she was confident she ranked in the top ten in Zhonghai.
It was just a pity that fate was so unfair to her.
After feeling sorry for herself in front of the mirror for a moment, the pressure cooker started hissing, and she hurriedly rushed into the kitchen.
She placed the chicken soup on the dining table, then cautiously made her way to the doorway of Lin Ce’s room on the second floor.
Just as Ye Xiangsi was about to knock, she noticed the door was left ajar. Subconsciously peeking through the crack, she caught sight of Lin Ce.
Lin Ce was sitting cross-legged on the bed, his eyes half-closed, his hands resting on his knees.
"What is he doing? Is he practicing cultivation like those people on TV?"
She was about to chuckle, but her gaze instantly locked onto Lin Ce’s bare upper body.
His broad chest, pectoral muscles, and abdominal muscles clung to his frame like blocks of granite.
Lin Ce’s muscles weren't the excessively bulky type.
Yet they looked brimming with peerless, explosive power, as if they could erupt at any second.
While her delicate face flushed slightly, she was even more shocked by the horrific scars crisscrossing his skin.
Scars resembling small, slithering snakes crawled all over Lin Ce’s body!
Fierce and glaringly obvious.
Good heavens, how could any man have so many scars on his body?
Just what kind of experiences had Lin Ce endured on the battlefield?
However, right as she stood there in shock, Lin Ce’s eyes snapped open. A cold shout rang out, sounding as though it had come straight from the nethermost depths of hell:
"Who goes there? How dare you spy on me!"
Ye Xiangsi’s delicate frame trembled, a buzzing filled her mind, and she instantly plunged into darkness.
Then her body began to topple backward.
Lin Ce’s eyes narrowed as he realized the person standing outside was Ye Xiangsi.
*Whoosh.* He vanished into thin air.
The next second, Lin Ce securely caught Ye Xiangsi’s falling body in his arms.
***
### Chapter 4: Midnight Gunshots
With the warm, fragrant body in his arms, Lin Ce’s killing intent dissipated completely, his eyes returning to crystal clarity.
"Sister Xiangsi, did I scare you?"
Still shaken, Ye Xiangsi opened her eyes to find herself standing safely to the side, her expression dazed and adrift.
What had just happened?
Then she realized the two of them were standing inches apart, and she instinctively took a couple of steps back.
Lin Ce’s ironclad dragon’s body radiated a scorching heat like a branding iron, making it impossible for her to meet his gaze.
"Ce, those scars on your body..."
Looking completely unperturbed, Lin Ce said, "It's nothing. Just a few minor injuries."
Injuries that terrifying, and he called them minor?
"By the way, is there something you needed?" Lin Ce asked, unable to help himself.
He was used to being alone, and absolute solitude was required during his cultivation sessions.
He had simply forgotten, given that he had an extra person around today.
"I saw that you were coughing a bit, so I brewed some chicken soup for you..."
Ye Xiangsi’s voice trailed off weakly, as if she had done something wrong.
Lin Ce froze slightly as a warm current swept through his heart.
"Thank you for your kindness, Sister Xiangsi. Let's go downstairs and try your cooking."
As she walked down the stairs, Ye Xiangsi asked, "Oh right, where are your two friends? You should let them have some too."
"No need. They still have things to attend to tonight."
***
Meanwhile, the Zhou Family villa was brightly lit.
Having finished dealing with the day's affairs, Zhao Hongguang had just returned to the villa when he received some news.
The men he had dispatched to the Lin Family residence had actually been detained.
Right now, they were all kneeling in the Lin Family courtyard, kowtowing.
"This is sheer outrage!"
Zhao Hongguang’s anger flared up. Had that little ungrateful wretch actually grown some spine? How dare she find people to fight back against him?
In Zhonghai, who didn't know the name Zhao Hongguang?
He operated in both the underworld and the overworld. Since she wanted to play hardball with him, he would show her whose wrists were thicker.
He swiftly dialed a phone number.
"Hello, is this Brother Biao?"
On the other end of the line, Brother Biao’s low, gravelly voice replied:
"It's me. Boss Zhao calling me—do you have another job?"
Zhao Hongguang chuckled. "Indeed, there is something I'd like Brother Biao's help with. It's about the Lin Family house again."
"Hmph, I told you to hire me long ago, but you wouldn't listen. How do you want it handled this time?"
A fierce glint flashed in Zhao Hongguang's eyes. "This time I want it ruthless. Cut the weeds and root them out!"
"Hahaha, understood. You know the rules: pay first, then we do the job."
"Rest assured, Brother Biao."
After hanging up the phone, a murderous glint flickered in Zhao Hongguang’s eyes. They refused a polite toast only to drink a forfeit.
Of all the roads in the world, why did they have to walk the road to the netherworld!
No matter who you are, if you cross Zhao Hongguang, your fate ends in one word: death!
The night was dark and the wind was howling; heavy clouds weighed low over the city.
Near the old Lin Family residence, several Wuling Hongguang vans pulled to a screeching halt.
More than a dozen masked, burly men poured out of the vehicles, brandishing long blades with fierce glints in their eyes.
Leading them was a broad-shouldered, bald man with a vicious scar across his forehead.
This man was Brother Biao, a notorious assassination boss in Zhonghai.
Brother Biao specialized in handling thorny problems for the wealthy, and the brothers under his command were a bunch of desperate criminals he had recruited.
"Brother Biao, this is the place. The courtyard with the lights on up ahead," said the assassin who had been driving.
Brother Biao casually flicked his cigarette butt onto the ground, felt for the piece tucked into his waistband, and said,
"Brothers, time to work! Make it quick and clean!"
"Understood, Boss!"
At the gates of the Lin Family mansion, two Hidden Dragon Guards stood on watch.
Meanwhile, inside the courtyard, Feng Zicai and the others were kneeling on the ground, their legs having lost all sensation long ago.
At that moment, they spotted a group of men armed with long blades approaching from afar with a menacing momentum.
A sharp glint flashed in Feng Zicai's eyes, replaced by an expression of excitement.
It must be the people Zhao Hongguang sent! They were saved.
However, in the very next second, Feng Zicai and the others were completely petrified, witnessing the most unbelievable scene of their lives.
Behind Brother Biao, a total of twenty-one assassins perished in a split second, not a single one spared.
As for Brother Biao, looking at the cold beauty who had suddenly appeared a short distance ahead, his scalp felt like it was about to explode.
This... how was this possible?
So many brothers of his had all died in an instant, and it had been as easy as chopping melons and vegetables.
The one who struck was this very beauty before him.
Her speed was so terrifying that she hadn't even given him time to react!
A demon. This woman was a demon!
Brother Biao’s knees went weak, and lacking even the courage to draw his gun, he collapsed onto the ground.
*Clack, clack, clack...*
The sound of military boots echoed through the quiet street.
Qili blew the smoke from the barrel of her gun, walked up, and pressed the pitch-black muzzle directly against Brother Biao’s temple.
*Ah!*
The scalding-hot barrel scorched his skin, emitting the scent of roasting meat, yet he didn't dare to move a single millimeter.
"What's your name?" Qili asked sharply.
"W-Wang Biao."
"Who sent you?"
Trembling, Brother Biao said, "If I tell you, w-will you let me go?"
Qili let out a cold laugh. "You're trying to bargain with me? Do you even have the right?"
*Bang!*
A gunshot rang out, shattering Brother Biao's kneecap.
"Aaargh!"
Brother Biao let out a miserable, blood-curdling scream, clutching his knee tightly in agonizing pain.
"Who sent you, and what kind of shady business are you mixed up in? Tell me everything clearly. Miss even a single detail, and I'll make you wish you were dead."
Brother Biao knew he had hit a dead end today. *Damn it, since when did a terrifying woman like this appear in Zhonghai?*
"Okay, okay, I'll tell you everything."
He spoke with great difficulty.
"I was sent by Zhao Hongguang. He sent us to take out Ye Xiangsi and the group backing her up.
"But I didn't know you were so powerful! Please, have mercy in your greatness and spare me."
With mild amusement, Qili hooked his chin with the barrel of her pistol and said indifferently,
"What else have you done for him? You'd better spit it all out without missing a single thing, or you know the consequences!"
Brother Biao shuddered, swallowed hard, and forced himself to speak:
"Three years ago, he hired me to wipe out the family of his business competitor, the Wu family—sixteen mouths in total.
"A year ago, he paid me to get rid of a female teacher's boyfriend so he could take the teacher for himself, which ultimately drove her to commit suicide out of despair.
"Three months ago..."
A chilling, gloomy flame flickered in Qili’s eyes. "No need to continue. That's already enough."
"Open your mouth."
Clueless, Brother Biao slowly opened his mouth.
Then, the barrel of the gun was shoved right inside, and she immediately pulled the trigger.
*Bang!*
Blood splattered across the ground. Brother Biao slumped forward, his eyes still wide with absolute terror as he died with lingering grievances!
Qili pulled the voice recorder out of her pocket and pressed the stop button.
When she said it was enough, she meant that this evidence was already sufficient to condemn them to death.
And that included the Zhao Family!
Qili climbed into the off-road jeep, started the engine, and sped away.
***
Inside the Zhao Family villa, Zhao Hongguang paced back and forth with his hands behind his back.
For some reason, he had felt restless all night, as if a bad omen hung in the air.
Logically speaking, Brother Biao was very efficient. Why hadn't he sent word by now?
Suddenly, a subordinate rushed in frantically.
"This is bad, Boss! Something... something has happened!"
"What happened? Stop panicking!"
"A bunch of police cars showed up near the Lin Family house, saying a homicide took place. I went over to check—Brother Biao and all of his men have been completely—wiped out!"
*What?*
In an instant, Zhao Hongguang’s expression darkened so severely it looked as though blood was about to drip from it.
It took him a long time to recover from the shock.
"Tomorrow, arrange a meeting with Master Wei for me. No, I'll call him right now!"
***
### Chapter 5: The Mastermind
Early the next morning.
Bahu and Qili had already returned to Mount Longyun Number One.
Ye Xiangsi brought out plates of breakfast and set them on the table.
"Ce, let's eat."
As she spoke, Ye Xiangsi turned on the television, which was broadcasting the latest news report.
"The Zhonghai assassin organization Sang Biao and his gang were completely eliminated in the early hours of last night. The case is currently under investigation."
Ye Xiangsi’s delicate brows furrowed slightly as she raised her head to look at Lin Ce in surprise.
Wasn't Tongzi Road where the Lin Family residence was located? How could Sang Biao have been killed right there?
Could it be that Lin Ce did this?
Disregarding Ye Xiangsi's astonishment, Lin Ce simply began eating his breakfast.
Unable to calm her mind, Ye Xiangsi suddenly noticed that Qili and Bahu were still standing upright, and said,
"You two should sit down and eat as well."
Bahu stood as straight as a statue, replying, "The Dragon Head is dining. We are unworthy to share a table and eat with the Dragon Head."
Ye Xiangsi shot Bahu a peculiar look.
They were just eating a meal; surely it didn't need to be this serious?
With a calm expression, Lin Ce said, "Sit down and eat together. You've been busy all night, you must be hungry."
"Obey!"
"Yes!"
Upon receiving Lin Ce’s permission, Bahu and Qili dared to sit at the very edge of the table.
Ye Xiangsi was genuinely speechless.
Whether it was Bahu or Qili, Ye Xiangsi could tell that either of them would be considered top-tier figures if placed anywhere in Zhonghai.
Calling them dragons and phoenixes among men would certainly be no exaggeration.
Yet in front of Lin Ce, these two were so deferential it was as if the slightest misstep would be a capital offense punishable by beheading.
Ye Xiangsi chuckled softly and asked Bahu, who was wolfing down his food nearby,
"So, how is the food?"
Bahu nodded, mumbling with his mouth full, "I didn't expect Madam to be such a good cook."
Ye Xiangsi covered her mouth with a smile. "I bought these downstairs early this morning."
Bahu froze instantly, plunging into deep embarrassment.
Meanwhile, a corner of Qili's mouth curled into a smile.
The atmosphere finally felt a bit more relaxed.
Suddenly, Ye Xiangsi remembered something.
"Oh right, do you have any plans for today, Ce?"
"Does Sister Xiangsi have something in mind?"
Hesitating for a moment, Ye Xiangsi said, "Today is actually Zhou Peipei's birthday. You still remember her, right?"
Lin Ce nodded slowly as the graceful figure of a woman surfaced in his mind.
After heading to the Northern Territory, he hadn't seen her at all.
"Who is Zhou Peipei?" Qili couldn't help asking.
With a smile, Ye Xiangsi explained, "She's Ce's high school classmate, and the two of them even had an engagement.
"It's just that now that the Lin Family has fallen, and the Zhou Family is a prominent household, I'm afraid this marriage..."
Lin Ce wiped his mouth, stood up, and said to Bahu and Qili,
"Let's go. We're paying a visit to the Zhou Family."
Zhou Pengju, the old patriarch of the Zhou Family, had a deep friendship with his adoptive father.
The two had known each other for over thirty years; he ought to know something about the circumstances surrounding the death of his adoptive father's family.
***
Inside a tearoom at the old Zhou Family estate.
Tea aroma drifted gently through the air. Amidst the swirling mist, an old man holding a photograph shook his head and sighed repeatedly.
"Old Lin, you and I have known each other for so long. Watching you meet your doom while I stood by helplessly—it breaks my heart.
"Don't blame me for not avenging you; the forces behind this are simply too immense. Before that person, my Zhou Family is nothing more than an ant.
"I warned you long ago not to touch it, not to touch it, but you refused to listen. If twenty-five years ago... sigh."
Just as his thoughts wandered there, a knock sounded at the door, and an old servant walked in.
"What is it?" Zhou Pengju wiped away the lingering tears at the corners of his eyes and asked in a deep voice.
"Family head, there are two people of unknown origin outside. They wish to see you, claiming to be descendants of your old friend."
Zhou Pengju’s brows furrowed tightly.
Within his social circle, the people he could call old friends weren't many—he could count them on one hand.
"Did they mention which old friend?"
"The man said his surname is Lin."
People from the Lin Family?
A violent jolt wracked Zhou Pengju’s heart, filled with a dread that made him wish he could avoid them altogether.
"Tell them I'm not here and send them back."
"Yes!"
The old servant respectfully withdrew, while Zhou Pengju massaged his temples, a look of exhaustion washing over him.
*The Lin Family has been destroyed. Who else from the Lin Family could be left? Wait, could it be Lin Ce?*
Didn't Lin Ce go off to the Northern Territory long ago? Word was he had died on the battlefield—that was what the Lin Family had always told the outside world.
Lin Ce, oh Lin Ce, the Lin Family sent you to the Northern Territory and kept your survival a secret all for your own good.
Child, why did you have to come back at a time like this?
However, right at that moment, a commotion erupted outside.
"Our master is not in! You must leave immediately, you cannot go in!"
*Bang!*
Immediately following a deafening crash, the door to the tearoom was forcefully blown wide open!
Then, a burly, powerful man appeared in the doorway, resembling a descending god of thunder.
"Hahaha, that old ghost actually lied to me and said nobody was inside. Who's the old man, then?"
Bahu strode into the room with his head held high.
This spectacle gave Zhou Pengju a severe fright. Could this fellow possibly be Lin Ce?
That was impossible. Lin Ce used to have delicate, handsome features; how had he turned into such a towering brute after eight years apart?
Having blown the door open, Bahu retreated outside, standing guard at the entrance like a door guardian deity.
Lin Ce stepped inside.
Zhou Pengju was considered a prominent figure in Zhonghai, well-deserved of being called a regional overlord.
Yet in front of Lin Ce, he appeared utterly insignificant.
It was as though the man sitting in the seat of honor was merely a run-of-the-mill, withered old man.
Lin Ce’s aura radiated dominance and the lofty condescension of a monarch.
This kind of aura could only be cultivated through years of holding high office and wielding immense authority; there was no need to deliberately put it on display—everything came naturally.