Brocade Garden.

In the small, sun-drenched square, the crowd was no longer playing cards or chess. Instead, they were huddled over their phones, discussing the annihilation of the Martial Association.

As they talked, they would occasionally cast glances at Ren Tong.

Given the incident at the activity center, it wasn't hard for them to guess who had wiped out the Martial Association's Tianque City Branch.

"Hearing you say that, it seems the Martial Association is truly a wretched organization." After listening to Ren Tong, Liu Changzheng nodded, then shook his head. "But with Chen Yang being so forcefully confrontational, I'm afraid there will be trouble."

"Old Ghost Ren, don't be offended by my bluntness, but this is the reality Chen Yang is facing."

Liu Changzheng's tone was grave. "You've spent your entire life in the Martial Department, so you should know better than I. Wasn't there once a Military General who offended every single powerful family in Cangyun City? And what was his fate?"

"He was assassinated!"

"Nothing invites more hatred than messing with someone's livelihood! If it happened once, it can certainly happen again."

Finally, Liu Changzheng patted Ren Tong's shoulder. "You should try to persuade Chen Yang again. He's already killed so many. It's time to stop. There's no need to continue."

Surprisingly, Ren Tong didn't fly into a rage. He simply stared into the distance, silent, his yellowed eyes unfocused.

How could he not already know everything Liu Changzheng was saying? In fact, one could say he understood it better than anyone. But...

"Father."

Chen Yang walked over, greeting them with a smile.

The small square, however, fell abruptly silent.

Of course, Chen Yang knew what these people were discussing. He just smiled and paid them no mind.

Standing before Ren Tong, Chen Yang said, "Father, I'm heading to Qiyun Road. I'll come see you again after a while."

"Don't you worry about this old bag of bones. You go do what you need to do," Ren Tong said, waving his hand dismissively.

Liu Changzheng added, "Chen Yang, rest assured. With us old-timers here, nothing will happen to him."

"Thank you."

Chen Yang nodded. Just as he was about to leave, Ren Tong suddenly stood up. "Chen Yang, about the Martial Association..."

"Father, this is the last time. Don't worry," Chen Yang said with a smile before turning to leave.

Ren Tong opened his mouth several times, but in the end, not a single word came out. He just let out a long sigh.

"That boy... he's never lied to me before. This is the first time." How could Ren Tong not see that Chen Yang was just trying to appease him?

But then he recalled the words Chen Yang had spoken on New Year's Eve, and he decided not to dwell on it.

Things had already reached this point; there was no use overthinking it.

...

The minibus traveled smoothly along the expressway.

Chen Yang gazed out the window, feeling a pang of guilt for the lie he had just told.

But he had no choice. It was the only way to keep Ren Tong from worrying.

As for destroying the Martial Association, he was determined to see it through, no matter what.

This had long since surpassed the realm of a personal grudge.

If the Martial Association isn't destroyed, my heart can never be at peace.

"Boss, once we get to Qiyun Road, should we buy a house or stay in a hotel?" Yang Hu asked, having noticed the troubled look on Chen Yang's face in the rearview mirror.

Chen Yang pulled himself from his thoughts and said coolly, "I remember, Zhao Dejiang is on Qiyun Road, right? Let's pay him a visit first."

"Oh, right. I'd forgotten all about him," Yang Hu said with a laugh. "Okay, we'll head there first."

Zhao Dejiang.

A former subordinate of Chen Yang's.

Although he hadn't followed Chen Yang into the major battles at Night Quiet Valley and Hundred Flowers Valley, he had experienced countless smaller skirmishes.

Brave in combat and devoted to his country.

The description couldn't have been more fitting.

Like Ren Tong, Zhao Dejiang had dedicated his entire life to the Martial Department.

Since they were going to Qiyun Road, there was no reason for Chen Yang not to visit him.

With the itinerary set, Chen Yang said nothing more and closed his eyes to rest.

A little over an hour later, the minibus entered Qiyun Road.

The radio in the vehicle naturally switched to the local Qiyun Road broadcast.

In between commercials and songs, there was intermittent talk about the eightieth birthday of Qin Lie, a member of the Qin Clan's Royal Family.

Yang Hu pursed his lips. "This old fellow Qin Lie is really throwing a huge banquet for his birthday."

"Given Qin Lie's status in Qiyun Road, that's only normal," Chen Yang said nonchalantly, his eyes having opened at some point to gaze at the bustling streets.

Yang Hu smacked his lips. "I did some research. In the last few years, the Qin Clan Royal Family has expanded rapidly. It seems they intend to break out of Qiyun Road and establish themselves on a larger stage."

"Looks like Qin Lie wants to elevate the Qin Clan Royal Family to a whole new level before he dies."

Finally, Yang Hu concluded, "This Old King Qin is no simple character."

Chen Yang didn't reply; he wasn't interested in such matters.

Right now, he was wondering if he should ask Qin Qiu out for a meal. Just the thought of it brought a faint, unconscious smile to his face.

Half an hour later, the minibus arrived at a villa community. After going through the registration process, the security guard let them pass.

Eventually, the minibus stopped in front of a slightly dated villa.

Getting out of the car, Yang Hu pointed to the courtyard ahead. "Boss, this is the place!"

「At the same time.」

Inside the courtyard, a tall girl of about twenty-four or twenty-five stood fuming, her cheeks puffed out in anger. She wore a light yellow knitted sweater, blue jeans, and white sneakers.

Beside her, another girl with a ponytail and slightly chubby cheeks was trying to placate her with a smile. "Xiaoya, it's a blind date! You never know, there might be a surprise. Besides, didn't your grandpa say he's a Military General?"

"Tsk, tsk. A Military General! Leading troops into battle... how majestic!"

The girl named Zhao Xiaoya rapped her on the head. "Majestic my foot! Men like that offer no security. It's fine when the world is at peace, but the moment a war starts, they could die on the battlefield at any time."

With her grandfather having spent his life in the Martial Department, she saw this reality all too clearly.

"Besides, I, Zhao Xiaoya, already have a boyfriend!" she declared, raising a small, delicate fist. "I don't care. Later, you have to help me tear him down a bit. It'd be best if he gets the message and backs off."

The girl with the ponytail, Chen Yuman, covered her mouth and chuckled. "Alright, alright! When I see him, I'll be sure to say some very nasty things."

"You're the best, Yuman." Zhao Xiaoya gave her a big hug, then glanced at the time. "He should be here soon. Let's go wait for him outside!"

"You mean, you're not even going to let him in the house?"

Zhao Xiaoya pouted. "And why should I let him into my house?"

CREAK.

Just as Chen Yang was about to knock, the courtyard gate was pulled open, revealing two pretty young women.

"Excuse me, is this Zhao Dejiang's home?" Chen Yang asked with a warm smile.

Zhao Xiaoya was stunned for a moment. How did this guy get here so quickly? So impatient!

"Yes!" Zhao Xiaoya forced a smile, her tone extremely hostile. "I don't care what my grandfather's attitude is. There's no way I'll agree. I advise you to give up on this idea right now!"

"Right!" Chen Yuman immediately chimed in. "Look at how plain you are. You're not good enough for Xiaoya. Besides, she already has a boyfriend. You don't stand a chance!"

"Now go away. Don't be an eyesore."

Chen Yang was baffled and exchanged a look with Yang Hu.

Could this be a case of mistaken identity?

...

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