While Chen Fei remained silent, his expression pale and emotionless as he pondered the SS-rank foreign Ability User, the atmosphere around him had suddenly fallen dead silent. Only the distinct sounds of wind rustling through leaves and stones rolling across the ground could be heard.

The entire exchange might seem lengthy in description, but it all happened in a flash. It began when Old Bansen, the strongest member of the Houston Family, fiercely battered Chen Fei's back with a Wind Magic attack—the Wind Dragon's Tooth. Then, Chen Fei retaliated with a Flame Burst Sword, causing Old Bansen to bleed from the mouth. In reality, it was just two exchanges, merely two moves.

Yet, during these two exchanges, Chen Fei, a young man only in his twenties, had showcased such shocking abilities. With that kind of strength, not only did he collapse the huge club training ground with a single sword strike, but he even injured Old Bansen, one of the American Houston Family's most powerful figures and a renowned 'king' of the Western Dark World. What kind of terrifying power was that?

Even Brother Zhou Shang, who had spent so many years in America and whose own strength had reached the formidable Half-Step Innate level, was utterly shocked. His eyes filled with a level of disbelief and awe that an outsider could hardly imagine.

Such an exceptional genius—if given ten more years... no, even just five more years, perhaps his achievements would be enough to shock the entire world, right?

"Brother Fei, they're gone... Are you okay?" After a moment, Dong Jianhui cautiously approached Chen Fei and asked.

It was clear that after witnessing today's 'freakish' duel, his perception of Chen Fei had completely shifted from mere respect to a deep reverence and fear.

Only now did he finally understand why his father, despite his esteemed status as the top leader of Tongzhou City in Jiangnan Province, a standing committee member of the Provincial Committee, and the Minister of Propaganda, held such consistent respect for Brother Fei. Some people's existence in this world, perhaps, cannot be suppressed by mere titles or official positions. That was the feeling in his heart now, and it was growing increasingly intense.

"It's nothing, just a few minor injuries," Chen Fei replied, shaking his head with a faint smile. He was lying; his injuries were not 'minor' at all. But it wasn't a concern. After all, he was a doctor himself—and a highly skilled one at that.

"Mr. Chen, thank you for what you did today," Brother Zhou Shang said suddenly, walking up to Chen Fei and bowing deeply, his voice filled with sincere gratitude.

He was well aware that if not for Chen Fei, he would likely be dead by now. After all, that man had come personally—one of the Houston Family's two strongest members, who could have crushed him with a single finger as easily as squashing an ant.

"There's no need to thank me. But can you tell me what you took from them? Was it for yourself, or for... the authorities?" Chen Fei asked pointedly.

"For both, I suppose. I had my own selfish reasons, but it also counts as a contribution to the higher-ups," Brother Zhou Shang replied frankly. "What I took from them was a critical manuscript of scientific research, a summary of a lifetime's work written by one of our Huaxia scientists just before his death. However, that fellow O'Kenney from the Houston Family used despicable means to extort it, and I intercepted it mid-journey..."

He paused for a moment as if in reflection before continuing, "Then I returned and handed the manuscript to the higher-ups. In the end, I finally regained the right to stand on this land openly... I don't know how long I've waited for this day. It has been far, far too long."

He remembered being framed years ago for accidentally killing someone with significant clout, forcing him to flee the country. He had spent five or six years in Chinatown, America. But now, he finally had the right to return.

"I see..." Chen Fei nodded in surprise, a slight smile playing on his lips. "My mistake. If I had asked you earlier, I probably wouldn't have let that O'Kenney fellow walk away so easily."

He had initially assumed Zhou Shang had stolen something from the Americans, which was why they had pursued him all this way. He never imagined that it was the Americans who had robbed the People of Huaxia. No wonder that old man had left so decisively; he knew he had no just cause.

Hearing this, Brother Zhou Shang smiled, not doubting Chen Fei's words in the slightest. "It doesn't matter anymore. In the end, the Houston Family suffered a double loss this time. They have only themselves to blame."

"Let's go. I need to rest. Could you arrange a private room for me?" Chen Fei said with a shake of his head, preparing to turn around.

"I'll take you there, Brother Fei," Dong Jianhui said, immediately stepping forward to support him.

***

Meanwhile, just as Chen Fei finished his bout with an SS-rank Ability User, the Xiao Family, hailed as the premier noble family of Jiangnan Province, welcomed a guest of special status: Luo Yuanzhi of Flying Leopard, Chief Luo himself.

In the Xiao Family's villa district, inside a seemingly ordinary and unremarkable bungalow courtyard, an old man sat quietly in a wheelchair with a faint smile on his face. He was aged and frail, with a full head of silver hair and skin on his face as wrinkled as dry tree bark.

This elderly man was none other than Xiao Zhengguo, lauded as the Xiao Family's sole pillar and their Sea-Calming Divine Needle. He was the former top leader and commander of the Jiangnan Province Military Region.

Behind him stood another equally ancient-looking old man, dressed in the attire of the Republican Era. He wore his hair in a braid and had on a small lambskin cap, appearing almost sleepy. Yet, the sharp glimmers that occasionally flashed in his eyes would make anyone hesitate to underestimate him; in fact, they would even feel a sense of trepidation.

"Brother Luo, your presence is a rare honor indeed. It has been quite some time since we last met, hasn't it?" Elder Xiao Zhengguo said with a kindly smile. He personally took a teacup from a servant and placed it in front of Chief Luo Yuanzhi, his expression beaming.

To be precise, they were men of the same era. To be able to meet again at their advanced age was deeply moving and made the encounter feel all the more intimate.

"Brother Xiao, I have come on important business today, so I'll skip the tea for now."

However, Chief Luo Yuanzhi was startlingly direct. He dispensed with all pleasantries and even pushed away the teacup Elder Xiao had personally offered him. This caused a sharp glint to flicker across the clouded eyes of the old man standing behind Elder Xiao.

"...Oh? Please elaborate." Upon hearing this, even a man of Elder Xiao Zhengguo's stature was visibly taken aback. It took him a moment to compose himself, his expression turning solemn. He could tell that Luo Yuanzhi was not joking.

"I have apprehended Xiao Nanshan..." Chief Luo Yuanzhi paused, a complex look passing through his murky eyes before he continued without expression, "Besides him, there was another youngster from your Xiao Family. I believe his name was... Xiao Qianrang?"

"...Brother Luo, may I ask what crimes they have committed to warrant your personal intervention?" It was Elder Xiao Zhengguo's turn to fall silent. After a long pause, he shook his head, a sharp glint flashing through his clouded eyes as he spoke.

"They offended someone they shouldn't have. It's too troublesome to explain verbally. I brought a file for you to review," Chief Luo Yuanzhi said indifferently, handing a file to Elder Xiao from his side.

"Someone they shouldn't have offended!?" Hearing this, even a man of Elder Xiao Zhengguo's standing felt his aged heart clench. A grave expression involuntarily appeared on his face.

He knew very well that given Chief Luo Yuanzhi's stature—a man whom even he, Xiao Zhengguo, had to respectfully address as 'Brother Luo'—he had no reason to use such matters to scare or deceive him. If that were indeed the case... he immediately took the matter with the utmost seriousness. He slowly accepted the dossier and lowered his head to thumb through it.

The documents, of course, contained records of everything that had happened.

As Elder Xiao Zhengguo read through the file, it did not take long for his expression to sour. It was no wonder. In his day, he had fought real battles against the Island Country People and held a deep-seated hatred for them. Yet now, his own younger brother and the Xiao Family's public representative, Xiao Qianrang, had committed such domineering acts and abused their authority just to curry favor with them. How could he not be infuriated?

"SNAP!"

The angrier he became, the more his hand slammed onto the armrest of his wheelchair. He passed the dossier behind him and said coldly, "Alan, find out who else is involved in this. These young bastards are regressing. Do they really think that just because I, Xiao Zhengguo, am old, they no longer have to listen!? Hmph!" He huffed heavily.

After his outburst, he turned to Chief Luo Yuanzhi with an apologetic look and sighed. "Brother Luo, my apologies for the trouble this has caused you. Our generation has grown old, and those beneath us are becoming increasingly disobedient..."

"Elder Xiao, today's matter is not as simple as you think."

But just then, Chief Luo Yuanzhi suddenly cut in. His tone was calm, yet it carried an inexplicable sense of intimidation. "Did you know? I am already preparing to submit a request to the higher-ups to have the Jiangnan Province Special Security Bureau disbanded. At the very least, it can no longer operate under our Flying Leopard's banner."

He paused briefly before adding, "I'm getting old, too. I'm afraid of being made a scapegoat for no reason."

At these words, the expressions of both Elder Xiao Zhengguo and the old man behind him changed dramatically. A look of utter shock and disbelief emerged in their clouded eyes.

Is this matter... really that serious!? For an old man like Luo Yuanzhi to say such a thing with his own mouth... He said he was... afraid!?

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