It was clear that almost everyone from the Four Departments of Capital City felt that the Central Guard Bureau was being far too bold. To challenge the Celestial Group while ranked last, relying solely on Cao Qiguo was simply not enough. As soon as the news spread, it immediately caused a series of shocks. Many people were puzzled about what the Central Guard Bureau was really up to.

"Using Cao Qiguo alone to deal with the entire younger generation of the Celestial Group under thirty-five... isn't the Central Guard Bureau being a bit too hasty? Even if they can afford to lose, won't they feel embarrassed?"

"I get the feeling things aren't that simple. Do you think the people from the Central Guard Bureau are fools? I doubt it. Perhaps there's an inside story we don't know about."

"So what if there is? The Celestial Group's younger generation is miles ahead of the Central Guard Bureau's. Whether it's Luo Qinghai, Zhou Xuan, or Sui Mingqi, isn't every one of them on a different level than Cao Qiguo? Besides, even if they have a few tricks up their sleeve, I heard that fellow Yan Zhen is back..."

"HISS! What did you say? Yan Zhen? Are you talking about *that* Yan Zhen!?" Many people gasped, a flicker of horror in their eyes. Clearly, even they were frightened by the name. He was the nightmare of their generation from more than a decade ago.

He's actually back?

Instantly, a great number of people felt shaken and anxious over the return of that absurdly nightmarish figure, and not a few were taking pleasure in the Central Guard Bureau's misfortune. No matter how the Central Guard Bureau schemed, they probably never accounted for Yan Zhen—that freak, that variable, right? Come to think of it, the guy really isn't thirty-five yet. He's still within the scope of this sparring match.

"Tsk tsk, now this will be a good show. It's said that monster Yan Zhen returned once before, five years ago, and even traded blows with an Elder from the Celestial Group. The result was a draw! You have to know, anyone qualified to be an Elder in the Four Departments of Capital City must have a power evaluation of at least SS Level! In other words..."

"That's not the main point! The point is that another five years have passed since then. Who knows what terrifying heights that monster Yan Zhen has reached now? Probably only he and the heavens know. Just thinking about it is a little terrifying."

Many people thought so, and they said as much. The impression Yan Zhen had left on all of them more than a decade ago was incredibly profound, so much so that just hearing his name was enough to intimidate them. One could only imagine how domineering and powerful he must have been back then, towering over an entire generation.

"Yan Zhen?"

Hearing these rumors, Zheng Weiguo, the current Bureau Chief of the Central Guard Bureau, was genuinely shocked. He hadn't expected that fellow to have returned from 'that place'. A trace of dread showed in his eyes as he hesitated, muttering with a bitter smile, "Why would that kid rush back at a time like this? Damn it, this has become a problem."

Evidently, even he had an unforgettable impression of the freak Yan Zhen was back in the day. So much so that now, even knowing full well that Chen Fei's strength was no laughing matter, he couldn't help but worry subconsciously, mentally weighing the two of them.

In the end, he gave up. He really couldn't come to a clear conclusion. From one perspective, Yan Zhen was now from 'that place', having trained there. Perhaps his background alone could overwhelm the one Chen Fei had displayed. On the other hand, there was Chen Fei's demonstrated power. Cao Qiguo, with an S+ Rank power evaluation, had been as weak as a child before him, defeated so casually. What does that imply? It means that kid Chen Fei's strength is at least SS Level, maybe even SS+ Level!

From this angle, even if that little freak Yan Zhen had returned from 'that place', it was hard to say for certain if he was stronger than Chen Fei. After all, when he returned five years ago, his strength had just reached the SS Level. Now, five years later, even with miraculous progress and becoming much stronger, it was impossible for him to have reached the SSS Level in just five years, right?

For a moment, he really couldn't make a judgment. He could only push the chaotic thoughts from his mind.

「...」

The next day, the area in front of the Central Guard Bureau's main gate, normally a remote spot where few people would ever stop, was unexpectedly thronged with numerous stately figures. Their gazes were all directed toward a smiling man in black standing by the gate, and the slightly oppressive and anxious mood in their hearts gradually dissipated.

"Are you ready?" Old Man Huang Xing stood there, looking at Chen Fei. He sighed lightly before speaking.

"There's nothing to prepare. As long as no elders like you, Elder Huang, make a move, I don't think anyone from the Celestial Group can pose a threat to me," Chen Fei said with complete confidence.

"Don't be overconfident. I only just learned this myself. A kid from the Celestial Group has returned from 'that place'," Elder Huang said, his expression still somewhat grave.

"That place?"

Hearing those words, Chen Fei's expression froze for a moment. Then, his eyes narrowed slightly. "Elder Huang, are you talking about Luo Zun's people!?"

"Sort of, but not entirely. In any case, it's best to be cautious, though with your strength, it shouldn't be much of a problem. However, after this, you will likely attract the attention of the people from over there."

Old Man Huang Xing's aged eyes swept over Chen Fei's youthful face. A moment later, he suddenly chuckled. "But haven't you always been quite interested in that side? This is good, too. Someone like you isn't really suited to stay here for much longer. When the time comes, someone will guide you onto the correct path."

"Elder Huang..." Hearing this, Chen Fei's expression changed dramatically, and he couldn't stop himself from opening his mouth to ask more.

But Elder Huang immediately cut him off, shaking his head. "Don't ask. I wouldn't tell you even if you did. Alright, that's it for now. You should all get going. Weiguo!" he called out to Zheng Weiguo, who was not far away.

The latter immediately jogged over. "Elder Huang?"

"You all should head out. I won't be going," Elder Huang said to Zheng Weiguo, before turning and heading back into the Central Guard Bureau.

"Mr. Chen…" Hearing this, Zheng Weiguo nodded slightly and then turned his gaze toward Chen Fei.

"Alright, let's go, Bureau Chief Zheng." Seeing the situation, Chen Fei naturally understood he couldn't press the matter further. He took a deep breath, suppressing the shock and questions in his heart, and turned to nod at Bureau Chief Zheng. Then, their group set off.

「...」

As everyone knew, the Central Guard Bureau had been ranked last among the Four Departments of Capital City for nearly ten consecutive years. Meanwhile, the other party in this incident, the Celestial Group, was a frequent fixture in second or third place. In other words, their strengths were likely far from equal, yet the Central Guard Bureau had still made such an intriguing move, which was truly surprising and naturally attracted a great deal of attention and caused quite a stir.

Thus, as the people from the Central Guard Bureau set out for the Celestial Group, the other factions, the remaining two of the Four Departments of Capital City, also sent people over.

The sparring and exchange meeting was set to take place right inside the Base of the Celestial Group. This showed that the Celestial Group was taking the Central Guard Bureau's challenge and provocation quite seriously; after all, their reputation was on the line. Many of the Celestial Group's young elites, such as the famous and influential Luo Qinghai, Zhou Xuan, and Sui Mingqi, were already rubbing their hands together, preparing to show off their skills at the event.

One reason was to prove their own ability. The second was to give certain muddle-headed individuals or departments a wake-up call, to make them understand that the strength and quality of the Celestial Group's members were not to be trifled with by some bottom-ranking department.

As members of the Celestial Group, currently ranked the second most privileged department of the Four Departments of Capital City, they naturally had their pride. Even so, they didn't dare to truly underestimate the Central Guard Bureau. After all, the heritage of the 'Number One Household' that had dominated the Four Departments of Capital City for over twenty years was no joke.

And so, the sparring and exchange meeting arrived as scheduled. The representatives from the Central Guard Bureau had arrived.

"Bureau Chief Zheng, welcome, welcome," an Elder-level figure greeted Zheng Weiguo and his entourage at the main gate of the Base of the Celestial Group with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. Upon seeing that Celestial Group Elder, the expressions of Zheng Weiguo and the Central Guard Bureau members behind him, including Cao Qiguo, couldn't help but shift as anger flashed in their eyes.

Their own Bureau Chief, Zheng Weiguo, was leading the team in person, yet they were received by a mere Elder. What was the meaning of this? Were they looking down on the Central Guard Bureau?

A cold glint flashed in Zheng Weiguo's eyes, but he ultimately reined it in. He smiled slowly and said, "Elder Qi, it has been a long time. You seem to be in good health lately, haha."

"Not at all, not at all, I'm getting old, getting old~ Bureau Chief Zheng, why are you still standing outside the base? Please, come in. Everyone, please follow me inside," the elder's smirk grew even more pronounced as he gestured for Zheng Weiguo and the others to follow him, acting as if his status was truly sufficient to receive the Central Guard Bureau's chief, a man of equal standing to their own Celestial Group leader, Kou Bin.

"Why don't we just do it out here?" Seeing this, Chen Fei's dark eyes, as clear as glazed glass, twinkled. He spoke slowly, beating Bureau Chief Zheng to it.

"Just do it out here?" At Chen Fei's remark, everyone present was slightly stunned. The Celestial Group Elder, in particular, stared at Chen Fei with a mixture of surprise and a frosty gaze. Why is this brat in his twenties so clueless about etiquette, speaking out of turn and interrupting a conversation between 'leaders' like myself and Zheng Weiguo? Does he really think he's someone important?

"Yes, Bureau Chief. Let's just do it here. Why bother with all the hassle?" Chen Fei spoke again, as if no one else were there. "Something that can be settled so easily isn't worth wasting so much time."

His words made the Celestial Group Elder's eyes narrow in an instant, his anger reaching its peak. What did this kid mean by that? Did he think our Celestial Group was a pushover? How preposterous!

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