"Dad, Hao'er... he..." A middle-aged man, Qi Hao's father Qi Yuan, had bloodshot eyes. He clutched his fists, staring at the nearby coffin, unable to bring himself to approach.

Qi Zhentian said nothing, his face an impassive mask. He walked step-by-step toward the coffin and ordered indifferently, "Clear the room! If anyone dares to breathe a word of what happened today, I will cut out their tongue!"

Several key members of the Qi Family promptly complied, moving toward the surrounding guests.

At their warning, the terrified crowd nodded and hurried away. As for what they had witnessed, the secret would die with them.

This wasn't just about the Qi Family; it also involved the Martial Association. How could they dare to gossip recklessly?

Standing before the coffin, Qi Zhentian looked at Qi Hao's cold, stiff body. His eyes were about to burst with rage, and he ground his teeth so hard they nearly shattered. "If I do not avenge this, I swear I am no man!"

"Hao'er! My son!!!" Qi Yuan threw himself onto the coffin, hugging Qi Hao and wailing piteously.

Originally, Qi Hao had been the most likely successor for the position of Qi Family Patriarch. Now, he had been killed just like that.

All the Qi Family members' faces turned grim, filled with a mixture of anger and humiliation.

When had their mighty Qi Family ever suffered such humiliation?

Qi Zhentian walked to one side and instructed the butler, "Retrieve Zhang Zhi's body as well, and then inform his grandfather."

"Yes, Master!"

Finally, Qi Zhentian dialed the number of a protector from the Martial Association.

A cold wind stormed in through the shattered glass wall, sending tablecloths and curtains flapping. Dead leaves swirled into the hall. Qi Zhentian tightened his clothes. This winter seemed exceptionally cold.

...

「Outside the hotel.」

The maple trees on both sides of the road rustled. A sea of red leaves swept across the sky, blotting out the sun. Against the backdrop of the neon lights, the scene had a strangely magical feel.

Many people had stopped on the road to take pictures, but Xiang Yang had no interest in the beautiful scenery. He just clutched his arms tightly, trying to keep the cold wind from seeping into his collar.

Chen Yang's indifferent and domineering demeanor still haunted him.

So damn arrogant! Who the hell is this guy?

Sullen, he left the hotel, found his Panamera in the parking lot, yanked open the door, and slumped inside.

As he started the engine, he muttered resentfully, "Hmph! So what if he has some skill? After killing important members of both the Qi Family and the Martial Association today, does he really think there's any place left for him in this world? He's just simple-minded trash with more brawn than brains!"

However, just as the words left his mouth, a detached voice came from the back seat. "He has more than just 'a little skill'."

BUZZ!

Xiang Yang's mind reeled, and he nearly jumped out of his seat. So scary!

He whipped around to see a burly man in martial arts attire sitting in the back. He instinctively snapped, "Who are you? How did you get in my car?"

"I was waiting for you, of course," Yang Hu said, slowly lighting a cigarette. "Want one?"

"Get the hell out now!"

As soon as he spoke, Xiang Yang's heart clenched. He recognized this man. This was the one who had dropped the coffin into the hall from a crane!

That meant he was one of Chen Yang's men! This...

At the mere thought, Xiang Yang's face turned ashen, and his fingers trembled on the steering wheel.

"You have a foul mouth." Yang Hu retracted the cigarette he'd offered and put the pack away. Pinching the lit one between two fingers, he flicked the ash. "Forget the insignificant Qi Family. Even if the Association President of the Martial Association himself were here, he'd have to kneel obediently to the side!"

"I said no smoking in my car! Get out now!" Overcome with rage, Xiang Yang lost all reason and yelled at Yang Hu again.

Hearing this man was connected to Chen Yang only stoked the inexplicable rage in his heart. That damned guy... is he haunting me? Can't I ever be rid of him?

Yang Hu ignored him, continuing indifferently, "You wanted to know who he is, didn't you? I'll tell you."

"Eight years ago, when I first met him, he was just a Centurion. I didn't think he was anything special. But during the great battle at Wild Man Valley, he crushed two thousand of the enemy's elite troops with less than five hundred of his own men.

"I've followed him with unwavering loyalty ever since. And his miraculous achievements didn't stop there; they continued right up until his promotion to Commander-in-chief!"

Xiang Yang's eyes widened in terror. "What did you say he is? Commander-in-chief? Could he be..." How is this possible? A Commander-in-chief under thirty? That has to be a joke!

Yang Hu smiled faintly. "Commander-in-chief was his previous title. Now, he should be addressed as the Zhennan Prince. However, the eighty thousand brothers stationed in Hanyun Valley and I still prefer to call him Governor."

Xiang Yang was speechless.

If all this is true, then in the vast Lingjin City—no, in this entire country—who would dare make an enemy of him? The Qi Family? The Martial Association? Heh... He could crush them with one hand.

Xiang Yang gasped for breath, his heart in turmoil. His voice trembled as he said, "You... You're talking nonsense! How could that be possible?"

Yang Hu exhaled a large cloud of smoke. His expression was indifferent, yet he projected an imposing aura. He cracked a smile. "I never talk nonsense. Especially not to a dead man walking."

Xiang Yang was speechless.

Instantly, Xiang Yang's face turned ashen, his pupils contracting to pinpoints. He tried to tell himself that the man was just bluffing, but the overwhelming wave of terror that washed over him left his limbs weak and a chill in his bones.

A universally acknowledged piece of trash, even if he had some hidden skills, couldn't possibly be the Zhennan Prince, right? What kind of existence was the Zhennan Prince? Even if he wracked his brain, he could never connect the Zhennan Prince with that loser, Chen Yang.

"So, now you know. Any thoughts?" Yang Hu extinguished his cigarette butt and asked with a smirk, "Still feeling so superior?"

Xiang Yang's insides felt like they were on fire. Not daring to delay another second, he turned to get out of the car.

But Yang Hu's hand shot out and clamped down on him. His grip was like an iron pincer, holding Xiang Yang completely still.

"Wh-what do you think you're doing?" Xiang Yang stammered.

Yang Hu gave a casual smile. "Sending you on your way, of course. I didn't prepare a coffin for you ahead of time, but for someone like you, being left to rot in the wilderness is a more fitting end."

"Wouldn't you agree?"

As he spoke, Yang Hu pulled a pair of white gloves from his back pocket and meticulously put them on.

Xiang Yang could only watch in horror.

...

After leaving the hotel, Chen Yang drove home.

Halfway there, he received a call from Qin Qiu. "Chen Yang," she ordered, "go to Zero Degree Bar and pick up Xiaomo. Make sure you bring her home early!"

"Honey, aren't you making things difficult for me?" Chen Yang said, exasperated. "With Xiaomo's attitude toward me, do you really think she'll listen?"

The line went silent.

"I don't care! You will bring her back, even if you have to tie her up!" Qin Qiu said, her voice a mixture of anger and worry. "That girl is getting more and more out of hand, hanging around bars and karaoke clubs every day!"

Left with no other choice, Chen Yang reluctantly agreed. "Alright, I'll do my best."

...

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