"The things you said on the phone just now, are they true? Are you really ready?" In the Xuu Family Courtyard in Capital City, Old Master Xuu's aged eyes gazed deeply at Chen Fei as he spoke slowly. Recalling the words this young man had said to him over the phone, even an old veteran like him who had erged from a hail of bullets couldn't help but grow solemn. This was no small matter.
Tiger Leopard Hall was a behemoth that had been entrenched in the Three Provinces of Lingnan for several decades at least. It was like a venomous snake lurking in the darkness, causing the entire southern region of the Ancient Martial Artist world to palpitate with fear, for its na was... Tiger Leopard Hall.
And the master of Tiger Leopard Hall was none other than... Luo Zun!
A man whom even he, Old Master Xuu Dongtian, had to admit was unbelievably cruel and deranged! The Central Guard Bureau had even registered his danger level as ss Rank, second only to the legendary figures of peaceti who are practically never seen.
But now, this young man was actually saying over the phone that he wanted to completely eradicate it. Although Xuu Dongtian had indeed said sothing similar before—that if Chen Fei was truly confident, he might as well chat with him—he never expected the young man to actually show up, ready for that "chat."
This kind of thing was definitely not a joke. Did they not want to eradicate a malignant tumor like Tiger Leopard Hall? Of course they did, but the risk of doing so was simply too great! If they couldn't deal a fatal blow to this venomous snake lurking in the shadows, the consequences could be catastrophic, potentially even sparking social unrest. At that point…
Chen Fei sat on a stone chair, his palm slowly resting on a teacup on the stone table. Then, with a sudden clench, he crushed the cup into powder. "I am, of course, ready," he said grimly. "Tiger Leopard Hall has troubled ti and again, and this latest incident... In any case, I, Chen Fei, am determined to destroy it! Not even Luo Zun will get away!"
Feeling the 'completely different' Chen Fei, and sensing the icy determination and grim hostility in his words, Old Master Xuu's eye couldn't help but twitch. "But have you investigated the strength of Tiger Leopard Hall?" he asked in a solemn tone. "And do you have a clear understanding of Luo Zun's current power?"
He could now feel that Chen Fei's determination and killing intent were no joke; they were absolute. However, a matter like this could not be taken lightly. It required ticulous planning and a clear understanding of the opponent's true strength and foundation.
"I know. I had Chief Luo request this from his superiors..." A strange light flashed in Chen Fei's eyes. He took out a previously opened, ivory-colored scroll from a sealed cowhide pouch and placed it before the old master. "The master of Tiger Leopard Hall, Luo Zun, is a Late Innate Ancient Martial Artist, and even stronger than a typical one. Under his command, he has two at the Innate Middle Stage and five at the Innate Early Stage, who serve as his right-hand n. So if we make a move, it might get a little troubleso."
"It might get a little troubleso? Then you..." Old Master Xuu's brow furrowed slightly.
"That's why I've co to you for reinforcents." Chen Fei smiled, his eyes narrowing. "I know those in power also want to get rid of a tumor like Tiger Leopard Hall, but they've hesitated to act due to various concerns and considerations. Now, with a hot-headed youngster like willing to lead the charge and fight Tiger Leopard Hall to the death, perhaps this isn't such a bad thing for them?"
At these words, Old Master Xuu's eyes flickered, but he remained silent. What Chen Fei had said so far was not enough.
"The internal and external pressures our Huaxia faces are mounting, and many of these threats have the shadows of even greater powers behind them. Those in power are certainly aware of this. I trust I'm not mistaken about that, am I?" Chen Fei continued with an undeniable smile.
"That... is indeed true," Old Master Xuu nodded.
"Therefore, for those currently in power, and for all of Huaxia, eliminating these tumors should be an even greater priority than it is for individuals like us. I know one reason the higher-ups have hesitated is that they don't want to light a fuse that incites a backlash from the entire Ancient Martial Arts community. But my situation provides the perfect pretext. Repaying grievances and avenging enmity—it's only natural and just."
Hearing this, Old Master Xuu's expression began to change. After a long mont, he finally said, "But if that's the case, we can't give you our support openly. After all, this is your private matter..."
"I understand," Chen Fei nodded at once, smiling. "That's exactly my point. I consider myself half a mber of the Martial Forest, and unless absolutely necessary, I prefer to resolve issues using the thods and rules of our circle. The reason I ca to Capital City to seek your help is because I hoped to increase the odds of success."
"Increase the odds?" Old Master Xuu's expression changed noticeably. His aged eyes locked onto Chen Fei. "How certain are you right now?"
"Seventy percent!" Chen Fei answered, his voice firm as iron.
"...And how much more certain do you want to be?" Old Master Xuu fell silent for a long ti before asking slowly.
"One hundred percent, of course!" Chen Fei's response was matter-of-fact and resolute. His black eyes, as clear as polished crystal, stared intently at the old master. "Grandpa Xuu, I've co this ti to borrow soone from you. With him, the success of my plan will be absolute."
"Borrow soone? Who... do you want to borrow?" Old Master Xuu's expression trembled for a mont, as if he had already guessed. It was a long while before he spoke again with unwavering calm.
"Elder Xunn. I would like to ask Elder Xunn to help us this one ti," Chen Fei said decisively.
Indeed, the reason he had personally made the trip to Capital City was to add a final guarantee to his operation, ensuring it was foolproof. Elder Xunn Lun was a genuine Late Innate Ancient Martial Artist. If Chen Fei could persuade him to co out of seclusion and team up with his master, Ming Daochuan, then combined with the myriad thods Chen Fei himself possessed to counter the enemy's demonic techniques, the plan would surely be foolproof.
"No," Old Master Xuu unexpectedly shook his head, refusing.
"Grandpa Xuu," Chen Fei's expression changed, and he began to speak hastily.
"Let finish." Old Master Xuu waved a hand and continued slowly, "Elder Xunn's current status is unsuitable. Besides, you may not know this, but while he is indeed a Late Innate Ancient Martial Artist, his actual combat ability might not be as formidable as you imagine. After all, Elder Xunn has grown old." As he finished, he couldn't help but sigh with lancholy. Ti waits for no man; even a fellow like Elder Xunn was no exception.
After this mont of reflection, Old Master Xuu shook his head slightly and slowly rose to his feet. "I think I understand what you an. Elder Xunn isn't suited to intervene in this matter, but... I'll find soone else for you. Speaking of which, this is his primary duty."
"Grandpa Xuu, who are you talking about?" Chen Fei asked instinctively.
"An old fellow who is revered like a living treasure at the Central Guard Bureau. With his strength, he should be more than enough to et your requirents," Old Master Xuu said, shaking his head.
"An old fellow revered at the Central Guard Bureau?" Chen Fei was montarily stunned.
He quickly recovered, a look of joy spreading across his face. To be revered like a living ancestor in a place like the Central Guard Bureau, one had to be extraordinary. It was a no-brainer that this was so old monster from the nation's hidden reserves, at the very least a Late Innate expert.
"Alright, you wait here. I'm going out to make a phone call." Old Master Xuu, however, had no mind to answer any more of Chen Fei's questions. He ambled out of the backyard to make his call.
The matter had wide-reaching implications, so he had to inform the relevant individuals beforehand. But with his reputation as Xuu Dongtian, and given that he was the one who had established the Central Guard Bureau, no one would refuse him this favor as long as it wasn't done with too much fanfare.
A few brief conversations and several phone calls later, the upper echelons of the Central Guard Bureau in Capital City began to bustle with rare activity.
An old expert, who had been venerated within the organization for many years, stepped out of the Central Guard Bureau—and even out of Capital City—after receiving a personal call from Old Master Xuu. anwhile, after a short stop at the Xuu Family Courtyard, Chen Fei departed once more. He left Capital City and, along with Wang Dashan, t up again with his master, Ming Daochuan, in the Lingnan Mountains.
There, he t two other people. One was his master's younger martial brother, Uncle Master Yama. The other... was also an old man, dressed in a traditional Tang suit, with silvering temples and eyes as sharp as an eagle's. The bulging veins on his hands were even more intimidating.
"He is also your martial uncle. His surna is Ruan. Just call him Uncle Master Ruan," his master, Ming Daochuan, introduced succinctly.
"Uncle Master Ruan, it's a pleasure to et you." Chen Fei was clearly taken aback again, surprised that his master had another martial brother. But he quickly recovered and spoke politely.
Evidently, the man in the Tang suit was none other than Ruan Jing, who had sought out Ming Daochuan several tis under orders from Elder Master Chen. Now that Elder Master Chen had passed away, Ruan Jing was seeing Chen Fei again. When he took in the young man's current cultivation level and accomplishnts, he was overco with a wave of complex emotions that he found difficult to express.
"Mm, hello..." In the end, all he could do was sweep a glance over Chen Fei with a complicated expression and reply faintly.
Seeing this, Chen Fei naturally felt a bit puzzled. Just then, however, Ming Daochuan spoke again. "Alright, since everyone is ready... let's set out." As he spoke, a deep coldness surfaced in his aged eyes. Clearly, he was eager to get started.
Luo Zun... are you ready for your descent into the underworld?
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