This woman's name was Pan Xue. Her grandfather had once been a Martial Guard, her father was a businessman, and both her second uncle and elder brother held positions in the Martial Department. A textbook second-generation heir.

After parking her car in the driveway, she didn't get out right away. Instead, she took out her phone, scrolled through her contacts, and dialed a number.

As soon as the call connected, she got straight to the point. "Pang Dashao, I hear you've been having Bao look for beauties for you? I found a gorgeous one today. Interested in learning more?"

"You want her? I won't give you the information for free!"

Hearing the other party's promise, Pan Xue grinned from ear to ear. "Pang Dashao is always so generous. I'll send you the address right now."

After hanging up, she chuckled to herself. Losers don't deserve girlfriends! Besides, I'm just helping that girl. Once she's with Pang Dashao, she'll definitely thank me. With that, she grabbed her handbag, pushed the door open, and got out of the car.

「Inside the villa.」

An elderly man in white Training Clothes and a pair of reading glasses sat on the sofa, reading a newspaper. He was Pan Xue's grandfather and the Pan Family Head, Pan Hong.

Pan Hong lifted his eyelids slightly, a warm smile on his face. "Xue is back."

"Grandpa, guess who I just saw?" Pan Xue said, plopping down in front of Pan Hong and blinking.

Pan Hong smiled but said nothing, waiting for her to continue.

"Do you remember Yangzi?"

Pan Hong looked up in surprise. "Oh? Old Ghost Ren's adopted son?"

"That's right, it's him! I saw him just a moment ago, and he even had a girlfriend! Looks like he couldn't make it on the outside, so he came crawling back!"

Pan Xue sneered. "Do you remember how he treated us three years ago? I feel sick to my stomach every time I think about it."

"Young people are naturally a bit arrogant; you don't need to take it to heart." Pan Hong shook his head inwardly. So much time has passed, and she's still holding a grudge.

Three years ago, he had indeed tried to set Pan Xue up with Chen Yang. At the time, the Pan Family had not yet risen to prominence, so he wanted to use Ren Tong's connections in the Martial Department to help his second son and grandson advance their careers. However, he soon discovered that while Ren Tong had dedicated his life to the Martial Department, he hadn't achieved much. Worse, due to his personality, he wasn't even well-liked there.

After that, he abandoned the idea and his interactions with Ren Tong dwindled.

"Hmph!"

Pan Xue scoffed. "He insulted me back then. Just you wait and see how I'll deal with him this time."

"Nonsense!" Pan Hong's expression darkened. "That was just a joke between us two old men. Why are you taking it so seriously? You are forbidden from causing him any trouble!"

Pan Xue pouted and fell silent, but she sneered inwardly. You'll be desperate once Pang Dashao steals your girlfriend, won't you? When that happens, I'll stand right in front of you and ask you what happened to all that precious pride you had.

Pan Hong rustled his newspaper. "I'll go check on him in a bit."

"He's a loser, what's there to see? Besides, Grandpa, think of your status! How could you lower yourself to go see him?" Pan Xue said with dissatisfaction.

"Ren Tong and I go back more than ten years, after all. Since Yangzi is his junior, I should help him out a little."

***

The small building had a courtyard. Although Ren Tong had a boisterous personality, he kept the courtyard immaculately tidy, filled with all kinds of flowers and greenery.

A square table, a few benches, two bottles of good wine, and some meat dishes were laid out. The group began to drink and chat merrily.

After proposing a toast to Ren Tong, Zhou Yufei took on the duty of keeping everyone's glasses full.

Downing a cup of wine, Ren Tong pointed at Yang Hu. "Kid, what realm are you at now?"

"Reporting to the elder, I've just reached the tenth stage!" Yang Hu replied with a modest smile. "It's nothing compared to Boss!"

Ren Tong's hand shot out and slapped Yang Hu on the back of the head.

SMACK!

The muffled sound was nerve-wracking.

Yang Hu, who had been puffing out his chest like an ox, was sent stumbling from the bench, nearly crashing to the ground. The pain that shot from his head through his entire body made him grimace, his eyes welling up with tears.

Why didn't I want to come? This is exactly why! This old codger is nearly eighty, but his fiery temper hasn't changed one bit! Most importantly, where does an old man like him get so much strength? He's built like a rock!

"Are you so bored you have to compare yourself to him? Is he even human?" Ren Tong demanded with wide eyes, though inwardly he was overjoyed. He was naturally gratified to see the younger generation growing up so strong.

Yang Hu scrambled back to his feet, nodding vigorously. Every nerve in his body was on high alert, ready for another of Ren Tong's heavy-handed slaps.

Fortunately, Ren Tong became completely engrossed in Chen Yang's retelling of the battle at Hundred Flowers Valley, slapping his thigh in admiration from time to time.

Zhou Yufei also listened, captivated, resting her chin on her hand as she gazed intently at Chen Yang.

This man actually fought in a war. I bet I could find a lot of scars on his body. She had never imagined she would fall for a Martial Guard, but looking at him now, she found this type of man exceptionally sexy. No wonder he can be so domineering and aggressive sometimes!

A look of deep satisfaction on his face, Ren Tong nodded continuously. Then, he abruptly changed the subject. "Chen Yang, have you ever looked into your origins? With your current abilities, it should be easy to find out."

"No." Chen Yang shook his head, his gaze drifting into the distance, his expression indifferent. He had been abandoned, after all, so he felt a certain psychological resistance toward his biological parents.

Ren Tong heaved a deep sigh and drained his cup.

He vividly remembered a rainy night seventeen years ago when he had just returned from the front lines. A man in black stood silently in his barracks. Though Ren Tong only saw his back, the invisible pressure and aura radiating from the figure were so powerful they nearly suffocated him.

It was this man who told him to take Chen Yang from the orphanage and raise him free-range in the Martial Department.

That was the only time in his life Ren Tong had ever been so frightened that he trembled all over.

Every night after that, the black silhouette would surface in his mind. The more he thought about it, the more familiar the figure seemed. Moreover, for someone to enter the front-line barracks of the Martial Department so easily, they had to be extraordinary.

It was very likely one of the top figures in the Martial Department.

Of course, this was all just his personal speculation. Seeing Chen Yang's reluctance now, he didn't press the matter. Perhaps the right moment just hadn't arrived yet. When it did, everything would come to light.

After a few more rounds of drinks, Ren Tong was drunk.

Chen Yang single-handedly helped him back to his room. After tucking him in, Chen Yang murmured, "Dad, in my heart, you are my real father."

Without Ren Tong, there would be no Chen Yang. This wasn't just gratitude for over a decade of care; it was the grace of a second life.

A good while after Chen Yang had left, Ren Tong slowly turned over and mumbled to himself, "I'm content that you feel that way, but I don't deserve it."

"To have achieved Ten Thousand Phenomena Senluo before thirty... it's destined that you are no ordinary person."

"As the saying goes, dragons beget dragons, and phoenixes beget phoenixes. Perhaps you are a True Dragon yourself, merely a Hidden Dragon swimming in shallow waters for now."

「In the courtyard.」

Zhou Yufei and Yang Hu were cleaning up. Chen Yang lit a cigarette and strolled out to the road.

"Yangzi?"

Pan Hong was walking toward him and called out softly.

Chen Yang paused for a second, then smiled. "If it isn't Elder Pan. It's been a while."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.