“Young man, this BMW’s destination is kind of unusual…” About half an hour later, the old Beijing driver looked at the desolate, uninhabited area ahead, where the road was almost covered by snow, and said with some surprise.
Jiang Fei’s expression didn’t change. Still wearing a slight smile, he asked, “What’s so unusual about it?”
“This is way too remote! I’ve been a driver in Beijing for decades, and I’ve never even gotten a fare to a place this out of the way. In a bit, I don’t even know if I’ll be able to find my way back,” the middle-aged driver said, exasperated.
As an old driver, he relied on his knowledge of the roads to navigate the entire city, and his memory was quite exceptional. But that was only within the city limits! Out here in the wilderness, he didn’t know his way around at all.
He felt like he had dug a hole for himself. He had only thought it would be fun to tail a BMW because Jiang Fei was supposedly a ‘detective.’ Who knew they would end up driving this far out into the sticks?
“Young man, do you think that BMW has spotted us already? We’ve been following it for so long. In the city center with heavy traffic, it’s normal if they don’t notice us tailing them. But this is the middle of nowhere, and we’re the only two cars on the road. Unless the driver is an idiot, they should have noticed us by now, right? Do you think the driver in front might get angry and do something extreme?” the middle-aged driver asked, feeling a bit uneasy and nervous.
Tailing someone is illegal to begin with. Catching a cheating husband or mistress might even involve millions in assets. People who drive BMWs probably aren’t simple. If the BMW owner got enraged, it wasn’t impossible they might do something reckless.
Jiang Fei couldn’t help but chuckle. He reassured him, “Don’t worry, driver. I’m sure it’ll be fine. I’ll give you an extra two hundred yuan for the fare later.”
Hearing about the two hundred yuan tip, the middle-aged driver felt somewhat comforted and continued following.
But they didn’t follow for much longer. The BMW stopped outside a complex of buildings with an antique, classical charm. A man with very small, single-lidded eyes got out. Although the man’s eyes were tiny, they were incredibly sharp and lively. Even when he smiled, it didn’t come off as creepy. Instead, it was somewhat like the trendy Korean pop star style – he was a genuinely good-looking ‘small-eyed, single-lidded’ man who could probably attract women easily.
After getting out, the man didn’t leave. He stood by the BMW, turned around, and smiled as he watched the approaching taxi, looking like he had long since noticed the taxi behind them and was waiting specifically.
Seeing this completely startled the old taxi driver, who thought he was still sneaking around unnoticed. He slammed on the brakes, stopping thirty or forty meters away from the BMW, afraid that if he drove any closer, the BMW owner might grab a brick and smash his car.
“Young man, what do we do now?” the middle-aged driver asked, starting to panic. No matter how naively he thought his driving skills were great, he could tell this wasn’t a simple detective tailing job anymore. The other party had clearly spotted their tail a long time ago.
“We’ve arrived at the destination,” Jiang Fei said. He then quietly took out the fare from his pocket and said with a smile, “Driver, just head back the way you came.”
The middle-aged driver took the money, stunned. He hadn’t expected this ‘detective’ to be even bolder than him. After being spotted by the target, instead of running away, he was calmly getting out of the car, ready for a face-to-face confrontation.
“Well, young man… take care of yourself,” the middle-aged driver said helplessly to Jiang Fei as he got out. Then he quickly started the car again, made a U-turn, and left.
This ‘master’ didn’t look old at all. On the contrary, he looked very young. This surprised Jiang Fei.
Anyone who could barely be considered a master in his eyes, anyone who could get a little of his attention, had to be at the pinnacle of the Huajin level – masters at the level of Miyamoto Ichizhen or Liu Yunduo.
Generally speaking, most masters in the martial arts world who reach this level are already quite famous, like the Clear Void Priest from Wudang Mountain. If someone reaches this level at a young age, they must come from a renowned school with a master providing guidance.
For example, Liu Yunduo’s father was a master who had deep connections with the eccentric Taoist from Maoshan. Bai Kedi and the Little Drunkard could reach this level because their master could be considered a true, reclusive master – a top-tier Danjin level expert, whose strength surpassed that of Yanagisawa Munenori by a margin.
As for this small-eyed man in front of him, did he also have some ultimate master behind him?
He glanced back at the Mercedes-Benz that had tried to pick him up outside the Chinese Medicine Association headquarters. It had somehow disappeared along the way and hadn’t followed them here. Perhaps knowing Jiang Fei was already on board, they had left reassured.
Strolling forward slowly, Jiang Fei scanned the small-eyed man once more before speaking. “Just say what you need to say. Why go through all this trouble to bring me so far out?” He looked up at the complex, which clearly wasn’t meant for ordinary people, and added, “What, are you inviting me in for a drink or some tea? Or do you want to spar a bit?”
The handsome, small-eyed man said, “The famous ‘Sword God’ Jiang Fei… my own meager, clumsy skills are nothing compared to yours, since you defeated the Japanese Sword Saint, Yanagisawa Munenori. I know my limitations.”
So this guy really knows my background, Jiang Fei thought to himself.
But he wasn’t surprised. The entire martial arts world of China isn’t too large or too small. It’s not strange for a famous master to be known across the land. His battle with Yanagisawa Munenori wasn’t a private affair. It caused such a stir, drawing a large crowd of martial artists to watch. Many people in the martial arts world had probably already heard of his deeds.
Since this small-eyed man had specifically intercepted him and invited him to this ‘godforsaken,’ yet luxurious, place, he must have looked into Jiang Fei’s background.
“You know I’m very strong, yet you still go ahead and quietly lure me here through coercion and enticement. Do you not know that such a domineering and unreasonable approach makes people very angry?” Jiang Fei squinted slightly. His pace didn’t look fast, but within a few blinks, he had closed the forty-meter distance and was standing right in front of the handsome, small-eyed man.
The small-eyed man raised an eyebrow slightly. Facing Jiang Fei’s imposing aura, even a master like him almost staggered back a few steps in embarrassment.
“Because it’s not me who wants to see you today. I’m just the errand boy. Even if you get angry later, you can’t blame me for it,” the small-eyed man said, barely managing to steady himself against the pressure and forcing a smile.
“An errand boy?” Jiang Fei frowned slightly.
This small-eyed man, in his eyes, could already be considered a master. There weren’t many like him in the entire Chinese martial arts world. He had initially thought this guy, not knowing his place, had recklessly intercepted him. He never thought this person was just an errand boy.
But Jiang Fei didn’t wonder for long. He suddenly looked up, his gaze fixed on the building ahead, sensing something.
Just as he was about to speak, he turned his head again, looking back at the road they had come from. A large, powerfully built middle-aged man with thick, flowing hair and an imposing, naturally authoritative expression strode towards them.
“King Lion?” Jiang Fei was even more surprised.
This middle-aged man – with such a distinctive appearance, attire, and aura, his powerful energy radiating like a majestic lion – was naturally the founder of the ‘Seven Kills Group,’ the top organization within China, King Lion.
He was also a legendary martial artist who had genuinely reached the Danjin level, capable of harming others with a flying leaf or a tossed flower petal. Jiang Fei hadn’t expected to see him here.
“Jiang Fei, long time no see,” King Lion said, closing the distance in the blink of an eye. As he came to a stop, a gust of strong wind swirled around him, kicking up the snow on the ground.
King Lion lived up to his name. He was the epitome of wild, domineering, and straightforward in everything. Even his lightness skill and movement were like that.
And his greeting wasn’t just verbal. As he spoke, one of his hands heavily slapped Jiang Fei’s right shoulder. Even Jiang Fei felt a surge of pressure.
That’s the kind of greeting only a Danjin-level master can exchange. If it were someone else, say the handsome, small-eyed man opposite them, and King Lion greeted him like that, he’d probably be unable to handle it and would just crumble on the spot.
“Master Lion, long time no see. Last time at Emei’s Golden Summit, because we were in a rush, I didn’t get a chance to properly thank you,” Jiang Fei said with a smile.
“There’s nothing to thank me for. I had intended to help you out, but in the end, I couldn’t do anything,” King Lion said, shaking his head. “But that ‘Sky Net’ assassin organization you’re so concerned about – our Seven Kills Group has been keeping a close watch on them recently. We’re making preparations to wipe out this organization that dares to run rampant in our China!”
Jiang Fei had been in a foul mood all day because someone had interfered with his plan to meet his girlfriend, Bai Ruoxi. He was looking for an excuse to lose his temper. But hearing this news shifted his attention.
With the Seven Kills Group on the case, and King Lion personally overseeing it, their efficiency was indeed impressive.
Even Ye Yuanyuan, mobilizing all the connections of the Ye family and maximizing their influence within the military, felt the Sky Net organization was too mysterious. Unless they actively made a fatal mistake, there was no way to get a handle on them, no clues to be found.
Yet King Lion had managed to get solid information in a relatively short time.
“When will the action take place?” Jiang Fei asked, his eyes brightening.
“After the New Year. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely let you know. This Sky Net organization is indeed not simple. After digging deeper, I discovered they possess a level of power that even surprises me. I was worried that if I went alone and something unexpected happened, I might not be able to wipe them out completely. Jiang Fei, if you’re willing to lend a hand in the operation, then we’ll have nothing to worry about. This organization will be destroyed for sure!” King Lion laughed heartily, admitting candidly.
Jiang Fei squinted and smiled back. “I’d be very happy to personally eradicate this assassin organization.”
King Lion nodded and didn’t say more. He turned to look ahead and muttered quietly, “This tigress still puts on such airs. She only sends her disciple to deal with us.”
Jiang Fei’s hearing was exceptional, so of course he caught King Lion’s mutter. He asked in surprise, “Master Lion, you know the person inside here?”
“Know her? We’ve been old friends for decades, of course I know her,” King Lion said with some emotion. Then he glared at the small-eyed man and boomed, “Why aren’t you opening the door yet?”
The small-eyed man shrugged helplessly. In front of this imposing figure, he had no right to put on airs. He quickly ran over and pushed the courtyard gate open.
“Let’s go inside!” King Lion said to Jiang Fei. The two of them followed behind, entering the courtyard with the red-painted gate.
Creak —
The wooden door was pushed open, and immediately a crisp, mellow aroma of wine wafted over.
Looking around, in the corners of the courtyard were placed many large vats and jars of wine. Jiang Fei was quite surprised when he smelled the rich fragrance.
Jiang Fei was a max-level master of winemaking. The fine wines he brewed were like the dishes he cooked – rare and exquisite delicacies in this world.
But now, smelling this rich wine aroma, Jiang Fei felt that even if he brewed wine himself, it wouldn’t necessarily be more fragrant than this.
In other words, the owner who brewed these wines here had reached the pinnacle of the craft, no less skilled than Jiang Fei.
As for King Lion, after smelling the wine, he unhesitatingly grabbed a large jar, tilted his head back, and began guzzling it down noisily, not stopping until the jar was empty.
“This tigress’s winemaking skills are getting more and more impressive,” King Lion said, shaking his head in admiration.
“Did I say you could drink that?” An icy-cold voice sounded from the inner courtyard, seeming to drop the already freezing air by several more degrees.
King Lion curled his lip and said loudly, “Why can’t I drink it? You brew so much every year. Is that wine-loving Taoist the only one allowed to drink it? Why not me?”
After saying that, King Lion felt unsatisfied. Never one to mince words, he added bluntly, “Besides, whether he even wants to drink your wine is another matter…”
Boom!
That cold aura from before suddenly turned explosively ferocious, even surpassing King Lion’s! The small door to the inner courtyard was blasted open by this aura, and a black figure shot out, heading straight for King Lion.
King Lion’s expression changed drastically. He quickly raised his hands to block.
Bang! Bang! Bang! —
The surrounding air seemed to be churned up. After a few exchanges, the incredibly fierce and mighty King Lion was actually sent flying backward by a single punch!
