When the news of Wang Chongyan’s fall, slain by Jiang Tian, reached China, the entire Chinese martial arts world was thrown into an uproar.
“Excellent! Jiang Taichu’s move has truly enhanced our national prestige!”
After reading the detailed report, Cao Shixiong slapped the table, rose to his feet, and said with delight written all over his face.
The Blue Shirt Society had always been a secret service organization hostile to China’s new government. In its day, it had assassinated many democratic figures for the reactionaries, unleashing a reign of white terror and committing countless bloody crimes—its sins were too numerous to record.
Although after decades of reform, the Blue Shirt Society had evolved into the Singapore Chinese Association, its roots remained unchanged.
For many years, numerous Southeast Asian sorcery experts had spied on China, assassinated high officials and wealthy businessmen, and committed crimes, while Wang Chongyan had always harbored the dream of taking revenge and sweeping through the Chinese martial arts world.
It was just that he was more patient than Lin Zhenyu, always building up his strength. He could be called a mortal threat to both the Chinese martial arts world and the military, giving China’s military and martial arts circles quite a headache.
And the battle at the summit of Mount Everest had also been the Singapore Chinese Association’s probe of the attitude of the Chinese martial arts world and military.
This time, Jiang Taichu had struck first and taken control of the Singapore Chinese Association—an unprecedented first in history.
“Grandfather, will something happen to Jiang Tian? I heard he not only smashed up Samsara Island but also killed many Singapore police officers and razed the Guo family. I’m afraid the Singapore police or the authorities might make a move!”
Cao Jianjia said worriedly.
“The Singapore authorities won’t be that irrational.”
Cao Shixiong pondered for a moment and said: “Conventional thermal weapons simply cannot harm Jiang Tian, and how could weapons of mass destruction be deployed in a tiny place like Singapore?”
He smiled and said: “However, contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and immediately notify the Singapore authorities, expressing China’s close attention to Jiang Taichu.”
…
Jiang Taichu crushed the Guo family, executed the Guo family’s old patriarch Guo Shihai and the reigning head Guo Junfeng, and slew Wang Chongyan of the Singapore Chinese Association!
When the news reached the Hilton Hotel.
Paris Hilton, who was in the middle of a meeting, leaped to her feet and cried out excitedly: “He’s truly amazing and so powerful—he really did it! We no longer need to fear the Guo family!”
“Sister, what is it?” Jenny looked baffled. The many executives were equally confused.
The meeting had been called to discuss how the Hilton family could orderly withdraw from the Singapore market, because the Guo family, that local serpent, was too terrifying—even the Hilton family couldn’t handle them.
“No more meetings! Prepare a luxury cruise ship—I want to host a banquet for that amazing Chinese hero!”
Paris said excitedly.
Meanwhile, in the guest room downstairs, True Man Hongye, who had also received the news, laughed loudly: “I told you, Master Jiang would never lose!”
“Yes, since Master Jiang debuted, he’s won every battle. How could that old bag of bones Wang Chongyan possibly be his match!” Xu Wenjie also said excitedly.
“It’s just that Master Jiang’s methods were too fierce—worthy of being called thunderous means. In one night he wrecked the Guo family and flattened the Singapore Chinese Association headquarters. We didn’t even get a chance to watch!” Tao Fangshi said with some regret.
…
In China, at the ancestral grounds of the Five Tigers Stockade’s Broken Gate Saber.
“Damn, Jiang Taichu is way too outrageous—he even killed Wang Chongyan! This Wang Chongyan was an even stronger martial artist than Lin Zhenyu! We’ve finally held our heads high! Held our heads high!”
“Actually, I think it’s no surprise. Although Wang Chongyan was also a peak Transformation Realm expert, his later cultivation was all about seeking quick success—I heard he started practicing Southeast Asian sorcery. As the saying goes, evil cannot triumph over good. Sorcery may be strong, but it violates the harmony of heaven and lacks openness and righteousness!”
At the saber training ground, a group of martial artists were excitedly discussing, among them a youth of seventeen or eighteen shouting gleefully.
Suddenly, Zhang Qitian walked over and scolded angrily: “What are you all gathered here jabbering about? Not practicing the saber?!”
The many martial artists turned pale with fright, and someone hurriedly covered the youth’s mouth. The youth was also panicked.
But Zhang Qitian merely smiled amiably at the youth and turned to leave.
After Zhang Qitian had gone, a fellow disciple beside him said: “Are you crazy? Don’t you know Sect Master Zhang hates Jiang Taichu the most? Back in the War Dragon days, Jiang Taichu beat him to the ground…”
“Really?”
The youth also hung his head, feeling a wave of lingering fear, but puzzled he said: “But why did he smile at me? Could it be he didn’t hear what I said clearly?”
What the crowd did not see was that Zhang Qitian soon arrived with Zhang Wendao at the family ancestral hall, offered sacrifices, and performed three kneelings and nine bows before the ancestors, saying with tears in his eyes: “Thanks to Master Jiang’s blessing, the Zhang family’s deep blood feud has been avenged!”
This scene played out in many places across China in succession.
At Mount Fulong, Shen Mange rushed excitedly into the villa, shouting: “Sister Qing’er, Jiang Tian won!”
“What won? Don’t go jumping around—your injuries have only just healed!”
Zhao Xueqing, who was sitting cross-legged in meditation, said with a smile.
“Jiang Tian has now slain Wang Chongyan and taken control of the Singapore Chinese Association!” Shen Mange said proudly.
“Really? That’s wonderful!”
Zhao Xueqing cheered joyfully, then said worriedly: “I must call him right away to see if he’s hurt!”
…
In Yanjing, at the Dragon Group headquarters.
Many people looked dejected.
A tall, burly man shouted angrily: “This is infuriating! Look at what these martial arts people are saying—they actually claim Jiang Taichu is stronger than Master himself!”
He was Ye Zhantian’s eldest disciple, one of the Dragon Group’s Eight Divisions, the Mad Dragon.
In the Dragon Group, Ye Zhantian was the undisputed top figure, but besides him there were also the four spirit generals—Black Tortoise, Vermilion Bird, Azure Dragon, and White Tiger—who could stand on equal footing with Ye Zhantian.
The Eight Divisions followed closely behind, basically all at Transformation Realm or above.
In the snowy cold of winter, this man wore only a sleeveless shirt and thin camouflage pants, yet showed no sign of fearing the cold.
He revealed bulging muscles like a coiled dragon, radiating a domineering, fierce aura.
Anyone who didn’t know better would think he was just a reckless brute with a few screws loose, but anyone acquainted with the Chinese martial arts world would surely be shocked.
The Heavenly Dragon was an external-style hard-training Transformation Realm grandmaster, and a highly accomplished one at that, with astonishing combat power. He had carried out twenty-three missions with not a single defeat.
But this man also had a fiery temper. Seeing many people on the Chinese martial arts forum discussing Jiang Taichu’s fierce battle record, with words implying Jiang Taichu was even stronger than Ye Zhantian, he immediately couldn’t hold back.
“What’s so great about it? If Mr. Ye were to act, would Wang Chongyan be a match? It’s just that these people love to flatter Jiang Taichu!”
Another Eight Divisions member, Yaksha, said coldly: “We in the Dragon Group number less than a hundred, yet we bear the task of suppressing evil martial artists at home and resisting powerful foes from abroad. Things have to be done one at a time!”
She was very beautiful, with slanted brows and phoenix eyes, but her face was cold, even somewhat fierce and murderous. She too was at Transformation Realm, and could be called a grandmaster.
“Heh heh, our missions are all top-secret and absolutely cannot be made public. But the many martial artists of China don’t care about that—they only see Jiang Taichu cutting down everything in his path. If we wait any longer, the Dragon Group’s prestige will be completely overshadowed by Jiang Taichu!”
Another Eight Divisions member, “Phantom Sound,” said with a bitter smile:
“The most frustrating thing is that Jiang Taichu has now been rated by the US CIA as third on the Dark List!”
“What?”
“Ranked even above Mr. Ye!” At these words, the whole room was shocked, and everyone showed a trace of indignation.
The Dark List—its true name is the Global Powerhouse Ranking, released by the CIA every six months, listing the twenty strongest and most terrifying powerhouses on the planet.
Only the world’s top intelligence agencies can log onto the website and see the relevant rankings.
Because the list is released with a black background and is little known, it is commonly called the Dark List.
This is the world’s most famous and most credible ranking of powerhouses; those who reach the top are all peerless experts.
For instance, Zeus, the controller of Europe’s Pantheon, has been ranked first on the list ten times in a row.
On the Chinese side, figures like Huo Qingtian and Wei Feilong, who overawe China, have never entered the Dark List.
Lin Zhenyu had entered the top twenty twice, and Wang Chongyan only a scant three times, but only ranking in the teens or twenties, at the bottom of the list.
As for Ye Zhantian, he had several times been ranked eighth. This was the reason for everyone’s dissatisfaction.
After all, Jiang Taichu had debuted less than two short years ago, yet in the eyes of the US CIA, his weight could actually surpass Ye Zhantian, who had overawed China for twenty years! They couldn’t accept this.
“So, this mission to intercept and kill Qiao Bin must succeed!”
At this moment, as a mellow voice sounded, a man in black slowly walked out from a room.
“Master!”
“Dragon Head!” The Eight Divisions and many Dragon Group elites all bowed in salute.
They were all at Transformation Realm; if they entered the world to compete, they could each dominate a region and become powerful figures like Huo Qingtian or Ye Wudao.
But at this moment, facing the man in black, their faces were filled with utmost reverence, like believers beholding a deity.
Because this man was the current Dragon Head of the Dragon Group, the world-recognized number one expert, the formulator of the Chinese Grandmaster Divine List—Ye Zhantian!
“Yes, everyone should broaden their horizons a bit.”
Ye Zhantian’s face was like polished jade, his sword-like brows slanting into his temples, radiating heroic spirit. He said with a chuckle: “Don’t be jealous of the worthy. Jiang Taichu’s rise is a good thing for the martial arts world and the Dragon Group!”
“But Jiang Taichu refused to join the Dragon Group after all. He’s too arrogant—he completely gave no face to the Dragon Group or to you, Master!” Cao Jianjia wrinkled her delicate nose and said discontentedly.
“Everyone has their own aspirations. He just doesn’t like being constrained!”
Ye Zhantian smiled faintly, then his face turned solemn and he said in a deep voice: “However, Qiao Bin is coming for our Chinese Dragon Group this time. If we don’t kill him, the Dragon Group’s prestige will truly be ruined!”
“Yes!”
Everyone straightened up, and a sharp killing intent climbed steadily, piercing the clouds and sweeping in all directions.
“Master, aren’t you going to join the fight this time?” Cao Jianjia asked, blinking her eyes.
“I’ll act as circumstances dictate. I want to see whether Qiao Bin is worth my hand. My seclusion is not yet over!”
A trace of solemnity appeared on Ye Zhantian’s face, and he once again stepped through the accumulated snow into that room.
