In the forest, Jin Lei supported He Yunlong as they ran, carrying him through the trees. Suddenly, He Yunlong slumped to a stop, blood dripping from his hands to the forest floor. He leaned heavily against the trunk of a tree, struggling to stay upright. Beside him stood Jin Lei, silent for a moment before finally speaking.
"My lord, I have gathered information about the backgrounds of the four—Wang Yan and his companions."
He Yunlong's gaze fixed on him. "Speak. Tell me everything you have learned about them."
"Wang Yan is from Gray Stone Village, raised by his grandfather. Liu Ming is from Shiqiao Town. Chen Yu is an orphan. And Zhao Qing…" Jin Lei paused briefly before continuing, "…is from Qinghe Town. During the massacre there that year, his parents were killed, but he survived."
He Yunlong's eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening as he processed the information. "So it begins there… the hatred, the revenge… all of this started from that massacre."
After understanding every aspect, He Yunlong finally grasped why these youths had always been against him. They never joined him when he offered, and even when he struck at the Iron Guards, it had only fueled their hatred further. A cold, mirthless laugh escaped him—"Ha ha ha ha… now I understand everything."
His eyes darkened. "Since we are destined to be enemies, and there can be no peace between us now, I will give them a gift… one they will never forget."
The forest grew quiet once more, holding its breath as the path of revenge was set.
.....
In the wake of the battle, the chaos that had engulfed Green Pearl City was gradually brought under control. All thanks to the leadership and experience of Instructor Qiu, the streets were patrolled, the injured tended, and order slowly restored.
Meanwhile, Wang Yan and his companions remained at their base, quietly supporting the city's efforts and ensuring that law and order were maintained.
.....
One week later, a man arrived at the Iron Guard base, hurrying urgently to find Liu Ming. A guard approached and informed Liu Ming, "Someone is here to see you."
Liu Ming, along with his companions, stepped outside. There, they saw a middle-aged man. Seeing him, Liu Ming's face softened. "Uncle Si," he said.
He was a small shopkeeper from Shiqiao Town, living not far from Liu Ming's house, and had always been a neighbor. He looked anxious as he caught his breath and began speaking. "Liu Ming… your parents… are no more."
Liu Ming froze, his eyes wide with disbelief. A cold weight settled on his chest, making it hard to breathe. The courtyard of the Iron Guard base seemed to fall silent, as if even the guards sensed the gravity of the news.
He wanted to speak, to ask how it had happened, but no words came. The harsh truth struck him fully—his parents were gone.
Beside him, his companions exchanged grim looks. There was no time to dwell on grief; immediate action was needed.
Wang Yan stepped forward, his voice tense. "What happened?"
Uncle Si's hands trembled, his voice cracking with sorrow. "Liu Ming… this morning… two men came to the town. They were very powerful… they went straight to your house."
He took a shaky breath, his eyes fixed on Liu Ming. "They attacked your parents… and one of them said… that this is all because of your son. Because he went against me… against He Yunlong. If you want to blame someone… then blame your son. And in the end… your parents… were killed."
The courtyard fell silent, shock and fury rippling through everyone present. How could He Yunlong do something like this?
Liu Ming trembled, his hands shaking as the cold weight of grief pressed on his chest. His companions and the guards moved closer, offering quiet words of comfort to steady him.
Liu Ming drew a deep breath, his eyes burning with sorrow and fury. "I have to go to Shiqiao Town… I need to see them one last time."
Instructor Qiu placed a hand on his shoulder. "Liu Ming… I know this pain is unbearable, but stay strong. We'll go with you. You are not alone."
His voice hardened, fists clenching. "He Yunlong… I swear, I will kill him for this!"
Wang Yan's expression darkened as understanding struck him. "If they attacked Liu Ming's family… then my grandfather could be next. I'm going to Gray Stone Village."
Instructor Qiu nodded. "Alright, then. Chen Yu, Zhao Qing… you go with Wang Yan. I'll go with Liu Ming to Shiqiao Town."
Wang Yan and his friends moved swiftly. They had started for the village.
.....
In the village, there was a small courtyard with a modest wooden house.
An old man knelt there, injured and bloodied.
Before him stood two figures—He Yunlong and Jin Lei.
He Yunlong sneered, a cruel smile on his face. "Old man… do you like our gift? How are you feeling now? You know, this isn't even a fraction of the pain I've suffered every time your grandson—your beloved grandson—stood against me, plotted against me, forced me, the Grand City Lord, into a desperate situation. All of this… is because of him."
Wang Lan's voice trembled, but his eyes shone with pride. "You know… I always told my grandson… even if I were to die, I would never regret it. I have my grandson… the best one I could have hoped for. He has made me proud."
He Yunlong's sneer returned, sharp and merciless. "Pride? Words won't save you now, old man."
With a sudden movement, he kicked Wang Lan, forcing him to stumble painfully on the ground.
He Yunlong loomed over Wang Lan, eyes blazing with malice, a cruel smile on his lips. "Where is your grandson? You'll never see him… not even for a moment! I'm going to kill you right here!"
Wang Lan lifted his bloodied face, his voice steady and fierce. "You can kill this body… but my blessings will always be with him, wherever he goes!"
Jin Lei's eyes glinted with cruelty. Without a word, he focused a trace of his soul power into his fist and struck Wang Lan with a sudden, powerful blow, sending the old man sprawling painfully across the ground.
He Yunlong stepped closer, his cruel smile widening. "Look at you, old man! Broken, beaten… and still you dare to defy me? Pathetic! This is what happens to those who oppose He Yunlong."
He Yunlong's eyes darkened. "Now… it's time to say goodbye to this world, old man."
He Yunlong summoned his Black Iron Tyrant Ape, dark energy coiling around him as he prepared a massive strike aimed at Wang Lan.
But suddenly… the attack was stopped in its tracks, held back by an invisible force.
He Yunlong's face twisted with a mix of anger and disbelief. His eyes narrowed as he looked toward the old man… and then he saw them.
Three young figures stood before Wang Lan—Wang Yan, Chen Yu, and Zhao Qing.
End of Chapter.