Reborn, I Became a Male God - Chapter 36-40

Seeing that Jing Ling hadn’t responded for a while, Old Master Jiang spoke again, “What’s wrong, afraid?” His tone was light, but there seemed to be a hint of sarcasm.

 

“No.” Jing Ling shook his head and carefully sized up the three people before him. “I just have a question. The Song, Yang, Bai, Wang, and Li families don’t include the Jiang family, do they? And these two old gentlemen, may I ask who they are…?”

 

The polite wording translated loosely into: Your Jiang family isn’t even one of the five, so why are you meddling? And these two beside you didn’t even introduce themselves—do they think they’re some kind of universal currency that everyone’s supposed to recognize?

 

One sentence, and he’d offended all three. The room instantly became as silent as a muted television—dead quiet.

 

After a few seconds, the guard at the door roared, “Bastard! Is that how you talk to the commander?” As he shouted, he lunged at Jing Ling from behind. 

 

His hand was just about to touch Jing Ling’s shoulder—one grab and he could subdue him. These elite guards never held back; as long as the target didn’t die, anything went.

 

Jing Ling twisted aside to evade.

 

Yuan Lang, having missed his grab, didn’t give up. Instinctively, he followed with a sharp elbow strike, while sweeping his leg at the back of Jing Ling’s knee. He had originally thought he could take him down in one move—he hadn’t expected his target to dodge, which surprised him. But it didn’t affect his next move. Combat was ingrained in his very bones.

 

And since his first attack had failed, this time he held nothing back, going full force. If that kick landed, it would undoubtedly cause a fracture. But his aim was merely to subdue the kid, so he targeted the knee pit.

 

This time, Jing Ling didn’t dodge, but met the blow head-on. He even looked relaxed doing so.

 

Yuan Lang’s competitive instinct was immediately ignited. He was about to continue his assault when Old Master Jiang spoke up.

 

“Yuan Lang, stand down!”

 

By now, several seconds had passed, and Jing Ling and Yuan Lang had already exchanged a few blows. Obedience was second nature to a soldier. Once the commander gave an order, Yuan Lang stopped without hesitation and stepped back to the door.

 

Jing Ling calmly brushed off his sleeve and added, “We’re all civilized people—can’t we talk things out instead of going straight to fists?”

 

Yuan Lang, hot-tempered and unable to hide his expressions, glared with wide, furious eyes. But he remembered his position—without orders from his superior, he didn’t move an inch. He stood there, fiercely staring at Jing Ling.

 

Old Master Jiang and the other two elderly men were also looking at Jing Ling. Unlike before, when they’d treated him with casual disinterest, this time, they were finally looking at him properly.

 

“Not bad reflexes,” Old Master Jiang complimented.

 

“He really does have Old Li’s temper,” the gray-robed elder grunted.

 

“Promising youth! Old Li taught you well. We can rest easy leaving that matter to you,” the third elder added.

 

After hearing them all out, Jing Ling spoke with a faint smile. “It seems you didn’t understand what I said earlier, so I’ll say it again. This is the first time I’ve ever heard of these Song, Yang, Bai, Wang, and Li families. And this is also the first time I’ve seen any of you. Saying we’re complete strangers is not an exaggeration. So where do you get the confidence that I’d agree to handle something I know absolutely nothing about?”

 

The room went quiet again.

 

This time, the three elders finally realized that this underage kid was not so easy to fool. But they still didn’t take him too seriously. Old Master Jiang didn’t show visible anger, but his expression darkened noticeably. The gray-robed elder had shown a bad temper from the start, leaving only the third elder to play mediator.

 

“We didn’t expect Old Li to teach you all these skills in private but not tell you the reasons behind them. That’s our oversight. Since you’ve asked, it’s time we explained the matter of the Five Families.”

 

The Song, Yang, Bai, Wang, and Li families had existed for over a hundred years before the founding of the country—they were true aristocratic families. Each family had its own strengths and territory. The eastern Song family specialized in killing, the southern Bai clan was known for medicine, the western Li family excelled in beast-taming, the northern Yang family was skilled in divination, and in the center, the Wang family stood guard over the heartland.

 

After the country was founded, the people gradually grew wealthier, and the economy developed rapidly. The Five Families gradually withdrew from the public stage and went into seclusion. However, their influence never truly faded.

 

On the night before New Year’s Eve twenty years ago, more than twenty members of the Li family were slaughtered in one night. Their corpses were piled up in the main hall, the scene horrific beyond description. The originally white carpet was soaked with bl00d, turning red with a faint black hue.

 

Afterward, a special government department quickly took over the case and suppressed all external information. The few who knew were ordered to remain silent. During the body count, they discovered one person was missing—Second Master Li. After investigation, it was confirmed that he had left home half a month before the incident and never returned. Thus, he became the sole survivor of the brutal massacre.

 

That Second Master was the nameless old man in the original host’s memories.

 

“Later, we identified the murderer as a remnant of a transnational drug cartel. Somehow, word got out that the Li family had helped in the case. The enemy found out and, after planning for more than two years, carried out the massacre twenty years ago.”

 

“Old Li probably didn’t tell you anything because he didn’t want you to get involved. These years, the authorities have been pursuing that group, but they’re too well-hidden, and progress has been slow. Earlier this year, traces of them were found in the Heduo District, but they were so alert that they fled into the district’s primeval forest before we could act.”

 

“That area borders five countries and has always been a sensitive zone—a paradise for criminals. We can’t send too many people in. But since you’ve learned the Li family’s skills, you’re the perfect candidate…”

 

A buzzing sound interrupted the old man—it was Jing Ling’s phone ringing. The caller ID showed it was Yang Xinyao.

 

“Sorry, I need to take this.” He gestured politely, then walked to a corner with his phone.

“Miss Yang, what’s the matter?” he got straight to the point.

 

“Jing Ling, Yunshu might be in some trouble. Can you come over?” Yang Xinyao was just as direct.

“Where are you? I’ll be right there,” he agreed without hesitation.

 

After Yang Xinyao gave him the location, she hung up.

 

“Apologies, I have something to take care of. As for what you just told me, I’ll think it over,” Jing Ling said to the three elders before walking toward the door. Old Master Jiang didn’t speak, and Yuan Lang, standing nearby, naturally blocked his way.

 

Jing Ling didn’t slow down, walking straight toward Yuan Lang and striking first. Though skilled, Yuan Lang was no ordinary opponent—it wouldn’t be easy to get past him.

 

“I’m warning you. Move.” Jing Ling’s voice was cold.

 

Tan Yunshu’s memories felt far away to him now. If not for today’s encounter, they might’ve stayed buried forever. Even though he remembered now, the details were hazy. Whether there really had been such a banquet, or what had happened during it—he couldn’t recall. But since Yang Xinyao said something was wrong, he had to go check.

 

He could tolerate suffering himself—but not Tan Yunshu!

 

Yuan Lang had been chosen as Old Master Jiang’s personal guard, so his abilities were beyond average. But even he was startled by the fierceness in the teenager’s eyes and hesitated for a split second.

 

Jing Ling seized the opportunity and slipped past. Once he exited the room, Yuan Lang wouldn’t be able to pursue him. No matter how those inside viewed him, he left the study, crossed the corridor and stairs, passed through the main hall, out the villa door, and followed the location Yang Xinyao had given him—arriving at a garden.

 

With spring arriving, everything was blooming again. The Jiang family garden was meticulously maintained, the flowers and plants trimmed with care. The air was filled with a mix of floral scents, creating an unnamed fragrance.

 

From a distance, Jing Ling could hear voices coming from a corner. Following the sound, he passed a row of rounded shrubs and saw Yang Xinyao and Tan Yunshu. They stood by the shrubbery—Yang Xinyao looked angry and indignant, while Tan Yunshu kept her head down, silent.

 

There were two others present—a man and a woman. The garden had only ground lights, which made the flowers seem even more radiant, but didn’t do much to illuminate the scene. That wasn’t a problem for Jing Ling—he could see clearly even in pitch darkness.

 

The two stood facing him, their appearances fully visible. The power of genetics made it easy for him to recognize them: they were once his family—his older sister Tan Yunjin and younger brother Tan Yunzhong. The three siblings’ names had all come from the same line of poetry, supposedly to commemorate their parents’ beautiful love story. As for that explanation, he’d always had just one reaction—Heh.

 

When Jing Ling arrived, Tan Yunzhong was in the middle of a rant.

 

“…What, did I say something wrong calling you an ungrateful wretch? The family fed you, clothed you, gave you the best of everything—and how did you repay that? Ignoring calls and messages, even changing your number? I thought you were never going to show your face again, but here you are rushing to attend Sijin’s birthday! You think she remembered you and sent the invite herself? If it wasn’t for Sis begging her, she wouldn’t even know you exist!”

 

Tan Yunzhong finished, and Tan Yunjin added, “Yunshu, you’re not a child anymore. How can you still be so immature? Mom was just thinking of you—worried that you’re always buried in your studies without any friends—so she introduced you to a few people, to help you build a network. And what did you do? Do you know how angry and heartbroken she was?”

 

How familiar those words were—how many years had it been since he’d heard them? If it weren’t for all this “well-meaning concern” from her so-called family, how would Tan Yunshu have ended up like that?

 

Now that they’d met again—it was the perfect time to settle those old scores.

 

Jing Ling walked over and, without a word, punched someone, Tan Yunzhong, square in the face. The force was so great that his head snapped to the side, and he immediately lost balance and crashed to the ground.

 

Chapter 37

 

Tan Yunshu truly believed she had already been careful enough, yet she still couldn’t guard against these so-called family members. After their credibility had plummeted into negative numbers in her mind, they quickly came up with a new scheme to deceive her using outsiders.

 

When she received Jiang Sijin’s invitation, she hadn’t thought much of it. She and Jiang Sijin had once been close playmates in their childhood. They had drifted apart over time, but that was because she had deliberately distanced herself from that friendship for personal reasons. When Jiang Sijin had her eighteenth birthday banquet, Tan Yunshu also received an invitation. She had planned to attend, but a family emergency caused her to miss it in the end. She had felt somewhat guilty about that ever since, so when she received another invitation this time—despite the extreme tension with her family—she still came.

 

She didn’t expect it to be a trap targeting her right from the start.

 

Truly a family that put all their thoughts and intelligence into disgusting people.

 

As for Jiang Sijin, that little princess living in an ivory tower who knew nothing of real hardships—Tan Yunshu felt she didn’t even have the strength to wonder whether Jiang Sijin was in on it or not. She just wanted to stay away. Because jealousy could make people ugly, and she didn’t want to become that kind of person. So what if no one doted on her like a princess? She had a brilliant mind gifted by the heavens. She could still live a dazzling life relying on herself.

 

And she truly had. From childhood to adulthood, wherever she went, she shone.

 

Except in one place—the so-called home.

 

When she saw Jiang Sijin from afar, she was still thinking she would hand over the gift and offer a few words of blessing. If the other party was willing to chat, they could talk for a bit. Then she would leave. She didn’t want to run into any of the Tan family members. But Jiang Sijin seemed to be here for Jing Ling, apparently about something urgent, and rushed inside with a group of people. With no other option, Tan Yunshu could only wait a little longer. But standing by the entrance clearly wasn’t a good idea, so she and Yang Xinyao found a quiet corner to wait.

 

After chatting for a bit, she got up to check if Jiang Sijin had returned. As soon as she stepped out of the corner, she saw her not far away talking to someone.

 

“Sijin, over here.” She called out.

 

Jiang Sijin turned her head and smiled at her, but didn’t come over—instead, she walked in the opposite direction. Tan Yunshu thought she had something to do and didn’t think too much of it, but shortly afterward saw her return with two people in tow: Tan Yunjin and Tan Yunzhong.

 

“Yunshu, your sister said she couldn’t find you and couldn’t get through on the phone, so she asked me to help keep an eye out,” Jiang Sijin said. Then she turned to the Tan siblings and added, “I found her for you, take your time talking. I’ll be off now.”

 

Tan Yunshu watched her walk away, then looked at her sister and brother standing before her, momentarily unsure how to express her emotions.

 

Next to her, Yang Xinyao noticed something was off and whispered, “Yunshu, what’s wrong?”

 

“It’s nothing.” Tan Yunshu shook her head. “Xinyao, I have something to handle. Excuse me for a moment.” Her gaze fell on the Tan siblings. “I don’t want to talk to you here. Whatever you have to say, let’s say it outside.” With that, she headed straight for the door. The Tan siblings said nothing and followed her.

 

Yang Xinyao sensed something was wrong and discreetly followed them all the way to the small garden. She hid behind the bushes and heard the sound of an argument from the other side—or rather, one-sided scolding and berating, while Tan Yunshu remained silent the entire time. The two were becoming increasingly excessive, seemingly on the verge of violence. Yang Xinyao quickly stepped away to call Jing Ling.

 

Strictly speaking, she wasn’t close to either Jing Ling or Tan Yunshu. Their relationship was a fleeting acquaintance, and she had no reason to intervene in what was clearly a family dispute—let alone drag Jing Ling into it. The reason she acted was purely driven by curiosity and intuition. As a member of the Yang family, she was good at divination and fortune-telling, but she didn’t do readings for just anyone. The reason she had stopped Jing Ling in the plaza to read his fortune for free was purely out of curiosity—she had never seen such a strange fate before. Shrouded in thick darkness, it was impossible to glimpse anything. Even with her special sight, she could only see vague threads—an oncoming series of troubles and a destined person.

 

After meeting Tan Yunshu, her curiosity deepened. Another person with a strange fate—clearly plagued by misfortune all along, but her fate had suddenly changed at some point without any warning, turning smooth and bright. That turning point was her encounter with Jing Ling.

 

It was truly those four words—destined to be. As expected, when she called Jing Ling and said nothing, he agreed without hesitation or question.

 

When Yang Xinyao returned, she heard from afar Tan Yunzhong’s voice raised in agitation, seemingly about to hit someone. She couldn’t ignore it anymore and shouted, “Hey! What are you doing? Did you forget this is Miss Jiang’s birthday banquet? We’re on the Jiang family’s turf!”

 

The warning about the Jiang family worked—he instantly calmed down. Likely unsure of her background, he didn’t dare speak too harshly to her and only grumbled a few “mind your own business” lines before acting like she didn’t exist and continued to berate Tan Yunshu with sharp words, one after another, tireless as ever.

 

Yang Xinyao thought Tan Yunshu was unbelievably tolerant. If it were her, she would’ve snapped long ago. These idiot siblings with brains full of crap—if she didn’t curse them out, it would’ve been unbearable. She forced herself to hold back her inner rage, holding on until her limit was nearly reached. Then suddenly, a shadow swept in from the side—and at that very moment, the grating voice stopped. Then came the sound of something heavy hitting the ground.

 

The lighting here wasn’t great, and it took Yang Xinyao a while to see clearly what had happened. The fast-moving figure was none other than her backup—Jing Ling. After finding them, he didn’t say a word and immediately started beating people up. Tan Yunzhong hadn’t even realized what was happening before he was knocked to the ground and beaten while being silenced. He couldn’t even shout—just let out muffled groans.

 

Tan Yunjin, standing nearby, was stunned by the sudden turn of events. It took her a while to react, and when she instinctively tried to cry out, Jing Ling was a step ahead—he chopped her neck and knocked her out. She collapsed softly to the ground. He didn’t even spare her a glance afterward and continued beating Tan Yunzhong.

 

Yang Xinyao flicked on her phone’s light just in time to catch a glimpse of Tan Yunzhong’s face. In just a few moments, it had swollen like a pig’s head—completely unrecognizable.

 

Witnessing the entire scene, Yang Xinyao was astonished. She never expected this gentle, handsome young man to have such a violent temper—and to hit so hard.

 

But damn, it was satisfying!

 

She tugged Tan Yunshu’s hand excitedly and said, “Yunshu, look—your Jing Ling is too cool!”

 

Tan Yunshu was still in a daze.

 

From the moment she saw Tan Yunjin and Tan Yunzhong, she knew exactly what was coming. She had experienced this kind of thing far too many times. With her family, there was never any reason—disagreeing with them was automatically wrong. She brought them to a quiet place for two reasons: first, to avoid an audience, accusations, or pitying stares; second, to find a chance to leave directly.

 

Years of dealing with them had taught her: stay silent. No matter what they say, don’t respond. Otherwise, if you accidentally hit a nerve, you’ll be the one who suffers. As for seeking justice? Wake up—it’s a fantasy.

 

When Yang Xinyao suddenly spoke earlier, it pulled her out of her thoughts. Since they were close, she quietly touched her hand, signaling her to leave and not get involved. But the other girl seemed to have misunderstood and instead held her hand tighter, as if trying to give her courage. Tan Yunshu was genuinely touched. After that, when Tan Yunzhong started rambling again, she zoned out as usual.

 

It hadn’t felt like much time had passed when Yang Xinyao suddenly tugged her hand and said excitedly, “Yunshu, look—your Jing Ling is too cool!”

 

My… Jing Ling?

 

Tan Yunshu was momentarily confused but still turned toward the light… Huh? When did someone else show up? Why are they fighting? And why does that swollen pig face look so familiar? A flood of questions rushed through her mind. Then, remembering what Yang Xinyao just said, she suddenly realized who was hitting and who was getting hit—and froze completely.

 

Why was Jing Ling here? And he was beating Tan Yunzhong with such intensity—it looked like deep hatred. Had Tan Yunzhong offended him somehow?

 

Before she could figure it out, the one-sided beating ended. Tan Yunzhong lay motionless on the ground, and Jing Ling stood up and walked toward her. He unbuttoned his formal jacket one by one with his long, fair fingers, and upon reaching her, took it off and draped it over her shoulders.

 

“He’s not dead. Don’t worry. Let’s go. I’ll take you away.”

 

Tan Yunshu instinctively let out a breath of relief. Tan Yunzhong had been beaten badly—though not by her, her parents would definitely take it out on her. But if anything really happened to him, they would come for her life. Compared to that, being blamed was nothing.

 

While she was still dazed, the boy’s hand suddenly wrapped around her shoulder with just the right amount of pressure, gently guiding her body forward. They walked for a short distance when she suddenly remembered Yang Xinyao. “Xinyao is still…”

 

“I’m right here.” Yang Xinyao’s voice came from behind, slightly annoyed. “You traitor—forgetting your friends for a pretty face. I didn’t bring a jacket either—why didn’t I get one?”

 

Only then did Tan Yunshu realize she was still wearing Jing Ling’s jacket. So what was this all about? Was this karma in action? She had simply been kind enough to give them a ride down the mountain, and as a result, one stepped up to stop Tan Yunzhong from hitting her, and the other directly did what she had wanted to do for years but never dared—then thoughtfully gave her his jacket in case she was cold.

 

The three of them exited the garden and walked all the way to the parked cars.

 

“Go home and get some rest. Drink some ginger tea before bed and don’t catch a cold. I’ll handle tonight’s matter—don’t worry.” Jing Ling held her shoulders gently, his tone warm. Then he turned to Yang Xinyao. “Miss Yang, you too. I’m very grateful for today—I owe you one. If there’s ever anything I can do for you, just say the word.”

 

“You two go ahead. I still have something to deal with.” He stood there, a smile in his eyes.

 

“You…” Tan Yunshu wanted to say something, but Yang Xinyao suddenly pushed her toward the driver’s seat. “If he says it’s fine, it really is. Anyway, don’t worry. Let’s go—it’s freezing. I want to go home and take a nice hot bath!”

 

“…Alright.” Tan Yunshu gave in, but still reminded him, “Be careful. We’ll go first.”

 

Watching them leave, Jing Ling didn’t turn away until their car disappeared from view. Then he looked to the side. “Had enough of watching? If not, keep going.” With that, he turned and walked toward the Jiang family villa.

 

Behind the nearby car, a figure in a black uniform slowly stood up, seemingly confused about how they had been discovered. They looked around but couldn’t figure it out, and thus, ceased to dwell on the matter. Patting their head, they returned to their post.

 

Approaching the Jiang family’s study once more, Jing Ling, familiar with the layout, arrived at the door and politely knocked. Upon receiving permission, he pushed the door open and entered, finding the same four individuals within.

 

“So, have you reached a decision?” Old Master Jiang’s voice was devoid of discernible emotion.

Jing Ling nodded, not attempting to conceal anything. “As you are aware, I’ve encountered a minor difficulty, and thus, I have reached a decision.”

 

The three old masters were speechless.

 

Chapter 38

 

This was the Jiang family’s territory. Whatever happened here—so long as Old Master Jiang wanted to know—nothing could be kept from him. So Jing Ling never intended to hide it.

 

Although the Tan family couldn’t compare to the Jiang family in terms of power and influence, anyone who could live in the Shangxian Mountain villa district was someone most people looked up to. And his current identity was that of an ordinary civilian from the mountains. The only reason he dared to openly beat up Tan Yunzhong was because the Jiang family currently needed his help.

 

If they wanted him to do something, fine—then it would be an equal exchange. They had to offer him compensation. And it had to be something he wanted, not just whatever they were prepared to give.

Someone like Old Master Jiang, who held high power and had lived in comfort for many years—those beneath him would only think of ways to curry favor with him. Whatever he personally arranged was considered an honor, something to be proud of. No one would—or dared—to negotiate terms with him. He’d had his way for so many years. Now, suddenly faced with such a thorny kid, who first mocked him for meddling too much, and then beat up a guest of his granddaughter right on his own turf, only to come back as if nothing had happened and say, “I’ve decided to help you, but you need to settle my trouble for me”—it was obvious this brat had seen things very clearly. The Jiang family needed him right now, which was why he acted with such impunity.

 

Truly infuriating.

 

Old Master Jiang showed no emotion. “You probably don’t know how much the Tan family treasures this son. You beat him up that badly—it’s not going to be so easy to smooth things over. You think you’re worth enough for me to suppress the Tan family’s fury on your behalf?”

 

When Jing Ling heard that, he found it a bit funny. “Just a few superficial wounds and a few teeth knocked out. He’s not dead or crippled—how is that serious?” Compared to losing both legs and his right hand, it wasn’t even a drizzle.

 

Old Master Jiang squinted slightly as he studied him. After a long pause, he said, “It’s not good for young people to carry too much hostility. I can cover this matter for you, but you must promise to give me a satisfactory result.”

 

Jing Ling nodded. “My demands aren’t high. Before I return, don’t let the Tan family bother my sister, Tan Yunshu, or Yang Xinyao—not even privately. In return, I promise you this: as long as those people are in Heduo District, I’ll definitely bring them back for you. But you also know they’re all desperadoes, so I can’t guarantee whether they’ll live or die.”

 

And just like that, the deal was struck. The specifics would be explained to him before departure. The departure date was set for two days later. Jing Ling had no objections to this.

 

“Do the three gentlemen have anything else? If not, I’ll take my leave first,” Jing Ling asked. Earlier, it had been an emergency, so he left in a rush and barged in. Now that a cooperation had been reached, he had to at least show some respect to the elders.

 

This time, Old Master Jiang didn’t speak. Instead, the man in grey asked, “Say, kid, that Tan brat had no past grudges or recent enmity with you—why’d you hit him so hard?”

 

Jing Ling replied casually, “Maybe we had a feud in our past lives.”

 

The grey-robed old man snapped, “Nonsense! You were clearly going after that Tan girl!”

 

Jing Ling replied even more casually, “Yeah, I fell in love with Yunshu at first sight. He dared insult my beloved—of course I had to beat him up.”

 

The grey-robed old man: “……”

 

Jing Ling left, hands in his pockets, looking completely at ease.

 

The study door closed again. Yuan Lang remained dutifully standing outside. Only the three old men were left inside.

 

“Mingzhi, what do you think?” asked Old Master Jiang.

 

The “Mingzhi” he referred to was the grey-robed old man—full name Song Mingzhi, a member of the Song family, one of the Five Families. The current family head was his older brother. The Song family had a murderous streak, and their tempers were generally bad.

 

“At first, I just thought he was a bit arrogant. But now it looks like his hostility is too intense. Everyone from Old Li’s family is mild-tempered—otherwise, they couldn’t have become beast tamers. To be honest, this kid doesn’t feel like he was taught by Old Li. He’s more like someone from my Song family.”

 

“There’s something off,” Old Master Jiang said. “That incident last October in Changchu Ridge Mountain—I later asked Siyang about it. He said he personally heard Jing Ling speaking to the big snake. Judging from his description of what happened that night, it really did seem to be the case. But as you all know, the Li family are skilled in beast taming—but only in commanding animals, not in understanding beast speech.”

 

“And you, Chenghe—what do you think?” Old Master Jiang looked at the third person.

 

Chenghe—full name Bai Chenghe—was the current head of the southern Bai family. A man of medicine, cultivation of both body and mind was part of his path. Compared to Old Master Song, he gave off a much more serene impression.

 

“You know as well as I do, our Five Families’ skills are never passed to outsiders. But after that massacre in the Li family, only Old Li survived. He disappeared for several years before reappearing in that small village and never left until he died. According to the neighbors, Old Li treated Jing Ling very well. With all these coincidences stacked together, saying he wasn’t Old Li’s disciple just doesn’t hold water. Maybe Old Li saw his extraordinary talent and made an exception to take him in.”

 

“Let’s just consider him as such. The Li family has no one left now. It’s a good thing if there’s at least someone to carry on the lineage.”

 

When Jing Ling left, the banquet still hadn’t ended. He had originally come by taxi with Yang Xinyao, and then later got a ride from Yunshu. But Yunshu and Yang Xinyao had already left. There were no taxis in the Shangxian Mountain villa district, so he had to trouble Old Master Jiang to send a car to take him back.

 

When he made the request, Yuan Lang—who was standing by the door—visibly flinched, his expression practically screaming he wanted to tear Jing Ling apart.

 

Having just beaten Tan Yunzhong and feeling refreshed all over, Jing Ling got a mischievous idea. As he passed by Yuan Lang, he deliberately tilted his chin up. The honest guard nearly lost his temper on the spot.

 

When Jing Ling returned to the hotel from the Shangxian Mountain villa district, it was just before 9:30 PM. Yunshu and Yang Xinyao had only left about half an hour before him. He called Yang Xinyao first to thank her again and casually asked if she had eaten. Since she’d barely had time to sit at the Jiang house because of the Yunshu situation, let alone eat, he was a little concerned.

 

Yang Xinyao responded cheerfully that she was eating—and she was with Yunshu.

 

“Wanna know where we are? Beg me, hahaha!” Her laughter over the phone was especially smug. “Serves you right for choosing beauty over friendship—now you regret it, huh!”

 

Jing Ling was a bit speechless. Just as he was about to say something, Tan Yunshu’s voice suddenly came through the phone.

 

“Jing Ling, it’s me—Tan Yunshu.”

 

“Mm, I know,” he replied naturally.

 

There was a moment of silence on the other end before she continued, “Xinyao and I are at the hotel’s Western restaurant. Do you want to come over?”

 

“Mm.” Jing Ling agreed. “I’ll be right there.”

 

On the other end, after Tan Yunshu hung up, she suddenly recalled what Yang Xinyao had said earlier in the Jiang family garden.

 

“Xinyao,” she called out.

 

“Mm?” Yang Xinyao looked over while biting into her Black Forest cheesecake.

 

“Back in the garden, you told me, ‘My Jing Ling is really handsome,’ right? Why… why did you say that?” After everything that had happened, she’d been overwhelmed. But thinking back now, none of it made sense. It was understandable that Yang Xinyao had followed her out of concern. But hadn’t Jing Ling gone off with Jiang Sijin? Why had he suddenly shown up over there?

 

The more she thought about it, the more she felt there was only one explanation: Yang Xinyao had called him over. Judging by the timing, Jing Ling must’ve just arrived and didn’t even know what had happened—but he immediately went up and beat Tan Yunzhong. Tan Yunjin had fainted beside them. 

And later, when he took off his jacket to put on her shoulders—she hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but thinking back, it didn’t add up. Xinyao didn’t have a coat either, and since he was friends with Xinyao, logically he should’ve looked after her first. But instead, he thought of her first.

 

Not to mention he told them to leave first and stayed behind to clean up the mess himself.

 

Tan Yunshu sorted through the entire situation and reluctantly grasped a possible clue.

 

Yang Xinyao blinked. “Yeah—your Jing Ling. I did a fortune reading for him once. You’re his destined one.”

 

Tan Yunshu: “……” She understood every individual word—but together, why did it sound so incomprehensible? Fortune reading?! Destined one?!

 

Perhaps her confusion showed too plainly, because Yang Xinyao explained further, “If you don’t believe in fortune-telling, just take it as love at first sight.”

 

“…Compared to fortune-telling, love at first sight is even less believable,” Tan Yunshu replied, speechless.

Just then, another voice came from behind.

 

“Then how about ‘a natural connection at first meeting’—what do you think of that explanation?”

 

Chapter 39

 

“Then what do you think of the explanation ‘as if old friends at first sight’?”

 

That’s even more ridiculous! Though the idea of fate sounds absurd, there are still quite a few people who believe in it. Love at first sight, in this materialistic society, seems more like a beautiful aspiration—but still, many people yearn for it. Besides, she’s always been confident in her looks. But ‘as if old friends at first sight’… anyone with a reasonably functioning brain wouldn’t believe that, right?

 

Tan Yunshu instinctively wanted to scoff at those words, but when she met the boy’s smiling eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to speak. What a pair of beautiful eyes—deep and dazzling, as if filled with stardust. For a brief encounter with a stranger, he looked at her with a gentle and affectionate gaze that wasn’t at all off-putting.

 

They clearly were just strangers meeting once, and yet there really was a feeling of ‘as if old friends at first sight.’

 

“You’re here.” Tan Yunshu finally said just those few words.

 

The boy nodded and naturally sat down beside her, then called over the waiter to order. As familiar dish names flowed one by one from his mouth, Tan Yunshu was utterly astonished, her eyes widening slightly.

Every single dish matched her tastes! Every one of them—even the doneness of the steak was exactly how she liked it!

 

This feeling was truly hard to describe…

 

After the meal, Tan Yunshu felt dazed. She had never imagined there would be someone like this, who seemed to know all her preferences, and even their conversation revolved entirely around topics she found interesting. Many of his views and opinions were also just like hers.

 

She could tell from his tone and attitude that he spoke naturally, not in a way that tried too hard to please.

 

She never believed in fate, but at this very moment, she couldn’t help but think of the four words Xinyao had said—meant to be.

 

“Go take a shower and get a good night’s rest. I’ll take you to the airport tomorrow. As for the Tan family, don’t worry. I’ve already taken care of it—they won’t bother you again for a while.” The boy’s gentle voice sounded in her ear.

 

Tan Yunshu snapped out of her thoughts and found they had already arrived at her room door. The boy had his hands in his pockets, leaning slightly against the wall, eyes smiling as he looked at her.

 

She suddenly thought of the fantasies she had as a teenage girl. A sunny afternoon, a gentle breeze blowing, a gentle and handsome boy in a white shirt leaning against a wall of red bricks, turning his head with a smile at the sound of approaching footsteps—the sunlight, the red bricks, and everything else around became the perfect backdrop.

 

Though she was no longer that young girl, and this wasn’t some tranquil campus, in this moment, the boy before her perfectly matched that imagined figure.

 

Her long-dormant girlish heart suddenly came alive again.

 

Tan Yunshu felt certain her face was red.

 

“Good night!” She blurted out, turned around, swiped her card to enter the room, and closed the door all in one smooth motion. Then she leaned against the door and took a deep breath. She wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but she seemed to faintly hear the boy’s soft laughter.

 

She had a very good dream that night.

 

Early the next morning, Tan Yunshu got up, packed a few things, and went downstairs to check out. It was still too early, so she didn’t bother Yang Xinyao. 

 

As for Jing Ling, her feelings toward him were a bit complicated, so she didn’t say goodbye either.

 

She was used to doing things alone.

 

Dragging her small suitcase out of the hotel, she found that even though spring had technically arrived, the northern weather was still a bit cold. The morning wind carried a chill, making her shrink back and pull her coat tighter as she continued walking toward the roadside.

 

She had fallen asleep groggily last night and forgotten to ask the hotel to call her a car, so she had to hail one herself. Fortunately, it was early Sunday morning, so not many people were out. But just as she reached the roadside and hadn’t even raised her hand, a silver sedan stopped in front of her.

 

The window rolled down, and the boy was sitting in the passenger seat, smiling at her. “I’ll take you,” he said, opening the door and getting out. He took her suitcase and put it in the trunk, then opened the car door for her. Throughout the whole process, his eyes were full of warmth, the corners of his lips lifted in a faint smile, and with his good looks, it made it impossible to refuse.

 

Tan Yunshu, lacking resolve, got into the car.

 

The door closed gently. The boy returned to the passenger seat. The driver started the engine, and the car moved steadily down the road.

 

“I was originally going to drive you myself, but unfortunately, I don’t have a license yet. I’ll go get one after I come back.”

 

Tan Yunshu keenly caught the key word. “Come back? Where are you going?” She realized right after asking that she probably shouldn’t have, and was just about to make up for it when the boy said, “Going on a trip. But I can’t bring back the local specialties, so I’ll get you something else you like instead.”

 

For a moment, Tan Yunshu didn’t know what to say. To refuse felt a little heartless, so she just nodded in the end. “Then thank you.”

 

“No need to thank me,” the boy said softly.

 

There’s no need for thanks between you and me.

 

I have wandered the long river of time, crossed countless branching streams, and finally lost my way in an unknown world. I thought I would finish out my life like that, but then I met you. The fragments buried deep in memory resurfaced once more. Even if they were all unpleasant, I am still full of gratitude.

 

My past has long been buried in time, while your future is just beginning. This time, there are no stacked barriers, no thorns to tread through. Those ugly, malicious faces will no longer disturb your life. All evil and darkness will stay far away from you from now on.

 

Pumpkin carriages and glass slippers—the midnight bell has lost its magic.

 

This time, you will be a true princess, loved and cherished beyond compare.

 

After sending Tan Yunshu off on the flight back to the capital, Jing Ling returned to the hotel. It was only a little past ten. He called Yang Xinyao, who had just woken up—her voice still drowsy. They arranged to have breakfast together. He booked a private room and waited for about forty minutes before Yang Xinyao arrived.

 

“Hey, where’s your Yunshu?” Not seeing Tan Yunshu upon entering, she looked around and then asked Jing Ling.

 

“Check your texts.”

 

“Oh.” Yang Xinyao pulled out her phone and saw a message from Tan Yunshu. In short, she had left first and said Yang Xinyao could visit her in the capital if she had time.

 

“You were all over her last night, but she left by herself this morning—must sting, huh!” Yang Xinyao said gleefully.

 

Jing Ling calmly replied, “I saw her off at the airport.”

 

Yang Xinyao: “…” Ugh, so annoying! Even if it’s destiny, aren’t you two moving too fast?! Let me just kick over this bowl of dog food!

 

She huffed and sat down, took the menu, and ordered the most expensive dishes—though she only picked a few. The dishes came out quickly, and soon the two began to eat.

 

While eating, they chatted.

 

“You agreed to help the Jiang family with that thing?” Yang Xinyao asked.

 

Jing Ling wasn’t surprised she knew. After all, the Yang family was one of the five, and skilled in divination. He nodded. “Yeah.”

 

Yang Xinyao paused mid-bite and studied him closely. “Did they tell you what happened twenty years ago? The Li family’s abilities were indeed strange, but do you know what you’ll be facing? When they first came to us, Grandpa read their fortune himself—extremely inauspicious. Sure enough, later on, Dad said several people died in that mission, and they gained very little.”

 

“Thank you for your concern,” Jing Ling said sincerely. “I know everything—the Li family massacre, the criminal haven of Heduo District. I also know what I’m being sent to do this time.”

 

“If you know all that, why still agree?”

 

“Xinyao, people like them don’t ask lightly. But once they do, they won’t give you a chance to refuse. The best you can do is negotiate.”

 

“Is that how the Tan family matter got resolved?” Yang Xinyao asked, surprised.

 

Jing Ling nodded. “An equal exchange. If they want me to do something, they have to solve my problems in return.”

 

“…I was caught off guard by another mouthful of dog food!” Yang Xinyao was exasperated. “Fate really is something else. I think I believe in true love again!”

 

Jing Ling chuckled and joked, “Miss Yang, I’m heading out tomorrow. Want to do a reading for me?”

 

Yang Xinyao snorted. “I’m not one of those street frauds. My readings are expensive!” Though she said that, she still put down her chopsticks. Jing Ling’s fate was unlike others—tools were useless. She could only rely on her own eyes to read it.

 

“This journey will be full of unforeseen twists and turns, dangers lurking every step of the way… But in the limited future I can see, you’ll still be safe. In short, be careful!”

 

“I will.”

 

Chapter 40

 

The Heduo District is located in the southeastern part of the mainland, between the western and southern administrative regions of the Republic, at the border area shared with the five countries of Huguer, Buni’an, Bawa, and Sanan. Due to geographical limitations, the towering mountains have hindered development, resulting in long-term isolation and poor transportation.

 

The total area of the Heduo District is approximately 350,000 square kilometers. The mountain ranges rise and fall, with an average elevation above 1,700 meters. Prolonged sunlight and a humid climate are common traits of the southeastern region, making it highly suitable for the growth and reproduction of flora and fauna. The name “Heduo District” comes from the Jiuduo River that flows through it, which makes nine major bends, almost encircling the entire area.

 

The Jiuduo River originates from the melting snow peaks of the Suitai Mountains in the western administrative region of the Republic. It passes through the territory of the Republic, dividing the two southwestern administrative regions, flowing from the northwest straight to the southeast, and eventually merging into the Bilisi Sea. The river spans over 4,800 kilometers, cutting through countless steep mountains along the way. Its branches wind through the valleys like the veins of a human body, nourishing the lush forests of the Heduo District.

 

With a dense network of waterways and excessively lush, sky-obscuring vegetation along the banks, even local residents rarely dare claim to have fully mapped out all the paths. Adding to that are the various dangerous creatures lurking in the river, which have earned these waterways the nickname—The Maze of Death.

 

The bright moon hung high, casting a cold silver glow across the water. The night wind swept over the lake’s surface, stirring layers of ripples. The shimmering waves looked like a scattering of the Milky Way.

A fishing boat was sailing on the Jiuduo River.

 

Under the dim yellow light, the crew was crowded inside the cabin. A group of burly, rough men made the cramped cabin feel even more confined. Each of them stretched out their legs wherever they could, making it seem like there was no place left to step.

 

“In a few dozen kilometers, we’ll be at the fifth major bend of the Jiuduo River. The waterways here are complicated, and the people are a mixed bunch. Stay alert!” one of them said, his voice strong and full.

The men who had been slouched all over suddenly sprang upright, as if they’d been given a new core. In an instant, they sat up in unison, their expressions serious and their gazes fixed ahead.

 

But there was one exception. Compared to the tall, strong group, he looked even thinner and weaker. With his lazy demeanor, his small frame gave the impression that he couldn’t withstand wind or rain. While everyone else sat like statues, he remained leaning against the cabin wall. A black German shepherd lay quietly next to him, panting lightly, only its eyes shifting.

 

He lazily stroked the shepherd from head to tail and then started over again.

 

His head was bowed, and it was unclear what he was thinking. The messy hair on his forehead covered his eyes.

 

Someone sitting in the corner snorted coldly when he saw this. “Like you don’t have any bones! You’ve even spoiled Da Bao!”

 

Da Bao was the black German shepherd. Hearing its name, it raised its head and looked around. Receiving no command, it lay back down.

 

“Er Tiao, what are you doing?!” barked the man standing in the middle. Then he turned to the one leaning against the cabin wall. “Er Tiao’s a bit blunt, don’t take it to heart.”

 

The one called Er Tiao snorted and turned his head to look outside the boat.

 

The other party—Jing Ling—shook his head. “It’s fine. I know you guys…” He hadn’t finished his sentence when suddenly there was a flapping sound. A bird flew in from the darkness and into the cabin. After circling overhead briefly, it flew directly to him and landed on his shoulder.

 

“Chirp chirp, chirp chirp chirp, chirp…”

 

Jing Ling reached out and tapped the little bird’s head. Then he pulled out a small handful of grain from his pocket, held it out in his palm, and brought it to the bird. “I understand. Thank you. Eat up.”

 

Everyone looked at him like he was a lunatic.

 

The little bird affectionately nuzzled his hand, then began pecking at the grains.

 

“There’s a boat ahead, but I can’t see how far. The people on board are armed,” Jing Ling said to the man standing in the middle—Fei Hu, the team leader for this mission.

 

Fei Hu looked at him, then at the bird on his shoulder, frowning slightly. After a moment of thought, his eyes swept quickly over the rest of the crew in the cabin. “Everyone to your positions. Stay alert!”

 

The others looked displeased but didn’t say anything. They left the cabin in an orderly fashion, heading to their designated spots as planned.

 

“Jiang Yang—you be careful,” Fei Hu reminded before he also left.

 

Jiang Yang was the alias Jing Ling was using. For safety reasons, and to prevent a repeat of the tragedy from twenty years ago, no one in the team, including Fei Hu, knew his real name. They only knew he was connected to the Li family. No one had seen his true appearance. He had already put on a human-skin mask before departure.

 

The day he left, the three old men saw him off personally. Even then, they couldn’t resist mocking him, complaining that his looks were too conspicuous and troublesome. An ordinary person could go into the field openly, but he had to be disguised.

 

He was assigned to this mission as a police dog handler. For this reason, he was given Da Bao to work with. But because of his innate affinity with animals, what should’ve been a proper police dog spent the whole day at his side, often acting spoiled. Just like Er Tiao said earlier—Da Bao had been led astray by him.

 

But that was only when there was nothing to do. When it came time for Da Bao to work, he was just as dutiful as ever.

 

After everyone else left the cabin, the space that had seemed so cramped suddenly felt spacious. Once the bird finished eating the grain and flew off, Jing Ling stood up. He extended his arm, and something slid out from his sleeve—a dagger that gleamed with a cold, dangerous light.

 

“Even if I’m not a combatant, at least give me a gun for self-defense,” he muttered while toying with the dagger in his hand. The synthetic metal blade danced in his fingers, blooming like a silver flower.

 

Focusing his senses, he listened carefully. Beyond the sound of the flowing water, the wind carried a mess of noises from afar. There were sounds of a boat, wild laughter, and faint cries mixed in.

 

Jing Ling frowned slightly and quickly left the cabin to find Fei Hu. 

 

“Something’s wrong. That boat definitely has a problem. There are people being held captive on it.”

 

Fei Hu stared at him and said in a low voice, “You’re sure?”

 

Jing Ling nodded. “Eighty to ninety percent.”

 

Up to this point, no one else had even seen the so-called fishing boat. Yet this man claimed to have heard cries. It was hard to believe. But Fei Hu knew some of the inside story. This man had ties to the former Li family, and Fei Hu had heard more than once from his former commander about what the Li family was capable of. As unbelievable as it sounded, he knew his old commander was not the kind to fabricate stories just to brag.

 

“I’ll trust you this once,” Fei Hu said, then gathered everyone and made a new plan on the spot.

 

Night on the Jiuduo River. Trees crowded the steep cliffs on both sides of the valleys. Nocturnal creatures called out one after another, with some cries sounding particularly eerie. The moon gradually disappeared into the clouds, leaving only a hazy halo in the sky. In the darkness, a fishing boat that appeared utterly ordinary was heading toward the fifth bend of the Jiuduo River.

 

The curtain of chaos was about to rise.