Intercept

The Stability Maintenance Group's vehicle.

The person in charge, Eddie, was going through a set of documents.

One set...

Documents concerning the Sea World Association.

"I thought this was just a publicity stunt by the Sea World Association. I never expected it to be true—Raffi Military Attache's son really is dead."

Eddie set down the documents in his hands.

"It can't be considered a publicity stunt. At most, it was taking advantage of the situation to push York into the spotlight."

A middle-aged man in a suit spoke from Eddie's side.

He was also a member of the Stability Maintenance Group. His name was Charter.

"York... I've dealt with him before. He's an old fox, sharp as they come."

Eddie narrowed his eyes slightly. After a moment, he said, "Aurora has temporarily suppressed the matter because Redflame has stationed troops along the border. But Raffi definitely won't let this go so easily. According to my investigation, Russell is his only son."

"These are extraordinary times. Aurora Empire is keeping a lid on things, but once the border situation stabilizes, Raffi will definitely come demanding an explanation."

As Charter spoke, he said regretfully, "Unfortunately, we have too few people we can use right now. Xia'er City's forces are tangled together; tugging one thread moves the whole web. Using the military's power is too sensitive. Otherwise..."

"The military... If we could use the army's strength, this mission to Xia Country wouldn't have fallen to me."

As Eddie spoke, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. "The more difficult the situation, the better we have to handle things. Only then can we show what we're capable of."

"With things as they are, even the cleverest housewife is helpless without rice to cook. Our group has only a little over twenty people in total, and clerical staff make up most of them. As for the fist in your own hand, it isn't hard enough. Who would listen to you?"

Charter shook his head.

"Soon. Very soon."

As Eddie spoke, his gaze fell on the documents in his hand. He seemed to think of something. "Have they found the culprits who killed Raphael and the others?"

"How could we find them? It was pitch-black, and the riverside scenic belt was crowded and complicated... But I estimate those few brats acted too arrogantly and provoked a Martial Artist they shouldn't have. That's why someone took their lives. Back then, because of General Melbourne's affair, the several top figures in Xia Country didn't want to cross swords with the state, so they temporarily left to lie low. But the foundation of strong fighters is still there. Those capable of dealing with Russell number at least eighty, if not a hundred."

"Is that so? I know an old man named Baili Changkong. He's an expert. Though he's old now and can no longer fight like before, dealing with a young Martial Artist like Russell would still be effortless."

"Baili Changkong... The Martial Artist Association does have records on him. But he's over seventy, and his Qi and Blood have long since declined. He shouldn't have much ferocity left in him. Besides, he lives in Wuhe City..."

Charter frowned and was just about to share the information he knew when Eddie gave him a faint look.

In an instant...

Charter understood.

"I see. This really might have been done by that old immortal Baili Changkong. I think I have some evidence. I'll go back and investigate it thoroughly."

"Right. Investigate it carefully, put it in the files, and list him as the prime suspect."

Eddie spoke.

Charter nodded and was about to say something when Eddie's expression suddenly changed. He called out to the driver, "Find a secluded place with few people and pull over."

"Sir..."

"We're being followed."

Eddie spoke calmly, then sneered. "But it should be a novice. He doesn't have even the most basic common sense. Following a Spirit Nourishment expert while constantly peeking with his eyes? I'd like to see which blind organization dares to set its sights on me. If things go smoothly, we might even be able to hook a big fish."

"Sir, should we call for reinforcements?"

"No need. What experts could Xia Country possibly have right now?"

Eddie spoke indifferently.

Clearly, he was extremely self-confident in his own strength.

The vehicle turned a corner and stopped at an abandoned construction site.

Eddie got out of the vehicle and waited there.

By this time, the person behind them seemed to realize he had been exposed. He simply stopped hiding. Once the vehicle came to a halt, a young man stepped out.

"Hm?"

Looking at that young figure, Eddie, whose memory was excellent, recognized him immediately. "I remember you. Baili Changkong's grandson—the Baili Qingfeng who was praised by him for developing force in just a few days?"

Baili Qingfeng stepped forward and stopped ten meters from Eddie. "Did you have something to do with what happened to my father's factory?"

"Oh?"

Eddie nodded. "So there was such a thing."

After saying that, he continued, "But you've certainly won your grandfather's favor. You're one of the outstanding members of the younger generation of the Baili Family, aren't you? As long as you can persuade your grandfather to work for me, I can make the bank approve your father's factory loan with a single word. With the loan, that factory can start operating again. By then, your family will have gained a factory worth tens of thousands for nothing."

"If my grandfather keeps refusing, I'm afraid you won't let this go."

"Correct."

Eddie looked at Baili Qingfeng's youthful face. Young men like him needed a strong dose of medicine—scare them a little, and they would become obedient. "I bear the heavy responsibility of maintaining Xia City's stability. Everything I do is for the salvation of the country and its people. If your grandfather refuses to cooperate, he has no right to enjoy the treatment afforded to citizens of our Xia Country. That would be treasonous ingratitude. When the time comes, not only your grandfather, but everyone in your family will be implicated. Prison would be the least of it. I have never shown mercy to traitors and those harboring disloyal hearts. I would slaughter your entire household. So you'd better persuade your grandfa—"

"Boom!"

Before Eddie could finish speaking, Baili Qingfeng moved.

The moment he moved, it was as if a smoldering furnace had been detonated with a thunderous blast, releasing boundless flames and heat that were almost tangible.

"You want to slaughter my entire household? You're utterly deranged! I'll fight you to the death!"

As he took a phantom step, thick force surged up from the soles of his feet, carrying him across the ten-meter gap between them in an instant. As he crossed the distance, the baleful aura accumulated from killing several people rushed into Eddie's face, causing the previously confident Eddie, who had barely taken him seriously, to change expression.

"This kind of presence, this kind of baleful aura... The Baili Family has another expert!"

Eddie roared.

He was a seasoned Spirit Nourishment expert, and the depth of his cultivation was far beyond anything Hong Lie or Jiang Ziheng could match. In all of Xia City, there were probably fewer than five people capable of defeating him.

His battle-hardened experience, combined with his powerful physique, kept him from retreating under Baili Qingfeng's oppressive aura. Instead, he stirred his Qi and Blood and met him head-on.

With a phantom step, he seemed to transform into a fierce tiger bursting from its cage. A tragic aura, like one that had crawled out of a battlefield of swords and spears, a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, rushed toward them. It was enough to seize the soul and fill the heart with dread.

Fist Intent!

Though the Eddie before him had never cultivated Fist Intent, his terrifying presence and lofty position made the fist force he unleashed scarcely inferior to Fist Intent.

Bolstered by this power that was nearly Fist Intent, his fist actually appeared to be a notch stronger than Baili Qingfeng's.

"He must die!"

A cold gleam burst from Baili Qingfeng's eyes at the sight.

Ruthless!

If this terrifying killer truly attacked his ordinary mortal father and sister, they would certainly die!

He had to go all out and kill him before he could lay hands on his family!

In the next moment, the image of the Ancient Thunder Beast was visualized in his mental world. In an instant, it seemed to leap out of that mental world, violently smashing apart the tragic aura of swords and spears, corpses and blood that Eddie had unleashed. At the same time, Baili Qingfeng's body seemed to break through the limits of the human form. His already surging, violent, thunderbolt-like fist force doubled...

A terrifying baleful aura rolled forth like a blood-red dragon, shooting straight into the heavens!

Spirit Refinement Manifestation!

Heavenly Demon Disintegration Art!