The next morning.
Chen Lin opened his eyes in the master bedroom on the second floor.
Li Xiaoyue was still fast asleep, her breathing even.
Chen Lin lifted the covers, walked to the window, and silently extended his perception at the eleventh layer of Qi Refining.
Everything within a thousand meters, including all of Chen Family Village and its surroundings, fell within his awareness.
The muffled splash of a frog entering the water at the reservoir's edge.
The scrape of an old hen scratching the dirt at the eastern end of the village.
The faint movement of an earthworm burrowing through the soil deep underground.
Every sound, down to the smallest detail, registered distinctly in his mind without a trace of noise.
He turned his attention toward the village entrance.
A thousand meters away, three black off-road vehicles with military plates sat quietly, their engines idling.
Inside were more than a dozen steady, powerful heartbeats, accompanied by exceptionally regular breathing.
They were elite soldiers.
In the rear seat of the middle vehicle, a familiar heartbeat ran slightly faster.
General Zhao.
Chen Lin withdrew his perception.
The phone on the bedside table vibrated, its screen lighting up with the caller's name: Ye Wenjun.
Chen Lin answered.
"Good morning, Mr. Chen." Ye Wenjun's voice was deeply respectful and tentative. "I hope I haven't disturbed your rest?"
"Get to the point."
"General Zhao would like to visit you in person at Chen Family Village. Would now be convenient?"
Chen Lin glanced at the clock on the wall.
Nine in the morning.
Those three vehicles at the village entrance had been parked there for at least two hours.
"Let him come."
After hanging up, Chen Lin washed up, went downstairs, and headed to the backyard.
Clear Wind and Bright Moon chased each other beneath