New Year's Eve in China.

The Dark Web's top authority, "Black Butterfly," released explosive news: The leader of "Wolf," known as the "Wolf King," failed a mission in a small African country, was severely injured, and rather than be captured, he detonated explosives, dying in a blast...

In the assassin world, the Wolf King was revered as the unparalleled King of Assassins.

His marksmanship was unmatched through the ages, and his combat prowess had reached the S-Rank.

Search "pawread.com" for the original.

S-Rank, the globally recognized pinnacle of combat power.

From the moment Black Butterfly released the news, it spread like a tornado across the Dark Web...

Three days later, the news leaked from the Dark Web and appeared on major global media outlets.

In no time, the Wolf Organization and its leader, the "Wolf King," quickly became the top trending topic worldwide, a subject of conversation over meals.

...

One year later.

China, Wuling City Train Station.

A man with dark skin, a tall and sturdy build, short hair, and rugged facial features, approximately twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, walked out of the train station.

The man carried a yellowed backpack, wore faded canvas clothes and shoes, looking no different from a migrant worker just arriving in the city from the countryside.

The man's name was Jiang Hao, an unremarkable name, but if one knew his identity, they would be shocked—he was the king who had shaken the entire Dark World three years ago, the Wolf King.

But in today's Dark World, the Wolf King was already dead.

At this moment, he was Jiang Hao, an ordinary young man from a mountain village, fulfilling his father's last wish by coming to Wuling City.

A year ago, he had not died.

It was his brother, Red Wolf, who had died.

Red Wolf sacrificed himself, detonating explosives to perish with the enemy, allowing Jiang Hao to escape with severe injuries and return to China, hiding in the mountains.

Unexpectedly, while gravely injured and on the brink of death, during the repair and restructuring of his meridians, he broke through and connected all his veins, touching the martial arts realm spoken of in Chinese legends, the Transcendent Realm.

The Transcendent Realm, a legendary state where one could generate True Qi and traverse the void.

Though he had touched the barrier of the Transcendent Realm, he had been unable to break through it completely for a year.

This time, coming to Wuling City was not only to fulfill his father's last wish but also to purify his heart through mundane life and comprehend the essence of the Transcendent Realm.

Even though he hadn't fully entered the Transcendent Realm, his strength had increased several times compared to the past.

The increase in strength hadn't made him arrogant; instead, he had withdrawn all his former brilliance, like an ancient turtle hidden in the world.

In the past, he always wore a mask to meet people; now, hidden in the world, he wasn't worried about being recognized.

...

Jiang Hao walked out of the train station and got into a taxi.

"Driver, 33 Huishan Tianyu Garden," Jiang Hao said to the taxi driver.

Hearing the destination was the most luxurious, upscale villa area in the city, the taxi driver was slightly taken aback and instinctively sized up Jiang Hao.

Seeing Jiang Hao's simple attire, the driver showed a hint of surprise: "Young man, from your accent, you're not local, right? Visiting relatives here in Wuling?"

"Sort of," Jiang Hao nodded, casually replying.

Seeing Jiang Hao didn't want to engage in conversation, the taxi driver didn't ask further.

The car sped along for half an hour before arriving at Tianyu Garden, stopping in front of a villa marked 33.

Tianyu Garden was a renowned upscale villa area in Wuling City, built on the peak of Red Mountain, offering a panoramic view of the city from one's doorstep.

With good scenery and views, the price was naturally high, so the residents here were either wealthy or noble.

"Driver, how much?"

Jiang Hao took out his wallet, ready to pay the fare.

"No rush, you can pay later."

"What do you mean?"

Seeing the taxi driver's smirk, Jiang Hao immediately understood.

The driver assumed he wouldn't be able to enter the Feng Family's gate and would need a ride back later.

It seemed the driver thought of him as someone trying to climb the social ladder shamelessly.

Jiang Hao smiled faintly, said nothing, and got out of the car, walking towards the villa gate.

The taxi driver sat in the car, smoking, watching Jiang Hao's back, muttering softly: "I've been driving taxis for years, seen countless people. How could the Feng Family have a poor farmer relative like you? You're just like those who came before, trying to latch onto the Feng Family. If you can enter the Feng Family's gate, I'll run naked around Red Mountain."

Jiang Hao suddenly stopped and glanced back at the driver.

The driver, thinking Jiang Hao had heard his muttering, panicked, almost dropping his cigarette.

But he quickly realized, unless that guy had super hearing, how could he have heard from so far away?

Jiang Hao, of course, had heard; otherwise, he wouldn't have looked back.

Being at the Half-Step Transcendent Realm, his senses were far beyond ordinary.

He could hear the buzzing of a mosquito twenty meters away, let alone the driver's muttering ten meters away.

...

Reaching the villa gate, Jiang Hao knocked.

Soon, the door opened, and a middle-aged woman wearing an apron answered.

Judging by her attire, Jiang Hao deduced she was the Feng Family's housekeeper.

The housekeeper looked Jiang Hao up and down, her face showing displeasure: "What do you want?"

The housekeeper clearly mistook Jiang Hao for one of those distant relatives trying to take advantage of the Feng Family.

"I'm here to see Feng Wanming, Uncle Feng," Jiang Hao said, taking out a black-and-white photo from his pocket and handing it to the housekeeper.

The photo was an old picture of his father and his comrade, Feng Wanming.

The housekeeper took the photo and quickly recognized the young soldier on the left as her employer, Feng Group's chairman, Feng Wanming.

"Who's the person on the right?" the housekeeper asked, looking at Jiang Hao.

"That's my father," Jiang Hao replied.

The housekeeper compared the photo to Jiang Hao, noticing the resemblance in their facial features, and believed his words.

"Please give this military medal of my father's to Uncle Feng. He'll understand my identity once he sees it," Jiang Hao said, handing a special military medal to the housekeeper.

Seeing the medal, the housekeeper was surprised and quickly said, "Young man, please wait here for a moment. I'll inform Mr. Feng right away." She then hurried inside.

Though the housekeeper had never served in the military, she understood the significance of a military medal, representing the highest honor for a soldier. Moreover, the medal Jiang Hao presented was different from ordinary ones. During her years working for the Feng Family, she had seen a similar medal in Mr. Feng's study, identical to the one Jiang Hao gave her.

Serving together in the military was one thing, but having the same military medal held a completely different meaning, which is why the housekeeper treated Jiang Hao with such respect.

...

The Feng Family was filled with joy these days.

In three days, the eldest daughter, Feng Yiyun, would be engaged to Wan Family's young master, Wan Zhiming.

Both the Feng and Wan families were prominent in Wuling City, and the union of their children was considered a perfect match.

Today was the weekend, and the Feng Family was gathered together.

At a large round table, Old Master Feng, dressed in a loose Tang suit, sat at the head.

Though over seventy, Old Master Feng was still vigorous and full of energy.

"Time flies. It seems like just yesterday Yiyun was a little girl with a schoolbag, and now she's getting engaged and leaving home," Old Master Feng remarked, looking at his granddaughter Feng Yiyun.

Sitting below, Feng Yiyun, in a white dress and with stunning looks, blushed: "Grandpa, even if I get married, I'm still part of the Feng Family."

"Your grandpa just can't bear to see you go!" Feng Wanming laughed heartily, looking at his daughter.

Marrying his daughter to Wan Family's eldest son, Wan Zhiming, was something Feng Wanming was quite pleased with.

The Wan Family's economic strength and influence surpassed the Feng Family's. Their union would undoubtedly elevate the Feng Family's business.

Wan Zhiming's character and abilities were well-recognized in Wuling.

However... Feng Wanming murmured inwardly, as memories of the past and the childhood betrothal promised to his comrade surfaced.

Jiang, why has there been no word from your family all these years?