August 3rd: The mysterious martial artist Chen Bing emerged out of nowhere, slaying the Zheng Brothers Trio at Mount Qin and securing the 87th spot on the Rising Dragon Rankings!
August 24th: Chen Bing defeated Zhang Zhiqian, ranked 54th on the Rising Dragon Rankings, and climbed to the 49th position!
September 3rd: Chen Bing killed the fierce ax-wielder Xiong Qianshan, ascending to the 30th spot on the Rising Dragon Rankings!
September 14th: He defeated the late-stage Dark Force cultivator Thousand Taoist, severing one of his arms, and claimed the 17th spot on the Rising Dragon Rankings!
After scrolling through Chen Bing’s achievements on the Martial Alliance app, An Yi was stunned: "That glasses-wearing guy is this strong? How did I not know?"
Chen Bing had become a frequent name in the Martial Alliance’s recent updates. In just two months, he had broken into the top ten of the Rising Dragon Rankings, drawing the attention of many. Yet, most investigations turned up empty—this man was shrouded in mystery.
Lin Chen, after hearing An Yi’s explanation, frowned in confusion.
This guy had always been clueless about the martial world, not even knowing what the Rising Dragon Rankings were. Yet somehow, he was aware of Chen Bing, the dark horse who had recently taken the rankings by storm.
An Yi shrugged and explained, "He’s the guy from the Joy Sect, the one who chopped off Thousand Taoist’s arm—the one with glasses."
Lin Chen’s expression turned serious. "I’ve seen him fight Thousand Taoist. It was impressive."
Though Lin Chen was usually cold and silent, those who knew him understood that he was inherently proud. For him to acknowledge someone’s strength was rare.
Scrolling through the Martial Alliance app, An Yi continued exploring.
"Gotta admit, this thing is really useful." He paused, his gaze fixed on the app. "The Heavenly Rankings—that’s the strongest list of martial artists, right?"
Lin Chen nodded. "Exactly. The Rising Dragon Rankings are just for young up-and-comers, full of inflated reputations. The Heavenly Rankings, though—that’s the universally recognized list of the Great Xia’s most powerful martial artists. Being listed there means your name will go down in history."
"Mm. Don’t recognize a single one." An Yi skimmed through the names, sighing internally before continuing his scroll.
Then, his eyes stopped.
A name caught his attention:
Heavenly Rankings, 29th Place: Sword Immortal Cheng Yuanfeng, Leader of the Qi Sword Sect.
"Whoa! That pervy old man who plays chicken is actually on the Heavenly Rankings?!" An Yi was so excited he nearly lost grip of the steering wheel.
Click.
The cold barrel of a sniper rifle pressed against An Yi’s head.
Su Xue'er glared at him. "Watch the road."
An Yi kept one hand on the wheel, putting his phone away with a grin. "I am watching. So, where to, miss?"
Only after confirming he was paying attention did Su Xue'er lower her weapon.
"Monarch’s Bar."
"Got it—wait, Monarch’s Bar?" An Yi raised an eyebrow.
If he remembered right, that Lin Mei'er woman was also at Monarch’s Bar.
---
Monarch’s Bar.
Su Xue'er stepped out of the taxi, then turned back with a hint of shyness. "Want to come in? I’ve got some good drinks stashed away."
An Yi rubbed his hands together eagerly. "Don’t mind if I do!"
Su Xue'er: "?"
Lin Chen blocked his path with his cane. "No drinking if you’re driving. You still have to take me back."
"Who’s taking you? You’re not a pretty girl—walk your own ass home!"
"Your taxi’s tire is flat."
"Bullshit, it’s fine! Could go another few hundred miles no problem."
"I meant it will be flat soon."
Just then, a voluptuous figure in a red dress appeared at the entrance.
Lin Mei'er, with her enchanting curves and alluring charm, stepped forward.
"Xue'er, you’re back—huh? Why are you three together?"
Noticing Lin Chen and An Yi, she blinked in surprise.
One was her nephew, whom she’d watched grow up. The other was her little boyfriend.
She hadn’t expected them to cross paths.
Lin Mei'er smirked at An Yi. "Seems you two get along well. No wonder you used Lin Chen’s name outside."
"Used his name?"
Lin Chen immediately caught the implication.
An Yi hurriedly explained, "Misunderstanding! Me and this poker-faced guy have nothing to do with each other. We just happened to run into each other today. I was just giving Xue'er a ride."
Click.
Su Xue'er coldly loaded a bullet into her sniper rifle, staring daggers at An Yi.
Lin Mei'er stepped forward, pinching An Yi’s chin. "Little Yi, Xue'er is already spoken for by our Lin family. Don’t get any ideas, okay?"
An Yi rolled his eyes.
Who’d want a girl who’d blow your head off at any moment?
In his mind, Shen Muxuan and Lan Ruoxi were ten thousand times better than this glasses-wearing trigger-happy girl.
Lin Chen narrowed his eyes at An Yi and Lin Mei'er. "What’s your relationship?"
"Hm? Isn’t it obvious?"
Lin Mei'er wrapped her arm around An Yi’s, grinning. "He’s my little boyfriend."
Being pressed against this mature beauty, An Yi coughed awkwardly. "C-cut it out. Your nephew’s right here!"
This woman looked like she was in her late twenties, but An Yi was certain she was at least thirty.
Not that it mattered—milfs are eternal.
"Who are you calling ‘nephew’?!"
Lin Chen’s grip on his Cloud-Splitting Cane tightened, murderous intent radiating off him.
"Let’s talk inside. It’s been almost three years, hasn’t it?"
Lin Mei'er looked at Lin Chen, her voice softening with nostalgia.
The bar was empty in the early hours of the morning.
Under the warm, gentle lighting, the four of them sat together.
Lin Chen remained silent, his already icy expression turning even colder.
"Three years apart, and you’re still wearing that grumpy face?"
Lin Mei'er pinched his cheek playfully.
Lin Chen exhaled slowly. "How have you been?"
"Same as always. I left the Underworld Guild. Now I’m just a freelancer, planning to settle in Jiangbei City. Unless something changes, I’ll be at Monarch’s Bar for good. If you ever need anything, come find me."
"Oh."
Lin Chen responded flatly. After a long pause, he asked, "How is she?"
He didn’t specify who "she" was, but Lin Mei'er understood.
"Not well at all."
Lin Mei'er swirled her wine glass, her lips curving slightly. "After the old Guild Master passed, the Underworld Guild fell into chaos. She has the skill and the will, but her foundation’s too shallow. Too many people beneath her are discontent. The internal struggles keep her exhausted."
Lin Chen listened silently, as if hearing a story about someone else’s life.
"It’s late. We should go."
Lin Chen stood, grabbing An Yi—who showed no intention of leaving and might’ve even wanted to stay the night—by the collar, dragging him toward the exit.
"Damn poker-face! Let go of my collar or I’ll make you regret it!"
Lin Mei'er watched Lin Chen’s retreating figure, her lips trembling slightly.
"Lin Chen… if you have time, go back and see her. The Underworld Guild is still yours."
"Sorry."
Lin Chen stopped, his back still turned.
Lin Mei'er’s eyes widened, tears welling up.
With a resolute expression, Lin Chen spoke coldly. "From today onward, I, Lin Chen—"
"Are we leaving or not? I’ve been waiting forever!"
An Yi suddenly grabbed Lin Chen’s collar from behind and yanked him out, cutting off his declaration.