The Return of the Dragon King

Xu Mu stepped out of the villa and into the courtyard.

Gazing at Xiao Ran standing outside the distant gate, she was dressed just as before—her short hair parted to the side, covering her left eye, clad in a black overcoat with her hands tucked into its pockets.

"Xu Mu."

Noticing Xu Mu in the courtyard, Xiao Ran raised a hand in greeting.

Curious, Xu Mu walked over. "How did you know I was home?"

"I asked Wanyue," Xiao Ran replied with a smile, standing outside the gate.

"Something the matter?"

"Yes. Someone wants to see you," Xiao Ran said, still smiling. "If you're free now, come with me."

"And if I'm not?"

Xu Mu's expression gradually darkened. Xiao Ran's words were practically an open declaration—the Dragon King had returned.

"Then I’ll have to drag you there by force," Xiao Ran chuckled.

"Fine."

Xu Mu gave a slight nod.

He would have to face the Dragon King sooner or later. For now, at least, the man surely meant him no harm.

He opened the gate and followed Xiao Ran out of the villa complex.

Parked outside was a Yangwang U8.

Through his heightened perception, Xu Mu detected a middle-aged driver inside, along with Meng Wanyue seated in the back.

Even in his mind's eye, he could see her unease—or rather, tension.

"Get in!"

Xiao Ran opened the rear door herself.

Meng Wanyue, who had been lost in thought, visibly relaxed upon seeing Xu Mu.

"Director Xu."

"Wanyue, you're here too."

Xu Mu smiled as he took a seat beside her.

Xiao Ran shut the door and settled into the passenger seat. With a glance at the driver, she said coolly, "Let’s go."

"Yes."

The driver nodded and set off.

"Who wants to see me? All this secrecy," Xu Mu asked, feigning ignorance.

"Our boss—your wife’s younger brother," Xiao Ran replied, turning her head with a grin. "Don’t worry. He just returned to the country and wants to meet you."

Jiang City’s Tianxia Restaurant.

Xiao Ran led Xu Mu here.

After stepping out of the car, Xu Mu looked up at the towering building. If he remembered correctly, this was a property of the Guo family—run by Fang Chu’s wife, Guo Xiao.

Using his perception, Xu Mu scanned the restaurant’s interior.

On the eighth floor, inside a lavish private room, he immediately spotted the Dragon King, Ye Chen.

With slicked-back hair and a black overcoat, Ye Chen sat alone at a round table, devouring his meal.

Around him stood over a dozen people, yet none joined him at the table.

Guided by Xiao Ran, Xu Mu and Meng Wanyue took the elevator to the eighth floor.

As Xiao Ran pushed open the private room’s door, every pair of eyes inside turned toward them.

Xu Mu surveyed the room. Each person exuded an intimidating presence.

Ye Chen certainly had his ways—to gather so many skilled individuals in such a short time.

"Dragon King!"

The moment she saw Ye Chen, Meng Wanyue hurried forward, placing her right hand over her heart and bowing her head.

Ye Chen continued eating, swallowing his food before responding flatly, "Wanyue, you’ve done well this time."

Only then did Meng Wanyue’s anxious heart settle.

"Dragon King, is a mission like this even worth praising? People might think Wanyue accomplished some grand feat," a woman by the window sneered, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

She appeared around Meng Wanyue’s age, her hair grazing her shoulders, a sharp ruthlessness in her brow.

Xu Mu activated his Divine Eye to inspect her.

Name: Zhang Hehua

Role: Assassin

Favorability: 0

Fate Level: 2 (Max: 10)

Xu Mu nodded inwardly. So this was Zhang Hehua—he recalled her from the plot.

Like Meng Wanyue, she harbored feelings for Ye Chen.

Being of similar age, she saw Meng Wanyue as a rival.

Yet, Ye Chen had never spared her a glance.

Midway through the story, she’d been killed during a mission.

"Hehua, watch your tone. Do you think protecting the Dragon King’s family is beneath you?"

A man in his fifties, seated on a nearby sofa, spoke up.

With salt-and-pepper hair and a thick beard, he puffed on a cigarette, his tone deceptively light.

He was the only other person in the room besides Ye Chen who remained seated.

Xu Mu used his Divine Eye again, though he already guessed the man’s identity.

Name: Huang Qu

Role: Assassin (Supporting Character in The Dragon King’s Descent)

Favorability: 2

Fate Level: 5 (Max: 10)

The information confirmed Xu Mu’s suspicions.

Huang Qu was another of Ye Chen’s right-hand men, far surpassing Xiao Ran in strength.

At this point in the story, Huang Qu might even outmatch the Dragon King himself.

Years ago, Huang Qu had been ambushed and framed. Ye Chen saved him.

Impressed by Ye Chen’s potential, Huang Qu pledged loyalty.

Ye Chen promised to help him exact vengeance when the time was right.

And so, Huang Qu chose to stay by his side.

"Elder Huang, I didn’t mean it that way."

Zhang Hehua stole a glance at Ye Chen before hastily replying.

At that moment, Xu Mu’s gaze also fell upon the protagonist, Ye Chen.

Name: Ye Chen

Identity: Male lead of The Dragon King’s Descent

Destiny Power: 3000

Destiny Level: 30 (Max level: 10)

Damn!

Xu Mu’s heart raced. This guy really was beyond arrogant—no wonder he was the protagonist of Dragon King. Truly terrifying.

The max level was 10, yet his Destiny Level was three times higher.

Just then, Ye Chen pulled out a tissue and wiped his lips. "Nothing beats the taste of home-cooked food."

"So, you’re their boss? Quite the attitude—summoning me here just to watch you eat?" Xu Mu said coolly, eyeing Ye Chen.

"How dare you!"

Zhang Hehua’s expression turned icy in an instant, a dagger flashing into her palm.

"Enough."

Ye Chen shot her a look, and Zhang Hehua reluctantly sheathed the blade.

"Xu Mu, take a seat."

Ye Chen’s indifferent eyes locked onto him.

"That’s more like it. If you invite someone, basic courtesy is a must."

Xu Mu knew Ye Chen was trying to intimidate him.

But he wasn’t afraid—at least for now, Ye Chen wouldn’t act against him.

"Xu Mu, if it weren’t for the Xu family’s past kindness to the Ye family, you’d already be on your knees for that disrespect," Ye Chen said flatly.

Hearing such a pretentious line, Xu Mu almost couldn’t resist slapping him.

But he knew the timing wasn’t right.

"Your tone doesn’t sit well with me. As you just said, the Xu family showed your family mercy."

Xu Mu met Ye Chen’s gaze. "Is this how you repay your benefactors? Invite me over, stuff your face, and leave me standing here waiting?"

Meng Wanyue clenched her fists, silently agreeing with Xu Mu’s words.

But she didn’t dare speak up—the Dragon King’s power was too overwhelming.

In fact, it wasn’t just Meng Wanyue. Xiao Ran also felt Xu Mu was in the right.

Especially since Xu Mu had once saved her—he really was a decent man.