"Thump-thump-thump..." Yarkos staggered back as if truly struck, his feet unwilling to stop retreating. His mouth hung wide open, yet he couldn't utter a sound as he stared at Qian Jin.

The expressions of the Ten Battles of the Raging Torrent were stretched to their absolute limits, as if competing for the title of 'Most Astonished Face.' Every eye was wide, and mouths gaped wide enough to swallow an apple whole.

Fen Tu Kuang Ge’s body visibly trembled. The 108-Dantian Circulation Secret Art, regardless of its structural arrangement, achieving 108 Dantian apertures already marked it as one of the top-tier Dou Qi secret arts. No wonder Qian Jin was so overwhelmingly powerful; even he himself only possessed a Dou Qi secret art keyed to seventy-nine Dantian apertures.

Fabredis secretly delighted in the stunned looks on everyone’s faces. Sweet! Absolutely sweet! When Qian Jin first told me his Dantian aperture count, it shocked me! Today, I finally get to see other people get shocked—it’s just too satisfying!

"Alright, absolutely do not let this matter leak out," Fabredis clapped Yarkos on the shoulder. "It’s probably not just about the Dou Qi secret art; maybe Qian Jin himself couldn't even explain it fully. Today’s events are for us to know, and no further. A Dou Qi secret art that even a regular warrior can cultivate—I’m tempted to discard my own Dou Qi and learn from Qian Jin."

The Ten Battles of the Raging Torrent nodded vigorously, heads bobbing in agreement. It was undeniably true! If not for their advanced age, if they hadn't already achieved the level of Demon-Subduing Warrior, they would have been itching to abolish their current Dou Qi immediately and beg Qian Jin to be their master to learn that 108-aperture Circulation Secret Art.

"We still need to travel tomorrow," Fabredis waved his hand. "Everyone go back to sleep."

"..." Yarkos let out a long, mournful sigh. Losing a straightforward fight was one thing, but during the combat just now, he clearly felt that Qian Jin’s combat experience and technique surpassed his own. How was this possible?

A young warrior under nineteen years old, yet his practical application of skill in a real fight exceeded that of an old warrior in his forties? Moreover, that experience felt honed through countless life-and-death clashes—so seasoned! So utterly seasoned that just looking at it made one’s heart tremble!

Yarkos shook his head, leaning against his bedroll. Closing his eyes, all he saw was Qian Jin in battle. Those who hadn't truly faced him in combat could never grasp the sheer ferocity Qian Jin displayed, especially that relentless, headlong momentum: Forward! Forward! Forward! An advance that never retreated!

Simply facing that aura gave one the powerful urge to step back, to avoid the sharpness of his edge.

A night passed. The Ten Battles of the Raging Torrent emerged from their tents with bloodshot eyes. Qian Jin’s demeanor both in and out of combat prevented anyone from falling into their usual peaceful sleep; as soon as their eyes closed, Qian Jin’s image filled their minds.

His peerless archery, the skill of a Master Forger, the exceptional raw power of a Demon-Subduing Warrior before turning nineteen, and the 108-aperture Dou Qi secret art with a circulation speed of ten thousand rotations—any single one of these should have been enough to render someone unbelievable, yet he possessed them all alone.

Fabredis exchanged greetings with General Feng, then mounted his horse and led the group away from the earthen fortress stronghold, heading directly for Auckland City.

This return trip was nothing like the slow, foot-slogging journey to the earthen fortress when they left the Academy. They were mounted entirely on army warhorses lent by General Feng, galloping in formation toward Auckland.

Riding at high speed for an extended period, Qian Jin discovered that being cavalry was a miserable job. The constant jarring threatened to shake his rear end into four separate pieces. It was no wonder the Qian family would spend a fortune training those magical beasts skilled in running that somehow didn't bounce their riders into agony.

Auckland City, viewed from the wellhead, looked as tranquil as ever, quietly passing each day, welcoming and seeing off merchant caravans from all directions.

Yajingsi rode up beside Fabredis and whispered quietly, "Lord Fabredis, we won't be entering the city. We’ll ride ahead back to the War Fortress."

"Alright," Fabredis considered briefly. "Go back and prepare the membership applications for Qian Jin and Che Kefulite first. They can just come to sign later."

"Qian Jin shouldn't be an issue."

Yarkos looked back at Che Kefulite with visible difficulty. "He has absolutely no identity credentials..."

Fabredis rolled his eyes. "Can't you ask your Fortress Master to forge a credential for him?"

"Forge one?" Yarkos looked like he’d swallowed a hard-boiled egg whole, unable to utter a word. Falsifying identity credentials was a major offense, potentially violating the laws of the True Policy Dynasty on a grand scale.

"Your Master has done it before; he’s quite familiar with such things." Fabredis snapped his riding whip. "Oh, and one more thing—some things about Qian Jin you can tell your Master, and some you absolutely must not. For instance, do not mention his Dou Qi secret art, his Dou Qi strength, or his archery skills."

"Huh?" Yarkos stared blankly at Fabredis. "We can’t mention that, and we can’t mention this either. What can we mention?"

"Master Forger, perhaps..." Fabredis snapped his fingers. "When you speak to your Master, just say Qian Jin is a Forger—a Forger of maybe third or fourth-level skill."

Yajingsi’s face was a canvas of 'Why?' looking at Fabredis. This lord, one of the Three Heroes of the War Hall, was said to have an ironclad relationship with their Master—the kind where they’d take a blade for each other. How could he suggest...

Fabredis smirked slightly, lowering his voice. "Your Master is too much of a show-off. This time, I'm sending him a little monster that should scare him sleepless before he feels satisfied! You must keep this secret for me..."

"Yes, yes, understood..." Yarkos nodded repeatedly, already offering silent condolences to his Master for the sleepless night ahead. Any single one of Qian Jin’s abilities was likely enough to cause insomnia.

"Hmph, even if I lose a night of sleep, I must make Mu Gui Wuxin lose a month!" Fabredis chuckled wickedly, glancing back at Qian Jin, who was catching up on horseback. "Soul Weapon..." That single phrase, 'Soul Weapon,' kept me sleepless all last night. I must make that show-off Mu Gui Wuxin lose sleep for a whole month."

"Lord Fabr..." Qian Jin approached, wearing a smirk that mirrored Fabredis’s own, causing Fabredis’s heart to skip a beat. He secretly wondered what strange news this young man was about to drop.

"I'll only tell you," Qian Jin lowered his voice conspiratorially. "Actually, I’m also a top-tier Alchemist across all elements—just one step away from becoming an Alchemical Master."

Gasp! Fabredis nearly tumbled off his horse. He watched Qian Jin ride ahead, laughing happily, and took deep, steadying breaths to calm his racing heart. "Is that true? It doesn't look like a lie..." I'm probably going to be sleepless again tonight."

"Lord..." Yajingsi looked at Fabredis, who was flustered and almost fell off his horse, his face filled with curiosity. "What's wrong?"

Fabredis felt a flush creep up his neck. He certainly couldn't tell the Ten Battles of the Raging Torrent that he was nearly thrown from his horse by a single sentence from Qian Jin!

"Hurry up and get rolling! Get back to the Raging Torrent War Fortress," Fabredis shouted, waving his arms vigorously to cover up his near fall.

The Ten Battles of the Raging Torrent exchanged puzzled glances, failing to understand how one of the Three Heroes of the War Hall, moments ago so cheerful, could suddenly transform like this. They quickly spurred their horses toward the Raging Torrent Fortress.

The old city gate stood firm, eight guards with weapons held ready on either side. A simple table draped with deep blue cloth sat before a military officer stationed behind it.

Qian Jin looked at the familiar scene and felt a wave of emotion. He had once only considered this place a waypoint in his life, but through the people he met here, it now felt strangely like returning home. Compared to the cold, merciless family he had at home, Auckland offered the warmth a family should possess.

Huh? Qian Jin spotted the officer basking in the sun at the table from a distance and paused. Usually, it was a corporal or lower-ranking officer watching this post. Why was Zhang Mubai here today? The General of the Auckland City Guard, personally overseeing the gate? Was he aware that Uncle Fabredis was returning and came specifically to curry favor?

Zhang Mubai was lazily enjoying the sun. Hearing the rumbling thunder of hooves approaching in the distance, he raised a hand to scratch his bird’s-nest-like messy hair, opening his hazy, sleepy eyes. "Who is that? They’re almost at the gate and still charging like that? Thinking of spending a couple of nights in the jailhouse?" Then, he froze. "Qian... Qian Jin!"

Zhang Mubai pushed himself up from the recliner, bracing himself on the armrests, and sprang upright, shouting, "What? Didn't the rumors say he was dead? Fabr..." Fabredis Lord..."

Qian Jin slowed his horse to a stop before the gate. "General, long time no see."

"Yes, long time no see... long time no see..." Zhang Mubai nodded repeatedly, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "You must have had a hard journey."

Qian Jin dismounted and moved close to Zhang Mubai, scrutinizing him. This reaction was odd! Even if he knew Qian Jin had killed the Demon Subduing Warriors of the Kai family, at most, he should only show a degree of fear. Why were beads of sweat forming on his brow? Why was his face turning pale? And why couldn't he meet my eyes?

"General, are you unwell?"

"Yes, I am," Zhang Mubai coughed twice. "Caught a chill while sleeping last night."

"Is that so?" Qian Jin smiled and extended his palm. Zhang Mubai flinched, instinctively pulling back. His wrist suddenly felt searing pain, as if seized by iron tongs; no matter how he struggled, he couldn't break free.

"W-what are you trying to do? I am a General of the True Policy Dynasty!" Zhang Mubai’s voice shot up to a near shriek as he looked at the arm Qian Jin had lifted.

Qian Jin looked at the cat’s-eye gem ring on Zhang Mubai’s finger—three times the size of a soybean. "A fine piece. Must not have been cheap, General. You’ve struck it rich?"

Zhang Mubai pressed his lips together, enduring the pain while staring at the ground, refusing to meet Qian Jin’s gaze.

"It seems..." Qian Jin’s smile slowly turned cold. "Something has happened at my home again, hasn't it? And it involves you, General, in some way?"

Zhang Mubai only lowered his head and stayed silent. A General of the True Policy Dynasty was an official of the state, a military official at that. Even if Qian Jin was a Demon Subduing Warrior, he could only legally kill in a sanctioned duel. If he publicly murdered a state official, the penalty of being conscripted to the Human-Demon Battlefield would be lenient; execution was not out of the question.

Qian Jin released Zhang Mubai’s wrist and gently patted his shoulder. "It's fine if you don't say anything. At least your expression tells me my family is truly in trouble. Now, you should start praying to the stars. If something irreversible happens to my family, I tend to become impulsively reckless. We'll meet again!"

Fabredis looked at Zhang Mubai with suspicion. The City Guard General wasn't an imbecile. Knowing Qian Jin’s ruthless methods, why did it seem like Zhang Mubai was involved in something shady? Besides, Jiaying was staying with the Luo family; they should be able to handle anything.

Qian Jin swung back onto his horse and cracked his whip. The warhorse burst forward toward the city gates, leaving a cloud of dust in its wake. Suddenly, Zhang Mubai looked up and shouted, "It really has nothing to do with me, and I couldn't stop it if it did..."

The Luo residence, after Luo Lin’s funeral, had once again become bustling, with merchants visiting Luo Qingqing daily to discuss trades.

Now, however, the entrance was as silent as the day Luo Lin had just passed away. Only two elaborately decorated carriages were parked outside, guarded by four warriors clad in exquisite light armor, staring grimly out into the street.

"Who goes there!"

The four warriors, spotting Qian Jin, simultaneously drew their sabers halfway out of their scabbards, glaring fiercely at Qian Jin as he dismounted. "The Fakkell family is not receiving guests today."

Fakkell? Qian Jin paused slightly, recalling Luo Lin’s words: Classmate, be the guardian of our Fakkell family.

"Fakkell? Aren't you surnamed Luo?"

"My full name is Fakkell, Luo Lin. Simply put, our Luo family is a branch of the Fakkell family. Since my grandfather didn't manage things well, we have long been disregarded by the main Fakkell family. But I believe! Once the Luo family regains its glory under my hand, we will certainly be able to return to the Fakkell family!" Why return to the Fakkell family? Wouldn't being the head of the Luo family be better?

"Haha, I just want recognition from the Fakkell family; I have no desire to return to that household. (Produced by Gao Lou Da Sha Hand Typing)" My dream is to one day stand before the Fakkell family when they come seeking us, and proudly tell them, 'You abandoned our Luo family long ago, so we have already established our independence!'

The Fakkell family. Qian Jin remembered clearly. Shortly after obtaining the hat, during that night drinking with Luo Lin, Luo Lin had mentioned this name again.

"So that's the situation..." Qian Jin looked at the four warriors, whose hands were now reaching for their blades, and sneered. "You aren't the guards hired by the Luo family?"

"The Luo family?" The four warriors exchanged smug smiles. "The Luo family is merely a subsidiary branch of our Fakkell family. Since the Luo family has fallen now, it is only natural for the Fakkell family to send representatives to manage things..."

"I see," Qian Jin nodded lightly, hands clasped behind his back.

The four warriors watched the others dismount behind Qian Jin—Fen Tu Kuang Ge, Duan Feng Bu Er, Fabredis, and Che Kefulite—their eyes flashing with increased hostility. They barked, "Since you understand, why haven't you scrammed? Fakkell—"

Qian Jin’s foot slammed into one warrior's chest. The sheer force passed through the light armor, shattering the sternum, and propelled the man backward, smashing through the great doors and rolling into the courtyard with a series of thuds.

The three remaining guards were startled—how dare they attack? They frantically tried to draw their sabers, but suddenly three figures appeared directly in front of them. Large, heavy boot prints landed squarely on their chests.

"You told us to scram? You think you’re worthy!" Duan Feng Bu Er roared arrogantly as the force of his kick echoed through the courtyard like a thunderclap.

Fabredis stood with his arms crossed, lightly nodding as he watched the three young warriors simultaneously deliver their kicks beside Qian Jin. These youths had spirit.

The violent, forceful breach slammed the two wooden doors wide open, each striking the surrounding walls with a loud crash, threatening to bring the structure down.

The four guards flew several meters through the air, landing and rolling on the ground, issuing sounds of pained groans mixed with terror as they stared at the four assailants standing side-by-side in their courtyard.

In the main hall behind the courtyard, the seated occupants rose simultaneously, directing their attention toward the gate. A young warrior strode out of the hall in three steps, looked down at the bent, groaning bodies of his wounded men, and a look of frost settled on his handsome face. "Who dares to be so audacious? Luo family? Fakkell family?"

Qian Jin walked forward slowly, hands behind his back, studying the young warrior.

The young warrior paused, instinctively puffing out his chest, his face a mask of proud self-assurance. "Fakkell—"

"Brother Qian Jin..."

At the entrance to the main hall, Luo Qingqing ran forward with a look of joyous surprise, clutching the hem of her nearly floor-length dress.

Gu Yue Jiaying stood quietly with her arms hanging within the wide sleeves of her robe, slowly walking toward Qian Jin alongside Biluo. Occasionally, a faint glimmer of cold light flashed from within her sleeves, drawing the attention of several warriors in the hall.

Luo Qingqing stopped in front of Qian Jin, hesitating as she looked up, unsure whether to embrace him or how to act, yet the tears in her eyes could not be concealed. "Qian Jin... Many people said you were dead..."

"Did you believe them?" Qian Jin raised his hand to gently stroke Luo Qingqing’s head. "Did you also believe I was dead?"

Luo Qingqing shook her head fiercely, looking toward Biluo and Gu Yue Jiaying beside her. "We all believed you wouldn't die, but the Fakkell people said they got news through certain channels that you were already dead."

"Is that so?" Qian Jin took Luo Qingqing’s soft hand and gently pulled her to his side. "Tell me, what happened here? Is someone trying to swallow the Luo family whole?"

Luo Qingqing turned back toward the elder figure being ushered out of the main hall by the crowd. "That man is the patriarch of the Fakkell family, Fakkell Vivenota. He claims the Luo family is a subordinate of the Fakkell family, and since the Luo family currently has no men, they must reclaim all of the Luo family’s assets."

"Is that so? Are their eyes blind?" Qian Jin smiled faintly at Luo Qingqing. "Isn't my son a man of the Luo family?"

Fakkell Vivenota stood on the raised platform of the main hall, hands behind his back, looking down on Qian Jin. His two thin, golden eyebrows slowly drew together above his brow. He intensely disliked Qian Jin’s manner—entering the compound by force and utterly disregarding the presence of everyone else.

Li Jun Tu hid behind the crowd, shrinking his short neck, his eyes darting nervously toward Qian Jin. Didn't Rodrigas say he was likely dead? How... how was he back? And his attitude seemed even more arrogant and overbearing than before!