Chapter 41 GO Chapter 41

Chapter 41 – Leng JianFeng

Bai Yuhao had originally planned to pay his respects to the elders in his family, have dinner with them, and then take Chen Ning and the others out to explore the bustling night market of Vermillion Phoenix City. 

However, change always comes faster than plans. 

Bai Yuhao’s grandmother, who doted on him immensely, unexpectedly held him back upon his return, showering him with all sorts of warm inquiries and concerns. 

As a result, Bai Yuhao found himself unable to break away and had to stay and chat with his grandmother.

Upon learning this, Chen Ning and the others decided to go out and enjoy themselves on their own.

After the group exited the Bai residence, Chen Ning suggested they go their separate ways. Everyone was free to go wherever they wanted, with the only instruction being to make sure they were back at the Bai family home by midnight.

Su Luo watched Chen Ning’s figure disappear into the street, unable to understand why he had refused to go with the group and chosen to wander off alone.

The two brothers, Big Luo and Little Luo, grinned wickedly. “Could Chen Ning be heading off to drink at a brothel by himself?”

Su Luo, who understood what that implied, flushed with a mix of annoyance and embarrassment. She thought to herself that Chen Ning was really too disreputable. 

However, she also had a faint suspicion that it couldn’t be true. After all, having known him for so long, Chen Ning was a relatively principled man who had never displayed any flaws like being lustful—at least, not toward her.

Actually, Chen Ning wasn’t going out to have fun. He simply wanted to visit the Liu family in Vermilion Phoenix City to see if he might encounter his beloved little daughter.

The Liu family was quite renowned in the city’s high society, so with just a few inquiries, Chen Ning was able to find out the location of their residence.

Two stone guardian lions flanked the Liu gate — imposing and ostentatious, symbols of the family’s formidable strength.

Concealed in the alleyway across from the Liu residence’s entrance, Chen Ning stood shrouded in the night, his icy gaze fixed upon the estate’s gates. This trip to Vermilion Phoenix City had been unexpected, and he had arrived with no plan in place. 

Though he longed to reclaim his daughter from the Liu family, he was adrift in a sea of uncertainty, utterly at a loss for what to do next.

The Liu family was a renowned and powerful aristocratic family in Vermilion Phoenix City. As for Chen Ning, his current strength was merely that of a double level two soldier, which at best could be considered on par with an average third or fourth level officer. 

To think of breaking into the Liu family—a place teeming with powerful experts—retrieving his daughter, and successfully fighting his way out of Vermilion Phoenix City was nothing short of unrealistic given his present abilities. In fact, even a random Battle Commander-level retainer of the Liu family would likely be more than enough to subdue him with ease.

Chen Ning couldn’t even tell himself exactly why he lingered outside the Liu gate; perhaps he only hoped to see his daughter once and know whether she was safe.

He watched from the alley for half an hour. People came and went through the mansion’s gate from time to time, but he saw neither Liu Ming, Zhang Qian, nor his little daughter.

Suddenly a vintage ‘Hongqi’ sedan rolled up to the Liu gate.

Any local of Vermilion Bird City would recognize the license plate, knowing immediately that the vehicle belonged to Liu LuanLin, the head of the Liu family, a Senior Colonel of the Empire and commander of the Voracious Wolf Legion.

Liu LuanLin had just turned fifty this year. Although he was only the commander of a standard legion, his personal combat prowess had already reached the level of a level 8 Battle Commander, which was considered exceptionally formidable. 

Moreover, the Voracious Wolf Legion under his command, along with another legion known as the Army Breaker Legion, were the two primary forces responsible for the defense and security of Vermilion Phoenix City. Additionally, Liu LuanLin also held the position of Vice Governor of the city, granting him immense authority within its walls.

When Liu Luanlin’s car arrived, the electric gate that had been closed slowly opened. But to Chen Ning’s surprise, the sedan stopped at the gate and did not proceed into the courtyard.

Inside the car, a figure whose slightly burly build did nothing to diminish his aura of command—sprawled imposingly across the back seat. In the front, the driver’s seats were occupied by his driver, Liu Qing, and in the passenger’s seat, his sole personal bodyguard, Leng JianFeng.

Leng Jianfeng wore a black imperial major’s uniform, a heavy gas mask covering his face and black leather gloves on his hands. At his left and right waist hung two standard-issue officer Tang swords. He sat motionless like a soulless instrument of killing.

The driver, Liu Qing, couldn’t help glancing at the rearview mirror. Through it he could see Liu LuanLin squinting in the back seat, full of arrogant disdain, and he nervously asked, “Master, why are we stopping? Aren’t we going home?”

Liu LuanLin didn’t answer. Liu Qing dared not press further and fell silent.

Liu LuanLin slowly panned his gaze out the window. Not far from the car was the entrance to a narrow alley, where a lone streetlamp cast a bleak glow into the darkness. The mouth of the alley stood empty and still.

Yet, Liu Luanlin frowned. He could feel a strange, unsettling energy emanating from the shadows within the alley entrance. 

Who was this mysterious observer lurking at his doorstep, and what was their purpose?

At that moment, Chen Ning was pinned in the shadows, his back pressed flat against the wall just around the corner of the alley entrance. He didn’t dare move a muscle. His mind raced.

The aura emanating from the person in that car is immense—a clear sign of a powerful expert. Why has his vehicle stopped right here? Has he already detected me?

Liu Luanlin slowly said, “JianFeng!”

Leng JianFeng — the cold, masked officer in the passenger seat — answered through his mask in a dull, hoarse voice: “Yes.”

“Go and investigate. If he’s unfriendly, find him and eliminate him.”

“Yes.”

Leng Jianfeng pushed open the passenger door and stepped out, his heavy military boots hitting the ground. 

Once outside, he rolled his shoulders in a fluid yet mechanical motion, then rested both hands on the hilts of the twin swords at his hips. With a deliberate, unhurried pace, he began advancing toward the alley entrance. Each step he took was perfectly measured, as if calculated with a ruler.

After Leng JianFeng stepped down, the sedan drove into the Liu courtyard.

As soon as Liu LuanLin returned home his concubine, Shi LiLi, hurried out with her maidservants. 

Before she even reached him, a cry rose: “Master! My brother has written — they’ve found who killed our son! Some lowly bastard named Chen Ning. He’s already come to Vermilion Phoenix City….”

_______________________________________________________

Chen Ning, hidden around the corner of the alley entrance, heard the car door open outside, followed by the rhythmic, weighted tread of military boots against the ground. He knew immediately—a highly skilled individual was approaching his position.

At the same moment, the anxious voice of the Crimson Tyrant echoed in his mind.

 “A Level 6 Battle Commander! Kid, you’re only a double Level 2. You’re hopelessly outmatched. His intent is clearly hostile. If you fall into his hands, it’s certain doom. Run! Now!”

Chen Ning had already been tempted to flee, and with that warning he didn’t dare to hesitate, he turned and ran.

Leng JianFeng heard the retreating footfalls and a cold smile creased his mouth. He strode into the alley in pursuit.

But just as he pursued into the alley, Chen Ning—who had been fleeing at full speed—spun around, drew his pistol, and unleashed a volley of shots at Leng JianFeng, dozens of meters behind him.

The sidearm Chen Ning carried was a standard-issue Thunder pistol. This model was the standard sidearm for special forces regiments, renowned for its devastating power. Alongside the Desert Eagle, it was considered one of the most powerful handguns available. 

The pistol alone weighed 2 kilograms, making it unsuitable for ordinary soldiers. Only warriors from elite regiments could effectively wield it. 

Chen Ning had calculated this move: as his pursuer entered the narrow alley, he would suddenly return fire. The confined space, combined with the gun’s massive stopping power, would make success highly likely.

But in the instant the gunshots rang out, Leng JianFeng’s twin swords were already a blur. With a series of sharp clangs and a shower of sparks, all seven powerful bullets were perfectly sliced in half by his iron blades.

However, although Chen Ning failed to inflict any injury with the pistol, by the time Leng JianFeng had sliced the seven bullets and looked up again, Chen Ning had already vanished without a trace.

“He scurried off like a fleeing rat!” 

A low, hoarse voice emerged from behind Leng Jianfeng’s gas mask, laced with a thread of anger. It was clear he was not at all pleased that Chen Ning had managed to slip away right under his nose.

He turned and returned to the Liu estate. 

_______________________________________________________

Back at the Liu residence, Liu LuanLin was in his study reading documents while dressed in his pajamas. 

When Leng JianFeng reported his arrival and entered the room, Liu LuanLin still did not look up, only casually asking, “How did it go?”

Leng JianFeng extended his right hand, clad in a black glove, and placed half a bullet on Liu LuanLin’s desk. 

“He got away. He was using a Thunder pistol, and the bullet has the Phoenix Legion’s insignia on it.”

“The Phoenix Legion?” Liu LuanLin lifted his head. 

“Then it matches. Word is that my second son, Liu Xi, was killed by a Azurebird soldier named Chen Ning. And now, Chen Ning has arrived in Vermilion Phoenix City. Go find him—and get rid of him.”

“Yes!”

Leng JianFeng turned to leave.

Liu LuanLin said, “Wait. Even when you beat a dog, you have to look at its owner. 

No matter what, Chen Ning is still a soldier of the Phoenix Legion. When you kill him, keep a low profile—don’t make a scene. I don’t want our Voracious Wolf Legion getting into an unpleasant conflict with the Undying Phoenix Legion.”

“Yes!”