Qing Long arrived outside the Black Dragon Society, hesitated for a long time, and finally turned to leave.
Only after witnessing Yun Fan's actions could one understand his power. Qing Long knew he was no match for Yun Fan.
Secondly, he did not wish to fight Yun Fan. After all, Yun Fan had helped Nightfall eliminate the Heavenly Gate. Without Yun Fan's assistance, Nightfall would likely have been annihilated by the Heavenly Gate long ago.
However, the command from the Dragon War God had been issued. It seemed he could only wait for the Dragon War God's fury to subside and find another opportunity to explain.
He was loyal to the Dragon War God and naturally did not want to see them clash. If they were to fight, even if the Dragon War God could kill Yun Fan, he would be severely injured. The ultimate beneficiaries would be the four great families.
Without a doubt, he was the clearest-headed person within Nightfall at that moment.
Unexpectedly, at this moment, a shadowy figure in black appeared and blocked his path.
Qing Long had already witnessed the formidable power of this shadowy figure in black. Being able to escape from Yun Fan's hands meant this individual was far stronger than him.
"It seems you have, after all, defied the young master's orders!"
The shadowy figure in black smiled playfully.
"You are under orders from the master?"
Qing Long asked curiously.
"Indeed!"
The shadowy figure in black replied, "I am the master's hidden pawn in Jiangnan, specifically tasked with eliminating those irredeemable by you lot!"
Upon hearing this, Qing Long's expression shifted. He had never imagined that this shadowy figure in black was a secret agent of the Dragon War God.
Thus, he inquired, "Then what are you doing here now?"
"Those disloyal to the young master will all perish! And I am here to send you on your way!"
The shadowy figure in black, holding a broken blade, looked at Qing Long with disdain.
Qing Long's expression changed, not out of fear, for in his mind, he had long been prepared for death. What shocked him was that the Dragon War God intended to kill him.
"I don't believe it. I am loyal to the master. The master would not kill me!" the Dragon War God said incredulously.
"Since you are about to die, there's no harm in telling you!"
The shadowy figure in black sneered, "Your master is far more complex than you imagine, or rather, the person behind him is the true manipulator of the chessboard!"
"What do you mean?"
Qing Long asked, bewildered.
The shadowy figure in black continued, "Do you still remember the formidable Asura War God from those days?"
"Of course, I remember. He was my former superior!"
Qing Long replied.
The name Asura War God was known to all ten years ago.
Currently, the most prominent figure in China was the Dragon War God, but back then, the Asura War God was undoubtedly the number one War God in China.
It was only after the Asura War God's sacrifice that the Dragon War God slowly rose to prominence, eventually replacing him.
Unlike the Dragon War God, the Asura War God was a commander who shed blood and sweat for his country and laid down his life for his brothers.
Qing Long was one of his most capable subordinates. Back then, even if the Asura War God had ordered him to die, he would have done so without hesitation.
Because the Asura War God was worthy of it.
Especially in his final battle, even if the Asura War God had retreated a hundred miles, he would not have died. But to protect every inch of the homeland, the Asura War God refused to retreat, choosing death instead.
In the eyes of the world, the Asura War God was a hero worth celebrating. In Qing Long's eyes, he was no different.
Qing Long asked, "What are you trying to say?"
"What I want to say is that the death of the Asura War God back then was orchestrated by your good master, the Dragon War God!"
As soon as these words were uttered, Qing Long's eyes blazed, "Impossible, absolutely impossible!"
"He and the Asura War God were like mentor and friend. How could he possibly have plotted to kill the brother who promoted him?"
Qing Long, having experienced such matters, knew well that without the Asura War God's support, the Dragon War God would still have risen, but not to such heights.
"Foolish!"
The shadowy figure in black disdained, "If he hadn't killed the Asura War God, how could your master have ascended so easily!"
"As long as the Asura War God lived, he would always be overshadowed by him. Where would he get the chance to be crowned King?"
At these words, Qing Long trembled. Although he still didn't believe the shadowy figure in black, it was not difficult to imagine that with the Asura War God's strength back then, he would not have been defeated. Even if he were defeated, it would not have been so disastrous. Therefore, at this moment, his heart was filled with conflicting emotions.
Recalling the massacre of the Su family, even Qing Long couldn't help but harbor doubts.
At this point, the shadowy figure in black said, "Whether you believe it or not is irrelevant, because in my eyes, you are already a dead man!"
With that, he drew his broken blade, a glint of sharpness appearing in the darkness.
"Since you are working for him, why are you telling me all this?"
Qing Long asked, desperate for an answer.
The shadowy figure in black replied, "Because I don't work for him alone!"
"What?"
As Qing Long was shocked, the shadowy figure in black attacked. His speed was truly astonishing.
In the blink of an eye, he was in front of Qing Long.
"Whoosh!"
After a single strike, a bloodstain appeared on Qing Long's neck.
Touching the shocking wound, Qing Long's expression changed. If he hadn't reacted quickly enough, he would have been decapitated by the shadowy figure in black.
This brush with death felt extremely unpleasant.
At this moment, the shadowy figure in black continued his assault. Qing Long did not retreat, choosing instead to face him head-on.
Undeniably, Qing Long's strength was formidable, as he was a powerful figure. Even when at a disadvantage, he could still contend with his opponent.
As for escape, it was impossible, as his speed was far inferior to the shadowy figure in black.
"It seems only you possess some strength in Nightfall!"
The shadowy figure in black taunted with disdain.
"Aren't you afraid that I'll survive and tell the Dragon War God of your actions?"
Qing Long said angrily, "If he finds out you killed White Tiger, he will not let you go!"
"Great achievers are not bound by trivialities. You do not understand your master. To achieve his goals, he wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice a mere White Tiger, or even the entire Nightfall, without a second thought!"
The shadowy figure in black wielded his broken blade with great skill, each swing creating afterimages. Such rapid swordplay was awe-inspiring.
Even with Qing Long's excellent defense, he would not be able to withstand so many strikes.
After dozens of exchanges, Qing Long and the shadowy figure in black charged at each other with all their might.
"Bang!"
At this moment, the shadowy figure in black was sent flying by a punch from Qing Long, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
"Pfft!"
Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, the shadowy figure in black sneered, "As expected of a veteran who served two War Gods. I underestimated you!"
"Hmph! I'm not that easy to bully!"
Qing Long snorted and faced the shadowy figure in black.
The shadowy figure in black did not give up and continued his attack. But at this very moment, Vermilion Bird arrived.
Qing Long had called her before coming, saying he was going to the Black Dragon Society. A somewhat tipsy Vermilion Bird thought Qing Long was going to cause trouble at the Black Dragon Society.
Therefore, she hurried over, only to witness this scene.
"Uncle Qing Long, I'm here to help you!"
Vermilion Bird quickly moved to Qing Long's side.
The shadowy figure in black retracted his broken blade and quickly disappeared into the darkness.
"Trying to escape?"
Just as Vermilion Bird was about to give chase, Qing Long pulled her back.
"Uncle Qing Long, why didn't you let me chase?"
Vermilion Bird asked in confusion, oblivious to Qing Long's ashen face.
"Ugh!"
With a muffled groan from Qing Long, his wound was exposed to Vermilion Bird – a large bloodstain ran through his body.
"Uncle Qing Long, I'll take you to the War God for treatment!"
Vermilion Bird said in panic.
"No need!"
Qing Long grabbed her, weakly stating, "I'm dying!"
"No, you'll be fine!"
Vermilion Bird said with a heavy heart. How could she not know that Qing Long was beyond saving, but she couldn't accept the reality.
It was difficult not to feel grief when the elder who had always cared for her was about to perish.
Qing Long struggled to speak, "Listen to me!"
"I'm listening!"
Vermilion Bird choked back her tears, refusing to let them fall.
"After I die, you must not return to the base!"
"Why?"
"Because the Dragon War God wants to kill you!"
Hearing this, Vermilion Bird's expression turned grave, "He wants to kill me..."
"Cough, cough, cough, cough!"
Qing Long coughed a few times, growing weaker, "Yes... that's right!"
Then, Qing Long propped up his frail body and recounted to Vermilion Bird how the Dragon War God had ordered his assassination and the killing of White Tiger.
Vermilion Bird was completely stunned. She never imagined that the master of Nightfall, who had created the entire organization, would want to destroy it.
Subsequently, Qing Long revealed the secret the shadowy figure in black had told him to Vermilion Bird.
Undoubtedly, the image of the Dragon War God in Vermilion Bird's mind was on the verge of collapse. The only reason it hadn't completely shattered was her disbelief that the Dragon War God could be such a person.
After all, before meeting Yun Fan, she had harbored affection for the Dragon War God. Moreover, given the Dragon War God's status, he shouldn't stoop to such treacherous acts.
Seeing Vermilion Bird's disbelief, Qing Long decided to reveal the secret that had been weighing on his heart. He had previously kept it from Vermilion Bird.
But now, on the verge of death, there was no longer any need for restraint.
"Your Su family was annihilated by him!"
Qing Long dropped this bombshell secret.
"How... how is that possible?"
Vermilion Bird looked at Qing Long in disbelief.
Qing Long mustered his last breath and said, "I'm sorry. Back then, I followed my master and personally witnessed him leading a group of mysterious individuals to massacre your Su family!"
"Then why didn't you tell me before?"
Vermilion Bird questioned Qing Long.
Qing Long sighed, "Your Su family didn't have a good reputation back then. Furthermore, he told me that your Su family had colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country, leaking important Chinese intelligence to the enemy! So, I believed him!"
In fact, if not for tonight's events, even now, he would not believe the Dragon War God to be such a sinister villain.
Therefore, he had not told Vermilion Bird about this. He had always believed that Vermilion Bird's continued existence was a great mercy.
"No!"
Vermilion Bird vehemently denied it, "Although my Su family was merely a family of merchants, we would never betray the country. Every year, my Su family donated half of its profits. If we were truly traitors, why would my Su family be so generous? Even if we donated, we wouldn't donate to China!"
"But every penny my Su family earned was donated to our homeland. We were known as a charitable family, so how could we be traitors?"
Vermilion Bird knew that her Su family was not just a charitable family but also patriotic merchants. During the global economic pressure on China, the Su family had resolutely stood for national righteousness, even at the risk of offending foreign clients. How could such a family betray the country?
Qing Long said, "I know all this. But unfortunately, the life and death of the Su family rested on the whim of a few powerful individuals! The so-called collusion and betrayal were merely excuses!"
Thinking of this, he felt immense sorrow. Despite all that the Su family had done, they could not guarantee their safety. This was the cruel reality.
He knew that the Dragon War God did not have the means back then. The destruction of the Su family and the framing of the Asura War God were all orchestrated by someone behind the Dragon War God.
With the Dragon War God's lack of ambition, he was merely a perfect pawn. It was a pity that his life had reached its end.
Even if he wanted to know the true manipulator, he was powerless.
"Why? Why would they treat my Su family like this? What wrong did my Su family do?"
Vermilion Bird's emotions completely broke down. Over a hundred members of her Su family were massacred in a single night, and then their home was burned down.
Ironically, she had not only served her enemy but had also admired him. Thinking of this, Vermilion Bird wished she could end her own life with a single stroke.
But to die like this, how could she face the entire Su family?
"There is no 'why.' Vermilion Bird, only by becoming truly powerful can one transform from a pawn to a player!"
Qing Long warned her on his deathbed, "Never return to the base, and never trust the Dragon War God again!"
With that, he exhaled his last breath and died.
"Uncle Qing Long!"
Tears streamed down Vermilion Bird's face. She had completely broken down.
"Dragon War God, I will carve you into a thousand pieces!"
...
Two days later, at the Lin family.
"Tian Xin, the other equity transfer agreement was stolen, but this one is the most important. I'm entrusting it to you now!"
Lin Zhenxiong solemnly reminded her, "Don't lose this one!"
"Mm-hmm!"
Lin Tian Xin took the equity transfer agreement and carefully put it away.
Then, Lin Zhenxiong said to Uncle Fu, "Uncle Fu, please help Tian Xin watch over it. The Lin family cannot afford any more turmoil!"
"Yes!"
Uncle Fu nodded quickly.
At this moment, Lin Tian Xin suddenly said, "Dad! It's not safe to keep this equity transfer agreement in our Lin family. Why don't I give it to Yun Fan? Let Yun Fan keep it for our Lin family for safekeeping."
Lin Zhenxiong immediately agreed, "Yes! Give it to him. I trust him with it!"
"Mm-hmm! I'll take it over right away!"
Lin Tian Xin excitedly made a phone call, "Yun Fan, where are you?"
"I just finished filming and am heading home!"
Yun Fan replied on the phone.
The mention of filming sent a shiver down Lin Tian Xin's spine. This time, she had been utterly disgusted by the role of the female villain.
Fortunately, she had no scenes for the next two days. Otherwise, she would have gone mad.
"You haven't eaten yet, have you? I'll treat you!"
"You can treat me tomorrow. After Jiang Xueyan finishes her work, she's taking me to our usual spot for dinner!" Yun Fan replied on the phone.
"Room seven?"
"Yes!"
Immediately, Lin Tian Xin said coldly, "It's so lively, how can I be missing? I'll wait for you there!"
"But she didn't invite you!"
Yun Fan sounded somewhat speechless on the phone.
However, Lin Tian Xin hung up directly. What a joke! How could she not know Jiang Xueyan's little schemes?
No matter what, she had to go. She wouldn't give those two any opportunity to be alone.
Then, Lin Tian Xin drove away.
At this time, Uncle Fu also said, "Master, your old servant still has a security plan to finish. I'll take my leave now!"
"Go!"
Lin Zhenxiong waved his hand, and Uncle Fu quickly retreated.
...
When Lin Tian Xin arrived at Room Seven, they hadn't arrived yet, so she sat down on the sofa.
Then, she took out the equity transfer agreement, preparing to hand it over to Yun Fan later.
However, at this moment, the shadowy figure in black entered from outside the door.
"You... what do you want?"
Fear flashed across Lin Tian Xin's face.
The other party smiled playfully, "Miss Lin, there's no need to worry. I only want the equity transfer agreement in your hand. As long as you are still useful, I won't kill you!"
"Never!"
Lin Tian Xin clutched the equity transfer agreement tightly.
However, the other party said, "Don't worry, I don't want your Lin family's assets. I only want what's inside regarding the Su family from back then!"
"How could there be anything else inside my Lin family's equity transfer agreement? You're clearly coveting my Lin family's assets!"
Lin Tian Xin said angrily.
The other party did not argue with her and said, "I'll know if I look. Please cooperate, Miss Lin. I don't want to lay a hand on you!"
Under his coercion, although Lin Tian Xin was unwilling, she still handed over the equity transfer agreement.
The shadowy figure in black revealed a triumphant smile. Unexpectedly, as soon as he opened it, he discovered that it contained only a stack of blank paper, with nothing else.
"You're playing me!"
The shadowy figure in black looked at Lin Tian Xin in fury.
Lin Tian Xin sneered, "If I didn't use this ploy, how would I lure you out? Wouldn't you agree, Uncle Fu!"
"Miss Lin is indeed intelligent, but unfortunately, you miscalculated. I can kill you ten times before they arrive!"
The shadowy figure in black said coldly.
"Oh! Then you'll be disappointed!"
At this moment, Yun Fan and Jiang Xueyan entered from outside the door. They had been watching every move from outside the door and now it was time for their entrance.
Upon seeing Yun Fan, the shadowy figure in black's expression tensed. He intended to take Lin Tian Xin hostage, but unexpectedly, Yun Fan threw a bottle, hitting him accurately.
"Shatter!"
As the bottle shattered on the floor, the shadowy figure in black was hit hard. After all, Yun Fan's strength was not to be underestimated.
In fact, all of this was planned by Lin Tian Xin. She had long suspected Uncle Fu, but because Uncle Fu had shown no signs of betrayal, Lin Zhenxiong did not believe Uncle Fu was a traitor.
However, after Lin Tian Xin's repeated persuasion, Lin Zhenxiong still didn't believe it but agreed to let Lin Tian Xin test him once.
Unexpectedly, this test had indeed lured Uncle Fu into a trap.
"Even I didn't expect that the expert with the broken blade was you!"
Yun Fan smiled calmly, "If it weren't for that accidental encounter where I noticed the calluses on your hand, I wouldn't have suspected that a mere butler possessed such formidable strength!"
"It seems your conjectures are quite confident?"
The shadowy figure in black asked, feigning calmness.
Yun Fan replied, "Confidence or not, you have no escape today!"
"Do you want me to act, or will you remove the bandage yourself?"
The shadowy figure in black retorted, "If you have the ability, come and try!"
"Very well, you're still defiant even when facing death!"
Yun Fan attacked first, without any trace of complacency. Although the opponent was not much in his eyes, he was very cunning, and had escaped multiple times. He put it on record: if this person escaped again, he would eat three jin of "Oreo."
In just an instant, Yun Fan and the shadowy figure in black began to fight within the private room. Lin Tian Xin and Jiang Xueyan, who were prepared, quickly left the room.
Then, they sealed the door.
"Bang!"
Yun Fan kicked the opponent against the wall. Enraged, the shadowy figure in black drew the broken blade hidden on his person and slashed at Yun Fan.
Yun Fan dodged, but unexpectedly, the opponent's target was the window.
"Boom!"
He slashed down with his blade, sparks flying. To his surprise, the window was not only undamaged but also vibrated, numbing his arm.
"How is this possible?"
The shadowy figure in black looked at the window in disbelief. When had the window of this private room become so sturdy?
He knew that with a single strike of his blade, even steel and iron would break.
Yun Fan calmly said, "I forgot to tell you, I replaced the window's reinforcing bars with the hardest alloy long ago. So, don't waste your energy!"
Looking at the chipped broken blade in his hand, the shadowy figure in black believed Yun Fan's words.
"It seems you were prepared to deal with me long ago!"
The shadowy figure in black's eyes no longer held their usual ease and composure. Instead, they were filled with an insurmountable solemnity.
"That's right. The moment I saw the calluses on your hand that day, I started preparing to deal with you!"
Yun Fan smiled, "Do you like this grand gift I prepared for you?"
"I like it, I like it very much!"
The shadowy figure in black furiously attacked Yun Fan, wielding his broken blade with his full strength.
If Qing Long were still alive, he would not have been able to withstand ten moves from the shadowy figure in black, as he was now fighting desperately.
"I love watching prey desperately try to escape when cornered!"
Yun Fan sneered and engaged in battle with the shadowy figure in black.
Although the opponent's broken blade was sharp, their levels were different, and soon, his broken blade was seized by Yun Fan.
Even with all his might, the shadowy figure in black could not budge Yun Fan.
At that instant, a blade tip suddenly emerged from the broken blade and stabbed towards Yun Fan.
Yun Fan easily dodged it and punched the shadowy figure in black.
"Pfft!"
The shadowy figure in black spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes filled with terror, because Yun Fan was easily dominating him, far more so than he had dominated Qing Long.
At this moment, Yun Fan squatted in front of him. After confirming that the shadowy figure in black had no power to resist, he pulled off his mask.
"It's you!"