Chapter Fifty: Master Ji

The old man's brows furrowed. At this moment, Hong Chen felt far more dangerous than before, as if a ferocious beast had awakened within him, stirring a vague sense of unease in the old man's heart.

Soon enough, this unease was realized. As the four attacked again, Hong Chen stood unmoving, neither dodging nor retreating, engaging all four in close combat at once.

Fist against fist, foot against foot—clearly, Hong Chen was swifter, more powerful, and stronger. Three of the four were sent flying, spitting blood, while Hong Chen merely staggered a few steps. Even when struck in a vital spot by the fourth, he only took a single step back before lunging forward, bringing his palm down on the man's shoulder with the weight of a mountain.

A crack resounded as the man's shoulder bone shattered. He let out a muffled groan, his face draining of color. Hong Chen struck again, this time on the other shoulder, with the same result—both arms rendered useless.

Wasting no time, Hong Chen advanced on the remaining three, attacking like a wolf among sheep.

The old man could bear it no longer. With a powerful step, he shot forward like a cannonball. Sensing this, Hong Chen abandoned his current opponent and turned to meet him.

In the blink of an eye, the two exchanged nearly ten blows, their speed and skill dazzling to behold. The old man relied on technique and finesse, while Hong Chen used sheer strength and swiftness, making them evenly matched.

“Enough!” a stern voice commanded. The main house doors opened, and a young man with sword-like brows and bright eyes strode out. Two men followed close behind—one tall and powerfully built, exuding explosive strength; the other short, thin, and exuding a chilling aura. Though contrasting in appearance, both radiated danger.

“Butler Fu,” the old man respectfully stepped back, putting distance between himself and Hong Chen, and nodded to the young man.

“Butler Fu, what’s going on?” The young man glanced at Hong Chen. The old man quickly explained in a few words. The young man nodded, his gaze locking onto Hong Chen. “How dare you come to the Ji family and cause trouble? Who gave you the nerve? You want to see my grandfather? Tell me—why should I let you?”

His expression was cold and arrogant, his tone forceful and overbearing, as if he were enthroned above all.

Hong Chen smiled faintly. “I wish to see Master Ji, so see him I will. Either someone goes to inform him, or I’ll search room by room myself.”

A frosty light flashed in the young man’s eyes. Room by room? What did he take the Ji family for? How brazen!

“Butler Luo, stand down. I’ll handle him,” the young man said—not to fight, but to “deal with” Hong Chen, making it clear that in his eyes, subduing Hong Chen was a foregone conclusion, despite the more than twenty Ji family men already lying defeated at Hong Chen’s feet.

“Tiger, he’s yours.” The young man glanced at the burly man, who nodded impassively and strode toward Hong Chen. Without betraying any emotion, Hong Chen deftly jabbed himself several more times with needles, the last withdrawn from the crown of his head.

Boom!

A wild, violent aura exploded from within. Hong Chen’s gaze sharpened, and he shot forward like an arrow—his first attack of the night.

Tiger’s legs suddenly rooted themselves, his massive frame like an immovable mountain. He swung his iron fists, the air itself shrieking under the force.

Bang! Hong Chen met him punch for punch. The impact sounded like a great bell struck. In moments, Tiger staggered back repeatedly, anger and disbelief warring on his face. He was furious at having lost in a contest of strength, his specialty, and stunned at how it could be possible.

Having driven Tiger back with a single blow, Hong Chen did not relent. He pursued like a shadow, striking again. Tiger raised his arm to block, but Hong Chen’s fist veered slightly, smashing against his wrist bone.

A crisp crack split the air. Tiger’s right hand dropped, instantly numb and useless.

The young man stared in shock. Never had he imagined that Tiger could lose, and in a contest of pure strength no less.

Now, he truly regarded Hong Chen as a threat and was about to send the other man when a strong, aged voice resounded from inside the main house: “That’s enough, all of you.”

At the sound, both the young man and Butler Luo’s faces changed. The young man spun around. “Grandfather, why are you—?”

The elderly man, nearly eighty, had little of age’s frailty about him save for his white hair and a few wrinkles. His back was straight, his steps vigorous, and he was accompanied only by a silent old woman as he walked out the main doors.

Ignoring the young man’s surprise, the old master lifted his gaze to Hong Chen, who returned it steadily. Tank had shown Hong Chen a photo of Master Ji, and now, the old man’s face matched perfectly.

“You are Master Ji, yes?” Hong Chen confirmed. Some things needed to be made clear, especially with so many Ji family members present. If this were not Master Ji, he would not dare pretend.

The old man nodded slightly. “I am. And you are?”

“I’m just an unknown nobody. I have something for you to see.” As he spoke, Hong Chen glanced around. “Master, I’d like to give it to you alone. Of course, if you don’t feel safe, you may bring someone you trust.”

Master Ji understood. After a brief hesitation, he pointed to a pavilion a hundred meters away. “Let’s go there. No one else is to follow.”

With that, he set off, the old woman silently at his side.

The young man opened his mouth, wanting to protest, but in the end, fell silent.

Inside the pavilion, Master Ji sat down. Hong Chen remained standing and took an object from his pocket, handing it over.

With a single glance, Master Ji’s steady frame shuddered violently. His fingers caressed the surface of the jade pendant, his face flushing with emotion.

After a long moment, Master Ji drew a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly as he looked at Hong Chen. “The person who gave you this jade… where is she?”

Hong Chen saw the anxiety and hope in Master Ji’s eyes and smiled. “She’s waiting outside the estate for you to bring her home. It’s only five minutes away by car.”

Master Ji leapt to his feet, all restraint gone. His urgency burst forth, heedless of the late hour or the composure expected of the Ji family patriarch. He called out, “Butler Fu, arrange a car for me at once! And wake everyone—have them all assemble at the main gate!”

Only then did he realize his loss of composure. He turned to Hong Chen with an apologetic smile. “Young man, forgive me for making a spectacle of myself.”