The night wind blew, swirling a few withered leaves as the graveyard returned to peace. The blinding golden radiance around Ian slowly retracted and then receded like a tide. The countless shimmering weapons floating in the air also began to dissolve into dots of golden light particles, dissipating into the atmosphere. Simultaneously, the ornate golden heavy armor covering his body faded like a phantom, revealing the ordinary casual clothes underneath. He casually straightened his collar, acting as if the scene just now had nothing to do with him.
Ian turned around and looked at Zhang Chulan, who was still standing rooted to the spot. He gave a casual wave, like a greeting between old classmates.
"Hi."
Zhang Chulan shuddered, his pupils shrinking. He was all too familiar with this face. It was actually his classmate, Ian! That student who usually seemed ordinary, even somewhat quiet and reclusive? The massive contrast caused his brain to stall for a moment.
Immediately following, a surge of relief from surviving a disaster and the wild joy of finding a backer flooded his heart. The hellish scene from moments ago was still fresh in his mind, and the fate of those fierce members of the Four Madmen left him with lingering fears. But now he realized that the incredibly powerful boss was actually his classmate!
Zhang Chulan's mind, ever adept at assessing the situation, instantly became active. A fawning smile immediately plastered onto his face. Forgetting all sense of image, he lunged toward Ian in a flying pounce.
"Big brother! Brother Ian! You are my blood brother!"
"Brother Ian! It's me, Chulan from your class! Brother Ian!"
He grabbed Ian's thigh, snot and tears flowing instantly, his voice cracking with a sob.
"You scared me to death! Brother Ian! If it wasn't for you, I'd be a goner! Waaaaah..."
While wailing, he peeked up to gauge Ian's reaction, his eyes flickering with excitement and curiosity.
"Brother, what kind of kung fu are you practicing? It's too fierce!"
"That golden armor, and those weapons firing off like 'pew-pew-pew'—it was simply cool as hell!"
"Was that move just now the Gate of Babylon? How did you do it? Teach me!"
Ian looked down at Zhang Chulan, who was clinging to his leg with snot and tears while his eyes shone with greed. A vein throbbed on Ian's forehead. He raised his hand and flicked Zhang Chulan's forehead with his finger.
"Thwack!"
"Ow!"
In pain, Zhang Chulan let go and clutched his forehead. Ian took the opportunity to raise his foot and give a light kick, sending Zhang Chulan tumbling away.
"Alright, stop howling," Ian said flatly. "First, think about what you're going to do yourself."
He pointed to the surrounding area where tombstones were toppled from the battle and graves had been dug up.
"Burry these fellow villagers back underground first."
"Rest in peace—do you understand the concept?"
He added one more thing.
"Also, you should think about how to deal with the people from 'The Company'."
Zhang Chulan was rubbing his rear as he stood up, but his movements paused at the mention of "The Company." He keenly caught that keyword.
"The Company? What company?"
He looked at Ian in confusion. However, Ian had no intention of answering. He crouched slightly and then leaped lightly. His entire body shot into the air, and a rainbow glow erupted around him.
"Swoosh—"
He transformed into a brilliant golden streak that cut through the night sky, vanishing into the horizon. He left behind only a bewildered Zhang Chulan.
"Big brother! Don't leave! Take me with you! Big brother!"
Zhang Chulan reached out toward the direction the golden light disappeared, crying out heart-wrenchingly.
"I can't handle this alone!"
"There are so many holes here! How long will it take for me to bury them all by myself!"
His cries echoed through the empty graveyard, sounding exceptionally pathetic. Anyone who didn't know better would think a family member of his had passed away and he was mourning.
After shouting for a while, there was no response in the night sky except the sound of the wind. Zhang Chulan knew Ian was truly gone, and his wailing gradually ceased. He wiped the dirt and snot from his face, his expression returning to his usual petty, shrewd, and slightly lecherous self. He looked up at the spot where the golden streak had vanished and smacked his lips.
"Tsk, I'm really jealous. That ability is both handsome and strong..."
It was much flashier than his half-baked Golden Light Curse. However, sentiment aside, he had to face reality.
"The Company..."
Zhang Chulan repeated the word in a low voice, his brows furrowed. Ian obviously knew something, but he hadn't said it. What exactly was "The Company"? Based on what Brother Ian said, was it an outcast organization? How would they treat him?
While Zhang Chulan was deep in thought, two figures appeared rapidly in the graveyard. They were Xu San and Xu Si, who had been blocked outside the graveyard just moments ago. They had actually been there for a short while and had witnessed the entire process of Ian turning into a golden rainbow and leaving. Both of them carried an undisguisable shock on their faces.
"Such speed... such powerful Qi..."
Xu San adjusted his glasses, his eyes behind the lenses full of gravity.
"That golden light just now didn't seem like an escape technique. It seemed more like... a propulsion from an energy explosion?"
Xu Si had a cigarette in his mouth and narrowed his eyes as he blew out a smoke ring.
"Strong is an understatement. It was ridiculously powerful."
"I just heard Zhang Chulan calling that kid 'Brother Ian' and saying he's a classmate?"
Xu San nodded. "It seems so."
"A student from Nankai University... possesses this kind of strength?"
Xu Si's frown deepened. "That aura just now, that display, and that final move... it felt scarier than those old guys who have been famous for ages."
"It seems he's following the path of dual cultivation of mind and body, and his cultivation in both aspects is off the charts."
"What is the source of that golden combat style with the endless weapons?"
"I've never heard of it. Is it the kid's innate ability? Or has he practiced some lost technique?"
Xu San pondered. "I'm not sure. This ability has never appeared in the records. We must report this immediately upon our return and thoroughly investigate the background of this student named Ian."
"This kid is definitely a big trouble—or at least a massive variable. What a headache."
Xu Si flicked away his cigarette butt, his gaze turning sharp. "However, the urgent matter is to handle what's in front of us."
Both of their gazes landed on Zhang Chulan, who was not far away. At the same time, Feng Baobao walked over slowly from another direction, carrying two people. On her shoulders were the now-insane, drooling Lu Liang and the unconscious Liu Yanyan.
The three of them formed a pincer movement, slowly walking toward Zhang Chulan. Zhang Chulan also noticed their arrival. Seeing the expressionless Feng Baobao and the two strangers who clearly meant business, alarm bells rang in his heart. Especially after hearing Xu Si and the others' conversation, which didn't hide anything from him, his heart tightened further.
"Could these people be from The Company?"
Trouble had truly arrived.
Xu San, Xu Si, and Feng Baobao surrounded Zhang Chulan in the middle. For a moment, the atmosphere grew tense.