Lin Jie and little loli Lin Mumu dropped by the Xiao Corporation Tower on their way home. They left the puppy at Xiao Zhan’s place and even fed it some Spicy Strips.
“Come to think of it, this dog’s name was something like Ha… Qi?” Lin Jie remarked, glancing at the puppy’s breed.
“Be a good pup and stay here,” Lin Mumu cooed, stroking the dog. “I’ll visit you tomorrow with my friend.”
*Woof!* The puppy yipped happily and dashed around Xiao Zhan’s living room.
“Let’s go,” Lin Jie said.
“Mm.” Lin Mumu glanced at the empty house. “When will Brother Xiao and the others be back?”
“Soon. Their special training only lasts half a month,” Lin Jie replied. “They should return any day now.”
“Oh.”
At that moment, Lin Jie recalled what happened two weeks prior.
…
“Special training?” Lin Jie stared in disbelief at Winter Leaf and Winter Xueer. “Are you insane? Why would I join some random boot camp?”
“Don’t say that!” Xiao Zhan interjected. “This is a golden opportunity! A Rank Hero Winter Leaf pulled strings for this personalized regimen. Even if you’re strong, extra training never hurts.”
“Exactly,” Glasses Bro added quietly. “Strength is everything for heroes. If I’d been stronger, Sage Glasses wouldn’t have…” His voice trailed off.
“Sage *what*?” Lin Jie scoffed. “I’m skipping. Hero duties already made me miss new anime and games. I’d rather catch up than waste time on your ‘targeted drills’.”
“Hold on,” Black Gold cut in, entering with White Gold and Yatan.
“Precisely!” White Gold grinned. “A physique like yours deserves refinement. We could exchange muscle-building insights!”
“Get lost, you damn perverts.”
“Lin Jie, I personally asked Little Leaf to arrange this,” Winter Xueer said softly, stepping closer. “I wanted to repay your help… especially yours.”
“Just buy me the latest PS22. You’re loaded, right?”
“Aren’t you curious about growing stronger?” Winter Xueer pressed. “With a little polish, you could break into the S Rank tier.”
*What?!* The room fell silent.
“Lin Jie defeated two A Rank Heroes—Ouyang Rui and Kaito—single-handedly,” Winter Xueer continued. “That mission exposed my weaknesses. I need to improve… and I’d value your guidance.”
“No interest.” Lin Jie turned away.
“How dare you!” Winter Leaf snapped. “Snowy Sister has never begged anyone like this! You’re utterly heartless!”
“Too much hassle. I’m already strong enough.” Lin Jie waved dismissively. “Besides, the anime expo’s in two days.”
“But—” Winter Xueer started.
“Drop it, Cousin. Don’t waste kindness on this block of ice,” Winter Leaf muttered.
Winter Xueer bit her lip, then shook her head helplessly. She’d planned to test Lin Jie at the camp—if he qualified, an instant S Rank promotion would shield him from the Ouyang Family’s wrath.
“Dude,” Xiao Zhan whispered, “never reject a pretty girl’s invitation. That’s how you stay single forever.”
“Oh?” Lin Jie glanced at him, then called toward a shadowy figure in a maid uniform. “Miss Bu, Xiao Zhan says he’d like some milk.”
“Understood.”
After joining Xiao Zhan, Shadow had been given a new identity. Her name was now Bu Feiwu.
The naming process had been… eventful.
…
“A new name? Too troublesome. Just call me ‘Naruto’,” Shadow had grumbled.
“You want to be a village head?” Xiao Zhan deadpanned.
“Why not?”
After much debate, Xiao Zhan registered her as “Bu Feiwu.”
“‘Not Useless’? What a lame name,” Shadow muttered.
“Better than ‘Naruto’!”
“Fine. You’re the boss.” Thus, Shadow became Bu Feiwu, Xiao Zhan’s live-in housekeeper at the Xiao Tower.
…
Now, Bu Feiwu (Shadow) approached Xiao Zhan holding a pixelated Stain Remover Rod. “Allow me to feed you, Master.” She slid the rod into his mouth—
The scene was… chaotic.
Xiao Zhan thrashed, white milk bubbling from his lips.
*Mmmph! Mmmph!*
“Pardon, Master? I didn’t catch that,” Bu Feiwu said sweetly.
“He said he wants more,” Lin Jie offered helpfully.
“Gladly, my Master.”
*Mmmph! Mmmph!*
“Oh, Feiwu should join too,” Winter Xueer added. “You’re welcome at the training camp.”
“Me?” Bu Feiwu’s eyes widened. “But I… I used to work for Evolution Corporation. I don’t deserve this.”
“We’ve observed you closely. I trust you,” Winter Xueer smiled warmly.
“Really?” Bu Feiwu gasped—then squeezed the rod too hard. It plunged fully into Xiao Zhan’s throat. His eyes rolled back as he collapsed, unconscious.
“Have fun training,” Lin Jie said.
“You truly won’t reconsider?” Winter Xueer turned to him, voice earnest.
“No.”
“How could you reject me so cruelly?” Winter Xueer pouted at Winter Leaf. “Little Ye, what do I do? This heartless man spurned me!”
“…” Lin Jie sighed. “I’m already at the peak. You wouldn’t understand the loneliness of true strength.”
“Peak? Don’t get cocky just because you beat two A Ranks!” Winter Leaf snapped. “The Eight Great Families have *plenty* of S Rank Heroes. And beyond them—SS Rank! You’re nowhere near invincible.”
“Strong enough to handle you.”
“What did you say?!” Winter Leaf summoned an ice spear. “I’ll teach you respect right now!”
“Fine. All of you together,” Lin Jie challenged. “Win, and I’ll join your camp.”
“You’re on!”
In the end, Lin Jie stayed in H City.
After the fight, he crouched beside Winter Xueer, who sat dazed on the floor. “By the way—any word on Thirteen?”
“He’s already at the training site,” Winter Leaf groaned, hauling herself up. “Damn… he’s terrifying. Snowy Sister, you held back, right?!”
“Thirteen’s *there*?!” Glasses Bro yelped from the ground. “Can I skip training? Watching anime with Lin Jie sounds way better.”
Winter Leaf shot him a glacial stare.
The next day, Lin Jie waved as the group boarded the plane to the training base.
“Lucky I refused,” he wiped his brow. “Thirteen’s there? That place is hell.”
…
Back in the present, Lin Jie and the little loli returned home to find Lin Wan waiting with dinner.
“Home early today?” Lin Jie greeted her.
“My lab had business visitors—Ouyang Family members, apparently.” Lin Wan stirred her soup. “Weren’t they related to that guy you took down recently?”
“Oh, *him*? Don’t worry,” Lin Jie waved a hand. “He’s harmless now.”
“But on the news… he whispered something to you before laughing creepily and driving off,” Lin Wan pressed.
“Just a loser’s bark.”
“Still, we should be careful. The Ouyangs have influence everywhere—business, politics, even Super Heroes.”
“Relax. We’re fine.”
…
When Ouyang Rui was handed to the police, he’d indeed whispered to Lin Jie before entering the van:
“I’ll be out soon. Then the Ouyang Family will make you pay.”
Lin Jie said nothing. He merely locked eyes with Ouyang Rui.
Only Ouyang Rui saw the crimson glow in Lin Jie’s pupils. For two seconds, a spirit-shattering aura engulfed him—he witnessed thousands of deaths, each more brutal than the last. His mind shattered into mush.
Ouyang Rui stumbled into the van, giggling like a madman. No one noticed he’d been broken beyond repair.
Such overwhelming killing intent could shatter weak wills. But Lin Jie kept this secret to himself. Some truths were better left buried.
