As dusk settled and the sun dipped below the horizon, darkness reclaimed the land, while the lights of Donghai shone brilliantly, like a luminous pearl embedded in the eastern reaches of the Dragon Kingdom.
Hailed as the "Oriental Pearl," Donghai was not only the most economically developed city in the entire Dragon Kingdom but also one of the most prosperous globally.
Given Donghai's significance, the Dragon Kingdom's Martial Department placed extreme importance on its security, deploying elite forces to guard it.
Much like Qin Yuanzheng, the head of the Martial Department's Donghai office, Qin Linhai, was also a War God!
Two War Gods from the same family.
The Qin family thus became a celebrated tale within the Dragon Kingdom's Martial Department and the entire martial arts community!
As night fell, Jiang Wuming drove his car into a villa district in Donghai's eastern suburbs, heading towards Villa No. 7.
Villa No. 7 was Qin Linhai's residence in Donghai.
Having learned of Jiang Wuming's impending visit, Qin Linhai had been waiting at the villa gate for a considerable time.
From a distance, Jiang Wuming spotted Qin Linhai – a man with a crew cut, a square face, medium build, whose vital energy surged like a tidal wave, exuding the formidable aura of a War God-level martial artist.
Qin Linhai saw the approaching car but did not move.
This was because he could not detect any martial artist's aura within the vehicle!
According to the information he possessed, Jiang Wuming was not only a War God but had also effortlessly defeated one.
"Uncle Qin."
Soon, the car stopped at the entrance of Villa No. 7. Jiang Wuming alighted, greeting Qin Linhai with a smile.
"You... you're Wuming?"
Qin Linhai stared at Jiang Wuming as if he had seen a ghost.
"Uncle Qin, it's me."
Jiang Wuming nodded first. Seeing Qin Linhai's astonished expression and understanding the reason, he added with a smile, "I have a secret technique to conceal my aura, so you couldn't detect my martial artist's presence."
"So that's it."
Qin Linhai's realization dawned, accompanied by a silent shock.
Although both he and Qin Yuanzheng had speculated that Jiang Wuming, in addition to being the Hall Master of the Battle Dragon Hall, must also be the strongest successor of some super martial arts power, otherwise, he couldn't have created such a legend in the global martial arts world. However, hearing Jiang Wuming's words still left him somewhat astonished.
This was because he had only heard of secret techniques for concealing one's aura but had never encountered one – not even the Dragon Kingdom's Martial Department possessed such a secret technique!
"Uncle Qin, thank you for your help."
Jiang Wuming bowed deeply to express his gratitude to Qin Linhai.
"Wuming, we are family. No need for formalities."
Qin Linhai quickly stepped forward, put a hand on Jiang Wuming's arm, and said, "Come in, I've asked someone to prepare some dishes. Let's have a drink and talk."
"Alright."
Jiang Wuming no longer stood on ceremony, nodded with a smile, and followed Qin Linhai into the villa.
As Qin Linhai had mentioned, dishes and wine were already laid out on the dining table. The wine was aged Maotai, and the dishes included stir-fried cucumber with vinegar, fried peanuts, pig ears, cold mixed beef, spicy diced chicken, and boiled fish.
Qin Linhai led Jiang Wuming to his seat, then opened a bottle of wine. Using large red wine glasses, he poured two full glasses and handed one to Jiang Wuming.
"Wuming, this is our first meeting. Let's finish this drink, and then we'll discuss matters. After that, no matter the outcome, we'll just drink. What do you say?" Qin Linhai raised his glass and proposed.
"Alright, Uncle Qin."
Jiang Wuming knew exactly what Qin Linhai wanted to discuss, but he did not reveal it. He simply nodded, clinked glasses with Qin Linhai, and downed half a catty of baijiu in one go.
"Wuming, I have two things to tell you today. The first is that I've been entrusted by my father to invite you to join the Dragon Kingdom's Martial Department. If you agree, your position will not be lower than mine, and you may even have the opportunity to manage the entire Martial Department in the future – are you interested?"
Qin Linhai also finished his wine, then put down the glass and looked at Jiang Wuming with anticipation.
Jiang Wuming, so young yet possessing such formidable strength, was bound to become a peerless expert at the pinnacle of global martial arts if given time.
If he and the Qin family could successfully invite Jiang Wuming to join the Martial Department, it would be a great achievement and a fortunate event for the Dragon Kingdom!
"Thank you for your kind offer, Uncle Qin and Grandpa Qin. I'm used to being free and unrestrained, and I don't like to be confined. Moreover, I have a group of brothers below me, and I cannot abandon them."
Jiang Wuming spoke slowly, his words tactful, but his stance firm.
"Alas... I knew this would be the outcome."
Qin Linhai gave a wry smile.
Although he and Qin Yuanzheng had prepared themselves psychologically, they were still somewhat disappointed by Jiang Wuming's refusal.
"Uncle Qin, whether it's because of Xiaozhi, or because you and Grandpa Qin have helped me, from now on, if you need me to do anything, please don't hesitate to ask. I will certainly give it my all!"
Jiang Wuming made a promise to Qin Linhai.
A drop of kindness received should be repaid with a gushing spring.
Although no one had taught Jiang Wuming this principle, he had always lived by it.
Furthermore, he treated the members of the Battle Dragon Hall as brothers and sisters, especially Qin Xiaozhi, Dongfang Xiaoyao, and Xing Tian!
"Alas, speaking of Xiaozhi gives me a headache. That's the second matter I wanted to discuss with you."
Qin Linhai said, lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and then continued, "Wuming, do you know about Xiaozhi's situation?"
"He told me some things, but I don't know if it's everything."
Jiang Wuming pondered for a moment and said, "He said that in high school, he fell for a girl and successfully confessed his feelings to her. After graduating from high school, Grandpa Qin took him to the Martial Department. A year later, he unilaterally violated regulations and left the Martial Department to return to Jinling to find that girl. As a result, he was declared a defector and became a wanted fugitive by the Martial Department, forcing him to flee overseas."
"Wuming, what you know is just the general outline."
Qin Linhai took several deep drags of his cigarette, then thought for a moment and asked, "Do you know the reason for the global prosperity of martial arts?"
"Mhm."
Jiang Wuming nodded. This was a secret of the martial arts world, strictly forbidden for martial artists to disclose to ordinary people by all countries, with severe punishment for violations.
"Back then, to avoid suspicion, Xiaozhi's grandfather did not let him join the Eastern Region War Zone, but instead assigned him to the Western Region War Zone. After joining the Martial Department, his performance was mediocre, and his strength did not improve rapidly. His grandfather believed he wasn't trying hard enough, so six months after joining the Martial Department, he was assigned to an frontline squad to carry out missions.
As a result, during his third mission, he deserted and became a deserter.
On that mission, his entire squad, except for him, perished!"
Qin Linhai said, then noticed his cigarette had burned out. He lit another, took several deep drags, and continued, "That incident was suppressed by the Western Region War Zone, but Xiaozhi's grandfather disagreed. He then ordered a notification to be issued throughout the entire Martial Department and intended to personally escort Xiaozhi to the Martial Department's special tribunal for trial.
As a result, after returning to Jinling, Xiaozhi did not go home at all, but went to find that girl instead.
At that time, the girl was already involved with someone else. In a fit of rage, he used his status as a martial artist to attack that young man, severely injuring him, and then fled!"
"Uncle Qin, I actually know all of this, and I know more than you do."
Jiang Wuming thought for a moment, then decided to tell Qin Linhai the inside story.
"Oh?"
Qin Linhai's pupils instantly widened. He asked in surprise, "What else do you know?"
"Firstly, Xiaozhi is not a deserter, he is a hero!
Secondly, Xiaozhi did not injure that young man out of jealousy!
Thirdly, Xiaozhi is an outstanding individual. He is the strategist of our Battle Dragon Hall – in the past few years, many battles fought by the Battle Dragon Hall were personally commanded by him!"
Jiang Wuming spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but it struck Qin Linhai's ears like thunder!