The border of Great Hua.
"Report to Heavenly Venerate, the thirteen countries' elite forces who launched this armed invasion totaled 301, including thirteen senior generals. They have all been annihilated. Our side sustained zero casualties. Please issue instructions!"
"Clear the battlefield and regroup."
Under the scorching sun, Ling Feng, the King of Zhenbei and one of the Four Heavenly Venerates of Great Hua, nodded expressionlessly. Just as he was about to board a helicopter to leave, another report came in.
"Urgent dispatch from Hanjiang City!"
"Read it!"
Upon hearing the words "Hanjiang City," a flicker of emotion appeared on Ling Feng's face, which was usually devoid of expression.
Hanjiang City was his root!
His only kin, his elder brother Ling Yan, was still in Hanjiang.
"Urgent dispatch from Hanjiang City: Ling Yan fell from a building and is confirmed deceased."
"What did you say?"
Almost simultaneously as the communications soldier finished reading the message, Ling Feng shot to his feet.
A killing aura instantly permeated the entire battlefield.
The vast jungle was transformed into hell, causing the communications soldier closest to Ling Feng to have his legs buckle, collapsing to the ground.
Ling Feng snatched the report from the communications soldier's hand. Seeing the line of text, his imposing aura grew even colder. At the same time, he felt a sting in his nose, and his eyes inexplicably welled up with tears.
For this man who had crawled out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood, tears had become an utterly foreign sensation.
Dejection!
Sorrow!
Pain!
Having witnessed so much life and death, Ling Feng had forgotten these words.
He hadn't expected that upon hearing the news of his own brother's death, all these emotions would return to him.
A man's tears are not shed lightly, but only when his heart is truly broken!
"Hea... Heavenly Venerate, there's also a scanned suicide note here."
The communications soldier no longer dared to look at Ling Feng's face. After much hesitation, he still shakily held up Ling Yan's suicide note.
Ling Feng didn't waste time and snatched the suicide note.
"Brother, you've been away from home for ten years, and we haven't heard a single word from you. I don't know if you'll ever see this suicide note."
"Eight years ago, I married your sister-in-law, Jiang Ying. She didn't mind that your brother was poor, and despite the objections from her family, she ended up with me and gave me a lovely daughter, your eldest niece, Ling Xiaoran."
"Brother, ever since you left home to join the army at sixteen, we brothers haven't seen each other for a full ten years. I truly wish I could see you in your military uniform. My brother, Ling Yan's brother, would surely be extraordinary."
"My only regret, brother, is for your sister-in-law and niece. If you can see this suicide note, brother, please take care of them. This is my last wish."
"Brother, I was useless. I'm gone. Please take care of them for me—Ling Yan's last testament!"
After reading the last word, the report silently dropped to the ground, and Ling Feng's vision became blurred.
He hadn't forgotten how Ling Yan had taken care of him after their parents passed away. Once, for a meal, Ling Yan had stolen bread from someone and was nearly beaten to death.
He hadn't forgotten how, when he had fallen gravely ill, Ling Yan had carried him on the street, begging anyone he met to cure him.
He certainly hadn't forgotten the tears and hope in Ling Yan's eyes the day he boarded the train to join the army.
His departure seemed to have drained all of Ling Yan's vitality.
"Heavenly Venerate, please accept my condolences."
As Ling Feng's bodyguard, Yang Fei knew that the current Ling Feng, who exuded an icy aura at all times, was the most formidable.
He dared not speak much, only standing rigidly at his side, his eyes filled with tears, sharing Ling Feng's pain.
"Yang Fei."
"Here!"
"Immediately arrange a private jet to Hanjiang for me. I must reach Hanjiang tonight."
"Yes!"
Yang Fei saluted and asked, "Heavenly Venerate, are you going to pay respects to Elder Brother? Do you need me to prepare anything?"
To Yang Fei, Ling Feng was his savior and the person he respected the most. Ling Feng's elder brother was his elder brother.
The name Ling Feng was a deterrent to Great Hua and even the entire world.
Someone once said that as long as the King of Zhenbei was present, Great Hua could enjoy eternal peace.
Yet now, while the Heavenly Venerate fought battles abroad, protecting the vast land, someone dared to lay hands on the Heavenly Venerate's kin. It was utterly detestable.
Let alone Yang Fei, any soldier of Great Hua would not stand idly by if they knew.
"No need. Brother wouldn't commit suicide without reason. This matter is too strange. I must investigate it thoroughly!"
A cold glint flashed in Ling Feng's eyes as he stated with finality.
"Yes, I'll arrange it immediately!"
Yang Fei replied, immediately turning to leave.
In Yang Fei's opinion, no matter who the perpetrator was, as long as Ling Feng willed it, they could be annihilated with a mere flip of his hand.
For ten years, Ling Feng had never interfered in local affairs.
Since he was making an exception this time, it would undoubtedly shake the heavens and earth!
Three hours later.
At Hanjiang Airport, a military private jet slowly landed. The cabin door opened, revealing a resolute yet slightly sorrowful face.
For this return, Ling Feng brought no one else but Yang Fei.
Ling Feng had already made arrangements to prevent any disturbance to the local authorities.
He wanted to exact this revenge personally.
After disembarking, they took a taxi towards Ling Yan's residence.
Sitting in the car, gazing at the familiar yet strange scenery, Ling Feng remained expressionless, but his heart was a tempest.
"Brother, I'm back!"
"I'm sorry for coming back late, I hope you don't blame me."
"Brother, rest assured, I will take good care of sister-in-law and Xiaoran, and I will never let them suffer any harm again."
"And those who harmed you, no matter who they are, I will make them pay the price!"
...
Half an hour later.
The taxi slowly stopped beside a dilapidated courtyard.
Yang Fei paid the fare and followed Ling Feng out of the car, heading straight for Ling Yan's home.
Finally, the two stopped in front of a worn, small red iron gate.
However, to Ling Feng's confusion, the small iron gate was tightly shut and locked.
What was going on? Where were sister-in-law and Xiaoran?
With his elder brother having just met with an accident, how could they not be home?
Sensing Ling Feng's confusion, Yang Fei said nothing and leaped onto the wall, peering into the house.
"Heavenly Venerate, the lights inside are off. No one is here."
"Who are you two? Climbing over the wall late at night, trying to steal something?"
As soon as Yang Fei finished speaking, an angry shout erupted.
Then, an old man wearing a white tank top, brandishing a shovel, rushed out from the gate opposite them, saying furiously, "Have you no humanity? The Ling family is already in this state, and you still want to steal from them?"
"Old sir, please don't misunderstand. We are friends of Elder Brother Ling Yan. We heard he had an accident and came to visit." Yang Fei quickly jumped down from the wall and said with a sheepish smile.
"Visit?"
The old man was slightly taken aback and lowered his shovel. He first shook his head, then sighed, "It's no use anymore. The Ling family is all dead, completely dead!"
"What did you say?"
Upon hearing this, a hint of savagery flashed in Ling Feng's eyes, and his entire being seemed like a volcano on the verge of eruption.
"I said the Ling family is all dead. Da Yanzi jumped off the building during the day, and an hour ago, his wife also hanged herself. Alas, what a sin!!"
Ling Feng's eyes narrowed, and an icy chill shot up into the sky.
The heavens and earth changed color, and the winds and clouds churned in the nine heavens.