This Assassin Is a Son-in-Law
[Original/Author — Rainy Night Trekker]
[TL — Spades]
[PR — Blitz]
[QC — Lumi]
Chapter 1 — The Fall of the Wolf King
——————
Chinese New Year's Eve.
The dark web's top authority, 'Black Butterfly,' released explosive news: the leader of the 'Wolf' organization, the 'Wolf King,' failed a mission in a small African country, was gravely injured, and, unwilling to be captured, detonated explosives, perishing in a fiery blast...
In the assassin world, the Wolf King was revered as an unparalleled legend, the king of killers.
His marksmanship was unmatched through the ages, and his martial prowess had reached S-rank.
S-rank, the universally recognized pinnacle of combat strength.
The moment Black Butterfly published the news, it swept through the dark web like a tornado...
Three days later, the story broke out of the dark web, appearing on major global media outlets.
In no time, the Wolf organization and its leader, the 'Wolf King,' topped trending searches worldwide, becoming a hot topic of conversation over meals and drinks.
...
One year later.
Wuling City Train Station, China.
A dark-skinned man, tall and upright, with short-cropped hair and sharp, chiseled features, stepped out of the station. He appeared to be in his late twenties.
Carrying a faded yellow backpack, dressed in worn canvas clothes and cloth shoes, he looked no different from a migrant worker straight out of the countryside, as seen in movies.
His name was Jiang Hao, a plain, unremarkable name. But if anyone knew his true identity, their jaws would drop. He was the king who had shaken the entire dark world three years ago: the Wolf King.
Yet, in today's dark world, the Wolf King was dead.
Now, he was just Jiang Hao, an ordinary young man from a mountain village, arriving in Wuling City to honor his late father's wishes.
A year ago, he hadn't died.
The one who perished was his brother, Red Wolf.
Red Wolf had sacrificed himself, detonating explosives to take down their enemies, allowing Jiang Hao, gravely injured, to escape and return to China, where he lived in seclusion in the mountains.
Unexpectedly, while on the brink of death, his damaged meridians repaired and restructured. In breaking and rebuilding, he connected all his dormant veins, touching the legendary martial realm of Huajing, as spoken of in Chinese tradition.
Huajing, a mythical state where one could generate true qi and traverse the air.
Though he had grazed the barrier of Huajing, over the past year, he couldn't fully break through to enter it completely.
This trip to Wuling City was not only to fulfill his father's wishes but also to immerse himself in mundane life, purify his heart, and grasp the essence of Huajing.
Even without fully stepping into Huajing, his current strength was several times greater than before.
Yet, this increase in power didn't make him arrogant. Instead, he concealed all his former brilliance, lying dormant in the mortal world like a thousand-year-old tortoise.
In the past, he always wore a mask. Now, hidden in plain sight, he had no fear of being recognized.
...
After leaving the train station, Jiang Hao hailed a taxi.
"Driver, Huishan Tianyu Garden, Number 33," Jiang Hao said.
Hearing the destination—one of the most luxurious and upscale villa estates in the city—the driver froze, instinctively sizing Jiang Hao up.
Noting his simple attire, a strange expression crossed the driver's face. "Little brother, you sound like you're from out of town. Visiting relatives in Wuling?"
"Something like that," Jiang Hao nodded, giving a curt reply.
Seeing Jiang Hao wasn't keen on chatting, the driver dropped the conversation.
The taxi sped along for half an hour before arriving at Tianyu Garden, stopping in front of Villa Number 33.
Tianyu Garden was Wuling City's renowned high-end villa estate, built atop Hongshan Peak. From their doorsteps, residents could overlook the entire city.
With stunning views and prime location, the prices were exorbitant, making it a haven for the rich and powerful.
"How much, driver?"
Jiang Hao reached for his wallet.
"No rush, we can settle later."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Jiang Hao caught the driver's sly smirk and understood instantly.
The driver was convinced Jiang Hao wouldn't get past the Feng family's gates and would soon need a ride back.
It seemed the driver had pegged him as a shameless opportunist trying to curry favor with the elite.
Jiang Hao gave a faint smile, said nothing, and stepped out, heading toward the villa's gate.
The driver stayed in the car, lit a cigarette, and muttered while watching Jiang Hao's back, "Been driving taxis for years, seen all kinds of people. The Feng family having a dirt-poor relative like you? Ha! You're just like those other losers, sniffing around for a chance to climb the social ladder. If you can get through that gate, I'll streak naked around Hongshan!"
Jiang Hao suddenly stopped and glanced back at the driver.
The driver, thinking his muttering had been overheard, panicked, nearly dropping his cigarette.
But he quickly realized the distance. How could the kid hear him unless he had superhuman ears?
Jiang Hao had indeed heard.
At half-step Huajing, his senses far surpassed ordinary humans.
He could hear a mosquito buzzing twenty meters away, let alone the driver's whispers ten meters off.
...
At the villa's gate, Jiang Hao knocked.
Moments later, a middle-aged woman in an apron opened the door.
From her attire, he guessed she was the Feng family's housekeeper.
The housekeeper sized him up, her face flashing with displeasure. "What do you want?"
Clearly, she mistook him for one of the distant relatives who occasionally showed up to mooch off the Fengs.
"I'm here for Uncle Feng, Feng Wanming," Jiang Hao said, pulling out a black-and-white photo from his pocket and handing it to her.
The photo was a snapshot of his father with his comrade, Feng Wanming.
The housekeeper glanced at it and quickly recognized the young soldier on the left as her employer, Feng Wanming, chairman of the Feng Corporation.
"And the person on the right?" she asked, eyeing Jiang Hao.
"My father," Jiang Hao replied.
She compared the photo to Jiang Hao, noting the resemblance in their features, and began to believe him.
"Please hand this military medal to Uncle Feng. He'll understand who I am once he sees it," Jiang Hao said, producing a unique military medal and passing it to her.
The housekeeper's eyes widened in surprise. "Young man, please wait here a moment. I'll inform Mr. Feng right away." She hurried inside.
Though she had never served in the military, she knew the weight of a military medal—a soldier's highest honor. Moreover, the medal Jiang Hao presented was unlike any ordinary one. In her years working for the Fengs, she had seen an identical medal in Feng Wanming's study.
Serving together was one thing, but sharing the same rare military medal carried far greater significance. Hence, her sudden respect for Jiang Hao.
...
The Feng household was brimming with festivity.
In three days, the Feng family's eldest daughter, Feng Yiyun, would be engaged to Wan Zhiming, the heir of the Wan family.
Both the Feng and Wan families were prominent in Wuling City, and the union of their children was a perfect match of wealth and status.
It was a weekend, and the Feng family gathered joyfully.
At a large round table, Old Master Feng, dressed in a loose Tang suit, sat at the head.
Though over seventy, he remained sharp and vibrant.
"Time flies," he sighed, looking at his granddaughter, Feng Yiyun. "It feels like yesterday you were a little girl with a schoolbag. Now, you're getting engaged and leaving home."
Feng Yiyun, stunning in a white dress, blushed. "Grandpa, even if I marry, I'll still be a Feng."
"Your grandpa just can't bear to let you go!" Feng Wanming, her father, chuckled.
He was quite pleased with his daughter's betrothal to Wan Zhiming.
The Wan family's wealth and influence surpassed the Fengs'. This marriage would undoubtedly elevate their business prospects.
Wan Zhiming's reputation and capabilities were well-regarded in Wuling.
Yet... Feng Wanming's heart stirred with unease, recalling a long-ago promise—a betrothal arranged with his old comrade, Jiang.
Brother Jiang, why have you and your family vanished without a trace all these years?