Chapter 215 - 166: Xuanyuan Swordsman

Chapter 215: Chapter 166: Xuanyuan Swordsman"Please come in." The door was pushed open, and Zhuo Feiqun and Song Fei entered. Ji Xinghuo closely observed the newcomer; Zhuo Feiqun was about 1.8 meters tall with a robust physique. His appearance was unremarkable, but a pair of flame-like, dancing pupils made him someone not to be underestimated by anyone. Any Mutant with even slight perception could sense the terrifying aura radiating from this man. "Director Zhuo," Ji Xinghuo called out. He had just learned from Song Fei that Zhuo Feiqun held an extraordinary position, being the director of the Shield Bureau at the Chang’an Sub-bureau, and the leader of all Special Guard Teams in the capital, a status higher than the director of the Chang’an Sub-bureau, equivalent to a deputy minister in the Security Department. Zhuo Feiqun not only held great authority, but his personal strength was also among the top in official departments. Later, Ji Xinghuo recalled that he had seen Zhuo Feiqun’s name on the global legendary list, likely ranked within the top hundred. "You can just lie down." Zhuo Feiqun observed Ji Xinghuo’s eyes and nodded, "Your recovery power is strong; no wonder you survived an encounter with the ’Ghost Wolf’." "Ghost Wolf?" Ji Xinghuo was hearing this for the first time. "That’s the All-Purpose Battle Police, his real name is ’Tyler Worthington’; Ghost Wolf is his nickname." Zhuo Feiqun explained, "Ghost Wolf possesses the Invisibility Ability, has high speed and sharp perception. He can easily evade surveillance systems and infiltrate any country on Earth, keeping his tracks hidden, and is one of the top assassins globally." Ji Xinghuo was somewhat surprised, "An assassin, is he? I thought he was an official from the United States." "No," Zhuo Feiqun shook his head, "Ghost Wolf was once an agent of the Federation Intelligence Bureau, but he defected from the American Federation over twenty years ago and later became a professional assassin." "All-Purpose Battle Police can defect?" Ji Xinghuo had never heard of such a thing before. He had always thought that All-Purpose Battle Police, like the Titanium Cobalt Dragon Men, maintained absolute loyalty to the country. "What’s so surprising about that, huh..." Zhuo Feiqun scoffed disdainfully, "The American Federation has over ten thousand All-Purpose Battle Police, and just from what we know, at least fifty have defected. If you include the unknown, it wouldn’t be surprising if the number exceeded one hundred." Ji Xinghuo wondered whether any Titanium Cobalt Dragon Men had also defected? Perhaps the news was suppressed, and outsiders never found out. Zhuo Feiqun continued, "On the global secret network of assassins, Ghost Wolf ranks high. Hiring him costs no less than fifty million Ya Yuan, and success isn’t guaranteed." "As long as the price is right, Ghost Wolf will take the job, no matter the nationality of the target, even if it’s someone from the United States. He is infamously listed as a wanted criminal internationally." "Ghost Wolf has carried out many high-profile missions over the years." "Every target he has focused on has almost certainly ended up dead; you are the first person in recent years to have survived." At this point, a hint of curiosity sparkled in Zhuo Feiqun’s eyes, which was one of the reasons he had personally come to the hospital to visit Ji Xinghuo and explain the case details. He had just heard the report from Song Fei and was shocked to learn that Ji Xinghuo had only become a Mutant less than two years ago. He also found out that Ji Xinghuo had placed last in the recent ascent to the sky ladder several months ago. The battle between Ji Xinghuo and Ghost Wolf was captured by many cameras on site, and the Security Department had already retrieved and analyzed the footage several times. Zhuo Feiqun was astonished by what he saw. After watching just one time, he knew that Ji Xinghuo’s capabilities were definitely not just the last in the sky ladder; any person on the sky ladder, even Zhao Manying who was ranked first, would likely have trouble resisting Ghost Wolf’s assassination. Unfortunately, Ji Xinghuo had been recruited by the Sword Bureau and was now a Chi Xiao Knight. Song Fei had been observing Ji Xinghuo ever since she entered the room, and she was the most shocked of all. She couldn’t imagine how a previously obscure Primary Mutant had increased his strength to such an extent in less than two years. Just watching the combat footage made her feel suffocated. If it had been her facing the Ghost Wolf, she would have been dead long ago, while Ji Xinghuo had only been seriously injured. Now, aside from his hair not having grown back, there were hardly any signs of injuries on him. Ji Xinghuo, unaware of what the two were thinking, asked, "Director Zhuo didn’t catch up to the Ghost Wolf?" "No." Zhuo Feiqun sighed and said, "His flying speed is very fast, and he can turn invisible, so I lost his trail as soon as he left Chang’an." Ji Xinghuo was not surprised by this. If the Ghost Wolf could be easily caught, he wouldn’t have survived as an assassin for so many years. "Do you know why the Ghost Wolf tried to assassinate you?" Zhuo Feiqun asked, "Does it have anything to do with a mission from the Sword Bureau?" "Yes," Ji Xinghuo nodded. "Director Zhuo, since it involves classified information, I’m sorry, but I can’t say more." "Since it’s an internal matter of the Sword Bureau, the Shield Department won’t intervene," Zhuo Feiqun continued. "A Super Mutant appearing in the capital and attempting an assassination on a domestic citizen involves public national security. The Security Department will issue a case report, but your identity will be omitted, so you don’t need to worry about leaks." "Thank you, Director Zhuo," Ji Xinghuo expressed his gratitude. If it hadn’t been for Zhuo Feiqun arriving as quickly as he did to scare off the Ghost Wolf, he didn’t dare to contemplate his fate. "It’s my duty," Zhuo Feiqun nodded. He voluntarily left his contact information for Ji Xinghuo and then proposed to leave. At this time, a woman came to the door and spoke with the Shield Guard. Zhuo Feiqun turned to look, his eyes revealing surprise, and waved Song Fei to let the person in, saying, "Yao Xian, long time no see." The woman called Yao Xian appeared to be in her thirties, with beautiful features and a quiet demeanor. She wore a well-fitting off-white dress, her black hair neatly tied back, and her face bare of makeup, giving her a serene look that matched her name. "Feiqun, you’re here too," Yao Xian said with a light smile, clearly the two were old acquaintances. Zhuo Feiqun nodded. "Send my regards to Yishang for me." Having said that, he left the room with Song Fei. Yao Xian then turned to face Ji Xinghuo and said, "My name is Yao Xian, and I am also a Knight in the bureau. Yishang asked me to protect you for a while. You can call me Aunt Yao." Ji Xinghuo had already realized that this female Mutant was much older than she appeared, possibly in her sixties or seventies. Her abilities were strong, likely on par with Director Zhuo at the Legendary Second Dan, but he couldn’t guess her profession. "Is Aunt Yao a Xuanyuan Swordsman?" he ventured to ask. Yao Xian sat down on the sofa in the ward. Upon hearing Ji Xinghuo’s address, she smiled mildly and said, "You have a sweet tongue, young man, but it’s still better to call me Aunt Yao." She didn’t confirm whether she was a Xuanyuan Swordsman or not, but effectively, she did. "Alright, Aunt Yao," Ji Xinghuo, feeling relieved, responded. Xuanyuan Swordsmen, rarely seen and highly confidential, even within the Sword Bureau. Today, he finally met one. He tried to recall for a while and confirmed he had never heard of Yao Xian, nor had he seen her on the Legendary rankings. Yao Xian didn’t speak further, she took a book out of her bag, sat on the sofa, quietly reading, and had no intention of striking a conversation with Ji Xinghuo. Ji Xinghuo also found it improper to disturb her. He wasn’t sleepy, thought for a moment and reached into the blanket, taking out his cell phone from the Dimension Stomach, and found that Zhao Manying had already sent messages. "Did you get home?" "I’ve already taken a shower, why haven’t you replied yet?" "Xinghuo?" "Did something happen?" Besides the messages, there was a string of missed calls, all from Zhao Manying. Just as Ji Xinghuo was about to reply, his phone rang again. He glanced at Yao Xian on the sofa and answered the call, Zhao Manying appeared on the screen, her face full of anxiety as she asked, "Xinghuo, were you attacked?" "How did you know?" Ji Xinghuo was astonished, he hadn’t planned on mentioning the incident. "It really is you!" First startled, Zhao Manying then relaxed a bit after seeing Ji Xinghuo unharmed and exclaimed, "I saw a video shot by a passerby online. Even though your face was blurred, I recognized you at a glance, and Qing Hong was there too. How are your injuries?" "It’s fine now, I am recovering," Ji Xinghuo feigned ease. "You know my strength, I’m not that easy to kill." "Where are you now?" Zhao Manying, meticulous in her observation, asked, "Is it a hospital?" "Yes." "Which hospital? I am coming right now," Zhao Manying immediately inquired further. Ji Xinghuo hesitated. Outside the room, Shield Guards from the Security Department were stationed, and with Yao Xian present, Zhao Manying’s identity would certainly be recognized if she came. Yet Zhao Manying, her determination apparent, insisted, "At a time like this, you are still worried about those trivial matters, quickly tell me which hospital." Ji Xinghuo had no choice but to give her the address and room number. The call was immediately hung up. Yao Xian’s gaze shifted from her book, she smiled and asked, "Girlfriend?" "Yes." Yao Xian slightly nodded, "I can tell she cares a lot about you, she’s a good girl, don’t let her down." After saying this, she lowered her head and continued reading her book. Ji Xinghuo was somewhat distracted, scrolling through news on his phone. As expected, the news of his attack had gone viral. So many people at the scene had witnessed it, numerous passersby had recorded videos, and online was filled with those of him fighting All-Purpose Battle Police, with both distant and close shots, including some from nearby business surveillance - the images were very clear, fortunately, his face was blurred. As the video’s popularity soared, experts soon began analyzing the battle. It had to be said, the internet was teeming with talent. Many instantly recognized the All-Purpose Battle Police as Legendary Second Dan, whose power was incredibly fearsome, but even more shocking was that the attacked Mutant actually survived. "Who is this person that was attacked? So strong!" "He’s at most a Super Mutant, over 90% likely to be an Advanced Mutant, but to be able to withstand a direct assault from a Legendary All-Purpose Battle Police is really incredible." "Must be a ladder top player." "Does anybody know what Professional Template he is?" "Hard to judge," commented a coach from a Super League club, renowned as an authority in Mutant professions. "This person’s Ability is mixed, Archery Skill, Martial Arts, Lightning, speed, Defense - all top-notch, and he also owns a War Pet, most likely an unclassed Mutant." "Where did that snake come from? It can’t be an illusion, right?" "It’s not an illusion, it’s real." "It looks a bit like Iron Arrow Qing, but the scale color is different, how could an Iron Arrow Qing grow that big?" a renowned Master speculated. The internet was abuzz with speculation. Searᴄh the novёlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Beyond focusing on Ji Xinghuo’s personal strength, more people were furious that the All-Purpose Battle Police dared to attack a citizen in the capital and railed against the American Federation for instigating the incident. A news flash suddenly popped up. The American Federation’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a notice, expressing regret over the public safety incident in Chang’an and asserted in a solemn declaration that the incident had nothing to do with the American Federation, the perpetrator Tyler Worthington acted solely on his own. Most netizens didn’t believe the notice, seeing it as the American Federation shirking responsibility. Ji Xinghuo, as the person involved, felt complex emotions watching online as people righteously denounced the enemy and severely chastised the United States Government’s shamelessness. This time, people were really wronged. At that moment, the Perception sensed a Light Wheel Motorbike speeding into the hospital, and Zhao Manying quickly arrived at the hospital room door. The guards stationed outside, having been previously notified, didn’t recognize the young woman wearing sunglasses but still let her in. "Xinghuo!" Zhao Manying quickly reached the bedside, lifted the blanket to check, and finally completely relaxed upon seeing Ji Xinghuo without any missing arms or legs. "You really scared me." Worry still evident in her eyes, she held Ji Xinghuo’s hand and expressed her relief, "If anything had happened to you, I wouldn’t know what to do." Touched, Ji Xinghuo smiled, "Then you can avenge me." "I will!" Zhao Manying earnestly replied. "You are Zhao Manying?" Suddenly, a surprised voice emerged from beside them, coming from Yao Xian, who had put down her book. Her gaze swept between Ji Xinghuo and Zhao Manying, as if she had uncovered some world-shaking secret.