Chapter 65: Hidden Dragons and Crouching Tigers

Shen Huaizhi was no young man, but his legs were perfectly fine. At least, when Lin Xiao had met him before, he’d never seen him walking with a cane. Now, with the cane in his hand, it was clear he found it a handy weapon for beating Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao had barely run a few steps before Shen Huaizhi caught up with him. After all, the gap in their abilities was vast. Once Shen Huaizhi reached him, he showed no intention of mercy. The cane rained down on Lin Xiao like a storm, making him howl in pain.

“Brother Shen, please, go easy! It hurts!”

“You only know pain now? Did you think my granddaughter didn’t hurt when you bullied her? My beautiful, precious granddaughter, and you still dared lay a finger on her!”

“Ah! I swear I didn’t know she was your granddaughter! If I had known, I definitely… would still have done it.”

“You brat, still unrepentant? Looks like I’ve been too gentle. Take my ‘Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Strikes’!”

Shen Huaizhi was careful not to inflict lasting harm—painful, yes, but not truly injurious. For a full half hour, Lin Xiao endured the punishment, before Shen Huaizhi finally relented.

When Shen Huaizhi stopped, Liu Jiao sauntered over and cast a healing spell on Lin Xiao. Honestly, Lin Xiao was terrified that Shen Huaizhi would see him fully healed and decide to treat him to another half-hour of ‘loving discipline’. Thankfully, Shen Huaizhi seemed to have vented his anger and left him alone.

Lin Xiao quickly hid behind Liu Jiao.

“Sister Jiao, Brother Shen bullied me!”

Liu Jiao laughed at Lin Xiao’s antics. “Serves you right. Who told you to mess with his granddaughter? You deserved a beating.”

Lin Xiao wanted to protest, but Liu Jiao cut him off.

“That’s enough. Let’s leave it at that. The reason all us old-timers have gathered here isn’t just to watch you get beaten; we have serious business. Come with me.”

Seeing Liu Jiao’s serious expression, Lin Xiao put away his petty thoughts. Something felt off to him.

He had come first in the secret realm, but surely that wasn’t enough to warrant the whole retirement home welcoming him? It all felt a bit too grand.

“Sister Jiao, what’s this about? Can’t you give me a hint?”

“Don’t worry, you’ll find out soon.”

Since Liu Jiao wouldn’t say, Lin Xiao didn’t press her. He figured it couldn’t be anything bad.

Soon, Lin Xiao stood once again before the gathered elders. Sun Zhiyuan stepped forward.

“Everyone, I trust you watched the competition broadcast earlier. This boy completed our test perfectly, and now he’s qualified to truly reside here. Xiao Lin, I have a few questions for you, and you must answer seriously.”

Lin Xiao: What test? What test was this? He hadn’t been told anything. Was the secret realm assessment itself the test? And hadn’t he already lived here for a week? True residency? Was he still on a trial basis? Were these people trying to cheat him out of his five million?

His mind was flooded with questions, but he knew now wasn’t the time to ask. He wondered what Sun Zhiyuan wanted to know.

“Brother Sun, please ask. I’ll answer honestly.”

“Good! First question: Are you sure you want to live in our Red Sun Retirement Home? Think carefully before you reply. I believe you’ve noticed the unusual nature of this place. Once you decide, there’s no going back.”

Lin Xiao was speechless. What kind of question was this? He’d already chosen to live here, intending to be a freeloader, and he’d paid the money—of course he was staying.

“I’m sure!”

“Excellent! Second question: Are you prepared to sacrifice yourself for the country at any moment?”

Lin Xiao was dumbfounded. That was quite a leap—from confirming residency to talking about sacrifice. Could he really say he wasn’t prepared? But seeing Sun Zhiyuan’s earnest face, Lin Xiao decided not to joke.

“Always ready.”

Lin Xiao wasn’t a saint, but when it came to patriotism, he had no issues. If the country truly needed him to charge into danger, he wouldn’t shrink away.

“Very good. Remember what you’ve promised today—I’m not joking. Third, after you officially move in, you must not disclose anything about this place to outsiders, and you must minimize contact with family. Can you do that?”

“No problem!”

Lin Xiao replied quickly. As an orphan, he had no family to speak of; this condition was no restriction for him.

“Good. Since you’re prepared, let me formally welcome you to the Red Sun Retirement Home. Everyone, let’s give him a round of applause!”

The elders all applauded, showing Lin Xiao their approval.

“Now you’re officially a resident, and it’s time you learned the truth. Let’s talk about the Red Sun Retirement Home. Yes, it’s a home for the elderly—everyone living here is old—but it’s not just that. You’ve surely sensed it’s more than it appears. Joining us means you’ve become part of the most powerful organization in China—Blade!”

Lin Xiao was still a bit dazed, but he grasped one thing: the retirement home was just a front. This was Blade’s base.

He also understood that, now Sun Zhiyuan had told him this, he was bound to Blade for life.

But he still had doubts. Did he really deserve to be part of this organization?

Sun Zhiyuan seemed to know what Lin Xiao was thinking. “Right now, you’re at best a reserve member. Only by making real contributions can you truly join us. You may not realize how hard it is to become a member. Let’s reintroduce ourselves.”

Sun Zhiyuan spoke first: “Sun Zhiyuan, Level 9 SS-class Beast Transformation ability user, former Commander of the Eastern Theater Command.”

After Sun Zhiyuan, Murong Yu stepped forward: “Murong Yu, Level 9 SSS-class Spatial ability user, founder of Blade.”

“Liu Jiao, Level 9 SS-class Healing ability user, former Chief of Logistics for the Southern Theater Command.”

“Shangguan Xi, Level 9 SS-class Special—Scalpel, number one surgeon in the country.”

…

One by one, the elders introduced themselves. With each introduction, Lin Xiao’s jaw dropped a little further.

These were all remarkable figures, each with an impressive background. How could someone like him ever earn the right to know them?

The introductions continued. Next was a one-armed old man whose gaze toward Lin Xiao was fiery.

“Sha Nuo, Level 8 S-class Sound ability user, China’s top sniper. I have eliminated six ninth-level ability users who threatened our nation.”

Lin Xiao was astonished. An eighth-level killing six ninth-levels—this retirement home’s residents were monsters!

“Li Tai, Level 7 SS-class Special—Alchemist. Nothing special, just fond of concocting unusual pills.”

“Zhuge Ming, Level 7 A-class Water ability user. My abilities are mediocre, but I excel at disguise. People call me ‘The Thousand-Faced Lord’.”

“Han Hao, Level 7 A-class Earth ability user. Expert in gambling, known as ‘King of Kings’.”

“Liang Qixing, Level 7 A-class Water ability user. My powers aren’t great, but I’m actually a world-class hacker.”

“Song Mingze, Level 7 A-class Fire ability user. My abilities aren’t much, but I’m a chef—top-tier, national banquet level. I handle all the meals here.”

…

Soon, everyone had finished introducing themselves. Lin Xiao had known their names before, but the details of their identities were all new to him.

He was utterly stunned, his mind nearly blank.

Only one thought echoed in his head: this retirement home truly was a den of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.

The elders here were either terrifyingly strong or masters of a unique skill.

Could someone as insignificant as him really deserve to live among them?