165: Chapter 165 A Glorious Return to Jianghai

A black Hongqi sedan, bearing the red-lettered license plate 'Jing A·00008', smoothly exited the Jianghai City highway toll station like a silent steel beast.

The driver, a top-tier soldier from the Central Guard Corps, found his palms sweating slightly as he gripped the steering wheel.

It wasn't due to nervousness, but because of the young man sitting in the passenger seat. Though the young man was resting with his eyes closed and his aura was restrained, it still made this battle-hardened veteran feel a sense of palpitations.

"Consultant Lin, we've arrived in Jianghai City," the driver reminded him softly.

Lin Fan slowly opened his eyes, a hint of nostalgia flashing through his golden pupils.

Three months ago, he had left this Jianghai on a dilapidated bus, covered in the scent of blood and filled with uncertainty about the future.

And now...

The car window slowly rolled down.

Outside the highway exit, the usually bustling traffic had been temporarily diverted, clearing a wide main road.

On both sides of the road stood a dense crowd of people.

Leading them was the top official of Jianghai City, City Lord Li Zhen. Behind him, the Director of the Jianghai City Education Bureau, the President of the Martial Arts Association, the heads of various major clans, and even several middle school principals who had once ignored him were all lined up neatly.

A massive red banner, held up by two drones, hovered in mid-air, fluttering in the wind:

【A Warm Welcome to Our Jianghai's Outstanding Youth and Specially Appointed Military Consultant, Comrade Lin Fan, on His Glorious Return Home!】

"Whoa, quite the spectacle."

A playful smile curled on Lin Fan's lips. "Old Li really brought out everything he has."

As soon as the car came to a steady stop, Li Zhen trotted forward to greet him, completely devoid of his usual majesty as a Grandmaster Level Expert.

At this moment, his face was piled with a smile more affectionate than if he were seeing his own father. He even subconsciously adjusted his tie as he approached the car door.

"Consultant Lin! We've been looking forward to this day for so long; you're finally back!"

Li Zhen took the initiative to open the car door, reaching out with both hands to firmly grasp Lin Fan's hand and shaking it vigorously. "It's been a long journey! If I had known you were coming back today, I would have sent a helicopter to pick you up directly. How could I let you suffer through a car ride!"

The surrounding prominent figures of Jianghai City watched this scene, their eyes nearly popping out of their heads.

That was Li Zhen!

The very sky of Jianghai City!

A powerful figure who usually wouldn't even spare them a glance was actually acting so submissive toward an eighteen-year-old youth?

"City Lord Li is too kind."

Lin Fan didn't seem flattered by the other's enthusiasm. He simply smiled faintly, withdrew his hand, and lightly patted Li Zhen's shoulder.

"We are all serving the people; what does it matter what kind of car I take?"

Lin Fan had mastered this kind of official jargon perfectly, his tone carrying the composure and calm of someone in a high position.

Li Zhen's heart skipped a beat.

He keenly sensed the change in Lin Fan.

If the Lin Fan of three months ago was a sharp, unsheathed sword, then the current Lin Fan was a bottomless abyss.

The pressure exuded by his every move actually made even a Grandmaster like him feel a hint of oppression.

"The news from Kyoto was indeed correct... This kid has truly become a dragon."

Li Zhen was secretly shocked, but the smile on his face grew even more radiant.

"Yes, yes, Consultant Lin has high awareness; you are a role model for us to learn from!"

Li Zhen stepped aside and pointed to the row of luxury cars behind him. "Consultant Lin, I've prepared a welcome feast at Tianxiang Pavilion. All the prominent figures of Jianghai City have arrived; everyone wants to admire your presence. What do you think..."

"There's no need for a meal."

Lin Fan waved his hand, refusing directly.

"I'm back for personal matters this time and don't want to make too much of a scene."

"Besides, it's been a while since I've checked on the shop. I need to handle some business matters first."

Hearing the word 'business', Li Zhen understood instantly.

The current Myriad Treasures Pavilion was a major taxpayer in Jianghai City and, more importantly, was connected to the military.

"Understood, understood."

Li Zhen nodded repeatedly. "Then I'll have everyone dismissed so as not to disturb your important business. If you need anything in Jianghai in the future, just give the word. Whether it's official or personal, I, Li Zhen, will be there at your beck and call!"

"Thanks."

Lin Fan nodded slightly and turned to get back into the car.

The Hongqi sedan drove away under the reverent gazes of the various big shots, leaving a cloud of dust behind.

Only after the taillights disappeared did Li Zhen straighten his back and wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.

"Jianghai Lord, is this Lin Fan... really that powerful?" a nearby clan head asked cautiously.

Li Zhen shot him a cold glance.

"Powerful?"

"Pass down the order: from now on, if anyone dares to provoke the people of Myriad Treasures Pavilion in Jianghai City, don't blame me, Li Zhen, for turning my back on them!"

...

Myriad Treasures Pavilion, Jianghai Main Branch.

Although the shop hadn't launched any earth-shattering new products during the three months Lin Fan was away, it remained the most popular shop in Jianghai City thanks to its previously established reputation and military background.

The long queue at the entrance extended all the way to the end of the street.

When Lin Fan pushed the door open and entered, the staff were so busy they barely had time to breathe.

"Welcome to Myriad Treasures Pavilion. Today's blind boxes are limited to one per person..."

Behind the counter, a plainly dressed middle-aged man was looking down at the accounts. Hearing the door open, he spoke without raising his head.

"Uncle Zhang, business is looking good."

A familiar voice rang out.

Zhang Dashan suddenly looked up, and the calculator in his hand fell to the floor with a 'thud'.

"Xiao... Xiao Fan?!"

Zhang Dashan excitedly hurried around the counter and rushed to Lin Fan, looking him up and down, his eyes reddening slightly.

"You're finally back! That brat Haozi talks about you every day, saying that if you didn't make it in Kyoto, he'd go find you. At worst, you could both come back to Jianghai and continue running a street stall."

Lin Fan felt a warmth in his heart.

Zhang Dashan was Zhang Hao's father. Over these three months, Zhang Hao had been in secluded cultivation to prepare for the college entrance exam, so the shop had relied entirely on Zhang Dashan to keep it running.

"Uncle Zhang, thank you for your hard work."

Lin Fan smiled and supported Zhang Dashan. "Haozi is just asking for a beating. I'll deal with him when I see him later."

After a brief exchange, Lin Fan went straight to the manager's office on the second floor.

As he flipped through the accounts from the past three months, the smile in Lin Fan's eyes grew deeper.

It had to be said that although Zhang Dashan was only a low-level martial artist, he was indeed a natural at business.

Even without him there, the profits of Myriad Treasures Pavilion had been growing steadily, with monthly turnover reaching staggering figures.

This was practically a money-printing machine.

"Call everyone up; let's have a short meeting," Lin Fan instructed as he closed the ledger.

Soon, all dozen or so core employees of the shop gathered in the office.

Looking at Lin Fan sitting in the boss's chair, everyone was both excited and nervous.

After all, the current Lin Fan was no longer the street vendor he once was, but a legendary figure.

"Everyone has worked hard these past three months."

Lin Fan didn't waste words and gave a large wave of his hand.

Clatter!

A large pile of pills radiating dense spiritual energy, weapons, and even several martial technique manuals were piled onto the conference table like trash.

The entire office was instantly illuminated by the treasure light.

The employees' breathing stopped instantly, their eyes widening like ducks being choked by the neck.

"Are... are these C-rank Qi Gathering Pills? And B-rank Alloy Battle Sabers?"

"Heavens! Is that the Mystic-tier, low-grade 'Gale Leg' technique?"

"How much must this be worth..."

Lin Fan leaned back in his chair and said casually:

"These are things I picked up along the way while I was out. They take up too much space, and I was too lazy to carry them."

"Everyone pick three items; consider it this quarter's bonus."

Silence.

A deathly silence.

Everyone suspected they were dreaming.

Picked up along the way? Taking up space?

These treasures, which would make martial artists in Jianghai City fight to the death, were actually trash in the boss's eyes?

"Furthermore."

Lin Fan looked at the still-dazed Zhang Dashan.

"Uncle Zhang, from today on, you are the general manager for the Jianghai region of Myriad Treasures Pavilion."

"In addition to this main branch, all future branches in Jianghai City will be under your management."

"This is the appointment letter, and... this Spatial Ring contains a batch of high-level blind boxes I brought back from Kyoto to serve as our shop's crowning treasures."

Lin Fan placed a simple, ancient-looking ring on the table.

Zhang Dashan's hands trembled as he took the ring, his lips quivering, unable to say a word for a long time.

He was just an ordinary person!

He never dreamed in his life that he would be in charge of such immense wealth.

"Xiao Fan, this... this is too precious. I'm afraid I won't do a good job..."

"Uncle Zhang, don't be so modest."

Lin Fan stood up and said with a smile, "Haozi is my brother, so you are like my own uncle. I originally intended for Haozi to manage it, but now that he's finished his exams, he'll be going to a martial arts university. I wouldn't feel right leaving Myriad Treasures Pavilion to anyone else; only by giving it to you can I feel at ease."

After handling the matters at the shop, Lin Fan didn't stay long.

He was eager to return home.

...

Yulong Bay, Villa Number One.

This was the top-tier villa in Jianghai City that Lin Fan had specifically bought for his sister's recovery.

As he pushed open the heavy, carved doors, two rows of uniformed maids and a butler immediately bowed in greeting.

"Welcome home, Young Master!"

"Mm."

Lin Fan casually handed his coat to the butler, his gaze urgently sweeping toward the second floor.

"Where's Xiaoya?"

"The young lady is in her room. She said... she's practicing her cultivation." The butler's expression was a bit strange.

Practicing cultivation?

Lin Fan raised an eyebrow and walked quickly up to the second floor.

He gently pushed open his sister's bedroom door.

The scene that met his eyes caused Lin Fan's pupils to contract slightly.