200: Chapter 200 Before the Storm

After handling these matters, Lin Fan did not stay at the base.

He changed out of his military uniform, put on a set of casual sportswear, and drove to the Affiliated High School of Kyoto University.

It was the weekend, also the day Xiaoya was getting out of school.

As an older brother, no matter how fierce the storm raged outside, in front of his little sister, he was always the dependable harbor she could rely on.

When he picked up Lin Xiaoya, the little girl was standing under a big tree by the school gate, her backpack on, holding a cup of milk tea, and idly kicking pebbles on the ground with her toes.

Seeing Lin Fan's car, her eyes instantly lit up, and she ran over like a cheerful little deer.

"Bro!"

Lin Xiaoya pulled open the car door, hopped into the passenger seat, and held the milk tea up to Lin Fan's lips, "Try it! It's from a new shop near the school, tastes amazing!"

Lin Fan smiled and took a sip. The cloyingly sweet taste spread in his mouth, diluting the ferocity in his heart.

"Mhm, not bad."

Lin Fan started the car, "What do you want to eat? Your treat today."

"Hotpot!"

Lin Xiaoya shouted without hesitation, "The extra-spicy kind!"

"Alright, as you wish."

For the next few hours, Lin Fan seemed to completely forget that he was a major general commanding a powerful army, and forgot about the impending storm of bloodshed.

He accompanied his sister shopping, playing claw machines, and eating hotpot.

Watching Lin Xiaoya's face flush bright red from the spiciness while she still exclaimed how satisfying it was, watching her laugh carefreely while hugging a pile of plush toys, Lin Fan felt an unprecedented sense of peace in his heart.

This was the meaning of his battles.

To protect this smile, so his little sister could live happily like an ordinary girl.

Even if it meant turning this world upside down with slaughter, he would not hesitate.

"Bro, what are you thinking about?"

In the hotpot restaurant, Lin Xiaoya suddenly stopped her chopsticks, looking at Lin Fan who seemed somewhat lost in thought.

"Nothing."

Lin Fan snapped back to reality, picking up a piece of tripe with his chopsticks and putting it into his sister's bowl, "Just thinking about expanding our blind box shop across the entire universe in the future. Then, whatever specialty from whatever planet you want to eat, I'll get it for you."

"Yeah right."

Lin Xiaoya pouted, but the smile in her eyes was impossible to hide.

Although she didn't know what her brother was doing, she could sense that he was moving forward under immense pressure.

As someone possessing the [Mind Dominator] talent, she could vaguely sense the suppressed killing intent and anxiety deep within Lin Fan's heart.

But she asked nothing.

She knew her brother didn't want her to worry.

Then she would just be a happy little sister. That was enough.

Night deepened.

Lin Fan carried the sleeping Lin Xiaoya back to her room and tucked her in.

Looking at his sister's peaceful sleeping face, the tenderness on Lin Fan's face gradually faded, replaced by resolute determination.

The calm before the storm was always so brief.

Tomorrow was the day he would officially start his position at Kyoto University.

It was also the day he would formally draw his sword against the entire Kyoto martial arts world.

"Enough rest."

Lin Fan closed the bedroom door and turned towards the study.

In the darkness, his eyes were like two burning will-o'-the-wisps.

"Since we're playing, let's play to the fullest."

...

The first rays of morning sunlight pierced through the clouds, shining upon the thousand-year-old capital of Kyoto.

Top floor of the New Martial Arts Special Strategy Department.

Lin Fan stood before a massive floor-to-ceiling window, adjusting his attire.

Today, he was not wearing the major general uniform symbolizing military authority, nor his usual casual clothes for street vending.

Instead, he had changed into a well-tailored dark gray suit.

This suit was no ordinary item. Using his system's synthesis function, he had extracted fibers from several Grade-A stab-proof vests and fused them with high-end fabric to create this "bulletproof suit."

On the surface, it appeared high-quality, with smooth lines, exuding an air of refined elegance.

In reality, this thing could even withstand sniper rifle bullets. Fireproof, waterproof, corrosion-resistant—it was essentially a suit of armor wearing a suit's skin.

Facing the mirror, Lin Fan meticulously tied his tie and put on a pair of gold-rimmed plano glasses.

The young man in the mirror, who originally carried a hint of roguishness and killing intent, instantly transformed into a graceful, gentle, and scholarly young academic.

However, upon closer inspection, one would notice the occasional glint of light flashing in his eyes behind the lenses, still revealing a heart-palpitating aggressiveness.

It was a unique air of a refined scoundrel.

Possessing both a professor's dignity and a businessman's shrewdness, while also hiding a hunter's cunning.

"Perfect."

Lin Fan adjusted his glasses, revealing a standard, 'kind' smile to his reflection in the mirror.

"This facade should fool quite a few inexperienced little lambs."

He turned and walked out onto the balcony.

Looking north from here, one could clearly see the iconic clock tower of Kyoto University and the undulating expanse of ancient architecture.

That place was the highest sanctum of Chinese martial arts.

It gathered the nation's most elite geniuses, the deepest heritage, and... the richest 'cash crops.'

At this moment, in Lin Fan's eyes, that solemn institution of learning seemed to have transformed into a massive gold mine. Every student walking across the campus had a string of tempting numbers floating above their heads.

"Dear students,"

Lin Fan placed his hands on the railing, letting the morning breeze tousle his hair, a greedy curve forming at the corner of his mouth.

"Are your tuition fees ready?"

"Your credits, your resources, even your future indentures... I've already planned them all out for you."

In his mind, scenes of countless blind boxes being opened had already appeared, along with the wonderful scenario of system notification sounds frantically scrolling.

"Teaching at Kyoto University..."

"This isn't just about making money, it's also about screening."

"Screening out those with real potential, ambition, and the courage to break the rules."

"The future of humanity doesn't need flowers from a greenhouse. It needs maniacs like me, who dare to make deals with the devil."

"As for that so-called spy..."

Lin Fan's gaze lowered slightly, as if penetrating through the layers of floorboards, seeing the figure diligently organizing files in the basement.

"It's time for you to make a move too."

"I hope you can bring me some different fun during the upcoming campus life."

"Beep beep."

At that moment, his communicator vibrated.

Lin Fan raised his wrist to look.

It was an encrypted message from Jianghai City, sender: 'Master Thief' Hou San.

[Boss, arrived in Jianghai. Made contact with Miss Su, target confirmed. Operation tonight, first sending the Zhao family a 'fireworks' gift.]

A short line of text, yet it carried a thick smell of gunpowder.

The smile on Lin Fan's lips deepened.

"Excellent."

"War on two fronts."

"Over in Jianghai, it's a cleansing of blood and fire; here in Kyoto, it's a harvest of intellect and strategy."

"Zhao family, and all you bugs hiding in the shadows."

"Are you ready to welcome your nightmare?"

Lin Fan took a deep breath, straightened his collar, turned, and strode towards the landing pad.

There, a hovercar had been waiting for some time.

The driver stood by the car. Seeing the completely transformed Lin Fan, a flash of admiration passed through his eyes before he respectfully opened the car door.

"Boss... oh, I mean, Professor Lin, please."

Lin Fan gave a slight nod and stepped into the car.

With the roar of the engine, the hovercar transformed into a streak of light, soaring into the sky, heading straight for Kyoto University.