114: Chapter 114 The "Shadow" in the Dark Night and a Reluctant Farewell

The disturbance in Yunxi City was like a stone thrown into a deep pond; although the ripples had dissipated, the undercurrents beneath the surface were not so easily calmed.

Since the night the mayor came to apologize and the police chief stood at attention to salute, the elderly couple, Li Jianguo and his wife, hadn't quite regained their composure, yet their doorstep was nearly worn down by visitors.

Distant relatives not seen in a year, street committee directors with no real connection, and even former colleagues who once had small grievances with Li Jianguo—one after another, they arrived carrying bags of gifts, their faces adorned with smiles brighter than chrysanthemums as they tried every possible way to get close to the Li family. Their words, direct or indirect, were all inquiries about whether that "well-connected son-in-law" was still around and if he would grace them with his presence for a meal.

Zhang Cheng found it annoying.

He had come back this time to accompany his wife on a family visit, not to be stared at like a giant panda, and he certainly had no interest in playing social games with these fair-weather people.

"Bang!"

The accompanying Death Soldiers assistant expressionlessly closed the security door, blocking yet another wave of local chamber of commerce representatives who wanted to "pay a visit."

Inside, it was finally quiet.

Zhang Cheng sat in a rattan chair on the balcony, pinching a black chess piece in his hand, facing Li Jianguo, who was wearing reading glasses.

"Xiao Zhang, this move... did you go wrong?" Li Jianguo asked cautiously, pointing at the chessboard. Ever since learning Zhang Cheng's identity, the old man hadn't been able to play freely, fearing that winning against this "King of Northern Myanmar" might cause trouble.

Zhang Cheng smiled and casually placed the piece, cutting off a large dragon: "Uncle, the chessboard is like a battlefield. Sometimes what looks like a dead end is actually finding life in a desperate situation. Just play; to me, you are an elder, and it's only right that you win."

His tone was gentle, and he had restrained his murderous aura, looking just like an ordinary junior. Looking at him, the tension in Li Jianguo's heart finally dissipated, and a smile appeared on his face: "Good! Then I won't be polite! I'll take your piece!"

These past few days had been the most relaxing Zhang Cheng had experienced in over six months.

He didn't have to listen to Old K's reports on dry casualty data or look at convoluted international intelligence. Every day was spent playing chess and chatting with his father-in-law or helping his mother-in-law prep vegetables. The aroma of braised pork wafting from the kitchen made him feel more at peace than those so-called state banquets at the Bangkok Camp.

In the evenings, he and Li Lanzhi walked hand in hand through the old neighborhood. The dim yellow streetlights cast long shadows of the two.

"Brother Cheng," Li Lanzhi leaned her head on his shoulder, her voice soft, "Thank you. I can tell you don't like socializing, but these past few days, you've been patient for my parents' sake."

"Don't say such silly things." Zhang Cheng squeezed her palm. "This is where you grew up, and they are your closest family. As long as they're happy, what does this little bit of effort matter? Besides..."

He stopped and looked at the distant lights of ten thousand homes. "This kind of peaceful life is something I couldn't buy with any amount of money over there. Consider it a vacation you've taken me on."

Li Lanzhi's eyes reddened, and she hugged his waist tightly. She knew this brief peace was about to end. That iron-blooded Northern Myanmar, that battlefield filled with gunpowder smoke, was the world where this man truly belonged.

Sure enough, on the third night, Old K sent an encrypted message: There was unusual movement in Naypyidaw, and the Americans' advisory group had started making small moves in the south again. If he didn't return to take charge, things might fall into chaos.

"It's time to go."

Zhang Cheng looked at the sleeping Li Lanzhi and sighed in his heart.

Early the next morning, it was time to say goodbye.

Downstairs, the black armored SUV had already started, its engine roaring with a low rumble.

Wang Hui held her daughter's hand, tears falling uncontrollably as she forced the ancestral jade bracelet onto Li Lanzhi's wrist. "Daughter, take care of yourself over there. If... if you're ever mistreated, just come back. Your parents are still here."

Li Jianguo patted Zhang Cheng's shoulder, his lips trembling for a long time before his thousand words condensed into one sentence: "Xiao Zhang, I'm entrusting Lan Zhi to you. You're a man who does great things; we don't understand your business, but she's our only daughter... You must keep her safe."

"Uncle, Auntie, don't worry." Zhang Cheng nodded solemnly. "As long as I'm alive, no one will touch a single hair on her head."

The convoy slowly drove away. In the rearview mirror, the two elderly people supported each other, waving continuously until they became two indistinguishable black dots.

Once the car left the city and entered a quiet section of the national highway, Zhang Cheng suddenly spoke: "Stop the car."

"What's wrong?" Li Lanzhi asked, wiping her tears and looking at him in confusion.

Zhang Cheng didn't speak; he pushed the door open and got out. He stood by the woods on the roadside, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag.

Although this return to the country had intimidated the petty troublemakers, it had also exposed his whereabouts. The Li parents were still in Yunxi. If Bao Youxiang in the south or those Americans became desperate and used the elderly couple against him, it would be his greatest weakness.

He would never allow such a thing to happen.

"System," he called out coldly in his mind.

[Present.]

"Exchange for a small squad of special Death Soldiers, 12 people. Configuration: Urban covert operations equipment, proficient in combat, reconnaissance, first aid, and assassination."

[Exchange requires 6,000 points. Confirm?]

"Confirm! Set initial identity: Employees of the newly established 'Tiandun Security Company' in Yunxi City, with background information implanted into the local household registration system. Mission: Provide 24/7, all-around covert protection for Li Jianguo and his wife. Do not reveal yourselves unless there is a fatal threat. Once any hostile forces approach, kill without mercy!"

[Command received. Exchange complete. Deployment location: The woods ahead.]

A breeze blew, and from the deep shadows of the woods, twelve lean men in black casual wear walked out silently. Their eyes were cold, and their bodies emitted a bloody scent that only their own kind could detect, but in an instant, this aura was perfectly restrained, making them look like a group of ordinary veterans.

The lead member of the Shadow Blade squad walked up to Zhang Cheng, knelt on one knee, and said in a low voice, "The Shadow Blade squad reports to the Sovereign. The target's safety is above all else; we swear to complete the mission."

Zhang Cheng looked at them, threw away his cigarette butt, and crushed it fiercely with his toe. "Go. Remember, you are shadows. Shadows do not speak, but shadows kill."

"Yes!"

The twelve figures scattered instantly, disappearing into the roadside bushes as if they had never appeared. They would lurk around the Li family, becoming two invisible walls of bronze and iron.

Zhang Cheng turned and got into the car. The moment he closed the door, the last trace of warmth on his face vanished, replaced by that bone-chilling aura of a powerful warlord.

"Drive. Back to Pangkham."

Li Lanzhi looked at the man beside her and clearly felt his aura change. The "son-in-law" who would wear an apron to cook was gone, replaced by the "Sovereign" who struck terror into the hearts of the entire Golden Triangle.

But she wasn't afraid; instead, she took the initiative to hold his hand.

"Brother Cheng, let's go home."