After leaving the hotel, Yang Ling got into his Rolls-Royce Phantom. Just as he started the engine, his phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, he smiled slightly and answered the call, "Hello, Grandpa."
A voice that sounded old but full of energy and affection came through the phone, "Ling'er, happy birthday!"
"Thank you, Grandpa," Yang Ling replied warmly, feeling a surge of warmth in his heart.
"Ling'er, take good care of yourself. If you have any difficulties, just tell Grandpa, and I'll take care of them for you." This was Zhou Tianyue, the head of the hidden Zhou family, speaking with deep concern.
"Grandpa, I'm fine. Don't worry about me," Yang Ling responded with a smile.
"That's good, that's good," Zhou Tianyue sighed. Suddenly, there was a sound of a brief struggle on the other end of the line, and then a gentle female voice took over, "Ling'er, it's Mom. Happy birthday, darling!"
"Thank you, Mom. Where's Dad?" Yang Ling asked, feeling a wave of warmth wash over him.
"Your father is right here, but don't worry about him. Ling'er, your father and I miss you very much. Stop wandering around outside and come home," said Shen Yue, Zhou Guoshan's wife. She had once been a renowned beauty, and even now, she retained her grace. Her family, the Shen family, might not be a major financial power, but her father, Yang Ling's maternal grandfather, was the second most powerful man in the country. While the Zhou family represented wealth and martial prowess at the pinnacle of society, the Shen family wielded significant power and influence both domestically and abroad. Shen Yue's voice was filled with longing.
"That's right, Ling'er, everything you need is at home. You don't have to suffer outside," Zhou Guoshan, Yang Ling's adoptive father, chimed in.
Zhou Tianyue impatiently scolded them over the phone, "You two only know how to pamper. Ling'er is out there fighting for his future!"
Listening to their argument, Yang Ling felt both touched and helpless. The Shen and Zhou families had always treated him exceptionally well, indulging him in every possible way. If it had been anyone else, they might have turned into a spoiled brat long ago. Yang Ling said into the phone, "Thank you for the birthday wishes, Dad, Mom. I'm doing well out here. Please take care of yourselves."
"Oh, Ling'er, your sister said she misses you a lot and keeps talking about visiting you. I'm afraid I won't be able to stop her," Shen Yue mentioned, causing Yang Ling to break out in goosebumps. Zhou Yuwei, his adoptive sister, was perceived by outsiders as a cold goddess, but only Yang Ling knew how she constantly tried to seduce him at home, keeping him on the edge of giving in to her provocations.
"Ling'er, if you have any difficulties, you must let us know. We will arrange a bodyguard to stay by your side. I am worried about you being out there all alone and defenseless," Shen Yue insisted.
Yang Ling was about to refuse, but the call had already been disconnected. He shook his head helplessly, filled with gratitude and exasperation. He knew his adoptive parents still thought he was the same as before he had trained in martial arts, unaware that their adopted son was now nearly invincible in this city.
Reflecting on his childhood, when he was "abandoned" at the Zhou family's doorstep, Yang Ling knew it was likely his biological family who had arranged for him to be raised in this city. Raised by the Zhou family, his adoptive parents had treated him as their own, showering him with endless love and care.
"I should find some time to visit them," Yang Ling muttered to himself, instructing the driver to start the Rolls-Royce Phantom, which slowly drove into the night.
As he drove along an almost deserted highway, a figure hid in the woods. It was The Golden Ape , sent to assassinate Yang Ling. Despite his emaciated appearance, like a long-armed monkey, Golden Ape was a formidable opponent. Feeling annoyed at having to take on a task right after resting, he thought that Yang Ling was just a weakling and would be easy to deal with.
Yang Ling sat in the Rolls-Royce Phantom, sensing something unusual. He instructed the driver to drop him off halfway. The driver, surprised, asked, "Young Master Yang, this place is deserted. Is there something wrong?"
Yang Ling smiled, "No worries. I just want to take a look at the sea by myself. You go to the nearby town and buy some supplies."
The driver, though puzzled, saw Yang Ling's determined expression and complied, "Alright, Young Master Yang, but please be careful."
As the Rolls-Royce Phantom drove away, Yang Ling stood alone by the empty highway, looking at the distant coastline. Sensing the hidden figure nearby, he smiled slightly, feeling a tinge of excitement.
"He's getting out of the car by himself? Does he have no sense? Well, it's better this way. Less hassle and exposure," Golden Ape thought as he stealthily approached, convinced that Yang Ling was an easy target.
Suddenly, he heard Yang Ling's voice: "Since you're here, there's no need to hide anymore. Come out." Although his tone sounded as relaxed and natural as if he were seeing an old friend, the Golden Monkey felt an intense chill.
"No, how did he find out? He hasn't learned martial arts, has he? Could there be a master nearby?!" Golden Ape thought, but after sensing no other presence, he grew puzzled. "No spiritual fluctuations, no killing intent. How did he notice?" Without pausing to think further, Golden Ape pulled out another dagger and threw it at Yang Ling with bullet-like speed. But the Golden Ape was quickly astonished.
Yang Ling, still facing the road, grabbed the hilt of the dagger thrown by Golden Ape, his head turning slightly to lock eyes with the hidden assassin. Golden Ape felt a chill run down his spine, as if a ferocious beast was eyeing him.
[Golden Ape]
One of the Dragon God Mercenary Corps, a subordinate of the Dragon King, specializes in assassination.
Combat Power: 2200
"Hu—" Golden Ape quickly appeared and leapt into the air, his hand movements so fast they were almost impossible to see. In an instant, he threw out more than a dozen daggers with all his might. The air was filled with the sound of "swoosh, swoosh, swoosh" as the specially made daggers flew like lightning towards Yang Ling.
Yang Ling eyes then turn narrowed, and in an instant, he crumbled the dagger into powder and evaded the incoming barrage of knives with ghost-like agility. Golden Ape, shocked, muttered, "How fast is he?!"
Landing, Golden Ape stared at Yang Ling in disbelief, "Who… who are you?"
Yang Ling didn't respond, simply watching Golden Ape with cold eyes.
"No matter," Golden Ape sneered, "I'll still finish you off." He drew a silver butterfly knife, the blade gleaming in the moonlight. Moving to attack Yang Ling swiftly, he was stunned to see a gloved hand suddenly blocking his vision.
With a swift motion, Yang Ling's gloved hand covered his face, then hurled him into the forest like a piece of trash.
"Crack—crack—crack—" Trees splintered as his body flew through the forest, eventually crashing heavily to the ground.
Yang Ling followed at lightning speed, appearing above Golden Ape's fallen form. Before Jin Yuan could react, Yang Ling's foot slammed down on his chest with a thunderous "bang," cracking the ground beneath them. Golden Ape's chest bones shattered instantly, pain engulfing his consciousness.
"Crack—crack—" The sound of breaking bones mixed with Golden Ape's screams, echoing through the silent forest. Yang Ling looked down at him coldly, showing no mercy.
For the first time, Golden Ape felt true fear, looking up at Yang Ling, silhouetted against the moonlight like a god. "Who… who are you really?!"
Yang Ling, still silent, his eyes only growing colder, responded with a chilling calmness, "You haven't use your full strength yet. Come on... entertain me."