Cheng Jianhua and his two companions saw Chen Yang and Qin Moya, unexpected guests, approach without showing a hint of surprise on their faces. Chen Yang was secretly alarmed, finding the scene before him utterly baffling.
Why was it baffling? Chen Yang was a master at the pinnacle of Hua Jin, with an incredibly keen perception of his surroundings. He could detect even an ant crawling within a fifty-meter radius. Yet, Cheng Jianhua and his companions had come within ten meters of him without his noticing.
This situation likely meant that the trio's abilities far surpassed Chen Yang's, but that seemed improbable. Chen Yang's skills were already exceptionally rare. If one person surpassed him, it would be understandable, but for three to simultaneously be stronger than him was less likely than winning the lottery.
As Chen Yang spoke, he studied Cheng Jianhua and his companions. He concluded that Cheng Jianhua either had no martial prowess or was so advanced that he had returned to simplicity. Chen Yang leaned towards the former, as Bai Yunshuang, who grew up with Cheng Jianhua, had never mentioned his martial abilities. It was unlikely that Cheng Jianhua had become extraordinarily powerful in just a few years.
The short-haired young man beside Cheng Jianhua seemed to possess Hua Jin-level abilities. His aura was sharp and intimidating, like a sword ready to strike fear. It was clear that if this young man attacked, it would be terrifying.
Combat experience and situational changes were separate from martial skill levels. A Hua Jin master didn't necessarily have an easy win against a Dark Jin practitioner.
Observing the young man in the white shirt, Chen Yang's heart skipped a beat. This man was also at the peak of Hua Jin, yet his serene expression made him unreadable.
"You must be wondering why you didn't notice us approaching, right?" Cheng Jianhua asked Chen Yang with a slight smile.
Chen Yang chuckled lightly, maintaining a relaxed exterior while staying vigilant internally. He replied, "It's not surprising. You're a master of the mystic arts, able to sense and alter magnetic fields. You disturbed the magnetic field around me, so I couldn't detect you, correct?"
Cheng Jianhua smiled, "You're a smart man."
"Flattery," Chen Yang responded with a smile.
Cheng Jianhua continued, "You came to seek justice for Bai Yunshuang and capture me, didn't you?"
Chen Yang knew it was pointless to deny, so he said, "That was the plan, but it seems unlikely now."
Cheng Jianhua said, "Bai Yunshuang is hiding at the Golden Age Bar, clinging to life with Feng Yu's help. I've known about it all along. Her fortress seems impenetrable, but I could destroy it in a hundred ways. Do you know why I haven't?"
Chen Yang's expression hardened, and he couldn't stay relaxed. "Are you waiting for me?"
Qin Moya, listening, felt a chill. If Cheng Jianhua had been waiting for Chen Yang, it was terrifying. Could this man be a deity, predicting everything?
Thinking of ancient figures like Liu Bowen and Zhuge Liang, it didn't seem exaggerated for them to possess such prophetic abilities.
Cheng Jianhua smiled faintly, "I wasn't specifically waiting for you. I predicted that Bai Yunshuang was connected to a Destined One, who would ultimately become my doom because of her. My meticulous calculations led me to conclude that the Destined One would meet Bai Yunshuang at the Golden Age, seek revenge, and come after me. It's a complex equation."
"What is this 'Destined One' nonsense?" Chen Yang asked.
Cheng Jianhua explained without reservation, "The Destined One is chosen by fate. In the future, there will be a great shift in fortune, with heroes vying for power and chaos reigning. The Destined One is the force to suppress this chaos, chosen by the natural order."
Chen Yang squinted slightly, "This is the 21st century, an era of advanced technology and peace. Such chaos is unimaginable."
Cheng Jianhua said, "It's not about national unrest, but the natural order eliminating supernatural beings. In this era of advanced technology, there's no place for demons or monsters. These things are beyond your current understanding."
Chen Yang, ever sharp, processed Cheng Jianhua's words quickly. He grasped parts of it but not the whole. However, he understood one thing clearly. "Are you saying I'm the Destined One? That means I carry great fortune, encountering blessings amidst dangers. Opposing me would be defying fate."
Cheng Jianhua laughed heartily, "You're too naive. This isn't a TV drama with an immortal protagonist. Fate's wheel keeps turning, and we're all mere specks of dust within it. If you die, your fortune will naturally transfer to another. There will always be a next Destined One. Every era has them—Liu Bang, Xiang Yu, even Qin Er Shi Huhai, Zhu Yuanzhang, Chen Youliang, and the Xiaoming King. You are all pawns of fate, driving change. When one dies, another takes their place to complete unfinished tasks."
"The only difference for the Destined One is slightly better luck," Cheng Jianhua concluded.
Qin Moya, standing by, grasped part of it but was still confused.
Chen Yang's expression shifted slightly, "So why did you wait for me? Just to frame me for the Grandmaster's death?"
Cheng Jianhua said calmly, "The Grandmaster was indeed the most powerful in our sect. But he was too fearful of fate, stagnating and only going with the flow. Knowing the future was useless under his leadership."
"So you killed the Grandmaster to replace him?" Chen Yang asked gravely.
Cheng Jianhua smiled, "Exactly. The Grandmaster never trusted me, fearing I'd bring our sect to ruin. Therefore, he had to die." After a pause, he continued, "I waited for you to explain the Grandmaster's death and to seize your fortune, making myself a Destined One."
"You can seize fortune?" Chen Yang gasped.
"Most people can't, but I can," Cheng Jianhua said, "Now, I've answered all your questions. You can stop your phone recording."
Chen Yang's face turned odd. He had indeed started recording secretly to get Cheng Jianhua to admit to killing the Grandmaster. But Cheng Jianhua knew all along.
Chen Yang's heart sank. Cheng Jianhua's confidence implied he was sure he could capture them.
Qin Moya sensed the tension, moving closer to Chen Yang. She said sharply, "I'm a police officer. Don't try anything."
Cheng Jianhua glanced at her, "Who you are doesn't matter. You will disappear without a trace."
Qin Moya felt a chill, realizing that compared to Cheng Jianhua, Bai Yunshuang was insignificant.
Cheng Jianhua turned to Chen Yang, "I forgot to introduce them." He patted the short-haired young man's shoulder. "This is Long Xuan, a Japanese, twenty years old. Despite his age, he's killed many. Long Xuan apprenticed at six under the master of Hokushin Itto-ryu, Itada Matsuo. He trained under a hundred-foot waterfall for ten years and was a blade master by ten. At fifteen, he killed Itada Matsuo and made his name. He's killed countless masters since." He then introduced the young man in the white shirt, "This is Li Yang. He was a Major General in the military, and his marksmanship ranks in the top three among a million soldiers."
Chen Yang's eyes widened before he sneered, "I've heard of Major General Li."
Li Yang raised an eyebrow, "You know me?"
Chen Yang laughed, "You sold state secrets to an Eastern organization, becoming the nation's most wanted criminal. Of course, I've heard of you."
Li Yang's eyes flashed with a sharp light but quickly calmed.
Cheng Jianhua sighed, "Destined One, these details are trivial. The main point now is, will you come with us willingly or not?"
Chen Yang laughed coldly, "Cheng Jianhua, you're unworthy of being a Destined One. You're surrounded by monsters, your heart is impure, and you can't align with the true path of fate."
Cheng Jianhua said, "History is written by the victors. You're too naive." After a pause, he added, "But it seems you won't comply." He turned to Long Xuan, "Take him down."
Long Xuan's eyes flashed with a cold light, and he respectfully replied, "Yes, master!" He then stepped forward, emanating a palpable killing intent that raised goosebumps.
Qin Moya felt suffocated.
Chen Yang stepped in front of Qin Moya, and her breathing eased immediately.
"Step back," Chen Yang told Qin Moya.
Knowing she'd only cause trouble, Qin Moya complied.
Without Qin Moya, Chen Yang had a twenty percent chance of escaping. If he managed to kill Long Xuan, his chances rose to sixty percent. The biggest threat was Li Yang.
Li Yang hadn't drawn his gun, but as a gun master, he certainly had one. Chen Yang was wary of Li Yang's gun.