Xu Que pressed down on Chen Tianfang's mouth, drawing a serrated knife slowly across his neck. "I know you're terrified," he murmured, "but rest assured, I won't let you make a sound."
Ma Tang and his men winced at the sight. They wanted to leave but dared not move without Xu Que's permission. Sensing their unease, Xu Que smiled and said, "All right, you may go. Just bring me the remaining members of the Chen family."
"Thank you, Mr. Xu," Ma Tang bowed deferentially. He led the group out, leaving Xu Que alone with his quarry.
Xu Que leaned close to Chen Tianfang's ear, whispering, "So, this is the 'power' you were so proud of? Somehow, it feels less menacing than mine."
Chen Tianfang knew his fate was sealed, his fear deepening as the realization set in—no one was coming to save him.
"Well then, it's time to bid you farewell." As Xu Que's voice fell, horror filled Chen Tianfang's face. The pain was excruciating, Xu Que's knife moving with torturous slowness. He wanted Chen Tianfang to feel it—the same suffering Xu Que endured in his past life, magnified a thousandfold. Blood trickled down, and finally, Chen Tianfang succumbed to the agony.
Xu Que spat dismissively at the half-severed head. "Pathetic, not even as resilient as Ji Boda."
With a firm twist of his hand, Chen Tianfang's head rolled across the ground.
"Ahh…satisfying." Xu Que stretched, putting away his knife. Casting a glance outside, he reentered the villa.
In less than half an hour, two vehicles arrived outside the manor. As the car doors opened, a storm of curses erupted.
"You dogs from the Special Bureau! I've spent so much money on you lot, and this is the thanks I get?" Chen Yunxiang raged, struggling against his restraints.
"Let me go, you worthless fools! I am Chen Tianhao, and my father is Chen Yunxiang!"
When the father and son locked eyes, they fell silent. Ma Tang approached, standing before the two men. "Chen Yunxiang, for colluding with the Chaisfield family in Y Nation and selling out national secrets, you are hereby sentenced to death for treason."
"Chen Tianhao, for murder, resource theft, and assault, your sentence is also death."
"Ma Tang, what do you mean by this? Explain yourself!" Chen Tianhao's voice rose in fury, but Ma Tang ignored him, signaling his men to lead the prisoners inside.
"Ma Tang, you traitorous dog! You won't die in peace!"
Listening to the furious curses from outside, Xu Que emerged from the villa, freshly bathed and dressed in clean clothes.
"You must be Xu Que," Chen Yunxiang spat.
"Indeed. Good eye." Xu Que smiled.
"You wiped out my entire family. Don't you fear the retribution awaiting you?"
"That's no concern of yours," Xu Que replied, waving his hand dismissively. "I had intended to let you die slowly, but I just took a bath and changed into clean clothes. So, I've decided to grant you a swift end."
"You—"
Before Chen Tianhao could finish, a flash of Xu Que's sword severed him in two. Chen Yunxiang didn't flinch, staring blankly as if the body before him meant nothing to him.
"Ah, the old ones truly are the toughest." Xu Que smiled.
"When I betrayed my country, I accepted this outcome," Chen Yunxiang said with a hint of resignation. "I just hadn't expected Abyss to rewrite the rules of the game."
Xu Que nodded in agreement. "Indeed, the advent of Abyss reshaped the order, forcing normalcy to the edge."
"Now that I am powerless to stop you, will you answer a few of my final questions?" Chen Yunxiang asked.
"Speak, and I shall answer honestly," Xu Que replied with indifference.
Chen Yunxiang looked up, his eyes fixed on the rankings in the sky. "Are you the one who holds first place in the 'Heavenly Power Rankings'?"
"No." Xu Que answered solemnly, meeting Chen Yunxiang's gaze.
The response surprised Chen Yunxiang, but he pressed on. "Then surely you hold the first place in the 'Territory Rankings'?"
"Also no." Xu Que spread his hands in feigned helplessness.
"What about an artifact?" Chen Yunxiang's eyes burned with a last, desperate hope.
Xu Que brandished his black sword. "Look at this sword. Do you think it's a divine artifact?"
Chen Yunxiang's spirits deflated. He sensed Xu Que's honesty yet felt an odd emptiness. His questions exhausted, he sighed and asked, "Tell me, then—where do you stand on these rankings?"
Xu Que grinned, "That old blacksmith with the red nose, in the 'Forging Rankings.' That's me."
"Ah, I see," Chen Yunxiang chuckled ruefully. "I suppose climbing the ranks does offer immense opportunities."
"What happened to your hand?" Xu Que inquired.
"Age catches up with everyone," he replied.
"Well then, since your questions are done, it's time for you to depart." Xu Que raised his sword.
With a serene smile, Chen Yunxiang closed his eyes. "I'll be waiting for you below."
With a swift slice, Xu Que sent Chen Yunxiang's head flying.
"Did you really think I wouldn't notice?" Xu Que muttered disdainfully. With a quick slice to Chen Yunxiang's leg, he exposed a hidden transmitter embedded in his skin.
Xu Que sneered, examining the tiny device. "You won't be meeting me below, old man. But perhaps you'll find solace with your friends in the Chaisfield family."
...
After Xu Que annihilated the Chen family, Z Nation promptly broadcasted news about the downfall of the Imperial Hunter Company and the Chen family's treasonous crimes. Citizens seethed, clamoring for justice.
"It's chaos in Z Nation," remarked one commentator from M Nation. "Reminds me of the old dynasty in history books."
"Wake up!" a Z citizen retorted. "The old dynasty fell three hundred years ago. Our country is safe and strong—unlike some nations where ordinary lives are worth nothing."
"Z Nation's heroes, please, come to H Nation! Only the coastal cities remain habitable here," begged another commentator in H language.
"Save us in R Nation too! We're neighbors—you should prioritize us!" came a voice in R language.
But the Internet, fickle and unforgetting, quickly moved past the Chen family's demise as online arguments took hold.
...
Meanwhile, at the Chaisfield estate, Majorlo struck his cane in frustration. "Damn that Z Nation! How did they learn of the Chen family's connection to us?"
"Perhaps the Chen family still managed to relay some valuable information before they fell," Lacey replied with a smile.
"And what information would that be?" Mael asked eagerly.
Lacey lifted a document, grinning. "The identity of Xu Que, our one and only master forger in the 'Forging Rankings.'"
"Master forger?" Mael sneered. "Just another blacksmith, nothing more."
"Imbecile," Lacey retorted, tossing a stack of blueprints before him. "Take a good look at these designs—every last one forged by that blacksmith."