Chapter 147: Salute, Nameless Heroes

In those unknown corners, the names and stories of heroes seem to be covered by a thick layer of dust, waiting for the day when the shroud of evil is completely swept away so they can see the light of day once more and shine brightly.

Li Chao gently shook the wine bottle in his hand, his gaze piercing through the crowd of people lost in the dazzling lights and intoxicating nightlife, a ripple stirring within his heart: "Who says life is always calm and uneventful? It is simply because someone is silently bearing all the heavy burdens in places you cannot see."

He softly unscrewed the cap and slowly poured the clear liquor onto the ground, as if paying tribute to those silent, unsung heroes. That low, respectful voice, though as light as a breeze, carried a profound emotional weight.

Time slipped away quietly thus. In the blink of an eye, the night deepened, and the clock's hands silently pointed past ten o'clock. Deep inside the club, within a dimly lit private room, three figures were puffing on cigarettes, enjoying a moment of tranquility. The glowing tips of the cigarettes flickered under the dim lights like pairs of blood-red eyes, emitting an eerie and mysterious glow.

At that moment, a tall figure stood quietly by the window, seemingly isolated from the outside world. From this vantage point, the club's dance floor was laid out in full view, bustling with noise and extravagance.

"Hey, boss, you've been standing there for almost half an hour. Did you catch your eye on some girl?" a tall, slender youth with an exaggerated silver skull necklace hanging from his neck asked, blowing smoke rings with a teasing tone. His smile hid a trace of wicked intent.

"Cut the nonsense, things are tight lately!" A bearded, burly man beside him narrowed his eyes, his tone serious. "If boss wants to have some fun, we can just spend the money, but don't stir up trouble! If the Enforcement Team comes knocking, it'll be a real headache!"

"What's the fun in buying it with money?" The silver-adorned youth curled his lips in disdain. "It's the kind of woman who struggles and refuses, the ones we drag back by force—playing with them is what's truly thrilling!" As he spoke, his smile grew increasingly ferocious, resembling a beast about to hunt.

Just then, the man by the window slowly turned around. With neat short hair and eyebrows like drawn swords, his gaze radiated an undeniable power. A striking scar was carved across his face, and whenever he narrowed his eyes, it felt as though one were being locked onto by a venomous snake or a fierce beast, sending chills straight down the spine.

He spoke slowly, his voice low and slightly hoarse, carrying a trace of unperceived anxiety: "Don't you all feel that there are far fewer people in the club today?"

The youth with the silver skull necklace waved his hand dismissively and laughed, "Business always has its ups and downs, boss. Aren't you being a bit too paranoid?" His face was plastered with ease and nonchalance.

The scarred man touched his chin, narrowing his eyes in deep thought, his brow tightly furrowed as if pondering some matter of life and death.

Right then, the door creaked open, and a man wearing a trench coat, a hat, and a face mask walked in. As he removed his mask, he panted heavily and said, "After getting separated last time, I finally managed to find this place! I'm exhausted!" His voice was laced with fatigue and relief.

Seeing this, the silver-adorned youth on the sofa immediately tossed away his cigarette, stood up, and opened his arms to give the newcomer a big hug. "Ha! Brother Four, I've missed you to death! Now that you're here, our brotherhood is finally complete!" His face radiated an uncontainable excitement.

Huh?

The speaker spoke without intention, but the listener interpreted it deeply. The scarred man's brow furrowed once more, his expression turning gloomy instantly. He shouted urgently to the people in the room: "No! We can't stay in this place! Let's go, now!" His tone was filled with unquestionable authority.

The youth with the silver skull necklace looked bewildered. "Boss, why the rush?" His face was full of confusion.

The scarred man glared at him coldly. "Stop chattering! Move!" His gaze exuded an irresistible force.

Seeing this, the others dared not say another word. They hurriedly packed their belongings and prepared to evacuate. The scarred man walked at the very back. Just as he reached the doorway, a muffled thud echoed, and the door was kicked wide open. Immediately after, an authoritative and resounding voice exploded like thunder: "Enforcement Team! Drop your weapons and surrender obediently!"

The voice was charged with an irresistible power, instilling awe in everyone who heard it. The people in the room were no ordinary thugs, and at that moment, they instantly realized what was happening. Instead of fleeing, they pulled out handguns and charged forward.

In an instant, gunfire erupted continuously. The entire club descended into utter chaos. The dense gunfire cracked like popping beans within the previously bustling venue, and people screamed in terror, scrambling in all directions as the scene spiraled into complete disorder.

At that moment, countless Enforcement Team members stationed in various hidden spots revealed themselves. Some evacuated the crowd, while others occupied advantageous positions to prevent the suspects from escaping. They were well-trained and acted swiftly, displaying a high level of professional competence.

Sitting in the corner, Li Chao and Duan Tian straightened up and watched the distance. Both of their expressions were serious and focused, closely monitoring the situation's development.

Bang!

With a muffled crash, the glass on the second floor shattered. Following closely, two figures leaped down from the heights. One was the scarred man, and the other was the youth with the silver skull necklace. Their bodies cut through the air like falling meteors. Evidently, realizing they could not escape through the door, they had chosen an alternative route.

However, they were met with another barrage of dense gunfire, as the Enforcement Team had already deployed numerous men below. The bullets rained down like a storm, leaving no room for escape.

The scarred man had prepared for this. With a swift grab, he yanked the youth who had jumped down with him directly in front of himself as a human shield. His movement was swift and ruthless, without a moment of hesitation.

Puff! Puff! Puff!

Bullets slammed into the youth, kicking up bursts of bloody mist. The young man's eyes widened in disbelief, unable to fathom until his dying breath that the boss he trusted so deeply would use his body to block bullets at the critical moment! His gaze was filled with despair and utter disbelief.

This truly was: I'd thrust my ribs out for my boss, yet my boss stabbed me in the back twice!

Everything happened in a split second. Using his companion to block the Enforcement Team's bullets from below, the scarred man landed steadily, casually grabbed a square table from nearby, and hurled it forward!

A whole group of Enforcement Team members went down. The square table acted like a massive shield, its momentum terrifying. Taking advantage of this opening, the scarred man crouched low and rushed forward like a civet cat.

He did not take the club's main entrance. Ordinarily, the main entrance would undoubtedly have countless guns waiting for him. Instead, he headed toward a distant corner. There, a hidden door existed—one prepared by the club to deal with sudden Enforcement Team raids, and an escape route he had studied long ago.

His figure darted swiftly through the chaos like a phantom. Running and leaping, he blended his movements seamlessly into the turbulent environment with effortless grace. His actions were agile and flexible, resembling a leopard darting freely through the jungle.

The hidden door was right before his eyes. It felt as though freedom and salvation were within immediate reach.

Yet, the next second, a figure chewing on a toothpick suddenly appeared right in front of him, blocking his path.

It was Duan Tian! His appearance stood like an insurmountable barrier.

The scarred man sensed trouble. But having come this far, changing his route was utterly impossible. With a furious roar, he clenched his fist and smashed it directly toward Duan Tian's position.

The wind whistled, carrying immense power. A faint glow even flickered in front of his fist! This was clearly nearing the level of the Profound Realm. With a bit more time and opportunity, a breakthrough was imminent!

And Duan Tian simply stood there, bending slightly to prepare for combat. His gaze was steadfast and calm, like a lion about to pounce on its prey.

Waiting until the opponent's fist was mere inches away, Duan Tian suddenly unleashed his strength. An astonishing surge of power erupted from his entire body as he threw his fist forward to meet the attack.

Boom!

The two fists collided! At the moment of impact, the air itself seemed to tremble.

The scarred man felt as though he had struck a steel plate. Every bone in his fingers quivered, and the shock forced him to stagger back four or five steps. His blood surged, rushing upward. His face turned pale instantly, his eyes filled with shock and terror.

Damn it! An expert!

Although the scarred man had never met Duan Tian, a single exchange told him he was utterly no match for the person before him, and no other escape routes remained. His heart was flooded with despair and resentment.

What now?

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Li Chao sitting to the side. A sudden grin crossed his face.

Swish!

He lunged forward with blinding speed, grabbing Li Chao and roaring at the top of his lungs: "Let me go! Or I'll kill him!" His voice turned sharp and piercing due to extreme tension.

He believed that as long as he held a hostage, the other party wouldn't dare act rashly. Once he made it out through this hidden door, capturing him again would be nearly impossible! His eyes revealed the madness of a desperate gambler.

Seeing this action, Duan Tian froze on the spot. Li Chao was even more dumbfounded.

What the hell? Are you kidding me? I only came here to watch the show! How did I get dragged into this?!

Li Chao's inner world was filled with helplessness and annoyance. Originally, Li Chao had intended to quietly play the role of a spectator and watch Duan Tian handle things. Being dragged into it like this was far too sudden! The unexpected turn of events caught him completely off guard.

Duan Tian looked at the scarred man with a complex expression, shaking his head as he said, "Your luck is truly terrible!" His tone carried a hint of pity.

Thinking Duan Tian was commenting on his strength, the scarred man tightened his grip on Li Chao and continued to shout: "Cut the crap! Let me go! Otherwise, I'll kill..." His voice grew increasingly vicious.

Before he could finish his sentence, he stopped dead in his tracks.

In his field of vision, a burst of light suddenly erupted from the hostage in his hands. Before he even had a chance to react, the hostage counter-grabbed his arm.

With a powerful swing!

The scarred man's body traced an arc through the air before crashing heavily onto a table.

Crack!

The table shattered! Who knew how many bones in the scarred man's body had broken. A wave of agonizing pain washed over him, instantly stripping him of any ability to resist.

Duan Tian stepped forward, looked at the struggling scarred man, and sighed again, "I told you your luck was bad! If you had fought me, you might have had a one-percent chance of winning, but running into this person means you don't even have a chance to fight back!" Duan Tian's tone was heavy with helplessness.

The scarred man felt like crying without tears. Had he known the person sitting beside them was also an absolute powerhouse, he would never have rushed forward so recklessly! But now, saying anything was too late. Regret came too late.

The matter was resolved.

Swish, swish, swish!

The Enforcement Team rushed forward with weapons drawn, surrounding the scarred man. Duan Tian and Li Chao stood to the side, both looking somewhat fatigued.

A few minutes later, the second floor grew quiet as well. Evidently, the operation had concluded. Duan Tian and Li Chao could be of no further help with the aftermath. The Enforcement Team members escorted the prisoners away, cordoned off the scene, took photographs, and handled the follow-up procedures in a highly methodical manner. The atmosphere at the scene remained tense and solemn.

A few minutes later, a dignified-looking middle-aged man in uniform walked over, shook hands with Duan Tian and Li Chao, and expressed his gratitude: "This operation's success is entirely thanks to the support and assistance of the Dragon Group! Otherwise, this guy would have slipped away again!"

"Tomorrow, I will personally write a report and submit it to the provincial level to detail Captain Duan's contribution!" His words were filled with gratitude and respect.

Duan Tian smiled and replied, "You're too polite! It's hardly worth mentioning as a contribution. It's simply what we ought to do." His smile radiated humility and sincerity.

After chatting a bit longer, Duan Tian led Li Chao away. Walking down the street outside, Duan Tian chuckled, "We worked together quite well back there!" He patted Li Chao's shoulder with a familiar and friendly gesture.

Li Chao replied, "I was forced into it! I couldn't just stand by and do nothing!" He shrugged helplessly.

Dropping the teasing tone, Duan Tian looked at the pedestrians on the street and said seriously, "He was just unlucky that he grabbed you today. But what if he had taken an ordinary person as a hostage?" His tone grew heavy.

Pausing for a moment, he continued, "To be honest, I'm not great at grand speeches. Bringing you along today was simply to let you see what we usually do. If we hadn't shown up today, that bastard would have continued committing atrocities."

"In truth, the Dragon Group is like a sword hidden within the night. No one knows it's there, but it continually uses its own strength to sever those dark hands and protect the happiness and peace of the ordinary people." Duan Tian's gaze was filled with steadfast conviction and pride, shining brightly in the night.

"Without the Dragon Group, cultivators would run completely unchecked, and there's no telling what kind of hazard they would pose to society. I believe the Dragon Group is truly great. Honestly... would you consider joining?" Duan Tian looked at Li Chao sincerely, his eyes full of anticipation.

This time, Li Chao did not refuse outright. He looked out into the night, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Give me a few days to think about it, and I'll give you an answer!" His expression was somewhat conflicted, his inner self seemingly wrestling with a tough decision.

Duan Tian was right. The Dragon Group was undoubtedly great and noble. Yet Li Chao couldn't immediately elevate his own mindset to such a lofty level. He needed time to think it over.

Seeing Li Chao's reaction, Duan Tian pressed no further. The two parted ways at the street corner. Duan Tian headed off elsewhere, while Li Chao returned to his own Nanshan Hotel to rest.

Soaking in the hot springs and enjoying a late-night snack completely washed away his fatigue. The warm spring water enveloped his body, bringing him incomparable comfort, while the delicious food satisfied his palate and delivered delightful pleasure.

Returning to his room, he practiced the Starry Body Tempering Art for a while. Though invisible to the naked eye, Li Chao could distinctly feel his tendons and bones undergoing continuous transformation. Those endless streams of stelar energy acted like fire, refining his physique.

Through a hundred trials of hardship, steel is forged!

The resilience of his body was growing stronger by the day. At this rate, it wouldn't be long before he reached the limit and advanced to the next stage. Every cultivation session brought him one step closer to a higher realm.

At that moment, another thought crossed Li Chao's mind. According to the Hidden Gate's classification of cultivation levels, advancing further undoubtedly grew harder. Take Profound Realm practitioners, for example—there weren't many of them to begin with. As for the Earth Realm above that—the Grandmaster level—they were even scarcer, perhaps only three or four in an entire province.

That lofty realm filled Li Chao with both longing and immense pressure.

Under normal circumstances, improving one's cultivation required innate talent first, followed by massive resources, and finally opportunity. Only then could one achieve a realm unattainable by ordinary cultivators.

Yet ever since acquiring the ancient tower and beginning his cultivation, apart from this volume of the Starry Body Tempering Art, he hadn't used a single external resource. And yet, his cultivation continued to skyrocket unstoppably. Li Chao even felt as though he lacked any so-called bottlenecks; once his power accumulated sufficiently, he simply stepped into the next realm.

How should he put it? It felt like a stream—constant and unending, day by day gathering into a river, and continuing to accumulate until it became an ocean!

It flowed naturally, as effortless as eating and drinking compared to others. Could it be because the grade of this cultivation technique was simply too high? Li Chao wasn't certain either. His mind remained filled with questions and contemplation.

...

Night passed.

Waking up the next morning, Li Chao found that the wound on his arm had completely healed and scabbed over. Ever since practicing the Starry Body Tempering Art, not only had his skin's defensive capabilities increased, but his recovery speed had also accelerated immensely. The healed wound looked as though it had never existed.

After washing up, Li Chao gave Liu Dan a call. Today was the graduation ceremony. He should have attended yesterday, but other matters had delayed him, so he definitely had to go now.

Hearing that Li Chao could make it, Liu Dan was overjoyed. After exchanging a few words, Li Chao hailed a cab and headed straight for the Adult Finance College.

Sitting in the taxi, Li Chao casually flipped through his phone and was soon drawn to a local news article—a summary report of yesterday's operation. Naturally, no mention of the Dragon Group appeared in it. After all, the department operated in the shadows and could not be exposed to ordinary people.

Li Chao scanned the report roughly. At the very end of the article, he spotted a commendation notice. The person being commended was none other than the undercover operative who had tragically died at the hands of the violent criminals. His certificate and reward money had been collected on his behalf by his wife, accompanied by a photograph. Now that the case was closed, the hero's name and deeds could be made public, and his family no longer needed to be kept in the dark.

Seeing the photograph, Li Chao froze.

In the picture, a seemingly frail woman clutched her husband's memorial portrait and honorary certificate, smiling while tears streamed down her face.

She was none other than... the female taxi driver who had given him a ride yesterday!

A wave of indescribable, complex emotion welled up in Li Chao's heart.

It turned out to be her. Li Chao genuinely hadn't expected it.

Sighing softly and pondering for a moment, he called Duan Tian and informed him of the matter. Upon hearing it, Duan Tian was deeply moved as well.

Li Chao asked Duan Tian for his bank account number, stating he wanted to send over the taxi fare so Duan Tian could pass it along to the female driver. Duan Tian provided the account, though he found it rather strange. Transferring taxi fare via bank transfer over a few dozen bucks?

A minute later, Duan Tian's text message alert chimed. Opening it, he froze instantly.

Bank account credited with... ten million.

Remarks: Taxi fare.

Duan Tian remained silent for several minutes before smiling and murmuring to himself, "The Hall Master truly didn't misjudge him! This kid is a keeper!" His smile was full of appreciation and gratification.

...

After transferring the money to Duan Tian, Li Chao felt a bit more at ease. True, their meeting had been purely coincidental, but knowing the truth, Li Chao still felt compelled to do something for the hero's family. While giving money directly might seem a bit cliché, for many people, money was often the most practical and effective solution to their problems.

He silently prayed that the woman and her family would live in peace and safety for the rest of their lives.

The taxi continued moving forward. Before long, it arrived at the Adult Finance College. Paying the fare, Li Chao stepped out and walked inside.

The so-called graduation ceremony was essentially a mere formality—speeches by leadership, presentation of certificates, and commemorative photos, after which it essentially concluded. The scene appeared lively yet carried a sense of procedural monotony.

Wrapping up those tasks, Liu Dan spotted Li Chao standing in the distance and lunged straight toward him.

Two soft cushions pressed against him.

Phew.

The familiar feeling!

The familiar fragrance!

"I've packed all my things. How did your side of things turn out?" Liu Dan asked, her eyes full of concern.

"I didn't have any major issues!" Li Chao smiled.

"Alright then!" Liu Dan nodded.

The two of them walked back to the dormitory together. On the way, Li Chao called Liu Lele, Liu Zhenhua, and Duan Tian respectively to inform them of his return to Li Family Village. Liu Lele and Duan Tian didn't say much. Only Liu Zhenhua mentioned a few words about Yuan Yang, telling him that the body had been sent back, but the attitude of the people from Yuan Family Village was somewhat unfriendly, advising Li Chao to be careful.

Li Chao nodded to acknowledge the warning.

With those calls finished, they reached Liu Dan's dormitory. Coming here hadn't required much, but leaving required organizing two massive duffel bags and a suitcase.

Well! A woman going out truly was like moving a house.

Carrying the bags, Li Chao escorted Liu Dan away. The two had lunch together at the school gate, hailed a taxi, agreed on a price, and set off toward Li Family Village.

...

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the provincial capital in Zhongzhou Province, within Yuan Family Village, an entirely different scene unfolded. In the middle of the village stood an ancestral hall with archaic architecture, its architectural style heavy with the marks of time, looking solemn and mysterious.