Zhao Yunhai had just used the power of the Sea God's Pearl, transforming himself into the body of the sea to render the opponent's physical attacks ineffective.
"You couldn't have survived that just now, this is unscientific."
Lone Wolf couldn't accept that he had clearly delivered a fatal blow, yet the other person stood before him perfectly intact. This was a blow to his pride.
"You want to kill me? Don't even think about it."
Lone Wolf refused to yield and never believed in fate; he was the youngest peak expert, unrivaled in the world.
A smoke bomb exploded from Lone Wolf's person, instantly filling the area with thick smoke. The dense white smoke obscured everything.
Lone Wolf had learned the trick of this smoke bomb from a martial artist who had achieved the Xiantian realm, whom he had once killed. That Xiantian martial artist had escaped from Lone Wolf's sight using a smoke bomb. After suffering that loss, Lone Wolf had obtained one himself and kept it on his person at all times.
This was a specially made smoke bomb that could pass through airport security for high-speed rail and airplanes. He had worn it around his neck. Lone Wolf hadn't expected to ever use this smoke bomb, as he had always considered it merely an ornament. Now, he was thankful he hadn't discarded this "ornament" and had kept it with him.
As the smoke cleared, Lone Wolf had vanished.
"He got away. It will be much harder to kill him next time."
Zhao Han Jin, supporting his great-grandson Zhao Le Sheng, approached Zhao Yun Hai.
"Young Master Yun, are you alright?"
Si Jin Yan, along with his team members, also rushed over. A Da and the other two seemed unfazed, standing obediently behind Young Master Yun, silent.
Zhao Yun Hai pulled a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and took a deep drag. Amidst the swirling smoke, Zhao Yun Hai revealed a sinister smile.
*Lone Wolf, do you really think you can escape my grasp? Impossible.*
This time, Lone Wolf had brought Zhao Yun Hai not only ten times the power of a peak expert but also a hidden secret. As Lone Wolf fled, Zhao Yun Hai could have easily pursued and eliminated him. However, Zhao Yun Hai did not, because Lone Wolf's identity was not simple.
It could only be said that Lone Wolf truly lived up to his protagonist status, managing to bestow a birth father and a powerful lineage upon himself in a moment of crisis. Lone Wolf's biological father was likely the patriarch of the Ji family, Ji Chang Long, who had been forced out of Jiuzhou by the Zhao clan. Ji Chang Long was a rare genius of the Ji family in a hundred years, a peak martial artist at the age of forty-two. The Ji family was the direct lineage of the Great Zhou Dynasty that had remained outside. For a long time, the Ji family had opposed the Zhao clan, and it was only decades ago that the Zhao clan finally achieved complete victory, driving the Ji family out of Jiuzhou.
As for why they didn't annihilate the Ji family entirely, if they had known the Zhao clan's true nature back then, they wouldn't have harbored any doubts about the Zhao clan. The branches of the Ji family within Jiuzhou had all been eradicated by the Zhao clan without exception; anyone listed in the family registry was dead. However, by sacrificing all their branches, the main lineage of the Ji family managed to escape with a small group of people. Those who fled abroad went into hiding, no longer the proud Ji family members of the past, but merely desperate fugitives barely surviving.
Now, decades later, Zhao Yun Hai didn't know how someone in their seventies or eighties, who had given birth to children, would not keep a close eye on them, allowing one to be left behind in Jiuzhou. As for whether people in their seventies or eighties could have children, being a peak martial artist, it was naturally possible. The Zhao clan had always wanted to find the hiding place of the Ji family abroad but had not succeeded to this day.
The reason Lone Wolf could not die now was because Lone Wolf was bait. For the fish hiding in the water to take the bait, only specialized bait would suffice. Lone Wolf was truly lucky to have managed to recognize a father like this for free. Although Zhao Yun Hai knew this was the result of Lone Wolf's protagonist halo, he could have chosen to kill Lone Wolf, unaffected by it. However, the Zhao clan's enemies were his enemies. If the Ji family was not completely eradicated, it would surely cause future trouble. He preferred to eliminate all threats at once rather than just eliminating Lone Wolf, which would yield no benefit to him.
Upon returning, Zhao Yun Hai noticed Elder Jin looking at him as if he had something to say, and he smiled.
"Elder Jin, you have something on your mind, don't you? Just say it. We are all family here, no need to be secretive."
Zhao Han Jin asked, puzzled, "Why did you let him go? With the peak expert aura you displayed just now, you and I could have killed him on the spot."
Zhao Han Jin had voiced the question that Si Jin Yan was most curious about. A Da and the other two, who had been on the same communication channel as Young Master Yun, naturally knew the reason.
"Just as I was about to make my move, my family contacted me through the earpiece, suspecting that Lone Wolf might be the son of Ji Chang Long from back then, so I let him go for now."
"The family will spread news abroad that a descendant of the Ji family has appeared in Jiuzhou."
After Zhao Yun Hai's explanation, Zhao Han Jin and Zhao Le Sheng understood.
"Isn't that too coincidental?" Zhao Le Sheng voiced the (reader's) doubt. Zhao Han Jin nodded in agreement.
"It is a bit coincidental. Where did that scoundrel Ji Chang Long get such good luck, that his son is a peak expert?"
"I thought Lone Wolf's face looked familiar before, turns out he's the spawn of that scoundrel Ji Chang Long."
Zhao Yun Hai noticed Elder Jin's address for Ji Chang Long, clearly indicating a past grievance between them.
"That scoundrel Ji Chang Long fancied a woman back then, and I intercepted her," Zhao Han Jin boasted with a smile to everyone, recounting his triumphant moment.
"Then why do you still call him a scoundrel, Great-Grandpa? Shouldn't he be the one calling you a scoundrel?" Zhao Le Sheng asked, in a rather risky manner.
Zhao Han Jin gazed deeply at his great-grandson, saying with immense resentment, "That was because your Great-Grandfather's skills were inferior then. Ji Chang Long caught him in the act, and my woman was killed by him on the spot."
"Hahaha..." Zhao Yun Hai burst into laughter, realizing Elder Jin had such a romantic history. Zhao Le Sheng couldn't help but laugh along with Brother Yun Hai, but as he laughed, he felt something was wrong.
"My good great-grandson, what are you laughing at?" Zhao Han Jin stroked his grandson's head, smiling in a very gentle tone. A Da, Si Jin Yan, and the others suppressed their laughter, not daring to make a sound. Elder Jin's status was not something they could laugh at.
Ah!!!
Zhao Le Sheng let out a miserable scream. Zhao Yun Hai watched with profound sympathy, a grin still on his face.
"Grandpa, Great-Grandpa, I was wrong." Zhao Le Sheng felt as if his bones were loosened and his body was falling apart. He lay on the ground, wailing.
"Kid, your bones are good. You're material for martial arts training. You're already at the late stage of Dark Energy at this age. Are you living up to your talent?" Zhao Han Jin said, filled with disappointment.