A silver-grey Rolls-Royce Phantom, understated yet luxurious and exuding dominance, led the procession.
The car door opened, and a young man with fair skin, dressed in a bespoke suit, stepped out.
This young man sported dreadlocks, a style common among Black people, and a small mustache on his upper lip. His attire, however, betrayed the peculiar rigidity and meticulousness often seen in Japanese individuals.
His overall appearance was a jarring mismatch, creating a sense of profound contradiction.
Simultaneously, several burly men in black suits and white shirts emerged from each car. They all had fierce expressions and imposing demeanors.
They lined up neatly in front of Chen Xiao and Araki Shinko.
Everyone bowed respectfully to Araki Shinko and exclaimed in unison, "Welcome home, Patriarch!"
The simultaneous shout from dozens of men created a thunderous impact.
Tourists who had just exited the airport turned their gazes towards them, a mixture of confusion and shock on their faces.
At this moment, Li Yunji understood why he had been beaten. Damn it, he had kicked an iron plate!
Araki Shinko frowned slightly and asked the man with dreadlocks and a mustache, "Araki Yoji, what is this all about?"
"Patriarch, we are welcoming you home!"
The mustached man replied with a smile.
"Who arranged this?"
Araki Shinko's gaze sharpened, as she had not informed her family of her return in advance.
Furthermore, even if she had, there was no reason for such a grand reception.
The man with the mustache was named Araki Yoji, a child of Araki Shinko's third uncle. He was only half a year younger than Araki Shinko.
He had grown up in the United States and only joined the family business after reaching adulthood.
Therefore, he possessed both the conservatism and rigor of the Japanese and the adventurous, bold, and pioneering spirit of Americans.
He was a contradictory figure within the entire Araki family.
Due to these two conflicting traits, he had become second only to Araki Shinko among the younger generation of the Araki clan.
"Grandfather arranged it. Grandfather said that your trip abroad was on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor, and you deserve the treatment of a national hero."
Araki Yoji smiled and then his gaze fell upon Chen Xiao, asking as if casually, "Patriarch, may I inquire about this gentleman's identity?"
"Do not ask what you shouldn't, you are not worthy of knowing this gentleman's esteemed status," Araki Shinko said coldly.
A flicker of gloom clearly crossed Araki Yoji's eyes, but he quickly concealed it and said with a forced smile, "Patriarch, please get into the car with this esteemed gentleman."
Araki Shinko cast a questioning glance at Chen Xiao, who nodded slightly.
Araki Yoji made a gesture of invitation and personally opened the car door for Araki Shinko, attending to her as if he were a chauffeur.
Japanese society had always been like this, with a clear hierarchy.
Even though Araki Yoji was Araki Shinko's cousin, before that, they were first and foremost superior and subordinate.
Araki Yoji drove himself, carrying Chen Xiao and Araki Shinko, towards the Araki family's estate.
The other vehicles in the convoy followed closely behind, their presence imposing and grand.
The Araki family's estate was located deep in the mountains, requiring a drive after leaving the city.
Shortly after leaving the city, Araki Yoji suddenly stopped the car.
"My apologies, Patriarch, I seem to have eaten something bad and need to use the restroom."
Araki Yoji clutched his stomach and pointed to a public restroom by the roadside.
Araki Shinko displayed a hint of impatience and said coldly, "Be quick."
"Yes, yes, yes, I will be, I will be!"
Araki Yoji bowed repeatedly to Araki Shinko in apology and then hurried off after getting out of the car.
As soon as he rushed into the public restroom, he immediately pulled out a black remote control and pressed the red button.
Boom—
A massive explosion suddenly erupted, with flames reaching the sky. A mushroom cloud rose towards the heavens!
Araki Yoji emerged from the restroom, watching the soaring flames.
He pulled out a cigar, lit it, and took a deep puff, a satisfied smile on his face.
He made a phone call and said faintly, "It's done!"
With that, he hung up.
At this moment, the men in suits also emerged from the other vehicles, all converging towards the fiery inferno.
Araki Yoji stood with his hands on his hips, taking another deep drag of his cigar, admiring his masterpiece with pride.
"Sister, oh sister, you are truly a foolish woman, you've ruined a winning hand."
"I thought I would never have the chance to surpass you, that I would always be beneath you. I never expected you to be so foolish and betray the Emperor."
"And you even dared to bring that Chinese piglet to Japan. They say I'm the most reckless person in the Araki clan, but I think you're far bolder than I am."
Araki Yoji muttered to himself, with a face full of mockery, towards the flames, like a madman.
However, at that very moment, two figures suddenly walked out of the fire.
Instantly, everyone's faces registered utter shock.
Araki Yoji himself was stunned, his eyes filled with disbelief.
For he had watched with his own eyes as Chen Xiao and Araki Shinko emerged from the flames, and more importantly, completely unharmed!
How was this possible?
The bomb in the car was personally planted by him. The amount of explosives was enough to instantly blow two adult elephants into pieces.
Moreover, even the car was blown to smithereens. How could these two people be unharmed?
"My foolish younger brother, do you think a bomb of this magnitude could kill me? Don't forget, your sister's name is Araki Shinko!"
Araki Shinko's expression was calm, showing no anger at being betrayed by her own family.
In fact, when she saw Araki Yoji greeting her with so many people, she had already suspected their ill intentions.
However, she hadn't expected Araki Yoji to be so foolish as to resort to such a crude method as blowing up a car to deal with her.
Let alone having a master with unfathomable strength by her side, even without him, a mere bomb couldn't finish her!
"Baga yaro, Araki Shinko, you wretched woman, you have committed treason and angered Grandfather and the God of Swordsmanship, Takateraji. Today, I will, on behalf of the Araki family, execute you here..."
Before he could finish speaking, he heard the Chinese man opposite him stretching and saying, "I've been sitting on this plane for so long, I'm tired. A little stretching will do me good!"
Immediately after, everyone saw Chen Xiao's figure flicker, and he appeared before Araki Yoji, delivering a slap.
With a muffled thud, Araki Yoji's head exploded into a mist of blood.
Chen Xiao had merely stretched his muscles, and Araki Yoji, the young talent of the Araki family second only to Araki Shinko, had met his demise, dying with regret in the northwest!
His dozens of subordinates were also ruthless killers, as evidenced by the firearms tucked into their belts.
However, they had never witnessed such a method of killing before. For a moment, they stood frozen, unsure of what to do...