My Ares Son-in-Law

Xiao Chen carefully helped Zhou Hongyan up from his body, his movements as gentle as if she were a fragile treasure.

Then, he led her to a relatively safe place and let her lean against a sturdy lamppost.

He looked down at his custom-made cloth outfit, which was now torn in several places and covered with thick dust and oil stains, making it look utterly wretched.

He glanced again at the menacing boulder in the deep pit, which resembled a monstrous demon with bared fangs and claws, exuding a chilling aura.

Shaking his head helplessly, Xiao Chen thought to himself: This is probably the War God Alliance cleaning up their tracks. They are always decisive and efficient in their work, which is impeccable.

But this commotion... it's enough to wake up the entire ancient city!
Completely disregarding the lives of the living below?
If he hadn't reacted quickly enough to save Zhou Hongyan at the last second, this Commander Zhou would probably have already become a meat pie under that boulder.

In that case, wouldn't this blood debt be attributed to him?
Thinking of this, Xiao Chen frowned even more, and his eyes revealed a hint of displeasure and worry.

The rapid footsteps, like a dense drumbeat, approached from afar, standing out clearly in the chaotic and noisy environment.

Before long, several men dressed in plain clothes with sharp expressions quickly surrounded them like ghosts.

Their steps were light and agile, each step seemingly calculated, and they made almost no extra sound when they landed.

Their gazes, sharp as eagle eyes, quickly swept over Zhou Hongyan, their eyes filled with concern and anxiety.

"Captain Zhou! How are you?"
Are you alright?

One of the men, a burly man, spoke first. His voice was deep and powerful, carrying an undeniable urgency.

Zhou Hongyan took a deep breath, and that breath seemed to carry an invisible force, forcibly suppressing the palpitations churning within her.

Her years as a criminal investigator honed her ability to quickly regain composure in critical moments.

At this moment, the composure of the criminal investigation captain, like a beacon in the cold night, quickly returned, replacing the fleeting vulnerability on her face.

Her gaze sharpened and hardened, like two daggers scanning the surroundings.

"Seal off the scene!"
Immediately call the command center and request fire and medical support!
Level 1 Response!

She spoke extremely fast, each word like a heavy hammer, carrying an unquestionable authority.

Her finger pointed to the smoke-filled entrance of the building, where thick smoke billowed, like a ferocious demon devouring everything.
"You guys, come up with me!"

quick! "

Her voice, like a war drum, reverberated through the chaotic air, instilling in people a sense of awe and obedience.

"Yes!"

Without hesitation, the group responded in unison, their voices clear and resonant, as if spoken by a single person.

Their bodies tensed instantly, and they shot into the chaotic building like arrows released from a bow.

Their movements were swift and orderly, weaving nimbly through the crowded throng like agile fish.

At this moment, the interior of the Nanlai Building has completely turned into a purgatory of panic.

The piercing alarm, like the howl of a demon, echoed in every corner, sending chills down one's spine.

Thick smoke billowed downwards through the ventilation ducts, like giant black pythons, rapidly engulfing the entire space. The once spacious and bright hall was now shrouded in smoke, becoming dark and oppressive, like the entrance to hell.

The terrified employees surged out of the various emergency exits like a burst dam, screaming and pushing each other.

Their faces were filled with fear and despair, and their eyes revealed a deep fear of death.

Some people staggered as if they were drunk; some were knocked to the ground by the crowd, groaning in pain, but no one paid any attention; others covered their heads with their hands and ran frantically, as if that would allow them to escape this terrible disaster.

The scene was extremely chaotic. Cries, curses, and the screams of those being trampled mingled together, creating a terrifying symphony that pierced everyone's eardrums.

Zhou Hongyan walked slowly to Xiao Chen, each step carrying the complex emotions of someone who had survived a calamity.

She slightly raised her head, her gaze falling on Xiao Chen's tattered clothes. Her expression became extremely complex, containing both gratitude and a hint of unspeakable guilt.

After a long while, she spoke softly, her voice still trembling slightly, like a candle flame flickering in the wind, as if it might be extinguished at any moment:
"Just now... I'm so grateful to you."

If it weren't for your quick reaction, I probably would be dead.

"This outfit... give me the bill later, and I'll pay you back."

Upon hearing her words, Xiao Chen's lips curled up slightly, and he tugged at the torn collar of his clothes, a gesture that carried a hint of nonchalance and unruliness.

He smiled nonchalantly, a smile as warm as the winter sun, carrying a sense of warmth and magnanimity.
"never mind.

It seems that I'm the kind of person who's just not cut out for nice clothes.

"These clothes are expensive, but they're too delicate and can't withstand any rough handling."

As he spoke, he gently patted the dust off his cloth clothes, his movements practiced and natural, as if this was something he was used to doing in his life.

His tone carried a hint of self-deprecation, as if he were both mocking himself and comforting Zhou Hongyan:

"The first time I put it on, it was ruined. My old clothes are much more reliable and can withstand a lot of wear and tear."

Wearing old clothes gives me peace of mind; I don't have to be so careful or afraid of damaging them.

Zhou Hongyan listened quietly to his words, opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something more to express her deepest gratitude and apology.

However, at that moment, her sharp gaze, like that of a well-trained hawk, quickly swept across the chaotic and fleeing crowd before her.

Amidst the noise and chaos, her pupils suddenly contracted, as if she had seen something extremely terrifying.

Her gaze was fixed on several men dressed in ordinary office shirts. They were cleverly blended into the crowd, and it would be difficult to notice anything unusual about them without careful observation.

These men moved with extraordinary speed, weaving freely through the crowded throng without a trace of panic on their faces, only an almost cold focus.

Their eyes were like poisoned knives, cold and sharp, quickly scanning the chaotic scene, especially the direction of the top floor where the explosion occurred, as if searching for something important, or waiting for some signal.

Just as one of the men turned his head to whisper and his collar was tugged, Zhou Hongyan's attention became highly focused, her gaze as precise as a laser beam.

In that instant, she clearly saw a black phoenix pattern with ancient lines and a sinister aura tattooed on the back of the man's neck!
The pattern seemed to possess a mysterious power, sending chills down one's spine upon seeing it. (End of Chapter)