My Ares Son-in-Law

The other party was like a drop of water merging into the ocean, or a gust of wind sweeping across the wilderness, leaving no trace and disappearing without a trace.

"It seems,"

Ao Tianchen slowly walked to the head of the conference table, his voice low and hoarse, yet carrying a chilling calmness beneath which lay a volcano about to erupt: "Someone has officially declared war on me, Ao Tianchen, and on the entire martial arts world of the provincial capital."

His gaze swept over the crowd, and everyone he looked at instinctively lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes.

Finally, his gaze fell back on the sandalwood box, and a cold, ferocious smile appeared on his lips.

"it is good,"

"very good."

Just then, the encrypted dedicated phone on the conference table suddenly rang!
"Ring ring ring...!"

"Ring ring ring...!"

The shrill ringing of the bell was particularly jarring in the deathly silent room, like a death knell, making everyone's heart clench.

This phone is only connected to a few key institutions, and it will only ring in the event of an emergency that shakes the martial arts community in the provincial capital or even affects the stability of the entire province!
Ao Tianchen's hand, which was reaching for the phone, paused for a moment in mid-air.

These past few days, bad news has come one after another; every time the phone rings, it's accompanied by a disaster.

This martial arts master felt a rare sense of fear deep within his heart...

It's not that I'm afraid of powerful enemies, but rather I'm afraid of this unknown, out-of-control feeling.

It's like punching cotton.

No, he's more like he's fallen into a thick, malicious fog.

The enemy is everywhere, yet untouchable;
His opponent pressed closer and closer, but he hadn't even seen his face.

When exactly did this upheaval in the provincial capital begin?

Was it because his brother-in-law, Li Sheng, was killed?

Or even earlier, in places he couldn't see, a vast net targeting the Ao family and the New Martial Arts Association had already been quietly cast.

The phone continued to ring shrilly, as if mocking his predicament, or perhaps foreshadowing an even bigger storm to come.

Ao Tianchen took a deep breath, suppressed the turmoil in his heart, and finally pressed the answer button.

"I am Ao Tianchen."

The deep voice had barely faded when a brief yet earth-shattering report came from the other end of the phone, striking Ao Tianchen's heart like a thunderbolt!

His already ashen face suddenly lost all color, turning as pale as paper. His pupils contracted violently, as if gripped by an invisible giant hand, and even his breathing stopped for half a second!

A deathly silence spread around him.

A few seconds later, he slowly put down the receiver, his fingertips turning white from the force.

When he looked up, the turbulent waves in his bloodshot eyes had subsided, replaced by a bottomless coldness and solemnity.

His gaze swept heavily over his subordinates, who were holding their breath and waiting in the room. In an almost dreamlike tone, yet with every word carrying immense weight, he spoke, each syllable distinct:

"Just received news..."

"The provincial capital, the Qingyang Sword Sect..."

"Last night, the entire family was wiped out, not even a chicken or a dog was spared!"

The last six words, like a bell from the depths of hell, resounded loudly in the deathly silent conference room!

Time seemed to have been paused.

one second,
two seconds,

three seconds...

In the absolute silence, even the air seemed to freeze. Everyone's expression was frozen between utter shock and disbelief, pupils dilated, lips slightly parted, like statues under a spell, unable to even blink.

"hiss……!!"

Someone gasped first, and that piercing gasp acted like a fuse, instantly igniting the entire venue!

Immediately afterwards, gasps and suppressed screams rose one after another, and everyone's face was filled with horror and absurdity, as if they had heard a fairy tale!
The Qingyang Sword Sect?!
Even though its influence has waned somewhat in recent years, the Qingyang Sword Sect is a century-old, profound martial arts sect with the renowned Zhao Ruixiang and that unfathomable, mysterious old man in charge.

That old power whose disciples are all over the provincial capital, and which even the New Martial Arts Association has to give some face to?

An entire family wiped out overnight?!

Not even a chicken or a dog will be spared?!
How can this be? !
But no one dared to question it...

The source of this encrypted dedicated phone line is absolutely reliable, and the information is by no means false!

Yesterday, the head of Ao Tianchen's brother-in-law, a relative of the new martial arts association's leader, was delivered to his door as a "congratulatory gift."
Today, the Qingyang Sword Sect, which has been passed down for a hundred years, has been reduced to ashes and its entire clan has been slaughtered!

Two events, less than 24 hours apart, occurred in the provincial capital, a place teeming with hidden talents!

This is no coincidence!

This is blatant massacre!

This is a declaration of war against the entire martial arts community in the provincial capital!

A bone-chilling cold suddenly shot up from the soles of everyone's feet, up their spines and straight to the top of their heads, making the hairs on their bodies stand on end!

The landscape of the provincial capital is truly about to change!

It has become so bloody, so violent, so lawless!
Ao Tianchen took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turbulent waves churning in his chest. His voice regained the authority and coldness befitting the Western Region Chief, but with an added suffocating chill: "If I am not mistaken, the one who destroyed the Qingyang Sword Sect and the one who killed my brother-in-law and delivered this 'gift' must be the same person or the same force!"

He suddenly stood up, his posture as straight as a pine tree, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's, sweeping across the entire scene. Wherever he went, no one dared to meet his eyes: "This person acts recklessly, disregarding the rules of the martial arts world in our provincial capital and the rules of our New Martial Arts Association!"

"His intentions are despicable, and his actions deserve to be condemned!"

"Give me the order!"

Ao Tianchen's voice suddenly rose, like a thunderclap, carrying an unquestionable and absolute determination: "From this moment forward, all martial arts families, forces, and sects throughout the provincial capital shall enter a state of first-level alert!"

"The city gates are tightly shut, and checkpoints are everywhere. Any unfamiliar martial artists will be strictly investigated!"

"All intelligence networks are operating at full capacity!"

"Any unfamiliar powerful individuals who have recently appeared, whose strength is unknown, or whose behavior is abnormal, in the underground world, city streets, and major transportation routes should be listed as key targets for investigation!"

"Find him even if you have to dig three feet into the ground!"

"This person's identity is currently unknown, codename..."

Ao Tianchen paused, then squeezed out three icy words through gritted teeth, “'Devil'!”

"From this moment on, the martial arts community of the provincial capital will fight the 'devil' to the death!"

He slammed his hand on the table, shattering the mahogany table instantly and sending wood chips flying. "I want to see who dares to mess with me in this provincial capital!"

The final roar, filled with boundless rage and deep-seated hatred, echoed thunderously in the conference room, causing dust to fall from the ceiling and making everyone's hearts tremble. They all bowed and accepted the order: "Yes, Commander!"

...

A detached villa by the lake.

On the top-floor viewing terrace, Xiao Chen leaned against the white marble railing, gazing at the ceaselessly flowing river below and the brightly lit provincial capital city on the opposite bank, as if it were daytime.

The night breeze ruffled the black hair on his forehead, bringing with it the moist scent of the river and the hustle and bustle of the distant city, yet it did not disturb the tranquility in his eyes.

The phone vibrated gently in his palm. He glanced at the caller ID, his long, slender fingers pressing the answer button. His tone was flat and emotionless: "Speak." (End of Chapter)