Chapter One: The Awakening of the Martial Emperor

“This man is absolutely pathetic. Just because he didn’t get his allowance and his mother-in-law scolded him a bit, he runs off and tries to kill himself? Where’s his dignity?”
“A man who marries into his wife’s family, a useless good-for-nothing—what dignity could he possibly have? The fact that he’s even alive is a miracle. Heaven must be blind. He should’ve died in that accident and spared my daughter further suffering.”
“To be this much of a loser is truly rare. I don’t even see a scratch on him. He must have staged the whole thing, trying to mooch off us for the long haul.”

Listening to his mother-in-law and two sisters-in-law talking, Ling Feng slowly returned to consciousness. He remembered that yesterday morning on his way to buy groceries, he was hit by a BMW speeding recklessly down the street.

It was true that Lin Fang had scolded him for two hours before that, but he’d always turned a deaf ear—suicide had never crossed his mind.

“Mom, even with everything going on with Second Sister, he still has the nerve to play at suicide? He’s so immature. I think it’s time for Biyue to just divorce him and be done with it,” Chu Yaoyu said with disdain.

“Exactly! If not for him, Second Sister wouldn’t have gone bankrupt, wouldn’t be facing charges and possible jail time. It’s all this worthless fool’s fault,” chimed in Chu Dongmei.

“Call his godfather. Let his own family pay for his medical bills. We’re done with him. Let’s go,” Lin Fang declared.

After they left, Ling Feng sat up in bed.

“I finally remember who I am.”

He took a deep breath and tested the flow of true energy within his body. The power that had lain dormant for three years surged back like rivers rushing to the sea, true energy roiling so violently the very hospital seemed to tremble.

“If it weren’t for my protective aura activating on its own, I’d be finished.”

The restless, noisy night in Jiangzhou blazed with neon outside the window; the moonlight lay over the city and river, all visible at a glance. A shooting star streaked across the sky, vanishing in an instant—just like the birth of a great general eight years ago.

Ling Feng inhaled deeply, shook himself from his memories, paused, then picked up his phone and dialed a number from memory.

“Hello, Old Chen, it’s me.”

On the other end, a voice nearly fainted with excitement: “Your Majesty, War Emperor, you’re alive! Where have you been these three years? This old servant has missed you terribly. What happened?”

“I lost my memory.”

“How could that…”

“It’s a long story. I want to see you now. Come to Jiangzhou Hospital immediately.”

“Your servant greets the War Emperor.” In less than half an hour, Chen Hei-Bai hurried into the room, his face alight with excitement.

With his graying crew cut, about fifty years old, Chen Hei-Bai was now the richest man in Jiangzhou, yet at this moment he was overcome with tears.

Ling Feng—War God of the Dragon Kingdom, bestowed the title of War Emperor, wielding immense power.

“Your Majesty, after your disappearance, this old servant and the ten generals of the Death God Army were prepared to die in your stead… I have failed you. Please, grant your punishment.”

“I know you were waiting for my return. You are not at fault. Enough formality,” Ling Feng said with a wave of his hand. “Three years ago, I was struck by madness, pursued by enemies. Before the incident, everything I had you arrange—is it still in operation?”

Ling Feng had recovered; every gesture bore the air of a sovereign.

A sovereign, unbowed, regal, looking down on the world with unparalleled might.

After three years, feeling the War God’s presence again, Chen Hei-Bai wept with joy. “Reporting to Your Majesty, everything is in place—awaiting only your command.”

“Activate everyone. Initiate the Domination of Nine Streets plan. Tell them I have returned.”

“Yes.”

“You may go for now. Do not let the Ouyang or Ling families know I am back. I suspect they may have made a move against me three years ago.”

“Yes.”

The Ling family—his father’s clan; the Ouyang family—his mother’s. Both were among the eight great families of the Dragon Kingdom, honored by imperial decree, holders of iron-clad immunity, wealthier than nations, untouchable, their status hereditary.

Yet both were Ling Feng’s mortal enemies… The Domination of Nine Streets plan was designed as vengeance against them. Only an accident delayed his revenge for three years.

After Chen Hei-Bai left, Ling Feng called his wife, Chu Biyue, and only then learned that his wife had been sued and her hearing was today.

Outside the ICU, shocked gazes followed the tall, imposing young man. No one could understand how he had survived a collision that totaled a BMW 7 series.

“I actually got married? The mighty War Emperor, second to none but the sovereign himself, quietly married and became a doormat son-in-law—what a twist of fate.”

When Ling Feng arrived at the courthouse, he saw his mother-in-law, Lin Fang, sitting on the ground, wailing. When she saw him, she rushed over and started hitting him: “My daughter’s been detained and is about to be sentenced—it’s all your fault, you useless wretch!”

“I thought you got hit by a car. So you really did fake it for sympathy?” Chu Yaoyu sneered.

“Mom, why was Biyue detained? What happened?”

A murderous cold light flashed in Ling Feng’s eyes. He didn’t believe Chu Biyue would break the law. He knew better than anyone what kind of person his wife was—apart from looking down on him, she was nearly flawless. How could she be facing prison? Someone must have set her up.

Some people, once you let them into your heart, are there for life. After waking up, Ling Feng realized he had grown used to having Chu Biyue in his life. He was determined to handle this matter.

“It’s all because you’re so worthless! She had to go out and support the family, and now she’s bankrupt and owes Jinpeng Company two million.”

The killing intent that emanated from Ling Feng made Lin Fang shiver instinctively, her own momentum fading. She nearly thought she had mistaken him for someone else.

So that’s what happened.

With everyone looking on, Ling Feng didn’t argue further with Lin Fang and her daughters. He turned and got into a taxi, leaving behind a deep, unfathomable silhouette.

Lin Fang: “…”

Chu Dongmei: “…”

Chu Yaoyu: “…”

Why does this loser seem so different from before?

“What the hell, trying to act cool? He just left like that!”

“Who is this guy?”

“Some penniless nobody, what’s he putting on airs for?”

Once in the taxi, Ling Feng immediately called Chen Hei-Bai. “Old Chen, set up a meeting with the boss of Jinpeng Company.”

“Jinpeng Company—Your Majesty, that woman is beneath you…” Chen Hei-Bai was troubled, but dared not refuse. “Her backer is only the servant of a servant of your household’s servant. I’ll have him come to see you immediately.”

Sun the Cripple hobbled up to the Blue Café, straightened his clothes, and only then stepped inside.

“Mr. Chen, I’m here. I heard the master wishes to see me—this is the greatest fortune of my life.” Sun Fu only knew his master was a man of extraordinary status, but he didn’t know his master’s name, much less that he was the legendary War Emperor. If he had known, he would have been even more honored.

Standing beside Ling Feng, Chen Bohai introduced him with a stony face, and Sun the Cripple instantly dropped his cane and knelt before Ling Feng.

“Master, your humble servant Sun the Cripple. For ten years I have longed to see you. Today my dream has come true.”

Sun the Cripple was a top boss in Jiangzhou, infamous for his ruthlessness and the rumor that no one who crossed him survived more than three days.

Since his arrival, the café’s beautiful owner, Su Rou, had been trembling, too scared to greet her guests or run away. Most patrons had already fled.

But she could never have imagined that Sun the Cripple would kneel at the feet of that unassuming young man. What on earth was happening?

“You are not worthy to meet the master of our house, nor to speak to him. However, you recently did something significant that has drawn his attention. That’s why you’re here,” Chen Hei-Bai said coldly.

“Yes, yes.”

Sun the Cripple dared not rise or even lift his head. Hearing this, he was secretly delighted, thinking Chen Bohai was praising him.

“May I ask what I have done to earn the master’s notice?” he asked.

“You set up our master’s wife and had her sent to jail.”

“Ah!”

At these words, Sun the Cripple nearly died of fright, cold sweat pouring down his neck as he kowtowed in terror. “Master, I am innocent! Eight years ago I was nobody, and only through your favor have I come this far. How could I ever dare commit such a treacherous crime?”

Ling Feng sank deep into the sofa, his fingers tapping his thigh as he suddenly spoke: “Have you heard the name Chu Biyue?”

“Chu…no, I’ve never heard of her, never in my life.”

“Sun Fu, do you wish to die?” Chen Hei-Bai’s tone turned icy.

“I wouldn’t dare lie! I swear I’ve never heard that name,” Sun the Cripple insisted, wiping his sweat. “Uncle Chen, what should I…”

“Liu Yali is under your command…”

Sun the Cripple’s whole body jolted. So it was that woman’s doing—almost got him killed. He couldn’t protect her now.

He quickly took out his phone and called Liu Yali, ordering her to come to the Blue Café immediately.

About twenty minutes later, the café door opened and a seductive woman with glasses and long straight hair walked in.

“Boss, why are you kneeling to that loser?”