Chapter 25: Reserve Members

In a grand estate on the outskirts of T City, a young man stood respectfully before an elder seated at the head of the main hall. “Sir, this Lin Fan is twenty-four years old, and only recently returned from abroad. He has a single elder sister, Lin Yan. Their parents died in an accident when Lin Fan was fifteen, after which he disappeared. For the past nine years, there’s been no trace of him—no records at all. However, there is a mercenary leader known internationally as the head of Dragon Soul, also named Lin Fan. I doubt they’re the same person, though. The formidable leader of Dragon Soul wouldn’t return to China alone, only to be picked up by the police.”

“I see. You may go now,” the old man said, waving his hand dismissively.

He then turned to the elderly man beside him, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Xiao Wu, do you think these two Lin Fans are one and the same?” he asked, sipping his tea with a smile.

To call a man well into his sixties “Xiao Wu” might have shocked any bystander, but the old gentleman seemed to enjoy the familiarity. Xiao Wu chuckled. “Whether they’re the same or not, you’ll make that call anyway, won’t you? I suspect young Rui’er has taken quite a liking to this fellow.”

The old man laughed heartily, and with a measured motion, dialed a number on his phone…

Inside the jail cell, Lin Fan remained silent, smoking quietly as if awaiting something. The air was thick with the scent of tobacco. “Give me one,” Hu Zifeng, who had been silent until now, suddenly opened his eyes, looking exhausted as he addressed Lin Fan.

A glint flashed in Lin Fan’s eyes, his lips curving into a slight smile as he handed over a cigarette. “Follow me, and I’ll help you get your revenge.”

Earlier, Lin Fan had sensed the murderous intent radiating from Hu Zifeng when he confronted Wei Liang; it was clear there was a deep vendetta between them. The eagle tattooed on Hu Zifeng’s arm with a particular method had also sparked certain thoughts in Lin Fan’s mind.

Lin Fan’s offer rekindled a glimmer of hope in Hu Zifeng’s heart, but he found it hard to believe this man could help him. After all, Lin Fan himself had been captured and brought to the station—how could he possibly help anyone else, let alone exact vengeance? Although the offer was tempting, Hu Zifeng was grounded in reality; he doubted Lin Fan had the power to deliver retribution. Moreover, he was puzzled—why would Lin Fan want him to follow after only a brief acquaintance?

Saying nothing, Hu Zifeng lit his cigarette, leaned against the wall, and closed his eyes—a silent indication of his thoughts to Lin Fan.

As expected, Lin Fan anticipated this reaction. Stubbing out his cigarette, his eyes flashed with an unreadable light, a faint smile playing at his lips. “If I’m not mistaken, you were once eliminated from the reserve team, weren’t you?”

Hu Zifeng’s eyes snapped open, his expression suddenly darkening; even his hand trembled as he held his cigarette, staring dazedly at Lin Fan. But Lin Fan ignored him, rising to move to the other side of the cell.

“Wait!” Hu Zifeng called out, stepping forward and reaching for Lin Fan’s neck in a sudden move.

His intentions were clear—he wanted to test whether Lin Fan was truly worth following, whether this man had the strength to help him take revenge. Lin Fan’s words had struck directly at his past, reigniting his spirit. That someone could recognize his kind made Hu Zifeng willing to take a gamble; if it meant vengeance, he’d follow Lin Fan—even if it cost his life.

Without a word, Lin Fan raised his right hand lightly, trapping Hu Zifeng’s palm between two fingers.

To Hu Zifeng, it felt as though his hand had pressed against a steel rod—unyielding, sending a sharp pain through his palm.

A true master, he instantly realized. For the first time, Hu Zifeng thought this man might truly be capable of helping him.

Hu Zifeng exerted all his strength, and the sound of bones cracking echoed in the cell. Lin Fan’s lips curled into a devilish grin, his phoenix-shaped eyes betraying nothing of his thoughts. Hu Zifeng’s face turned crimson—the sound had come from his own arm.

Then Lin Fan’s smile grew more sinister. With a lightning-fast move, his left hand swept out. Hu Zifeng grunted, stumbling back two meters before slumping against the wall, staring at Lin Fan in shock.

Lin Fan merely shrugged, saying nothing, and found a cot to lie on.

Half a year ago, Hu Zifeng had fallen afoul of someone and had been locked up ever since. At first, like Lin Fan, he’d disciplined the others around him, but over time, he’d spoken more with them. Thus, they were aware of his abilities. Now, seeing him unable to withstand even a single move from Lin Fan, everyone inhaled sharply, silently grateful they hadn’t tried anything rash against the newcomer. Inwardly, they cursed Yan Dong for having sent someone so formidable to “teach a lesson”—it was as if they’d been told to seek out their own punishment.

“Does your offer still stand?” Hu Zifeng asked, approaching Lin Fan with a blank expression.

Lin Fan remained lying down, eyes closed and voice cold. “Is that how you talk to me?”

Hu Zifeng froze, then quickly exclaimed, “Boss.” He bowed deeply, full of respect.

Only then did Lin Fan open his eyes, though he didn’t rise. Resting his head on his hands, he smiled. “Lie down and tell me your story.”

From the first moment Lin Fan had met Hu Zifeng, he’d taken a liking to the young man. And so far, Hu Zifeng’s conduct had been thoroughly satisfactory.

Without another word, Hu Zifeng lay down beside Lin Fan, both of them gazing up at the ceiling. The others in the cell, sensing the shift, moved quietly about their business, careful not to disturb the two.

As Hu Zifeng recounted his tale, Lin Fan was surprised to learn that he was a member of the Green Gang—and not just any member, but the personal bodyguard to Du Chong, the gang’s leader. Hu Zifeng was born in the countryside, growing up alongside a childhood sweetheart. As they grew older, their families began planning for their marriage. A year ago, by chance, Hu Zifeng’s childhood friend came to see him; it so happened that Wei Liang witnessed the scene. At that time, although Wei Liang was nominally Zhao Ying’s boyfriend, he’d never had the opportunity to be alone with her. When he saw how delicate and beautiful Hu Zifeng’s childhood friend was, a sinister desire arose in his heart…