Chapter Fifty-Five: Deep Sibling Affection

Chief Steward Lin Jian looked at his boss, somewhat bewildered, glancing around with a surprised expression. He couldn't comprehend what had just happened—everything had been fine a moment ago, so what was going on now? Had something occurred?

Xiao Tianci could already confirm that the voice he’d heard was definitely not coming from inside the plane. Judging from Lin Jian’s confused look and even the calm demeanor of King Kong Fang Meng, it was clear that neither of them had sensed anything at all. How could this be?

Ah...! Xiao Tianci suddenly thought, could this be the legendary... No, more like the kind of martial arts skill described in novels—something like transmitting sound over a thousand miles, or secret voice transmission. Although Xiao Tianci had always done well in his studies, he’d also grown up reading novels and listening to popular songs. His first reaction was one of fear—a ghost, perhaps? But he quickly tried to reason it out with a more scientific, or at least reasonable, explanation.

After finishing its message, the mysterious voice vanished. Xiao Tianci didn’t shout or make a scene; he simply fell into deep thought. Judging from the tone, the person didn’t seem to harbor any malice, but how had they managed such a feat, making only him able to hear it?

Trouble—did this mean trouble for himself? What kind of trouble? Yet what occupied Xiao Tianci’s mind the most was the enigma of how the other party had accomplished this. The idea of a martial arts master seemed a bit less far-fetched than that of a deity, but still difficult to believe.

Suddenly, he recalled Fang Meng's transformation that day, and the effect of that change. “King Kong, what martial art did you use that day? The one you used against Fire Phoenix later?”

Hearing his boss’s question, Fang Meng replied, “King Kong Qi.”

Chief Steward Lin Jian, noticing his boss’s unsatisfied look at Fang Meng’s simple answer, added, “It’s a unique form of qi cultivation practiced by King Kong. If we follow the traditional way of speaking, you could call it a kind of internal energy. That’s where King Kong’s name comes from.”

Xiao Tianci nodded slightly, clearly curious about this “King Kong Qi,” but at the moment, that wasn’t his primary concern. He turned to Lin Jian and asked, “Tell me, do you know of any... well, any method by which someone can speak so that only a specific person can hear it, without using any modern equipment?”

Lin Jian thought for a moment and shook his head with certainty. “Boss, I have no memory or knowledge of anyone ever having such an ability. King Kong, have you heard of it?”

Fang Meng, at the front, also shook his head. “I’ve seen many strange skills and miraculous techniques, a lot that go against common sense, but this one—I’ve never even heard of. But then again, maybe there are such people in the world.”

Lin Jian gazed at his boss, puzzled by this sudden line of questioning, while Xiao Tianci himself was astonished and puzzled.

At that moment, the pilot’s expression suddenly changed. He had received a strange message and called out urgently, “Boss, there’s a message demanding our plane make an immediate landing, or they’ll take action.” At the same time, the plane’s danger signal sounded—the unmistakable sign of being locked on by another.

Lin Jian immediately responded, “Contact the others. Prepare for emergency landing and evacuation procedures at any moment.”

“Yes, sir!”

Could this be the trouble? Xiao Tianci’s heart skipped a beat. “What’s going on?”

The pilot, his face grave, switched the headset to public broadcast. Immediately, a threatening voice could be heard: “Listen carefully. Land immediately, or we will open fire. I repeat, land immediately, or you will be attacked.”

By now, the two other planes had maneuvered into new positions, forming a protective formation around Xiao Tianci’s aircraft. Xiao Tianci was even more astonished—clearly, whoever had warned him knew about this in advance. Why had they sent him a warning? And how had they achieved it?

Seeing the change in Xiao Tianci’s expression, Lin Jian said, “Boss, please rest assured—this is the latest model of armed combat helicopter, equipped with advanced air-to-air, air-to-ground, and ground-to-air capabilities. There’s also a small ejection escape system, and the other two aircraft are providing cover.”

Xiao Tianci smiled faintly. “I’m not afraid—looks like they’re here for us. Since they’ve warned us instead of attacking outright, let’s go and see who they are.”

The aircraft, following the instructions, landed on the helipad atop a high-rise building. Fang Meng was the first to step out and confirm the area was safe. Only then did Lin Jian open the door and let Xiao Tianci out.

Surveying the surroundings, Xiao Tianci saw no one and signaled to Fang Meng. Fang Meng nodded, turned, and called out, “To the friend who invited us, please show yourself.”

Creak... The door leading to the rooftop opened, and out stepped a man and a woman. The man, around thirty, wore camouflage and had a long, somber face. His companion made Xiao Tianci pause in surprise before he recognized her as Fire Phoenix.

Today, she too was dressed for combat, exuding a heroic air, yet her brows were furrowed with anger and killing intent. From the exit to the helipad, there were two flights of stairs, and from the moment Fire Phoenix emerged, her gaze never left Xiao Tianci.

So, it’s them, Xiao Tianci thought, not surprised they had come. The killing intent is palpable, but her outfit is even more appealing today—no accessories at all, just a few close-fitting weapons, like she were heading into wilderness combat.

As they approached, Fang Meng moved to stand in front of Xiao Tianci, allowing him to observe and speak with the newcomers while keeping most of Xiao Tianci’s body shielded.

In recent years, the names Azure Dragon and Fire Phoenix had become a rising force in the world of international mercenaries, and any group that could make the top ten of the “King of Soldiers” rankings was not to be underestimated. Fang Meng was on full alert.

Reaching the platform, Azure Dragon paused and looked at those before him. He had already heard the full details of the previous confrontation from his sister. Although Camillo later learned Xiao Tianci’s identity and urged Azure Dragon several times, he ultimately decided to seek out Xiao Tianci anyway. He knew a little about the Xiao family’s power, and after investigating the events, he understood that his sister had been at fault.

Had his sister truly been knocked out because of her own wrongdoing, he would never have sought vengeance, only punished her himself. But he knew things weren’t that simple. He understood his sister, with whom he had depended on since childhood. When she’d returned, she only mentioned the fight and defeat, but from the detailed account he’d gotten from Jerrison, there were obvious omissions. Judging by his sister’s demeanor and other clues, he had pieced the truth together.

“Brother...” Though seeing Xiao Tianci made Fire Phoenix wish she could kill him on the spot, recalling the events of that day filled her with both anger and shame. Yet, when Camillo persuaded her brother, she had overheard and finally understood what kind of person she had provoked. During the fight, she’d already guessed her opponent was the legendary King Kong, but she’d never imagined there was also the Xiao family in this world.

Azure Dragon glanced at his sister, sensing her worry. In the end, she, too, had tried to dissuade him. Camillo was right: if they made an enemy of the Xiao family, even though the Azure Dragon Mercenary Group was now powerful, they would be wiped out, vanishing without a trace. Even the old monster who topped the “King of Soldiers” ranking would not wish to cross the Xiao family.

Azure Dragon’s smile was calm as he tried to comfort Fire Phoenix. His voice was gentle, but determined. “Don’t worry. Your brother will get justice for you. The two of us would rather die standing than live on our knees.”

“Brother...” For the first time, tears welled up in Fire Phoenix’s eyes. Since childhood, her brother had always protected her, never letting her suffer the slightest grievance except during training. In her heart, he was the tallest, strongest figure. But this time, when Azure Dragon explained the affairs of the mercenary group to her as if leaving final instructions, she realized just how serious things were.

No matter how she tried, she could not dissuade her brother, but there was no way she’d let him come alone. In the end, it was only at her insistence that Azure Dragon brought her with him.

Her tears did not fall—they circled in her eyes, then receded. She nodded, “Yes, brother... we’ll do this together.”

Suddenly, Azure Dragon’s gaze shifted to a point behind Fire Phoenix, as if he’d noticed something. Fire Phoenix turned her head, and with a swift “thud,” Azure Dragon struck her lightly with the edge of his hand. Her body softened and she began to collapse. Azure Dragon caught her in his arms, and someone quickly rushed up to take Fire Phoenix from him, carrying her away at speed. Clearly, Azure Dragon had prepared for this in advance.

Azure Dragon strode towards Xiao Tianci and his companions. “Don’t worry, Feng’er. Your brother will get justice for you. The two of us would rather die standing than live on our knees. I will get justice for you. The two of us would rather die standing than live on our knees...”

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