Chapter 114: The Younger Generation

After seeing "Old Black," everyone was collectively stunned. This was entirely within expectations, though; it would have been strange if they weren't. As long as they didn't wet their pants, they were doing just fine.

Asking them to communicate with Old Black was too much to expect. Seeing the Black-Scaled Jiao and confirming that Tang Long wasn't feeding them a line of nonsense was enough.

"Alright, there’s nothing left for you here, go back to sleep!"

Tang Long waved his hand at Old Black. The Jiao didn't show any dissatisfaction, though before leaving, it expressed that it was hungry, signaling to Tang Long that if he called it out again, he’d better bring some food.

"No problem, I’ll have someone prepare some as soon as it’s light!" Tang Long promised readily. Even an emperor wouldn't expect a soldier to fight on an empty stomach, and since he would need the creature's help in the future, he couldn't afford to mistreat it.

Under Tang Long's direction, the massive, terrifying creature submerged back into the depths of the cliff pool, vanishing into the water.

"Ahem!"

Tang Long cleared his throat, looked at the dazed crowd, and asked with a smile, "Well, do you believe me now?"

"..."

Everyone was speechless. They had no choice but to believe; the facts were right before their eyes.

"Brother Tang Long, that... can our 'Ancestor' understand what you're saying?" Zhao Xiaoyue asked, swallowing hard and blinking at Tang Long. She had wanted to call it "Old Black" too, but the words died in her throat, and she instinctively changed it to "Ancestor."

Then again, whether it was a real ancestor or a fake one, having such an ancestor didn't seem like a bad deal at all! Just look at its size and appearance—it could definitely scare the daylights out of anyone.

Tang Long smiled and said, "It understands most of it. It’s not just me; it can probably understand you all, too."

Old Black had been cultivating in the cave for over a thousand years, so it could grasp human language. However, it couldn't communicate with anyone other than Tang Long. Even if it understood what people were saying, they wouldn't be able to comprehend its intentions or needs.

"So, Village Chief... why are you so awesome?" Li Ergou couldn't help but mutter.

"Heh, I was born this way!" Tang Long chuckled, not bothering to be modest. He looked at Zhang Xiu’e and said, "Now that you've seen it with your own eyes, your curiosity is satisfied, right? Let’s go, back to sleep!"

Sleep? Aside from Tang Long himself, it was doubtful anyone else could sleep tonight. After seeing the Black-Scaled Jiao, they were more restless than before. At least before, they hadn't known what to think; now, they were filled with even more questions and curiosity.

Tang Long didn't care. He had "verified the facts" for them, and he’d explained what needed to be explained. He yawned and led the way back.

No one spoke on the way; everyone seemed lost in thought, while Tang Long remained unbothered. Upon returning, he crawled into his tent, flopped down, and was asleep within ten minutes.

He slept until dawn, only to be awakened by a noisy commotion outside. Frowning, Tang Long emerged from his tent.

"What’s going on?"

Li Ergou was arguing with several young people from the village. Judging by their attire, these newcomers were not ordinary; they radiated an air of arrogance from the inside out.

"These people drove their cars right up here, and on top of that, they’re demanding to see you by name!" Li Ergou explained.

Tang Long nodded. Although he didn't recognize any of the three men and two women, their posture and arrogance told him exactly where they came from.

"Alright, I’ve got it. You go handle the others, and tell the nearby tourists that we’re closing the village for the next two days and they need to leave as soon as possible." Tang Long waved his hand.

The appearance of Old Black as a "mascot" had fundamentally changed the situation for Fish Head Village. Now, the village needed to prepare. As for the future, he wasn't worried about no one coming; he was worried about too many people coming and having nowhere to put them.

Closing the village? Li Ergou was slightly stunned but didn't ask any questions. He wouldn't have objected even if Tang Long had ordered the village to be sealed off.

After Li Ergou left, Tang Long looked at the young men and said easily, "You guys are here early. Which unit are you from?"

"You’re Tang Long?" A young man with a center-parted hairstyle and a smug expression tilted his head to look at him.

"That's right, I am," Tang Long replied with a smile, showing no signs of intimidation. There was no need to. If he wanted Old Black to remain a peaceful "mascot" in Fish Head Village, he would need these people to show some restraint.

"You don't look like much!" The center-parted youth flicked his hair. His white outfit was incredibly flashy. "My name is Xinfeng!"

Tang Long looked him up and down. "Greetings, Leader Xinfeng. Are you the team leader? Which squad?"

"I... I'm the deputy leader, from the East Wind Second Squad!"

Tang Long nodded. "I’ve met your commander from the East Wind Team a few times. Is 'Lean Tiger' still in charge?"

The East Wind Team was one of the nation's more famous combat units. Tang Long hadn't had much contact with them, but he had met Lean Tiger a few times. He felt slightly relieved; as long as they were acquaintances, he could at least talk to them.

"Leader Lean Tiger was killed in action. The East Wind Second Squad is now led by Sister Peacock," a cold voice said from behind the smug youth.

The speaker was another man, much more composed and mature despite his young age.

When Tang Long heard that Lean Tiger had been killed, his demeanor shifted instantly. The members of the East Wind Second Squad felt as if they had fallen into an ice cave; the air seemed to freeze, and they stared at the man before them in disbelief.

Tang Long felt a pang of sadness. He remembered their last parting, where Lean Tiger had jokingly asked to learn his "Crouching Tiger Captures Dragon Fist." He understood the life Lean Tiger led—every mission was a gamble with death, and those they targeted were always vicious, desperate criminals.

"When did it happen?" Tang Long sighed and asked softly.

"A month and a half ago," a gentle voice replied. A girl with short hair walked forward, looking to be in her early twenties, roughly the same age as Zhao Xiaoyue.

"The internal martial arts expert Dai Zongtian slaughtered twenty-nine people in three days. Leader Lean Tiger pursued him personally and sacrificed himself to save his comrades." She stepped in front of Tang Long, stood at attention, and said respectfully, "I have long admired the reputation of the War God. It is an honor to meet you. My name is Rose, leader of the seventh group of the East Wind Second Squad."

Tang Long shook his head, not taking the bait. He was no longer the peerless War God. All his past glory had vanished with his choices. Since he had chosen to be an ordinary person, he was no longer worthy of those titles.

"Dai Zongtian is a famous expert of the Xinyi Liuhe Fist, isn't he? I once had the honor of asking Grandmaster Dai Longfu for guidance on the Xinyi Liuhe Fist. If I recall correctly, Dai Zongtian is Dai Longfu's grand-disciple?"

After confirming the relationship, Tang Long asked curiously, "Why did Dai Zongtian suddenly go on a rampage and kill so many people in such a short time?"

Tang Long had visited many famous martial artists in the country. He primarily studied Xingyi, which shared some origins with Xinyi, and had visited the current grandmaster of the Xinyi Liuhe school, Dai Longfu, in Xishan, where he had been graciously taught many techniques. He hadn't met Dai Zongtian, but he’d heard that the man was a prodigy who might reach the 'Transformation' stage of internal martial arts before fifty.

"I don't know the exact details," Rose replied, shaking her head. The case had been taken over by higher authorities.

The fact that Dai Zongtian could kill Lean Tiger meant he had broken through to the 'Transformation' level of internal energy. Tang Long knew exactly what Lean Tiger was capable of.

"Is Dai Zongtian still alive?" Tang Long asked, sensing there was more to the story.

"He's alive. He fled abroad," Rose said expressionlessly.

Tang Long felt a chill. He wanted to head abroad immediately to track down Dai Zongtian and avenge his comrade. But... he no longer had the authority to do so.

He had retired; he was just an ordinary citizen now. He took a deep breath, gradually regaining his composure. He had seen too much death over the years. Time and again, he had watched brothers die in the line of duty, and they had no choice but to follow their mission. Countless times, he had wished it were him instead.

"Why didn't 'Little Peacock' come?" Tang Long changed the subject. He wouldn't ask about Lean Tiger anymore; his revenge would be handled. No one could kill a member of their department and remain free.

Tang Long had a deeper impression of that girl, Peacock. He wondered if the girl who used to have a runny nose had matured.

The mention of "Little Peacock" left the team members stunned. The entire East Wind Team consisted of only two squads, and Peacock was the leader of the Second Squad. Even people far more influential than the East Wind Team wouldn't dare call her "Little Peacock." This wasn't a joke; Sister Peacock usually wouldn't mind, but if she got angry, you would be in for a miserable time.

"Sister Peacock sent us to handle the handover because she had other matters to attend to," Rose said, looking somewhat helpless. This "big shot's" status in the military was no joke. The way he used the term "Little Peacock" spoke volumes about how he viewed their leader. No wonder she hadn't come herself!

"Handover? Handover of what?" Tang Long asked with a faint smile. Before Rose or her team could speak, he continued, "Last night's incident was probably captured by the Sky Eye surveillance system, right? I won't mince words: that Black-Scaled Jiao is the ancestor of our Fish Head Village. It won't harm civilians, and it hasn't broken any laws. You aren't planning to kill it or cage it and take it away, are you?"

He looked stern. "Let me be clear: that is absolutely impossible. Not a chance. Even if General Nantian himself came here, it wouldn't happen. Our village's ancestor is staying right here on its own turf."

If Rose had felt helpless before, she was speechless now. How could she negotiate when he’d set such a firm line? General Nantian was the commander of the entire Special Combat Corps and the chief commander of the nation's special operations—the superior of their superiors' superiors!

"Leader Tang Long, please don't make this difficult for us," Rose said, frowning.

Tang Long shook his head. "This isn't about making things difficult!" He paused, then added, "Go back and report exactly what I said. Tell Little Peacock that I am responsible for this Black-Scaled Jiao. It will not leave the borders of Taoyuan County, and it will not commit any crimes. If something goes wrong, you won't need to intervene—I will personally skin it and give it to you as a specimen."

"..."

The smug youth, Xinfeng, didn't dare flick his hair anymore and quietly took a step back. He couldn't afford to offend this man. He wondered if this big shot would hold a grudge for the attitude he’d shown earlier.

Rose looked at Tang Long for several seconds before saying, "Leader Tang Long, it's not that we don't trust you, but the matter is of great importance. As you know, if it gets out of control, the danger would be no less than..."

Tang Long’s smile vanished, and he said flatly, "I have already said: I will take responsibility!"

If anyone else had said that to them, the team members would have snapped back. But today, everyone knew their place and didn't dare utter a word.

Tang Long hesitated, then said, "How about this? Contact Little Peacock and let me speak to her personally!"

Rose remembered what her captain had told her before they left. She smiled bitterly: "Our captain already said that talking to her would be useless, as she doesn't have the authority to decide this!"

So, she had expected this all along! No wonder she hadn't come and had sent her "weaker" troops instead.

Tang Long sighed, a bitter smile on his face. "Fine, if you can't decide, I'll find someone who can. Please, contact General Nantian for me. I will request permission from him directly!"

It would be easier for these special forces members to contact that big shot. Perhaps, he thought, even this had been predicted by that man.

Tang Long knew that keeping Old Black in Fish Head Village as a "mascot" was not going to be an easy task. The appearance of Old Black was destined to be a sensational event.