Chapter 783: Zheng Jingxuan

The sky was just starting to turn pale, the distant mountains faintly visible through the morning mist. People were already running on the sports field. Trainees in uniform practice clothes ran lap after lap around the track.

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at those young faces, a sudden wave of emotion welling up in his heart.

It had been two years. From Xingjing to Tianchi, from Zheng Jingxuan to Lin Yuan, he had been hiding in this small city for exactly two years.

As a Martial Master Level Martial Artist, Zheng Jingxuan was an anomaly. He had never been to the battlefield and had hardly any blood on his hands, let alone having killed anyone. That case was his first time taking a life, and doing it in such a manner had undoubtedly placed him under immense psychological pressure.

In those early days, he would have nightmares every night, dreaming of the girl lying in a pool of blood. Every time he jolted awake from a nightmare, he would be covered in cold sweat, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it would leap out of his throat.

But as time passed, the nightmares gradually grew fewer. He began to adapt to his life here, to his new identity, and to the teachers and classmates who treated him as just an ordinary trainee. He even made a few friends. Occasionally, they would eat, drink, and discuss their insights on Martial Arts Cultivation together. Those people didn’t know who he was or where he came from; they only knew him as Lin Yuan, a trainee with good talent who worked hard in his Cultivation.

This kind of life was actually quite nice.

Zheng Jingxuan turned around, walked into the washroom, and washed his face with cold water. The face in the mirror was still young—twenty-one, the prime age for a Martial Artist. A level thirty-five Martial Artist would be considered an outstanding young talent anywhere.

He really had worked hard over the past two years, because he knew that only strength truly belonged to him. As long as he was strong enough, those past events would slowly be forgotten.

He dried his face, changed into his practice uniform, and walked out of the dormitory.

On the sports field, the trainees were gathering. Today was a practical combat class, and everyone had to go to the Training Ground for group sparring. Zheng Jingxuan stood in the formation, chatting in low voices with the classmates next to him. The sunlight shone on his face, warm and comforting, allowing him to temporarily forget the things hidden deep in his heart.

But what he didn’t know was that while he stood on the field preparing for class, several figures had already quietly slipped into the Tianchi City Martial Arts Academy.

Zhou Bin walked at the very front. He was dressed in casual clothes, but his back was straight, his gaze as sharp as an eagle’s. Following behind him were Li Zhaowen and Fang Xiaoxiao, and trailing further back were several operatives from the Inspection Department—all capable veterans.

After receiving a communication from Xu Wuyi last night, they had set off overnight from Xingjing, taking the fastest flight to Tianchi. They arrived at 4:00 a.m., rested for two hours, and then came directly to the academy.

Zhou Bin paused at the academy’s entrance, glancing up at the sign that read “Tianchi City Martial Arts Academy,” before striding inside. The security guard tried to stop them, but upon seeing the IDs they presented, he immediately withdrew his hand, not daring to ask further questions. An identity card from the Inspection Department was more effective than anything else in places like this.

The group crossed the sports field, heading toward the Training Ground. The running trainees watched them curiously, whispering about the intentions of these strangers, though no one dared to step forward and ask.

The Training Ground was located at the innermost part of the academy. It was a massive facility with gray exterior walls. It looked ordinary from the outside, but it was fully equipped inside, spacious enough to accommodate hundreds of people training simultaneously.

Zhou Bin pushed open the doors to the Training Ground and walked in.

It was bustling inside. Dozens of trainees were split into groups, engaged in combat training in the center of the venue. The sounds of colliding fists and feet rose and fell, occasionally punctuated by a coach’s reprimand.

Zhou Bin’s gaze swept over the crowd before finally landing on a young man. The man was sparring with another trainee. His movements were fluid and powerful, every punch and kick demonstrating a solid foundation. His face wore a look of deep concentration, completely immersed in the training, wholly unaware of the group of strangers that had arrived at the door.

Zhou Bin watched for a few seconds, then took a photo out of his pocket and compared it.

It was him.

He nodded to the operatives behind him, then took long strides toward the young man.

Zheng Jingxuan was exchanging blows with his opponent when he suddenly felt an intense, oppressive aura emanating from behind him. The sensation made his heart skip a beat, and he turned around subconsciously.

Then, he saw Zhou Bin.

The man stood before him, his gaze fixed on his face. It was an uncomfortable stare, one that felt like it could pierce right through all his disguises.

“Zheng Jingxuan?” Zhou Bin spoke, his voice deep and resonant.

Zheng Jingxuan’s pupils contracted slightly. He hadn’t heard that name in two years. Here, everyone called him Lin Yuan.

He wanted to deny it, to say that he didn’t know any Zheng Jingxuan, but before the words could leave his mouth, Zhou Bin continued. “We’re from the Inspection Department. There’s a matter we need you to cooperate in investigating. Please come with us.”

Inspection Department.

These words felt like a Heavy Hammer, smashing ruthlessly into Zheng Jingxuan’s heart.