Chapter 5: Defeated in an Instant

“The Jiang family returns to Jiangnan, seizing control of its order. All powers must bow in submission, or else—death!”

At Jiangnan International Airport, the elite forces of the four great families had surrounded the area so tightly that not even a drop of water could escape. An atmosphere of grim resolve permeated every corner.

At this moment, all eyes were fixed on a young man.

Jiang Chen strolled leisurely and unhurriedly toward the heads of the four families, his voice calm and devoid of emotion: “From today, the Jiang family returns to Jiangnan.”

“The Jiang family was crushed in the imperial capital. What right do you have to claim dominance here? That we grant your family a place to survive is already a great mercy!”

“Jiang Chen, your family’s commanders fell on the battlefield. With no one to back you, how dare you act so arrogantly?”

“...”

The faces of the four family heads darkened as they watched Jiang Chen approach, their expressions shifting uneasily.

They knew Jiang Chen possessed at least the strength of an internal energy martial artist, but… to dominate Jiangnan, that alone was not enough!

“You impudent brat! Today, the four great families will teach the Jiang family a lesson!”

With a glance exchanged, the four heads no longer hesitated, each waving their hand.

“Rat-a-tat-tat!”

Instantly, countless weapons aimed at Jiang Chen opened fire. Bullets poured forth like a torrent, weaving layers of deadly firepower in the air, flooding straight toward him.

An internal energy martial artist could disregard ordinary firearms, yet under such relentless assault, even they could hardly escape death.

The four heads watched coldly, their gazes tinged with ridicule. The four great families had ruled Jiangnan for years; they were not a force to be shaken by a single martial artist.

But then—“Buzz!”

A scene unfolded that left everyone dumbfounded.

Facing the dense web of firepower, Jiang Chen made no extraneous movement. His body trembled, and a visible wave of energy rippled outward from him in all directions.

“Crash!”

The bullets, surging toward him, lost their force under the impact of the energy wave, halting midair before falling helplessly to the ground.

“A martial arts Grandmaster?!”

The heads stared in stunned disbelief.

Releasing internal energy—this was clearly the mark of a martial arts Grandmaster!

This man, at such a young age, had already reached the realm of Grandmaster?

For a moment, the four heads’ faces grew even gloomier. With a wave of their hands, their forces ceased fire. The atmosphere had shifted, growing strange and tense.

“Jiang Chen, we must admit, you are truly extraordinary.”

“How about this: the Jiang family and our families keep to ourselves. We guarantee that in Jiangnan, no one will dare trouble your family. What do you say?”

“...”

A martial arts Grandmaster could no longer be considered an ordinary human. Their power had reached a terrifying level, capable even of disregarding conventional firearms. No matter how many men the four families fielded, Jiang Chen could not be stopped.

Of course, the four families were not without experts. Among them, only the Sun family head had, by luck, stepped into the Grandmaster realm a few years ago.

Because of this, the Sun family was vaguely regarded as the leader among the four.

“Submit, or…die!”

Jiang Chen continued forward, steadily closing in on the four heads. His gaze was calm, yet his inexplicable aura made everyone’s breath quicken.

“Jiang Chen, do you really think no one can deal with you?”

At that moment, the Sun family head, who had remained silent, spoke. He too strode toward Jiang Chen.

Boom!

A terrifying aura erupted from the Sun family head, causing those nearby to feel their breath catch and their bodies freeze.

The clash between two Grandmasters was palpable even before they exchanged blows; ordinary people felt suffocated in their presence.

“In Jiangnan, there is only one voice—the Jiang family.”

A faint smile appeared on Jiang Chen’s face. His stride did not falter in the slightest. “Unless the Jiang family speaks, who dares claim kingship in Jiangnan?”

“Outrageous!”

Swish!

The Sun family head was utterly enraged. This upstart dared look down on him?

In the next instant, the floor beneath his feet shattered, and he shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow, rushing straight at Jiang Chen!

Air currents gathered, and in a flash, the Sun family head appeared before Jiang Chen, his fist wrapped in fierce energy, driving for Jiang Chen’s face.

“Crash!”

The very air exploded from the force, a testament to the unimaginable power behind the blow.

“Bang!”

Jiang Chen sighed. The world had fallen so low that even mediocrities dared to challenge him.

A hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes. He raised his hand slightly, seemingly doing nothing, yet he caught the punch with effortless ease.

“What?!”

The Sun family head’s pupils contracted. He felt as if he had struck an iron wall; Jiang Chen’s hand gripped his fist like a steel vise, utterly immovable!

“Those who bring ruin upon themselves deserve no mercy.”

Jiang Chen did not spare him a glance. With a cold smile, he suddenly punched, landing a blow directly on the Sun family head’s chest!

“Splurt!”

The force instantly caved in the Sun family head’s chest, blasting a cloud of blood from his back.

“Gurgle…”

The Sun family head’s eyes widened. His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, staring at Jiang Chen in terror before falling lifeless.

All breath ceased…

Swish!

The entire scene fell silent—you could hear a pin drop.

The remaining three heads were stupefied. Was this some kind of joke? Both were Grandmasters, yet Jiang Chen had crushed the Sun family head with a single punch?

To annihilate a Grandmaster in one move—was this for real?!

Despair and helplessness flooded everyone’s hearts, a chill rising from their feet.

How could they fight now?

Fight for what?

“Does anyone else wish to die?”

Jiang Chen’s gaze settled on the three remaining heads, his face as calm as a still lake, looking down on them as if they were mere ants. “Submit, or die.”

For the Jiang family to secure lasting peace and prosperity in Jiangnan, these petty tyrants had to be subdued. And what was the most effective way?

The death of a Grandmaster.

Jiang Chen knew only by killing the blind Sun family head would these scoundrels never dare entertain ambitions against the Jiang family again.

He had not erred; the four great families had committed countless evils in Jiangnan. They were, indeed, deserving of their fate.

“This…”

The three remaining heads looked grim, but feeling Jiang Chen’s undisguised murderous intent, they had no recourse.

Submit, or die?

“Thud!”

In the next second, all three dropped to one knee, bowing their heads without hesitation. “From this day forward, we pledge our loyalty to the Jiang family, willing to risk life and limb!”

They were not fools. Submit now; revenge could be plotted when the opportunity arose.

“Splurt!”

In the next moment, Jiang Chen raised his hand. A jet of energy shot forth, piercing one head’s skull!

His head exploded like a watermelon, blood splattering the other two, who shuddered in terror.

“The Su family has committed too many crimes, unworthy to submit to the Jiang family. I send him to meet the King of Hell. Do you two have any objections?”

Jiang Chen seemed a demon incarnate, terrifying them so utterly that not a single rebellious thought remained. They prostrated themselves, pressing their foreheads to the ground. “No objections, none at all!”