The night deepened.
Inside Villa Number One, darkness had fallen.
Chen Fan, who had already fallen asleep, suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze becoming sharp.
A surging murderous aura erupted, and as the sheets lifted, he sprang up like a beast pouncing towards the door.
"My King, it's me!"
Under the terrifying pressure, a slender figure dodged abruptly, letting out a startled cry.
It wasn't in the Da Hua language, but in the international common tongue.
Yet, enveloped by the dreadful pressure, her movements were stiff and distorted.
In the darkness, Chen Fan's fingers had already grasped her throat.
As the person spoke, Chen Fan paused, stepping back a few paces, and said sternly, "Mei Ji, barging into my room in the middle of the night, are you trying to die?"
He too spoke in a foreign language.
In the night, the figure who had escaped death panted heavily, but showed no fear. Instead, she chuckled and said:
"My King of the Night, I merely wanted to know if you are still as powerful after years of retirement."
"And what was your conclusion?"
Chen Fan picked up his clothes and put them on, speaking coldly.
Mei Ji's exquisitely beautiful face broke into a smile, and she said, "My King, you are still as powerful as ever. No, even more powerful than three years ago!"
As she spoke, she licked her lips and surprisingly added, "And your physique has gotten even better."
Chen Fan's face remained cold, and he asked, "Why are you here?"
"You had Konstantin send me the 'Moonlight Goddess'."
Mei Ji looked at Chen Fan with burning eyes and said, "I knew that was your will, so I asked Konstantin for your location. See, it's all that simple!"
Chen Fan wasn't particularly surprised by this.
Within the 'Night' organization, every official member was powerful, renowned figures in the underworld.
However, their strength was matched by their rebellious nature and diverse styles.
Only Chen Fan could make them submit and mold them together.
Mei Ji was a rather special case within the 'Night' organization. She was passionate and unrestrained, naturally exuding a charm that captivated men.
However, she was by no means an easy person to handle.
Therefore, it wasn't strange for her to track down Chen Fan's location and come unannounced.
"Can't Konstantin keep his mouth shut?" Chen Fan asked.
"He is a man who can keep secrets," Mei Ji chuckled proudly. "But, you know, he has his weaknesses, and besides, it was me asking him, not one of our enemies!"
Chen Fan was merely asking; he didn't really care about the matter.
He had been gone for three years, and too many in the 'Night' organization were anticipating his return to lead them to global dominance.
But Chen Fan had little interest in that.
"Since you're here, stay then,"
Chen Fan said indifferently.
Mei Ji's eyes lit up with joy. "My King, you agree to let me stay?"
Chen Fan waved his hand. "I need some help lately. Inform 'The Oracle' to come over."
"My King, you're going to stir up trouble? Stirring up trouble in Da Hua?" Mei Ji became instantly excited.
Chen Fan was a little speechless.
This subordinate was often a handful, wishing to shake the heavens and earth when executing missions.
"It's just a personal matter. If you're unwilling, you can go back."
Chen Fan said.
"No, no, I'm willing!" Mei Ji quickly replied. "I'm willing to do anything for you, even the most insignificant of tasks."
"You can leave now!"
Chen Fan said coldly.
Mei Ji chuckled, flashed, and disappeared at the doorway.
Her objective achieved, being able to stay by the side of the Lord of Darkness was more than enough.
As for how she got in, there was no need to ask.
Chen Fan lost his sleepiness. He brewed himself a cup of tea and walked into the study.
He opened his computer and returned to the same live stream room.
A few minutes later, he entered the dark web.
Various news related to the underworld were posted and exchanged here, facilitating all sorts of clandestine transactions.
He clicked on a small icon, and a message popped up.
"According to our findings, the organizations that have sent people to Da Hua are: Scarlet Wings, Bloody Church, Storm Knights. Whether there are other organizations is currently unknown!"
Chen Fan pondered the message.
If these three organizations were all coming for the Dragon Crest Compass fragments, then the reach of the Dragon Crest Compass was more extraordinary than he had imagined.
These underworld organizations might be hired, or they might have their own connections to the Dragon Crest Compass.
This was just on the international front; domestic forces would be no less.
Like the Xu family, there were likely many more coming for the compass fragments.
The situation was likely to become somewhat chaotic.
Of course, due to the powerful national strength of Da Hua and the reputation of the鎮國戰神 (Zhen Guo Zhan Shen - literally 'War God who Guards the Nation'),
Most organizations and forces with ulterior motives would not dare to act too brazenly.
Perhaps they would even disguise their identities.
The night passed without incident.
Not long after dawn, there was a knock on the door.
It was Chen Xing'er, who had been out for a run.
"Auntie Li, could you please prepare breakfast for us?"
Chen Xing'er was not at all polite, saying to Li Xiuying, who had woken up early.
"Yes, yes!"
Li Xiuying replied with a smile.
"Chen Fan, want to go for a run together?"
Chen Xing'er invited.
"No, I don't have that habit."
Chen Fan said.
Chen Xing'er looked somewhat suspicious. "That's not like you. You seem to have changed a lot."
The young Chen Fan, after the incident in the 'little black room,' had been extremely strict with himself.
It was Chen Fan who had originally instilled the habit of early morning runs in Chen Xing'er.
But after so many years, a change was normal, and not changing would be abnormal.
She didn't think much of it and turned to continue her exercises.
By the time Su Yingxue woke up, breakfast was ready.
Wang Tingting had also woken up quite early today. Yawning, she sat at the dining table and started eating.
"Oh dear, Miss Chen hasn't arrived yet!" Li Xiuying said.
"Miss Chen, who lives next door?" Wang Tingting asked. "She's eating breakfast here. No wonder the portions are a bit larger."
She looked at Chen Fan suspiciously and said, "Chen Fan, you and that Miss Chen, are you involved?"
Chen Fan's face darkened. "What nonsense are you talking about?"
"Then why did she invite you to a banquet as soon as she moved in, and now she's eating breakfast here?" Wang Tingting ignored Chen Fan's expression.
Chen Fan said, "She asked Nannan to call her Auntie."
Wang Tingting still believed that Chen Fan's relationship with Miss Chen posed a threat to Su Yingxue, and she said sarcastically, "Who knows? Anyway, I don't think you're a good person, Chen Fan!"
Su Yingxue glanced at Chen Fan. She didn't doubt his character, but a small knot formed in her heart.
Just then, Chen Xing'er and Shi Wenyun, who had returned from their run, entered.
The first thing they did was fix their gaze on Su Yingxue, with a scrutinizing look.
"Hello everyone, have you started eating?"
Chen Xing'er said with a smile.
"Oh dear, Miss Chen, I'm sorry we didn't wait for you!" Li Xiuying quickly said. "Xue will have to go to work soon, I'm really sorry."
"It's fine, Auntie, please sit. I'll serve myself," Chen Xing'er smiled. "I'm just here to freeload, I don't need any ceremony."
"Auntie!" Nannan also called out happily.
"Good morning, Nannan!"
After scooping a bowl of porridge, Chen Xing'er sat down next to Nannan, with only Nannan between her and Su Yingxue.
"This must be Sister Su Yingxue, right?"
Chen Xing'er peeled an egg, but her attention was fixed on Su Yingxue, and she said with a smile, "You're indeed beautiful. No wonder Chen Fan divorced Su Yingxia."
Su Yingxue's expression stiffened upon hearing this.
"Miss Chen, you misunderstand. Brother Chen and I are just friends..." she said awkwardly.
Chen Fan frowned slightly and rebuked, "Chen Xing'er, what are you saying?"
"Hehe, it seems I've said the wrong thing."
Chen Xing'er smiled and said, "What I meant was, Sister Xue is so beautiful. If I were a man, I would definitely pursue you too."
Su Yingxue blushed and said shyly, "Where... is there?"
Chen Fan sighed inwardly. In this regard, how could Su Yingxue be a match for Chen Xing'er?
Li Xiuying, however, said with a smile, "Miss Chen, you and Xiao Fan look a bit alike between the brows. Are you related in some way?"
This comment caused both Wang Tingting and Su Yingxue to look back and forth between Chen Fan and Chen Xing'er.