Urban Invincible Overlord

Chapter One: Hidden Dragon in the Abyss

"It's been a year since Tang disappeared, the other members of 'International Madman' have faded into obscurity, and the Underworld is left wondering who will rise and fall?"

A single discussion ignited the dark web.

As the globally recognized largest forum for the Underworld, the dark web holds unshakable authority.

Without a doubt, this year, the phrase 'International Madman' has been the hottest topic on the dark web.

A year has passed, and the cooling interest was reignited with the posting of this message, bringing out countless old dogs who had lain hidden for years to comment.

"What a pity! The 'International Madman' reached the peak in just five years. They could have dominated the Underworld for the next decade. But with Tang's disappearance, the other founding members also vanished, possibly implying a retreat. Since then, 'International Madman' might forever disappear from history."

"Haven't you all noticed? After that battle a year ago, the entire Underworld quieted down a lot."

"Right, that battle was too brutal. All sides suffered heavy losses. Facing the siege of over a dozen top-tier forces, those freaks from 'International Madman' actually fought head-on and won. They were too fierce!"

"It is said that Tang alone fought against seventeen renowned warriors from the heavenly list, slaying nine and wounding eight, with not a single one escaping unscathed."

"Such achievements are hard to come by in a century, truly deserving the title 'Madman King'."

At this moment, a user with the ID 'Korea's Best' commented, "Tang is the pride of our South Korea."

"F*ck, these disgusting Koreans are everywhere."

"Alright, alright, the whole world belongs to your South Korea, you can get lost now!"

"Oh, God! Kick this disgusting thing out fast."

'Korea's Best' has been kicked out of the discussion in this thread.

The discussion returned to normal.

"In that battle, Tang sustained severe injuries and then disappeared without a trace. According to those who participated in the fight, he might not have survived."

"That's right. If he were alive, the other members of International Madman wouldn't have gone into hiding."

"Even if he is alive, he must be a broken man by now. Such a shame, it was just a fleeting moment of glory!"

...

"A fleeting moment of glory, huh?"

In Imperial City of China, within a courtyard, two elders were playing Go under a large tree.

One of them had long hair tied up high on his head. He was slightly plump, dressed in gray and white Tang attire, with white hair and a ruddy complexion, looking quasi-Taoist.

With a black piece in hand, he made his move on the board, instantly transforming the dire situation, reversing heaven and earth.

"Ten years ago, with a single move I made, the dragon fought in the wilderness, shocking the world."

"Today, as I place another piece, let's see its effect."

The old man holding the white pieces lightly smiled, "Shouldn't it be that today, with another piece placed, the dragon soars ten thousand miles?"

"Hahaha..."

"Laughing your ass off, for your sake of 'placing another piece,' I even threw in my granddaughter." The old man with the white pieces was visibly irritated.

"You will thank me in the future."

...

Outside Binhai East Station, in a small hotel.

Yang Fei was curled up on the bed, sweat pouring like syrup.

He let out suppressed groans of pain through his gritted teeth, his handsome face with sharp and distinct features now slightly contorted.

Pain!

Pain to the extreme!

That kind of agony, as if his veins and arteries were about to burst open, was unbearable even for him.

After enduring for a full half-hour, everything finally returned to calm.

"Phew!"

Breathing out a sigh of relief, Yang Fei slowly regained his senses.

Within his bright eyes, a deep sorrow and helplessness flickered.

"It's getting more and more painful!"

This is what the end of a hero's journey looks like, isn't it?

A year ago, he was the famous Madman King who commanded respect worldwide. But now, he was nothing more than a broken man, riddled with wounds and chronic ailments.

Thinking back to his past glory, Yang Fei's face showed desolation, his heart filled with helplessness and unwillingness.

Beep beep!

The WeChat notification sounded.

Yang Fei was jolted back to reality and immediately remembered that important matter, his expression changing.

He opened his phone to see a message: Are you still coming?

Glancing at the time, he realized he was half an hour late to their agreed meeting time.

Yang Fei hastily replied: "Sorry, something urgent came up and delayed me. Are you still there? I'm on my way right now."

The reply came quickly: Hmm.

Just one word, not very enthusiastic.

Well, it's understandable. Being the man, he was half an hour late and hadn't informed the other party in advance. Anyone would be angry, let alone enthusiastic.

Yang Fei hurried into the bathroom and took a quick cold shower to wash off the sweat and stink.

Half an hour later, he rushed to the coffee shop where they were supposed to meet.

At a window-side seat, the sunlight filtered through the glass, casting a beautiful silhouette.

The woman had a simple ponytail, a graceful neck, and sat properly on the couch, holding a book and reading intently.

There was a cup of tea on the table in front of her.

Yang Fei felt a bit guilty.

Being more than an hour late to their first meeting probably left a very bad impression on her.

He felt helpless.

As he was leaving the station, an elderly man suddenly fell to the ground, convulsing and seizing. His life was hanging by a thread, and as a doctor, Yang Fei couldn't just stand by.

To save the man, he knew he shouldn't use his True Qi rashly but he did it anyway.

Though he managed to save the man, he triggered that stormy pain once again, forcing him to find a temporary room to hide in, lest his dreadful agony during the outbreak frighten others.

Despite his own troubles, he just couldn't stand to see others suffering.

Yang Fei gave a self-mocking smile as he approached the woman.

"Hello, are you Qin Yanyang?" Yang Fei asked.

The woman raised her head to look at him.

Sunshine fell on her, as if coating her in a layer of sacred glow.

Gazing at this woman, Yang Fei felt an inexplicable peace.

Qin Yanyang closed her book, stood up with a slight nod, and extended her delicate hand to point at the sofa opposite her: "Sit!"

Her voice was also pleasant, Yang Fei mused.

As he sat down, a server approached: "Good afternoon, sir. May I ask what you would like to drink?"

"Tea."

After the server left, Yang Fei, looking at the woman opposite him who fulfilled all his aesthetic fantasies about Eastern women, apologized: "My name is Yang Fei, and I am so sorry for being so late on our first meeting."

Qin Yanyang nodded slightly and said, "It's fine. I had nothing special planned today so I waited a little longer. No worries."

She seemed to be a woman of good temperament, ready to give others the opportunity to explain without getting easily angry even when the fault lay with them.

Generous and tolerant.

Just like the majestic front she displayed.

Yet Yang Fei could feel that behind this generosity and tolerance, there was a kind of aloofness, an invisible barrier that made it hard to get truly close.

"I'm twenty-four years old, I like peace and quiet, reading books, watching movies, and hiking. I'm currently teaching at Binhai University and also involved in some project development. My work can sometimes be light, but other times it requires working night after night, even to the point of not being able to return home. Can you… I mean, would you be able to accept that?"

Just as Yang Fei wasn't sure how to face this awkward blind date situation, Qin Yanyang took the initiative to speak.

Yang Fei was slightly startled.

According to what he had searched online about blind date procedures, this seemed a bit off.

He cleared his throat, mimicking her, and said: "My name is Yang Fei, twenty-three years old. I just returned to the country and don't have a job yet. Uh, I guess I'm a doctor, the certified kind. As for hobbies... ahem, similar to yours. Uh, it's really not to please you that I'm saying this."

Qin Yanyang smiled slightly.

It was hard to tell if it was because Yang Fei was imitating her introduction or because of his last remark.

"Shouldn't you be asking about my family background, income, what kind of car I drive, how many houses I own, or how much I have in savings?" Yang Fei, recalling the blind date videos he had watched online, couldn't help but remind her.

Qin Yanyang looked at him in surprise, her lips curving into a charming smile: "I have all of those."

She continued: "Did you bring your household registration book?"