After finishing a small, lonely meal and washing it down with the bitter alcohol he had bought from a street vendor, Lan Hai dragged his exhausted body toward his bed.
He felt like a ghost wandering through his own home.
Within minutes, the crushing weight of his sorrow and mental exhaustion overwhelmed him, pulling him into a deep sleep.
Yet, sleep brought him no peace.
That night, an incomprehensible cosmic vision invaded his dreams.
Lan Hai found himself standing at the very center of an endless galaxy.
There was no ground beneath his feet—only countless stars, swirling nebulae, and boundless cosmic darkness.
Hovering above his outstretched palms were five colossal galaxies, revolving effortlessly around him as though he were their supreme ruler.
An unimaginable power surged through his veins, so overwhelming that it felt as if he could crush entire planets with a single hand.
Lan Hai: “HAAAH!”
Lan Hai jolted awake, shooting upright in bed.
He gasped desperately for air as though he had just escaped drowning.
Cold sweat soaked his entire body, while his heart pounded violently against his ribs.
He remained frozen in the darkness, his mind racing.
‘What…
was that?
What kind of dream was it?
Why did I see something so terrifying…
something on such a cosmic scale?
And why did it feel so real?’
He turned toward the digital clock beside his bed.
5:00 AM.
Lan Hai let out a slow breath.
Lan Hai: “There’s no point trying to sleep again. My mind won’t settle down. I might as well make myself useful.”
He climbed out of bed and walked into the bathroom, splashing icy water across his face until the lingering haze finally faded from his thoughts.
Afterward, he headed into the kitchen and began preparing breakfast, deliberately keeping his hands busy to stop himself from thinking about Xia Qinue.
Once the meal was ready, he took a long hot shower before brewing himself an extra-strong cup of black coffee.
By the time he finished his morning routine, the clock displayed exactly 7:00 AM.
DING DONG!
The sudden ring of the doorbell shattered the quiet morning.
Lan Hai froze, his coffee cup halfway to his lips.
His brows furrowed in confusion.
Who would visit this early?
Setting the cup aside, he walked toward the entrance, unlocked the security door, and slowly pulled it open.
The moment the door swung open, he was stunned.
Standing outside…
…was Mu Chen.
Before Lan Hai could say a single word, Mu Chen lunged forward and wrapped him in an exaggerated bear hug, squeezing him so tightly he could barely breathe.
Mu Chen: “Lan Hai! My beloved brother! You have no idea how much I’ve suffered! These past three weeks have been worse than death itself! Living without you felt like my soul had been ripped out! I missed you so much, bro!”
Lan Hai struggled to pry him off, his face turning red from lack of oxygen.
Lan Hai: “Cut the nonsense, you shameless traitor! Twenty-one days! Not a single message. Not a single phone call. You didn’t even bother checking whether I was alive or dead. And now you show up pretending to be the world’s greatest brother?”
Mu Chen immediately raised both hands in surrender.
Mu Chen: “Whoa, calm down! At least let me explain before you beat me to death. Tell me… have you seriously stayed away from the news for the past three weeks?”
Lan Hai: “What news are you talking about?”
Mu Chen walked into the apartment as if it were his own home and dropped onto the dining chair with a dramatic sigh.
Mu Chen: “The underground Spiritual Energy source beneath the Hutongs District! The discovery threw the entire capital into chaos. Every major family, corporation, and government organization rushed to seize control of the area. The whole district was placed under complete lockdown.”
He grabbed a glass of water from the table and emptied it in one gulp before continuing.
Mu Chen: “Because of that mess, my father confined me to the family estate. I spent the last three weeks buried under company security reports and emergency meetings. They confiscated my phone, laptop, and every communication device I owned. I couldn’t contact anyone, even if I wanted to.” Read the latest chapters at novelping . com.
Lan Hai folded his arms, giving him an unconvinced look.
Lan Hai: “That’s quite the convenient excuse.”
Mu Chen placed a hand over his chest as if deeply wounded.
Mu Chen: “Brother… do you really think I’d willingly stay away from your cooking for three whole weeks? Have a little faith in our brotherhood.”
Lan Hai couldn’t help rolling his eyes.
Lan Hai: “Enough with the acting. Sit down. Breakfast’s ready.”
Mu Chen’s gloomy expression vanished instantly.
Mu Chen: “Now that’s the Lan Hai I know! I’ve been surviving on estate chefs for weeks. I need real food before I forget what happiness tastes like.”
Lan Hai chuckled softly.
Lan Hai: “You’re impossible.”
He carried two bowls of freshly prepared noodles to the dining table before placing one in front of Mu Chen.
Mu Chen picked up his chopsticks without hesitation and immediately started eating.
After swallowing the first mouthful, he let out a satisfied sigh.
Mu Chen: “Now this is food. Those five-star chefs at home should resign immediately.”
Lan Hai smiled faintly before taking his own seat.
As they ate, Mu Chen glanced around the apartment.
Only then did he realize how unusually quiet it was.
Mu Chen: “By the way… where’s that annoying old fake master? Don’t tell me he’s still sleeping.”
Lan Hai shook his head.
Lan Hai: “Senior left twenty days ago. Before he departed, he sent me a message saying he had urgent matters to attend to in the Hutongs District because of the Spiritual Energy eruption. Since then, I haven’t heard a single word from him.”
Mu Chen nearly burst into laughter.
Mu Chen: “Seriously? That’s the best news I’ve heard all morning. I honestly hope that old parasite never finds his way back here. My lifespan shortens every time I see his face.”
A genuine laugh escaped Lan Hai’s lips.
For the first time in weeks…
He laughed from the bottom of his heart.
But just as the apartment filled with their laughter—
DING DONG!
The doorbell rang once again.
Mu Chen casually put down his chopsticks and stood up.
Mu Chen: “Keep eating. I’ll get it. Let’s see which unlucky soul decided to interrupt our peaceful breakfast.”
Mu Chen swaggered toward the entrance with complete confidence, lazily stretching his shoulders as though he owned the apartment.
Without a second thought, he pulled the door open.
The smug expression on his face instantly froze.
Standing at the doorway, calm, dignified, and impeccably dressed in a spotless white suit…
…was Sovereign Han Ji Shen.
Mu Chen slapped his forehead and let out a defeated sigh.
Mu Chen: “Speak of the devil… and the executioner shows up at the front door.”
From inside the kitchen, Lan Hai called out,
Lan Hai: “Chen, who is it?”
Before Mu Chen could answer, something unbelievable happened.
Han Ji Shen’s figure suddenly blurred.
In less than the blink of an eye, he vanished from the doorway and reappeared beside Lan Hai in the kitchen.
The movement was so fast that Lan Hai couldn’t react.
Startled by the sudden appearance, his grip loosened.
The steaming bowl of freshly cooked noodles slipped from his hands.
Splash!
The hot broth and noodles spilled all over Han Ji Shen’s spotless white suit.
Han Ji Shen slowly lowered his head and looked at the mess covering his clothes. Enjoying the story? Read on at novelping.com.
A single noodle hung from the sleeve of his expensive jacket.
His expression immediately darkened.
Han Ji Shen: “You fool… what exactly do you think you’re doing?”
Lan Hai stood frozen in disbelief, his eyes wide with shock.
Lan Hai: “Senior… h-how did you get here so quickly? You were just standing at the front door!”
Han Ji Shen calmly brushed the noodles from his sleeve before puffing out his chest with unmistakable pride.
Han Ji Shen: “Did I not tell you before that I am a Supreme Celestial Master? That insignificant movement technique was merely the smallest fraction of my true abilities.”
Mu Chen finally rushed into the kitchen.
The moment he saw Han Ji Shen proudly showing off, he couldn’t stop himself.
Pointing directly at the Sovereign, he burst into laughter.
Mu Chen: “Oh, please! Stop pretending that little sprint was some heaven-defying technique! You just ran fast, you old fraud! Don’t act like you’re some supreme immortal.”
Han Ji Shen slowly turned toward him.
His calm eyes became ice-cold.
Without saying another word, he calmly raised one finger and traced a glowing spiritual symbol through the air.
A dangerous smile slowly appeared on his face.
Han Ji Shen: “Your tongue grows looser every time we meet.”
“I believe… it’s time someone taught you proper manners.”
SHUAA!
The instant the spiritual seal shot forward, Mu Chen’s voice disappeared completely.
His jaw remained wide open, but no words came out.
He desperately tried to shout, yet only muffled, meaningless sounds escaped his throat.
Mu Chen: “Mmm… Uhh… Mmmhh…”
His eyes widened in horror.
Clutching his throat with both hands, he stared at Han Ji Shen in disbelief.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t utter a single word.
Lan Hai’s expression immediately changed.
Lan Hai: “Senior! Please stop! Don’t scare him like this. Restore his voice immediately. He’s genuinely panicking.”
Unable to speak, Mu Chen frantically nodded in agreement.
He hurried in front of Han Ji Shen, pressed his palms together, and repeatedly bowed his head, silently begging for forgiveness.
Han Ji Shen slowly stroked his long beard, his expression remaining completely indifferent.
Han Ji Shen: “Had Lan Hai not spoken on your behalf, I would have sealed your tongue for the entire day. At the very least, my ears would have enjoyed a few hours of peace.”
With a casual wave of his sleeve, the spiritual seal dispersed.
The pressure around Mu Chen instantly vanished.
He inhaled deeply, finally able to breathe and speak again.
The moment he opened his mouth, countless insults rushed to the tip of his tongue.
But before a single word could escape—
Han Ji Shen slowly looked at him Nothing more Just one cold, emotionless glance.
The terrifying pressure hidden within those ancient eyes instantly froze Mu Chen where he stood.
Every insult disappeared his body stiffened involuntarily as a chill ran down his spine.
He quietly swallowed his words.
Without daring to argue any further, Mu Chen slowly retreated from the kitchen and collapsed onto the living room sofa with a defeated expression.
Inside, however, he continued cursing nonstop.
‘Damn that old monster!
If I hadn’t spent four billion yuan buying that Spiritual Ginseng for him, he wouldn’t even have recovered enough strength to bully me today!
He’s literally using my own money against me!’
Watching the entire exchange unfold from the kitchen, Lan Hai could no longer hold back.
A genuine laugh escaped his lips.
For the first time in weeks, the heavy burden weighing on his heart seemed to lighten ever so slightly.