He strode in briskly, cheeks rosy and complexion healthy, looking absolutely vigorous.
Following him in were Captain Leo Long's men.
Dozens of fully armed guards poured in, surrounding the gun-toting intruders in a one-sided standoff.
Right behind the Supreme Emperor was a young man in a tailored suit, dazzlingly handsome and elegant.
It was... Evan Lan!
Lily Bai stared at him in a daze.
He isn't dead?
And he’s back in human form?
In Evan Lan's hand was the blood vial that Eric Lan had just taken away.
And right behind them, Eric Lan was flanked by Max Mo and Uncle Ernie, each 'holding' him by the shoulder as they walked in.
Lily Bai bit her lip and nervously rubbed her fingers.
Busted...
Trailing behind Max Mo and the others were two major generals in military uniform.
They were the ones he’d stationed outside the city.
He’d already ordered his men to surround Dragon City.
But now, it was obvious—once his men saw the Supreme Emperor, they knew the truth. He probably couldn’t command them anymore...
Victor Liu’s face went ghostly pale the moment he saw them.
Xavier Xiao strode up to Victor Liu and asked, word by word, "Victor Liu, why did you order the army to surround Dragon City? What exactly were you planning?"
Victor Liu’s chest heaved violently.
Then, all at once, he lunged at the Supreme Emperor, trying to take him hostage and make his escape.
But just as he moved, his gun hand suddenly gave a sharp, unnatural crack and twisted at a bizarre angle.
"Ah!" Victor Liu screamed in agony as his gun clattered to the floor.
Captain Leo Long’s men rushed in and pinned him down.
Xavier Xiao said, "Take him away."
The guards stripped Victor Liu of all his gear, pulled off his uniform, and hauled him out.
Xavier Xiao kept walking, stopping in front of Nathan Xiao and his wife.
"Big Brother! You're alright!" Nathan Xiao exclaimed happily. "What on earth happened?"
"What happened... Why don't you ask your dear wife?" Xavier Xiao looked straight at Mabel Ames Xiao.
"What?" Nathan Xiao stared at Mabel, completely confused.
"Ask your wife—and your father-in-law—who killed my beloved wife, who drove my son away from his own home, and who... conspired with Victor Liu to overthrow the dynasty?"
Nathan Xiao stared wide-eyed at Mabel, then turned to Xavier Xiao. "Big Brother, what are you talking about?"
Xavier Xiao said nothing—he simply waved his hand again.
The guards stepped forward and restrained Mabel Ames Xiao.
"Mabel, what's going on?" Nathan Xiao asked in panic.
Mabel looked at Xavier Xiao and his son, then at Nathan Xiao, and burst out laughing. "Evan Lan, I knew you weren't dead! I knew you’d come back!"
Evan Lan stared at her coldly, saying nothing.
"But go ahead—turn on the TV!" She pointed at the screen. "Turn it on!"
Secretary Grant walked over and turned on the television.
But what was on the screen wasn’t a TV program.
It was a recording.
Evan Lan’s eyes narrowed as he saw the images on screen.
It was Benjamin Bai.
He was tied to a chair, looking utterly lost.
Judging by the background, it was deep inside Tianmen Mountain!
"Recognize him? Benjamin Bai! Lily Bai’s biological father, Evan Lan’s adoptive father! He’s your shared dad!" Mabel Ames Xiao shouted. "If you want him to live, Evan Lan, Lily Bai, you’ll come with me—to Tianmen Mountain!"
"Mabel Ames Xiao! What are you doing?" Nathan Xiao shouted. "What have you been hiding from me?"
"Nathan, we’re just doing what you’ve always wanted!" Mabel replied. "As long as those two come, we can finally make it happen!"
"You mean..." Nathan Xiao’s eyes widened.