Chapter 173: West Mountain Villa

Xu Jiaojiao stared deeply at Jiangnan and let out a soft sigh.

"Take me home, and I'll tell you everything."

Jiangnan did not hesitate, nodded, and agreed.

Soon, a sports car stopped in the West Mountain Villa District of Jinghai City.

Xu Jiaojiao got out of the car, shivering, and unconsciously leaned into Jiangnan's arms.

Jiangnan felt Xu Jiaojiao's soft, supple figure and exaggerated body, and his heart fluttered slightly.

"My husband died in the West Mountain Villa; we should be able to find some clues here."

Jiangnan nodded, took a deep breath, and pushed open the villa's main door.

A chilling aura brushed his face, mixed with a faint scent of blood.

Inside, the villa was in disarray, furniture toppled, and various clutter scattered on the floor.

On the walls, several dark‑red streaks were strikingly visible, like dried blood.

"Here..."

Xu Jiaojiao's face turned pale, and her body trembled slightly.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here."

Jiangnan whispered soothingly, his voice steady.

He took Xu Jiaojiao's hand, a hint of warmth spreading from his palm, dispelling the cold.

The two stepped into the villa cautiously, each step extra careful.

Suddenly, a gust of cold wind swept by, the curtains flailing wildly, producing a "whoosh" sound.

"Ah!" Xu Jiaojiao cried, clutching Jiangnan's arm tightly.

"Don't be nervous, it's just a gust of wind."

Jiangnan patted Xu Jiaojiao's back.

His gaze swept the surroundings, eyes sharp, as if searching for something.

"This wind feels odd."

He walked to the window, examined it closely, and found it tightly shut, with no gaps.

"This villa indeed has a problem."

A chill rose in Jiangnan's heart. He released Xu Jiaojiao and walked alone toward the bedroom.

"You... where are you going?"

Xu Jiaojiao's voice trembled, tinged with a hint of sobbing.

"I'll check the bedroom; wait here for me."

Jiangnan said nothing and turned away.

The bedroom door was ajar; he gently pushed it open, and a strong, pungent scent of blood hit his nose.

He held his breath, entered the bedroom, and the sight before him made his pupils contract sharply.

On a large bed, chaos reigned, the sheets splattered with blood.

On the wall, a massive Blood Hand Imprint was clearly visible, shocking to the eye.

Wait...

He had seen this Blood Hand Imprint before at River God Spring!

Jiangnan's pupils narrowed slightly, thinking:

Could this be the work of the Shadow organization again?

Or perhaps it's just a coincidence.

With that thought, he walked to the bedside, examined carefully, and found a bulge under the sheet.

He lifted the sheet, and a Secret Compartment appeared before him.

Inside the compartment lay a diary, its cover already yellowed.

Jiangnan picked up the diary, gently blew away the dust on top, and opened to the first page.

"Today, I uncovered a world‑shaking secret..."

The diary recorded Xu Jiaojiao's husband's investigation of Zhao Wuji before his death.

He discovered that Zhao Wuji was linked to several disappearances and possessed key evidence.

"It seems Xu Jiaojiao's husband's death is indeed connected to Zhao Wuji."

Jiangnan mused silently, continued flipping through the diary, hoping to find more clues.

Suddenly, a "crack" sound came from behind, like something shattering.

Jiangnan whirled around and saw Xu Jiaojiao standing at the doorway, her face deathly pale.

She held a photo frame in her hand; the frame was shattered, photos scattered on the floor.

"I... I was careless..." Xu Jiaojiao's voice trembled, laced with fear.

Jiangnan walked over, picked up a photo from the floor; it showed a young man.

The man's smile was radiant, his eyes clear—it was Xu Jiaojiao's husband.

"He... his name is Chu Tiannan."

Xu Jiaojiao's voice choked, tears streaming from her eyes.

"I understand."

Jiangnan replied softly, handing the photo to Xu Jiaojiao.

Xu Jiaojiao took the photo, clutching it tightly to her chest as if embracing her beloved.

"Let's go, this place isn't safe."

Jiangnan whispered. Xu Jiaojiao nodded, and the two turned to leave.

Suddenly, a cold, sinister laugh echoed through the villa, sending chills down their spines.

"Jie jie jie... Since you're here, don't even think of leaving."

The voice was grim and terrifying, like that of a demon from hell.

Jiangnan's complexion changed; he shielded Xu Jiaojiao behind him, his gaze scanning the surroundings warily.

"Who are you? Playing god and ghost!"

Jiangnan barked coldly, his voice laced with a hint of true Qi.

"Jie jie jie... I'm here to take your lives."

The voice sounded again, but its direction was indiscernible, as if it came from all sides.

"Hmph, hiding the head and showing the tail, what kind of skill is that!"

Jiangnan let out a cold snort. He closed his eyes, projected his spirit outward, instantly enveloping the entire villa.

"Got you!"

He snapped his eyes open, his gaze locking onto a room on the second floor. In a flash, he surged toward the second floor like a specter.

"Boom!" A deafening crash as Jiangnan kicked the door open.

Inside the room, a Black Shadow stood at the window, its back turned to Jiangnan.

"Who are you?"

Jiangnan asked coldly, a trace of murderous intent in his voice.

The Black Shadow turned slowly, revealing a pale face with a twisted grin at the corners of its mouth.

"Jie jie jie... I'm here to kill you."

The Black Shadow's voice was hoarse, as if a lump of phlegm were stuck in its throat.

"Just you?"

Jiangnan's lips curled into a slight arc, his eyes full of contempt.

"Jie jie jie... You'll soon know how powerful I am."

The Black Shadow let out a grotesque laugh, its body suddenly began to swell, muscles bulging.

In the blink of an eye, the Black Shadow turned into a hulking man over two meters tall, exuding a terrifying aura.

"Interesting."

Jiangnan's gaze hardened, battle intent rising.

"Die!"

The hulking man roared, swinging his fists toward Jiangnan.

The wind of his punches whistled, carrying a crushing pressure that made breathing difficult.

Jiangnan neither dodged nor evaded; he launched a punch of his own, colliding with the hulking man's fist.

"Bang!" A muffled thud,

Both stepped back a few paces simultaneously.

"Again!" the hulking man roared, charging at Jiangnan once more.

The two engaged in a fierce battle inside the room, fists and feet interweaving, bodies flashing.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

A series of heavy thuds rang out, accompanied by surges of air.

The furniture in the room shattered, and cracks spidered across the walls.

"You're strong, but you're still not my equal."

Jiangnan's voice was calm, yet carried undeniable confidence.

"Arrogant!"

The hulking man roared, his attacks growing even more ferocious.

"Is that so?"

Jiangnan's lips curled again, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

He suddenly inhaled deeply, his inner true Qi raging wildly.

"Break!" Jiangnan bellowed, his fist erupting forward.

"Crack!" A sharp snap as the hulking man's arm was brutally snapped off.

"Ah!"

The hulking man let out a pig‑like scream of agony, writhing in pain.

"Now, it's over."

Jiangnan's voice turned icy; he stepped forward and slapped the hulking man's Heavenly Spirit Cover.

"Boom!"

A muffled thud as the hulking man's body crashed to the ground, blood gushing from all seven orifices, his eyes never closing.

Jiangnan withdrew his hand and turned toward the doorway.

Xu Jiaojiao stood there, mouth agape, clearly terrified by what had just occurred.

"It's fine, it's already taken care of."

Jiangnan spoke softly, his voice gentle.

"He... he died?"

Xu Jiaojiao's voice trembled, tinged with disbelief.

"Hmm, dead. And he's been dead for over half a year already."

Jiangnan nodded, walked to Xu Jiaojiao's side,

"Let's go, we shouldn't stay here long."

Xu Jiaojiao nodded, the two walked out of the villa and came to the car. They finally couldn't help but ask.

"You... who exactly are you?"

"Me?" Jiangnan smiled faintly, "just an ordinary person."

"No, you're not an ordinary person."

Xu Jiaojiao shook their head, eyes steadfast.

"Your skill, and what you just..."

"What are you trying to say?"

Jiangnan looked at Xu Jiaojiao with interest.

"You... do you perhaps... that kind of..."

"It's... that kind of... superpower."

"Superpower?" Jiangnan pretended to be surprised,

"Why would you think that?"

"Because... because you're too amazing, an ordinary person couldn't do it."

Jiangnan couldn't help but show a faint smile,

"You're overthinking it, I only practiced some martial arts."