Homecoming

Shangguan Meixue blinked in surprise. "What do you want with this statue?"

Huo Xuan replied, "I find its artistic value remarkable. A worthy addition to my collection."

She rolled her eyes. "As if I'd believe that!"

He coughed lightly, offering no further explanation. "Just tell me if it's possible."

"Of course," she said. "One word from me, and an engineering team could haul it down the mountain—even ship it back to China. But do you really think the tribe will let you take their deity?"

"Don't forget—I'm their 'god.' Just follow my lead," Huo Xuan said with a smirk.

Back at the village, Shangguan Meixue informed the chief that the "deity" intended to rebuild the temple elsewhere and thus needed to relocate the statue. Far from objecting, the chief was overjoyed, leading the entire tribe in bowing to their false god.

That evening, a helicopter landed at the mountain's base. Fang Lingtian and Zhu Hong stepped out.

Huo Xuan and Shangguan Meixue hurried to meet them. "What took you so long?" Huo Xuan demanded.

Fang Lingtian's expression darkened. "The operation was a bloodbath. Leafblade and Thunderstorm fell. Rose and Ancient Rock were severely wounded—Yuan Xin is still missing. Zhu Hong and I only just returned to base."

Huo Xuan stiffened. Leafblade and Thunderstorm—dead? His resentment evaporated. "How bad are Rose and Ancient Rock's injuries?"

"Ancient Rock lost an arm. Rose took a knife to the chest—both were evacuated," Zhu Hong said, eyes red-rimmed. "Damn Americans sent A-rank gene-modified soldiers."

Huo Xuan's stomach dropped. So those operatives we encountered were just the vanguard. No wonder Team B had been outmatched.

"We underestimated them," he muttered.

Learning lives had been lost for her rescue, Shangguan Meixue bowed deeply. "Thank you."

"We were doing our duty," Fang Lingtian said flatly. "No thanks needed."

"With so many elite gene-soldiers deployed, our mission here is untenable," Huo Xuan noted.

"Command already dispatched Team A," Fang Lingtian said. "They've wiped out the American operatives and razed their base. The region is clean."

Huo Xuan marveled at Team A's prowess. "So Team B is pulling out?"

"Tomorrow. Team A will handle the rest." Fang Lingtian met his gaze. "Huo Xuan, despite our losses, we completed the mission—thanks to you."

Huo Xuan shook his head. "They paid with their lives. My contribution pales in comparison."

After a brief exchange, they boarded the helicopter. By day's end, two heavy-duty trucks rumbled into the village, carting away the lion-headed deity.

After transporting the statue to the camp, Huo Xuan placed it inside a tent and waited until nightfall. With a heavy hammer, he shattered the idol, revealing a cascade of gemstones pouring from its hollow belly—at least three to five hundred pounds' worth!

Under the lamplight, the gems sparkled brilliantly, interspersed with a few high-quality diamonds. Each stone was exquisite, collectively worth a staggering fortune.

As the gems scattered across the ground, the tent flap was pushed open. Shangguan Meixue stepped inside.

Without turning around, Huo Xuan said, "Now you understand why I wanted the statue?"

Her eyes gleamed with fascination as she took in the glittering hoard. "This many gems won't be easy to smuggle back home."

Huo Xuan shrugged. "That's where you come in. After they're sold, we'll split the profits—80/20."

"Me 80, you 20?" she teased.

He rolled his eyes. "You're the 20."

Shangguan Meixue exhaled in awe. "This is likely the lost wealth of the Gemstone Dynasty. Even 20% is a fortune. I'll help."

Kneeling, Huo Xuan pocketed a handful of the finest stones before standing. "The rest is your responsibility."

A sly smile played on her lips. "Aren't you afraid I'll take it all for myself?"

"Some things can't be forced," he said with a shrug. "If you really want to cheat me, there's nothing I can do."

She chuckled. "Don't worry—not a single gem will go missing."

"Neither will your share," he assured her. "Rough estimate? Selling all of this should net at least a billion."

Her eyes widened. "That much?"

Huo Xuan grinned. "A conservative guess. I'll give you the exact numbers later."

"Deal. I trust you." Shangguan Meixue smiled—genuinely, happily. After all, no one ever complained about having too much money.

The next afternoon, a transport plane touched down on the makeshift airstrip. Huo Xuan boarded alongside Fang Lingtian and Zhu Hong, while Shangguan Meixue stood by to see them off. Before stepping onto the plane, Huo Xuan turned and said, "Keep in touch, Shangguan."

She arched an eyebrow but remained silent.

Only after the aircraft took off did her expression soften into something wistful.

By noon the following day, Huo Xuan arrived in Jiangzhou. As he disembarked, he spotted Hua Buyi waiting for him. Grinning, he approached. "Shifu! What brings you here?"

Hua Buyi replied impassively, "I'm heading to the capital. This plane was convenient, so I came to give you instructions."

Huo Xuan straightened, all ears. "I'm listening."

"You've mastered Ming Jin—in theory, you're ready to inherit my legacy. But your reputation and standing are lacking. Until you prove yourself, I can't fully pass the torch." His tone brooked no argument.

"How do I prove myself?" Huo Xuan pressed.

Hua Buyi smiled faintly. "Three tasks. Complete them, and I'll formally accept you as my disciple and teach you my medical arts."

Anticipation prickled under Huo Xuan's skin. "What three tasks?"

"First," Hua Buyi enunciated, "you must become the world's greatest martial artist."

Huo Xuan nearly stumbled. "Shifu, even you don't claim that title. How could I—?"

"Then don't bother apprenticing," Hua Buyi said flatly.

Jaw tightening, Huo Xuan squared his shoulders. "Difficult, but not impossible."

"Second," Hua Buyi continued, "your personal assets must exceed one hundred billion dollars."

Huo Xuan's mouth went dry. "A... hundred billion? Dollars?"

That figure dwarfed Vietnam's entire GDP—a sum earned by 80 million people. Was his master joking?