The sheriff arrived at Ruizhu Hotel with surprising speed—no delays like in the movies where the cops show up after the chaos. Within five minutes of the emergency call, sirens filled the parking lot as more than a dozen police cars converged. The response was overwhelming. Soon after, several ambulances arrived, lights flashing in perfect sync with the police.
"This is the situation," Xue Jing said calmly, sitting on a stool inside one of the ambulances. His upper body was exposed, revealing deep, jagged scars across his skin.
Two nurses carefully treated his wounds, using scissors, cotton swabs, bandages, and disinfectant. Despite the injuries, Xue Jing's face remained composed.
A middle-aged sheriff, notebook in hand, listened closely as Xue Jing recounted the events. He occasionally scribbled notes, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"So, you handled the monster alone?" the sheriff asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Xue Jing thought for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, you could say that."
Aside from Pei Tiancheng's initial punch, which had little effect, no one else had been able to help. The others couldn't keep up with the monster's rapid movements, and their limited vision made them more of a liability.
"Understood. I've got everything down," the sheriff said, tucking his notebook into his pocket. He patted Xue Jing's shoulder lightly, carefully avoiding his wounds. "It's rare to see someone so young step up like this. Heroes really do come from the youth."
Xue Jing smiled slightly but had another question. "Sheriff, you seem well-informed. Do you know where this monster came from?"
The sheriff hesitated, his lips tightening. After a pause, he spoke cautiously. "I can't reveal too much, but... it's likely connected to the border region."
The sheriff knew more than he was letting on. About a month ago, agents from higher up had come to Qingcheng to investigate a smuggling ring near the border. There were rumors that the gang was trafficking something dangerous—so dangerous that if not dealt with swiftly, it could cause a city-wide catastrophe.
The Public Security Bureau had scrutinized every strange occurrence in Qingcheng over the past month. When they received a report about a "monster," they acted quickly. Now, they seemed to have found a crucial lead.
The sheriff glanced at Xue Jing, realizing the young man might soon be questioned by higher authorities.
"The border..." Xue Jing murmured. It made sense. This creature wasn't natural—it was either a product of biotech experiments or something far worse from the mysterious borderlands.
"For now, focus on recovery. We may need to ask you more questions or call you to the station for an official statement," the sheriff said, preparing to leave.
"Of course," Xue Jing agreed with a nod.
As the sheriff left, more cars began filling the hotel's parking lot. Expensive vehicles pulled up, and well-dressed parents rushed out, anxiously searching for their children. Reunions filled the air with shock and relief as families embraced and spoke hurriedly.
In the middle of the commotion, a short-haired female reporter darted around, recorder in hand. She interviewed anyone willing to talk while her photographer snapped pictures. The survivors she spoke to repeatedly pointed toward Xue Jing.
Noticing the reporter headed his way, Xue Jing chuckled to himself. "Alright, time for me to go home."
The nurses, who had been attending to his wounds while occasionally brushing his chest muscles, looked up in surprise.
"You can't leave like this! You need proper treatment at the hospital," one of them protested.
"Yes, please come with us," the other nurse pleaded, nodding in agreement.
Xue Jing smiled but said nothing. He grabbed his torn shirt, slipped it on, and leapt out of the ambulance, his movements swift and graceful despite his injuries.
Before the nurses could protest further, he disappeared into the parking lot, moving at a speed too fast to follow. The last thing he wanted was to end up on the news—his family would be worried sick if they saw him in this condition.
Shortly after Xue Jing vanished, a car screeched into the parking lot. A middle-aged man, panic etched across his face, jumped out and frantically asked the crowd, "Ying Yang! Where's my son? Why hasn't he called me?"
A passerby hesitated before answering softly, "Sir, Ying Yang... he's already gone."
The man's eyes widened in shock. His legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground, burying his face in his hands.
---
Later that night, Xue Jing sat on a single bed, wearing only a pair of shorts. His senior brother, Zhu Shanying, stood nearby with a transparent medicine bottle, carefully applying ointment to Xue Jing's wounds.
"How did things go so wrong? It was supposed to be a simple security job, but a monster like that shows up," Zhu Shanying grumbled, dabbing more medicine onto the injuries. "Junior brother, your luck is terrible."
"Dojo commissions always carry some risk. These kinds of accidents are unavoidable," Li Qi said from his wheelchair, shaking his head in resignation. "But you survived, Xue Jing. You've come out stronger, and you've grasped one of the Hidden Dragon Style's secret techniques. For a warrior, a brush with death is the ultimate test."
Xue Jing paused, then added, "Master, it's more than just that."
Li Qi looked at him, puzzled.
"I think... I've understood the essence of the Hidden Dragon Style."
Li Qi's eyes widened. Without a word, he wheeled himself closer and grabbed Xue Jing's wrist, channeling his internal strength to probe his student's energy.
The moment Li Qi's strength entered Xue Jing's body, there was an audible rumble, like the distant echo of a dragon's roar. The energy inside Xue Jing surged, instinctively pushing Li Qi's hand away.
Li Qi's shock quickly turned to delight. He laughed heartily. "A dragon, you've raised a dragon!"
Zhu Shanying, still applying ointment, looked confused. "Master, what are you talking about?"
Li Qi, still beaming, explained. "To truly master the Hidden Dragon Style, you must cultivate a dragon within yourself. Xue Jing has done just that. His spirit and soul have formed dragon energy, merging with his body. It has its own will—it's almost alive."
"In other words, Xue Jing is no longer just practicing martial arts. He's feeding the dragon within him. That is the essence of the Hidden Dragon Style."
Li Qi looked at Xue Jing with pride, his satisfaction evident. "Xiao Jing, you've unlocked the key to breaking your limits."