On the southwestern frontier...

The conflict among the Nine Provinces had subsided. Fortifications have been secured. Each unredeemable fortress had instilled fear in the hearts of their enemies!

At this moment, within a grand edifice, a ruler scrutinized a young man. His expression bore a tinge of melancholy.

"Do you truly intend to return to the Central Province? For now, do you wish to keep the location of the Greatest Warrior a secret?"

As a sovereign, the elderly man gazed into the youth's eyes with profound respect.

Behind the young man stood the Nine Great War Gods.

The Nine Great War Gods had rendered immense service. In just five years, their contributions were towering. Their mere existence sowed terror in the hearts of their adversaries.

Officially titled 'War Gods,' they reveled in unmatched power and wealth and were soon to return to the Nine Provinces.

Each would rule their own province autonomously. They possessed the authority to decide life and death.

Yet at this moment, the Nine Great War Gods humbly stood behind the youth.

Fane Woods was bestowed the title of Greatest Warrior by the Sovereign. His power now surpassed that of the highest War God.

The Sovereign was taken aback. Initially, the media planned an official announcement of the identities of the Nine Great War Gods along with their Greatest Warrior.

However, for some reason, only the identities of the Nine Great War Gods were divulged. The identity of the Greatest Warrior remained an enigma.

"Yes! I yearn to know how Salena fares now. Since all here is resolved, they no longer require my services!"

At last, a gentle smile graced the stern visage of the man. Salena was his beloved, his wife.

"My lord, may we accompany you to meet your wife?"

From his rear, one of the Nine Great War Gods, named Abner Young, inquired with curiosity.

Could one imagine the reaction if it became known that these esteemed deities were merely his subordinates?

"Let us defer this discussion for another occasion!"

Exhaling deeply, Fane seemed lost in contemplation.

Five years ago, during a counteroffensive, the ruler suffered heavy losses and conscripted every able warrior from across the land.

The Taylor family of the Central Province fell prey to this scheme, necessitating that they contribute a young generation as an exemplar to the provincial capital.

Elder Taylor was advanced in age and responsible for city order. Young Master Taylor was the sole scion and heir to the Taylor legacy.

Of course, Elder Taylor opposed sending his only grandson into battle for fear of ending his lineage. But the Taylors could not fall back.

It was during that time that deliverer Fane Woods appeared. A revelation struck Elder Taylor, prompting him to wed Fane to the Taylor's second daughter, Salena, in a mock marriage.

This ruse would allow Fane to represent Young Master Taylor on the battlefield as a member of the Taylor family.

Naturally, Fane had his own conditions. Initially, he sought a loan from Elder Taylor for his ailing mother's treatment.

Swiftly, the Taylor's second daughter was compelled to marry Fane, the delivery man. The modest wedding ceremony made Salena Taylor the century's joke.

On their wedding night, a despondent Salena initiated a consummate marriage bond with Fane in her inebriated state.

By the next morning, Salena wept.

That same morning, Fane was drafted as a soldier. Thus began their five-year separation.

Throughout those years, Fane encountered countless life or death situations. But the thought of Salena waiting at home sustained him.

In that time span, he transformed from family paragon to the central figure.

"Salena, fear not. I shall fulfill my duties to you!"

Fane clenched his fist. Anticipation of reuniting with Salena infused his typically tranquil heart with a trace of joy.

***

Four days later, a private aircraft gently descended at the Central Province International Airport.

"The Central Province! A place of profound memories!

Setting foot on this soil once more, a grin hinted at the corners of Fane's mouth.

Gazing at Lana Zechs, he slowly said,

"Since leaving the southwestern battlefields, I am no longer the Great Warrior. Henceforth, call me brother!"

"Understood, Brother Fane!"

Lana nodded her head. Assigned to the Central Province, she rejoiced in returning beside her master.

A Rolls Royce Phantom, bearing the license plate A99999, awaited at the airport's exit.

A bespectacled guard courteously opened the door as a middle-aged individual emerged from within.

If individuals from an elevated stratum recognized this to be Mason Drake, the Central Province's wealthiest, their jaws would surely drop to the ground.

One who compelled Mason to provide a personal airport reception was clearly no ordinary person.

"This trouble shall be worthwhile should I glimpse the Hell Queen's visage!" Mason declared.

He was acutely aware of what the War God represented.

Upon concluding his statement, a man and a woman approached him.

"The War God, the Hell Queen, Lana Zechs is here!" announced one guard respectfully upon their sighting.

"Let us depart."

Mason straightened his attire. For the first time, he approached Lana with deliberate care.

"Mason Drake of the Drake family greets the War Goddess's return to the Central Province! We have prepared the War Goddess's residence. Please accept this black card. I hope the War Goddess finds favor in it!"

Mason led his subordinates toward Lana, slightly stooping while presenting the black card to her.

Nevertheless, Lana's brow furrowed, and she coolly stated, "Your source is well-informed, as expected of the province's wealthiest!"

With that, she casually viewed the black card and scoffed coldly.

"Since you've made living arrangements, I shall abide. As for the card, keep it!"

"By all means!"

Mason wiped the sweat from his brow before daring to look up, pocketing the card.

"And you are...?"

He surveyed Fane, probing with a question.

"I was merely a fellow soldier!"

"A twist of fate has me returning to the Central Province, and we became friends! You may leave. I shall hail a taxi and head home!"

Fane smiled and glanced at Lana.

"Stay in touch via phone, yes?

"Of course!" Lana nodded in affirmation.

Upon hearing this, Mason's heart raced. This private jet was for the War God's dispatch. That this individual could return alongside the Hell Queen hinted at an extraordinary background.

What astonished him further was how Lana regarded this man with overt respect.

Soon after, a taxi pulled up outside a row of villas.

There lay the Taylors’ residence!

Having survived innumerable life and death predicaments, Fane could not suppress his bitter smile at the sight of the villa's gate.

At the time, if not for Elder Taylor's self-endangering threat, Salena would not have consented to wed him alone.

It was also the Taylors' dismissive attitude towards their own marriage that disillusioned Salena and facilitated her relationship with a mere delivery man like himself.

Though their union was a sham, Salena lost her chastity to Fane. Just before Fane's departure, Salena vowed to await his return, deeply moving him.

And at last, Fane had returned.

While Fane was lost in reflection, a small, dirty-faced girl approached the gate and peeked inside stealthily.

The girl was somewhat gaunt. She seemed to be four or five years old with a slightly yellowish complexion, evidently undernourished.

"That little girl, her eyes resemble Salena's!"

Fane couldn't help but smile at the girl's cute appearance.

A servant from the Taylor household emerged. She eyed the guards standing near the door and drew the girl aside.

Somehow, perhaps due to the girl's resemblance to Salena, Fane's interest was piqued.

He began to walk toward them.

Then Fane witnessed the servant discreetly pull out two loaves of bread from her pocket and hand them to the little girl.

"Kylie, it's just two today!"

"Thank you, Pretty Sister!"

The girl's stomach growled as she swallowed hard, clearly ravenous.

"Eat up quickly!"

The servant then patted the little girl on the head.

"Ah, Young Master Taylor is too cruel!"

"No, I'll take the bread and share it with Mommy, Grandpa and Grandma!"

The little girl clutched the bread, her smile radiating happiness, as if she held the greatest treasure in the world in her hands.

A sports car pulled up quickly beside them, followed by half a dozen Audi A6s.

Ivan Taylor?

Fane immediately recognized the man. After five years, Young Master Taylor had matured, but not much had changed; as before, he was shielded by his guards.

"Hehe, Jenny. What are you hiding there? Show it to me!"

Ivan asked, a smile on his face.

"T-T- nothing..."

The servant shook her head repeatedly, while Kylie hung her head as though she had done something wrong.

"Kylie, please tell me what this pretty sister has given you?"

Ivan squatted and asked the little girl.

"I won't tell you. You're a bad man. A very bad man!"

Kylie lifted her head, her lips pouting.

A bad man?

Ivan chuckled.

"Your mother has sullied the Taylor family name by giving birth to you. Your mother, the evil one!"

Having said this, Ivan stood and fixed his gaze on the two guards.

"Jenny, how daring of you to feed this little vermin. Do you wish to die?"

Ivan smiled coldly, then suddenly slapped Jenny across the face.

"Don't hit Pretty Sister, you mean person!"

The little girl ran and clung to Ivan's leg, then bit him.

"Arrgh!"

Ivan screamed in pain and pushed Kylie to the ground.

"Were you born in the Year of the Dog? You little wild beast. How dare you bite me?"

"Sob, sob...You are mean. You're so mean!"

Kylie hit the floor and began to cry.

"Here's the bread your pretty sister gave you. Eat it up. Both of you get one piece,"

Ivan threw the bread on the ground and trampled on it with his leather shoes. "If you don't eat, I'll break her arms and your arms too!"

"Young Master, please, I'll eat it. Don't trouble the child.

I beg you, Kylie daughter of Miss Salena. Salena is your cousin!"

Jenny knelt and reached for the bread, looking up pitifully at the imposing Ivan Taylor.

Daughter...Salena?

Hearing the servant's words, Fane was stunned.

How could Salena have a daughter? And how could her daughter look like a beggar?

"Didn't she say she'd remain true to me? Could she have remarried so quickly after I left for war?"

Fane's eyes reddened, and he laughed bitterly inside, feeling naive for having believed Salena would truly wait for him.

"Haha, her father died in battle years ago. This child is nothing but a little vermin!"

"Moreover, we initially arranged for Salena to fake a marriage with that worthless courier. Turned out she actually got pregnant with this trash. We told her to abort it, but she stubbornly kept the baby!"

"Her fate now is just. It's what someone who has tarnished our family name deserves!"

Ivan laughed out loud.

At that moment, Fane's heart was in turmoil. Was this dirty, rag-clad little girl truly his daughter?

He clenched his fists as rage overtook him. What had Salena endured over the past five years?

"Will you eat it? If you don't, don't even think about leaving here!"

Ivan grabbed one of the dirt-covered loaves and lifted Kylie with one hand, forcing the bread into her mouth.

"Sob, sob...You're cruel. I won't eat it. I won't..."

The little girl's feet kicked the air, one of her kicks landing on Ivan's attire.

Ivan looked at his clothes and roughly threw Kylie aside.

"You brute! She's your niece!"

Veins bulged on Fane's temples. Kylie was tiny. Being thrown like that, how could she be alright?

Fane stepped in and appeared before Ivan in a flash, reaching out to catch Kylie.

"Ah!"

Kylie gasped, her wide eyes taking in the brave-looking man.

"Uncle, w-w- who are you?"

Kylie looked at Fane, fear clear on her face.

"Don't be scared, Kylie. In the future, no one will dare bother you or your mother!"

Fane felt a paternal instinct surge as he looked at his own daughter, his daughter with Salena.

"Who are you? How dare you meddle in the Taylor family's affairs?"

Ivan was furious at Fane's sudden entrance.

In five years, Fane had undergone a great transformation, going from an ordinary courier to the sole Supreme Warrior of Daxia. Ivan failed to recognize him on the spot.

"Today I will certainly involve myself in the Taylor family's business!"

Fane glared with an icy stare. His aura, stained with countless bloodsheds, made Ivan step back in fear.

"Kylie, don't be afraid. I'll protect you!"

Fane looked tenderly at Kylie in his embrace, then gently set her back on the ground.

"What are you doing standing around? Break the legs and arms of this scoundrel!"

Seeing his tall, strong guards, Ivan felt confident.

"You ruffian, how insolent of you to interfere with Young Master Taylor's affairs!"

About a dozen guards began to close in on Fane.

Bang, bang, bang!

Unfortunately, before Ivan could clearly see, the guards were already sprawled on the ground.

"Ah, my arm's broken!"

"My leg, my leg!"

With the guards lying defeated, Ivan was terrified, his face paling.

"D-d-damn you, scoundrel. Who are you? I am the Young Master of the Taylor family. You won't have a good end if you upset me!"

Ivan swallowed and his voice trembled.

"Who am I? Hehe, I'm the one who went to war in your place!"

Fane's gaze was intimidating.

"Ivan Taylor, I fought and faced death on your behalf. There were dozens of times I nearly lost my life. Yet here you are, daring to feed my daughter bread you've stepped on?"

"Y-y-you're Fane? Impossible. Five years without word. How did you come out alive?"

Ivan was in a panic. Not just the Taylor family, everyone in the Central Province thought Fane had died, given reports of battles from years ago being too vicious with many casualties.

"Sorry to disappoint, but fortune favors me. I could not die!"

Fane sneered, sending a kick Ivan's way.

Ivan fell to his knees, his scream echoing with pain in his knees.

"Eat these two loaves. If not, I don't care if you're Salena's cousin or not, I will slaughter you like an animal!"

Fane picked up the dirt-covered loaves and threw them in front of Ivan with an unforgiving look in his eyes.

"Fane, have you truly lost your mind? Do not forget your own roots. You are but an outsider who married into our family. Do not think that just because you've been a soldier for some years, you can toy with me just because you've gained a bit of extra strength,"

Ivan clenched his teeth and tried to stand.

Bang!

Fane greeted him with a kick, sending him sprawling to the floor which became dusty around him.

"I won't repeat myself!"

Fane then stepped on Ivan's hand.

"Arghh!"

Ivan screamed in pain. It felt as if his bones were being crushed.

"Damn you..."

Ivan lifted his head as fear had rendered him speechless. He looked up to find Fane's merciless gaze upon him.

"Will you eat it or not? If not, I will kill you right now!" Fane said coldly.

"M-M-eat. I'll eat it!"

This time Ivan's fear of Fane was palpable. Despite his internal rejection, he bit into the dirt-covered bread. Trembling, he placed it in his mouth.

"Jenny, thank you for caring for Kylie. Is Salena inside?"

Fane approached the servant. He remembered Jenny was once Salena's personal attendant and close to her.

"N-N-Miss has been ostracized from the Taylor family. The family opposed her giving birth to Kylie and she didn't comply and that's why..."

Tears welled up in Jenny's eyes as she related the events.

"Let's go. I'll take you to her."

Fane picked up Kylie.

"Kylie, in the future, no one will dare to bully you again!"

"Pretty Sister, w-w-who is he?"

Kylie had not yet recovered from the earlier scene. Fear was still evident in her face.

"Kylie, he's your father. Quickly call him 'Dad'. He's not dead. He has returned!"

Jenny explained through tears. For the past five years, Salena's life had been miserable.

"Are you really my dad?"

Kylie puckered her lips, her eyes brightening.

"They said my dad died. Are you really my dad? Mom told me Dad must be alive. She said if Dad came back, we wouldn't need to scavenge!"

Fane burst into tears. Though he stood six feet tall and was the sole Grand Warrior of Daxia, his eyes reddened from the tears.

"Jenny, m-m-make your choice wisely. If you dare leave the Taylor house, you'll be jobless. You must know how many people fight for the chance to be a servant of the Taylor family!" Ivan yelled after finally consuming the two pieces of bread.

"You're full of nonsense!"

Fane rewarded him with another kick, tossing him several meters away. Ivan vomited blood and passed out.

"Right! That baddie got what he deserved!"

Kylie exclaimed, bursting with spirit upon witnessing the scene.

"I don't want this job. Let's go. Mr. Fane, I'll bring you to Miss Salena!"

Jenny steeled her resolve. Then she turned to Kylie and asked, "Kylie, why won't you say hello to your father?"

Kylie lowered her head bashfully. After a moment, she finally spoke with her sweet, innocent voice,

"Dad..."

"Good girl. Look at you, all dirty. Let's go. I'll clean you up and buy you some fresh clothes!"

Fane tenderly kissed Kylie's forehead. His heart warmed. She was his flesh and blood.

Quickly, Fane took Jenny and Kylie to the best bathhouse in the Central Province.

"Sir, this place is very expensive..." Jenny reminded him softly.

"My daughter deserves the finest!"

For a moment, Fane's gaze never wavered. His affectionate eyes remained fixed on Kylie in his arms.

"Sir, are you lost? This bathhouse does not welcome beggars!"

Just as they reached the door, an attendant laughed at the sight of Kylie's dirty face, disgust in his eyes.

"I know,"

Fane firmly warned him, "Give me 10 minutes!"

"10 minutes?" The others became confused.

"10 minutes to clear this place out. I need to bathe my cherished daughter!"

The attendant chuckled. "Sir, are you joking? We have individual baths for over a thousand people, not including other activities. Unless you've got about 80,000 dollars, I fear you're only dreaming of having me clear out this place!"

After saying this, the attendant paused before going on,

"Looking at you, you're not somebody who can fork out that kind of money. Besides, we can't expect to serve a beggar, can we?"

Fane's expression darkened. The surrounding air temperature seemed to drop a few degrees.

"Say that again?"

"Your daughter is filthy. Isn't she a beggar?"

Bang!

The attendant was sent flying with a kick...

"Damn you, what are you doing? Do you know where you are?"

The attendant got up and screeched, "Guys, this one's here to make trouble!"

"What is this nonsense? This place is under Clark family control. Are you mad? You dare to cause trouble here?"

"That's right, we can't help if he's here to die!"

Several customers shook their heads as they watched.

Everyone knew such a luxury bathhouse was naturally backed by a sturdy power.

They could make the entire population of the Central Province tremble with a single word.

Shortly after, a group of muscular men rushed in.

"Who dares to cause trouble in our place?" One of them bellowed.

He was a muscly, brawny man.

"This is Clark family territory. You're quite bold to stir up trouble here!" another man said.

"My daughter is not a beggar. It's one thing if you insult me. But if anyone dares to offend my daughter, it won't end well for you!"

Throughout the years, his daughter must have suffered greatly. All Fane hoped was to restore the smiles for Kylie and Salena.

"You rat, so it's you. You've got some nerve!"

"Do you realize who I am? I am the Black Dragon of the Central Province, the Clark family's general. Kneel and admit your fault now, then get out of my sight!"

"This is not a place for the disheveled. We also don't cater to smelly beggars. Your daughter must be one..."

The brawny man moved forward two steps, arrogance etched on his face.

"What!? He's the Black Dragon? Wow, I've heard he's a fearsome fighter. His reputation comes from his death toll!

Once, he killed over a hundred men, saving Lord Clark. The tale's spread through the streets!"

Some of the patrons stepped back, terrified. They felt their hearts shrink.

"You want me to kneel?" Fane was astonished.

"I'm afraid the man brave enough to make me kneel hasn't been born yet. I've lost count of how many lives I've claimed!"

"Interesting, keeping bold in my presence, haha, I doubt you were even born when I began slicing others with my sword!" The Black Dragon erupted with laughter.

"Son, I'm well aware of the mighty powers within the Central Province. Funnily enough, you're not on that list!"

"Today... you'll get to know me!"

As Fane finished his sentence, a glint of light flashed.

Suddenly, the Black Dragon fell to the ground.

The Black Dragon lay there, his eyes wide in shock, breathless.

A hush fell over the place.

"This is bad, the B-Black Dragon's dead!" Someone cried out in fear upon realizing it.