C15 A Retired Devil Domain Expert

Indeed, Lee Zihao's words whipped the onlookers into a frenzy, and they began to vocally condemn Wu Tiancheng.

"Just because they're big shots from Jiangbei doesn't give them the right to come to our Tianfeng City and wreak havoc!"

"Boss Lee is spot on! We welcome your investment! But if you start bullying us, pack your bags and leave! You're not welcome here!"

"They're just throwing their weight around! I refuse to believe that there's no justice in this world! Little sister, don't be scared! The law will take care of them!"

Seeing the crowd's seething anger, Wu Tiancheng's brow furrowed. He hadn't anticipated Lee Zihao's local prestige.

But none of that mattered to him.

"You're all fools!" Wu Tiancheng scoffed. "You ordinary folks just cower in your safe zones! In truth, each and every one of you is hopelessly naive!"

His words sparked immediate outrage, but Wu Tiancheng pressed on, his voice booming: "The only reason you're living in peace is thanks to people like me! Without my business investments and the money I've poured into supporting the nation's training of Devil Domain Experts to fend off the relentless Devil Cave Monsters, do you think you'd still be alive?"

"I'll give it to you straight! In the future, only the real powerhouses will deserve the good life. You ordinary people should just be thankful you're still breathing!"

As much as Wu Tiancheng's remarks were detestable, deep down, many knew there was truth in them.

Currently, the entire world was straining against the onslaught of the Devil Cave Monsters.

Each year, cities fell to the Devil Cave Monsters, and the human toll climbed into the tens of thousands!

The crisis was escalating, with the Devil Cave Monsters emerging more frequently and in greater numbers.

Twenty years ago, when the Devil Cave first appeared, only a couple of monsters emerged annually.

Now, with time's passage, hundreds of monsters burst forth from the Devil Cave each month. Their power was also on the rise, with some reaching the formidable level 5.

Consequently, many nations were at their wits' end dealing with these threats. Some smaller countries, desperate to ensure their people's survival, willingly surrendered their land and sovereignty to join larger nations.

Currently, there are only a handful of relatively large countries left in the world, with Great Xia Country being one of them. However, the outlook is grim, as half of the nation's territory has been overrun, and the remainder is teetering on the brink of collapse.

In light of this, the significance of Devil Domain Experts cannot be overstated.

Within Great Xia, all resources are prioritized for Devil Domain Experts since they are the nation's last line of defense.

Ordinary citizens, on the other hand, have been relegated to the lowest rung of society. Their sole purpose has become to produce more offspring, in hopes that among these children, new Devil Domain Experts will emerge.

In dire situations, the country would even sacrifice ordinary people to preserve the Devil Domain Experts.

Indeed, as Wu Tiancheng pointed out, ordinary people should be profoundly grateful just for the chance to live.

"How can you speak like that?" Lee Zihao's face darkened. Though it was an undeniable truth, it was taboo to discuss openly. He was taken aback that Wu Tiancheng would so brazenly voice these thoughts in public.

Wu Tiancheng let out a derisive laugh. "Why shouldn't I speak the truth? Many things will eventually come to light. The words I've chosen are already the most palatable version of the reality!"

"Today, I am taking these siblings with me! No one will stand in my way!" Wu Tiancheng commanded his men to seize Zhang Ze and his sister once more.

Lee Zihao clenched his jaw and abruptly positioned himself in front of the siblings. With a flurry of punches and kicks, he swiftly took down the bodyguards!

The onlookers were stunned by this display.

Lee Zihao's prowess belied his age; his movements were more nimble than many younger individuals.

What's more, he had just laid out professional bodyguards skilled in martial arts!

The injured bodyguards retreated, clutching their wounds, as they fell back to Wu Tiancheng's side. Wu Tiancheng's expression turned steely as he coldly addressed Lee Zihao, "So, you've decided to defy me today, have you? Do you really think it's worth it to oppose me for a couple of nobodies?"

Lee Zihao responded with a cold huff, "I'll have you know, I'm committed to protecting these two today! What I neglected to mention is that twenty years ago, I passed the Devil Domain Expert certification and achieved Rank 1 status. I also joined the military, but after sustaining an injury, I retired and turned my efforts to the business sector."

"So, if you're considering a confrontation with me, I'd think twice if I were you!"

Wu Tiancheng's face went pale upon hearing this. He had never expected Lee Zihao to be a Rank 1 Devil Domain Expert.

Age hadn't dulled Lee Zihao's martial arts skills, and even though he no longer had the energy or time to battle Devil Cave Monsters, his foundation was solid. Ordinary bodyguards were no match for him.

"Damn! If only this were Jiangbei, one phone call would bring at least two Rank 1 Devil Domain Experts to my side!" Wu Tiancheng seethed with frustration, but he was powerless. He was just a regular guy, outclassed by bodyguards, let alone someone like Lee Zihao.

"Wu Tiancheng, Tianfeng City is no place for your wild antics. I suggest you take that youngster and head back to Jiangbei City! Don't make me force you out. It'll be quite the humiliating exit," Lee Zihao warned, his fists clenched and voice icy.

Zhang Ze watched the exchange with keen interest. Despite his age, Lee Zihao was formidable. His movements were swift, his strength impressive.

Zhang Ze estimated Lee Zihao's punch packed at least 350 kilograms of force.

"I've increased my strength by 1 point, now at 12," Zhang Ze mused. "I'm not sure if my punch can hit 350 kilograms. But even though Lee Zihao is strong, age has slowed him down. I can see the trajectory of his punches clearly."

In truth, it wasn't that Lee Zihao had slowed—it was Zhang Ze who had become significantly faster.

After absorbing two advanced Devil Soul Spheres, his speed had increased by two points. His reflexes and attack speed were now well beyond the average person, nearing that of a Rank 1 Devil Domain Expert!

Unaware of his own enhancements, Zhang Ze assumed it was Lee Zihao's declining physical condition due to age.

"Lee Zihao, don't get too cocky! Once I'm established in Tianfeng City, you'll be the one to beat a hasty retreat!" Wu Tiancheng blustered.

Lee Zihao squinted his eyes. He was well aware that Wu Tiancheng was a man of his word, and he had the power to back it up.

Lee Zihao was no stranger to cruelty himself. The moment he recognized Wu Tiancheng as a live grenade in his midst, a fierce desire to eliminate the threat surged within him. "I never wanted to be a killer," he thought, "but if I don't take out Wu Tiancheng, he's bound to cause us serious trouble down the line!"

Out of nowhere, Chen Feng, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward and clapped Wu Tiancheng on the shoulder. Advancing with a smirk, he addressed Lee Zihao, "Lee Zihao, did I just hear you tell me to beat it back to Jiangbei?"

Lee Zihao's eyebrows twitched upward. Noting Chen Feng's youthful appearance, he dismissed him entirely. With a sneer, he retorted, "Kid, this is grown-up business. Keep out of it and get lost!"