Courtyard House: Home Alone

At the entrance of Hongbinlou, Wang Kuian's obsequious face was particularly glaring under the lamplight. He was bowing and scraping as he greeted a Japanese officer in a major's uniform, presumably Major Sato.

Major Sato was accompanied by several Japanese soldiers carrying swords, who arrogantly surveyed their surroundings, seemingly forgetting the massacre of Japanese soldiers a few days earlier.

Lin Yifan's gaze lingered on Major Sato for a moment, his killing intent growing stronger.

He noticed that, in addition to the fake policemen at the entrance, there were also many hidden sentries on the rooftop opposite Hongbinlou and at the corners of nearby alleys. These were obviously extra men that Wang Kuian had arranged to ensure that nothing went wrong.

The locations, breathing rates, and even subtle movements of these people were clearly outlined by Lin Yifan's mental power, forming a dynamic defense distribution map in his mind.

He could even "hear" the conversations of the guests inside the building and the clinking of cups and plates, and "see" He Daqing busy in the kitchen, tossing and plating food.

Everything seemed so lively and orderly, but beneath this prosperity lurked a nauseating corruption and evil.

Lin Yifan waited patiently, like a cheetah lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. He knew that tonight's Hongbin Restaurant would be the burial ground for these wolves and tigers.

Soon, Sato was led into the restaurant lobby by Wang Kui'an. In the main seat of the lobby sat an elderly man with gray hair and a vigorous spirit, presumably Wang Kui'an's father who was celebrating his birthday. At this moment, he was squinting his eyes, enjoying the compliments from everyone.

After briefly stopping in front of his father, Wang Kui'an led Sato to the small stage behind the main seat and coughed into the microphone that had been prepared in advance.

The noise below immediately stopped, and Wang Kuian spoke into the microphone: "Dear friends and relatives, business colleagues, thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend my father's 65th birthday banquet!"

Wang's achievements today are inseparable from everyone's strong support, and even more so from the wise leadership of the Imperial Army and the care and guidance of Major Sato!

Tonight, I've prepared a simple feast, nothing more. I hope everyone will enjoy themselves and drink to their hearts' content, until we're all drunk!

First, let's give a warm round of applause to our guardian deity of Beiping City—Major Sato—who will say a few words to us!

As he spoke, he led the applause, his face plastered with a fawning smile, his eyes filled with awe and obsequiousness toward Major Sato.

A few scattered claps broke out from the audience. Many guests looked reluctant and perfunctory, but due to Wang Kui'an's power and Major Sato's presence, they dared not show it in the slightest.

Major Sato walked slowly to the microphone, first scanning the silent guests below the stage with his sharp eagle eyes, a disdainful sneer curling at the corner of his mouth.

He then spoke in broken Chinese: "Wang Sang, your father, the great birthday celebrant, is very supportive of the Imperial Army."

The Imperial Army cherishes the people and maintains order in Beiping, ensuring that law-abiding citizens enjoy good lives. Those like Wang Sang, who serve the Imperial Army, are greatly rewarded!

He paused, his tone suddenly turning stern, "But those who resist the Imperial Army and disrupt order, all of them, die! The Imperial Army already knows what's happening outside the city, and soon they will wipe out all those lawless elements!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere below the stage became even more oppressive, and even breathing seemed to stop.

Wang Kuian quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, Major Sato is right! With the Imperial Army here, those rebels won't amount to anything! Come, everyone, let's raise a glass to Major Sato, and to the Imperial Army!"

Just as everyone raised their glasses, ready to join in the nauseating scene, something unexpected happened!

Three flowers of blood appeared on the heads of Sato, Wang Kuian, and his father.

"Baka!" The Japanese soldiers brought by Sato were shocked and furious. They drew their swords from their waists and looked around warily.

The entire Hongbinlou restaurant instantly descended into chaos! Screams, cries, and the sound of shattering dishes mingled together as guests, like frightened birds, scattered and fled for cover.

"Protect the Major! There's an assassin!"

"Catch the assassin! Catch the assassin now!"

Immediately afterwards, blood blossomed from the heads and chests of Wang Kui'an's men and the Japanese soldiers brought by Sato.

Like wheat stalks cut by an invisible sickle, they fell to the ground, their warm blood splattering across the festive red silk and the exquisite dishes.

In the chaos, Lin Yifan, masked and teleporting to the lobby, used his mental power to lock onto the traitors and lackeys. Bullets from the still warehouse flew out, accurately hitting their vitals.

He moved through the crowd like a ghost, each appearance accompanied by a scream and a fallen corpse.

Those fake policemen and traitors couldn't catch a glimpse of him at all. They could only fire wildly in fear, the bullets hitting the walls and tables and chairs, scattering wood chips and dust, but they couldn't even touch the hem of Lin Yifan's clothes.

Although the Japanese soldiers brought by Major Sato reacted quickly, they were no match for Lin Yifan's absolute strength and were all killed instantly.

The guests in the lobby were already terrified, huddled under the tables or in the corners, trembling as they watched the hellish massacre unfold.

Lin Yifan ignored these insignificant people; his only targets were the heinous traitors and Japanese devils.

His spiritual power continuously enveloped the entire Hongbinlou, and no enemy who tried to resist or escape could escape his perception. At the same time, the congratulatory gifts piled up next to him were also stored in his spatial storage.

Soon, the enemies in the hall were cleared out, leaving only corpses and chaos on the ground. Lin Yifan didn't linger; in a flash, he rushed towards the main entrance.

He noticed that a number of fake police officers had gathered around the gate, and Lin Yifan hid behind a gatepost. With a thought, dozens of delayed grenades appeared among the group of two fake police officers.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The continuous explosions sounded like thunder at the entrance of Hongbinlou, flames shot into the sky, and shockwaves mixed with rubble and severed limbs spread in all directions.

The fake police officers surrounding the perimeter were blown up, crying and screaming, and a huge gap appeared in the previously tight encirclement.

Amidst the billowing smoke, Lin Yifan's figure shot out like an arrow from the blasted opening, disappearing into the depths of the night-shrouded streets in a few leaps.

Inside Hongbinlou, after the explosion, a brief silence was replaced by even more frenzied chaos. The guests who had miraculously survived no longer cared about etiquette or fear, and rushed frantically towards the various exits.