Rebirth in the Dragon Kingdom: The Strongest Blade

A quiet teahouse in the western suburbs of Beijing.

The decor was antique and elegant, with a faint aroma of tea in the air. The hall was sparsely populated, with a few tea drinkers quietly sipping tea and chatting, creating a refined atmosphere.

Lin Zhe and his group of seven chose the innermost private room on the second floor. Pushing open the carved wooden door, they found themselves in an antique-style setting—a mahogany tea table, blue and white porcelain tea sets, landscape paintings on the walls, and a bamboo grove courtyard outside the window.

"This place is nice." Longya sat down by the window. "It's quieter than the previous hotel."

"I should have come here sooner." Long Qing chose a corner spot, and after sitting down, she naturally observed the positions of the windows and doorways—it was a professional habit to always check the escape routes first.

The seven people sat down, and the waitress came in to make tea. She was a young woman in her early twenties, dressed in an elegant cheongsam, and skillfully boiled water, warmed the cups, rinsed the tea, and brewed it.

"Gentlemen and ladies, this is our signature Longjing tea. Please enjoy." The young woman respectfully withdrew and gently closed the door behind her.

Longya picked up the teacup, smelled the aroma, and then took a sip: "Hmm, authentic West Lake Longjing, good tea."

Lin Zhe also picked up his teacup, but didn't drink it immediately. Instead, he looked out the window. He could see two suspicious-looking bread carts parked on the street corner opposite the teahouse. The people inside the carts kept looking this way.

"I've been followed," he said casually.

"We noticed it a while ago." Dragon Claw curled his lip dismissively. "They've been following us since we left the hotel. Should we take care of them?"

"No need," Lin Zhe shook his head. "A bunch of clowns, not worth it."

Long Ying pushed up his glasses: "But speaking of which, those guys just now... typical spoiled brats. Is this the kind of thing we're risking our lives to protect?"

These words may sound harsh, but they express what everyone is thinking.

Dragon Thorn sneered: "What era hasn't had this kind of trash? We bleed and sacrifice on the front lines, while they live a life of luxury and debauchery in the rear. That's reality."

"But that's not entirely true." Long Lin leaned back in his chair. "We're not protecting any one person, we're protecting this country, and the ordinary people of this country. As for those scoundrels... the law will always punish them."

"The law?" Longya scoffed. "That kid just now, he clearly has connections. His dad might actually be a high-ranking official. The law... sometimes it's pretty powerless."

The group fell silent. They were all members of the "Hidden Dragon" team, having carried out countless overseas missions and witnessed far too much darkness. Sometimes, justice cannot prevail over evil, especially in certain circumstances.

"Alright, let's not talk about such unpleasant things." Dragon Claw changed the subject, looking at Lin Zhe, "Speaking of second-generation rich kids, don't we have the biggest one right here?"

Everyone was taken aback for a moment, then they all laughed.

"That's right!" Longya slapped his thigh. "Lin Zhe, your father is the mayor of Jinghua City, a ministerial-level official! Your father-in-law is the commander of the Jinghua Military Region, a lieutenant general! Your grandfather is a founding major general! With your background, you'd be among the top in China, right?"

Lin Zhe shook his head with a wry smile: "Stop teasing me."

"How is this a joke?" Long Qing rarely chimed in. "It's true. But then again, the kind of second-generation rich kids like Lin Zhe are the kind the country needs—they don't rely on their background, they rely on themselves. A 25-year-old senior colonel, a recipient of the Guardian Medal. That's real ability."

"Exactly." Long Ying nodded. "What kind of skill is it to be arrogant just because you have parents?"

As the group chatted and laughed, the situation on the street outside the teahouse began to change.

Two military green SUVs and two police cars silently pulled up in front of the teahouse. The doors opened, and seven or eight officers in uniform stepped out—the word "Military Inspector" on their armbands was particularly eye-catching. There were also seven or eight policemen, led by a first-class police inspector.

When Wang Shaofeng saw these people, his eyes lit up, and he quickly went to greet them.

"Uncle Liu!" he called out to a policeman who looked to be around fifty years old, "You've finally arrived!"

Inspector Liu glanced at him, then at the group of bruised and battered thugs behind him, and frowned: "Shaofeng, what happened? It's hard to explain over the phone. You said you were beaten by several soldiers?"

"Yes!" Wang Shaofeng pointed to the second floor of the teahouse, "They're in there! They were ruthless; look at my wrist, it's all swollen! And Brother Qiang and his gang, more than thirty men, they were all beaten to a pulp!"

Inspector Liu's expression was grave. If it really was a brawl between soldiers, and civilians were injured, this was a serious matter. He turned to the officer beside him: "Inspector Li, what do you think..."

Lieutenant Colonel Li, in his forties, had a stern expression: "Go in and take a look. If it really is an active-duty soldier, our military discipline inspection commission will take over."

"it is good."

The group entered the teahouse. The owner, startled by the commotion, quickly approached them: "Gentlemen... is there anything I can help you with?"

"Police investigation." Inspector Liu flashed his badge. "Were there seven people who came in just now, one woman and six men?"

The owner hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "It's...it's in a private room on the second floor."

"lead the way."

The boss dared not disobey and led everyone upstairs. Wang Shaofeng followed behind, a smug smile on his face. Brother Qiang and his gang of thugs also wanted to follow, but were stopped by the police: "Unrelated personnel, please wait outside."

At the door of the private room, Inspector Liu gestured for the owner to knock.

"Knock knock knock".

"Please come in," a calm voice came from inside.

As soon as I pushed open the door, seven pairs of eyes looked over at the same time.

Inspector Liu and Inspector Li entered the room, followed by police officers and military officers, making the small private room feel crowded immediately.

Wang Shaofeng pushed his way to the front, pointing at Long Qing: "It's her! And the others too, they all made a move!"

Lin Zhe and his six companions remained seated, their postures unchanged. They watched the uninvited guests with expressions as calm as if they were observing a farce.

Inspector Liu glanced around, secretly astonished. These seven men were incredibly calm. A normal person would be somewhat nervous if confronted by police or soldiers. But these seven didn't even blink.

"Gentlemen," Inspector Liu began, "I am Liu Zhenguo from the Jinghua City Public Security Bureau. I received a report that you are suspected of fighting and assault. Please cooperate with the investigation."

No one spoke.

Inspector Liu frowned: "Please show me your identification."

Still no one moved.

The atmosphere began to turn eerie. Seven policemen and seven officers, facing seven motionless people, somehow felt oppressed.

Military Inspector Li stepped forward: "I am Lieutenant Colonel Li Jianjun from the Discipline Inspection Commission of the Jinghua Military Region. If you are active-duty military personnel, please show your identification and cooperate with the investigation."

Lin Zhe finally put down his teacup, looked up at Inspector Li, and asked, "What are you investigating?"

"Brawling and assault," Inspector Li said. "This Mr. Wang Shaofeng has accused you of assaulting him and his friends without cause, resulting in multiple injuries."

"Without cause?" Longya laughed. "They barged into our private room first, and started harassing our people. Should we strike first?"

Wang Shaofeng immediately retorted, "Nonsense! I just wanted to get to know this lady, and you started hitting me!"

"Let's get to know each other?" Long Qing said coldly. "Reaching out and touching your shoulder, and that's what you call getting to know each other?"

"You...you're spouting nonsense!" Wang Shaofeng's face turned bright red.

Inspector Liu sensed that things were not simple, but since he was already there, he had to deal with it. He gestured to the officers behind him, "Take the man back to the station first, and we'll investigate further."

Two young policemen stepped forward, intending to handcuff Lin Zhe.

Before Lin Zhe could even touch his hand, Longya and Longzhao had already stood up.

The movements weren't fast, but the sudden burst of energy made the two policemen instinctively take a step back and put their hands on their holsters.

"Don't move!" Inspector Liu drew his gun. "Hands up!"

Seven policemen, seven guns, pointed at Lin Zhe and his group of seven.

The officers brought by Inspector Li also tensed up, their hands on their waists—they weren't carrying guns, but their guarded posture was obvious.

The air in the private room seemed to freeze instantly.

Lin Zhe and his six companions remained seated, their expressions unchanged. But beneath that calm lay a chilling aura of danger.

Like seven lurking beasts, seemingly quiet, but in reality, they could suddenly attack and harm people at any moment.

"I'll say it again, hands up!" Inspector Liu's voice was stern. "Otherwise, we'll have to take coercive measures!"

Lin Zhe finally stood up.

His movements were slow, but every movement sent a shiver down the spines of everyone present. The invisible pressure was overwhelming.

"Officer Liu, Lieutenant Colonel Li," Lin Zhe's voice was calm, "you've crossed the line."

"Stop talking nonsense! Hands up!" a young policeman shouted nervously.

Lin Zhe glanced at him, and that look made the young policeman's hand tremble, and he almost dropped his gun.

"We are active-duty military personnel," Lin Zhe said. "But you have no right to investigate our identities. You have no right to inquire about our positions. I suggest you stop here."

"Arrogant!" Military Inspector Li roared. "I'm from the military region's discipline inspection commission, specifically in charge of military personnel's misconduct! Don't I have the authority?"

Lin Zhe ignored Inspector Li and instead looked at Longya and the others, saying, "Some malignant tumors need to be removed."

Longya and the others remained silent. Yes, they were protecting this country, justice, and fairness. If they couldn't even protect themselves, what were they talking about protecting?

If it weren't us sitting here today, but ordinary citizens, what would have happened? A spoiled brat managed to get the police to help him, and even called in military police.

There are some bottom lines that must be upheld.

Because they are the "hidden dragons," the last line of defense for this country.

Within the defensive line, nothing shall be defiled.