Volume 4: Hidden Struggles, Chapter 131: The Iron-Blooded Journey

On the balcony, Chu Tianyu gazed at the outside scenery, lost in thought, his expression complex as if troubled by some issue. Soon after, Bai Lei also came out. Chu Tianyu quickly pulled himself back from his thoughts, eager to speak first. “Don’t say anything. I know what you’re going to ask. Actually, I just encountered some problems and felt a bit helpless. As the saying goes, one must strive for self-improvement, and citizens should reflect on themselves. I don’t understand why there are still people like Zhou Tianxing, those little celebrities, and big screenwriters—even if you steal or rob, it’s not as despicable as that…”
Listening to Chu Tianyu’s incoherent words, Bai Lei gave him a meaningful look but didn’t follow his train of thought. He knew that sometimes, certain problems needed to be solved on one’s own. For Chu Tianyu, after going through these events in just a couple of days, no matter how capable or powerful he was, it was impossible to change everyone’s thoughts and actions. Moreover, someone with Chu Tianyu’s abilities carried even more responsibilities, which explained why he kept a low profile at first. He could deeply understand this, though he expressed it in a different way. Compared to Chu Tianyu, his advantages in reality were truly insignificant!
At the same time, Bai Lei lamented his own situation. Thankfully, he wasn’t a “giant” in real life like Chu Tianyu. Comparing Chu Tianyu to a giant meant that giants usually stand taller, see further, and observe more clearly—but the clearer they see, the greater the burdens and frustrations they face…
Faced with Chu Tianyu’s chaotic thoughts and worries, Bai Lei felt that the best he could do now was to make a joke. So he said, “Hey, Third Brother, did I ask you anything? Don’t assume too much and bring up personal matters or reflections with me. Remember, we’re just pure classmates! Hehe, Third Brother, I actually came here to ask if you still have any quick-learning martial arts. That Japanese jerk who harassed Miss Xue Ning, I ran into him before too—he was extremely arrogant. I wanted to beat him up back then, but first, there were too many of them, and second, we didn’t have the strength. If we had dealt with him back then, he wouldn’t have dared to act arrogantly again that night!”

He paused for a moment. Bai Lei observed Chu Tianyu’s expression before finally saying, “By the way, those so-called scum you mentioned—feeling pity for them is completely unworthy. We’re not gods, nor are we bodhisattvas who save all beings. It’s good enough if we just do well by ourselves! And look, even the Buddha, after all these years, doesn’t claim to save all beings; instead, he says, ‘The Buddha saves those who are destined to be saved’…”

Though what happened today seemed like a trivial matter—far less significant compared to those monsters, scoundrels, and thugs who died at Chu Tianyu’s hands—it had a profound impact on him. Life is indeed strange; sometimes, no matter how much you explain profound truths, they fail to catch people’s attention, while sometimes small things, even just a detail, can evoke strong resonance, emotion, and enlightenment!

That was exactly Chu Tianyu’s situation at the moment! He could slay those who openly committed evil with a single sword, seeking satisfaction through justice, or he could help the weak and uphold justice, but he felt utterly helpless facing those so-called elegant elites in the coffee shop. Kill them? Not necessary. Reason with them? Their hearts were already numb…

On one side was his own formidable strength, and on the other, an inevitable sense of futility. This made Chu Tianyu feel conflicted and hesitant for a moment. Fortunately, Bai Lei interrupted him, preventing him from going further in his thoughts. Otherwise, someone like him, who had already transformed from evil to a state of harmony with nature, could face unimaginable consequences if his inner demons were stirred again!

This situation could also be seen as a shackle of human power. When a person’s strength or authority gets out of control, their thoughts and actions can no longer be judged by common sense. In such cases, it can only be described in two words: “craziness!” And “craziness” itself is a shackle on such power and authority, because the only outcome of madness is destruction…

Bai Lei’s interruption and his final words provided Chu Tianyu, who was struggling, with the inspiration he needed. It finally made him realize his mistake, and the gloomy mood vanished instantly. His energy, vitality, and spirit seemed to reach a higher level. For someone with Chu Tianyu’s level of skill, ordinary cultivation could no longer bring about significant progress. True improvement came from such moments of enlightenment, as well as from training and enriching his energy, vitality, and spirit, so he could make further progress and reach a higher state.

Just like during his last date with Qin Nianran, Chu Tianyu’s cultivation also improved due to the bustling scenery of Shanghai and the unique atmosphere of being alone with her.
“Bai Lei is right! Buddha helps those who are fated to be saved; everyone creates their own fate, and karma takes its course. Just be yourself!” After gaining this realization and relaxing his mind, Chu Tianyu felt lighter both physically and mentally. Looking at the tender green leaves in the distance, he could almost feel the pulse of their vibrant energy!
Thinking of this, Chu Tianyu looked at Bai Lei with gratitude and said, “Thank you!”
Bai Lei, not aware of Chu Tianyu’s change, made an exaggerated gesture and said, “Ugh, stay away from me! With that look in your eyes, I’m scared!”
“Go to hell!” Chu Tianyu snapped with a laugh before continuing, “By the way, didn’t you want to learn a quick-learning martial art?”
At these words, Bai Lei’s eyes lit up, and without hesitation, he grabbed Chu Tianyu’s hands excitedly and said, “Will you really teach me an ultimate martial art that can be learned quickly?”
It was now Chu Tianyu’s turn to back off. He quickly shook off Bai Lei’s hands and said, “Stay away from me! I’m scared! As for whether it can be learned quickly, I can’t say for sure. It depends on your effort…”
Before Chu Tianyu could finish, Bai Lei quickly patted his chest and assured him, “I’ll work hard! If it means learning it quickly, I’ll do whatever it takes!”
“Alright, I’ll wait for you at Ouyang Ziyi’s villa early tomorrow morning!”
“Haha, no problem at all!” Bai Lei replied with exaggerated deference.
“But there are two conditions!”
“Go ahead, tell me…”
“First, arrive by 5 o’clock—any delay and it’s off. Second, you must run there!”
“Absolutely no problem!” Bai Lei shouted heroically.
As soon as he finished speaking, the tall guy and Bao Cai rushed out from the inner room. Each carried a pile of dirty clothes and placed them in Bai Lei’s hands, saying in unison, “Great! Just now, Bao Cai (the tall guy) and I were wondering if anyone would help us wash the clothes. Hehe, Third Brother, you can be a witness—you heard the answer already…”
Chu Tianyu nodded, trying to hold back his laughter!
Bai Lei was truly on the verge of despair this time!
……
After dealing with them, Chu Tianyu decided to go to Peking University to look for Ouyang Ziyi. Just then, the phone rang. It was his grandfather’s number!
His grandfather didn’t talk much on the phone. He just asked Chu Tianyu to come home for dinner that night. Before Chu Tianyu could ask questions, he said in an unyielding tone that the details would be discussed once he got home. He added that Chu Tianyu just needed to come by himself!

How could Grandpa suddenly reach out to him, and it sounded so secretive? When his elder brother first arrived, they had already met once. Although he hadn’t seen Grandpa, his grandmother and uncles were all there, so it couldn’t be a follow-up meeting. Chu Tianyu checked the time—it was almost time for afternoon classes. He had originally planned to skip class to Peking University, but now it might be better to attend and use the time to sort out his thoughts.

He had thought about calling his elder brother, but Grandpa’s last words—that he could just come by himself—made him give up the idea. After a whole afternoon of classes, Chu Tianyu still hadn’t figured anything out. Back in Hong Kong, although Grandpa knew he had been there, he was acting under the guise of Ouyang Ziyi! Moreover, his subsequent actions were carried out alone with Qianfeng and the disciples of Wutang, with little contact with the people from the Sixth Division. After all, the main responsibility of the Sixth Division at that time was to protect Ouyang Boshu’s safety, and they were hardly involved in external affairs.

Had Grandpa noticed something? With Grandpa’s influence, it wasn’t impossible! Sigh, if that were the case, what should he do when they met—tell the truth or not? How should he phrase it? It was indeed a headache.

Thinking of this, Chu Tianyu still called his grandfather, but strangely, the call connected yet no one answered. He tried his secretary’s phone, and it was said they were in a meeting…

It wasn’t until Chu Tianyu arrived at Grandpa’s house that he found out his grandfather’s meeting still hadn’t ended, and his mother’s phone also went unanswered. Apparently, they were all in a meeting—probably regarding Tianxing Group.

As soon as Chu Tianyu entered, he saw his grandmother already waiting in the living room. Seeing her grandson arrive, she started chatting enthusiastically, making Chu Tianyu sweat profusely. He had to nod repeatedly in agreement and briefly update her on recent developments…

“You kids, back in the day you were far away and didn’t come often, but now that you’re all in Beijing, I still can’t see you. It makes me worry so much…”

Chu Tianyu also felt ashamed. Although he often called, it was just a few words. Being busy wasn’t an excuse for not visiting an elder!

However, his grandmother noticed his mood and quickly changed the subject with a smile, “Look, as one gets older, one tends to talk a lot and forgets important matters. That old man is still waiting for you in the study. Go quickly! Grandma will prepare a hearty dinner for you all with Xiao Li!”

The moment Chu Tianyu pushed open the door to Grandpa’s study, he was stunned!

The room was crowded. Besides Grandpa, not only his grandfather and mother were smiling at him, but there were also two generals in military uniforms. By their ranks, one was a general and the other a major general.

“Hehe, good job, Tianyu. Last time, you really fooled me, your grandfather!” Grandfather’s loud voice rang out as Chu Tianyu entered.
Chu Tianyu immediately understood why his grandfather and mother hadn’t answered the phone, and why the secretary said they were in a meeting—turns out they had secretly come to Beijing without telling him!
“It seems today’s situation isn’t simple at all!” A bad feeling arose in Chu Tianyu’s mind, especially when he saw his grandfather’s smug expression and the two generals’ looks of seeing him as a valuable asset—it made him feel like he had been “sold.”
However, Chu Tianyu didn’t explain or respond, just chuckled twice, his gaze shifting toward his grandfather and mother.
“Tianyu, go meet your two grandfathers first. This is Vice Chairman Qi of the Military Commission, Grandfather Qi, and this is Uncle Xu Zhanfeng from the Beijing Military Region. Go and meet them!” Grandfather spoke again.
Chu Tianyu immediately greeted the two elders. Vice Chairman Qi had white hair but a rosy complexion and energetic demeanor. Even sitting casually, he kept his hands on his knees, his back straight, and his physique strong. His calm expression concealed a fierce aura that filled Chu Tianyu with an unprecedented sense of heroic fighting spirit!
At that moment, Chu Tianyu couldn’t help but exclaim inwardly, “Such momentum—what pure internal strength!”
After meeting them one by one, when it was time to greet Uncle Xu, the major general smiled and extended a hand, his sharp gaze fixed on Chu Tianyu. Chu Tianyu naturally reached out and said, “Hello, Uncle Xu!”
The moment their hands touched, Chu Tianyu felt a firm grip as Uncle Xu shook his hand vigorously. Uncle Xu said cheerfully, “Good, very good! As expected!”
Chu Tianyu thought that under normal circumstances, there would be some kind of test, but it turned out to be just a simple handshake. Confused, he looked back at his grandfather, seeing the general’s excited and eager expression.
“Alright, alright, Tianyu, sit down first. Let’s talk slowly. There’s no rush!” Grandfather said.
“Well, what do you think, Old Qi, Uncle Xu? Not bad, right?” Grandfather said, winking at them proudly. Chu Tianyu was even more puzzled. Sitting next to his grandfather and mother, he had hoped to gain some insight, but they seemed to have agreed in advance—other than chatting with them, they didn’t even glance at him.

As they were talking, Grandpa suddenly stopped and turned to Chu Tianyu, asking, “Tianyu, tell us too!”
Chu Tianyu was stunned and said, “Grandpa, tell what?”
Grandpa narrowed his eyes, giving Chu Tianyu a fox-like smile, and said softly, “Just talk about how you single-handedly fought that Norse War God in Hong Kong, how you swept through all the cultivation sects and hidden families in Beijing, and how recently you used ‘artillery’ to attack Zhou Tianxing’s convoy, pretending to be crazy while showing off your knife at the Dragon Soul headquarters…”
As Grandpa listed these events one by one, Chu Tianyu, though he had already had a hunch, was still shocked. Since Grandpa even mentioned the knife, it was clear his secrets had been completely exposed! There was no need to ask or explain—those who betrayed him were none other than his grandfather and mother, who sat there with an indifferent expression.
However, one thing puzzled Chu Tianyu greatly: the matter of sweeping through Beijing. Even his grandfather and mother didn’t know about this, and at that time he was under the control of the Black Dragon’s energy, with no intention or motive at all. So how could Grandpa also blame him for this?
Every time Grandpa mentioned one of Chu Tianyu’s actions, aside from Chu Tianyu himself being shocked, Xu Zhanfeng also became excited, his face filled with enthusiasm and eagerness.
“Enough, dear in-law, don’t put pressure on the kid. Chu Tianyu, everyone here today is family. Speak freely, boldly! Be honest. I’d even like to hear about the things you’ve done recently!” With these words, Grandpa Chu Fangshan seemed to set a tone for Chu Tianyu, implying that there was no need to hide anything—just speak boldly.
Chu Tianyu also knew that with his grandfather and mother present at the same time, it was impossible for him to keep a low profile. As for how Grandpa knew and why his parents agreed to expose him, those weren’t the key points. Anyway, they would eventually reveal the reasons when the time came.
So, Chu Tianyu didn’t hesitate anymore and started from Hong Kong, briefly recounting the events of recent times. At critical moments, he only mentioned the outcomes—such as how he defeated the Norse War God with a casual remark—while simplifying his trips to the Black Dragon and Motuo regions. It wasn’t until he mentioned killing a few Japanese people at a factory near the airport that the people present were stunned into silence.
The first thing Old Han said when he recovered was, “This… is this my grandson?”
At the same time, his grandmother’s voice calling for dinner could also be heard…

It was after all a family meal, and everyone was chatting and laughing during it, though the atmosphere was a bit solemn at first, as if everyone was still processing the incredible things Chu Tianyu had just said. Even Chu Tianyu’s grandfather and mother were terrified after hearing about the Black Dragon incident. As for those two generals, after initial contemplation, they became overjoyed. Even someone as old as Grandpa Qi showed an expression similar to that of a child about to get something they desired, constantly casting ambiguous glances at Chu Tianyu, which made him feel a bit uneasy…

Halfway through the meal, Xu Zhanfeng started drinking with Chu Tianyu. After each of them drank two bottles of Moutai, Chu Tianyu’s face only turned slightly red, his expression calm with no signs of anything unusual, while Xu Zhanfeng’s face turned purplish red, reeking of alcohol, and he started talking more and more.

“You… you haven’t forced the alcohol out of your body yet, have you?” Xu Zhanfeng asked, slurring his words.

Before Chu Tianyu could respond, Grandpa Chu Fangshan interjected proudly, “Haha! My grandson has been drinking monkey wine in the wild with his master since he was in his teens. These ordinary wines won’t affect him unless he drinks several bottles!”

Before he finished speaking, steam surrounded Xu Zhanfeng, and the room was instantly filled with the strong scent of Moutai. Xu Zhanfeng’s face and expression returned to normal, and he said shamefacedly, “Impressive! Truly impressive, Tianyu. When will you get some monkey wine for Uncle Xu too?”

“Hehe, no problem! As long as you’re not afraid of the intensity!” Chu Tianyu replied with a smile.

“I’m not afraid! That’s exactly what I want!”

“Haha, Old Xu, are you convinced now? Not to mention your martial skills, even your pride in your drinking capacity must yield to him, right?” Vice Chairman Qi joked.

“Great! Truly great! Old Han, Old Qi, Old Chu, if it weren’t for you three here, Zhanfeng would be afraid of making a fool of himself after drinking. Otherwise, I would definitely drink three bottles with Tianyu, haha…” Xu Zhanfeng said boldly, slapping the table.

After the meal, everyone sat down in the study again. Perhaps because of a few drinks, Chu Tianyu felt the atmosphere was much more harmonious than before. He also waited quietly for what was next—his grandfather, great-grandfather, and the others surely didn’t just call him over to have him tell some stories.

Sure enough, as soon as a few cups of tea were poured, his grandfather started talking, saying, “Tianyu, the last time I saw you, I already had some doubts, but I never expected you to be so capable. It’s completely beyond my expectations!” As he spoke, he gave Chu Fangshan a meaningful look, while Chu Fangshan remained calm and unshaken, as if indifferent to everything around him.

“Alright, let’s not talk about the past. Actually, the reason I called you here is to introduce two elders to you. As for your Grandpa Qi, I won’t mention him—you might not know this, but aside from the six special ability organizations and the Longhun cultivation institutions, there are also several regular special forces units in various military regions. Unlike those organizations, the military places more emphasis on teamwork and collective combat, in addition to individual strength. Your Uncle Xu was once the captain of a special forces unit in the Beijing Military Region and is now in charge of integrating these units into a single brigade!”

“We’re going to form the army’s first global rapid-response special forces brigade, codenamed ‘Iron Blood’!” Grandpa Qi added.

“Global? Iron Blood?” Chu Tianyu exclaimed in surprise.

“That’s right. It’s like a global rapid-response force! Its main role is to maintain peace, resolve regional conflicts, and ensure security for the United Nations. The proposal to form this unit has already been approved by the UN. All that’s left is to figure out how to organize it!” His grandfather explained, as if sensing Chu Tianyu’s confusion.

“Yes, it’s time for the Americans to give up their role as ‘Pacific police.’ If they want to have broader control, they need to realize their own limitations!” Grandpa Qi lit a Soft China cigarette, took a deep drag, and then spoke leisurely.

As his grandfather and Grandpa Qi spoke, Xu Zhanfeng’s eyes shone again, clearly eager to get involved.

Chu Tianyu finally understood why he had been summoned. It seemed this “Iron Blood” mission was closely related to him. From the moment he entered until now, his grandfather and mother hadn’t said much to him. Apparently, they had already reached some kind of agreement, leaving him, the poor pawn, with no choice but to accept his fate!

Sure enough, his grandfather changed the subject and said to Grandpa Qi, “By the way, Old Qi, how’s your preparation going? Are there any difficulties? We’ve invested a lot in this budget—everything has been sacrificed for your unit. You really need to deliver results!”

“We guarantee to complete the mission!” Xu Zhanfeng stood at attention and answered for Grandpa Qi.

“Hehe, sit down. If you’re confident, we’re relieved! This isn’t the office—no need to be so serious or make any solemn pledges. Just speak up if you have any difficulties!” the grandfather said with a smile.
“Lao Han, the hardware has improved, but the staffing is still a bit lacking!” It was Qi Lao’s turn to speak this time.
“Oh, since all the troops in the army are up for your selection, isn’t that enough?” the grandfather asked, feigning surprise.
“It’s all for next month’s World Special Forces Competition in Paris! It’s the best opportunity for us to showcase our forces and capabilities as part of the United Nations. We’ve gone all out—we’ve already formed a team according to the competition rules and trained together for a long time! These members will be the core of our Iron Blood Brigade in the future, and I’m sure they can take on the responsibilities of a global response force!” Qi Lao explained patiently.
“Well, isn’t that great? Then why is the staffing still insufficient?” The grandfather seemed to ask out of feigned ignorance.
“Sigh, in previous years, this competition has been the highest platform for countries to prove their military strength and determine the status of their forces within the UN peacekeeping forces. As you know, Lao Han, in the military, everything else is fake—only strength matters! That’s why all countries attach great importance to it. In the past, to improve their results, some countries sent special individuals to join the teams, which led to an increasing number of such individuals, turning it into a gathering of superpowers. So this year, the competition specifies that each team of ten includes a team leader and a deputy leader, with the deputy leader allowed to include one special individual, thus formalizing their inclusion. But all other team members must be real soldiers; otherwise, they’ll be disqualified and barred from participating for three years. Plus, everything is recorded on video to prevent cheating.”
“Oh, I see…”
With the situation explained, the conversation became simpler. The two of them discussed the issue of special participants and brought it up regarding Chu Tianyu. The dialogue went like this:
“With such people around, could Qi Lao assign one from the six departments?”
“Oh, it’s very difficult for us here! We’re already short-staffed. We were actually thinking of bringing in a few from your Dragon Soul group!”
“Is that so? Then do you have any other candidates? Preferably someone with the strength to defeat the Norse gods, able to fly without wings, with extraordinary skills, and even dragon blood in their veins…”
“Do they also need to have the surname Chu?” the old Han asked, winking.

“That would be great, hehe…”
At that moment, the two of them stared motionlessly at Chu Tianyu, waiting…
Chu Tianyu was sweating profusely. After all that talk, it turned out they just wanted him to participate in this so-called World Military Competition! But with his abilities, he would only be a disruptor of fair competition! Clearly, that was exactly what these two wanted!
Thinking about it, it wasn’t a big deal for him. It would probably only take a few days; he could consider it as a trip to Europe. So he said, “Grandpa, Grandpa Qi, if you want Tianyu to participate, I agree!”
What Chu Tianyu implied was to stop beating around the bush. He even said it so bluntly, mentioning his surname as well—how absurd!
“Haha, great! We’ve been waiting for you to say that, Tianyu! Zhanfeng, from now on, he’ll be the deputy commander of your brigade. Did you bring the appointment letter?” Grandpa Qi seemed to have been waiting for Chu Tianyu to say that. He quickly interjected, smiling slyly.
“I brought it, I brought it!”
“Then show it to Tianyu. It’s settled!”
Soon, an appointment letter was announced in front of a bewildered Chu Tianyu and placed in his hands! By the time Chu Tianyu realized what was happening, it was too late—he had boarded a ship of thieves and been deceived by his scheming grandpa and those outsiders!
Seeing Chu Tianyu’s embarrassed expression, his grandpa remained silent with a smile, while Grandpa Qi spoke up, “Deputy Commander Chu, although the Iron Blood Brigade is called a brigade, it’s actually organized at the deputy army level. From now on, you’ll report directly to Commander Xu. As for specific tasks, you’ll follow your brigade commander’s instructions…”
Chu Tianyu felt overwhelmed. He still had to follow his brigade commander’s orders? That was really unnecessary trouble. With so much work waiting for him, he felt like crying without tears!
“Hehe, Xiao Chu, don’t worry too much. I’m sure you’ll adapt to this arrangement quickly and be very satisfied with it…” Grandpa Qi stepped closer to Chu Tianyu, patted his shoulder affectionately, and spoke soothingly.
Just then, there was a knock at the study door, followed by a loud “Report~~” Chu Tianyu was shocked upon hearing it. A lieutenant colonel in military uniform, with two stars on his shoulders, entered with the confident stride and precise movements typical of a soldier.
“Second brother!?” Chu Tianyu couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.
Chu Tianfeng didn’t look at Chu Tianyu first. Instead, he gave a standard military salute to Grandpa Qi and Xu Zhanfeng before saying loudly, “Reporting to my superiors! Chu Tianfeng, acting commander of the Iron Blood Brigade, is here to report!”

“Okay, okay, this is your grandfather’s place—no need to be so serious. Hehe, Tianfeng, did you get stuck on the road? I calculated the time; it should be around this time you’d arrive! Come on, sit down and chat!” said Old Qi warmly.
Chu Tianyu was completely speechless and now fully understood! What a “trump card”—incredible, truly incredible! No wonder his grandfather and mother always acted so mysterious. Even facing Old Qi’s blatant deception, they remained calm—this was the reason!
But Chu Tianyu didn’t have any complaints at all. As Old Qi said, he would definitely be satisfied, and very satisfied with this arrangement…
…
At the same time, inside the compound of a certain geological exploration bureau, dozens of figures suddenly appeared and silently slipped into the building. Instantly, intense energy surged inside, with shouts echoing back and forth, followed by sounds of fighting and screams.
Thirty minutes later, as those figures reappeared and scattered in all directions, the building fell back into silence. Only the strong smell of blood around reminded everyone of the tragedy that had just taken place!
…
Old Han and Chu Tianyu’s phones rang at the same time. The two exchanged a surprised glance. Chu Tianyu saw it was Qin Nianran’s number—probably something urgent. To avoid disturbing his grandfather’s call, he stepped out of the room and answered it.
“Is this Chu Tianyu? It’s Qin Nianran. Are you free tonight? There’s an urgent matter that needs your attention!” Qin Nianran’s voice came through the phone.
“What urgent matter?” Chu Tianyu asked doubtfully.
“Of course, it’s that project you’re in charge of. It’s not convenient to discuss over the phone. You’d better come over!”