Chapter 132: Framing and Incrimination

"I have no choice. I am the only member of the Nine Dragons Society in Maple Leaf City, and I have been a lone commander as the branch president for several years. Now that a free warrior like you has finally appeared, I naturally have to recruit you and put you to work for me."

Silver Moon spoke in his raspy voice, sounding helpless.

Hearing this, Jiang Hao was slightly taken aback.

So, the Maple Leaf City branch of the Nine Dragons Society consisted of only Silver Moon himself? He was both the sole member and the branch president?

This Silver Moon was truly pathetic!

Seemingly sensing what Jiang Hao was thinking, Silver Moon said with great annoyance: "You were just looking down on me, weren't you? What, do you doubt my strength?"

"No, I wasn't thinking that at all." Jiang Hao immediately shook his head.

To change the subject, he picked up the form and asked: "Do these items have to be filled out as well? But I don't have a master."

The form Silver Moon had given Jiang Hao was quite extensive and detailed. Beyond name, age, occupation, birthplace, residence, and assets, there were also questions about martial arts rank, the master who taught them, and their areas of specialty.

The earlier sections were fine, but Jiang Hao did not know how to fill out the latter part.

"You mean to say that no one taught you martial arts, and that you became a warrior and reached your current level entirely through self-study? Or perhaps by figuring it out on your own?" Silver Moon looked at Jiang Hao in surprise.

"That's correct." Jiang Hao nodded.

Silver Moon fell silent for a long moment, then suddenly remarked: "You are either a genius or an oddity."

"I hope I am the former." Jiang Hao quipped, shrugging his shoulders.

Silver Moon exhaled and said, "Since you don't have a martial arts master, just write 'no martial arts lineage' in that section."

"Understood." Jiang Hao nodded and began to fill it out with quick strokes of his pen.

In the section for martial arts rank, Jiang Hao wrote "Heaven Realm." As far as he knew, the Heaven Realm was the final and highest level of martial arts. For his specialty, he wrote "Close-quarters combat."

Jiang Hao's martial prowess was primarily focused on close-quarters combat; without the use of toxins, he possessed almost no means of engaging an opponent from a distance.

While filling out that section, Jiang Hao realized it was a weakness of his. It seemed necessary to strengthen this aspect in the future; he had to master one or two methods for long-range combat.

After completing the form, Jiang Hao handed it to Silver Moon.

Silver Moon said in his raspy voice: "In three days at most, I will bring you the emblem of our Nine Dragons Society. It serves as a special form of identification."

"Understood." Jiang Hao nodded.

Shortly after, Silver Moon departed, leaping out the window and vanishing into the night.

Jiang Hao was left alone in the kitchen of the dietary restaurant. Just then, the lights in the front hall flickered on.

Su Qingli’s voice called out: "Jiang Hao, are you there?"

"I am," Jiang Hao replied immediately.

Rubbing her sleepy eyes, Su Qingli walked into the kitchen, turned on the light, and asked: "Jiang Hao, why aren't you sleeping in the middle of the night? What are you doing in the kitchen?"

"I was a bit hungry and wanted to find something to eat," Jiang Hao said, offering an excuse.

Su Qingli looked at him in surprise and asked, "Then why didn't you turn on the light? Surely you aren't that frugal?"

"I forgot..." Jiang Hao realized his slip-up and laughed it off.

Su Qingli didn't press the matter and said, "Go wait outside; I'll make you something."

"No need, I'll do it myself. Qingli, you go get some rest," Jiang Hao said earnestly.

But Su Qingli shook her head, rolled up her sleeves, and began preparing a late-night snack for him. Watching her bustle about the kitchen, a warmth flooded Jiang Hao's heart. Having a good wife was truly a great blessing.

At the same time, in the Yang family villa in Maple Leaf City, the atmosphere in the luxuriously decorated living room was stiflingly heavy.

"Dad... am I... am I beyond saving?" Yang Ziyun asked, looking at Yang Yunhua with difficulty.

Yang Yunhua, the head of the Yang family and Yang Ziyun's father, was nearly fifty. Though he was entering his later years, he still appeared full of vigor. However, his face was currently twisted with anger and grief.

"How could you be beyond saving? Ziyun, don't worry, I will definitely bring you the best doctors in the country!" Yang Yunhua stated firmly.

Hearing this, Yang Ziyun finally felt a sense of relief, though his expression remained bleak. He took a deep breath and said with indignation: "Dad... you must avenge me... It was Jiang Hao... that Jiang Hao who beat me into this state..."

Jiang Hao? The useless son-in-law of the Su family?

Upon hearing the name, a raging fire ignited in Yang Yunhua's heart. He turned to Pan Yixuan, who was standing to the side, not daring to breathe, and demanded: "Was it Su family's Jiang Hao who injured my son?"

"Yes, it was him." Pan Yixuan answered without hesitation, putting on a hateful expression.

"Master Yang, this Jiang Hao is extremely overbearing and arrogant. Not only did he ruin my birthday banquet, but he also mocked the guests. Young Master Yang couldn't stand it and criticized him, but unexpectedly, Jiang Hao refused to accept it and insisted on a sparring match."

"It was during that match that Jiang Hao played dirty, attempting to kill Young Master Yang! Fortunately, Young Master Yang’s skills are formidable, so he didn't succeed, but Jiang Hao's strength was greater, and Young Master Yang was eventually injured by him!"

"Master Yang, this Jiang Hao is truly detestable! You must avenge Young Master Yang!"

Pan Yixuan twisted the truth, pinning all the blame on Jiang Hao. Had Jiang Hao been there to hear these words, he would have been absolutely livid.

Yang Yunhua clenched his fists in fury, yet he felt a sense of helplessness. His son and Jiang Hao had engaged in a sparring match as warriors, so he could not use that as a formal reason to seek revenge. After all, injuries sustained during sparring were within the realm of the ordinary. If he were to retaliate by force, he would lack a sufficient pretext and might invite a warning or intervention from the Nine Dragons Society.