Chapter Thirty-One: See You on the Field, Mortal

The Hunting Tournament of District 16 was scheduled to take place at the Fallen Soul Exhibition Center in a week’s time. Although the center could accommodate ten thousand spectators, by nine o'clock in the morning, every seat was already filled. After all, this was the biannual hunting gala, the grandest competition in contemporary society, and its allure was undeniable.

At exactly ten o'clock, Xia Junyi accompanied Fang Nian and Xia Moyan, leading the Xia Hunting Grounds team to the exhibition center. Although the Xia team wasn’t favored by the public this year, their status as a prominent family ensured them excellent seating.

During this period, Fatty’s hunter camp had finally found its footing. Eager to join the excitement, he left Xu Zhuo in charge of the shop and slipped into the Xia team’s ranks alongside Fang Nian.

And to be fair, Fatty’s ability to socialize was truly remarkable. In less than an hour, he had become fast friends with everyone, with “Brother Fatty” echoing all around, adopting the air of an old brother of the society.

At eleven, Xia Moyan called out to Fang Nian.

“Fang Nian, let’s go hand over the hunting ground chip.”

Fang Nian nodded and followed Xia Moyan to the main control room of the exhibition center. As soon as they entered, they ran into two familiar adversaries: Jin Jindao and Xu Lang.

But unlike before, neither said anything out of line. Especially Xu Lang—his eyes had lost their previous sharpness, and when meeting Fang Nian’s gaze, there was a clear flicker of timidity.

Jin Jindao had suffered a setback at Fang Nian’s hands last time, and his days back at the family had been far from easy. Not only did he make the family lose a substantial amount of money, but to manage the fallout from that damning video, even a temporary suspension was enforced.

Yet, perhaps it was for the best. After more than a month in seclusion, Jin Jindao finally produced a new work he was satisfied with: “Binding.” It was said that he learned from his mistakes last time, investing great effort in its development.

Although “Binding” had not yet been rated, he predicted it would be at least F+, and possibly even reach E grade.

“Fang Nian? What are you doing here? Don’t tell me you’re in the hunters’ team as well?”

Fang Nian had already inquired about the event on his way here. The purpose of the tournament was a contest between hunting grounds—a battle between hunting ground designers.

To ensure fairness, the organizers only required each participating team to submit their latest hunting ground. As for the judging criteria, a hundred-member hunting party would be formed, and depending on the situation, the appropriate number would attempt the hunt. Scores would be determined based on their success.

To encourage the major families to participate enthusiastically, the organizers also offered a complimentary service: hunting ground rating. The appraisal department would send experts to monitor the hunt and provide live, free ratings.

With this, competitors could save a considerable amount in appraisal fees. So regardless of whether they won any awards, the opportunity for a free rating was incentive enough to participate.

And this year’s hunting tournament also boasted a record number of contestants—103 in total, meaning 103 hunting grounds would be showcased at the exhibition center today.

Fang Nian couldn’t help but smile at this unexpected reunion; he had expected the two to come swaggering over to mock him. Yet one had lost his sharpness, and the other had thrown himself into research—quite different from the irredeemable villains of novels.

“Rest easy, Young Master Jin. I’m here as the Xia family’s representative for the design competition, not as a hunter.”

Jin Jindao and Xu Lang were both stunned, first relieved, then amused.

---

“You’re here for the design competition? Are you serious?”

“That’s right. I must admit your skill as a hunter is impressive. I wasn’t happy about what happened with ‘Deadly ID’ last time, but I concede your ability. But a hunting ground design contest? Come on… Don’t kid yourself.”

Fang Nian smiled—their faces changed indeed quickly.

“What makes you so sure I can’t do it?”

Xu Lang curled his lip.

“Fang Nian, to be honest, after last time, we investigated you thoroughly. We even know whether you brush your teeth or wash your face first. When it comes to hunting ground design, you know your own limits better than anyone.”

Jin Jindao’s face showed contempt.

“Exactly. Fang Nian, don’t insult the craft of hunting ground design. It’s not something you pick up overnight. Designers like Moyan and me started learning as teenagers and have spent years honing our skills. And you, after just a month, dare to compete with us? That’s a joke.”

Fang Nian said nothing to their sneers, but Xia Moyan, beside him, wrapped her arm around his and spoke gently.

“Come on, darling. The world of geniuses is beyond the comprehension of mortals; there’s no need to waste our words.”

Ah… Fang Nian felt a surge of delight. He hadn’t expected his wife, so gentle in appearance, to be so sharp-tongued. With just two sentences, she not only elevated him but slyly put down the others, without a single curse—impressive indeed.

Seeing the advantage, Fang Nian wouldn’t miss his cue. He turned and took Xia Moyan’s soft, delicate hand.

“See you in the arena, mortals.”

He was about to leave when two more men approached. One stood at a towering 1.9 meters, clad in a trench coat, with a sinister knife scar on his left cheek. The other was impeccably dressed in a sharp suit, hair slicked back—a young man of wealth.

“Xu Fan, Chang Ning?”

Fang Nian saw Xia Moyan recognized them and asked her,

“You know them?”

She nodded, whispering,

“Xu Fan is Xu Lang’s elder brother from a different mother. The two have a terrible relationship, always competing for the family inheritance. He’s active in the southern city of District 16. Don’t be fooled by his dapper appearance—he’s ruthless at heart. They say in the south, he does everything except good deeds; he’s a genuine scoundrel.”

---

Fang Nian was surprised; he hadn’t expected the gentle Xia Moyan to speak so harshly of Xu Fan. In his view, those whose villainy was obvious were less threatening; the most dangerous were those whose evil was hidden.

“The other one is Chang Ning, Chang Jun’s brother… you know. He’s rather eccentric, doesn’t get along with anyone, and is unpopular in the Chang family. But few realize he’s also a hunter, frequenting underground black hunting grounds, known as the Night Executioner—a dangerous man.”

Fang Nian nodded, his interest in Chang Ning piqued.

He originally thought the two had come for Xu Lang; unexpectedly, they approached him. Xu Fan wore a harmless smile and extended his hand politely.

“You must be Brother Fang Nian? Allow me to introduce myself—Xu Fan, Xu Lang’s elder brother. I heard my brother caused you some trouble recently. My apologies—it’s my responsibility as his elder.”

Fang Nian smiled and shook his hand.

“No harm done; we didn’t lose much, after all.”

Xu Fan smiled, then looked to Xia Moyan.

“Ah, Moyan, you’re even more beautiful. I’ve heard all about you two. Didn’t expect you’d choose not to marry Chang Jun—quite the surprise.”

Xia Moyan gave a polite, hollow smile.

“Sorry, I must have disappointed you, Brother Xu.”

Xu Fan was startled for a moment, then burst into laughter.

“Moyan, you’re joking. Well, I’ll leave you for now—I need to see my father. As you know, I spend most of my time in the south and rarely have the chance to return.”

Xu Fan nodded to Fang Nian and Moyan, shot a glare at Xu Lang, and left.

Xu Lang was trembling, and Fang Nian was amazed by the aura Xu Fan held over his brother. Given this, what did Xu Lang have to challenge Xu Fan for the family enterprise?

But Fang Nian felt that while Xu Fan was sly, the one who truly unsettled him was the silent Chang Ning. There was something mysterious about him, something different from the others Fang Nian had met.

Just then, a loud cheer erupted from the tournament grounds. Fang Nian was startled, and Xia Moyan explained,

“The hunting party is entering! I wonder which masters have arrived this time.”