Return of the Prodigy

As the sun sets in the west, the last rays of sunlight pour down, illuminating the vast desert. Tens of thousands of soldiers stood on the sand, their eyes focused on the front. In front of the Black Snake Brigade, a young man gazes into the distance, three shining stars on his shoulders. He looked like a devil that crawled out of hell. Tremendous pressure radiated from his body, and it did not let up even before thousands of elite soldiers. "Have you made up your mind that you would go? The doctor has already made arrangements." Next to the man, an elderly man with graying temples stood shoulder to shoulder, also adorned with three shining stars. Upon hearing this, the man looked away and lowered his head to the photo in his palm. The photo bore traces of sweat and blood. A man and a woman stood against a red background, facing the camera... The man was indifferent. The woman's face was cold and delicate, her eyes holding unspoken grievances and resilience. "I've carried this burden for many years. Now, with all eight legendary masters fallen, the border will be peaceful for at least the next five years. That should be enough time for you to train a new 'Dragon Warrior.'" The elderly man sighed deeply, "In these years, you have traveled far and wide, and fought for the country. Especially for the battle against the eight legends, you've suffered..." At this moment, a gust of wind swept through, raising a cloud of dust. "Cough, cough..." The man suddenly coughed, a trace of blood appearing from his mouth. The elder sighed again, "I arranged for Black Dragon to follow you as a secretary. Don't refuse. Some people within the country are planning to do something lately, and the Black Snake Brigade needs a leader." The man glanced at the old man, raising an eyebrow. "Your excuse is quite lame." "Uh, cough. At least do me a favor in front of all the soldiers. Commander, have a safe journey!" He blushed but didn't give the man a chance to refuse. He raised his hand in salute and shouted, "Long live Drake the Dragon!" "Long live Drake the Dragon!" Tens of thousands of soldiers shout in unison, their voices echoing through the heavens. The man turned abruptly— Stood at attention, raised his hand, saluted. Soldiers shouted again, and their eyes became flaming red. The man hesitated no more, turning around and stepping onto a waiting helicopter. ... Lisle City, villa area. Adam carried a camouflage bag, walking step by step towards the Hartley'. His thoughts instantly returned to six years ago... Six years ago, he was drugged and unconscious in a mental hospital. There, through a series of unfortunate events, he met Katie Hartley and ended up engaging in a night of passion with her. The next day, to avoid revealing his real identity, he could only give in to the Hartley' demands and hastily marry Katie. As he did not want to put his newlywed wife in danger, he left the house that very night. Now, six years passed, and he was no longer the embarrassed youth from before. He was now the commander of the legendary Black Snake Brigade! He wanted to give her a lifetime of glory and countless honors! Approaching the villa gate, Adam was stopped by a security guard. He explained while looking into the courtyard. In a corner of the courtyard, six or seven young children, all dressed in brand-name clothes, were playing, except for one girl. The girl looked pale, dressed in rags, with round and large eyes that seem to have lost their luster. At this moment, her hair sticked to her face, covered in sweat, with bruises on her arms and legs... At this time, a woman with delicate makeup, wearing a black long dress, rushed over in high heels. "Darling! How did you fall? Are you okay, darling?" "Mom, that b***h deliberately pushed me." Slap! A crisp slap and five red finger marks immediately appeared on the girl's tender face. "Little bastard, are you tired of living? If you dare hurt my son, I'll break your legs!" "Mom, she also pushed me to ate a mouthful of mud." The woman became even more furious upon hearing this. After a series of cracks, the girl's cheeks immediately swelled up. At this time, a voice cried out in alarm and anger, "What are you doing, Matilda!" This voice... Is it hers? It's Katie's voice! Adam froze as he saw a haggard, disheveled woman rush toward the girl. She quivered as she hugged the child and looked at her swollen cheek. She raised her hand to wipe the blood off the child's lips but hesitated at the last second, afraid of hurting her. "Cough..." The girl bent over and spitted out blood! She was vomiting blood! "Katie, you came just in time. Look at what your daughter did. Today is my son's birthday. What if he got hurt from the fall? What then?" Katie glared at her with red eyes. "It is quite normal that children play and bump into each other. This is too much! As an adult, is it necessary for you to hurt a child? How can you be so heartless? You're her aunt, for heaven's sake." "Ptui! Don't try to play the pitiful victim now. I don't have such a Little bastard niece. If she hurts my son, she deserves to be taught a lesson, even if it means beating her to death, she deserves it." Katie was so angry that her body was trembling with tears streaming down her face. "You're simply unreasonable. Is your son precious, and my daughter just a weed?" "Shut up. How can your daughter be worthy of comparing with my son? My son is a treasure of the Hartley family. Your daughter is just a little bastard fathered by a madman with mental issues. Perhaps your daughter has inherited a mental illness, just like her useless father. Sooner or later, she will leave you." Boom! At the gate, a thunderous revelation echoes in Adam's mind. The little girl is the daughter of Katie and a mentally ill man. Six years ago, to evade pursuit, he disguised himself as mentally ill and hid in a psychiatric hospital... That mentally ill person is none other than himself? Does that mean she's my daughter? Adam pushes aside the security and rushes to Katie. "Katie, is she my daughter?" Katie lifts her head, looking at Adam in bewilderment, her eyes slowly widening. "You, you..." "Yes, it's me. I am Adam. Tell me, is she my daughter or not?" "Where did this beggar come from? Get out... wait a minute... Adam? That name sounds familiar. Adam... you, you are that mentally ill person Adam Drake?" Matilda points at Adam and screams. "Dad, grandpa... everyone, come quickly. Katie's mentally ill husband is back." "Katie, is she my daughter or not? Tell me, hurry up." Adam anxiously urges. Katie closes her eyes in pain, letting tears fall. Is this considered an acknowledgment? Adam's mind trembles profoundly. "Haha, it is that madman! I didn't expect him to return after leaving six years ago. Good for them! Their useless family is finally reunited." "Grandpa, you see, they are all crazy in this family. Letting them attend Bobby's birthday party is an insult to the Hartley family." "Why couldn't you learn from your parents, Katie? How wise of them to stay away and avoid ruining our day! Unlike you, they know that nothing good can come from their attendance here." "Haven't you suffered enough humiliation these past six years? Did you have to let our friends and family witness your disgraceful self again?" A group of people pointing fingers, mocking, and insulting... Katie is angry, trembling all over. However, there was nothing she could say or do. She hugged her daughter tightly and wept. In these six years, she has become accustomed to these insults and humiliations. Adam can't believe it, and if he didn't see it with his own eyes, who would believe that they are a family with Katie? Especially just now, with Annie being beaten, cursed at, and Katie being slapped, unable to resist, all in front of the guests of the Hartley family... What kind of madness must the Hartley family have behind closed doors? So reckless? In these six years, how much injustice and torment have Katie and her daughter endured? Adam dares not imagine! They called him "Drake the Dragon", the commander of the Black Snake Brigade, bathed in blood, and fought to protect a nation, yet ultimately failed to protect his wife and daughter... How tragic is this?! How ironic?! Self-blame, guilt, endless remorse. Along with it, a blazing anger ignited. Today, he would annihilate the Hartley family! Everyone who had insulted his wife and daughter must die! These gangs and families would know who the real Mafia boss.