Chapter 1 The Return of God Warrior

• Wesnia.
• Baythorn Airport.
• A private jet flew in circles before touching down, surrounded by a squadron of military planes.
• The airport was on high alert, packed with heavily armed soldiers.
• Whispers echoed across Baythorn, suggesting that a very important figure was arriving.
• This figure was Wesnia's sole five-star general, known as the first God Warrior.
• He held the title of the Grim Reaper.
• Even the richest man in Baythorn, Mason Ford, who came to show his respect, was denied entry.
• Brayden Gatlin's arrival had only one purpose—to reunite with his wife.
• His wife was Abigail Marley, the eldest daughter of the Marleys.
• ...
• A moment later, at Marley Residence.
• Brayden stood before the mansion, a hint of nostalgia on his face.
• Five years had passed.
• He was betrayed by wicked people, forced out of the prestigious Gatlin family, and ended up stranded in Baythorn. Left with nothing, he wandered the streets like a lost dog.
• In an attempt to bring good fortune, the Marleys picked Brayden to be their son-in-law, and he married Abigail Marley, the eldest daughter of the Marleys.
• The very next day after their wedding, Brayden heeded the nation's call and enlisted in the military without hesitation.
• Now, five years later, he has become Wesnia's first God Warrior, an unmatched hero of the country.
• Driven by the guilt of his past, he returned to Baythorn to reunite with Abigail.
• Brayden entered the house.
• Unexpectedly, his eyes widened in shock.
• He was immediately taken aback.
• In the garden outside the mansion, a little girl, around four or five years old, looked frail and pale, clearly underfed.
• Most notably, she had a chain around her neck.
• She was lying on the ground, resembling a stray dog.
• Licking at an empty bowl!
• Seeing this, Brayden's heart ached unexpectedly, and he felt a deep sadness.
• "Sir, can you give me something to eat? I'm so hungry!"
• The little girl gazed up at Brayden with hopeful eyes.
• Brayden swiftly pulled a biscuit from his pocket and gave it to her.
• The little girl eagerly snatched the biscuit and devoured it quickly.
• "You unwanted troublemaker, how dare you beg in front of Marley Residence? I'll show you what happens to people like you today!"
• A harsh, middle-aged woman stormed out, brandishing a wooden stick and striking the girl repeatedly.
• The little girl tried to avoid the blows while crying out, "Please, don't hit me ... I'm so hungry ... it hurts ... "
• Brayden's face showed a flicker of anger as he watched.
• At that moment, he felt as though his heart had been pierced by a sharp object.
• How could there be such cruelty in the world?
• "Stop it!"
• He stepped forward and took the wooden stick from the woman's hands.
• The woman glared at him with contempt, "Who are you to interfere with me?"
• Brayden responded, "Are you even human? How can you be so merciless to a child of four or five?"
• Seeing the bruised girl, his heart blazed with fury.
• "It's none of your business. She's just an illegitimate child from the Marleys. I can treat her however I want. If you interfere, I'll beat you too!"
• The middle-aged woman glared at Brayden coldly.
• Brayden was startled and asked reflexively, "An illegitimate child from the Marleys? Whose?"
• The woman sneered, "Whose? It's the dog's! Everyone in Donghai knows about this dog!”
• "Five years ago, the eldest daughter of the Marleys, Abigail Marley, married a drifter, and the next day, that man disappeared! Leaving behind this child, becoming the laughingstock of Baythorn!"
• Hearing this, Brayden felt as if he had been struck by lightning.
• Five years ago!
• A drifter!
• The eldest daughter of the Marleys!
• So, this little girl is ...
• As he looked at the child once more, a powerful sense of recognition surged within him.
• A man known for his strength and heroism, his eyes grew misty ...
• Thinking about his daughter being so harshly mistreated, Brayden's anger erupted.
• With a sharp crack, he ripped the chain from the little girl's neck.
• He could hardly fathom the kind of life Abigail and her daughter had endured over the past five years.
• Now, even a servant from the Marleys had the audacity to harm his daughter so brutally. It was utterly unacceptable!
• "To treat my daughter this way is unforgivable!"
• Slap!
• Brayden struck the middle-aged woman sharply across the face.
• "Ah!"
• She cried out in pain as her cheek began to swell immediately.
• "Your daughter? Are you the Marleys' son-in-law who showed up five years ago?"
• The middle-aged woman stared at Brayden in shock, unable to believe what she was seeing.
• Five years back, the head of the Marleys was gravely ill.
• In an effort to bring good fortune to him, the least favored eldest daughter of the Marleys, Abigail, was made to marry a drifter. This story became common knowledge throughout Baythorn.
• What was even more astonishing was that this drifter had actually disappeared the day after their wedding night.
• Now, after five years, the same drifter has come back?
• The little girl glanced at Brayden with caution and said, "Sir, I want to find my mommy ... "
• Brayden was surprised and inquired, "Where is your mom? Isn't she at home?"
• The woman covered her face and scoffed, "What's the point of your return? Huh! Let me tell you, Abigail is now involved with other men at Paradise Lounge. She doesn't have time for her daughter ... "
• "Be quiet!"
• Brayden couldn't take it anymore. He seized the middle-aged woman and forcefully threw her outside.
• Bang!
• With a loud thud, the middle-aged woman collapsed to the ground and lost consciousness.
• Brayden's expression darkened, and a chilling anger radiated from him.
• The woman he had been longing for over the past five years had actually left her daughter to be with other men at the Paradise Lounge. Had I really been wrong about her?
• He looked at his frail and pale daughter, his heart aching, and asked, "What's your name?"
• The little girl looked up at Brayden and replied, "My name is Hope Gatlin."
• Hope Gatlin?
• Hearing her name, Brayden's heart ached even more.
• Abigail, what exactly are you hoping for?
• Hoping to catch the eye of a wealthy man to support you?
• He fought back the pain in his chest and asked, "Where is your mom? Why doesn't she look after you?"
• Hope widened her eyes and said, "Mommy went out to earn money. When she does, I won't be hungry anymore. I am always starving, and everyone picks on me, hits me every day, and won't let me eat ... "
• Upon hearing this, two streams of warm tears fell uncontrollably from Brayden's eyes.
• This was his own daughter, who had endured so much hardship.
• As her father, he knew absolutely nothing about it. He felt like a failure, completely unworthy of being called a father.
• He had battled across the land, facing bullets and explosions, and had survived countless severe wounds, yet he had never once cried.
• But today, standing before his own daughter, he cried.
• A man's tears are rare, only falling when his heart is shattered.
• He asked softly, "Where is your dad?"
• Hope lowered her head, sadness filling her expression, "I've never met my dad since I was born. Everyone says I'm an illegitimate child without a father. I asked Mommy about my daddy.
• "But Mommy just cries and never tells me. I know it makes her sad, so I don't ask anymore."
• Brayden gently asked, "How about I take you to find your mom, would that be alright?"
• Hope quickly shook her head, "No, Mommy told me never to go with strangers."
• "I'm not a stranger, I'm your ... daddy's friend."
• The words almost slipped out, but Brayden stopped himself.
• He wasn't worthy of being called a father!