“Master Wen, that’s how things went.”
Half an hour later, Wang Xiong arrived at the Black Stone Gang’s headquarters, reporting the day’s events to Master Wen. He concluded, “Now, even Li Quan’s words don’t work. Li Feng insists on deciding when to cut the stones himself.”
Master Wen toyed with his jade ruyi, silent for a moment before saying, “Do you think Li Feng is doing this because he’s sensed something?”
“Master Wen, that’s impossible. That useless Li Feng?” Wang Xiong sneered. From his time dealing with Li Feng, he thought he knew him well—a fool they’d been playing with. What could he possibly sense?
“Hmph, don’t be careless,” Master Wen said with a soft snort. “He may be useless, but he’s not stupid. Do you really take him for a fool?”
Wang Xiong thought for a moment and said, “Master Wen, I think it’s unlikely. Li Quan has been with him for years. Even if Li Feng doesn’t trust us, he wouldn’t distrust Li Quan. Unless he suspects Li Quan.”
“Li Quan? Just a petty man, dreaming of becoming the Li family’s heir. How naive and laughable. If anything happens to Li Feng, Li Chuanwei would be the first to come for him,” Master Wen said with a cold laugh. “But that’s the Li family’s internal matter. We don’t need to care. Still, your point isn’t baseless. Li Feng isn’t a fool, and Li Quan’s been too obvious in this matter. It’s hard not to raise suspicion. Here’s what you do: go tell Li Quan to test Li Feng. He should know how to handle it.”
“Master Wen, I’ll take care of it right away,” Wang Xiong nodded.
“Wait.”
Master Wen stopped him, thought for a moment, and said, “Have someone keep an eye on Liu Shichao.”
“Liu Shichao?” Wang Xiong frowned. “Master Wen, do you suspect him?”
“No, Liu Shichao’s just a spoiled rich kid. He’s not worth my attention. I’m concerned about Emperor’s Pavilion,” Master Wen shook his head. “I’ve heard Liu Shichao has ties with them. This time, Brother Peng sent him. I’m worried they have other motives.”
“Emperor’s Pavilion? Master Wen, aren’t you being too cautious?” Wang Xiong said dismissively. Tianhai City had three major underground forces, but the Black Stone Gang was the top dog. As a key figure in the gang, Wang Xiong looked down on Emperor’s Pavilion.
“You don’t understand,” Master Wen shook his head, recalling the reaction of the purple-robed youth when he mentioned Emperor’s Pavilion. From that moment, he knew the pavilion wasn’t as simple as it seemed.
Wang Xiong didn’t understand but said nothing. In the Black Stone Gang, Master Wen’s word was law. Whatever he ordered, Wang Xiong would do.
“Go on,” Master Wen waved his hand. Some things Wang Xiong wouldn’t grasp, and explaining further was pointless.
“Yes.”
…
Tianhai City, National Security Bureau.
Fo Zhu sat in his chair and asked his subordinate, “What have you found out?”
“Boss, Yu Su has offended many people, but recently, he only crossed the president of Xiangfeng Investment Company,” a young man standing before Fo Zhu answered.
“The president of Xiangfeng Investment? Do we have their details?” Fo Zhu asked urgently.
“Yes. The president of Xiangfeng Investment, Hu Yuanyuan, is the daughter of Hu Wenhai, the commander of the Northwest Military Region,” the young man replied.
“What? Hu Wenhai’s daughter?” Fo Zhu’s expression changed, and he said gravely, “You’re saying Yu Su offended Hu Wenhai’s daughter, Hu Yuanyuan?”
“Yes. Yu Su drugged Hu Yuanyuan at Emperor’s Pavilion…” The young man’s expression was a mix of amusement and disbelief.
“Drugged? Yu Su dared to drug Hu Wenhai’s daughter?” Fo Zhu’s face was full of disbelief. Who was Hu Wenhai? Even Fo Zhu wouldn’t dare mess with him, yet Yu Su had the audacity to drug his daughter. He couldn’t help but admire Yu Su’s courage.
“Yes.”
“What happened next?” Fo Zhu took a deep breath. If anything had happened to Hu Yuanyuan, he could imagine the wrath of the Northwest Tiger. Had he known about this, he’d never have come to Tianhai City.
“At the critical moment, Hu Yuanyuan was saved,” the young man answered.
Fo Zhu exhaled in relief, “I knew it. The Northwest Tiger wouldn’t leave his daughter unprotected.”
The young man shook his head, “Boss, it wasn’t the bodyguards sent by the Northwest Tiger who saved her. It was Li Feng.”
“Li Feng? That name sounds familiar,” Fo Zhu frowned.
“Boss, it’s that Li Feng from the Li family in Yanjing, Hu Yuanyuan’s husband,” the young man reminded.
“Him? That useless guy?” Fo Zhu recalled, chuckling. “That kid’s got some luck. Hu Yuanyuan’s a beauty, the dream girl of countless men in Yanjing. Who’d have thought she’d end up with him?”
“Is Hu Yuanyuan your dream girl too, Boss?” the young man asked curiously.
“Get lost, I’m a monk,” Fo Zhu laughed, scolding him, then asked, “So, Yu Su’s injuries were caused by someone Li Feng sent?”
“No, Li Feng did it himself,” the young man shook his head.
“What?” Fo Zhu’s expression changed again. When they arrested Yu Su, he’d examined his injuries and was shocked by the brutality. He’d assumed Li Feng had ordered someone to do it, not that Li Feng himself was responsible.
Li Feng, the notorious weakling of Yanjing, was no secret in elite circles—timid, cowardly, and incompetent. Since when was he this fierce?
“Could there be a mistake?” Fo Zhu asked.
“No, I questioned Yu Su and checked Emperor’s Pavilion’s surveillance. Only Li Feng entered the room,” the young man said, shaking his head.
Fo Zhu’s expression shifted, and he took a deep breath, “Truly unexpected. Who’d have thought Li Feng had such skills?”
“Less than three hours after Li Feng and Hu Yuanyuan left Emperor’s Pavilion, Yu Su’s details and videos appeared online,” the young man continued.
“You suspect Hu Yuanyuan and Li Feng?” Fo Zhu said gravely.
“It’s very likely. The timing’s too coincidental,” the young man nodded.
Fo Zhu shook his head. The National Security Bureau had clear files on both Hu Yuanyuan and Li Feng. Even if they’d changed, he didn’t believe they were behind such a shocking incident. Still, as a bureau agent, he had to suspect everyone.
“Boss, what do we do now?” the young man asked.
“Since it might involve Li Feng and Hu Yuanyuan, start investigating from there,” Fo Zhu said after a moment. “But their identities are sensitive. Don’t act rashly.”
“Yes.”
“Also, the U.S. CIA and Britain’s MI6 have sent people to Tianhai City. Keep a close eye on them. Tianhai is Chinese territory. They can’t be allowed to cause trouble.”
“Yes.”
“That’s all. Go make the arrangements.”
The young man hesitated, then asked, “Boss, what about Yu Su?”
Fo Zhu snorted coldly, his voice dripping with menace, “People like him shouldn’t be allowed to live in this world.”
