Chapter 183: Zhang Family

In casual conversation, Han Bing walked in from outside the lab.

"General, Song Qing has confessed everything."

When it came to serious matters, Qiao Zhen immediately put on a stern face and asked, "Has the mastermind behind the scenes confessed?"

"Not yet. General, according to what Song Qing described, the organization we’re investigating is very complex."

"Complex? In what way? Explain."

"Our previous guesses weren’t wrong. The mysterious force behind Song Qing is indeed the God Organization that has been revived. However, the current God Organization is more secretive and vast than decades ago. Moreover, the God Organization controls many smaller forces, including foreign mercenary groups and international criminal groups. Song Qing confessed that in their organization, there’s a strict hierarchy. The level determines one’s status within the organization."

"What levels are there?"

"Bronze, Silver, Platinum, Gold, and Jade Gold, five levels. Jade Gold represents the head of the organization, and the others follow in descending order."

Ling Chen asked, "What’s Song Qing’s level within the organization?"

"He has no rank. Only ranked individuals are core members of the organization; the rest are peripheral members. I just asked Song Qing, and he’s merely a hired thug for them, and there are many more like him."

Hearing this, Ling Chen was puzzled. "People like him wouldn’t oppose the government just for some money, would they?"

Han Bing nodded and said, "You’re right. His aim isn’t money, but special drugs. According to him, taking those drugs can significantly enhance his strength. As per their agreement, every time Song Qing completes a task, he is given a bottle of the drug as a reward. Song Qing himself confessed that he wanted to use the drugs to boost his strength and challenge others on the Tiger List."

So that’s it!

Ling Chen nodded inwardly; the saying ’greed is a bottomless pit’ was indeed true.

Looking back through history, human desires are never satisfied; after conquering one peak, people always seek the next—it’s never-ending. Throughout thousands of years of history, there have been many such people, and none had a good end.

As a human, the most important thing is to learn to be content.

"General, Song Qing only has direct contact with those people. He has never met them in person, and all transactions are done via mobile phones; there’s nothing to trace."

"I didn’t expect to figure out much," Qiao Zhen said with folded arms. "God Organization operates cautiously, not giving anyone an opportunity to exploit. Furthermore, Song Qing is just a peripheral member, so the information he knows is certainly limited."

"General, how do you plan to deal with this person?"

"Proceed according to the law. Since he cooperated, we can consider reducing some of his criminal responsibility."

"Understood."

"General, Mr. Han, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving."

Qiao Zhen waved his hand. "Hurry up and scram. I didn’t plan to keep you for lunch."

"Okay, then I’m leaving. General, take care."

Han Bing patted Ling Chen’s shoulder and smiled. "Let’s go, I’ll walk you out."

Back in the study, Ling Chen had intended to meet up with Nanrong Wanqing and switch back with Tang Yuan. However, Mu Zhiyuan and his wife, Chen Ping, insisted on having him stay for lunch.

It was an offer he couldn’t refuse, and after such a long time, he too wanted to spend some time with Chen Ping.

Mu Zhiyuan and Chen Ping were both former members of Ghost Base, fighting side by side for many years and deeply in love. They got married ten years ago. Later, persuaded by the General, they became the guardians of Ghost Base.

Despite their scholarly elegance and tranquil virtue, they were both tough characters in the past, with probably hundreds fallen at their hands.

After the meal, Chen Ping reluctantly let Ling Chen go.

On his way back, Ling Chen called Zhong Wei to ask for their current location and then drove over.

After an hour’s drive, the Land Rover slowly drove into a luxurious villa complex.

Each of these high-end villas came with a separate courtyard, very spacious and close to the city center. To settle here would cost tens of millions at least.

Those who are friends with Nanrong Wanqing definitely wouldn’t lack resources.

At that moment, seeing Tang Yuan waving from a distance, Ling Chen immediately drove toward him.

"You finally came back, kiddo. How did it go? Did that bastard spill anything?" Tang Yuan asked eagerly.

Ling Chen grinned, full of pride. "With me involved, what can’t be handled?"

"I knew you could do it. Alright, I’m heading back. We’ll catch up when we have time."

Watching Tang Yuan drive away, Ling Chen stepped into the nearby villa. In the living room, he saw Nanrong Wanqing sitting in a wheelchair, chatting leisurely with a young couple, her lips revealing a faint smile.

Ling Chen tactfully didn’t interrupt them and instead approached Zhong Wei and spoke to him in a low voice.

"Captain Zhong, are these two people the director’s friends?"

"The woman is named Zhang Qianqian, a college classmate of the director from the past, and the man is Zhang Zekai, her older brother. I heard the Zhang Family is involved in the entertainment industry and quite famous in Beijing."

Ling Chen nodded and stood obediently aside, waiting for Nanrong Wanqing to be done with her visitors.

"When will you be going back, Wanqing?" Zhang Qianqian asked.

"I haven’t decided yet. There’s a lot going on at the company; I might leave tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? How about you postpone for two more days? There’s Tang Shiyun’s concert the day after tomorrow. Let’s go together."

Zhang Zekai chuckled. "My sister isn’t usually into idol-chasing, but ever since she listened to Tang Shiyun’s songs, she instantly switched lanes and became her devoted fan. Miss Nanrong, it’s a rare opportunity for Tang Shiyun’s first concert, why not stay an extra couple days and let us do our part as hospitable hosts?"

"This..."

Nanrong Wanqing hesitated; she was very interested in experiencing Tang Shiyun’s concert. Having listened to Tang Shiyun’s songs on the car radio a while back, she had grown to like them.

Tang Shiyun’s voice was like a magnet that firmly attracted her, irresistible. Listening to Tang Shiyun’s songs in the quiet of the night was a great pleasure, as if bringing solace to a lonely heart.

"I heard her concert tickets are hard to get. Won’t it be too troublesome to arrange it at the last minute?"

Zhang Qianqian burst into laughter. "You don’t have to worry about that at all, Wanqing. You might not be aware, but our Zhang Family is one of the sponsors for Tang Shiyun’s concert, and Silver Star Entertainment Company, which she signed with, has shares from our Zhang Family. In a sense, we’re her bosses. Also..."

As she spoke, she cast a meaningful glance at Zhang Zekai beside her, her tone ambiguous. "That Tang Shiyun seems to have taken a liking to my brother, always coming over to our house after rehearsal these days, cozying up to him. Right, big brother?"