Wealthy Manor, security room.
Ling Chen stood in front of the monitor with a solemn expression, reviewing the surveillance footage. Following the time frame provided by Su Lin, it didn’t take him long to spot Nanrong Wanqing in the video. As a high-end residential area, the facilities were comprehensive, with cameras installed at nearly every section of the road, clearly capturing the Honda business car that appeared beside Nanrong Wanqing.
Looking at the Honda business car on the screen, Ling Chen quickly pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
"Hello! Officer Xia, sorry to disturb you this late, but I need a favor. Could you check a license plate number for me, and also its current location... Yes, it’s urgent, I would appreciate a prompt response... Okay, thank you."
After hanging up the phone, Ling Chen walked out of the security room with a frown, heading towards the Nanrong family home.
He was now curious about who was in that Honda business car. Nanrong Wanqing was always cautious by nature; she would not have left without even a word of notice unless the person she was meeting, or the matter she was dealing with, was highly secretive.
As his thoughts raced, Ling Chen suddenly remembered how, earlier that day in the office lounge, Nanrong Wanqing had hidden her cell phone very carefully, as if she was afraid he would discover some secret. Could there be a connection between the two?
Lost in thought, Ling Chen heard his phone ring in his pocket. He took it out, expecting it to be Xia Mutong calling him, internally commenting on the girl’s quick efficiency, ready to answer. But as soon as he saw the caller ID, his face turned to shock.
It was Nanrong Wanqing!
Without a second thought, he answered the call, greeted her, and asked impatiently, "Wanqing, where are you?"
"Ling Chen, I... I’m not in a position to talk right now, just listen to me. I have to leave for a few days; please tell Grandfather that he will take care of things at Hongyu Group. If nothing unexpected happens, I should be back in a week at most. You don’t have to worry about my safety."
Hearing Nanrong Wanqing’s voice, Ling Chen hurriedly asked, "Who are you with..."
Beep beep! Beep beep!
Before he could finish, he was greeted by a busy tone from the other end, and when he tried to call back, the phone was already switched off.
Recalling Nanrong Wanqing’s words, Ling Chen couldn’t help feeling anxious. The woman had left without giving any reason, not even saying who she was with, only mentioning that she had to leave for a while. How could he not worry?
Returning to the Nanrong home, Su Lin saw Ling Chen rush in from outside and asked, "Where’s Wanqing? Did you find her?"
"She..." Before Ling Chen could explain, his phone rang again.
This time it was Xia Mutong.
"Hello! Officer Xia, did you find it?"
"I’ve found it. That Honda business car you mentioned is heading towards the airport, about half an hour from arrival. Ling Chen, who is in the car?"
"Wanqing is in the car; I don’t know who she’s with. Officer Xia, please contact airport security; do whatever it takes to stop them. I’m on my way there right now."
With that, Ling Chen put away his phone, rushed into the room, slid the Tianling Blade into his waistband, and hurried outside.
As he reached the house’s entrance, Ling Chen pulled out his car keys, ready to drive to the airport, but then he heard a bout of severe coughing reaching his ears.
Turning his head, Ling Chen saw an elderly man sitting on a bench opposite the Nanrong home, wearing thin clothes, leaning on a cane, his wrinkled face turning slightly red from coughing.
Sensing Ling Chen’s gaze, the old man slowly lifted his head, a sharp gleam flashing through his cloudy eyes.
Once Ling Chen saw the old man’s face clearly, his pupils shrank, and his expression changed drastically.
Dongfang Yu!
This old geezer actually found his way to the Nanrong Family.
Seeing Dongfang Yu stand up and move towards him, Ling Chen immediately reached towards his lower back, his eyes warily watching the other party.
Had it been yesterday, he would have been very happy to find Dongfang Yu. But now was not the time; he was in a hurry to get to the airport, and he had no time to waste here.
"Dongfang Yu, another day to find me. I’m in a hurry right now."
"Tell me where the Eight Eccentrics are, and I’ll let you go immediately."
"I don’t know..."
Before he could finish speaking, Dongfang Yu’s expression suddenly turned fierce. With a light tap of his foot, he was like a gust of wind, instantly rushing to Ling Chen. Ling Chen had no time to react when he felt a pain in his throat, his airway seized by a firm hand.
Dongfang Yu didn’t stop. He kept pushing Ling Chen’s body until his back hit the exterior wall of the Nanrong house. Only then did Dongfang Yu stop and raised his hand high. Ling Chen’s legs immediately dangled in the air, his forehead tilted upwards, struggling to breathe.
"Speak!" Dongfang Yu barked sharply: "Where are they?"
Ling Chen bit down hard on his teeth, his hands pressing down on Dongfang Yu’s arm, trying to alleviate the pressure on his throat.
"Not talking, huh?" Dongfang Yu let out a cold laugh, his left hand raising his cane and slamming it hard onto Ling Chen’s shoulder. Accompanied by a burst of intense pain, Ling Chen felt like his left arm had gone numb; it was dislocated.
Dongfang Yu’s cane rose and fell mercilessly until both of Ling Chen’s arms were dislocated. Then he stopped, reaching into Ling Chen’s pocket and taking out his phone.
Flipping through the phone’s contact list, Dongfang Yu suddenly sneered, turning the phone screen toward Ling Chen. On the screen, the name Qiu Yong was prominently displayed.
"And you say you don’t know?"
Dongfang Yu dialed Qiu Yong’s number, turned on the speakerphone, and held it up to Ling Chen, saying coldly: "Ask him where he is. If you dare say one extra word, I’ll kill you on the spot."
Dial tone...
The call connected, and before Qiu Yong’s voice came through, Ling Chen already asked: "Elder Qiu, where are you?"
"The hotel. If you’re coming, just come directly. Also, haven’t I told you last time, don’t call me..."
Without letting Qiu Yong finish, Ling Chen hastily took over the conversation: "Wait for me, I have taken care of the matter you asked me to handle; I’ll bring the stuff over now."
"Okay, we’ve brewed some tea and will wait for you."
Dongfang Yu hung up the call and casually threw the phone into the bushes nearby, asking, "Which hotel? Take me there. I warn you, you’d better not play any tricks on me."
After getting into the car, Ling Chen rubbed his freshly reset arms, started the vehicle, and under Dongfang Yu’s close surveillance, slowly drove out of Wealthy Manor.
On the road, Ling Chen behaved properly, not daring to make any rash move. With an Earthly List master sitting beside him, he didn’t dare to be reckless, unless he wished for death.
Ten minutes later, the car arrived at the destination, parked next to the hotel.
"What floor are they on?"
"Eighth floor, rooms 803 to 808."
"Let’s go, come up with me. Once I have dealt with them, I’ll give you a way out."
Ling Chen, not daring to resist, obediently got out of the car, led Dongfang Yu into the hotel, and then took the elevator to the eighth floor.