Chapter 422: News of Shangguan Zhuren

After Kong Shi finished smoking a cigarette,

Only then did he raise his head and look at me,

"Jianqiang, I want to tell you, Shangguan Zhuren has already died."

"What." I jumped up from the sofa instantly.

Kong Shi's words were like five thunderbolts striking the top of my head, making my brain buzz.

"Who killed him? Is it you?" I roared, then grabbed Kong Shi's collar.

"Jianqiang, calm down, don't be so loud. You can suspect me, but I swear on my whole family that I really didn't kill Shangguan Zhuren. If I had killed him, would I dare come see you?" Kong Shi pleaded.

"Then tell me, how did Shangguan Zhuren die?" I couldn't contain my anger.

I wish I could tear Kong Shi to pieces right now.

He died of a heart attack. Here is the forensic diagnosis; I brought it.

After we captured Shangguan Zhuren at the Qi He Kuang mine, we intended to interrogate him about your whereabouts; who would have thought he died that very night.

Actually we also suspected someone had killed Shangguan Zhuren, so I quickly arranged for a forensic autopsy.

The autopsy showed a heart attack; the forensic analysis said it was due to long-term work pressure. His heart had reached its limit.

Even if we hadn't arrested him, his life wouldn't have lasted much longer.

Everything I said is true.

What benefit would we gain from killing Shangguan Zhuren?

And it would only create greater enmity between us.

He is just a retired old man; killing him would only add to our sins.

Shangguan Zhuren alive is far more useful to us; he can tie down your energy, and we could get a lot of mileage out of him.

Jianqiang, please believe me.

Shangguan Zhuren really died from exhaustion.

These days you've been in Sijiucheng while he alone at the Qi He Kuang mine dealt with our pursuit. Think about how great his pressure was.

How was he supposed to bear all that pressure?

A slight mistake would lead to a major error, and it was he alone who had to cope.

Jianqiang, think about it.

When we went to capture him,

He offered no resistance; he even voluntarily asked to be taken away.

Actually he had already prepared himself.

When I interrogated Shangguan Zhuren once, he looked very exhausted,

He didn't scold me; he just chatted with me about some past events.

He told me, one should always look forward, not fixate on one place. The world is vast; don't act recklessly.

These were his last words,

I really remember them clearly.

"Shangguan Zhuren, I didn't kill him. Jianqiang, please believe me."

Kong Shi said this pitifully.

My mind at this moment was immersed in memories of Shangguan Zhuren; his appearance and smile were so clear.

I remember our last phone call; his voice was low and he was coughing.

This all indicates his health was problematic.

My mind is somewhat confused,

Looking at Kong Shi, I really want to kill him outright; only by killing him could I ease my pain and my longing for Shangguan Zhuren.

But suddenly a voice came from my mind,

"Jianqiang, you must stay calm. You must stay calm." This sounded like Shangguan Zhuren's voice.

It was telling me, when things happen don't panic. What would killing Kong Shi achieve? What problem would it solve?

Could it turn back time? Could it revive Shangguan Zhuren?

Nothing is possible.

I closed my eyes, struggling not to let my tears fall.

I stared angrily at Kong Shi for a full minute.

Kong Shi trembled like chaff in a sieve.

He was truly afraid that I would strike him down violently.

I must calm myself down,

Otherwise I would be completely finished.

My hand gripping Kong Shi's neck slowly loosened.

Kong Shi let out a long breath.

His face was covered in sweat.

"Kong Shi, I ask you, where is Shangguan Zhuren's corpse now?" I asked.

"In the hospital mortuary; I haven't dared to cremate his body, I've been waiting for you to return. I'm afraid of taking the blame for killing Shangguan Zhuren. Liu Shiru has repeatedly arranged for me to burn his body, but I haven't agreed. I knew you would definitely come back."

"Then, if you don't believe what I say, you can personally have someone examine the body."

Based on Kong Shi not having cremated Shangguan Zhuren's body, I can believe Kong Shi is not the murderer.

If he had killed him, he would have destroyed the corpse immediately; plus he wouldn't dare come see me.

Furthermore, killing Shangguan Zhuren would bring him no benefit at all; Shangguan Zhuren alive is useful to them.

Perhaps Shangguan Zhuren's death was just a coincidence; during this period all the pressure was on Shangguan Zhuren, his burden was too heavy and it broke his body.

I said, "Kong Shi, I trust you; now protect Shangguan Zhuren's corpse and relics properly, and after a while I will personally inspect,"

"to see exactly how Shangguan Zhuren died. If you killed him, I will make your whole family be buried with him."

"Jianqiang, you can rest assured about this; I've been protecting these things, and after you finish your tasks I'll let you examine them. It can also prove my innocence. I truly didn't kill Shangguan Zhuren. Jianqiang, Miss Xiao Feng is also someone I've protected."

Actually, Liu Shiru also intends to act against Xiao Feng.

However, I suggest using Xiao Feng to have her proactively contact you.

I know all of Xiao Feng's phone numbers; as soon as she dials a number, we can trace your information.

I learned immediately that you and Xiao Fang live in a villa near Xinfadi.

I also located the address; I deliberately told Liu Shiru this information twenty‑four hours later.

So you have ample time to flee.

I trust that once you know Xiao Feng has contacted Xiao Fang, you will be on guard.

I have done many things that wronged you before,

but after meeting Shangguan Zhuren that time, I began to reflect on myself.

"Jianqiang, I know there is guilt, and I hope to make amends in the future." Kong Shi said sincerely.

After Shangguan Zhuren talked with Kong Shi, Kong Shi began to change; what they discussed is unknown.

I didn't expect that at the critical moment, Kong Shi could still lend me a hand.

That time during the villa escape,

If Kong Shi had immediately told Liu Shiru our location, I believe none of us could have escaped.

Fortunately, we moved quickly.

Otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Also, Kong Shi protected Xiao Feng,

and this Kong Shi still did many things.

I took out a cigarette, and Kong Shi promptly lit it for me,

"Jianqiang, I have a premonition that the Zhou Family won't last long; they are too ruthless."

"How won't they last? How are they ruthless?" I asked.

"How Zhang Zong died, outwardly they said it was Shangdiao's death, but actually Liu Shiru killed him personally. Do you know, I saw it with my own eyes. Zhang Zong had been with Liu Shiru and the Zhou Family for such a long time, and in the end they killed him."

Actually, Zhang Zong had told me his purpose: everything was for his son.

If it weren't for his son Da Heng Group following you, he wouldn't have been playing both sides.

You helped him get Xiao Shitou to recognize him as his father, and he also helped you.

Between you two, it's evened out.

I thought that because of old ties, they could spare Zhang Zong,

but I never imagined Liu Shiru would strangle Zhang Zong with his own hands.

This is terrifying,

Following them onward leads only to a dead end; perhaps sometime I might meet the same fate as Zhang Zong.