Chapter 774: I Remain in Sijiucheng

Liu Yong, after hearing me, simply hummed once as an agreement.

He had lived a pampered life since childhood; he never dreamed he would climb this foul‑smelling sewer.

Liu Yong's health wasn't particularly good.

With a body like that, how could it be fine?

Think back, Zhou Jie was also rescued from a sewer back then.

In Sijiucheng, I've practically formed a bond with the sewers.

Under Zhao Xiaoguo's lead, our party of four finally found the sewer exit near Shilihe,

though Shilihe is not a river but a place name,

simply named because it's ten li from Sijiucheng's city gate.

I'll say no more about it here.

The reason we could exit the sewer is that some manhole covers had been stolen.

In the past, there were thieves who specialized in stealing manhole covers to sell as scrap iron,

which posed a huge danger to city roads.

Of course, that worked to our advantage.

After we gradually crawled out of the sewer,

the four of us were so exhausted we just slept on the road.

"Grandma, the sewer here is still too narrow; it's far worse than the ones outside the Fourth Ring," Zhao Xiaoguo sighed.

I looked up at the signs around the road,

but didn't see the name Panyuan.

"Xiao Guo, this isn't the Panyuan flea market," I asked quickly,

"It should be about right," Zhao Xiaoguo said, getting up from the ground and then scanning the surroundings carefully.

"Follow this road, and after another five hundred meters you'll reach Panyuan's east gate," Zhao Xiaoguo added.

Just then my phone rang,

I saw it was Xiao Long calling,

so I hurried to answer,

"Grandpa, where are you? Why can't we reach you?" Xiao Long asked anxiously over the phone.

"We're at a spot five hundred meters past Panyuan's east gate; come pick us up quickly," I said.

"Alright, Grandpa, I'll be there right away," Xiao Long said before hanging up.

After emerging from the maintenance shaft, Liu Yong gulped air, breathing the fresh surface air, and his complexion improved considerably.

He just lay on the ground, unwilling to move.

It seemed this time had badly tormented Liu Yong.

Ding Li quickly stood up and scanned the surroundings for any danger.

After a while, Xiao Long arrived driving a car.

Xiao Long got out of the car,

"Grandpa, what exactly happened? Why haven't you come out from inside?"

"Xiao Long, as long as you're alright, that's fine. If we don't discuss this now, your Uncle Yong will have already been captured by them."

"Quickly get Liu Mr. into the car," I told Xiao Long.

Xiao Long helped me lift Liu Yong into the car, and at that moment he glanced at Liu Yong's condition,

"Grandpa, did Mr. Liu inhale foul sewer gas? When we trained, we learned that in such cases drinking a bit of Huoxiang Zhengqi water can relieve it."

"That's great. Do you have any in the car?" I asked.

"I always keep this with me," Xiao Long said, pulling Huoxiang Zhengqi water from his pocket.

"Then give it to Mr. Liu right away," I told Xiao Long.

Xiao Long handed Liu Yong two bottles of the Huoxiang Zhengqi water,

and after a short while Liu Yong spat out some filth from his mouth.

He then exhaled, his eyes gaining vigor.

Liu Yong should be fine now.

Ding Li circled around outside and returned,

"Zhao Ge, let's leave quickly,

now I see a police car; we shouldn't provoke trouble."

"Ding Li, you and Xiao Long go together; you know the roads of Sijiucheng well.

Head toward Huaihai City, contact Zhuang Shi, and have Zhuang Shi pick you up.

After reaching Huaihai City, go to Tianlong Hotel, to my room.

Retrieve the USB drive I gave you; I placed it in the toiletry bag, and give it to Mr. Liu," I instructed Ding Li.

"Zhao Ge, we're leaving, what about you?" Ding Li asked.

"I won't leave. Shi Yong was captured by Wen Han; I must rescue Shi Yong, otherwise I won't be Zhao Jianqiang," I said, looking around.

"Then I won't leave either, Zhao Ge, I'll stay with you," Ding Li said.

"No, Ding Li, listen to me. You must go and get Mr. Liu safely out of Sijiucheng back to Huaihai.

This matter is very important.

When I need you, I'll contact you," I said in a tone he couldn't refuse.

Ding Li still wanted to say something,

I didn't let Ding Li speak again.

I got into the car and said to Liu Yong: "Mr. Liu, how is it now? Can you still make it back to Huaihai?"

Liu Yong nodded and then whispered, "Jianqiang, I heard you aren't leaving."

"Yes, Shi Yong brother got into trouble; I have to stay in Sijiucheng to rescue him. Mr. Liu, I have an important matter to entrust to you."

"Go ahead," Liu Yong said, looking at me.

"After you return to Huaihai, I'll have Ding Li give you a USB drive. Inside is Wen Han's father's criminal evidence.

I hope that once you have it, you'll find a way to bring down the Wen Family.

"Mr. Liu, only if the Wen Family falls can we survive," I said, looking at Liu Yong.

When Liu Yong heard that I had Wen Han's father's criminal evidence in my hand, his eyes immediately lit up,

"Jianqiang, no need to say anything.

My trip to Sijiucheng this time almost ended with me dying at Wen Han's hands. My hatred toward the Wen Family is a matter of life and death.

Great, you only have the evidence in your hands; just hand it over to me.

Be careful in Sijiucheng as well. After all, the Wen Family's power is too strong now.

"Don't worry, Mr. Liu, I will definitely protect myself," I said as I was about to get out of the car.

"Jianqiang, how about this: I'll contact Zheng Ge in a moment; if you ever need his help, just go to him directly," Liu Yong said.

"Thank you, Mr. Liu, let's go quickly. Be careful on the road," I said, then got out of the car.

Then I told Xiao Long to start the car and drive away immediately.

Ding Li glanced once,

and got into the car with tears in his eyes.

While Xiao Long was driving,

he shouted to me, "Sir, take good care of yourself. After we deliver Mr. Liu back, we'll come again to help you."

I waved my hand and watched Xiao Long and Ding Li drive away.

Zhao Xiaoguo came over at this moment,

"Brother, you really aren't leaving."

I nodded,

"I must rescue Shi Yong."

"Let's go, I'll follow you for now."

"If someone checks IDs on this road, do you have a way to slip through?" I asked Zhao Xiaoguo.

"Of course. Most of us don't have ID cards. Rest assured, if you follow me, I guarantee nothing will happen," Zhao Xiaoguo said, patting his chest.

"We're now at Sijiucheng's Yangquan Hutong; is there any way?" I asked Zhao Xiaoguo.

"Return to Yangquan Hutong," Zhao Xiaoguo said.

"I must rescue Shi Yong," I said.

"Brother, hurry into the woods; someone ahead is checking," Zhao Xiaoguo said, then darted into the roadside greenery.

Sure enough, there were people on the road inspecting passing vehicles.

I wonder how Xiao Long and the others are doing; can they safely get Liu Yong back to Huaihai City?

But I trust Xiao Long's driving skill, and even more Ding Li's familiarity with the roads; they will definitely get out of Sijiucheng.

Thinking of that, my heart eased a lot.

By the way, is Ruan Wei safe? He led Qiao San to cause trouble on purpose, deliberately giving us a chance to rescue Liu Yong in the courtyard behind.

I also don't know how he's doing now.

I can't contact him now either.

We are hiding in the roadside greenbelt.

This is just a temporary checkpoint.

After a while, the inspection ended.

Zhao Xiaoguo and I came out of the greenery, looked around, and confirmed it was safe.

Then we set off again.