Chapter 363: Bearing the Consequences

The scene shifted, and outside an inconspicuous abandoned warehouse in the suburbs, five black off-road vehicles with no markings were parked.

The warehouse door was tightly shut, and dim light leaked from inside.

The kidnappers who had just been handed over from the police were now all locked inside.

Each person wore a specially made restraint band on their wrists, a hood on their head, and their mouths were sealed.

They didn't know what had happened.

Just moments ago they were still at the police station, awaiting transfer to the M Guo court, and in the blink of an eye they fell into the hands of a group of strangers.

Outside the warehouse, the leading man gave a low order, then turned and hurried away.

The woman in a black uniform stood in the snow, speaking softly into her earpiece: "The target is under control, awaiting further orders."

A low voice came through the earpiece: "Stand by on site, someone wants to see them."

"Received."

The woman ended the communication, stood in place for a moment, her gaze fixed on the distant road.

Within five minutes, two black sedans appeared at the horizon and stopped at the warehouse door.

The side door of one car opened, and first out came two men in civilian clothes, who scanned the surroundings before slightly turning aside.

The rear seat door was pushed open.

A pair of black short boots stepped into the snow, followed closely by a slender figure emerging from the car.

Seeing the figure, the woman hurried forward, her tone much softer than when she reported: "Young master, why did you come in person?"

Her answer was a suppressed cough.

A pale hand rested on the car door, and then a boy stepped out of the vehicle.

He was slight of build, wrapped in a dark gray long coat with the collar raised, covering half his chin.

His skin was the pallor of one who never sees sunlight, appearing even more sickly in the snow, his lips very pale.

He looked to be only thirteen or fourteen years old.

After getting out of the car he didn't move, merely lifting his eyes to glance at the dilapidated warehouse ahead, his faint brows slightly furrowed: "Are they inside?"

"Yes." The woman immediately stepped aside, "Everyone is inside, under separate guard."

Zhu Zhou gave a slight nod, the motion so light it seemed even nodding conserved energy.

The two men following behind him, one stayed by the car, the other followed him up, always keeping half a step behind, their eyes vigilantly scanning the surroundings.

Seeing this, the woman quickly led the way, "The interior has already been cleared, it's safe."

Zhu Zhou said nothing, lifted his foot and walked toward the warehouse.

His pace was not fast, even bordering on slow.

The man at his side frowned slightly, wanting to say something, but upon meeting his young master's calm profile, he lowered his eyes and said nothing.

The warehouse door was pushed open, and a foul mix of moldy and bloody odors rushed forth.

Zhu Zhou's steps paused, his brows furrowed again, yet he did not retreat, striding straight inside.

Inside the warehouse the light was dim, only a few temporarily hooked emergency lamps lit, casting a harsh white glow on those curled up on the ground.

Nearly twenty people, divided into two groups and detained.

The left group consisted of the leader and his few close aides, the right group were those who had taken the lead.

The leader's hands were bound behind his back with restraint bands, his hood already removed, now he leaned against the wall, panting heavily.

Hearing the footsteps, he first startled, then upon seeing the newcomer was just a half-grown kid, he snorted, "You actually sent such a little brat over?"

He fixed his gaze on the sickly boy before him, a flicker of contempt in his eyes, "I thought it was some big shot, giving this matter great importance, wanting to personally interrogate and fetch us back from prison."

A kid on the verge of death, and he dares to interrogate me?

Zhu Zhou ignored him.

He walked straight to the center of the warehouse, stopped, and swept his gaze over both sides.

Slow, indifferent, as if he were looking at a pile of dead things.

The bald leader felt a bit uneasy under that gaze, yet still forced himself to say, "What? Kid, didn't your parents teach you to be polite when looking at people?"

The man behind him flashed a harsh look, about to step forward, but the boy raised his hand to stop him.

Zhu Zhou withdrew his gaze and spoke slowly: "Who is the leader?"

That question was odd.

The bald leader immediately struggled to move forward, chest out, head high, arrogantly shouting, "It's me! Come at me if you want to kill or cut me!"

Zhu Zhou ignored him, his gaze falling on the two gunshot wounds on the leader's arm.

Inflicted by Song Ze, they had been treated and wrapped in thick bandages.

The bald leader instinctively wanted to cover his right shoulder, but remembering his hands were bound, he forced himself to endure, twisting the corner of his mouth, "Did you hear that, coming……"

A man behind him stepped forward and kicked the leader in the shoulder, sending him sprawling to the ground, "Did I ask you?"

The leader let out a muffled grunt and fell to the ground.

Zhu Zhou walked up to him, looked down from above, suddenly chuckled, "A stand-in."

The bald leader's pupils contracted, "What did you say?"

Zhu Zhou's tone unchanged: "You look quite like him, too bad I've seen the real thing."

"What are you saying? I don't understand, stop pretending to be mysterious!"

Zhu Zhou turned and walked toward the middle of the crowd, stopping in front of the kidnapper who had never lifted his head, "Lift your head."

He didn't move.

The man beside Zhu Zhou immediately stepped forward, yanked off the man's hood, pinched his chin and forcibly lifted his face.

It was an ordinary face, around forty years old, his eyes showing the calm of one who has weathered many storms.

"I have seen you before."

That person's eyes flickered slightly, but they still didn't speak.

Zhu Zhou spoke lightly: "Four years ago, at that secret banquet of the M Guo imperial family, you followed behind someone."

That person's pupils contracted slightly.

Zhu Zhou continued, tone calm: "That person had two black moles at the corner of their eye, and everyone around them uniformly called them——"

He paused, then uttered two words: "Sir."

The other kidnappers' faces changed.

The bald one was completely bewildered—who is Sir?

Zhu Zhou watched the person's expression gradually stiffen before them, let out a soft "Oh," and said: "So it really is you."

That person finally spoke, their voice sounding as if destroyed and harsh: "Who are you?"

Zhu Zhou didn't answer, merely stepped back and said: "Separate them all for interrogation, treat them well."

"This one, keep in solitary."

"Yes."

Before leaving, Zhu Zhou's steps paused slightly, voice devoid of emotion: "Since you dared to move against my future sister-in-law, you must prepare to bear the consequences."

A commotion rose in the warehouse.

Imperial Garden.

The snow had stopped, a faint sunlight peeked from the horizon, shining on the garden, making it especially eye-catching.

Mu Youyu was bundled in a thick down jacket, a scarf personally tied by Jiang Liangjin around her neck, escorted by a group of people walking slowly in the middle.

Jiang Liangjin walked to her left, occasionally lowering his head to glance at her: "Are you cold?"

"Not cold." Mu Youyu's gaze fell on the distant snow scenery: "The snow here is beautiful."

"Pretty, pretty, our Youbao thinks it's pretty, so it's the prettiest." Song Yan immediately stepped forward, the first to respond, eyes full of indulgence.

Seeing his sister's gaze come over, Song Yan seized the chance to lower his voice, coaxing gently: "Baby, we've looked enough; when are we going back home?"