Chapter 218: Return Journey Suddenly Turns, Enemy Traces Appear

Feng An faced Landuor's charm, his expression unchanged, maintaining the characteristic cold hardness of a soldier.

"Carrying out orders, I'm here to collect a sum." He handed the check over again.

Landuor took the check, her slender fingers lightly gliding over the signature. She gave Feng An a meaningful look, her red lips parting slightly as she let out a charming laugh: "Oh? So it's the handiwork of Master Lu—quite a rare guest."

She gently exhaled a smoke ring: "Eight million......" The smoke swirled around her delicate face, "That's no small sum—looks like Master Lu's finances are quite ample lately."

Feng An remained expressionless: "Please handle it promptly."

Landuor narrowed her eyes slightly, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her affectionate gaze. She turned slightly and nodded to the manager behind her.

"Manager Zhang, thank you for the trouble."

The manager bowed respectfully and stepped back. Not long after, he returned holding an exquisite redwood box. Opening it, neat stacks of thick promissory notes lay inside.

"Eight million exactly—all are promissory notes from the British-owned HSBC Bank, each with a face value of five hundred thousand, sixteen in total." Manager Zhang explained respectfully, "Compared to cash, this is more convenient to carry and safer."

Feng An carefully inspected the stamps and numbers on the promissory notes. Meanwhile, Landuor lounged on the opposite sofa, lazily smoking, occasionally glancing at Feng An with her alluring eyes, yet she never asked a word about Lu Xuan.

After confirming everything was correct, Feng An tucked the promissory notes into his inner pocket and rose to take his leave.

"I'll see you off, Commander." Landuor also rose gracefully.

She personally saw Feng An to the door of the trading house. The night breeze lifted the hem of her cheongsam, outlining her graceful figure. Under the streetlamp, her gaze shifted, and she suddenly gave Feng An a flirtatious look: "Give my regards to Master Lu, and tell him to come visit whenever he has time."

Feng An gave a slight nod, turned and left, quickly disappearing into the night of the French Concession.

Landuor stood at the doorway, watching his retreating back, her seductive smile gradually fading. The cigarette in her hand burned down to nothing, scattering sparks in the night wind.

"Interesting......" she murmured, her voice tinged with amusement, "Looks like Master Lu is planning something big this time."

She turned and walked back to the trading house, her high heels clicking on the marble floor. Moonlight streamed through the stained‑glass windows, casting colorful patterns on her, adding an elusive charm to this mysterious woman.

Deep in the night, the lights in Lin Gong Guan's study were ablaze.

Feng An stood before the desk, placing an exquisite redwood box in front of Lin Yu: "Commander, we've secured the eight million. All are HSBC Bank promissory notes, each worth five hundred thousand, sixteen in total."

He gave a detailed report on the situation at Lando Trading House, especially noting Landuor's meaningful attitude. He added finally: "Lu Xuan has already taken Lu Xiao and left Shen City."

Lin Yu nodded, idly flipping through the promissory notes, lost in thought.

"Commander," Feng An hesitated, then spoke: "We've got the eight million, but just letting Lu Xiao go like that—won't that be too easy on the Lu family? And what about Lu Xuan......"

Lin Yu raised a hand to cut him off.

He slowly walked to the window, gazing at the outside night. The cool autumn breeze blew in, carrying a hint of desolation. In the distance, the dock's whistle sounded, especially prolonged in the night.

"The twenty‑million ransom is no longer the focus." His voice low and solemn.

Lin Yu's eyes were sharp as a knife: "We've shaken the Sun family and made the Lu family bleed, temporarily achieving our goal." His gaze fell on the map spread on the table: "Now our focus is how to deal with possible counter‑moves from the court and the Great Powers. Shen City is a piece of land too many have their eyes on."

Feng An nodded silently. Indeed, word had come that the northern court had begun mobilizing troops, while the foreigners in the French Concession were also restless.

"As for Lu Xuan......" Lin Yu's lips curled into a meaningful smile. "He's quite interesting. That eight million—rather than calling it sincerity money, it's more like a bait, a pledge he's laying down to pave his own way."

Lin Yu returned to the desk, his fingers lightly tapping the surface: "I'd like to see just how big a stir this 'wild dog' backed into a corner can kick up. Cast a long line, and you'll catch a big fish."

The study fell into a brief silence.

Feng An looked at his commander and suddenly realized that the game playing out in the commander's eyes was far larger than he had imagined.

Lu Xuan's appearance might become an important variable that stirs the situation in Nanjiang.

"Get ready," Lin Yu said, turning his gaze back to the window, his voice deepening, "The days ahead are going to be busy."

On the outskirts of Lan Zhou, a black sedan drove slowly along the official road, kicking up a faint dust. Inside, Wang Zhenwu glanced at Sun Lingyun beside him, a flicker of relief in his eyes.

Over the past two days, Sun Lingyun's condition had improved considerably. Though he still spoke little, his eyes were no longer completely lifeless.

At this moment, he gazed at the scenery flying past the window, his thoughts seeming to linger.

"Young master, we're almost at Lan Zhou City," Wang Zhenwu said softly.

Sun Lingyun gave a slight nod—a rare response in the past two days.

The sedan entered Lan Zhou's urban district. Guard posts lined the streets, and Sun Family patrols could be seen from time to time. Wang Zhenwu quietly breathed easier; this was Sun Family territory, so it should be safe.

"Gurgle......" a faint sound came through.

Wang Zhenwu blinked, then realized it was Sun Lingyun's stomach growling. Over these two days on the road, Sun Lingyun had barely eaten; making it this far was already no small feat.

Ahead by the roadside, a bun shop steamed, its aroma filling the air.

"Stop," Wang Zhenwu told the driver, "I'll go buy some buns; the young master must be hungry."

The sedan pulled slowly to the curb. Wang Zhenwu pushed open the car door, one foot just touching the ground.

Just at that moment——

"Hum——"

Several black cars parked at the roadside suddenly started up together, engines roaring.

From the shadows along the street, more than a dozen figures darted out like ghosts, moving with astonishing speed. Dressed in black suits, expressionless, their motions uniform and swift, they rapidly moved to flank Wang Zhenwu's car.

Wang Zhenwu's pupils contracted sharply!

Their waists bulged—obviously armed! Moreover, from their manner of movement, they were clearly not ordinary bandits but professionals trained to a high standard!

"Not good!"

Wang Zhenwu jerked back into the car, shouting at the top of his lungs: "Drive! Go!"

The driver also sensed the abnormality and immediately pressed the accelerator—but it was already too late——

Two black cars had already closed in from front and rear, completely blocking their escape route. The black‑clad men closed in like an invisible net, tightening rapidly!

Sun Lingyun seemed jolted awake by the sudden turn of events; the eyes that had regained a flicker of life now filled with terror. He clung desperately to Wang Zhenwu's arm, his voice trembling: "Uncle Wang......"

Wang Zhenwu's hand was already on his sidearm, cold sweat trickling down his forehead. They had barely escaped Shen City, thinking they were almost home, only to walk into an ambush here!

The black‑clad men closed in tighter, their gun barrels glinting coldly in the sunlight.