Chapter 112: The Key to Breaking the Deadlock

Du Chuan and Zhang Yimin bowed and scraped as they saw Chen Che and his group off from the bar. Just as Ma Zijun was about to get into his car to leave, Zhang Yimin couldn't hold back any longer and asked:

"Ma Shao, we haven't finished discussing our business today. I wonder when you might have time for us to sit down and have a proper chat?"

Ma Zijun looked back at the fawning Zhang Yimin and said, "No need to chat further. It was stated very clearly during the project roadshow: Yanyu Group will not invest in the Zhang Family."

Swish...

Zhang Yimin's expression changed; he hadn't expected Ma Zijun to refuse so decisively.

"Furthermore, I can tell you clearly that Yanyu Group's choice not to invest in the Zhang Family is not just because there are problems with the Zhang Family's industries; most importantly, you offended my honored guest, Mr. Chen Che. I do not allow anyone to offend my friends, so the Zhang Family will not have any opportunity to cooperate with the Ma Family—not now, and even less so in the future!"

After saying this, Ma Zijun got straight into his car and left.

Watching the two cars speed away, Zhang Yimin's expression turned ugly to the extreme.

The Zhang Family's roadshow had failed, and he had arranged to meet Ma Zijun to try and remedy the situation, but not only did he fail, he was also humiliated by Ma Zijun.

And the reason was none other than Chen Che!

Even when Du Chuan apologized to Chen Che, Zhang Yimin had realized that Ma Zijun and Chen Che had a deep connection, but hearing Ma Zijun state his relationship with Chen Che so unequivocally now still came as quite a shock.

Zhang Yimin turned and looked at Du Chuan, whose face was also as dark as a pot lid, and asked the question weighing on his mind: "Director Du, why did you just let them go like that? What exactly is the relationship between Ma Shao and Chen Che?"

"You're asking me? I want to ask you!"

Du Chuan said irritably, "If it weren't for your idiot nephew stirring up trouble, I wouldn't have come to help you smooth things over, and I wouldn't have lost so much face!"

"What exactly did Ma Shao say to you?" Zhang Yimin asked curiously.

"Ma Zijun heard our conversation, including the parts about the Martial Arts Alliance."

Du Chuan's face was livid, and he gritted his teeth as he said, "He threatened me—if I didn't let Chen Che and the others leave, he would use the Ma Family's influence to broadcast our dealings with the Martial Arts Alliance!"

"Ah?! Ma Zijun would actually go to such lengths for Chen Che!"

Zhang Yimin was shocked once again and said, "But, he doesn't have any evidence after all. Even if he broadcasts it, it shouldn't matter."

"Do you know how terrifying public opinion can be?! This kind of thing doesn't need evidence. Once rumors start flying, the higher-ups will definitely send people to investigate me and the Zhang Family. By then, won't the evidence be uncovered?"

Du Chuan said in a deep voice.

Zhang Yimin furrowed his brows, deep in thought, and said, "Others are easy to handle; even that Divine Doctor Li Qingyan could be silenced if the reason is appropriate. But Ma Zijun is a problem. The influence of the Ma Family behind him is too great; it's not easy to move against him."

Du Chuan let out a long, heavy breath and said, "We must silence them; this kind of thing dies the moment it sees the light. We cannot afford to take any chances."

"Then what solution do you have?" Zhang Yimin asked.

Du Chuan shook his head and said, "No solution. But since it has already aroused suspicion and involves the Ma Family, it's useless for just the two of us to discuss it."

"I'm going to arrange for people to seal the mouths of those in the bar, then I will go back to the Zhang Family with you to see Zhang Sheng and see what he has to say."

"Good. My father once served in the government and accumulated many connections; he should have a way."

Zhang Yimin nodded in agreement.

Chen Che and the others did not return to the Cheng Family, but went to the Qian Family instead.

After everyone was seated in the living room, Chen Che expressed his gratitude to Ma Zijun, saying, "Ma Shao, thank you for your help today."

"Mr. Chen is too polite. I said it before: I am personally willing to be friends with you. When it comes to friends, one should be willing to go through fire and water."

Ma Zijun smiled.

"Since Ma Shao has said so, I won't be coy. Let's not mention today's events again. I am willing to be friends with Ma Shao; if you need anything in the future, you can come to me."

Chen Che said heartily.

Ma Zijun was pleasantly surprised and laughed aloud, "That's truly great! I definitely won't stand on ceremony with you!"

"Ma Shao, how did you know we were at Jingming Bar?"

Qian Rongrong instructed a servant to serve tea to everyone and asked.

"Zhang Yimin invited me to discuss the project roadshow, but halfway there I received a call. I heard Mr. Chen's name on the call and thought Mr. Chen might be in trouble, so I had my assistant Lin Su investigate, which allowed me to arrive in time."

Ma Zijun said truthfully.

"Although we left safely today, this matter will definitely not end here."

Li Qingyan sat on the back of the sofa behind Chen Che and said, "Judging by Du Chuan's reaction, he likely has inextricable ties to both the Zhang Family and the Martial Arts Alliance. And now that we know his secret, he will absolutely not let this go!"

"That's right."

Cheng Kexin's expression was grave as she said, "After what happened today, the Zhang Family and Du Chuan will definitely join forces to deal with us. Perhaps even people from the Martial Arts Alliance will strike from the shadows!"

"Then what should we do? Can we go to Beijing to report Du Chuan?"

Cheng Kexiang asked anxiously, her expression worried.

"Du Chuan is the Director of the Magic City Patrol Department. He must have already arranged for people to guard all the major traffic routes; we won't be able to get out."

Chen Che frowned.

"And reporting him requires sufficient evidence to back it up; otherwise, even if we did get out, we wouldn't be able to get the attention of the higher-ups."

Cheng Kexin said.

"Everyone, there is no need to worry too much."

Ma Zijun said, "I am still here. The Ma Family behind me is my strongest backing. As long as I am here, neither the Zhang Family nor Du Chuan will dare to easily make a move against you all."

"Ma Shao, don't forget, they still have the Martial Arts Alliance behind them."

Chen Che looked at Ma Zijun and reminded him, "The people from the Martial Arts Alliance don't care who you are, and they have Pills in their possession. It wouldn't be very difficult for them to kill you."

"If that's the case, this situation is not easy to break."

Ma Zijun noticed the chill in Chen Che's eyes when he mentioned the Martial Arts Alliance and asked tentatively, "If I may ask, what grudge does Mr. Chen have with the Martial Arts Alliance?"

"The blood feud of a father!"

Chen Che said concisely.

Upon hearing this, everyone present, except for Li Qingyan who already knew, was shocked.

"Junior Brother, have you found out about what happened back then?" Cheng Kexin asked.

"Following the address you gave me, I found my father's former subordinate, Uncle Fu Lang. I also eliminated the person who betrayed my father back then, and from that person's mouth, I learned that my father's death was related to Luo Tianxiang, the Alliance Leader of the Shanghai Martial Arts Alliance."

Chen Che furrowed his brows, thought of something, and continued: "And combined with what happened today, I suspect that Du Chuan is likely also aware of the truth behind my father's death back then."

"How so?" Li Qingyan asked.

"My father was murdered by a Martial Artist; it is impossible that the Justice Inspection Department did not intervene to investigate, yet this matter sank like a stone, and in the end, it was ruled an accident."

Cold light flashed in Chen Che's eyes, then turned into desolation, "Even if Du Chuan did not participate, he definitely interfered with the investigation, which is why my father's death went ignored."

"That Du Chuan really deserves to die! As a Commissioner of the Justice Inspection Department, he actually colluded with the Martial Arts Alliance and indirectly caused the death of Chen Che's father; it's too detestable!"

Cheng Kexiang looked at Chen Che's desolate profile, feeling heartbroken.

"It seems this battle is unavoidable."

Ma Zijun stared at Chen Che, his face filled with sorrow and killing intent, "Let's return to the previous question: how do we break the deadlock?"

This time, everyone fell into deep thought.

"Ding—"

It is unknown how much time passed before Chen Che's phone rang, sounding particularly jarring in the silent living room.

Chen Che took out his phone and saw it was a call from Shen Qi.

"Hello."

"Master, I have found Xu Di. He has also discovered the location of the Martial Arts Alliance!"

Chen Che's expression froze, then he curled his lips into a smile, his eyes flashing with an unusual brilliance.

The key to breaking the deadlock has been found!