Chapter 237: Investigating the Fang Family

"The Fang Family?"

"That's right, the Fang Family. The leader of the Martial Dao families in Jinling."

Chen Che knitted his brows in thought: "A Martial Dao family would actually get involved in this kind of thing?"

"Who knows what they're thinking."

Tang Ying took a sip of coffee and continued: "But logically speaking, it's not surprising. Nowadays, the Martial Dao in Xia is flourishing, and the Martial Dao families that have passed down their heritage to this day are in their prime. Moreover, the Fang Family is the bellwether among Jinling's Martial Dao families. A family this massive is bound to have a mix of good and bad, and they can better appreciate the pleasure that power brings, so taking a crooked path isn't impossible."

Chen Che nodded and asked again: "What have you found?"

"We followed the trail of the medicine from before and found some pharmaceutical companies and shops, all of which have more or less of a connection to this Fang Family.

Besides, being a Martial Dao family, they surely have their own set of logic regarding Pills that enhance cultivation and strength."

Tang Ying said: "But as of now, we haven't investigated any solid evidence, which is why I came to find you."

"What can I do?"

Chen Che asked.

Tang Ying handed a business card and identification to Chen Che, and Chen Che held them in his hand, looking at them: "Lu Renjia?"

"Your identity for tonight."

Tang Ying said: "Today is the seventieth birthday of the Fang Family Patriarch, Fang Jixian. A birthday banquet will be held at the Fang Family tonight, and everyone of status in the Jinling Martial Artist circle will be there."

Chen Che realized: "So it's undercover work again."

"That's right."

Tang Ying smiled brightly and said: "This is also why I wanted you to dress up carefully. Tonight, we will attend the Fang Family's birthday banquet as Mr. and Mrs. Lu to find an opportunity to investigate the suspicious aspects of the Fang Family."

"Of course, this time it's just an investigation, and only the two of us are going."

Tang Ying sighed: "After all, they are a Martial Dao family with deep roots. Even with solid evidence, I don't have the authority to arrest people directly. I need to report it to Xue Sijiang, and only with his order can we take action."

Chen Che put away Lu Renjia's identification and said: "Is there anything I need to be aware of?"

"Nothing special, except that this time we need to change our faces."

Tang Ying looked expectant.

"I guessed as much. Lu Renjia's ID photo is a middle-aged man, but why is yours so young?"

Chen Che glanced at the Mrs. Lu identification in Tang Ying's hand.

"You are a successful big boss; which big boss's wife isn't young and beautiful?"

Tang Ying retorted righteously.

"Uh..."

Chen Che said: "I'm just doubting your makeup skills, whether you can turn me into a middle-aged state."

"It won't be one hundred percent perfect, but it's enough to handle this infiltration."

Tang Ying said full of confidence.

Chen Che, however, could not agree. The Fang Family birthday banquet would be full of Martial Artists, and there would certainly be no lack of Grandmaster experts among them; ordinary disguises would definitely not escape the eyes of such people.

"I'd better do it myself."

As Chen Che spoke, he took out the Ghost Gate Needle and, referring to Lu Renjia's appearance, inserted the Silver Needles one by one into his jaw, forehead, bridge of his nose...

In less than a moment, Chen Che's face underwent a heaven-shaking change, completely turning into the likeness of Lu Renjia.

Tang Ying's eyes flashed with a brilliant light of amazement. If she hadn't seen this incredible scene with her own eyes, she wouldn't have believed that the person in front of her and Chen Che were the same person!

"Wow! You are too amazing!"

Tang Ying scrutinized Chen Che, attempting to find even a trace of a flaw, but she failed to do so.

The bones in Chen Che's face had undergone obvious changes, and even his skin took on an aged, withered yellow color, perfect without a single flaw!

"So amazing! I want to use this method too! It's much simpler and more reliable than spending several hours on makeup!"

Tang Ying immediately leaned her face over, full of expectation.

Chen Che followed suit, inserting the Ghost Gate Needles into the corresponding positions on Tang Ying's face according to the appearance of Mrs. Lu.

The process was a bit painful, but not serious. Tang Ying just frowned, and after it was finished, she immediately took out a small mirror to check.

Her fair skin gained a hint of rosy luster, and her originally heroic-looking features became rounded, exuding the full charm of a young married woman.

"I can actually look like this?! Even I find myself so heart-fluttering!"

Tang Ying's eyes shone with an unusual brilliance. She stood up, sat down next to Chen Che, grabbed his arm, and leaned her head on him, "Husband, let's go watch a movie together!"

Once her face was changed, it was as if she had put on a mask. Tang Ying let go quite a bit, ignoring the strange looks from those around her, and acted coquettishly while holding Chen Che.

Being watched, Chen Che coughed awkwardly: "Let's go quickly."

"Okay, husband!"

Tang Ying was hooked on the act, holding onto Chen Che and refusing to let go, while also constantly calling out affectionately.

Leaving the coffee shop, Chen Che was pestered by Tang Ying to shop for the whole afternoon, resulting in a very awkward date.

At sunset, the two finally set off for the Fang Family.

The Fang Family was brightly lit tonight. After showing their invitations and identification, the two were led into the courtyard by a waiter.

The courtyard was deep with towering ancient trees, and the moonlight spilled through the gaps in the leaves, dappling the bluestone path.

The courtyard gate was simple and elegant, with exquisite patterns carved on the two wooden doors. The copper ring tapped lightly, emitting a crisp echo.

Crossing the threshold, there was a winding stone path with neatly trimmed bushes on both sides, occasionally dotted with a few wildflowers, emitting a faint fragrance.

Walking past the stone path, the view suddenly opened up, and an antique courtyard came into view. In the center of the courtyard was a small pond with a few lotus leaves floating on the water; occasionally, fish would leap out of the water, stirring up ripples. Around the pond were circles of stone stools, and people were already sitting on them resting and observing.

Surrounding the courtyard were rows of ancient buildings with blue bricks and gray tiles, and upturned eaves; every detail revealed the ingenuity of the craftsmen.

Wind chimes hung under the eaves, and when the wind blew, they made a pleasant ringing sound. On the walls, one could occasionally see mottled Murals telling ancient stories.

In one corner of the courtyard was a bamboo forest. The bamboo shadows danced, and where the wind passed, the bamboo leaves rustled like whispers. Deep in the bamboo forest, there was a small pavilion with a stone table and stone stools inside, a good place for tasting tea and playing chess.

The layout of the entire courtyard was harmonious, possessing both classical solemnity and natural atmosphere, making one feel as if they had traveled through time and returned to that era when carriages, horses, and mail were all slow.

Looking around, Tang Ying could not help but sigh, "The Fang Family is truly worthy of being a long-standing family; their foundation and style are beyond reproach."

"It is not bad, but I only hope its interior is as awe-inspiring as it appears on the outside."

Chen Che gazed into the distance at the banquet hall within layers of gates, his eyes deep and vigilant.

Led by an attendant, the two of them crossed threshold after threshold before arriving at the banquet hall.

After choosing a seat and sitting down, the two of them kept their spirits tense, vigilantly observing their surroundings, not letting a single suspicious trace slip by.

The banquet began promptly at eight o'clock in the evening, with the heads of the family appearing in turn to toast and give speeches.

The entire event proceeded smoothly, with no accidents occurring.

The heads of the family who appeared, whether it was today's protagonist, Patriarch Fang Jixian, the representative of the prime generation Fang Shifeng, or the younger generation's Fang Shaokun.

Could all be described as refined and courteous; even Chen Che could not help but sigh that they were indeed worthy of being a Martial Dao family and a long-standing prestigious clan.

The harmonious and warm atmosphere caused Chen Che and Tang Ying to gradually lower their guard and begin to enjoy this free meal.

If there were no accidents, an accident was about to happen.

Amidst the peaceful atmosphere, a middle-aged man dressed as an attendant slammed the tray of dishes he was carrying directly onto the main table where Fang Jixian was seated.

If not for the subconscious reaction of a Martial Artist, this delicious meal would likely have been dumped on Fang Jixian's head.

"Fang Jixian, return my wife and child to me! You Fang Family, return my wife and child!"

The man grabbed Fang Jixian's clothes and roared hysterically.

A flash of anger appeared in Fang Jixian's eyes, but hindered by the presence of guests, he did not use True Qi to deal with the man.

Fang Shifeng and the others, who were moving between tables to toast, saw this and immediately turned back, ordering the servants to drive the troublemaking man out.

The man clearly would not let the matter rest; he gripped Fang Jixian tightly and would not let go, crying and shouting with snot and tears, "I beg you all, return my wife and child! Give my wife and child back to me! I cannot live without them!"

"Slap!"

Fang Shifeng was annoyed and embarrassed; he slapped the man across the face and cursed, "Crazy! We don't know you at all, how could your wife and child be in the Fang Family!"

"It was you who kidnapped my wife and child, it was you!"

As the man was being dragged out violently by the Fang Family servants, he kept cursing, "You Fang Family members will die a horrible death! A horrible death! Heaven will punish you all!"

After the man was dragged out, the guests began to whisper and discuss.

Fang Shifeng straightened his clothes, coughed a few times, and said, "Everyone, that was just an accident; the Fang Family will handle it properly. This matter involves a scandal of the Fang Family, so please do not spread word of what happened today."

After pacifying the guests, Fang Shifeng instructed his son, Fang Shaokun, "You stay here, I will go handle this."

Fang Shaokun nodded, then continued to move between the tables with a face full of smiles.

Fang Shifeng walked in the direction where the man had been dragged away.

Chen Che and Tang Ying exchanged a glance, and at a moment when no one was paying attention, they left their seats together.