Chapter 253: The Goal of Xue Zhangming

Chen Che and the other two rushed to the hospital in a flurry, but they were unable to enter the ward to see Tang Ying, instead being blocked at the door by guards from the Patrol Justice Department.

Shen Qi leaned in close to Chen Che's ear and whispered, "The Patrol Justice Department Director is here too."

As the words fell, the ward door opened, and Xue Zhangming walked out, looked Chen Che up and down, and took the initiative to extend his hand, saying, "Patrol Justice Department Director, Xue Zhangming."

Chen Che watched Xue Zhangming vigilantly and gave a light handshake: "Chen Che."

"I've long heard of your name, Mr. Chen."

Xue Zhangming smiled and said, "Let's step aside to talk."

Chen Che nodded, and then the two came to a stairwell.

Xue Zhangming spoke first: "I've heard your name often lately. The Scorpion Society Gambling Battle, the earthquake in the Huang Family, and then last night's incident with the Fang Family—each one is more shocking than the last."

Chen Che's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as he stared at Xue Zhangming, his entire body permeated with vigilance and caution.

Last night, Tang Ying had escaped the Fang Family to fetch reinforcements from the Patrol Justice Department, yet now she was in the hospital, and it appeared Xue Zhangming knew about it, yet he hadn't sent anyone to raid the Fang Family.

This series of anomalies made it impossible for Chen Che not to be suspicious and guarded, especially since Chen Che had told Tang Ying from the very beginning that any action must conceal his identity.

Otherwise, once the Martial Arts Alliance knew Chen Che was still alive, both he and those around him would fall into danger.

But now, Xue Zhangming had stated outright that he already knew Chen Che was involved in the investigation of the Fang Family.

Added to his own suspicious nature, Chen Che couldn't help but feel a chill down his spine, and his gaze toward Xue Zhangming grew increasingly sharp.

Xue Zhangming seemed to see through Chen Che's thoughts and said, "You don't need to worry; I am not in league with the Martial Arts Alliance. I'm telling you this only because I have something I need your help with."

Chen Che felt surprised and asked, "Help?"

"That's right."

Xue Zhangming said, "Chen Che, you are very capable. From the Scorpion Society and the Huang Family to the Fang Family, every matter became uncontrollable because of you, yet remained within your control.

But I am more curious about your affairs now, such as your identity and your history with the Martial Arts Alliance."

Chen Che did not speak.

Xue Zhangming continued: "Through the Patrol Justice Department's system, I found a little bit about your past in Shanghai. Although it was very little, I could guess the general idea. Plus, every time Tang Ying had an operation regarding the Martial Arts Alliance, you were there, so I suspect you and the Martial Arts Alliance must have a grudge."

"As for what specific grudge it is, I don't care; I just want to ask you, what do you plan to do next?"

Xue Zhangming asked.

"What do you mean?"

Chen Che retorted.

"After Tang Ying sent the message over last night, I paid special attention to the Fang Family..."

Xue Zhangming paused and continued: "My people reported that Vermilion Bird was injured and is currently recuperating at the Fang Family. If I'm not mistaken, it was your doing. You not only successfully escaped the Fang Family but also severed one of Vermilion Bird's hands. To be honest, when I first received this news, I was truly surprised.

Vermilion Bird is someone we have been hunting for over a dozen years. We have attempted to capture him no fewer than a hundred times, often with advanced weapons and experts, yet no one has ever been able to injure him to that extent. You have truly made me look at you with new eyes once again."

"And so?"

Chen Che was unimpressed by Xue Zhangming's flattery and asked, "Since you know everything, now is the perfect time to capture Vermilion Bird. Why don't you go?"

Xue Zhangming answered the question with another: "If I'm not mistaken, although you injured Vermilion Bird, he also saw your face, or perhaps you had a grudge long ago and he recognized you. That is why I asked you what you plan to do next."

Chen Che understood the subtext in Xue Zhangming's words and said, "Are you trying to bait me into killing Vermilion Bird?"

"Vermilion Bird knows your true identity. If he tells the Martial Arts Alliance, then you and those around you can forget about having any peace."

Xue Zhangming stared into Chen Che's eyes: "According to the report from the person I sent to infiltrate the Fang Family, Vermilion Bird has been busy healing and hasn't had time to report to his superiors yet. So, to kill him, now is your best and only chance. Otherwise, it will be too late once he makes your identity public."

Chen Che did not follow Xue Zhangming's logic, but instead said, "I am truly grateful that Director Xue is so thoughtful of me, but I would like to ask: since Tang Ying sent the message to you, that means she returned to the Patrol Justice Department safely, so what is going on with her now?

Furthermore, since you know everything, why didn't you send people to the Fang Family to make arrests in time, instead of baiting me here to kill Vermilion Bird?

What exactly are you thinking? Or rather, what is your goal?"

Xue Zhangming stared at Chen Che for a while, shook his head helplessly, and sighed: "As expected, dealing with someone too smart is truly exhausting."

"I can answer all your questions, but likewise, after you hear my answers, you need to agree to do one thing for me."

Xue Zhangming said.

"That depends on whether Director Xue's answers are sincere."

Chen Che said.

"They say 'old and cunning,' but I see you, kid, you're young but you certainly deserve that label!"

Xue Zhangming sighed again, then said: "First, Tang Ying ended up like this because of her own actions, but it was because of you."

"Because of me?"

Chen Che's expression faltered slightly.

"That's right."

Xue Zhangming said: "For certain reasons, I couldn't send people to the Fang Family, and as a Commander of the Patrol Justice Department, she couldn't go either. But she insisted on going, so I had to lock her up. I didn't expect that she would actually bite her own tongue to go and save you."

Chen Che was stunned, frozen in place.

"Fortunately, it was discovered in time. But this woman is truly ruthless; she nearly bit her tongue off."

Xue Zhangming glanced at Chen Che and sighed: "I just don't get it. While Tang Ying isn't exactly an 'iceberg' at the Patrol Justice Department, she has always kept other men at a distance. How did she fall so hard for you? She's acting like she's ready to die for you!"

Chen Che's face turned pale, he clenched his fists, and asked, "Why couldn't you send people to the Fang Family?"

"Because I received a phone call, a call from the Patriarch of the Gu Family."

Xue Zhangming said: "The Gu Family Patriarch told me that the Fang Family would hand over a scapegoat and told me not to get involved."

Chen Che suddenly looked up and asked through gritted teeth: "Who?"

"Fang Shaokun."

"A dead man?!"

"That's right, a dead man. The Fang Family pushed all the blame onto a dead man, and I successfully closed the case."

Xue Zhangming said slowly.

Chen Che's whole body tensed up; he took a step forward, his eyes filled with anger and cold killing intent as he stared at Xue Zhangming: "It seems the Gu Family is also involved in the Fang Family's affairs, but aren't you the Patrol Justice Department Director? Why would you listen to the Gu Family?"

Xue Zhangming shrank his neck and subconsciously touched the pistol at his waist; the baleful aura Chen Che exuded made him feel terrified and wary in his heart.

"It seems you don't understand what kind of existence the Gu Family is, so I will tell you."

Xue Zhangming said: "The Xia kingdom is filled with noble families and clans; the entire Xia kingdom is ruled by the Li Family, but south of the river, the Gu Family is in charge."

The Gu Family Patriarch, Gu Yuanzong, is even the number one person after Gu Zongzhao, but Gu Yuanzong is different from Gu Zongzhao; although his ability is not inferior to Gu Zongzhao's, he was born into a powerful noble family, and now under his protection, the Gu Family is in its prime.

Whether among the common people or in the imperial court, Gu Yuanzong has many titles: Regional Governor, Jiangnan King, Imperial Relative... and so on.

Although I am the Chief of the Jinling Patrol Bureau, what courage do I have to contend with such a person?

What's more, he called me personally; if I showed even the slightest resistance, I would be considered ignorant of the situation, and my good days in Jinling would be over."

"Ignorant of the situation? Heh... what a fine 'ignorant of the situation'!"

Chen Che let out a few mocking laughs.

"Even though I hold a high position, I am also afraid of power; there is nothing wrong with admitting that."

Xue Zhangming continued: "But at the same time, I am not stupid. The Fang Family is involved with the Martial Arts Alliance, and since the Gu Family is participating, the Gu Family must also be involved with the Martial Arts Alliance, and the Martial Arts Alliance is a major threat to the one above, so I must seek a way to survive for myself."

Chen Che narrowed his eyes to size up Xue Zhangming, savoring his words, and began to guess his objective.

………