Chapter 263: A Truly Pleasant Cooperation

"That is the current situation."

Chen Che briefly explained the recent events concerning the Martial Arts Alliance.

"It seems the waters in Jinling are deeper than imagined. It might be just like in Shanghai; families like the Gu Family are also entangled with the Martial Arts Alliance."

Li Qingyan said.

"It should be different. Given the Gu Family's status, they have no need to fear the Martial Arts Alliance. If they are truly involved, it is likely some kind of interest-based relationship."

Cheng Kexin said.

"Since the Gu Family is investigating, let's not talk about them for now. But that Xue Zhangming, he is playing a clever game; he is truly a cunning old fox."

Li Qingyan furrowed her brows and warned, "Chen Che, you must be careful when cooperating with him."

Chen Che nodded and smiled, "Rest assured. He thinks he can manipulate me, but it is not yet certain who is manipulating whom."

"Sigh, it seems these Patrol Bureaus are not all good people. It was like this in Shanghai, and it is the same in Jinling."

Song Jinhe sighed with emotion.

"The Patrol Bureau should be composed of warriors, but people like Xue Zhangming inevitably turn into politicians. At the very least, there is no need to worry about him sabotaging us for now."

Cheng Kexin said, "Zhu Que held a very high position in the Martial Arts Alliance. Now that he is dead, the Martial Arts Alliance will surely take action. Although we haven't revealed our true identities, we still need to be careful."

"Don't worry, I have it under control."

Chen Che said.

"So, what is your plan for what comes next? Is there anything we can help with?"

Song Jinhe looked at Chen Che and asked.

Chen Che shook his head, "Not for the moment. My next step is to wait and see how things develop. The most important thing is to find out exactly what kind of relationship the Gu Family has with the Martial Arts Alliance. After all, the Gu Family is too unique."

"Alright, since you have a plan in mind, we won't ask any more."

Li Qingyan yawned and said, "I am going to get some sleep, then set off for Chang'an to find a medical professor. He has Zhu Yin Grass."

"As for me, just help me prepare a quiet place. I will continue studying the ancient texts."

Song Jinhe said, shaking the scroll in her hand.

Chen Che nodded, turned to look at Cheng Kexin, and asked, "What about you, Sixth Senior Sister?"

"Me? Of course I am staying behind too."

Cheng Kexin winked at Chen Che and said, "I am now a professor in the Equipment Department of the Patrol Bureau, with an official rank equal to that of a Bureau Chief.

I will stay in the Jinling Patrol Bureau to give lectures under the guise of academic exchange. Moreover, given my relationship with Tang Ying, I can visit her in a legitimate manner. With me there, Xue Zhangming won't be able to use Tang Ying to threaten you easily.

Besides, Xue Zhangming doesn't know about the relationship between you and me. Now that Tang Ying is in the hospital, I can stay in Jinling and keep an eye on Xue Zhangming for you. If there is any movement, I can inform you in time, which will also prevent Xue Zhangming from plotting against you."

"Lecturing?"

Chen Che smiled, "I heard from Third Senior Sister that you are now fully devoted to studying the Lu Mo Technique, to the point where you don't even want to be a Bureau Chief anymore."

Cheng Kexin waved her hand and said nonchalantly, "What is so good about being a Bureau Chief? My talent lies in the Lu-Mo Technique. I didn't have the opportunity before. Come to think of it, if it weren't for you, Junior Brother, I really wouldn't have been able to do what I love, but things are different now.

Besides, didn't I say? Although I am not a Bureau Chief now, my rank and benefits are the same as one. Look, you have seen it yourself; my Puppet is not only famous in the Patrol Bureau, but even Beijing has taken notice."

"That is truly great."

Chen Che said sincerely.

"Alright, since it is decided, let's leave it at that."

Song Jinhe got up to rest.

Cheng Kexin and Li Qingyan also stood up one after another, preparing to rest.

Chen Che turned his head and saw Su Xiao standing to the side looking over. Remembering something, he said, "Su Xiao, please go and tell Jiang Lan about tonight's events, then stay by Jiang Lan's side. She has no one around her right now and still needs to investigate the Gu Family. With you protecting her, things will go more smoothly."

"I won't!"

Su Xiao refused flatly.

"Uh..."

Chen Che was speechless, not knowing how to persuade her for a moment.

"I still need to work hard on my cultivation and strive to break through to the Earth Master Realm as soon as possible. I have no time for anything else."

Su Xiao left these words behind and locked herself in her room.

Chen Che scratched his hair, feeling a headache coming on.

"Tsk tsk!"

Li Qingyan appeared by his side at some point, her eyes narrowed into slits as she teased, "She wants to focus on her cultivation so she can help you heal your injuries sooner!"

"Senior Sister, please don't make fun of me. Although it is hurtful to say, her strength probably won't increase much more."

Chen Che said.

"You brat, am I talking about cultivation? I am talking about the person!"

Li Qingyan pinched Chen Che's waist and demanded, "Tell me, have you slept with her or not?!"

"I really haven't!" Chen Che said innocently.

Li Qingyan clearly didn't believe him and crossed her arms, "If you haven't, why is she so good to you? Why does she like you to this extent? I don't believe it!"

"I really haven't, and Senior Sister, what you are saying makes no sense."

Chen Che said solemnly, "According to your logic, as long as someone has slept with me, they will like me? That makes absolutely no sense!"

Li Qingyan's gaze shifted down to Chen Che's waist and she said, "You are so capable, who wouldn't like you."

"......... If you put it that way, I actually think it makes sense," Chen Che said. "After all, Senior Sister, you have experienced it yourself; your words can completely serve as evidence."

"You brat!"

Li Qingyan's cheeks flushed red. She pinched his waist hard, ran off with a coquettish laugh, and before entering her room, she didn't forget to look back and cast a flirtatious glance at Chen Che.

Chen Che couldn't help but shiver. How could he not see such an obvious invitation!?

Alas, he still had serious matters to attend to now, and he probably wouldn't be able to enjoy this gentle trap of a reunion.

Chen Che took a few deep breaths to suppress the agitation in his heart, then dialed Xue Zhangming's number.

It was midnight, and Xue Zhangming was sleeping; he was very unhappy at being woken up by the ringing phone and roared, "What is wrong with you, do you have to call in the middle of the night?!"

"Zhuque is dead."

Chen Che spoke calmly.

Xue Zhangming, however, was suddenly stunned; he remained silent for a long while before asking, "Did you do it?"

"What do you think?"

Chen Che gave a playful smile.

"I really underestimated you; the person we couldn't deal with after spending over a decade, you actually just killed like that."

Xue Zhangming calmed the shock in his heart and said slowly.

Chen Che said, "There's no need for compliments; now I need you, Xue Sijiang, to do something for me."

Chen Che's tone displeased Xue Zhangming: "Are you ordering me around now? I said before, I cannot provide you with anything."

"Xue Sijiang is a big shot, so of course you don't have to pay attention to any of my requests, but if something happens to me, the recording of our previous conversation will appear on the internet, and of course, in the email inboxes of someone important in Beijing and the Gu Family."

Chen Che said indifferently.

"You... you actually recorded it?!"

Xue Zhangming was so shocked he jumped out of bed, roaring with a face full of terror and fury.

"You actually dare to threaten me; do you believe that even if I don't expose your true identity to the Gu Family, I can still make you and those around you die without a burial place?!"

Xue Zhangming had not expected to be schemed against; he was ashamed and angry, and spoke out in threat.

"Xue Sijiang has monstrous power, so I naturally believe you can do it, but you are also very clear about my abilities, so do you think I will die without a burial place first, or will the recording be released first?"

Chen Che's tone remained calm, without a ripple of emotion.

"You... you..."

Xue Zhangming was furious, yet unable to refute.

Chen Che was right, and Xue Zhangming was also very clear that Chen Che absolutely had the ability to go down with him!

Xue Zhangming suddenly realized that he had been trying to be too clever; cooperating with Chen Che was not a wise choice, because this bastard was never one to let others manipulate him!

From the Scorpion Society, the Huang Family, and now the Fang Family today... although Chen Che sometimes appeared to be in a sorry state, he had never truly been at a disadvantage!

He should have thought of this earlier... should have thought of it earlier...

Xue Zhangming took a deep breath, softened his tone, and had no choice but to compromise: "What do you want me to do?"

Chen Che curled his lips into a smile: "Now this is truly a happy cooperation."

Xue Zhangming's mouth twitched; he wished he could drag Chen Che through the phone and slap him hard across the mouth!

"What exactly do you want me to do?"

Xue Zhangming suppressed his anger and asked again. Even though his tone remained stiff and extremely reluctant, his attitude had clearly softened, even revealing a hint of caution.

Chen Che said: "Release the news of Zhuque's death, the faster the better; I want to see who will be unable to restrain themselves."

"Fine."

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