Chapter 279: Probing

"The Patriarch of the Gu Family is actually the Alliance Leader of the Martial Arts Alliance?! How is this possible?!"

"No wonder the Martial Arts Alliance has remained evergreen; no matter how hard the Inspection Department tries, or how much importance Beijing places on it, they just can't root it out. So that's how it is! How ironic!"

"Then what do we do now? Should we continue investigating? We haven't exposed our identities yet, so we can still ensure our safety, but if we continue, we will inevitably have a falling out sooner or later. There is no chance of winning against the Gu Family."

The news brought by Fang Shaoyi was so explosive that everyone present fell into boundless shock.

Ma Zijun and Jiang Lan, who were born and raised in Jinling, were even more inclined to retreat, their attitudes becoming passive.

"We haven't even fought yet. How do you know there's no chance of winning?"

Shen Qi asked back, unconvinced.

"It's not that I'm cowardly; it's just that the Gu Family's influence is too great."

Ma Zijun said: "First, the Gu Family Patriarch, Gu Yuanzong, is a leading figure in the government and public of Jinling and even the entire South. Then there is the Gu Family itself."

"Among the members of the Gu Family, there is no shortage of those serving in the government, and even those who are not in the government have reputations that are thunderous in the Jianghu."

"Even if we set all that aside, just speaking in terms of combat power alone."

"The Martial Artist bodyguards and thugs kept by the Gu Family are countless, and they are not lacking in Grandmaster or Earth Master experts. Then there are those families that are attached to the Gu Family, especially the Ouyang Family."

"The Ouyang Family is a military family, and the Jinling garrison completely obeys Gu Yuanzong's orders. Plus, there are those crazy subordinates Gu Yuanzong recruited as the Alliance Leader of the Martial Arts Alliance..."

Ma Zijun took a deep breath and asked a soul-searching question: "Tell me, how are we supposed to fight?"

After hearing Ma Zijun's words, everyone fell silent.

Even though Ma Zijun was flustered in his heart, what he said was indeed very pertinent and objective. The Gu Family's influence was too great to be shaken by any individual alone.

Song Jinhe pulled down her face mask, looked at Chen Che, and stated her opinion: "Take advantage of the fact that the Gu Family doesn't know your true identity yet and send the video from the Botanical Garden to Beijing."

"No."

Ma Zijun vetoed it: "This video can at most bring down the Ding Family and the Ouyang Family. The Gu Family won't be harmed in the slightest, and it will only make them more cautious. It's even worse if Chen Che's identity gets exposed; then we'll really be in a passive position."

"Then, according to you, there really is no chance of winning."

Song Jinhe sighed and looked at Chen Che.

"However, as of now, there is no evidence left regarding either the Fang Family or the Botanical Garden, so this matter should end here, or rather, stop for now."

Ma Zijun looked at Chen Che and advised: "Chen Che, I know you have a grudge against the Martial Arts Alliance, but a gentleman's revenge is never too late. The Gu Family is not something we can deal with. Let's avoid their edge for now and plan long-term."

Chen Che raised his eyes to look at Ma Zijun, then looked at the others.

Song Jinhe said: "I think Ma Shao makes sense. After all, we are on their turf, and your poison hasn't been cleared yet. Continuing to investigate is indeed not a wise choice."

"But we've already investigated to this extent; it's a pity to give up now."

Chen Che frowned and said.

Su Xiao also advised: "I know you are unwilling, but the current situation is just like this."

Jiang Lan also said with a face full of worry: "The Gu Family is different from other enemies. I'm not afraid of death, but I don't want anything to happen to you."

Shen Qi blinked her eyes and also spoke up to advise: "Master, I will listen to whatever you say. As long as you say we do it, I will have no objections. But this time is truly different; we should plan long-term."

Fang Shaoyi didn't speak, but silently stared at Chen Che, curious about what decision he would make.

Chen Che swept his gaze over the few of them, his brows locked tight, and he lowered his head.

Song Jinhe got up from the sofa, came to Chen Che, patted his shoulder, and said: "I know you are unwilling. How about this: don't be in a rush. I'll go contact Lao Liu and the third one, and we'll look for your other senior sisters together. If we can still find our mistress, that would be great. Once we are all together, then we'll take on the Gu Family."

Chen Che smiled and subconsciously reached into his pocket, touching that white pill.

In an instant, all his thoughts flooded into his brain, as vivid and profound as a movie playing.

The Fang Family, the Welfare Institute, Vermilion Bird, the pill, Gu Zhangsheng's reaction, the entire Jinling elite circle is taking it...

A thread wound and sped along, stringing the fragmented images together to form a mirror for peeking into secrets.

Chen Che suddenly raised his head, his eyes emitting a wise glow. He restrained his smile, his expression becoming firm, and said: "I'm afraid it's not up to us to choose."

"What do you mean?"

The few people present were all bewildered by Chen Che's words, all of them staring at Chen Che with wide eyes.

"The matters of the Fang Family and the Welfare Institute were also deliberately kept from blowing up. It looks like they are covering up crimes, but in reality, they want to settle things quietly. Gu Zhangsheng's attitude is the same."

Chen Che said slowly: "So I suspect the Gu Family has a big thing to do and doesn't want to create complications at such a juncture."

"Then what is the Gu Family going to do?"

Someone asked.

Chen Che reached out, his fingertips pinching that white pill: "I'm not clear on the specifics yet, but it definitely won't be anything good."

"Then what do you want to do?"

Song Jinhe asked expectantly.

Before Chen Che could reply, Jiang Lan interrupted at this moment and said: "I just received an invitation. The Gu Family, in the name of business partners, invited me to the Gu Jia Zhuang Yuan tomorrow night to attend a cocktail party. The invitation also has Chen Che's name written on it."

"I received one too; Lin Su just notified me."

Ma Zijun looked down at his phone and said.

"I also received an attendance notice. My granddaughter just told me, saying it was an order from Black Tortoise."

Fang Shaoyi also said.

Chen Che gave a cold snort: "Now we can't avoid a fight even if we want to. The Gu Family's movements are faster than ours."

"What is the Gu Family trying to do?"

Song Jinhe asked with a frown.

"Testing us."

Chen Che explained: "Something happened at the Botanical Garden, and Jiang Lan and Ma Zijun happened to go find Gu Yao to buy that piece of land before, so it's very normal for them to be suspected."

"Then are we going?"

"Of course we are going. Not going would only arouse more suspicion."

"But this is a trap; what if something happens?"

Song Jinhe asked worriedly.

"Since the Gu Family is hosting a cocktail party, they won't just invite the Scorpion Society. Everyone of status in Jinling will surely go. Without substantial evidence, they won't act recklessly; at the very least, they wouldn't dare make a move during the party."

Chen Che said: "That is why I must go. Only then can I dispel their suspicions. Didn't you all say so yourselves? We have no chance of winning if we openly go to war with the Gu Family now, and I also want to take this opportunity to see what secrets this Gu Family actually has."

"That's right. Logically speaking, Gu Yuanzong has already reached the position of a Regional Governor. For him to still create the Martial Arts Alliance is completely digging his own grave, and it is even more of a superfluous act. Is there anything else he needs to rely on the Martial Arts Alliance to accomplish?"

Song Jinhe nodded, saying with a puzzled look.

"If I haven't guessed wrong, it must be related to this kind of medicine. Since the Gu Family is the headquarters of the Martial Arts Alliance, the Gu Family must hide many unknown secrets. Whether for the sake of revenge or to prepare for the final war, I must find out."

Chen Che looked at the others, his expression serious, "So, for the party tomorrow night, I need your help."

"Master, just give your orders."

Shen Qi looked eager to try.

The others also cast expectant gazes.

Song Jinhe smiled and said: "Alright, stop keeping us in suspense and just say it. Since we can't hide, then there is only the path of following you to the end."

"That's right, since we have chosen you, then even if it means death, we will accept it gladly."

"That's right!"

"Yes, exactly!"

"………"

Chen Che looked around the circle, his expression grateful: "Thank you all. Since that is the case, then I will leave it to you."

…………