Chapter 292: Prelude (Part 2)

"Stay in the car, I'm going down to take a look."

Su Xiao opened the door and got out, not forgetting to turn back and give a word of caution.

"There are many people on the other side, don't try to be a hero!"

Jiang Lan said worriedly.

However, whether Su Xiao heard her or not, she had already closed the car door and walked toward the front.

"Is there something you need?"

Su Xiao stopped when she was ten meters away from Gu Zhangsheng and the other two, eyeing the white tiger vigilantly.

"The Gu Family admires your special constitution and would like to consult with you about it."

Gu Zhangsheng said with a sinister smile.

Su Xiao sneered: "Fine, but you have to let her go."

Gu Zhangsheng looked at the Rolls-Royce that Su Xiao was pointing to and said: "Of course, you are the only one we are interested in."

Su Xiao turned back and waved, the driver started the car, and Gu Zhangsheng and the other two immediately cleared the way.

As the Rolls-Royce passed by them, the window rolled down, and Jiang Lan poked her head out and asked: "What's wrong?"

"I have to stay and be a guest of the Gu Family, you go back first."

Su Xiao said calmly.

"No, you're coming back with me!"

Jiang Lan glanced at Gu Zhangsheng and the others, then reached out her arm to grab Su Xiao's clothes.

"I say, you're at such an age, why are you still so childish? I've crossed paths with those three when I was at the Gu Family, and every one of them is stronger than me, so I can't go back."

Su Xiao shook off Jiang Lan's hand, "Chen Che must have a plan; you can only help him if you go back. Besides, even if I don't like you, you are Chen Che's woman, so for Chen Che's sake, I must ensure you return safely."

"You're not that old, but you have such big ideas. Who asked for your concern!"

Jiang Lan's eyes turned red, and she said with a cold face.

"Alright, stop being dramatic. Besides Chen Che, you have a younger brother and a daughter. I have no ties, I'm all alone. Besides, this special constitution of mine has brought me plenty of trouble since I was little; I'm already used to it."

Su Xiao smiled, "Go quickly."

Jiang Lan leaned out, grabbed Su Xiao's hand firmly, and said with a serious face: "I will definitely tell Chen Che. He will definitely come to save you, you are not allowed to die! From now on, you are not alone; I am your family. As long as you come back safely, if you want to be Chen Che's woman, I can even help you."

Su Xiao was stunned, her nose couldn't help but ache, and she said stubbornly: "Who wants to be family with you, and who needs your help? The man I've set my sights on, I'll fight for him myself!"

"Fine, then I'll teach you some techniques. I've personally experimented with them, and Chen Che absolutely loves them."

Jiang Lan pursed her lips and smiled, tears sliding from the corners of her eyes, smudging her makeup.

"As expected, a woman like you knows how to play the game. I can't compare; I'm a good child with a pure heart."

Su Xiao also smiled. She looked at Jiang Lan with clear eyes and patted the car door. The driver understood and started the vehicle.

The car left the hills and drove onto the main road, the two women watching each other until they could no longer see one another.

"Miss, please."

Gu Zhangsheng reached out toward Su Xiao, gesturing an invitation.

Su Xiao wiped the tears from her face, lowered her head, and when she raised it again, she had returned to her aloof demeanor. She looked at Gu Zhangsheng with cold eyes, her aura rising, the chill biting; everything around her was covered in a layer of cold frost mist.

"If you won't listen to reason, then we'll just beat you until you're crippled!"

Gu Yao snorted coldly, stepped back with Gu Zhangsheng, and the three Protectors stood in a triangle formation, charging toward Su Xiao.

"Boom!"

The roar of the battle at the foot of the mountain was brief but intense. Fang Shaoyi and Fang Yuying, who were just about to leave, heard the loud noise and their bodies shook. They were about to go and check, but their path was blocked by Gu Zhengying.

"Eldest Young Master!"

Fang Shaoyi bowed to Gu Zhengying, "Is there something the matter?"

Gu Zhengying narrowed his eyes. The sorrow from the pain of losing his daughter had long since vanished from his face, replaced by a coldness so rational it was heartless. He opened his mouth and asked in return: "Can the Fang Family Head tell me where that Jingguan Stone came from?"

Fang Shaoyi's brows twitched, and he said unhurriedly: "Naturally, it is a treasure of my Fang Family. What does the Eldest Young Master mean by this?"

Gu Zhengying did not answer, but shifted his gaze to look at Fang Yuying, saying: "Three days from now, the Gu Family will hold a gathering on Moon Shadow Island. The young people from all the families in Jinling will be there, and Miss Fang naturally won't be absent."

"I thank the Eldest Young Master and the Elder of the Gu Family in advance. Little Ying will certainly not be absent."

Fang Shaoyi glanced at Fang Yuying, and the latter immediately followed suit with a bow.

Gu Zhengying shook his head and said: "Miss Fang was in seclusion before, so she likely doesn't know the location of Moon Shadow Island. Just stay at the Gu Family for these few days, and when the time comes, travel with the Gu Family members."

"Many thanks for the Eldest Young Master's kindness, but there is no need..."

Before Fang Shaoyi could finish his refusal, Gu Zhengying waved his hand, and several Gu Family attendants surrounded them.

"Eldest Young Master, what is the meaning of this?!"

Fang Shaoyi panicked, gritting his teeth to force himself to stay calm, "My life is in the hands of the Black Tortoise, what else does the Eldest Young Master have to worry about? Besides, I didn't lie about what happened tonight; didn't the Elder of the Gu Family test it himself?!"

"You were indeed correct about the matter of the Jingguan Stone, but I saw the reactions of you and your granddaughter tonight."

Gu Zhengying's tone was flat, without a ripple, "To tell you the truth, you are very suspicious, but I am still willing to trust you. It's just that there isn't much time left, and the Gu Family needs to be absolutely certain. Therefore, even though you have the Black Tortoise's True Qi in your body, Miss Fang must remain at the Gu Family so that I can ensure you are obedient."

"You don't need to worry about Miss Fang's safety; three days from now, everything will naturally be over."

After Gu Zhengying finished speaking, he waved his hand, and the attendants closed in, gesturing for Fang Yuying to follow.

Fang Yuying looked at Fang Shaoyi, who had a resentful expression, but had to say: "Go, Grandfather will find a way."

Fang Yuying nodded, wanting to say something, but she glanced at Gu Zhengying and swallowed her words back.

………

Ouyang Feng left after delivering Chen Che to the Justice Inspection Department. Xue Zhangming then arrived at the interrogation room, turned off all the equipment, and stared at Chen Che with a face full of rage.

"What does the Xue Sijiang want to say?"

Chen Che watched Xue Zhangming and spoke first.

"Was it you?"

Xue Zhangming asked.

"What?"

"Don't play dumb! I'm asking about Gu Yanran's death—was it you?!"

Xue Zhangming lost his patience and roared.

"Commandant Xue is a smart man; you should be able to see that it was the Gu Family who wanted to kill me."

Chen Che said calmly.

"Even if the Gu Family wanted to kill you, did you have to counter-kill Gu Yanran?! And at the Gu Family estate, in full view of everyone! Do you know that if I hadn't been there today, you would have died at the Gu Family estate!"

Xue Zhangming roared.

Chen Che revealed a smile that was within his expectations: "It is precisely because I believed Commandant Xue would save me that I did so."

"You!"

Xue Zhangming was so angry his lungs were about to explode, and he warned: "Gu Yuanzong hinted that I should lock you up, so I must give him an explanation for tonight's events. You will just stay here honestly for this period of time. At the very least, I can guarantee you stay alive here. As for when you can leave, that will depend on when the Gu Family relents."

"Commandant Xue is so afraid of Gu Yuanzong, but what if I told you that Gu Yuanzong is the Alliance Leader of the Martial Arts Alliance? And the Gu Family is the head of the Martial Arts Alliance."

Chen Che's words were shocking; Xue Zhangming's body jolted, and he stood frozen in place, his face full of astonishment.

"What did you say?"

Xue Zhangming could not believe Chen Che's words.

"I have no need to lie to you, and aren't you curious why the Gu Family still moved to kill me even though they had already tested me and I had done everything flawlessly?"

Chen Che said unhurriedly: "That is because I discovered the Gu Family's secret. Of course, I did not reveal my true identity, but everything I said is true. Three days from now, the Gu Family will have a major operation at Moon Shadow Island. As the Commandant of the Inspection Division, you wouldn't just stand by and watch, would you?"

Xue Zhangming stared blankly at Chen Che. He did not doubt Chen Che's words because he had no reason to lie, especially not with a lie like this.

"No! That won't do!"

After careful consideration, Xue Zhangming decided to play dumb: "There cannot be the slightest mishap in this matter, otherwise I will be doomed beyond redemption. You didn't say anything today, and I didn't hear anything."

"Also."

Xue Zhangming stared into Chen Che's eyes: "I am helping you because you have the recording in your hands. Now that you are here, don't think about anything else; it is impossible for me to let you out. And don't think about using the recording to threaten me; on my turf, I have ten thousand ways to kill you."

Chen Che's expression remained normal, and he nodded: "Fine, then can I at least see someone?"

Xue Zhangming sized Chen Che up and asked: "Who do you want to see?"

"Tang Ying."

…………