Chapter 386: Undercurrents

"Come to think of it, many things have happened all at once in the few days since you returned."

Under the gaze of Chen Che and the others, Wu Qingkui opened the file bag and spread out the documents inside, which Chen Che and the others passed around to examine.

"War is about to break out in the North?" Chen Che frowned, looking at the glaring red title on the document.

Cheng Kexin passed the document to the next person: "So this was Second Senior Sister's mission... No wonder she left in such a hurry and didn't tell us anything."

Wu Qingkui said: "Our relationship with the North has been quite good recently, but a local armed group that has been active there stirred up some trouble on the border, causing a misunderstanding between the two countries. However, Tang Yu'e handled it properly, and the situation has not escalated further for now."

"But that is not what I wanted to talk about."

Wu Qingkui looked at Chen Che and said sternly: "After Xie Wanning reported the matter of Zanpu Dunzhu to me over the phone, I specifically investigated the itinerary he has followed over the years under the name of the Du'e Cult Leader, and I discovered... he may have a deep connection with the leader of that local armed group in the North."

Chen Che looked up: "What do you mean?"

"Religion is everywhere. The North is no exception, and the leader of that local armed group is also using religion to maintain his rule. This religion shares a similar nature with the Due Sect, and the biggest coincidence is that the Du'e Cult Leader has frequently traveled to the North in recent years, especially to the territory of that local armed group."

Wu Qingkui said slowly.

Chen Che's expression darkened: "If that's the case, the conflict in the North is very likely the work of Zanpu Dunzhu... But what is his purpose in doing this?"

"That's not all."

Wu Qingkui took out another file, "It's not just the North that has had an incident; there is also the Dongying."

Xie Wanning took the file and examined it carefully: "Number Five?!"

Chen Che and the others all looked up.

Wu Qingkui looked at Chen Che and the others and nodded: "That's right, the last one among you senior and junior fellow apprentices, Number Five Lin Qingye, has been detained in the Dongying."

"Fifth Senior Sister..." Chen Che muttered to himself, looking at the photograph on the file; with red lips, white teeth, and bright eyes, Fifth Senior Sister was clearly a natural beauty.

"Espionage charges?!" Song Jinhe read through the file, incredulous: "Number Five has always been running a company and doing business; how could she be labeled a spy?"

"Could it be that you, Master's wife, had Number Five use her position to scout for information?" Cheng Kexin asked.

Wu Qingkui shook her head: "Of course not. Aside from money, Number Five only cares about money. Besides, with an organization like the Patrol Division in place, there is no need for her to scout for information. Furthermore, with her personality, she couldn't do that kind of work."

"In that case, the Dongying is deliberately looking for trouble." Chen Che closed the file and concluded.

Wu Qingkui nodded and said: "Number Five's business has grown too large over these years, with companies opened all over the world. Most importantly, the Qingyuan Group she opened in the Dongying has become the largest enterprise in the Dongying; one could say she holds half of the Dongying's economic lifeline."

So I suspect that the Dongying wants to take advantage of this opportunity to swallow up the Qingyuan Group and completely eliminate the hidden danger.

Chen Che laughed: "A private company holding half of the Dongying's economic lifeline—Fifth Senior Sister is impressive! She's a world-class tycoon, through and through!"

"No matter how rich she is, she's being detained by them now." Xie Wanning looked at Wu Qingkui, "Master's wife, do you want us to go and rescue Number Five?"

Wu Qingkui nodded: "Of course she must be rescued, but the reason I brought this up along with the situation in the North is because I discovered a common point."

"What is it?"

"Number Five is currently under house arrest at the Mingzhi Shrine in the Dongying. The ones responsible for guarding her are the Shadow of the Dongying, which is an organization similar to the Xia Patrol Division. Moreover, there is a special squad within this Shadow called the Ninja Group."

Wu Qingkui said slowly: "Martial Dao has subtle differences in training methods across different countries. The people in this Ninja Group are all elites carefully selected from within the Dongying, and they are proficient in Dongying Ninjutsu. This Ninja Group also has a leader known as the Ninja God."

Chen Che gave a playful smile: "I thought you were going to say Ninja Turtle."

"Pfft!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Xie Wanning and the other women couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Wu Qingkui also curled her lips and continued: "The problem lies with this Ninja Tur... Ninja God. I investigated and found that Zanpu Dunzhu had also been to the Dongying to attend a public lecture given by this Ninja God."

Chen Che put away his playful expression and said seriously: "So, this 'turtle' also knows Zanpu Dunzhu... Combining the two events, both happening around the same time, it would be hard to believe that this has nothing to do with Zanpu Dunzhu."

Xie Wanning pondered for a moment and said: "Then we return to the original question: what is his purpose in doing this?"

"No matter how many smoke screens Zanpu Dunzhu sets up, his ultimate goal is the Heavenly Book. But now the Heavenly Book is lost, and no one knows where it is... This situation is truly confusing."

Chen Che rubbed the bridge of his nose, feeling his brain was a mess.

"No matter what tricks he plays, we will take them on. Although he is in the shadows and we are in the light, we have a natural advantage, which is our numbers."

Wu Qingkui said: "Tang Yu'e is holding down the North, so we don't need to worry. I will guard Beijing, and as for going to the Dongying to rescue Number Five, I will leave that to you."

Chen Che volunteered: "I'll go. Since that 'turtle' has a connection to Zanpu Dunzhu, I am the most suitable person to go."

"That is my intention as well." Wu Qingkui took out the appointment letter she had prepared in advance, "Chen Che, I now officially appoint you as the Special Action Commissioner for the Dongying incident, with full authority to handle this matter."

Chen Che took the appointment letter, examined it with curiosity, and nodded: "Understood, I will definitely bring Fifth Senior Sister back in one piece!"

………

The Li Family.

"Dad, it's not that I'm criticizing you, but why on earth did you snatch a tombstone back? And you took such a huge risk snatching it from the hands of the Patrol Division."

Li Ziming carefully examined the Heavenly Book Stele in front of him, touched the dazzling golden characters on it, and looked unlucky, "I don't know what my aunt is thinking, transporting a tombstone all the way from Jinling; it's truly nonsensical."

"You don't know a damn thing!"

Li Shizheng scolded him for his lack of insight, "This is not a tombstone; it is a priceless treasure that fell from the heavens."

Li Ziming was unimpressed and said: "Fine. Then tell me, can this priceless treasure that fell from the heavens help us survive against my aunt?"

"This thing cannot, but the person who needs it can," Li Shizheng said.

Li Ziming narrowed his eyes and asked: "Dad, so you took such a huge risk just for that Cult Leader of the Six Harmonies Divine Sect? But does he really have such great ability?"

Li Shizheng retorted: "Do you think that back then, even if we, the Zhou Family, and the Han Family had joined forces, we could have really destroyed the Chen Family? Even if we could have destroyed them, could we have really cleaned up our tracks so thoroughly?"

Li Ziming was slightly startled and nodded: "I understand. It seems your choice back then not to cut ties completely and to leave some leeway was correct. Even those two old foxes, Han Bailing and Zhou Xinda, were kept in the dark by you; your level of scheming has already far surpassed Grandfather's."

"Hmph, what do those two old, senile fools know?! Although I have always held the title of Li Family Patriarch, the true head of the Li Family is still that woman! The pressure I have endured is something they cannot even imagine!"

I have been biding my time for so many years just to wait for an opportunity—an opportunity to completely turn the tables and step that woman under my feet!"

Li Shizheng said viciously.

Li Ziming was agitated and full of excitement: "Dad, you must have a plan. Tell me, when are we going to act? I also can't wait to see the look of despair on my cheap aunt's face!"

"Don't be impatient. We have waited for so many years; we must be even more composed from here on out."

Li Shizheng said.

Li Ziming glanced at the Heavenly Book Stele and realized: "I understand. To ensure nothing goes wrong, we must use this thing, and the only one who can use it is that mysterious Cult Leader. We need to borrow his power."

Li Shizheng nodded with satisfaction: "You are not wrong."

"But what is the Cult Leader waiting for? Since you have already helped him get his hands on the Stone Stele, why hasn't he come yet?" Li Ziming asked again.

Li Shizheng revealed a meaningful smile: "Ziming, playing chess requires a gradual approach. The layout has already begun, and before the final decisive battle, anyone around Wu Qingkui who could pose a threat to us should be cleared away first..."