At the Wei Manor in South City, the housekeeper, his face still bruised, walked through a corridor lined with famous paintings. He trod on a thick carpet and arrived at the door to a study.

A servant guarding the door pushed one of the double doors open and said in a low voice, "Housekeeper An, the master is waiting for you."

Housekeeper An straightened his clothes and carefully entered the exquisitely furnished study. He bowed to an old man sitting there reading a newspaper. "Master."

Wei Hang was a man approaching ninety, but he was very well-preserved. He still had a full head of thick, neatly combed black hair, with only a touch of frost at his temples.

His face showed no signs of sagging skin, and he wore a perfectly trimmed short beard. He was thin but energetic, looking no older than forty or fifty. The medicines constantly supplied by Central City ensured his physical condition.

His expression was unreadable, betraying no hint that he had just lost his youngest son. He slowly lowered the newspaper and looked up.

"So, you’re back. Has Xiaojun’s body been returned?"

Housekeeper An lowered his head. "The Esoteric Bureau says the cause of death is still under investigation. They need to keep the body for a while longer."

"Is that so," Wei Hang said slowly. "Then let them keep it for a few more days. Once this matter is over, they’ll return him in one piece."

Housekeeper An looked up, a bit uneasy. "Master, this business with the Double-faced Sect might be difficult to handle."

Wei Hang said slowly, "Indeed. Now that we’ve gotten our hands dirty, it won’t be so easy to wash them clean."

The biggest problem with the incident at the abandoned factory was the Esoteric Ritual.

The Dashun Republic Government is extremely sensitive about cult rituals, which is why the Esoteric Review Bureau wields great power and has an independent budget. Furthermore, they rarely interact with other departments, making them very difficult to influence.

If this was confirmed and they dug deeper, there would be too much to exploit. The Upper Layer might even use this to shatter the long-standing status quo in Yangzhi City, loosening the high dam they had built.

Just then, a gust of wind blew in. Although it was summer, he felt a sudden chill. "Old An," he said, "is the window open a bit too wide?"

Housekeeper An said hurriedly, "Master, I’ll close it right away."

"Sigh, no need to be hasty. It’s stuffy in here. A bit of a breeze now and then is good."

"Yes, Master."

Wei Hang said slowly, "Have you finished the investigation I assigned you?"

Housekeeper An quickly took two steps forward, respectfully placing a file from under his arm onto the desk. "Master, it’s all here. But... we couldn’t find any information on Chen Chuan’s parents."

"You couldn’t find anything?"

"His father isn’t a Yangzhi City native, and his mother left Yangzhi long ago. She later had her son fostered with her younger sister. The details in between are a complete blank."

"Hm, if you can’t find anything, then forget it. That’s not important." Wei Hang wasn’t concerned about this. He just needed to confirm that the boy had no powerful background.

"But we did find something noteworthy." Housekeeper An stepped forward, pulled a document from the file folder, and handed it over.

Wei Hang took it, then accepted a pair of glasses from Housekeeper An and put them on. As he carefully read the contents, his expression involuntarily grew grave.

"The young lady of the Meng Family is very close with this Chen Chuan?"

"Yes, apparently everyone at the academy knows. The young lady of the Meng Family hasn’t denied it either. She even wanted to take him with her to Central City, but he refused. Even so, before she left, she gave him a Name Card. Many people witnessed this, so we can confirm the information is reliable."

Wei Hang pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "This student must die. Otherwise, people like us will no longer have a foothold in Yangzhi. That high dam will collapse."

He saw the situation clearly. The key was now Chen Chuan. As the sole surviving party from the factory incident, the focal point of the conflict, and a crucial witness, he had to be eliminated. Only by killing him could they orchestrate the narrative to their liking and stop the Esoteric Review Bureau from digging any deeper.

He looked at the swaying tree branches outside. "If there are any issues with the Meng Family, I will entrust the Molan Company to mediate. They won’t make things difficult for us over a dead man."

He glanced at the grandfather clock. It was five minutes to seven. He closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair, seemingly in a state of Spirit Nourishing. Housekeeper An dared not disturb him and stood with his hands by his side.

Five minutes passed. Just as the grandfather clock began to chime, a servant’s voice came from outside. "Master, the guest has arrived."

Wei Hang opened his eyes. "Old An, my legs aren’t what they used to be. Go and greet him for me."

Housekeeper An acknowledged and turned to leave. A moment later, a young man in a corporate uniform was led in. Only after seeing him did Wei Hang take a cane and slowly rise from his chair.

The young man came before him and said with a smile, "Greetings, Mr. Wei. Manager Luo asked me to send his regards."

Wei Hang said, "Thank you for the well wishes. Please, sit."

The young man sat down to one side, a smile fixed on his face. "Mr. Wei, Manager Luo says he expresses his deepest sympathies for your youngest son and the other victims."

Wei Hang gave a slight bow of his head.

The young man continued, "Manager Luo said he has heard the partners’ requests. He promises to help you through this difficult time."

Wei Hang’s expression relaxed slightly. He said politely, "Please thank Manager Luo for me. We will cooperate with your company in the upcoming Administrative Affairs Hall meeting to pressure the hall and meet your company’s demands."

The man smiled. "Mr. Wei, the company appreciates your contribution. The manager said he will be there in person tomorrow. Well, he is waiting for my report, so I shall take my leave." With that, he stood up.

Wei Hang also stood up, leaning on his cane. "Please tell Manager Luo that the Wei Conglomerate will forever be his friend and partner."

"I will pass on the message. Mr. Wei, please, don’t trouble yourself to see me out."

"Old An, see our guest out for me."

The young man left the study, walked out of the manor villa, and approached a car parked outside. After opening the door and getting in, he spoke respectfully to a figure sitting in the back seat. "Manager, Wei Hang has agreed. They will cooperate with our company going forward."

The figure said, "Wei Hang’s son’s death is actually a good thing. A demand the company hasn’t been able to push for a long time might just be achievable now."

The young man said, "Once these two puzzle pieces fall into place, the company’s layout in Yangzhi will be complete."

"It’s not that simple. On the waterworks front, Canghong Celestial Canal is a National Enterprise, so it’s a tough nut to crack. We can only take that slowly. As for private security, however, this opportunity might allow us to push Wuyi out of the picture." He gestured. "Let’s go."

The car started and drove unhurriedly away from the Wei Manor.

「In Ding’an District, inside the Patrol Bureau Headquarters.」

Chen Chuan sat in the middle of a spacious room, flipping through a book.

Nominally, he had been taken into custody by the Patrol Bureau, but in reality, he was under heavy protection. Someone brought him three meals a day, and the room wanted for no facility. The conditions were much better than his academy dorm.

There was a knock on the door. He looked up and said, "Come in." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

The door opened and Gao Ming walked in. He surveyed the surroundings, walked over, and said with a smile, "Looks like the conditions here are pretty good. But I’m afraid you won’t be staying for many more days, Cousin."

Chen Chuan put the book aside. "Any news?"

Gao Ming sat down across from Chen Chuan. "I found out before I came. Tomorrow, there will be an internal Judgement Court held in the name of the Administrative Affairs Hall. The main topic will be how to convict you, Cousin."

Chen Chuan smiled. "It’s escalated to the Administrative Affairs Hall?"

"Yes. I hear many councilors from the Advisory Bureau will be attending. The powerful families see it clearly: if they want to deal with you through legal channels, Cousin, they must suppress the people and factions supporting you, including Wuyi, the Patrol Bureau, and the Esoteric Review Bureau.

But there’s no way these departments will just let themselves be suppressed. So this time, most of the factions in Yangzhi City will be dragged into this, whether passively or actively. No one wants to back down."

Because he was facing a window, a bright reflection glinted off Gao Ming’s glasses. He smiled and said:

"Every one of them has their own interests and demands. The next steps will likely be out of our control. You, Cousin, are both the center of this incident and, at the same time, a peripheral figure. Because no matter what you say or do, it seems to have become insignificant, practically useless in this power struggle."

Chen Chuan said slowly, "No. It’s still useful."

Gao Ming smiled. "Right. Useful. So, next... is the fourth step." He formed a C-shape with his thumb and index finger to push up his glasses. "Cousin, this game will begin with you, and naturally, it will also end with you."

The two of them discussed for a long while before Gao Ming left to make his preparations.

After he left, Chen Chuan returned to the desk, picked up the book, and continued reading. He seemed very relaxed, even more so than when he was at Wuyi Academy.

Not long after dinner that evening, Guan Yuming came to see him. He had his deputy step out, and after the door was closed, he sat down and asked, "Chen, how are you? Are you adjusting to this place?"

Chen Chuan smiled. "Thank you for your care, Director Guan. The conditions here are great, it’s like being back home. I even ate two extra bowls of rice."

Guan Yuming laughed, then his expression turned a bit more serious. "You’re not wrong to say that. The Patrol Bureau is your home. Mm, I suppose your cousin told you about tomorrow?"

Chen Chuan nodded.

Guan Yuming said, "Don’t overthink things for tomorrow. The Patrol Bureau will have your back. But you can’t underestimate how low some people will sink. The enemies in the open aren’t the ones to fear; they’re always where you can see them. It’s the ones you can’t see that you must guard against."

Chen Chuan said seriously, "Thank you, Director Guan. I know."

"Alright." Guan Yuming stood up again and said gravely, "Get some rest early tonight. Rest well, so you’ll have the energy to deal with tomorrow. As long as you don’t cave, the Patrol Bureau will back you to the very end."

Chen Chuan thanked him and stood up to see Guan Yuming out.

Meanwhile, outside, the Patrol Officers at the Headquarters were also discussing the matter.

"Xiaochuan’s a badass! Took out over a hundred of them by himself! I hear they were all children of the powerful. Fucking awesome!"

"Fuck yeah! That’s a kid from our Patrol Bureau for you! Got some real skill!"

"What are the higher-ups saying? Are they gonna protect Xiaochuan?"

"No question about it. If we don’t even protect our own, how can we command respect in the future? Could the Patrol Bureau even hold its head high? Not to mention, we’re in the right this time!"

「In the Patrol Bureau Family Area.」

Nian Fuli had just returned home from the bureau. Yu Wan immediately came up to him, her voice full of worry. "How is Chan’Er? I heard he has to go before the Judgement Court tomorrow?"

Nian Fuli’s expression was very relaxed. "It’s fine. The Bureau will protect him this time. Gao Ming is with him right now. That kid Gao Ming is sharp as a tack, it should be fine. Don’t worry."

Yu Wan sighed. "Second Sister was the same way back then, doing so many things without a word. I’m just afraid Chan’Er will follow her old path."

Nian Fuli waved his hand dismissively. "Alright, stop worrying so much. Get a good night’s sleep. We’ll know the outcome after tomorrow. Xiaochuan has Wuyi Academy behind him, too. He’ll be fine no matter what."

"Mm."

After calming Yu Wan down, Nian Fuli went out to the courtyard alone for a smoke. His previously relaxed expression vanished, replaced by a deep frown.

This time, dozens of children from powerful families had died by Chen Chuan’s blade. Although the evidence now showed that they were all illegally armed and even conducting an Esoteric Ritual—all points in Chen Chuan’s favor—the matter probably wouldn’t be resolved so easily.

He thought to himself, ’This matter... Looks like I’ll have to send a telegram to Qian’Er.’

...

...