The salvage operation was extremely difficult, and compounded by the fact that it was nighttime, it posed a significant challenge.
After three hours of strenuous effort, Tao Qiyue’s team finally located Meng Xinran at the bottom of the reservoir, bound to a rock. Tao Qiyue gasped at the sight of Meng Xinran’s tragic state.
Who had done this?
It was too cruel!
According to the preliminary assessment by the on-site forensic team, Meng Xinran died from drowning.
Qian Deshui knelt beside Meng Xinran’s body, his grief-stricken cries unbearable to witness. Tao Qiyue clenched her fists, viewing this as a grave provocation to the police force, and she was determined to catch the murderer!
She turned to Chen Jinzhao, "Can we talk for a moment?"
Chen Jinzhao nodded.
The two walked to a corner. Chen Jinzhao then lit a cigarette, his voice low as he said, "Perhaps, I am responsible for Meng Xinran's death. Those people were after me."
Tao Qiyue’s heart stirred, "Do you know who did it?"
Chen Jinzhao hummed in affirmation, "Most likely the Qianmen from the southwest and Ning Fei working together. They have destroyed all evidence, making it very difficult to investigate. However, I will avenge Meng Xinran, and I will kill Ning Fei!"
"Calm down, this is criminal behavior!" Tao Qiyue urged.
"You don't need to blame yourself for this. If it was indeed Qianmen, they were targeting Qian Deshui in the first place. In this grey underworld, fresh blood is injected daily, and people die silently. Even without you, Qianmen would have acted against Qian Deshui. You were merely a catalyst in this matter, not the main cause."
Chen Jinzhao sighed, "You don't understand. I was too kind."
Tao Qiyue fell silent.
She did not wish to see Chen Jinzhao gradually descend into the abyss of crime, for once tainted, there was no turning back.
However, against people like Ning Fei and Hong Xingwen, how else could one fight if not with violence?
"In seven days, Hong Xingwen has arranged a duel with Qian Deshui on the high seas, and I will participate. Ning Fei’s target is me, so he will also appear then. I will seize this opportunity to kill him. If things go as expected, I can pry some secrets from him," Chen Jinzhao stated. He had no choice but to attend this high seas duel; otherwise, would he still be himself?
"Don't go!" Tao Qiyue suddenly grabbed Chen Jinzhao's hand.
Meeting Chen Jinzhao's gaze, Tao Qiyue bit her lip and shook her head, "You know this duel is targeting you, which means Ning Fei must be very well-prepared. There might even be firearms!"
The journey was fraught with danger, and Chen Jinzhao was likely to face grave peril.
Chen Jinzhao knew Tao Qiyue was worried about him. Tao Qiyue also realized her reaction was too intense and quickly released his hand, not wanting him to misunderstand.
"If you insist on going, I will go too," Tao Qiyue said.
"I have reasons I must go. Stay in Ninghai and wait for my good news. I will return safely," Chen Jinzhao replied, unwilling to drag Tao Qiyue into the danger.
Tao Qiyue’s gaze was stubborn; she was determined to follow Chen Jinzhao.
Chen Jinzhao sighed, "These people don't play by the rules at all, so I fear they might do even more insane things. If you come with me, I'm afraid I won't be able to protect you."
"I don't want to see a tragedy repeat itself."
Tao Qiyue trembled slightly, then turned to look at Qian Deshui, who was still kneeling by Meng Xinran’s body and weeping inconsolably. She vaguely understood Chen Jinzhao’s well-intentioned concern.
She lowered her head, "I understand, but you..."
"Must also be careful!"
Chen Jinzhao hummed, "I will be careful."
Tao Qiyue didn't say anything more, but her mood clearly became low, and she would occasionally stand there, lost in thought.
Over there.
Qian Deshui refused the request for an autopsy and sent Meng Xinran’s body to the funeral home, then cremated it overnight. Chen Jinzhao didn't say much, staying by Qian Deshui’s side the entire night.
It wasn't until five in the morning that the two emerged from the funeral home.
Qian Deshui held the small urn, overwhelming sorrow resurfacing as large teardrops splashed onto the urn.
Once so gentle and lovely, such a living person was now resting in a small box.
Chen Jinzhao, thinking of himself through Qian Deshui and Meng Xinran’s situation, realized that if he didn't become more forceful, Meng Xinran’s tragedy might befall the women around him.
The enemy's ruthlessness was outrageous!
After standing at the entrance for a long time, Qian Deshui finally spoke in a hoarse voice, "Xinran, we're going home."
Silent weeping is the most moving.
Chen Jinzhao patted Qian Deshui's shoulder, urging him to pull himself together. Qian Deshui sniffled and then said, "Xinran once said that if something were to happen to her, she wanted her ashes scattered at sea. In six days, I will take her ashes out to sea."
At this moment.
Two figures suddenly appeared on the dimly lit street, drawing Chen Jinzhao's attention.
However, the two showed no hostility, and Chen Jinzhao didn't make a move.
The two walked directly to Qian Deshui, then knelt down with a thud. The leading man said with grief, "Brother, I'm late! That bastard Hong Xingwen, to do such a heaven-defying thing to Sister-in-law, we must avenge her!"
The other man also clenched his fist and said, "Brother, I request to rejoin!"
"We are brothers who have shared life and death. Now that Brother is in trouble, we cannot stand by and do nothing. Please allow us to rejoin!"
Qian Deshui stood still, then looked dazedly at the two kneeling on the ground.
The two immediately got up, and the three embraced and wept.
Chen Jinzhao watched silently from the side, able to tell that the two were likely Qian Deshui’s brothers, but for some reason, they had gone their separate ways and were now reunited.
After their reunion, Qian Deshui introduced Chen Jinzhao to the two, "This is Young Master Chen. I won't elaborate on his background, but I am currently working under Young Master Chen. For the duel on the high seas in six days, Young Master Chen will also be accompanying us."
The two men were secretly astonished.
They were all well aware of how resolute Qian Deshui had been when he left the martial world, to the point of disbanding many of his brave and capable brothers. Now that Qian Deshui was under the command of a young man, it was obvious even by using one's toes that Chen Jinzhao's background was extraordinary. The two treated Chen Jinzhao with great respect, addressing him as 'Young Master Chen' just like Qian Deshui.
"Young Master Chen, these are my brothers who followed me in conquering the world back then," Qian Deshui said.
"This is my third brother, Guan Hong. After leaving me, he opened a martial arts school and is its head coach. This one is my fourth brother, Zhang Cheng, who owns several supermarkets in Ninghai City and is a legitimate businessman."
"As for my second brother, he died in a street fight ten years ago."