In the afternoon of that day.
Chen Jinzhao, who was taking a nap, was woken up by a phone call. The caller was Tao Qiyue.
"What's wrong?" Chen Jinzhao asked, confused.
"I have obtained the evidence Ning Fei mentioned. The Jiangnan Real Estate case has been investigated. As long as I meticulously sort through this evidence, the case can be clarified. I want to visit the mountain villa where Fang Mingchao is located and would like to invite you to accompany me. Are you free now?" Tao Qiyue's tone was professional.
Chen Jinzhao instantly became alert.
Based on Ning Fei's words, Chen Jinzhao suspected that Fang Mingchao might be a core member of the Black Blood Group, especially since the case involved Su Hao. Chen Jinzhao felt he had no choice but to go.
He hurriedly got up, got dressed, and asked, "Where are you? I'll come find you now!"
Tao Qiyue gave him an address.
After hanging up the phone.
Chen Jinzhao explained the situation to Yu Mengzhi. Yu Mengzhi did not stop him and said, "You don't need to report everything to me. I trust you."
"Thank you, Mengzhi," Chen Jinzhao said.
"What are you thanking me for? I told you, we don't need to say thank you to each other, it makes things too formal. You're not allowed to do this again in the future."
Chen Jinzhao agreed.
About ten minutes later, he met up with Tao Qiyue, and they got into Tao Qiyue's car to head to Taoyuan Mountain Villa.
Taoyuan Mountain Villa—
This was the name of the mountain villa where Fang Mingchao resided.
As Tao Qiyue drove, she said, "You won't believe this, but I couldn't find Taoyuan Mountain Villa on any map. It's as if this place doesn't exist."
"So, even your system couldn't find Taoyuan Mountain Villa?" Chen Jinzhao frowned.
Tao Qiyue nodded.
Both fell silent, they understood what this implied.
Fang Mingchao had likely extended his reach into various systems and corrupted many key personnel within them, otherwise, such a situation would not have occurred.
"This is truly a big fish. Who knows what kind of earthquake this will cause," Tao Qiyue lamented, with a hint of indignation.
Chen Jinzhao looked at Tao Qiyue.
He said calmly, "It's not too late for you to back down now. If you truly want to investigate this case thoroughly, you will encounter unprecedented resistance, and many powerful officials will want you dead. Have you considered all of this?"
Tao Qiyue gave a wry smile. "Do you think I have any other choice now?"
"Behind me are millions of people. As a people's police officer, I must be responsible to them! Therefore, I cannot retreat. Though there be thousands, I shall go!"
Chen Jinzhao was somewhat impressed by this young woman. She truly lived up to the words "people's police." He said with a serious tone, "You keep the people in your heart, and they will hold you in high esteem."
Tao Qiyue was feeling tired.
The heavy burden on her shoulders made it almost impossible for her to breathe, and she couldn't even trust the people around her. Thus, she could only hope Chen Jinzhao could offer her some assistance.
In other words—
Chen Jinzhao was her last resort.
She murmured, "Victory will ultimately be on the side of justice, right?"
But her tone was hesitant.
On the way to Taoyuan Mountain Villa, they were repeatedly delayed. Either there were traffic accidents blocking the road, or temporary road repairs, they even encountered someone faking an accident. What should have been a one-hour journey took three full hours.
When they arrived at the fork in the road outside Taoyuan Mountain Villa, Chen Jinzhao said playfully, "Those people are getting desperate, trying to prevent us from moving forward. But it also shows that our direction is correct."
"Let's go, I want to see what kind of person this Fang Mingchao is," Tao Qiyue said coldly.
They drove straight into the villa and arrived at the entrance.
An elderly butler was waiting at the gate, smiling as he opened the door for them. "My master heard that you two would be visiting the villa early today, so he specially asked me to greet you here. Please follow me."
Chen Jinzhao and Tao Qiyue exchanged a glance and then followed the butler into the villa. What they saw and heard along the way left them stunned. Chen Jinzhao even remarked that the Su family's Qinglong Mountain Villa was like a child's plaything compared to Taoyuan Mountain Villa.
What shocked them the most was the castle before them.
Tao Qiyue found it hard to believe that such a magnificent castle existed on the outskirts of a modern metropolis, and that no one had discovered it over the years, nor had it ever made headlines.
The two walked into the castle.
Fang Mingchao, dressed in a tailcoat, sat smilingly at the head of the main hall. "I apologize for not being able to greet you personally, esteemed guests, for traveling such a long distance."
Tao Qiyue's brow furrowed. Fang Mingchao knew they were coming and had prepared a grand banquet to welcome them, clearly feeling secure and confident.
This made her even more infuriated.
Chen Jinzhao did not stand on ceremony and sat down directly.
Tao Qiyue regained her composure and said in a displeased tone, "Since you knew we were coming, you should know our purpose. Here is the search warrant and my work ID. Please cooperate with our investigation!"
"Naturally. You are free to search. I will not obstruct you in any way," Fang Mingchao said with a faint smile, which only made Tao Qiyue more enraged.
"Chen Jinzhao, let's go upstairs and investigate," Tao Qiyue said, pulling Chen Jinzhao along.
They searched for over an hour but found nothing amiss. Tao Qiyue said dejectedly, "Damn it, this villa must be hiding something, but I just can't find it!"
Chen Jinzhao comforted her, "Since Fang Mingchao dared to openly host us, it means he has wiped away all traces. We are half a step too late. Fang Mingchao is more cunning than we imagined. Unless we can find the victims."
But in such a vast world, where could they find victims?
At this moment.
Fang Mingchao's figure appeared beside them like a ghost, revealing his row of white teeth and smiling, "May I ask what you two have found?"
Tao Qiyue asked angrily, "Fang Mingchao, I'm asking you what these rooms are for, and if illegal transactions have ever taken place in them?"
Fang Mingchao naturally would not admit it.
He said with a faint smile, "Officer Tao, you might be mistaken. My villa has been approved with legitimate procedures. Its purpose is to build a tourist hotel. What you see are the uniquely styled guest rooms I've created. Don't you find it novel?"
Chen Jinzhao's heart filled with anger upon hearing this!
This was clearly a provocation!
If it weren't for Chen Jinzhao's consideration of Fang Mingchao's foreign identity, he would have already taken action to force a confession.
"You must both be tired. Why don't you have a hot meal here before you go back?" Fang Mingchao's face was always adorned with a confident and faint smile.
It was as if he had already won this war without bloodshed.
Tao Qiyue did not want to stay in this place any longer. She felt that every corner here was tainted with an evil aura, making her feel uncomfortable all over.
But as Chen Jinzhao had said, to defeat darkness, one must first immerse oneself in it.
Chen Jinzhao wanted to see what tricks Fang Mingchao could play.
"Your hospitality is too kind. Thank you, Mr. Fang."