"Grandpa, am I really going to prison?"
As Fu Yun was taken away by Fu Songhu, he couldn't help but ask on the way.
Fu Songhu didn't answer.
Fu Yun almost burst into tears, choking, "Grandpa, I don't want to go to prison. I heard there's nothing in prison. How could you bear to let me stay in that dark and hopeless place for five years?"
*Slap—*
Fu Songhu stopped in his tracks, turned around, and slapped Fu Yun across the face.
Without any leniency.
Fu Yun felt even more wronged, covering his face and looking at Fu Songhu, "Grandpa, I..."
"Shut up!" Fu Songhu roared.
"Do you know that our Fu family has made a very serious mistake this time? It's only because Man Xiong put in a good word for us that our fate isn't even worse than the Han and Su families. If you're unwilling to go to prison, then the entire Fu family will be flattened."
Getting this outcome was already quite good.
Fu Yun understood this, but he just couldn't accept it for a moment, "But Grandpa, is there no other way?"
Fu Songhu was so angry he laughed. After taking a deep look at Fu Yun, he said, "Another way? Of course, there is!"
"What?" Fu Yun asked curiously.
"That is, you die," Fu Songhu replied impatiently.
Fu Yun's expression was startled. Realizing that Fu Songhu wasn't joking, he immediately shut his mouth. Compared to death, staying in prison for five years didn't seem like a big problem.
The back garden.
Tao Qiyue wisely said, "You guys talk first. I'll go wander around elsewhere."
Chen Jinzhao grunted in acknowledgment.
After Tao Qiyue left, only Chen Jinzhao and Man Xiong remained in the pavilion. Chen Jinzhao said calmly, "You came to the Fu family specifically for me, didn't you?"
"Nothing can be hidden from you," Man Xiong chuckled.
"I originally intended to find you at the hotel this morning, but who knew you had already gone out with Tao Qiyue? After inquiring, I learned you had come to the Fu family, so I followed."
"What is it?" Chen Jinzhao asked with a frown.
Man Xiong's smile instantly vanished. Chen Jinzhao hesitated, "Is it related to what happened last night?"
"Yes, my people have found some clues, and now I want to ask for your instructions on what to do next," Man Xiong said. He also told Chen Jinzhao that he had basically located the three assassins from a deserted island somewhere east of the sea. Strangely, that island didn't appear on most maps.
Chen Jinzhao's heart sank at this.
Even Man Xiong didn't know about the existence of that deserted island, which meant someone had used immense power to conceal certain unsavory activities.
"Your Northeast Military Region's maps also don't show that deserted island?" Chen Jinzhao inquired.
Man Xiong nodded grimly.
Chen Jinzhao and Man Xiong exchanged glances, their expressions becoming extremely serious.
"It seems we have traitors within our ranks. For so many years, no one has discovered the existence of that island. I plan to send people to investigate. If I get any news, I'll inform you immediately," Man Xiong said. Chen Jinzhao thought for a moment and hesitated, "Could it be dangerous? In my opinion, why not first inquire privately within the military region, saying we're going to investigate that island?"
"Wouldn't that be alarming the enemy?" Man Xiong asked in surprise.
Chen Jinzhao knew it would alert them, but being able to conceal the existence of an island under everyone's noses meant there must be something illicit on it. If that were the case, the island would certainly be heavily guarded, and sending people to scout now would put them in danger.
"Call your men back first. Don't take risks. If possible, let's go together," Chen Jinzhao said.
Man Xiong pondered for a moment and then said, "I understand what you mean. You actually want me to first inquire within the military region—whether anyone knows about that deserted island, right? If no one knows, then we can formulate a more detailed combat plan."
Chen Jinzhao nodded, that was precisely his meaning.
"Zhu Long, do you know something? About that island..." Man Xiong looked at Chen Jinzhao, a hunch telling him things weren't that simple.
Chen Jinzhao gazed eastward, a deep worry in his eyes. "If that island is as I imagine, then it will be the most evil existence. I can't tell you the specifics for now, but you'll know soon."
"Alright, all I can do is assist you to the best of my ability," Man Xiong said.
"I'll go back to the military region first to gather information. I'll notify you as soon as I have any."
"I will also keep an eye on the Fu family's affairs. You don't need to worry at all."
Chen Jinzhao nodded again.
They said no more and parted ways in the back garden of the Fu family compound.
Tao Qiyue returned to Chen Jinzhao's side and asked, "Has there been any new progress on last night's events?"
"Yes, but we still need to confirm some details," Chen Jinzhao replied.
"By the way, Qiyue, could you go to Fengtian City Bureau for me now and check the data on missing persons in recent years? I'm very interested in this data."
"Got it. Anything else?" Tao Qiyue asked.
Chen Jinzhao said lightly, "Right, don't force yourself. Just do your best."
"Mhm!"
Several days passed.
The entire Fengtian knew about the Fu family's fall from grace, which sent shockwaves through the city.
Families with statuses no less than the Fu family were astonished and inquired through various channels, finally learning that it was because Chen Jinzhao had arrived in Fengtian.
This caused all the major families to feel uneasy, fearing they might be targeted by Chen Jinzhao.
Some families, to avoid being targeted, proactively extended an olive branch to Chen Jinzhao, inviting him to their homes as a guest.
Over the next few days, Chen Jinzhao interacted with almost all the families, except for the Ji family in Fengtian.
The Ji family was a century-old clan, with an even deeper control over the northern lands than the Su family had over Jiangnan, making them the undisputed foremost aristocratic family in the Northeast. The Ji family's mansion was located on the outskirts of Fengtian city and was regarded by locals as a royal palace.
Chen Jinzhao didn't pay much attention to it.
These aristocratic families had their own foundations and pride. As long as they didn't overstep their bounds in front of Chen Jinzhao, he wouldn't bother to conflict with the Ji family, lest they interfere with his actions in Fengtian.
Mind your own business, it's indeed good.
Therefore, Chen Jinzhao didn't concern himself with the Ji family's thoughts and proceeded with his own plans.
Meanwhile.
Tao Qiyue checked multiple times and found that most of the missing persons in Fengtian were from remote rural areas. Among them, half were women of marriageable age, but the clues stopped there. The Fengtian City Bureau had investigated for so many years without finding anything conclusive.
A few years ago, when it seemed like something was about to be uncovered, the person in charge of these cases suddenly suffered from severe depression and jumped to his death.
Everything returned to square one.
As New Year's Day approached, Chen Jinzhao told her to put aside her work and take a break.
At the same time.
After Wu Lingyun became familiar with her work at Shenguo Pharmaceutical, she also arranged to have dinner with Chen Jinzhao on New Year's Eve, wanting to celebrate the festival with him. What made Chen Jinzhao even more curious was that the Ji family, who had not contacted him before, had also found him, inviting him to a banquet at their home on New Year's Eve to discuss important matters.
This gave Chen Jinzhao a sense of something unusual.
It felt a bit strange.