“Master, Yuan Pu’s injuries are to his lungs. It’s clear the opponent intended to kill him,” Ye Wudao reported with a grave expression to Lu Pan after examining Yuan Pu.
“Just as I suspected. There are martial artists behind the Qingcheng disappearances. Yuan Pu is at the peak of Dark Force; to injure him this severely, the opponent must be at Hua Force!” Lu Pan said, tending to Yuan Pu’s wounds. Several golden needles floated above Yuan Pu’s major acupoints, and strands of green airflow were channeled into his body through the needles. With Lu Pan’s intervention, Yuan Pu, no matter how severe his injuries, would not die.
A quarter of an hour later, Yuan Pu’s lung injury was mostly healed. His pale complexion regained some color, and he slowly awoke. Upon waking, Yuan Pu dared not delay and immediately got out of bed to kneel and express his gratitude.
“Yuan Pu thanks the Supreme Master for saving his life!” Yuan Pu knew it was Lu Pan who had acted, otherwise, his life would not have been saved.
“Speak. Who exactly injured you?” Lu Pan asked, his back to Yuan Pu as he examined a jet-black, three-pointed dart in his hand. This dart had been retrieved from Yuan Pu’s chest. Had it penetrated an inch deeper, it would have struck his heart, and he would have died before reaching them. Lu Pan had seen most weapons in the world, but this black, three-pointed dart was something he encountered for the first time.
“Reporting to the Supreme Master, your subordinate was investigating the missing persons case and traced it to Donggang Group. I did not expect Donggang Group to have a Hua Force expert guarding it. I was no match for him. I request the Supreme Master’s punishment.” Yuan Pu was full of shame, as he had not only failed to complete the task assigned by Lu Pan but had also brought trouble upon him.
“Donggang Group again. It seems they are deeply involved. Has Tu Tu made any new progress?” Lu Pan inquired of Ye Wudao.
Ye Wudao shook his head. “Master, Tu Tu did not return last night. I presume he should have found something!”
Lu Pan pondered, then said coldly to Yuan Pu, “Yuan Pu, you leaked my identity to Lu Yuansen. This crime will be punished later. I order you to secretly investigate the dealings between Lu Yuansen and Donggang Group.”
“Remember, do not expose your whereabouts again, or else—you won’t live to see me again!”
“Your subordinate obeys!” Yuan Pu’s forehead was slick with cold sweat. He had intended to atone for his mistakes, but he never expected to be seriously injured by a Hua Force expert. Lu Pan’s not punishing him was already exceptional grace.
“Wudao, have our people investigate the origin of this three-pointed dart.” Lu Pan handed the dart to Ye Wudao, his voice tinged with coldness. “This dart has a unique design and should be from the East or South Seas.”
Ye Wudao took the dart, a murderous intent in his eyes. “Master, since the barbarians from the East and South Seas are restless, shall I eliminate them?”
“Let’s wait for Tu Tu’s investigation results!” Lu Pan replied. “Since ancient times, the East and South Seas have coveted our Hua Xia. These barbarians must be planning something in Hua Xia. If we are to act, it must be a fatal blow, one that makes them afraid to cause trouble in Hua Xia again.”
“Understood!”
“Supreme Master, your subordinate has one more matter to report.” Yuan Pu knelt on the ground, not daring to rise without Lu Pan’s permission.
“Speak!”
“Half a month ago, the martial arts alliance of Dongshan Prefecture organized an exchange meeting, held at Great Pearl Mountain in Qingcheng!”
“According to my subordinate, besides the martial artists from Dongshan Prefecture, there were also Japanese warriors participating in this exchange.” A small martial arts gathering in Dongshan Prefecture was not something Lu Pan would usually pay attention to. However, involving Japanese warriors, and coinciding with the disappearance case, made him take it seriously.
“Continue!” Lu Pan said.
“As far as I know, this exchange meeting was initiated by Daoist Lingzhu of Great Pearl Mountain. When I was at the Lu family, I happened to overhear Lu Yuansen mentioning his acquaintance with Daoist Lingzhu.” Yuan Pu reported the information he had accidentally overheard at the Lu family to Lu Pan. How Lu Pan would decide was not for him to worry about.
“Hmm?” Lu Pan’s brows furrowed. He hadn’t expected Lu Yuansen to have such intricate connections with the martial arts alliance. However, on second thought, given the Lu family’s influence and industries in Qingcheng, it was likely they had already infiltrated all sectors, including the martial arts world.
“I am aware of this matter,” Lu Pan mused. “Complete the tasks I’ve assigned. I will handle everything else.” Yuan Pu said no more.
Meanwhile, Zhao Changming, who had left Purple Maple Villa not long ago, received a call from Lu Yuansen. Zhao Changming pondered for a moment before answering.
“Director Zhao, I am hosting a banquet tonight…” Lu Yuansen’s polite voice came through the phone.
“Director Lu, please state your business directly. I have an urgent meeting tonight,” Zhao Changming interrupted Lu Yuansen. Lu Yuansen paused, sensing Zhao Changming’s reluctance to engage in pleasantries.
“Director Zhao, there’s something I need to inquire about. The West Coast Police Department…”
“Xie Chou was involved in corruption and bribery. The evidence is conclusive, and he has been brought to justice,” Zhao Changming interrupted again. “Director Lu, are you perhaps acquainted with Xie Chou?”
“Director Zhao is joking. I am not well-acquainted with Officer Xie. It’s just that he handled cases for the Lu family. I heard he ran into trouble, so I’m asking you for information,” Lu Yuansen said with a smile.
Zhao Changming said meaningfully, “I see. If Director Lu has nothing else, I will hang up.”
“Director Zhao, has a truly important figure arrived in Qingcheng? Could you help introduce us?” Lu Yuansen began to probe Zhao Changming. Zhao Changming’s brow furrowed slightly, but he replied with a smile, “Director Lu, your words are a bit presumptuous.”
“Director Zhao, if you help introduce us, my Lu family will donate fifty million to the Governor’s Office!” Lu Yuansen countered. After a moment of thought, Zhao Changming replied, “I need to apply for this matter. Director Lu, please await my news!”
After hanging up, Zhao Changming sent a text message to Ye Wudao, informing him of Lu Yuansen’s intentions. Soon, he received a reply from Ye Wudao: “Arrange it!”
—
As noon approached, Yuan Pu departed. Ye Wudao hurried to Lu Pan’s study. Lu Pan put down his scroll, knowing there were results regarding the three-pointed dart.
“Master, this item indeed originates from the East.” Ye Wudao’s expression was somber, indicating that the matter was not simple. “Ah Jiu was on a mission in the East and happened to encounter someone using this dart. Otherwise, it would have been difficult to investigate!” Ye Wudao placed the document in his hand on the desk in front of Lu Pan.
“Did Ah Jiu clash with the Japanese?” Coldness flickered in Lu Pan’s eyes, evidently the mission in the East had not gone smoothly. However, he was not worried about Ah Jiu’s safety; with his abilities, the Japanese would have to pay a heavy price to keep him.
“San Shen Hui?” Lu Pan looked at the document in his hand, his expression grave. This was the first time he had heard of the San Shen Hui organization, and its symbol was precisely a black, three-pointed dart.
Ye Wudao added, “Ah Jiu said San Shen Hui is a mysterious organization that has surfaced only in the last two months. Besides one encounter, there is no further information for now.” Lu Pan pondered. A newly emerged organization appearing in Hua Xia was no coincidence; it must have been planned for a long time. It seemed he would have to visit both Donggang Group and the so-called exchange meeting.
“When is the exchange meeting Yuan Pu mentioned?” Lu Pan asked.
“In half a month,” Ye Wudao replied.
“Good. Then in the next half month, we will first clip Lu Yuansen’s wings.”