Qian Yuan's face flushed, and he hurriedly explained, "Oh, Mr. Ouyang, please don't joke anymore. I'm not a president at all; I'm just here to help with odd jobs!"
The middle-aged man burst into laughter, "President Qian, you're too modest. In my eyes, you are the president of the future. Hurry up and show me that list!"
Without thinking, he immediately took out two brown paper bags from his briefcase, handing one to the middle-aged man and the other to Mu Feng.
"Mr. Mu, Mr. Ouyang, here is all the personal information of the missing children in Honghai City. Please take a look!"
Qian Yuan spoke courteously. He didn't want to offend either of these influential figures, especially Mu Feng, who was his benefactor, so he treated him with great respect.
The middle-aged man frowned and glanced at Mu Feng, "Are you a detective too?"
Mu Feng shook his head, "I'm not a detective, but more people means more strength. I can help a little!"
After he finished speaking, a brief silence fell upon the conference room.
The two began to carefully examine the missing persons list.
As soon as they started looking, Mu Feng's expression immediately turned cold. He had indeed discovered something peculiar.
These children all had one thing in common: their birth time was precisely midnight. This was truly strange.
He was immediately reminded of a demonic cultivation technique similar to the "Longevity Demonic Art."
It involved absorbing children born at midnight, consuming their vital blood, to reach the pinnacle of cultivation and even achieve immortality.
If Mu Feng's suspicions were correct, then the situation was dire.
Once this cultivation technique was initiated, the children would, much like those affected by the Longevity Demonic Art, instantly turn to ashes, leaving behind only white bones.
At this moment, the middle-aged man exclaimed joyfully, "I know! I know everything now!"
Qian Yuan was so excited that tears welled up in his eyes. He rushed forward without hesitation, grabbing the middle-aged man's hands, "Mr. Ouyang, have you really found a clue? You truly are the world's top detective!"
Flattered by the praise, the middle-aged man's face flushed. He clearly enjoyed the flattery.
He adopted a demeanor of someone detached from worldly affairs and said with a stern face, "Indeed, I've found some clues. Finding the culprit will be a piece of cake!"
Mu Feng asked curiously, "May I know your insights, Mr. Ouyang?"
"Insights? Not really. For me, this is just a minor case that can be easily solved!"
The middle-aged man held his head high, his tone brimming with confidence.
Qian Yuan, on the other hand, was getting anxious. He stamped his foot, "Oh, Mr. Ouyang, please don't keep us in suspense. Tell us what's going on!"
He chuckled and dangled the list in front of Qian Yuan, "In my opinion, it's quite simple. Haven't you noticed that all the children on this list are between five and seven years old?"
Qian Yuan nodded, "They are indeed between five and seven years old. But Mr. Ouyang, what does that tell us? Forgive me for being so foolish!"
The middle-aged man sized up Mu Feng with a slightly mocking tone, "This is clearly the work of a child trafficking ring. They are selling these children all over the world for profit, as children of this age are quite in demand abroad!"
Clearly, his explanation didn't hold water. If it were truly child trafficking, there should have been some clues.
However, Qian Yuan found it very plausible and exclaimed excitedly, "Mr. Ouyang, you are incredible! You can even figure this out? What should we do now?"
"It's very simple. Have those departments place informants at all ports and airports in Honghai!"
"In my opinion, this is a team effort. They will do everything they can to smugly smuggle the children out. Then, we can catch them all!"
The middle-aged man spoke in an organized manner, and Qian Yuan immediately believed him, his face showing admiration.
However, a discordant voice soon intervened.
Mu Feng couldn't help but say, "The perpetrator is not after selling the children!"
Seeing that Mu Feng dared to contradict him, the middle-aged man's face immediately showed displeasure.
He said expressionlessly, "Are you questioning me? Daring to question authority?"
"I am merely stating a fact. In my opinion, if it were child trafficking, it wouldn't add up," Mu Feng shook his head, decisively negating the idea.
The middle-aged man was clearly infuriated. He was the world's top detective; when had anyone dared to refute him?
Moreover, he was being contradicted by a young man, which was a blatant provocation!
He chuckled, "This is utterly ridiculous. Do you know who I am to dare speak to me like this?"
Mu Feng shook his head, "I really don't know who you are, nor do I wish to know. In my opinion, the urgent task now is to rescue the children!"
Seeing that the two were starting to argue, Qian Yuan immediately panicked. He quickly tried to mediate, "Both of you have valid points. Perhaps we should discuss it properly?"
The middle-aged man stood up and said, "What's there to discuss? It's simple to rescue these children now. Just do as I say, and within three days, these children will definitely be rescued!"
Mu Feng sighed, "You will cost the children their lives! This is far too dangerous!"
"You are challenging my authority. Give me three days. If I fail to find the children, I will personally apologize to you!"
The middle-aged man spoke with absolute confidence, clearly having the grounds for it. As a top detective, he had handled countless bizarre cases.
However, this particular missing persons case was clearly beyond his ability to handle. He did not realize the seriousness of the situation.
Mu Feng had no intention of arguing. He sighed helplessly, "Alright, but I can also find the children within three days!"
The middle-aged man looked at him as if he were an idiot, "You too? Someone who isn't even considered a detective dares to be so arrogant?"
"I just want to rescue the children as soon as possible. Please don't misunderstand," Mu Feng said with annoyance.
Qian Yuan quickly walked between them, "The people from those departments are all searching for the children, and there are quite a lot of them. Since that's the case, why don't they allocate some people to follow Mr. Ouyang's plan and some to follow Mr. Mu's plan?"
"That would be for the best. Kid, you'll be proven wrong in three days!" the middle-aged man scoffed.