Xie Family.
Wu Tianzhen was processing the investigation data submitted from below. He stared intently at the similar messages, his face betraying no emotion.
"Alright Tianzhen, take a break, let me take over," the Fatty said, patting his shoulder. A stubble had appeared on his face, making him look more like a bandit with a fierce countenance than before.
They were currently at the Xie family compound. Wu Tianzhen's childhood friend possessed considerable influence, and with a single command, the entire family operated like precisely tuned gears, interlocking and moving rapidly.
But compared to Xie Yuchen...
The Fatty glanced at Wu Tianzhen, sighing inwardly.
Wu Tianzhen's growth during this period was almost visible to the naked eye. The Fatty sometimes felt as if the carefree, playful, and simple-minded Wu Tianzhen from years ago was a distant memory.
"They're completely untraceable..." Wu Tianzhen sat down as the Fatty suggested, his tone laced with the anxiety of not finding a breakthrough. "These people are like shadows. You know they exist, but you can't get any deeper."
"It would be great if we could capture one alive. Even if he was a machine that refused to speak, he could at least provide some clues."
Fatty: ...You really dare to imagine.
The Fatty fell silent for a moment, intending to comfort Wu Tianzhen, but at that moment, a clear and pleasant voice cut through the air.
"Wu Tianzhen, are you perhaps clairvoyant?" Xie Yuchen's voice carried a hint of a smile. His years of performing opera had naturally imbued his voice with a touch of charm, but if one looked closely, his expression was clearly calm and serious.
"Yo, Hua'er Ye!" The Fatty had become quite familiar with Xie Yuchen by now, and his address had casually adopted the diminutive suffix. "You have no idea, old man, our Tianzhen is amazing. He's not clairvoyant, he's practically a living oracle!"
"Stop it," Xie Yuchen found a place to sit and elegantly crossed his legs. "I'm not that old."
"Xiao Hua, you just said I was clairvoyant..." Wu Tianzhen, however, seized on the key point, standing up with a flicker of hope. "What did you mean?"
Xie Yuchen didn't answer. He simply clapped his hands, and the sound of footsteps echoed from outside.
The footsteps were dragging and heavy, indicating the person's exhaustion, yet the pace was quick, conveying extreme urgency and anxiety.
Wu Tianzhen looked towards the door, momentarily expecting to see Zhang Qiling push it open. Instead, a stranger, covered in dust and with a pale face, entered.
The stranger looked around, quickly fixing his gaze on Wu Tianzhen's face.
"Wu Tianzhen?" He then looked at the Fatty. "Wang Fatty."
The Fatty also couldn't help but stand up. He looked at the newcomer closely and was shocked to find that the stranger's facial features bore a striking resemblance to Wu Tianzhen's.
But soon, they were no longer shocked by such things.
The stranger, after confirming their identities, abruptly knelt on one knee, the impact on the ground producing a dull thud.
Wu Tianzhen and the Fatty instinctively moved to help him up, but their steps halted abruptly!
Their eyes widened in disbelief as they watched the person pull out a familiar black garment from his chest. It was a familiar garment, but now tattered and stained with the thick scent of blood.
Wu Tianzhen practically lunged forward, snatching the garment and unfolding it with trembling hands to examine it.
"It's Little Brother's..."
"Where is Little Brother? What exactly are you?" The Fatty grabbed Zhang Haike by the collar, his heavy breaths resembling an enraged bull.
"My name is Zhang Haike, I am from the overseas Zhang family," Zhang Haike replied calmly. He calmly observed the changes in their expressions, a weight in his heart slightly lifting.
"The clan leader is currently trapped in the sacred land of the inner Zhang family, in extreme danger. I have come to request aid."
"In danger?" Wu Tianzhen quickly pieced together the situation. He wasn't concerned about how Zhang Qiling suddenly became the clan leader, nor did he understand what the inner Zhang family or the overseas Zhang family were. He only heard the word "danger."
"Alright, we'll set off immediately!" He was about to rush off to pack their gear, but Zhang Haike stopped him.
"...This journey involves engaging in war with the inner clan. I have already contacted the overseas Zhang family, but their response depends on the Xie family's decision."
"Please persuade the Xie family to send people to participate in the battle!"
With that, Zhang Haike finally revealed his purpose. Wu Tianzhen finally understood that he and the Fatty alone could not accomplish anything.
He desperately wished to rush to the so-called sacred land immediately, but he also knew the gravity of the matter. How could he use his limited influence to force Xie Yuchen into such a risk?
After much struggle, Wu Tianzhen could only utter with a trembling voice, "Xiao Hua..."
Xie Yuchen still appeared calm, merely shifting his crossed leg.
He rested his elbow on his knee, looking intently at Wu Tianzhen, and said calmly, "Since we are cooperating, I naturally trust your judgment, Wu Tianzhen. As long as you believe it's the right thing to do, I will send people."
"However, Wu Tianzhen, are you truly sure this person is trustworthy?"
Xie Yuchen's attitude left Wu Tianzhen unsure how to react. He felt as though he was about to cry; such trust was too heavy a burden.
He took a deep breath, suddenly entering a state of calm observation. He looked at Zhang Haike, lost in thought.
"I want to know, why are you willing to take such a risk for Little Brother?"
"..." Zhang Haike suddenly fell silent.
Upon careful reflection, he couldn't pinpoint the origin of this overwhelming protectiveness. Recalling their brief acquaintance, they hadn't experienced any major events, only small moments of shared experience.
The clan leader always seemed a step behind, thinking he was afraid of the dark, thinking he was incapable, appearing confused and often exasperating...
But he would also bleed for him, offer him bandages, look at him sincerely, and let him go first.
(I bled not for the Zhang family)
A strange emotion welled up within him. Zhang Haike didn't know why he suddenly smiled. He raised his head and met Wu Tianzhen's gaze.
"I don't know why. I only know he is worth it."
"Perhaps..." he paused, his smile widening. "Perhaps the clan leader has put me under a spell."
The words sounded utterly unreliable.
But after a moment of eye contact with Zhang Haike, Wu Tianzhen's face showed a hint of recollection, and he too managed a strained smile.
"I believe you."
"Xiao Hua." He looked at Xie Yuchen, who nodded, signaling Zhang Haike to sit down properly and discuss strategy.
Then, he paused and took a delicate handkerchief from his pocket, offering it to Zhang Haike.
"Wipe yourself first."
Zhang Haike then realized that he had been shedding tears without his knowledge.