Although He Ying tried her best to remain calm, she had shown a flaw just now.
Su Yang used his clairvoyant gaze on He Ying and saw that she had been talking with a masked person a couple of days ago.
That masked person was the same one who had transacted with Shentu Bao, the mask being the same as the attire.
This meant that He Ying was from Sang Country and intended to kill him.
No wonder He Ying had repeatedly created opportunities to "accidentally" run into him.
After organizing his thoughts, Su Yang said, "Miss He, it's getting late. I'll head home to take care of some things."
"Alright, let's meet again another day!"
He Ying dared not detain Su Yang, fearing he might press her about the calligraphy.
...
Dragon's Coil One.
Su Yang sat on the sofa, pondering the relationship between He Ying and Sakata.
If she were just an ordinary person from Sang Country, she wouldn't have hired assassins to kill him.
He Ying was likely related to Sakata, or had some special connection.
Su Yang took out his phone and contacted Lu Qi.
"Boss, what are your orders?"
"Lu Qi, I need you to keep an eye on someone. I'll send you her basic information shortly."
"Understood, boss. What about Miss Duan? How should I handle her?"
Lu Qi, considering the good relationship between the Duan family and Su Yang, had not taken any drastic action against Duan Xiaosi.
"Keep her detained for now. Let her suffer a bit, but don't kill her."
Su Yang did not want to completely alienate the Duan family, so he was only giving Duan Xiaosi a minor punishment.
"Understood, subordinate."
After hanging up, Su Yang walked upstairs.
"Director Su, why the long face?"
Zhou Chengcheng had filled the bathtub with hot water, and Su Yang sat in it, lost in thought.
Since He Ying had moved in, he had been attacked twice.
This woman seemed to be targeting him.
"Director Su? Why aren't you reacting? Is my outfit today not good?"
Zhou Chengcheng shifted her arm, her shoulder aching slightly.
Su Yang snapped back to reality and shook his head, "I'm fine, just lost in thought."
Zhou Chengcheng stood up, took off her shoes, and stepped into the bathtub.
Just then, Jiang Wanying rushed in.
"Brother Yang, the eldest daughter of the Duan family is here. She said she has something to discuss with you."
"Alright, I got it."
Su Yang quickly tidied his clothes and went downstairs.
Zhou Chengcheng was fuming, stomping her feet. "Why is it that every time I'm close to success, someone comes to ruin it?"
"Don't worry, Sister Cheng. There's always tomorrow."
"You're not in a hurry... but I've been waiting for months..."
...
The first-floor hall.
On the sofa, Duan Linglong reclined lazily, her eyes closed.
Su Yang patted her shoulder. "Is there something that brought you here again?"
"Su Yang, Meng Jing sent word that she's missing a few rare medicinal ingredients."
"Oh? What ingredients are missing?"
Duan Linglong handed him a list. Su Yang glanced at it; all were unheard-of herbs.
His own pharmacy didn't have these items.
"You could have just sent me this list on WeChat."
"What? Don't you want your girlfriend to visit?"
Su Yang rolled his eyes. "Give me a break. You never come without a reason. Just say what you want!"
"Straightforward!" Duan Linglong smiled faintly. "Su Yang, I heard about my fourth sister's situation."
"Although she did wrong, there's no need to make such a big fuss and arrest her?"
"Linglong, her liking Yang Wudi is her business. From beginning to end, it was Yang Wudi who targeted me."
"First, he attacked my woman, and then he attempted to assassinate Bai Zhanchen. Which of these was me initiating trouble?"
Duan Linglong pondered for a moment. She usually stayed at the Antiquities Association.
Duan Family Villa was managed by her second sister, Duan Wanjun.
After this incident, she realized how serious and dire the situation was.
Duan Linglong tapped her jade-like fingers on the table, lost in thought.
Su Yang was not short of money, so there were few conditions that could persuade him to release her.
"Tell me, what do you want to make you release Xiaosi?"
"Linglong, would you marry me to save your sister?"
Duan Linglong shook her head. "I never engage in forced transactions. If that's what you're thinking, then I'm afraid you'll be disappointed."
Su Yang smiled. This was the true principle of the Duan family head.
Focusing solely on the family's development, personal life and death were secondary.
"I cannot release her now! But... I won't harm her. It's just a minor punishment."
Duan Linglong nodded. "Let's leave it at that. Find me when you have the medicinal ingredients ready."
With that, Duan Linglong left without looking back.
She came and went like the wind, without a hint of hesitation.
Su Yang rubbed his chin, looking at the names of the medicinal ingredients on the list.
The Longevity Pill was indeed difficult to develop; the ingredients alone were daunting.
"Heizi, take this list to Apothecary Chen and ask him if he has any way to find these ingredients."
"Yes, Brother Yang."
Jiang Hei nodded, took the list, and left.
Su Yang rubbed his head. There had been too many things happening lately.
One wave after another, Songhai was in chaos again.
Thinking of the involvement of people from Sang Country, a cold glint flashed in Su Yang's eyes.
"He Ying? Who exactly are you?"
In the quiet villa, Su Yang's phone rang. The caller ID showed Zong Ze.
"Brother Su, come to the Security Bureau immediately!"
"What's wrong?"
"It concerns the border defense forces. It's a long story, you should just come."
"Okay."
After hanging up, Su Yang drove to the Security Bureau.
On the way.
There were no more assassins tailing him.
Su Yang stepped on the accelerator, and soon arrived at the Security Bureau.
The director's office.
Zong Ze paced back and forth dejectedly, as if facing a difficult decision.
"Brother Zong, what's wrong?"
Seeing his troubled expression, Su Yang became even more curious.
Zong Ze slowly sat down and took a sip of tea.
"Yang Wudi is dead, and the border defense forces are in disarray. People from various countries are also stirring."
Su Yang suddenly understood. Yang Wudi was the commander-in-chief of the border defense forces.
But the border was not just one or two locations; it encompassed all the border areas of Long Country, a vast expanse.
It was normal for neighboring hostile nations to become restless.
However, Su Yang didn't understand. "What does this have to do with me? Is the capital going to punish me?"
Zong Ze smiled bitterly and waved his hand. "Yang Wudi's unauthorized return to Songhai with his subordinates was not permitted, and the capital was aware of his actions. This is not your fault."
"But... the position of commander-in-chief is vacant, and some people can't sit still. The person in the capital has ordered the summoning of senior administrative officials from all cities for a meeting."
Su Yang rubbed his chin. He had heard before that the supreme leader in the capital intended to merge the border defense forces with the eight major departments.
The position of commander-in-chief was high and powerful, with a vast army under his command.
It was likely that all major departments and families in Long Country were in an uproar, vying for the position of commander-in-chief.
And officials like Zong Ze, who were senior administrative officials, were eligible to participate in the election and voting.
Su Yang's eyes flashed with brilliance. "You're worried about the Songhai Security Bureau?"
"Yes, Brother Su, you are indeed sharp-minded!"