Qingyan Town, the cemetery.
Stopping the car, Chen Fan looked at the newly renovated cemetery with mixed feelings.
He picked up his things and walked up the repaired steps, arriving at the tombstone at the forefront.
This was Old Liang's tomb, the tombstone had also been replaced with a larger one, detailing some of his life, and the inscription was outlined in red.
Coupled with the newly transplanted pine and cypress trees, this cemetery finally looked presentable.
It was evident that Chu Minghui and the others had put in genuine effort.
He knelt before Old Liang's tomb and paid his respects with three solemn bows.
He opened the Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) and poured it onto the ground before the tomb.
Then, taking a sip himself, Chen Fan's expression was weathered.
"Old Liang, the mastermind behind the Qingyan Town massacre is dead."
"I didn't kill him with my own hands, but it's related to me. I almost caught him, but at the time I didn't know he was the mastermind."
"I'm sorry, Old Liang, you all waited too long, over three years. I've waited too long as well."
"Fortunately, things have finally come to a close."
"My sole purpose was revenge, but now that it's done, my heart feels empty."
Taking a drink, Chen Fan said with a wry smile, "I wish you were all alive. When I returned to Qingyan Town, we could have had drinks, played dice, and chatted about everything under the sun, listening to you tell me how well your lives were going."
"But it's all gone!"
"Right, there's something I need to tell you."
"I couldn't kill or capture Wu Zhaohui, a core member of the Brotherhood. I also didn't expect that this person would be connected to Kunlun."
"Kunlun is in the Kunlun Mountains, but I don't know what kind of place it is. I'll be going there soon though. The woman I love is also there..."
He took a sip of wine, offered a toast, his voice low, with a hint of relief but still many things he couldn't let go of.
After talking for a while, he moved to the tombstone next to it.
This was Old Shang's grave. He still remembered that iron-willed man on the battlefield at the border, who fought to the death without retreating, shouting "When a man dies, the birds fly south; if he lives, he'll live forever," charging at enemies several times his number.
None of it had been forgotten.
He poured wine on the ground, leaning on the tombstone, and sighed, "Old Shang, did you hear what I said to Old Liang? After more than three years, I've finally given you a complete explanation."
"But what of it?"
"Your deaths were ultimately caused by me, Chen Tianjiao. If I hadn't kept you in the capital, you wouldn't have suffered such misfortune!"
"We soldiers have long seen through life and death, yet we cannot let go of our country, our family, and the bond of brotherhood.
"I've failed you!"
"..."
Each word spoken drifted with the wind, leaving only a heart full of guilt.
He walked past each tombstone, his figure despondent, his hand caressing the new steles on the old graves.
Zhigang, Xiao Zhao, Xiao Liu, Liuzi, Old Bai...
Each name, each memory, was branded in his heart, indelible.
After a long time, the entire box of wine he had brought was empty.
Then, the sound of footsteps echoed.
Chen Fan stood up and looked, seeing a slender figure carrying a basket, walking among the graves.
It was Chen Xiaozhu.
"Chen... Mr. Chen?"
Upon seeing Chen Fan, Chen Xiaozhu's eyes lit up.
But from a distance, she smelled the alcohol, and a hint of worry crept in.
"It's Sister Xiaozhu!"
Chen Fan nodded, a flicker of solace in his eyes.
Ultimately, there was someone here who could offer him some psychological comfort, giving him a chance to atone.
Hearing Chen Fan's address, Chen Xiaozhu's face flushed slightly, and she said, "Are you here to see Old Liang and Zhigang?"
As she spoke, she took out incense, candles, and paper money, lit them, and added, "Actually, you don't need to feel so guilty about this."
"Zhigang and the others wouldn't blame you if they knew what you've done."
Chen Fan said, "Of course, I know they wouldn't blame me. They were my soldiers. If I gave an order, they wouldn't even flinch if it meant blocking a bullet."
"But if I can't give them an explanation, how can I be worthy of their trust back then?"
Chen Xiaozhu paused her movements slightly and asked, "Mr. Chen, have you finished what you needed to do?"
"I suppose I have. I just told Old Liang, Old Shang, and Zhigang, which counts as giving them an explanation. Although it doesn't even make up a ten-thousandth of what I feel I owe them."
"That's enough," Chen Xiaozhu said. "Mr. Chen, Zhigang and the others would prefer you to let go of your burdens, rather than always dwelling on them."
Chen Fan nodded and said, "The mastermind behind that incident three years ago is dead, and the forces behind the massacre have crumbled. I came here specifically to tell Old Liang and the others."
Chen Xiaozhu nodded, glanced at Chen Fan, and felt genuinely happy and relieved by this outcome.
"Sister Xiaozhu, you mentioned last time that you were working at a clothing store?" Chen Fan changed the subject and asked.
"Yes," Chen Xiaozhu nodded.
"Quit that job. Do something you love instead."
Chen Fan said, "I'll have someone transfer ten million yuan to you later. You can do whatever you want. If the money isn't enough, just tell me."
Chen Xiaozhu showed no sign of surprise; instead, her face paled slightly. "I don't want it. What... what do you mean?"
"No special meaning."
Chen Fan said, "The deceased rest in peace, and the living should live well. This is a small compensation from me to you!"
"I don't want it!" Chen Xiaozhu immediately refused.
Chen Fan wasn't particularly surprised by her refusal. He thought for a moment and said, "How about this: go work at a branch of Longteng Group. The benefits will be much better, and I'll arrange for someone to teach you."
Chen Xiaozhu hesitated at this. This offer was tempting.
"Let's leave it at that. I'll arrange for you to be an assistant for now. Study hard and improve yourself."
Chen Fan said, "I just hope your life gets better and better. Zhigang and the others will rest easy in heaven."
This time, Chen Xiaozhu did not refuse, and nodded silently.
Chen Fan walked over, took the incense and paper money, lit them, and together with Chen Xiaozhu, paid respects to their fallen comrades buried there.
After a long while, they left the cemetery.
Chen Fan immediately called Gu Weidong and asked him to arrange for Chen Xiaozhu's employment, and to provide accommodation and other amenities at the Longteng branch.
This, he felt, was a weight lifted from his mind.
After sending Chen Xiaozhu home, Chen Fan went to the Dawn Base.
When Xiang Jingzhu saw him arrive, her face first flushed, appearing somewhat awkward.
Then she handed him a stack of documents, saying, "Someone anonymously mailed this to me. It contains almost all the information about the Brotherhood."
Chen Fan took it and immediately realized it was sent by someone Wu Zhaohui had arranged.
It included a lot of the Brotherhood's secret information and intelligence, as well as details about those who had escaped.
After reviewing it, Chen Fan asked Xiang Jingzhu to coordinate with Han Wei's side for its disposal.
Once this matter was handled, the Brotherhood would cease to exist completely, becoming a thing of the past.
"Oh, Du Fumin has contacted the police and turned himself in!"
Xiang Jingzhu added, "He'll be returning to Jinmen at 6 PM tonight. I've arranged for someone to meet him and escort him back to the capital."
Chen Fan was somewhat surprised by this news.
Du Fumin could have easily fled overseas, yet he chose to surrender?