On the way to the Dragon Ascent branch, Chen Fan called Shang Wushuang.
"Wow, this is really rare!"
Shang Wushuang answered the phone and said, "Chen Tianjiao, you actually called me?"
"Are you well acquainted with the Fang family?" Chen Fan asked.
"We're like old family friends."
Shang Wushuang said, "The Fang family is situated between the ancient martial arts world and the secular world. Uncle Shi Fang is a jovial and popular man. Since I came to Kyoto, we've interacted a lot."
"Is it Fang Baiyan's birthday tomorrow?" Chen Fan asked.
"Yes, why? Have you changed your mind and are willing to attend the banquet with me?"
"The head of the Fang family is celebrating his birthday, why would you still need me to accompany you?" Chen Fan asked.
"As I said earlier, the Fang family is between the ancient martial arts world and the secular world, and many people from both sides will attend the banquet to offer their birthday wishes."
Shang Wushuang said, "Bringing you along can serve as my shield and also help me save face. When disciples from the ancient martial arts world gather, it's inevitable they'll spar, and with my strength, I can't possibly dominate the scene!"
"You're quite frank!" Chen Fan said.
"You're such a dull person. If I'm not frank, you'll suspect I have ulterior motives!"
Shang Wushuang said.
"Come pick me up at the company tomorrow."
Chen Fan thought for a moment and decided to attend in his capacity as branch manager.
His purpose in going was not only to find Fang Da but also to assess Fang Baiyan.
At such an event, hidden forces might send people.
"Okay, then your identity will be my boyfriend,嘻嘻." Shang Wushuang said smugly.
Chen Fan ignored her and hung up the phone.
Upon arriving at the branch and entering the office building, employees greeted him respectfully, casting sideways glances at him.
Chen Fan paid them no mind and called Gu Weidong, instructing him to arrange for employees to go out and find partners.
These partners were for the investment plan, which had immense room for maneuverability.
Of course, on the surface, the plan was still passable.
Before long, he received a call from Han Wei and went out to meet her.
"The matter at the checkpoint is still being investigated, and preliminary results are out."
Upon meeting, Han Wei said, "All the weapons came from abroad, mostly flowing in from the northern border."
This result did not surprise Chen Fan too much. He asked, "What about the bandits?"
"Some were foreign mercenaries, two were from the Tsarist Russia, and a few were from Aolai Country."
Han Wei said, "The rest had fake identities. We've confirmed that their backgrounds have large blank spaces. For example, for one person, we found his place of origin, but he had been away for many years, and we couldn't find out where he worked!"
"No progress at all?"
Chen Fan asked.
"These people definitely have other identities on the surface," Han Wei said. "Experts judge that they have all received professional military training."
"Such professional military training either took place abroad, or the other party has such a professional base, and its location is unknown!"
"Overall, the gains are indeed very limited. These people have too much influence!"
This outcome was not unexpected. Chen Fan's own progress was limited, so he couldn't fault Han Wei.
"Recently, a highly classified working group was established in Kyoto. Does it have anything to do with you?" Han Wei asked. Da Feng novel network
"You guessed it?"
Chen Fan asked.
"Yesterday, a large number of police forces were deployed, and it's related to the kidnapping incident in Qingyan Town. Coupled with the high level of secrecy, I thought of you!"
Chen Fan did not deny it and nodded.
Han Wei's status and position were high, so it was not surprising that she guessed this.
"I want to join!"
Han Wei suddenly said, "I want to find someone to apply, but I don't know who to approach. You can have me seconded."
Chen Fan shook his head, "You know, this matter is too dangerous, and your identity is also not suitable."
Han Wei insisted, "I almost got blown to smithereens at the Guankou Ghost Market with you. How can I let this go?"
"Besides, as a police officer, protecting the people is my duty, and I can't give up the investigation."
"You know me. If I investigate on my own, it's less safe than coming with you!"
Looking at Han Wei's determined gaze, Chen Fan pondered.
After consideration, he said, "How about this: I'll make a call and, with you as the leader, establish a working group within the police force to cooperate with me!"
Han Wei was a little disappointed.
For whatever reason, she hoped to cooperate more closely with Chen Fan, which would mean spending more time together.
"Let's do it this way,"
Chen Fan said, "I need to mobilize a lot of police resources. We really need someone in the police force to be specifically responsible for liaison and coordination. Your rank and ability are sufficient. I'll make a call to the higher-ups to have you form a working group!"
"But there's one condition: the personnel must be elite, and their loyalty must be guaranteed. Give me the final list for confirmation!"
"Alright."
Han Wei looked at Chen Fan and nodded with a complicated mood.
"Then it's settled. I hope for a pleasant cooperation!"
As Chen Fan spoke, his phone rang.
He picked it up, looked at it, and smiled.
It was Yu Fuguo calling.
The fish had finally taken the bait.
This indicated that the news of Chen Xiaozhu's kidnapping last night and Chen Fan obtaining the hit list had not had much impact on Yu Fuguo.
Chen Fan leaned towards believing that the hidden forces couldn't be sure of the specific contents of the hit list.
The web woven by the hidden forces was too vast, and such a roster would undoubtedly be crucial, allowing no room for error.
But now, a roster had fallen into Chen Fan's hands.
This was definitely due to some internal issues within the hidden forces.
There could be many reasons, one of which was that Chen Fan's roster was privately recorded by someone.
In this way, the hidden forces would not know the specific contents and could not be certain how many people they controlled had been exposed.
Furthermore, because the web was so vast, even if it were exposed, the hidden forces wouldn't abandon it, letting years of effort go to waste.
There were too many aspects involved. Neither the hidden forces nor the officials would dare to act rashly.
Thus, it evolved into a contest between Chen Fan and the mastermind, focusing on specific areas within the web.
The final outcome would have an extremely significant impact, arguably concerning the fate of the nation!
Signaling Han Wei to stay quiet, Chen Fan answered the phone lazily, "Hello, who is it?"
"Mr. Chen, it's me, Yu Fuguo. We met yesterday at the Baiyun Equestrian Club, you won't have forgotten, right?" Yu Fuguo said in a fawning tone.
"Oh, it's Mr. Yu," Chen Fan said indifferently, his tone tinged with carelessness. "Is there something you need?"
"Nothing else, really. Didn't you say last time that you had just arrived in Kyoto and were not familiar with it?"
Yu Fuguo chuckled, "As a local, I sincerely want to befriend Mr. Chen and show you the warmth of the people of Kyoto, as a welcome reception!"
"There's no need for that, is there?" Chen Fan narrowed his eyes and said.
Yu Fuguo quickly replied, "It's necessary, of course it's necessary. When will Mr. Chen be free? I'm downstairs at your company and I'll come up to see you right away!"
A slight curve formed on Chen Fan's lips. He said, "I'm out right now, so why don't you wait for me at the company!"
"Okay, okay!" Yu Fuguo said. "I'll wait for you!"