The story unfolds with two separate threads.
As Zhang Deshuang met with Anying outside the abandoned factory, Zhou Yu, inside the Su family's inner courtyard, hung up the phone after a fruitless call to Qian Pangzi. It was clear that whoever had targeted Su Xingyang was well-prepared, otherwise, even with Qian Pangzi's intelligence network, there would have been some trace. This realization brought a sense of relief to Zhou Yu, as it meant Su Xingyang was not in immediate mortal danger. However, he still needed to find Su Yuyan's cousin quickly, as he, the supposed brother-in-law, was responsible for the disappearance.
"Could Su Xingyang's vanishing act be related to the Shadow organization active in Yunhai recently?" Zhou Yu mused, his thoughts casually drifting to the shadowy group. If so, what could be the motive of this mysterious organization? For now, Zhou Yu couldn't figure it out. He possessed too little information about the Shadow organization. "Forget it, I'll go back and explain the situation to Uncle Chuan first. No matter what, we need to hold our ground." With that thought, Zhou Yu turned and headed towards the inner hall of the Su family.
Just then, Su Yuyan emerged from the inner hall, running into Zhou Yu. "Zhou Yu, come quickly and see, Second Uncle received a message from the kidnappers on his phone!"
Zhou Yu was stunned. The kidnappers were rather bold. Were they truly after money by abducting Su Xingyang? He soon found the answer. Su Qichuan's phone had received a threatening text message from the kidnappers. It stated, roughly: "Su Xingyang is in our hands. If the Su family wants him safe, it's best not to call the police. As long as law enforcement doesn't get involved, he won't be in any danger."
"Xiao Yu, what do you think we should do now?" Su Qichuan looked expectantly at Zhou Yu, his fatherly heart helpless. The Su family's capabilities were insufficient to find and rescue his son in a short period. All hope rested on Zhou Yu. Old Master Su believed in the young man before him, and so did Su Qichuan.
"Uncle Chuan, although it might sound inappropriate for me to tell you to relax, please don't worry. Based on the current situation, Xingyang should be safe for now. The kidnappers' objective hasn't been achieved yet; they need him alive, otherwise, they wouldn't have gone through such trouble," Zhou Yu said solemnly. Although Su Xingyang's disappearance wasn't directly his fault, he couldn't let Su Yuyan bear the entire burden. As husband and wife, Zhou Yu and the beautiful Su must face it together.
"Second Uncle, I apologize. But please trust Zhou Yu, Xingyang will be fine," Su Yuyan added. Su Qichuan fell silent. Indeed, there was nothing else they could do. In fact, he didn't believe that calling the police would lead to finding Su Xingyang. Zhou Yu's earlier call was enough to indicate that the kidnappers were no small fry, beyond the capabilities of law enforcement.
...
At the abandoned factory, the negotiations between Zhang Deshuang and Anying had reached a critical juncture. "Su family head, you wish to cooperate with our organization, and our organization intends to help the Zhang family rise. This is a win-win situation for both parties, but do not assume that you have an equal standing with the organization in this matter!" Anying's words were filled with threat. In his eyes, the foundation of the Zhang family, a prominent clan, was not enough.
"My Zhang family agrees to hand over twenty martial arts experts for your 'Qi Wu Zhe Experiment'. This is the furthest we can go," Zhang Deshuang frowned. Since it was an experiment, no one could guarantee its success. If it failed, it would mean the Zhang family would lose a martial arts expert! Such a loss was unacceptable to Zhang Deshuang. But for the future of the Zhang family, he had to board the ship of the Shadow organization. Of course, what Zhang Deshuang valued was not the Shadow organization itself, but the power behind it! If the Zhang family could bypass the Shadow organization and cooperate directly with the mysterious forces behind them, their future would undoubtedly be bright.
"Thirty. No less!" Anying said calmly. Zhang Deshuang's words did not sway his decision.
"..." Hearing the demand for thirty martial arts experts, Zhang Deshuang gritted his teeth, wishing he could turn and leave. Did they think ancient martial artists were like cheap cabbage on the street, easy to pick up in large quantities? Zhang Deshuang felt like crying. As of today, the Zhang family had only slightly over forty martial arts experts in total, and that included the few crippled by Zhou Yu. Currently, the Zhang family could mobilize fewer than forty martial arts experts! If they handed over another thirty, and the experiment failed, wouldn't all the resources the Zhang family had invested in these people be wasted? Therefore, Zhang Deshuang couldn't help but hesitate.
"Su family head, you only consider the outcome of a failed experiment, but not how much your Zhang family's strength would increase if it succeeds."
"Don't try to fool me. Honestly, what is the success rate of the experiment?"
"Forty percent."
"Are you sure?"
"Does the Shadow organization have any reason to lie to you?"
"The matter of Qi Wu Zhe is too significant and dangerous. Two years ago, you were forced to disappear because of it. This time, if you encounter the Dragon Group again..."
"Su family head, rest assured, this time even if we encounter the female war god Leng Xue, we won't be chased around like last time." It was a different era. After two years of secret development, the Shadow organization was many times stronger than before! This was the source of Anying's confidence. The female war god? She was merely a special forces soldier who knew how to use a gun!
"Empty words, how can I believe you?" Zhang Deshuang still refused to agree. But the next moment, when Anying pulled out a mobile phone and showed him the screen, everything changed.
"He is... Su Xingyang of the Su family?" Seeing the appearance of one of the people in the video, Zhang Deshuang was greatly surprised. He found it hard to believe. When did Anying capture Su Xingyang and bring him here? And what was the Shadow organization planning?
"It seems the Su family head recognizes my distinguished guest," Anying said with a light smile, putting away his phone. He then added, "He and his little girlfriend are currently guests at the abandoned factory behind me. If the Su family head has any thoughts, you can go and catch up, how about it?"
"Catch up my a..." Zhang Deshuang wanted to curse. But outwardly, he could only awkwardly wave his hand and say, "No need, we're not very close."
"It doesn't matter if you're close or not. If the Su family head fails to deliver thirty people, then I will have to send this video out through some special channels," Anying said indifferently.