Listening to An Ying's almost unscrupulous words, Zhang Deshuang's face turned a shade of green and white.
He understood what the former meant.
If he refused, An Ying would let the entire Yunhai know that he was the one who kidnapped Su Xingyang!
Yes, the Su family was merely a second-rate family in Yunhai, insignificant compared to the Zhang family.
But for Zhang Deshuang, the patriarch of a first-rate family, to be secretly kidnapping the young disciples of other families – if this were to spread, how could he still have the face to be the patriarch?
Could the Zhang family still establish themselves in Yunhai?
At that time, even families with close ties to the Zhang family would switch allegiance.
Conflicts were frequent among the various major families in Long Country, but many matters were not openly discussed.
An Ying's threat, however, was undoubtedly putting the entire Zhang family on the spot!
Some things were tacitly agreed upon among the major families, and then there would be no issue.
Once ordinary citizens found out, and the law enforcement team intervened, things would become completely different!
Clearly, An Ying had pinpointed Zhang Deshuang's weakness.
"Why is this Su family kid so stupid? At this critical juncture, he gets kidnapped by An Ying!"
Zhang Deshuang cursed Su Xingyang inwardly.
In reality, he wasn't familiar with the latter at all.
If it weren't for Su Qishan's connection, and he had happened to catch a glimpse of Su Qichuan and his son, he wouldn't even have recognized the young man in the video as Su Xingyang.
"What do you say? Has the Su family patriarch considered it carefully?" An Ying asked.
His patience was limited.
Moreover, he was being hunted by a large number of special forces soldiers and couldn't stay in one place for too long.
As for whether the two people in the abandoned factory were alive or dead, An Ying didn't care at all.
As long as he could use them to complete the negotiation with Zhang Deshuang, he wouldn't care if Su Xingyang and Miss An Nuo committed suicide in a dark room.
"I agree!"
After a long time, Su Deshuang finally agreed.
He had no choice!
Because, just as An Ying had said, once the video was released, people would only think that he had kidnapped Su Xingyang, and that the Zhang family was secretly engaging in such shady dealings.
More seriously, if the female war god and the Dragon Group were to know that the Zhang family had ties with the Shadow Organization, it would be a disaster for the entire Zhang family!
If...
If Elder Zhong were still around, not crippled by Zhou Yu.
Perhaps Elder Zhong could have been used as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the Shadow Organization, saving the Zhang family from paying an even greater price.
It was too late for anything now.
The Zhang family had to cooperate with the Shadow Organization; there was no turning back.
But this negotiation also caused the Zhang family to pay a much larger price than they had anticipated!
This was something Zhang Deshuang had not expected beforehand.
Thirty martial arts experts, all nurtured by the Zhang family's resources, to just hand them over – how could he not feel the pain?
Cultivating ancient martial arts practitioners was expensive!
"Su family patriarch is indeed a discerning person, very good!"
An Ying smiled slightly, then took out his phone and threw it to Zhang Deshuang.
As a member of the Shadow, changing communication devices at any time was a basic operation.
Now, this phone could no longer be used.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
Receiving the hot potato thrown by An Ying, Zhang Deshuang felt immense regret but dared not show it.
Not long after.
Zhang Deshuang returned the way he came.
An Ying also disappeared into the woods near the abandoned factory.
It was as if the two had never met.
...
Dusk.
The atmosphere in the Su family's inner hall was heavy.
Su Qichuan sat in a chair, his brow furrowed, holding his head with both hands, worried about his son's safety.
Su Yuyan sat by his side, silently accompanying him.
She knew that remaining silent was the best form of comfort at this moment.
His second uncle had gradually calmed down from his initial worry and was now waiting for news.
Finally!
After finishing his phone call, Zhou Yu returned to the inner hall.
"Zhou Yu, any progress?"
Su Yuyan looked at Zhou Yu with anticipation.
At this moment, she could only rely on her fiancé.
Su Qichuan heard the movement and turned his gaze towards his niece.
Zhou Yu saw this and could only speak truthfully, "I had people check all the surveillance footage from Yunhai Zoo. As expected, we couldn't find any useful recordings. The last place Xingyang disappeared, the only camera there only recorded for less than seven seconds."
He paused.
Zhou Yu continued, "In the recording, only one person is somewhat suspicious. After checking, we found out her name is Chen An'an. She is currently a fourth-year university student at Yunhai University. Her mother is bedridden and waiting for treatment in the hospital, requiring a large sum of medical fees."
"And she appeared at the zoo this time to do a part-time job that pays 50 yuan per hour."
Chen An'an?
Su Yuyan searched her memory for the name.
She didn't seem to know her.
Su Qichuan thought carefully and also found that he didn't know this female student.
"Xiao Yu, could it be that this female college student kidnapped Xingyang? She couldn't have done it alone. This means she likely has accomplices!"
Su Qichuan knew his son very well.
Even though Su Xingyang wasn't a martial artist or a trained fighter, his physique was still decent.
A normal twenty-something girl wouldn't be his son's match.
If there was no other help, Su Qichuan didn't believe Su Xingyang could have been taken away so silently.
"I think it's possible that this girl named Chen An'an, under the orders of her accomplices, took Xingyang to a secluded place and then proceeded with the kidnapping. The fact that they could evade the zoo's cameras already speaks volumes," Su Yuyan analyzed.
In a place like a zoo, one would encounter tourists every few steps. There was no reason for him to be kidnapped.
But since it had already happened, it proved that Su Xingyang had been kidnapped without being discovered.
Those who could achieve this, besides...
"Martial arts experts!" Su Yuyan exclaimed.
She looked at Zhou Yu.
The latter nodded.
"Which power is it? I didn't expect them to send martial arts experts to kidnap my son!"
Su Qichuan was extremely shocked.
What qualifications did his son Su Xingyang have?
Furthermore, judging by the kidnappers' message, they weren't in a hurry for ransom.
If not for money, then what was their motive?
For a moment, Su Qichuan became frantic again, like a headless fly.
Being targeted by an unknown force was not a good thing, and his son's safety worried him immensely.
Suddenly.
At this critical moment!
The Su family's butler's announcement suddenly rang out in the inner courtyard.
"Second Master, Jin Shenghuo of the Jin family requests an audience!"
Jin Shenghuo of the Jin family?
Hearing this name, Su Qichuan was greatly alarmed.
Why would someone from the Jin family come at this time?
Could it be...
As soon as this absurd thought arose, Su Qichuan quickly dismissed it.
The Jin family had no reason to kidnap Su Xingyang.
"Quickly, invite him in!" Su Qichuan ordered.
How could he not know what the Jin family represented in Yunhai City? He couldn't afford to be negligent.
However, the butler replied awkwardly, "Second Master, the young master Jin wants to see our son-in-law... He said... he wants the son-in-law to come out and meet him, saying he has something to discuss. His meaning is..."
"I understand, you don't need to say more."
Su Qichuan was so embarrassed that his toes curled, and he quickly stopped the butler from continuing.