Huff!
Huff!!
In the ward, the atmosphere was oppressively terrifying, leaving only Liu An's labored breathing, like an old ox. Veins throbbed wildly on his forehead, his expression grim, hinting at the immense fury within.
In the room, Yan Luo and the others also looked grim.
As the paper stated, the two groups of people they had dispatched, totaling ten individuals, had all gone missing without a trace.
That small county of Yongnan seemed like the maw of a crocodile, lined with razor-sharp teeth, devouring every soul sent its way.
If the previous deployment of the four brothers was merely reconnaissance, then the six people sent this time, led by Xue Lang, were undoubtedly their elites. Yet, they still met their downfall.
The opponent had even sent back three fingers as a 'gift,' placing them before them. This provocation from an insignificant figure from the lower rungs felt like a resounding slap across everyone's faces.
"I'll kill that little bastard! Kill him! Skin him alive!"
Liu An roared in unconcealed rage.
"Yan Luo, immediately assemble all our elite forces! I want you to flatten that detestable ant!"
Yan Luo, standing beside him, ignored Liu An's command. He remained calm, though equally enraged.
Ever since Liu An's hands were crippled by an unknown assailant, his temperament had drastically changed, becoming more volatile and erratic than before, inclined to cripple anyone he saw.
Yan Luo understood that his own strength was comparable to Xue Lang's. Since Xue Lang had failed, it proved that the young man named Qin Chuan in Yongnan County had a master by his side, and a formidable one at that.
If they were to march in openly, they risked another crushing defeat, suffering heavy losses.
For, up to this point, they genuinely had no idea how powerful Qin Chuan's protectors were, nor how many there were. The intelligence provided by the woman named Li Xiangcao was completely inaccurate.
Furthermore, despite its small size, the county had special departments, how could they simply stand by?
"Master An, please calm down a bit."
"I think this matter has escalated far beyond our expectations. Should we notify the Old Master?"
Yan Luo said cautiously.
"After all, this whole mess originated from doing work for the Old Master. His two children outside were bullied, and you were tasked with eliminating the threat. Now, we've suffered significant losses; it's time to inform the Old Master and ask him to provide us with some more strength..."
"Go to hell!"
Before Yan Luo could finish, Liu An interrupted furiously, his face contorted with rage, as if his tail had been stepped on.
"Do you have a brain or not!"
"An ant from an insignificant county has forced me to admit defeat and seek help from the Old Master!"
"Where will I put this old face? What will the Old Master think of me?"
"Moreover, if this incident gets out, how will others see me?"
Yan Luo lowered his head, silent. This was indeed something he hadn't considered.
"Then, Master An, what should we do now?"
"We've lost ten elite personnel in two separate attempts. Xue Lang has also been captured. If this continues, our losses will only grow larger."
Liu An's expression was terrifyingly grim as he paced the room.
Suddenly, he stopped. "On that paper just now, didn't that kid say he would shift from defense to offense next, and start retaliating against us?"
Yan Luo nodded. "Yes, that's what it said!"
"Excellent. Then we won't make any moves for now. I want to see what kind of waves that ant-like fellow can stir up!"
Liu An's tone was chilling. "As long as he dares to appear in Longcheng, it's equivalent to him walking into our territory. At that time, I will let him know that no matter how big an ant is, it is still an ant and can never compare to a giant!"
While Liu An was meticulously strategizing, in Yongnan County, at Yaoshi Real Estate, Qin Chuan was also carefully laying out his own plans.
Severing the fingers of the three men, including Xue Lang, and sending them to that old man Liu An was merely an appetizer. The main course was yet to come.
As for what this main course would be?
It was, of course, the intelligence gleaned from the mouths of Xue Lang and the other two. Every piece of this information was explosive, and if managed properly, it would yield significant results.
However, the specific method of operation would depend on individual ability and means.
Qin Chuan planned to personally lead a team to Longcheng to meticulously visit those who had been persecuted by Liu An over the years. Among them were individuals with backgrounds and influence. If they knew the truth, they might become allies, united against the Han family.
However, this proposal was immediately met with opposition, with Qin Yang objecting most vehemently.
The reason was simple: their side was already in an irreconcilable conflict with Liu An. If Liu An were to learn that Qin Chuan dared to show his face in Longcheng, it would be like walking straight into a trap.
Longcheng was the territory of the Han family, a starkly different environment from Yongnan County.
Even if they had to go, it would be for their peers to execute the mission in place of Qin Chuan; their younger brother must absolutely not be put in danger.
Zheng Chengdao, Yao Dong, and even Chen Jinyu shared the same sentiment. None of them would allow Qin Chuan to take such risks.
But Qin Chuan remained firm in his decision to go to Longcheng. His reason was straightforward: Longcheng not only housed the factory he was building but also Teacher Yang and several other friends.
He couldn't be afraid to go simply because the Han family might discover him.
If he only possessed such meager courage, how would he ever contend with the Han family in the future?
Everyone was rendered speechless by his reasoning and eventually nodded in agreement.
However, they stipulated that they would be with him at all times, absolutely not allowing Qin Chuan to be alone.
Qin Chuan also agreed, a mutual compromise.
Once the decision was made, they immediately prepared to depart. Qin Yang also intended to go along, as there wasn't much urgent business with the property development for now.
However, due to the conspicuous nature of the "Tiger Head Benz" and the fact that many people recognized the license plate, they switched to two low-key cars and departed discreetly.
Chen Jinyu did not go; someone had to stay behind to manage affairs and also to take care of Bai Xiaoguang in the hospital.
Thus, Qin Chuan, Qin Yang, Zheng Chengdao, and Yao Dong drove towards the provincial capital that night.
They arrived in the middle of the night.
They found a hotel to stay in, resting and recuperating.
The next day, Qin Chuan called his elder brother-in-law, obliquely inquiring about Xishan Coal Industry. Since his brother-in-law was also involved in the coal industry, he should know more.
The reason he didn't approach Teacher Yang this time was that Qin Chuan feared Teacher Yang was too intelligent and might discover his intentions. After all, he had already sought Teacher Yang's help to gather intelligence on the Han family. Inquiring about someone else's information again would undoubtedly arouse suspicion.
"Xishan Coal Industry? Of course, I know about it. It's a very strong enterprise in our Jin Province. Although its strength doesn't match my Jin Mei International, it's still one of the top enterprises in the province."
"Why are you asking about it?"
Brother-in-law Yang Conglong asked curiously.