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墨書 Inktalez
"Hey, I asked you, was there someone named Zhao Qiping in Kyoto before?"
I was inquiring about Zheng Yu, whom I had originally planned to dismiss, but this guy still had some residual value.
"Zhao Qiping? That name sounds familiar. I think I've heard of him," I said.
Zheng Yu's expression shifted to one of contemplation as he listened to my question.
I furrowed my brow. "Is there really such a person?"
"Who? Think carefully!" I pressed on.
Zheng Yu, looking deep in thought, replied, "The name does ring a bell, but I can't quite recall."
"How can you not remember? Hurry up and think! If you can't figure it out, just help me investigate."
I urged Zheng Yu, who countered with a question: "Who is this person? Is he important to you?"
"Important?" I echoed. "Yeah."
"Is he really that important to you?"
"He's just a rival in love. I'm merely curious."
"Then go ahead and investigate; stop asking so many questions," I shot back at him. Just then, Zheng Yu seemed to have an epiphany and exclaimed, "I got it!"
"Who?" I continued to press.
"Zhao Qiping is a doctor; he was a character in a popular TV drama recently. What's up with that?" Zheng Yu asked blankly.
I was taken aback for a moment. "I'm too busy to watch TV dramas! A character from a show? How is that relevant?"
"Don't mess with me! What I need is Zhao Qiping's personal information from the real world, not some fictional character!"
I sighed in frustration at Zheng Yu. With him, I could let my Northeast accent slip; speaking in my hometown dialect was relaxing, especially after being toyed with by Linna and feeling down.
"Oh, fine! I'll keep an eye out and have someone help you check. There are plenty of people with the same name in this world. At least narrow down the scope for me," Zheng Yu suggested.
I was momentarily stumped again. "Narrow down the scope? Linna's acquaintances don't necessarily have to be from Kyoto, do they? She’s been abroad for quite some time; it’s hard to define the investigation's parameters."
I thought for a moment and listed a few conditions: "Someone between twenty and thirty years old, with some capability, and possibly involved in something shady." If Linna considered him to be Zhao Qiping, then Zhao Qiping would at least meet these criteria, significantly narrowing down the search.
"Okay, got it," Zheng Yu replied after listening. Just as he seemed ready to ask more questions, I quickly sent him on his way. This guy could be so aloof when we weren't familiar with each other; Zheng Yu belonged to that type of person who wouldn't say much unless you were close.
This familiarity reveals that no matter how aloof a person may seem, they all have their annoying sides.
The next day, Liu Sen replied to Zheng Yu, informing him that Han Chuan had told him they had turned misfortune into fortune this time, and that Han Chuan was about to rise to prominence!
Upon hearing Han Chuan's words, I immediately understood. Nan Hongmen must have promised him something, telling him that as long as he implicated me or Lu Xian, he would soar to success.
Such a statement could not definitively indicate that his orders were to target me. That night, I sent someone to assassinate Han Chuan.
This was all a play, a performance designed to make Han Chuan transparent before me! The assassins targeting Han Chuan were all arranged by me. My instructions to them were simply to scare him; they were not to actually harm him. Afterward, Liu Sen would lead Han Chuan in his escape.
On the way out, Liu Sen would ask Han Chuan why he was being attacked, and Han Chuan would surely be clueless about it. At that moment, he would be in a panic, and Liu Sen, with his exceptional skills, would become his only support and last hope.
With just a little pressure from Liu Sen, Han Chuan would reveal everything I wanted to know. Indeed, that night there were many pursuing Han Chuan. Liu Sen forced him to disclose the contents of his conversation with Nan Hongmen, which included the demand for him to confess that I had arranged for someone to kill Lu Fei!
He merely arranged a meeting for me and happened to be there when my people took him away. Nan Hongmen's account was quite close to the truth of the matter.
At this point, Liu Sen told Han Chuan that the people pursuing him must be Lu Yan's men—my men—who had already seen through his tricks and intended to silence him.
Faced with such a pursuit from so many people, Han Chuan was understandably terrified. Wanting to survive, he asked Liu Sen what he should do. Liu Sen advised him that the only way to ensure his survival was to comply with those in front of him.
After hearing this, Han Chuan immediately refused, telling Liu Sen that they were from Hongmen! They were far stronger than Qing Gang and far more powerful than Lu Yan; how could he dare betray Hongmen and switch allegiance to me?
Wasn’t that akin to seeking death? The facts were clear: you want to rely on Hongmen? True, their power is indeed greater; but importantly, I—Lu Yan—could take your life at any moment!
Under Liu Sen's persuasion, Han Chuan eventually complied and expressed his desire to negotiate with me through the assassins I had sent. Naturally, I accepted and met with Han Chuan.
"Yan Shao Ye," he said. "I have met you before."
I sat on the sofa calmly observing the middle-aged man before me—a pale-faced individual who appeared somewhat effeminate. He was Han Chuan, the man who had been castrated by Lu Fei; one could say he was the last eunuch of Huaxia.
Beside him stood someone I was very familiar with—Liu Sen—who remained as silent as ever, looking robust and strong as before.
I wondered how Wan Fei was doing these days.
Well, no need for pleasantries; I already know about your dealings with Nan Hongmen. Initially, I intended to kill you to silence you; but since you wish to talk with me, do you have something I want?
I looked at Han Chuan and thought: someone like him is not trustworthy at all. This is why I exerted so much effort tonight for Liu Sen to gain Han Chuan’s trust.
My aim in sending assassins after Han Chuan was precisely so Liu Sen could earn his trust; only then could I truly grasp the mindset of this spineless character before me.
"I understand," he said eagerly. "Since you are willing to talk with me, I must have something of interest for you, right? Just tell me what you want; I'll do anything!"
Han Chuan stood before me with a sycophantic smile, nodding and bowing in utter humility; he remained a two-faced schemer.
"Oh really? Then what if I asked you to identify Brother Two—Lu Xian—as the one who ordered Lu Fei’s assassination? The script would play out just as Nan Hongmen designed it."
I smiled at Han Chuan and watched as he quickly realized what I might demand of him; he hurriedly assured me there would be no problem and that he would comply with my requests.
"But how can I trust you?"
I asked with a smile while observing his eager demeanor; at once he froze in surprise.
Indeed, this question puzzled me as well; it was something Han Chuan couldn’t fathom either—how could I trust him?
Once I handed him over, everything would no longer be under my control; at that moment of revelation, Han Chuan could easily choose to side with Nan Hongmen instead. This was exactly what Liu Sen had informed me about.
"How could I dare betray you?" he stammered. "I’m just a small player; I can’t contend with you! Rest assured, Yan Shao Ye—I definitely won’t betray you!"
"Why do I feel like what you just said is meaningless?" I smiled and replied.
At that moment, Han Chuan was left speechless. For a selfish person who only cares about himself, the only way to threaten him is by putting his life on the line. Han Chuan was exactly that kind of person.
"I have a son in Guangdong, living with his mother," he quickly added.
"A son? That doesn't seem to hold much weight, does it?" I asked with a smile. In truth, everything Han Chuan said felt devoid of any real constraint. First, I believed he was a selfish person who only cared about himself. Second, even if there was something he truly valued, something that surpassed his own life, would he ever tell me? Of course not.
I merely wanted to apply some psychological pressure on him, to make him flustered. When people are panicked, they tend to grasp at any straw for help, and Liu Sen would be his only lifeline in that moment.
"Yan Shao Ye, you can't guarantee anything at this point, can you? I believe Brother Chuan can't offer you anything satisfactory either, right? You must have investigated me already. I have family, and I love them dearly. So here's the deal: no matter what happens, I'll stay by Brother Chuan's side. If he doesn't do as you say, I'll kill him on the spot!" Liu Sen declared. This was the script we had prepared long ago.
Han Chuan froze in shock upon hearing this!
"If I don't kill him, you'll kill my family. If I do kill him, I'll surely meet the same fate. So please ensure my family's safety," Liu Sen asked me.
I nodded in response.
"Yes, I'm quite satisfied with this arrangement. Han Chuan, do you have any objections?" I asked with a smile. At this point, Han Chuan didn't dare voice any dissent and quickly said there was no problem.
After our discussion concluded, I sent Han Chuan away. This was the inherent danger of Liu Sen's mission; he had to appear alongside Han Chuan as the murderer of Lu Fei in everyone's sight while constantly keeping an eye on him.
Clearly, Liu Sen's role was fraught with peril. Regardless of who Han Chuan unraveled the mystery behind, he wouldn't survive; someone would definitely want him dead, and Liu Sen would inevitably be dragged into it.
Han Chuan returned to the hotel I had arranged for them while Liu Sen kept watch nearby. Every move Han Chuan made was visible to me.
Han Chuan was nothing more than a frightened little rascal. After returning to the hotel, he asked Liu Sen if it was true that if he didn't follow my orders, Liu Sen would kill him.
He still clung to the idea of seeking refuge under the big tree of Nan Hongmen. Thankfully, my plans were thorough; otherwise, this fence-sitting coward would surely get himself killed.
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