Chapter 70: Xiahou Father and Son

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"Understood!" 

Zhang Yuanqing responded with his mouth, but in his heart, he thought of "ashamed to be a father," as well as Master Wuheng, who accompanied him in his cultivation, attempting self-redemption.

Evil-doers attempt self-redemption, while lawful individuals can act out of personal revenge, causing harm to innocent ordinary people. 

Sigh, there is no absolute good or evil in the world; human nature is inherently complex... Zhang Yuanqing gained a deeper understanding of Li Dongze's words, "Lawful doesn't mean kind-hearted."

As for the stance of the higher-ups on this matter, although Zhike Palace acted in self-defense and didn't actively provoke the conflict, it still resulted in losses and casualties. Arresting their master was the right decision.

As for the punishment, Zhang Yuanqing wouldn't make any judgment. However, he could only say that he expected the decision regarding the Xiahou family.

On one hand, the Xiahou family was a flourishing spiritual realm family with deep heritage. The authorities couldn't possibly rupture their relationship over the lives of a few ordinary people.

Sometimes, those higher-ups, they only see the big picture and can't see the ants under their feet.

On the other hand, the Xiahou family had intricate connections with the official organization. The authorities were a complex organization with various factions, consisting of both good and bad individuals.

Even the terms "good" and "bad" couldn't simply define them; rather, each had their own interests. If one had to use a single concept to represent the authorities, it wouldn't be justice and goodness, but rather lawfulness.

Zhang Yuanqing had already understood these principles when he was a child, listening to his grandfather's vehement curses directed at the corrupt former director of the Public Security Bureau.

In summary, the Xiahou family, closely cooperating with certain factions within the official organization, would naturally receive preferential treatment. Guan Ya saw him nodding and smiled with satisfaction. Yuanqing was not an impulsive person and was more tactful and worldly-wise than others his age, which was a good thing since such individuals could navigate within the system.

At that moment, Li Dongze walked out and asked, "Guan Ya already informed you, right?"

"Yes, Captain. I've entrusted it to you," Zhang Yuanqing promptly replied.

Li Dongze chuckled, "Both Guan Ya and I will cover for you. Betraying informants is not a virtue of a gentleman, and the feud between the Xiahou family and Zhike Palace has nothing to do with us. Don't get involved."

He leaned on his cane and pointed out the stakes, "Zhike Palace's motto is 'to stop war with war, to stop killing with killing,' which is extremely radical. If you betray them today, you will undoubtedly face retaliation tomorrow. The Xiahou family won't have your back."

"Understood," Zhang Yuanqing nodded.

Li Dongze glanced at Wang Tai, who was immersed in his work, and said, "Yuanqing, come to my office, I'll update you on the progress of the Black Grim Reaper case."

Wang Tai wasn't a member of the investigation team, so according to the rules, they couldn't discuss it in his presence. 

"This is the real business," Zhang Yuanqing quickly stood up and followed Li Dongze into the office.

One after the other, they entered the office, and Zhang Yuanqing closed the door behind him. Li Dongze went straight to the desk and took out a stack of documents.

"Coke?" Li Dongze asked.

"Sure," Zhang Yuanqing nodded, "light ice!"

Li Dongze shrugged, tossed a few ice cubes into a glass, and poured cola and whiskey before returning to the sofa.

"Do you remember the list you provided last time?"

"I remember!" 

"According to the list, we've identified the real-life identities of those people. During this period, we successfully arrested one person and killed two others. One of the individuals killed was under the command of the Venom King, who is another vice president and a rival to the enigmatic Eye Judge."

The actions of the Five Elements Alliance were swift. Within a short time, they managed to capture three shaman witchcraft practitioners of the Lingneng Society. Zhang Yuanqing was no longer a novice and understood how difficult it was to hunt down spiritual realm practitioners in the vast sea of people. If the opposing side had props like the Disguise Ring, for example, it would be almost impossible to deal with them.

The fact that the authorities were able to kill three witchcraft practitioners in a short time indicated that they were taking serious action.

Li Dongze took a sip of strong liquor and said, "After the interrogation, we obtained some useful clues. Black Grim Reaper is hiding in Songhai, seemingly with another purpose."

"Another purpose," Zhang Yuanqing nodded in realization, "I found it strange before. If I were Black Grim Reaper and both the authorities and the Venom King were after me, why wouldn't I change my hiding place? Do you know why Black Grim Reaper is hiding in Songhai?"

Li Dongze shook his head, "Perhaps only Black Grim Reaper knows that, but we can deduce the answer based on the clues. The fact that he's willing to take such a big risk to stay in Songhai means that this matter is of great importance, important enough to rival his own life."

Zhang Yuanqing furrowed his brow, "At this stage, shouldn't he be receiving the inheritance left by the enigmatic Eye Judge? By the way, what's Black Grim Reaper's level?"

"Level 6, at the pinnacle of the Saint realm," Li Dongze replied.

Shaman witchcraft practitioners were powerful combatants. A Level 6 shaman witchcraft practitioner might not be able to match a Level 7 lawful practitioner, but they would still be much stronger than their peers of the same level. In other words, unless an Elder-level existence intervened, it would be difficult to deal with Black Grim Reaper.

Zhang Yuanqing couldn't help but sigh internally; this was just making things difficult for him. As a mere Level 2 Night Walker, he would be squashed like an ant if Black Grim Reaper made a move with just one finger.

Li Dongze finally handed over the information, saying, "Take a look at this."

Zhang Yuanqing opened the file, which contained a personal dossier with a one-inch photo of a man, about thirty years old, with a thin face, sharp eyes, and tightly pursed lips, giving off a strong sense of sharpness.

"Spirit Realm ID: Unrestrained Wanderer... Real name Zhu Jingyao... Level 3 shaman witchcraft practitioner... A financial criminal, former securities company employee, used his position to seek unlawful benefits..."

Zhang Yuanqing read through the individual's information and said, "I remember this person from the list I provided."

Li Dongze nodded, "Two days ago, the leader of the Qingteng team from the Hundred Flowers Society received a tip that someone saw this person in Kangyang District, but he quickly disappeared. Currently, this person is under the responsibility of our Kangyang District Spiritual Realm Team and is one of our recent targets."

Unfortunately, we don't have the target's DNA; otherwise, the Red Dancing Shoes could handle everything... Zhang Yuanqing lamented. Nonetheless, having a target was better than being aimless like a headless fly.

"Knock, knock!"

The glass door of the office was knocked twice, and Guan Ya's voice came through, "Captain, the people from the Xiahou family are here."

Li Dongze and Zhang Yuanqing exchanged glances. The latter put away the files, and the former said in a deep voice, "Please, let them in."

A few seconds later, Guan Ya led two men into the office. One was a middle-aged man dressed in formal attire, with short hair, a well-built figure, and a sharp and composed demeanor. His features were decent, though his eyes were slightly small.

The other was a young man in his mid-twenties, wearing a white shirt with an open collar and the hem not tucked into his waist, giving him a carefree and unrestrained appearance. He bore some resemblance to the middle-aged man but looked even more handsome. With his messy yet tasteful Korean-style long hair and silver earrings, he exuded a rebellious and charming aura that would catch the attention of girls in nightclubs.

"I am Xiahou Xin, and this is my son, Xiahou Tianyuan," the middle-aged man smiled.

"Welcome, welcome," Li Dongze's mouth curled up under his mustache as he greeted warmly, "Hello, Mr. Xiahou. Please have a seat here."

He shook hands enthusiastically with the middle-aged man and led them to their seats, instructing Guan Ya to serve them hot tea.

Xiahou Xin calmly waited for Guan Ya to serve the tea before speaking, "Captain Li must already know the purpose of our visit. The master of Zhike Palace went too far, almost killing my eldest son. This enmity cannot go unresolved. We discovered that Wang Qian, a doctor at Pingtai Hospital, is a member of Zhike Palace. When we went to arrest him, he had already escaped."

"According to the information, he is one of your informants. We hope that Captain Li can help us by luring him out. After the matter is settled, the Xiahou family will definitely show our gratitude."

So, the master of Zhike Palace beat this Xiahou Xin's son? I heard Xie Lingxi mention that he is the eldest son of the Xiahou family. It seems that this Xiahou Xin has quite a high status... Zhang Yuanqing couldn't help but scrutinize the middle-aged man.

At this moment, he noticed Xiahou Tianyuan, who glanced at him with a somewhat disdainful look.

Li Dongze's face was full of smiles, but he helplessly said, "The master of Zhike Palace dared to humiliate Young Master Xiahou Tianyuan, indeed, it's too much. It's no loss that he's dead. However, after last night's battle, Zhike Palace has become cautious, how can they fall into our trap so easily? I'm willing, but I lack the power to do so."

Xiahou Tianyuan glanced at Zhang Yuanqing again and said displeasedly, "This is simple. Just send a message to Wang Qian, saying that there are people within the Five Elements Alliance who dislike the Xiahou family and ask if Zhike Palace needs help. Show goodwill first to lure him, and then plan accordingly. If you can't do it, give me your phone."

As long as they establish contact with this Wang Qian, they have ways to lure the target out. What they lack now is someone capable of making Wang Qian willing to "communicate."

Li Dongze sighed, "Alright, I'll be honest. Sigh, when immortals fight, mortals suffer. We don't want to get involved in the feud between the Xiahou family and Zhike Palace. I'm sorry, but we can't help."

"What did you say?" Xiahou Tianyuan couldn't believe it.

In Xiahou Tianyuan's view, facing the request of the Xiahou family, this team, which was not outstanding, should respond to any demands and try to flatter them as much as possible.

It's not that Xiahou Tianyuan is arrogant, but small teams like theirs are numerous within the Five Elements Alliance, whereas how many spiritual realm families like the Xiahou family exist in the country?

It's like a city management team refusing a big corporation with official background.

Guan Ya rolled her eyes, "Don't understand? Do you need me to translate it into a foreign language for you?"

"Ni..." Xiahou Tianyuan's face was furious. When did a female staff member dare to talk to him like this? In his presence, being pretty doesn't grant any special privileges.

Xiahou Xin glanced at Guan Ya and used his eyes to stop his angry son. He said sincerely, "This matter is very important to the Xiahou family. Captain Li, please consider agreeing."

He mentioned Captain Li with his mouth but glanced at Guan Ya.

Li Dongze looked helpless. Refusing once was already the limit for someone of his status. Politely declining again might lead to suppression.

This is where Guan Ya needed to step in.

"What does Xiahou family's matter have to do with us?" Guan Ya glanced at the father and son across from her, "It's important to Xiahou family, so we have to help? If Zhike Palace seeks revenge on my colleagues later, will your Xiahou family shield them? Will you protect them 24/7? Or is it that you just want to use your family's influence to pressure us and treat my colleagues as tools? Offering heavy rewards in exchange for our help, it's just wishful thinking. If you want to lure out Wang Qian, fine, bring ten items as trade."

"Crazy?" Xiahou Tianyuan laughed angrily, "Who do you think you are? Ten items? I doubt you have the life to enjoy them."

Guan Ya had a cold smile, "Say one more word, and I'll blow your head off."

Xiahou Xin used a fierce look to stop his son from exploding in anger and took a deep look at Guan Ya before saying, "We've disturbed you."

Xiahou Tianyuan looked stunned at his father. Xiahou Xin's face turned cold as he got up and left the office.

Xiahou Tianyuan glared fiercely at Guan Ya and followed his father out.

Li Dongze let out a slow breath and stood up, stretching his waist. He said with a relaxed expression, "Alright, let's end this matter here. Sigh, it's not easy to deal with these big families..."

He quickly added, "In the system, you always have to face such things. Compromise and appease, it's the highest rule within the system."

Captain, you don't need to explain this to me. Xiahou family isn't that overbearing, or is it because Guan Ya has such a deep background? Zhang Yuanqing realized that he might have underestimated Old Si Ji.

If one's eyes are not blind, they can see that Xiahou Xin, as a core member of the Xiahou family, clearly fears Guan Ya.

This useless Captain Li looks steady as an old dog, but he's actually hiding behind Guan Ya's pomegranate skirt.

"But compared to being a son-in-law of the Xie family, I suddenly want to become a son-in-law of the Guan family." Zhang Yuanqing half-jokingly, half-provokingly said.

Old Si Ji didn't take the bait and looked him up and down, clicking her tongue, "You're not suitable; you're too young."

Zhang Yuanqing retorted, "How do you know if you haven't seen it? How do you know if I'm small?"

"Fine, go to the restroom and let me have a look."

"Let's go!"

"Let's go!"

Li Dongze, leaning on his cane, shook his head slightly. These two people never had boyfriends or girlfriends before; their skills are all in their mouths.

Having had lunch at the office, Zhang Yuanqing loitered until around 1 PM, knowing he had another professional class later. He then left the Public Security Bureau, carrying his backpack, and found a shared bike to leisurely ride to the university.

As he crossed a traffic light, a black sedan came speeding towards him and forced him to stop by the roadside.

In the back seat of the black sedan were Xiahou Xin and his son.

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