Chapter 155: 139 Two in a row, above the verdict is nonsense (Seeking monthly tickets, recommendations, and subscriptions)_1
 

The fog had enveloped the entirety of Da Peng City without anyone realizing it.

From the southwest, flames soared into the sky.

For the higher-ups of Da Peng City, the hot topic of the evening had been limited to the discussion of whether to convict Pei Jinye, a member of the Investigation Team, but the explosion at the Jiang family’s residence suddenly tugged at the hearts of countless individuals.

At the entrance to the Investigation Team’s Base.

“Something happened to the Jiang family…” As soon as the staff member saw Xie Zuxin, he hurriedly reported in a low voice.

Xie Zuxin didn’t seem too surprised. He had only one thing on his mind as he asked softly, “Is Pei Jinye still in the confinement room?”

“He is…”

Before the staff member could finish his sentence, Xie Zuxin quickly said, “Let him out… never mind, I’ll go get him.”

Zhou Weiren’s attitude might not guarantee any relationship between Pei Jinye and the higher-ups, but at least the stance from above was clear—they wanted to use the issue with Pei Jinye to start an internal cleanup!

Xie Zuxin was somewhat annoyed with himself for being played. Otherwise, with his usual attitude of staying out of trouble, he would not have been affected. But on his way back, he carefully reconsidered his words and realized how biased he had been.

If he were Zhou Weiren, he would definitely consider him a lapdog of the Jiang family and sweep him away as well.

Unfortunately, after the meeting, he waited for Zhou Weiren for a long time, but he never managed to see the Governor… probably on purpose.

So Xie Zuxin had no choice but to settle for the next best thing and hastily come to find Pei Jinye.

If Pei Jinye was willing to “speak well” of him, then the internal purge starting tonight would likely spare him from trouble.

“He… Alright, Chief Xie.” The staff member was clearly stunned, not expecting Xie Zuxin’s rapid change in demeanor. He quickly led the way.

Waiting at the elevator.

Xie Zuxin glanced at the time.

It was already 11:52 at night.

The night had indeed deepened.

But Xie Zuxin didn’t feel the slightest bit tired.

He watched the elevator impatiently.

“What’s the matter?”

The staff member said with an embarrassed face, “I’m sorry, Chief. The elevator suddenly malfunctioned.”

“How long will it take to fix?” Xie Zuxin frowned.

“About ten more minutes.”

No sooner had the staff member finished speaking than Xie Zuxin turned and began heading towards the nearby stairs without a word, with the staff member following carefully behind.

“By the way, which floor is he on?”

“The 15th floor.”

Xie Zuxin’s face turned green as he snorted coldly.

In a low voice, the staff member said, “Chief, I just received news that the Old Gods Association made a move on the Jiang family. We can’t confirm the casualties yet. The Night Patrol Department’s people can’t get close, and Chief Xu Tian of the Judgement Place has already taken people over.”

“He better die over there!” Xie Zuxin said with displeasure as soon as Xu Tian was mentioned.

If it weren’t for Xu Tian’s aggressive actions, how could he have locked Pei Jinye up in the first place… how could he have taken steps towards abandoning this young man… how could he have ended up targeted by Zhou Weiren!

In Xie Zuxin’s eyes, Xu Tian was to blame for everything.

He had completely forgotten that from the very beginning, his problems had started because of that young and talented man from the Jiang family.

“Brother Qu!”

Lin Junheng suddenly stretched out his hand and nudged his dozing partner beside him. Quickly straightening up, he called out loudly, “Chief!”

His partner hadn’t even seen which captain it was but instinctively stood at attention and greeted him in a hurry.

Xie Zuxin had no desire to hassle them. “Is Pei Jinye asleep?”

“At this hour, he’s probably…” Lin Junheng said embarrassingly.

But his partner, Brother Qu, didn’t hesitate to bang on the metal door, pull out his keys, and unlock it, looking expectantly at Xie Zuxin.

Xie Zuxin, however, was not the least bit grateful and glared fiercely at him.

Brother Qu felt wronged.

Lin Junheng stood by the door, curiously peering inside.

At that moment, Xie Zuxin tapped lightly on the door, straightened his clothing, and then walked in with a smile.

On the bed.

Pei Jinye turned his head to look, without even a single blanket.

Xie Zuxin immediately turned around to demand, “Who arranged this? Not even a blanket? He’s our teammate, not a criminal!”

Brother Qu was scolded again, feeling extremely aggrieved.

In his heart, he cursed Xie Zuxin and his whole family countless times.

He didn’t understand why Chief Xie, who had just come to see Pei Jinye in the afternoon, had suddenly returned—If you truly care about the person inside, you should have said so in the afternoon.

Pei Jinye turned his head to look back.

Xie Zuxin’s face was full of smiles, “Little Pei, let’s go, I’m here to take you out.”

Pei Jinye didn’t move.

The staff member behind Xie Zuxin saw Pei Jinye’s state and could not help but want to rebuke him, but Xie Zuxin stopped him. He sat down by Pei Jinye’s bed, looking very much like an elder trying to persuade a younger family member.

“I know you’re upset, and I am too, but there’s no choice… that’s the procedure. We need to go through proper processes. You did nothing wrong with Jiang Suhu’s case, catching criminals is certainly what we should do… You should also be a bit understanding of my situation, right?”

“Chief…”

Pei Jinye suddenly spoke up.

“Go ahead,” Xie Zuxin had never been as gentle as he was at that moment, which caused the staff member beside him to take a second look, feeling puzzled.

“So am I innocent now?”

“You’ve been innocent all along,” Xie Zuxin was a smooth talker.

Pei Jinye didn’t argue, performing the anger and grievance expected of someone his age to perfection.

“Then let Xu Tian release me!”

Xie Zuxin gave a forced smile upon hearing this.

Half an hour later.

After much persuasion, Xie Zuxin finally convinced Pei Jinye to leave, and after they left the confinement room, Xie Zuxin couldn’t help but wipe his forehead, unaware that he was sweating profusely.

He had never encountered such a stubborn young man.

He swore he had never coaxed anyone with so much patience before.

But…

Xie Zuxin frowned.

“Does this kid really not know Zhou Weiren?”

“Judging by his appearance, he doesn’t seem to be acting.”

Xie Zuxin bowed his head and soothed the worry between his brows.

For now, let’s take one step at a time.

Late at night, Pei Jinye had no intention of leaving the base, turning back to the dormitory that Brother Bi had earlier applied for him.

“Back?”

A greeting came from the staircase, “They didn’t do anything to you, did they?”

“No,” Pei Jinye said, looking at the ancient martial artist squatting at the staircase, “You’re not sleeping this late?”

“Heard there was trouble outside,” the ancient martial artist seemed to regret not being able to witness the scene personally.

“Is that so?” Pei Jinye ascended the steps one by one.

“Want to check it out?” the ancient martial artist asked, somewhat eager.

Pei Jinye stopped and looked up inquisitively at the ancient martial artist atop the ninth step, “Are you always keen on joining the fray?”

“You’re in solitary confinement, so you don’t know about the outside world. I heard it’s people from the Old Gods Association on the move. Those people are true veterans who have faced life and death, and sparring with them is the best way to improve oneself…” the ancient martial artist’s eyes held a fervent yearning, “My greatest wish in life is to make a trip to the North Continent.”

“Why?”

Pei Jinye was now standing side by side with the ancient martial artist.

“You don’t know?” The ancient martial artist tilted his head, “The Sword Saint who loves to issue challenges all over the North Continent is coming out of seclusion. Don’t you think he’s awesome? He’s unencumbered and the ones he challenges are all true powerhouses… If I get the chance, I really want to see how he wields his sword.”

“I hope you realize your dream soon,” Pei Jinye paused, offering a sincere blessing before stepping back towards his room.

The ancient martial artist earnestly replied from behind, “Thank you.”

“Snap.”

Pei Jinye firmly shut the door.

The ancient martial artist scratched his head.

He turned around, continuing to gaze in the direction of the Jiang ancestral home.

Zhou Weiren had just finished a call with Mr. Han, and through Secretary Lin, he learned about the outcome for the Jiang family.

“Dead?”

Zhou Weiren was visibly stunned.

Secretary Lin’s face was grave, “It has been confirmed that it is the remains of Elder Jiang…”

Zhou Weiren’s expression was indescribable.

He paced back and forth in his office.

Suddenly lifting his head, he looked over, “The entire second branch of the Jiang family is dead?”

“According to the information we’ve surveyed so far, everyone from the second branch, except for Jiang Nanhan’s family of three who went next door for a piano performance, is gone without exception.”

Secretary Lin’s words immediately made Zhou Weiren draw a sharp breath.

“All dead…”

He slowly raised his head, “That means as of today, those guys in our team have lost their financier!”

Secretary Lin smiled bitterly, “That’s true. However, Governor, since Jiang Qingcang was a renowned figure and just died like this, if we can’t provide a reasonable explanation, other business organizations from outside may feel that Da Peng City is not suitable for conducting business activities…”

“I understand,” Zhou Weiren’s smile couldn’t hide his satisfaction, “Of course, I understand. With the second house of the Jiang family gone, they’ve essentially cut off their own claws… Without their obstruction, it’s much easier to push forward our economic recovery plan. That’s what I care about!”

Secretary Lin unusually refrained from persuading him.

Because the Governor was speaking the truth.

The economic recovery plan affects the interests of the majority of local nobility, especially the Jiang family’s vehement opposition.

Now that the old man of the Jiang family had died… Zhou Weiren’s resistance was even less.

He believed his behavior in the meeting today had made his stance clear enough, those people were not fools and would certainly respond.

Zhou Weiren’s face carried a faint smile, “Attend the funeral on my behalf, and express my regret over the death of Elder Jiang.”

“Understood.”

Outside the Jiang ancestral home.

The main branch of the family had already appeared, looking at the ancestral home being devoured by the flames, the firelight reflecting their varied expressions.

As the fire was extinguished.

Jiang Lingsu approached her father, seemingly unable to hide the excitement in her heart, and in a lowered voice asked, “Father, does this mean the Jiang family will now be under our rule?”

Her father merely looked at her calmly and hummed in affirmation as he looked away to organize personnel.

Jiang Lingsu’s smile suddenly became much more radiant.

The Jiang family… from now on, it would be ruled by their main branch!

“Father, what about the second branch’s businesses…?”

“Don’t celebrate too soon. The Wei Family is eyeing us greedily,” her father commented indifferently, before moving forward to begin making arrangements.

But Jiang Lingsu didn’t take the Wei Family seriously in the slightest.

“Wei Xia is no good, he’s already dead. Except for his brother who still has some use, I heard he’s cozying up to the Judgement Place, but even if he gets into the Judgement Place, by the time he can make an influential move, it will be years later… by then, the businesses in Da Peng City will have long been re-monopolized by our Jiang family’s main branch!”

Meanwhile.

The Wei Family that Jiang Lingsu was mentioning just received news of the annihilation of Jiang Qingcang’s lineage.

“Really dead?” The Wei family’s patriarch’s face glowed with delight, “Good riddance! As long as that old man doesn’t die, when would my Wei Family have a chance to rise? Now that Xianren has won the favor of the Judgement Place, as long as he exerts a little effort in the future, with what can the Jiang family compete with us!”

“Haha, my Wei Family will prosper!”

“The person Xianren is working with, I’ve met him, we could try to win him over; with that, the chances for my Wei Family would be even greater!”

Just then.

Someone staggered in, pale with shock, exclaiming:

“Trouble! Trouble! News from the city hall, they say the young master might have… might have met with disaster!”

“Crash!”

The teacup hit the floor.

A tense stillness fell over the entire Wei Family!