Chapter 817: Chapter 822: Times Have Changed
"What is this place?"
In the pitch-black room, a middle-aged man got up from the floor, looked at his surroundings, and murmured to himself.
"You’re finally awake."
At this moment, a child’s voice came from the corner. The middle-aged man quickly turned his gaze towards the corner, and in the darkness, he faintly saw a small silhouette.
"You are... you are Little Hua?" Thinking for a moment, the middle-aged man immediately recognized the other person’s identity through the voice. He had been recovering at the Qingyun Martial Arts Hall for quite some time and had seen Little Hua often, so they weren’t strangers.
"Little Hua, how are you, are you alright?" Nanrong Yuan asked with concern. To him, Little Hua was just a child, and it was only right to show some concern.
"I’m alright for now, but I can’t say the same for later. Hey! Do you know who brought us here?"
"I was asleep at the time, so I don’t know what happened outside, but..." Nanrong Yuan wanted to continue, but he suddenly realized that Little Hua was just a child, so why was he saying this to her.
Just as Nanrong Yuan was speculating who the culprit might be, the door of the room was opened from the outside, and a beam of light immediately illuminated the room. Upon seeing the surroundings, Nanrong Yuan’s expression changed slightly, realizing he was being held inside a container, which explained the complete darkness.
Recovering from his daze, Nanrong Yuan looked at the man walking in from outside and frowned, "Who are you, and why did you capture us?"
The newcomer scrutinized Nanrong Yuan, suddenly grinned, and said with a cold smile, "Mr. Yun, it hasn’t been long, and you’ve already forgotten me?"
Upon hearing the voice, Nanrong Yuan was taken aback, and incredulously said, "You... you’re Zhu Hong!"
"Yes, it’s me." Zhu Hong smiled and walked right up to Nanrong Yuan, saying, "Surprised, aren’t you? I’m still alive. Unfortunately, while I’m alive, this body is ruined, all thanks to you."
"What does this have to do with me? You were severely injured in the explosion, burnt beyond recognition, with 90% of your body covered in burns. If I hadn’t done my best to save you, you would’ve been already dead."
"Yes, you’re right, you saved my life. But you overdosed my body with strengthening drugs, leaving it completely ruined. Even if I wanted plastic surgery, it’s impossible now. From now on, I can only live behind this mask — isn’t that your fault?"
Nanrong Yuan defended, "If it weren’t for the strengthening drug, you wouldn’t have lasted. Zhu Hong, I’ve always treated you as family, and it pains me to see you like this. But what’s done is done, and I’m powerless."
At this point, Nanrong Yuan looked at the silver mask on Zhu Hong’s face and asked, "Did you bring me here just for revenge?"
"No! What you just said is right, what’s done is done, and killing you won’t change anything. I’ve brought you here for collaboration."
"Collaboration? What collaboration? I have nothing left; how can I help you?"
Zhu Hong laughed sinisterly, "You still have one valuable thing that can help me — your life. I’ve reached an agreement with the God Organization that if I bring them a traitor like you, they’ll give me a chance to cooperate with them. I helped you back then, working tirelessly for you, and now it’s your turn to repay me."
"You want to collaborate with the God Organization?" Nanrong Yuan’s expression changed slightly, shaking his head, "No, absolutely not! Zhu Hong, don’t cooperate with the God Organization, it’ll ruin you. Trust me, there’s no benefit in working with them."
"Hmph! And weren’t you the same back then, choosing to cooperate with them? What right do you have to preach to me now?"
"Back then, I was seeking revenge and had no choice but to join forces with the God Organization. If there had been another path, I wouldn’t have taken this road. Zhu Hong, I’ve always seen you as family and wouldn’t lie to you. Please listen to me, don’t get involved with the God Organization."
"Don’t you think it’s too late to say that? And besides, if you could cooperate with the God Organization for revenge, why can’t I? I’ll tell you this – times have changed, and I now have the means to collaborate with the God Organization. Even Lin Guodong has to be polite when speaking to me."
Hearing this, Nanrong Yuan sighed, knowing Zhu Hong wouldn’t listen, and decided not to persuade him further.
"Alright, since you won’t listen, there’s nothing I can do. For the sake of our past relationship, I hope you can do me a favor."
"Speak."
"I’ll do whatever you ask, even if you want my life. I only ask you to let the little girl go; she’s innocent."
Zhu Hong squinted, glanced at Little Hua curled up in the corner, and said mockingly, "I didn’t expect you to be so kind-hearted, willing to trade your life for someone else’s safety. Unfortunately, I can satisfy any request except this one. The little girl is someone Lin Guodong specifically named; I must deliver her to him." Pausing, Zhu Hong said meaningfully, "You were once a high-ranking member of the God Organization – you should know the use of this little girl."
"Zhu Hong, you..."
"Enough!" Zhu Hong interrupted Nanrong Yuan impatiently, waving his hand, "No need to say more; I’m not interested in wasting words with you. Someone, take them away."
As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Huaiyang immediately approached with two subordinates.
"Take these two to Lin Guodong; remember, don’t mess this up," Zhu Hong instructed.
"I understand." Chu Huaiyang nodded, then gestured for the two subordinates to take Nanrong Yuan and Little Hua away.
...
Yan City Prison.
Under the guidance of a security officer, Ling Chen was brought into a private visiting room.
As soon as he entered, Pang Jiulin, wearing a suit, approached, grasping Ling Chen’s shoulders with both hands and laughing, "I finally get to see you."
"Instructor Pang." Ling Chen smiled slightly and asked, "What brings you to the prison?"
"The old General is concerned about you, so he sent me to check on you. How are you holding up, not too tough?"
"Colonel Pang, what are you saying, as if I’d dare treat Mr. Ling poorly? Rest assured, he eats well and lives well here, and when you see him next time, I’ll have him plump and well-fed."
Ling Chen’s gaze shifted as he looked at Yu Peng sitting in the visiting room, frowning slightly, a sharp, cold glint flashing in his eyes.