Chapter 819: Chapter 824: The Death of Nanrong Yuan (Part 1)
East Sea City.
Qingyun Martial Arts Hall.
When He Ziyun and Tang Yuan arrived, they saw several bodies covered with white cloths in the spacious courtyard, and several Lonely Wolf agents were investigating the scene, collecting evidence and traces.
"Major Tang."
Seeing Tang Yuan approaching, an agent quickly came up to him and saluted.
Tang Yuan nodded toward him, asking, "What’s the situation? Tell us about it."
"Seven people are dead, all killed with a single blow. Based on preliminary assessment, the assailant is highly skilled, killing them before the guards could react. Moreover, we checked the scene and found no useful clues, and even the surveillance cameras inside the room were previously destroyed."
While speaking, He Ziyun, expressionless, walked to the bodies and uncovered the white cloths. Observing the wounds on the bodies, He Ziyun’s pupils slightly narrowed, a sharp gleam flashing through his eyes.
"Tang Yuan."
Hearing the old superior’s call, Tang Yuan quickly approached He Ziyun, asking, "Old Superior, do you have any instructions?"
"Tell your men to withdraw, no need to gather evidence."
"Why?"
"The killer is a master, and dealing with such a master is beyond your Lonely Wolf. Enough, don’t ask more, I will handle this myself, you don’t need to worry."
The old superior had spoken, so how could Tang Yuan not obey? He immediately withdrew all personnel, also arranging for the bodies to be moved away.
"Old Superior, do you think the murderer was targeting Nanrong Yuan or you?"
He Ziyun shook his head and said, "It’s still unclear for now. However, if they were targeting me, they would definitely contact me and use hostages to threaten me." With that, He Ziyun pondered for a moment and then said, "You go to Ling Chen’s research base and ask Hu Fei if he has any clues. Hu Fei’s intelligence system covers the entire East Sea City, maybe he can help find something valuable."
"Okay, I’ll head over immediately."
Upon arriving at the research base, Hu Fei, who received prior notice, was already waiting outside. This was also Tang Yuan’s first visit to Ling Chen’s research base. Led by Hu Fei, Tang Yuan entered the base with curiosity.
Looking at the advanced equipment and personnel inside the research base, Tang Yuan kept exclaiming, "Wow! I really didn’t expect, in just a few months, that kid Tang Yuan managed to build such an empire."
"It’s all thanks to his old... cough! Thanks to the Secret Society’s support."
The fact that Ling Chen’s father was the leader of the Secret Society was known to Hu Fei and others. Moreover, Ling Chen specifically instructed them not to mention this to outsiders to avoid unnecessary trouble. After all, the Secret Society, after operating for many years, also had quite a few enemies. If people knew about the connection between Ling Chen and Ling Kun, it might bring trouble to Ling Chen.
Although Ling Chen wasn’t afraid, it was best to avoid unnecessary issues. So, Hu Fei quickly changed his words, not revealing the relationship between Ling Chen and Ling Kun. Actually, Hu Fei knew that Ling Chen and Tang Yuan had a special relationship, but it’s best for Ling Chen to say such things himself.
"Fatty Hu, do you know about the incident at Qingyun Martial Arts Hall?"
"I’ve already received the news," Hu Fei nodded and said, "I heard the martial arts hall was attacked, and both Nanrong Yuan and Little Hua were kidnapped. Many people died." After saying that, Hu Fei looked at Tang Yuan and said, "Those who died were your people, right?"
"Yes! They were agents responsible for guarding Nanrong Yuan, seven in total, all killed with no survivors left. The old superior told me that your intelligence system in East Sea City is quite comprehensive, so he sent me to ask if you have discovered anything."
"If you’re looking for clues from me, I have none; the matter at the martial arts hall only came to my attention after it happened. However, I have instructed my people to retrieve the surrounding surveillance footage and the dashcam recordings of passing taxis to see if anything comes up."
As they spoke, the two had arrived at the base’s control center. Seeing the room filled with over a dozen screens, with more than ten staff members typing away at computers, searching for valuable clues.
Hu Fei walked up behind one of the staff and asked, "What’s the progress?"
"Just got to ten percent."
"It’s been hours, and only ten percent?" Hu Fei said discontentedly, "Your efficiency is way too low." Finishing, Hu Fei shook his head helplessly and looked at Tang Yuan beside him, saying, "Can’t help it, they’re all amateurs; finding professional talent these days is really tough."
With that, Hu Fei urged, "Hurry up, stop slacking off, whoever finds a clue first will be handsomely rewarded."
Upon hearing this, the staff present had no reaction at all. Everyone knew how stingy their technical supervisor was, with typical rewards only a few hundred bucks, which hardly motivated anyone.
At this point, the phone in the control center rang. After picking up, a staff member immediately ran to Hu Fei, whispering a few words into his ear.
Whatever was said, Hu Fei’s face instantly turned grim.
Noticing the change in Hu Fei’s expression, Tang Yuan asked, "Fatty, what’s wrong?"
"They found Nanrong Yuan," Hu Fei said solemnly.
"Really?" Tang Yuan was overjoyed, ready to celebrate but then saw Hu Fei’s grave expression, realizing things might not be simple.
"Fatty, Nanrong Yuan, he..."
"He’s dead!" Hu Fei replied, "What they found was his corpse."
"What? Dead?" Tang Yuan was taken aback, never expecting such an outcome.
"Then... what about Little Hua?" Tang Yuan remembered the little girl taken with Nanrong Yuan and couldn’t help worrying.
"No sign of Little Hua’s body at the moment; presumably, they only killed Nanrong Yuan. Come on, let’s go over and take a look together."
"Okay."
Leaving the research base, Hu Fei and Tang Yuan drove to where Nanrong Yuan’s body was found.
It was at a harbor in East Sea City, and upon arrival, Hu Fei immediately recognized it as territory under the jurisdiction of the Hongyu Group. Both were aware of the relationship between Nanrong Yuan and Nanrong Wanqing; does his death here carry a deeper meaning?
Entering the harbor, Tang Yuan and Hu Fei quickly moved to the crowded area at the front. As they arrived, they looked up and saw a hoisting crane used for transporting goods, with a rope hanging down, tied to Nanrong Yuan’s neck.
Seeing the lifeless, scarred body of Nanrong Yuan, Tang Yuan immediately furrowed his brow. Judging by the state of the body, Nanrong Yuan likely endured inhuman torture before his death.