Cang Town, Zhou Family Villa.
The living room was brightly lit. Several distinguished guests had arrived today, but the atmosphere was rather oppressive.
As the host, Zhou Nanfeng sat sternly in the main seat. He was uncharacteristically subdued today, his cigar unlit, his legs no longer crossed.
He sat there like a well-behaved child. He hadn't slept well for several nights and looked quite listless.
Seeing that his invited guests had all arrived, Zhou Nanfeng chuckled a few times.
"It is truly an honor to have you all grace my humble abode today!"
Facing his pleasantries, everyone remained expressionless.
Lin Yuansheng sipped his tea and said leisurely,
"Nanfeng, stop with this pleasantry. Fang Dagang woke up that night and, as far as I know, has been entertaining influential figures in Wenmin City these past few days, plotting to get rid of you!"
At the same time, another voice chimed in.
"Nanfeng, have you figured it out yet? Whose fault is this matter?"
The speaker was Chen Zhanpeng. The guests present today were all of considerable standing. Besides Lin Yuansheng and Chen Zhanpeng, they had also, through connections, invited Chen Miao, the院长 (president) of the Cang Town Beast Tamer Court.
Before Zhou Nanfeng could reply, his beloved daughter indignantly interjected.
"It was that Zhou Lin who bullied us first!"
Lin Yuansheng glanced at this lawless young lady.
He couldn't help but silently lament that the word 'bully' coming from a member of the Zhou family was truly a sight to behold...
As soon as Zhou Shuyi spoke, she began to elaborate. She once again recounted the events of that day.
She described, in vivid detail, the part where she commanded her three-headed dog to burn the vine demon.
However, it was precisely this particular detail that led everyone to doubt the authenticity of Lu Fei's weak contract beast controlling the vine demon and attacking its master.
"According to your account, the entire incident was caused by Fang Dagang's son?" He paused and asked, "Is there any other evidence at the scene to corroborate this?"
Chen Zhanpeng's ability to continuously serve as the president of the Beast Tamer Association for so many years was due not only to his affability and social adeptness but also to his cautious approach to matters.
Over the years, despite possessing numerous privileges, he had always kept his children and family in check, warning them against abusing their power and asserting that, in principle, he abided by the law!
Lin Yuansheng shook his head.
"I sent people to the territory of the great macaques. Indeed, many great macaques died there, but this is insufficient to prove that the other party was indiscriminately slaughtering. Although the rules for this trial stipulated that contract beasts could not be hunted casually, exceptions could be made if genuine danger was encountered."
After the incident that day, Lin Yuansheng immediately led his men to the territory of the great macaques, searching for any evidence that might benefit them. However, the results were unsatisfactory. Due to the sudden anomaly, even the traces of combat had disappeared from the scene.
Chen Zhanpeng rubbed his temples. He hoped that this incident could be resolved peacefully. If the fault truly lay with them, that would be for the best. But the current reality was that there was no direct evidence to prove that Fang Lin had initiated the confrontation. Even more damning was the fact that everyone had witnessed Zhou Nanfeng assaulting someone.
Under such circumstances, the worst-case scenario would be for him to intervene, leverage his connections, and facilitate negotiations among the relevant parties. But by then, many things would become disadvantageous.
As everyone remained silent, Chen Miao, the院长 of the Cang Town Beast Tamer Court, who had not spoken thus far, finally said something.
"From what I've gathered, whether there is evidence or if the evidence is in our favor, it might not be that important anymore."
Everyone turned to him with furrowed brows.
As the院长 of the Beast Tamer Court, Chen Miao naturally possessed extensive connections, and the information he possessed was the latest and most valuable.
"As Director Lin mentioned earlier, Fang Dagang has already made moves. Some powerful figures in Wenmin City are his regular guests. With what has happened this time, even if they don't actively assist him, their mere endorsement of Fang Dagang would result in a very unfavorable outcome for us."
He took a deep breath and stated with a somewhat somber tone, "I originally intended to leverage my influence in the city, but upon arriving, I discovered that this matter will be personally handled by Chief Justice Zhao, and Fang Dagang's personal lawyer is Chief Justice Zhao's own nephew!"
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately understood the implications behind the matter.
They were all influential figures in Cang Town, enjoying the conveniences that came with power. In many gray areas, as long as they willed it, regardless of whether it was permitted by law or morality, their word was final.
Zhou Nanfeng's brow was tightly furrowed. He felt an unprecedented sense of frustration.
As the leading figure in Cang Town, he had truly run into a formidable opponent today.
After a moment of contemplation, Zhou Nanfeng exhaled and said in a deep voice, "Director Chen, just tell us what options we have now. As long as this matter can be resolved, any amount of money is not an issue."
"This is not about money," Chen Miao replied with a wry smile. "I've heard about Fang Dagang's deeds. He is narrow-minded and holds grudges. Having children late in life, he cherishes his two sons even more."
"With his younger son injured like this, he certainly will not let this matter rest!"
Zhou Nanfeng shifted in his seat, leaning forward, his voice filled with agitation.
"Is there truly no other way?"
Chen Miao sighed. "Alas, this time, you might have to suffer significant losses."
Zhou Nanfeng turned his head away and swore vehemently.
"Damn it! He bullied my daughter, how could I not act? I truly regret not beating that bastard to death that day!"
"He didn't just bully me, he also beat Lu Fei half to death!"
Zhou Shuyi pouted and added fuel to the fire.
"Exactly!"
Zhou Nanfeng's body stiffened, and it felt as if a bolt of lightning struck his mind.
His face lit up with joy.
In a way that only Lin Yuansheng and Chen Zhanpeng could understand, he hinted, "Director, President Chen, he injured Lu Fei, we can ask that person..."
"No!"
"Absolutely not!"
Lin Yuansheng and Chen Zhanpeng interrupted him simultaneously.
Chen Zhanpeng subtly remarked, "Must we trouble him for such a minor matter? What use are we then?"
The glimmer of hope that had just appeared was dashed once more. Zhou Nanfeng anxiously scratched his head.
"If this doesn't work, and that doesn't work, what should we do now? Just let Fang Dagang defecate and urinate all over us?"
He looked at Lin Yuansheng with some impatience.
"Director, this matter seems to be targeting me, but ultimately, his focus will shift to the academy. Are you truly going to stand by and do nothing?"
I have to clean up the mess you created, you good-for-nothing Zhou Nanfeng... Lin Yuansheng grumbled inwardly.
After a long silence.
He said seriously,
"There is indeed one more way."