The night deepened, and the Liu family estate on Zijin Mountain was ablaze with lights. All the Liu family disciples, including the elder Liu Xin, and their exposed servants stood on the training grounds to the east of the estate, seemingly awaiting something.
At ten o'clock, several cars with license plates from the Jiangnan branch of the Martial Department arrived at the Liu family estate. Yan Jun, accompanied by several subordinates, alighted from the vehicles.
"Director Yan, Liu Xin has all the Liu family members gathered on the training grounds. Are they planning to resist arrest?"
A staff member from the Jiangnan branch of the Martial Department, who had arrived earlier, immediately greeted Yan Jun and reported.
"They wouldn't dare to rebel, even if they had ten times the courage!"
Yan Jun said in a deep voice, then led his men into the Liu family estate with imposing momentum, heading straight for the training grounds to the east.
Including Liu Xin, all the Liu family disciples appeared to have been expecting the arrival of the Martial Department personnel. Upon seeing Yan Jun and his entourage, their faces showed no trace of fear.
This discovery greatly surprised the staff of the Jiangnan branch of the Martial Department.
In this era of flourishing martial arts, the Martial Department was the most powerful department in the Dragon Country, possessing immense deterrence, especially towards martial artists.
Let alone a non-top-tier martial arts force like the Liu family, even the top-tier forces had to bow their heads before the Martial Department!
While his subordinates were surprised by the Liu family's attitude, Yan Jun's eyes gleamed. He understood that the Liu family had likely conferred with the Yuan family and reached an agreement, which was why they were so unconcerned in the face of his arrival.
As if to confirm Yan Jun's judgment, as he led his men into the training grounds, Liu Qingguang stepped forward and clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "Envoy Yan, we apologize for not giving you a more cordial welcome upon your grand arrival. The Liu family is truly sorry!"
"Liu Qingguang, I don't see any apology in your demeanor," Yan Jun said coldly.
Not only he, but his subordinates could also sense that the Liu family members showed no reverence towards their group. On the contrary, the core members of the Liu family, led by Liu Xin, displayed varying degrees of hostility.
This deepened their surprise and made them secretly wary that the Liu family might be cornered into a desperate act.
"Envoy Yan, you jest. The Martial Department governs all martial artists in the Dragon Country. As the Minister of the Jiangnan branch, you represent the Martial Department in managing all martial artists in Jiangnan. In all of Jiangnan, which martial artist would dare to show you any disrespect?"
Liu Qingguang spoke in this manner, which was a veiled mockery.
If the Liu family truly respected Yan Jun and his group, Liu Qingguang would not have been the one to come forward; it would have been the elder Liu Xin himself to greet Yan Jun!
The reason they acted this way was twofold: they were convinced that the Martial Department had used Jiang Wuming as bait to kill Liu Qingfeng, and they were also in the same boat as the Yuan family!
Hearing Liu Qingfeng's words again, Yan Jun's subordinates were somewhat angered. Some wanted to step forward and reprimand Liu Qingguang, but Yan Jun stopped them with a gesture.
"Liu Xin, Liu Qingfeng, I have brought people to the Liu family today because Liu Qingfeng is implicated in a murder case from twelve years ago. Existing evidence proves that he went to kill a man named Su Shirong in Sujiang under Yuan Zeping's instructions!"
Yan Jun stated his purpose coldly, "We are here to take Liu Qingfeng and the main members of the Liu family back to the Martial Department for investigation. Where is Liu Qingfeng?"
"Envoy Yan, do you truly not know where my son is?"
This time, before Liu Qingguang could speak, Liu Xin suddenly spoke, his gaze fixed on Yan Jun, meticulously observing Yan Jun's every subtle expression.
"Liu Xin, what do you mean?"
Yan Jun retorted coldly. He already knew about Jiang Wuming killing Liu Qingfeng, but he would not reveal it in front of the Liu family.
"Oh, nothing. Just asking casually. Because my son left the Liu family a few days ago and hasn't returned. We don't know where he went, and we can't contact him." Liu Xin's expression returned to calm.
"Liu Xin, since that is the case, please come with us, along with the main members of the Liu family." Yan Jun wasted no more words and prepared to take his people back for interrogation.
"Alright."
Liu Xin agreed cooperatively and then said in a deep voice, "All Liu family disciples, listen to my order. We are going to the Martial Department with Envoy Yan and the others to cooperate with their work. You are not to disturb them. Also, Qingfeng mentioned he was going to Sujiang. You can go to Sujiang and see if you can find him."
"Yes!"
All the members of the Liu family acknowledged the order.
Yan Jun's pupils contracted, and he stared at Liu Xin with a chilling expression.
This was because he understood Liu Xin's implication: if the Martial Department handled the matter normally, the Liu family would cooperate fully; otherwise, the Liu family members would go to Sujiang to settle the score with the Su family!
What did the Yuan family tell the Liu family to make them so unconcerned?
Understanding this, Yan Jun also felt a bit curious.
Forty minutes later.
Yan Jun brought the core members of the Liu family, led by Liu Xin, to the Jiangnan branch of the Martial Department for separate interrogations.
"Liu Xin, are you sure you don't know where your son is?"
Yan Jun personally interrogated Liu Xin, asking again about Liu Qingfeng's whereabouts.
"Envoy Yan, to be frank, I haven't been able to contact Qingfeng for several days. I was almost going to request the Martial Department to help investigate his whereabouts," Liu Xin said coldly.
Although he had tested Yan Jun at the Liu family training grounds, and Yan Jun had not shown any flaws, he still firmly believed that Liu Qingfeng had been lured and killed by the Martial Department.
"Then do you know that your son, Liu Qingfeng, was entrusted by Yuan Zeping twelve years ago to kill Su Shirong?" Yan Jun asked again.
"I know."
Liu Xin nodded decisively. His response was completely beyond Yan Jun's expectations, and it stunned Yan Jun.
"Tell me what you know."
Yan Jun quickly recovered from his surprise and continued to ask.
"Twelve years ago, after my son received the commission, he reported it to me. I told him that the Yuan family was unreliable and that cooperating with them was like seeking help from a tiger.
As a result, not long after, my words proved true – my son told me that the Yuan family had canceled the commission." Liu Xin said calmly.
"You say Yuan Zeping canceled the commission?"
Yan Jun's pupils suddenly widened, and a bad premonition surged in his heart.
"Yes. My son was very angry about it at the time, thinking that the Yuan family's words were worthless. In the end, he couldn't stand it and still killed that Su Shirong according to Yuan Zeping's previous commission, and went to demand payment from Yuan Zeping, but Yuan Zeping refused to honor it." Liu Xin said, feigning anger, "At that time, Yuan Zeping told my son that he had already canceled the commission, and it was my son who insisted on doing it, so why should he be paid?"
So that's how it is!
Hearing Liu Xin's words again, Yan Jun suddenly realized – the Liu family had realized that Liu Qingfeng had been killed, so they colluded with the Yuan family to frame Liu Qingfeng and clear Yuan Zeping's name!
Having understood all of this, Yan Jun stared coldly at Liu Xin for a few seconds and then asked in a deep voice again, "Liu Xin, are you sure that what you said is the truth?"
"Not only do I know this, but my youngest son also knows. If you don't believe me, you can ask him." Liu Xin said.
"Then do you know that Liu Qingfeng was once again commissioned by Yuan Zeping to kill that young man named Wuming from the Su family?"
Yan Jun changed the subject and asked another question.
This was because he knew that since Liu Xin was so openly confessing, he must have communicated with Liu Qingguang.
"I don't know. The incident twelve years ago made my son feel very ashamed, so he never spoke about the Yuan family to me or my family since then."
This time, Liu Xin shook his head decisively.
"Are you sure?" Yan Jun stared intently at Liu Xin.
"If you don't believe me, you can swear on my descendants."
Liu Xin tilted his head up, meeting Yan Jun's gaze, his tone slightly mocking.
"Liu Xin, you were right before, cooperating with the Yuan family is like seeking help from a tiger!"
Yan Jun coldly warned him once, then got up and left.
Ten minutes later, he met with his subordinates who had been interrogating Liu Qingguang and other Liu family disciples. The reports they provided were identical to what Liu Xin had stated.
This outcome made Yan Jun's expression somewhat solemn. He dismissed all his subordinates and then personally dialed Qin Yuanzheng's number, reporting the situation truthfully.
Qin Yuanzheng remained silent after listening to the report.
"Regimental Commander, according to the current situation, the Lord of the War Dragon Hall will not be able to seek justice through legal means!"
Seeing Qin Yuanzheng's silence, Yan Jun hesitated, first stating his judgment, then asking, "What do you think he will do next?"
"I don't know, but this matter is definitely not over!"
Qin Yuanzheng frowned and gave instructions in a deep voice, "Send people to keep an eye on the police department's movements, track and monitor the situation in a timely manner, and report any news to me immediately. Also, tell Xiao Zhi to inform the Lord of the War Dragon Hall!"
"Yes!"
Yan Jun respectfully accepted the order, understanding that Qin Yuanzheng was doing his best to prevent one thing.
Blood staining Jiangnan.