"Uncle Yan, thank you for making this trip specifically."
As Yan Jun entered the cabin, Qin Xiaozhi was the first to speak, thanking Yan Jun and subtly hinting that Yan Jun should not expose Jiang Wuming's identity.
Yan Jun was also a shrewd individual and understood immediately. "Xiaozhi, we are merely working according to regulations. There's no need for thanks."
It had to be said that Yan Jun was quite a character.
Initially, Yan Jun had been contemplating how to converse with Jiang Wuming. Upon hearing Qin Xiaozhi's words, he instantly grasped the meaning behind them.
By speaking this way, he not only avoided direct conversation with Jiang Wuming but also informed everyone present that he and the Martial Department staff were acting according to regulations, and their treatment was not solely due to Qin Xiaozhi being a member of the Qin family.
Acting according to regulations?
Yes.
From a purely regulatory standpoint, neither Jiang Wuming nor Qin Xiaozhi had violated any Martial Department regulations, and Yan Jun was upholding the authority and functions of the Martial Department.
However—
The wealthy figures from the Jiangnan business community outside the cabin all felt that if Qin Yuanzheng had not spoken up, Shi Yunfeng might not have backed down so quickly.
As this thought flashed through their minds, they all cast their gaze towards Shi Yunfeng and were met with an exceptionally grim expression.
He had arrived with an air of arrogance, and he departed looking utterly defeated.
This was the true depiction of Shi Yunfeng!
However, Shi Yunfeng paid no mind to the gazes of the Jiangnan business magnates, nor did he feel that he had lost face today.
This was because he had obtained the answer he desired – Qin Yuanzheng had personally intervened in this matter!
With this, even if he hadn't brought Jiang Wuming away as instructed by Yuan Zeping, he could still report back to Yuan Zeping.
Yes.
Reporting back was what Shi Yunfeng most wanted to do.
When gods fight, the common people suffer.
Shi Yunfeng understood this principle.
Although he was a martial arts grandmaster, he was not yet qualified to participate in the conflict between the Qin and Yuan families. If he foolishly got involved, it would only lead to a tragic end!
A moment later, Shi Yunfeng returned to his convoy with a dark expression, ordering his subordinates to disengage and instructing four of them to accompany Yuan Hao to the hospital.
He himself, however, walked to a quiet corner and dialed Yuan Zeping's number.
"Shi Yunfeng, you had the time and opportunity to take away the murderer of Yuan Qing, why didn't you do it?"
As soon as the call was connected, before Shi Yunfeng could even report, Yuan Zeping questioned him in a stern tone.
Although Shi Yunfeng was only now proactively reporting to Yuan Zeping, given Yuan Zeping's status and influence in Jiangnan, there were far too many people willing to provide him with information—he had learned of the outcome the moment Shi Yunfeng disembarked!
"When I boarded the ship, Yan Jun had already arrived at the pier. Even if I had taken the murderer off the ship, I would have inevitably encountered Yan Jun.
According to Yan Jun, Qin Yuanzheng has personally intervened in this matter and intends to protect the murderer.
Because of this, Yan Jun's attitude was very firm; if I were to take the murderer away, he would engage me in a fight!
I am only one person, and besides Yan Jun himself, there are Meng Yonggang and Ren Yun.
Furthermore, the murderer is also an eight-star martial artist.
If a fight were to break out, I would not be their match!"
Facing Yuan Zeping's questioning, Shi Yunfeng was not surprised and replied unhurriedly with the explanation he had already prepared.
"I understand."
Upon hearing Shi Yunfeng's response, Yuan Zeping remained silent for a few seconds before replying with a somber tone and hanging up.
Although he was extremely annoyed, he did not berate Shi Yunfeng.
On one hand, Shi Yunfeng was a nine-star martial artist, a renowned grandmaster in the field of martial arts. The reason he was willing to be Yuan Zeping's confidant was not due to the Yuan family's influence, but rather the Gu family behind the Yuan family.
Yuan Zeping was well aware of this.
On the other hand, Shi Yunfeng was stating facts. Even if he had wanted to take Jiang Wuming away, he couldn't have!
Of course, apart from the above two points, there was also another reason.
Although Shi Yunfeng had not completed Yuan Zeping's instructions, he had shown great concern for treating Yuan Hao's injuries and had also ordered a salvage ship to search for Yuan Qing's body in the downstream areas of the Longjiang River in Jinling.
After ending his call with Shi Yunfeng, Yuan Zeping, with a grim expression, lit a cigarette, then picked up the phone again and dialed the Patriarch of the Liu family, Liu Qingfeng: "Master Liu, Yuan Qing is dead, and Yuan Hao has been crippled."
"I'm already aware of that."
Liu Qingfeng's tone was somewhat subdued. "A few days ago, they informed me of the investigation results regarding Liu Yidao's death in Sujiang. They believed the Qin family had set a trap and intended to kill that descendant of the Qin family and that kid from the Su family, all while adhering to Martial Department regulations. But they never expected to fail so miserably."
"Master Liu, after the incident, I had instructed Shi Yunfeng to take his men to the pier to attempt to apprehend the murderer of Yuan Qing, but we were unsuccessful—Yan Jun, the head of the Jiangnan branch of the Martial Department, arrived and prevented it!" Yuan Zeping stated again.
"I just heard that news."
Liu Qingfeng responded, indicating that he had been closely following the progress of the matter and indirectly reminding Yuan Zeping that he was already aware of Qin Yuanzheng's involvement.
"Master Liu, this matter cannot be let go like this!"
Seeing that Liu Qingfeng was fully aware of the situation, Yuan Zeping directly cut to the chase.
"What are your plans?" Liu Qingfeng asked.
"The murderer of Yuan Qing must die. This is the bottom line for our Yuan family!" Yuan Zeping concealed nothing.
"How will you kill him?"
"I wish to request Master Liu's assistance to eliminate that brat named Wuming and avenge Yuan Qing!"
Yuan Zeping revealed the purpose of his call.
"Qin Yuanzheng has intervened, indicating his intention to protect that Wuming. How can I make a move?"
Upon hearing Yuan Zeping's words, Liu Qingfeng was not surprised, nor did he agree. Instead, he countered.
"Master Liu, with your abilities, if you act in secret to kill that brat, it would be as easy as flipping your hand, and there would be no trace left!" Yuan Zeping said.
"What if this is a scheme by the Qin family? Just like in Sujiang, where the Qin family used that Wuming as bait, and anyone who makes a move would be captured?" Liu Qingfeng voiced his concerns.
"Master Liu, are you suggesting?"
Yuan Zeping sensed that Liu Qingfeng was constantly evading and felt quite displeased. He also realized that the other party was attempting to negotiate terms.
"Originally, as Yuan Qing's master, it would be my duty to avenge him. However, this matter involves too many parties, and a single misstep could provoke the Qin family and bring about utter ruin to the Liu family. I must be cautious!" Liu Qingfeng stated earnestly.
"Master Liu, if you find anyone from the Qin family secretly protecting that brat named Wuming, then abandon the attempt. How about that?" Yuan Zeping conceded a step.
"In addition to that, I want to join the Dragon Country Police Department and serve as the Deputy Chief Instructor!"
Liu Qingfeng proposed his condition.
"Master Liu, this is not something our Yuan family can achieve, nor is it something I can promise you." Yuan Zeping's expression grew even more displeased.
"Yuan Zeping, years ago, when you contacted me to help you discreetly eliminate that Su Shirong, you voluntarily promised me this, yet you have not fulfilled it."
Liu Qingfeng brought up the past, his tone somewhat unfriendly. "I know your Yuan family cannot do it, but the Gu family can..."
"Fine, I agree!"
Yuan Zeping gritted his teeth and interrupted Liu Qingfeng, agreeing to his terms.
He remained persistent in his desire to have Jiang Wuming killed and avenge Yuan Qing, oblivious to the fact that his conversation with Liu Qingfeng was being transmitted word for word to Jiang Wuming.
The fish was hooked.
The curtain was raised for the second act!
.