If he is not benevolent, he can only be annihilated.
Ye Fan nodded, "That's for the best. Once Lin Yang is eliminated, we can boldly launch the investigation. I'll go with Brother Shen Er to capture him immediately. We'll attack from both sides, giving them no chance to breathe."
The capture Ye Fan mentioned naturally referred to apprehending Jiang Zhong, the fellow who peddled counterfeit goods to Tian Yin Pavilion. Although he was just a small fry and might not know much, he could still follow this lead to uncover more.
"Good, let's do that. Shen Bao, immediately send men with Young Friend Ye. I will deal with Lin Yang with Young Master Qi."
After a brief discussion, the group split up and began their respective tasks...
In a small courtyard adjacent to Tao Ran Ge, Jiang Zhong stared blankly at the object in his hands. This was sent by Jiang Xiaobo the day before his accident, with a message that this antique contained a great secret. However, after days of meticulous study, Jiang Zhong had found nothing.
As he was deep in thought, there was a knock on the door. Quickly putting down the porcelain bottle, Jiang Zhong impatiently walked over to open it. The moment the door opened, several law enforcement officers rushed in and subdued Jiang Zhong.
"Who are you people? How dare you break in and commit violence in broad daylight?" Jiang Zhong roared angrily, drawing the attention of passersby who stopped to watch.
Shen Bao snorted, "Break in and commit violence in broad daylight? You think you're worthy of that?" He then took out his badge. "Look clearly, I am the captain of the Jiangcheng Law Enforcement Team. Our investigation shows you are suspected of fraud. You will be taken back for questioning."
Jiang Zhong was speechless. What had he done to be suspected of fraud? But when he saw Ye Fan behind Shen Bao, his heart suddenly skipped a beat.
"It's you?" Ye Fan's face was indifferent. "Mr. Jiang, you have a good memory. You still remember me. That batch of counterfeit goods must have been specially sent to me, right?"
His vile deeds exposed, Jiang Zhong struggled desperately. "What are you talking about? I don't understand. I haven't done anything illegal. You are framing me. I will sue you."
But no matter how much he struggled, it was futile. Shen Bao waved his hand, and the law enforcement officers dragged him out and sent him back to the law enforcement bureau. Ye Fan glanced at the porcelain bottle. "Take it all back. I hope we can get some useful clues from Jiang Zhong."
Shen Bao nodded and instructed someone to carry the porcelain bottle as they withdrew.
Meanwhile, Lin Yang was having a meal when he received a call from Lin Yue asking to discuss an important matter. He hurried back. However, upon arriving at the two-story building, he found himself in a carefully laid trap by Qi Yuanhao and Lin Yue.
"Lin Yue, what is the meaning of this?" Lin Yang questioned Lin Yue angrily as he looked at her from her elevated position.
"You've made Jiangcheng a mess, and you still have the nerve to ask me what I mean? Lin Yang, if you surrender and plead guilty, considering we are brothers born of the same mother, I might show you leniency. But if you persist, there is only death." Her cold eyes were filled with icy frost, as if she could put Lin Yang to death at any moment.
Lin Yang's face was filled with rage, and he gritted his teeth. "You want to kill me? You think you're capable? Lin Yue, currently, I hold all the information regarding the City Lord's Mansion in Jiangcheng. If you dare to kill me, this City Lord's Mansion will become an empty shell, and you will be nothing but a nominal, useless City Lord."
"Over the years, I have already reached agreements with various major families in Jiangcheng. No one else can control them but me." Lin Yang was arrogant, and even in this predicament, he remained defiant.
"Such big talk. I'm truly terrified." Jiang Zhitao walked in with a cold laugh. Ye Fan, Shen Bao, and he were together. Since the matter of the City Lord's Mansion needed to be resolved, Jiang Zhitao would be very useful, as the status of the young master of the Jiang family carried significant weight.
Turning his head abruptly, Lin Yang's expression worsened upon seeing Ye Fan and the other two. "This is the City Lord's Mansion. Who do you think you are? Get out." Lin Yang roared, his body trembling.
Jiang Zhitao snorted disdainfully, "Are you the City Lord? City Lord Lin Yue has not ordered us out yet, so who do you think you are?" He completely disregarded Lin Yang. Today, Lin Yang's fate was sealed; he would not get away with it. Having harmed Jiangcheng for so many years, letting him off easily would likely be unacceptable to those he had wronged.
Mocked by Jiang Zhitao, Lin Yang's eyes were filled with malice, but he was helpless. Ye Fan slowly walked towards Lin Yang, his cold eyes fixed on him. "I know that you were behind the counterfeit antiques sold to Tian Yin Pavilion. If you reveal your accomplices, I can spare your life and let you leave Jiangcheng forever. Otherwise, you might spend the rest of your life in a hospital bed."
Squatting down, Ye Fan looked at Lin Yang with a serious expression. Hearing Ye Fan's words, Lin Yang spat. "Ye Fan, who do you think you are to talk to me like this? Let me tell you, I am still the head steward of the City Lord's Mansion." At this moment, he naturally wouldn't admit what he had done.
However, he was shocked internally. Jiang Zhong had indeed acted under his instructions, but how did Ye Fan know about all this? Had Jiang Zhong betrayed him? Little did he know, Ye Fan was just bluffing.
With a cold laugh, Ye Fan slowly stood up. "Actually, even if you don't say anything, I know. Miss Shen Shiyun, the eldest daughter of the Shen family, is probably your accomplice, right? And Qin Zhong, the chairman of the Antique Association, and the vice-chairman. You've made quite a lot of money using these fakes over the years." Ye Fan had deduced the involvement of these two earlier and never doubted his analysis. Without their secret support, Lin Yang alone would not have been able to manage such a large network of profit.
If Lin Yang was merely alarmed moments ago, he was now truly terrified. "Ye Fan, who exactly are you?" His eyes blazed with a chilling intensity as he fixed on Ye Fan's face.
"If you don't want anyone to know, don't do it. I already gave you a chance earlier, but you didn't cherish it. Since that's the case..." Saying this, he gave Jiang Zhitao a look. Having been with Ye Fan for so long, the two shared a tacit understanding. Upon seeing Ye Fan's glance, Jiang Zhitao immediately understood.
"Lin Yang, weren't you very arrogant back then? Didn't you look down on me? Today, I'll let you be arrogant to your heart's content." With that, he suddenly lunged forward and threw a punch at Lin Yang. One punch after another, each landing with a solid thud. Lin Yang's screams echoed.
Lin Yue's expression was stern, and a trace of unwillingness flashed in his eyes. Although he also hated Lin Yang, they were, after all, brothers. "City Lord Lin, scum like this is not worth your pity. If you don't deal with him today, he will bring you more trouble in the future," Ye Fan whispered as he saw Lin Yue's reaction.