The room was not large, with only simple furnishings: a bed and a table.
And on that table, a tape recorder was currently placed, from which the eerie sound of a woman singing opera was emanating.
"What's going on? How can there be a tape recorder here?"
Shen Bao's face was filled with shock, his eyes nearly popping out.
"There are other people here."
Ye Fan frowned, "Liu Cheng, here you..."
He turned his head, wanting to ask Liu Cheng, but suddenly discovered that Liu Cheng, who had been following him, had inexplicably disappeared.
"Where is Liu Cheng?"
Ye Fan asked in a deep voice.
"Wasn't he following right behind you?"
Shen Bao asked, his face full of surprise and bewilderment.
"Not good, we've been tricked."
Ye Fan suddenly realized and was about to rush out.
But just then, the two men in black at the door had already blocked the way.
"Mr. Ye, it's easy to enter this room, but it's difficult to get out."
Liu Cheng emerged from behind the two men in black, a cold smile on his face as he spoke.
"Liu Cheng, what the hell do you mean?" Shen Bao roared angrily, looking at Liu Cheng ferociously.
In his life, he hated traitors the most.
Liu Cheng, however, wore a smug cold smile, "What do I mean? Naturally, I mean to keep both of you here forever. Ye Fan, I must say you are indeed very smart, to remain so calm even upon arriving here. But ants are still ants. Fighting against us, you only have a dead end."
Saying that, he waved his hand, signaling the two men in black to attack.
In an instant, the two men in black charged in.
Their steps were light and their movements agile; it was clear at a glance that both were skilled fighters.
Ye Fan and Shen Bao exchanged a glance, then each swung their long sabers to meet the attack.
Although the men in black were unarmed, they did not fall into a disadvantage against Ye Fan and Shen Bao's attacks, handling them with ease.
"Clang."
Finally, seizing an opening, Ye Fan slanted his long saber backward, cutting directly into the waist of a man in black.
But it produced a crisp sound, as if the saber had struck steel.
This scene stunned even Ye Fan: "What's going on? Is he not human?"
Exclaiming, Ye Fan's face turned grim.
The man in black suddenly turned, his face contorted, and he punched Ye Fan fiercely in the chest.
"Bang."
In an instant, Ye Fan felt an immense force engulf his entire body, and then his body was sent flying backward, crashing heavily onto the table.
The wooden table, which had existed for who knows how many years, was instantly smashed to pieces by his impact.
A sharp pain coursed through his body, causing Ye Fan to gasp repeatedly, unable to get up for a while.
Shen Bao's situation was even more miserable; he had already been beaten down by the man in black, pinned down and unable to move.
Liu Cheng walked in slowly, looking at Ye Fan and Shen Bao subdued, and sneered, "I told you long ago that you were no match for us."
"Liu Cheng, why would you do this? Don't forget, I saved your life. Are you truly an unfeeling and ungrateful person who repays kindness with enmity?"
Ye Fan's eyes were bloodshot as he roared at Liu Cheng.
At this moment, he had already made a guess; there must be someone behind Liu Cheng, but who exactly was this person? Moreover, such a formidable force that could mobilize terrifying individuals like these men in black was definitely not something an ordinary force could achieve.
Liu Cheng smiled faintly, then shifted aside.
Immediately after, to Ye Fan's surprise, a sinister laugh echoed into the room.
"Mr. Ye has a poor memory, not recognizing an old friend?"
Then, at the doorway, a figure slowly walked in.
Upon seeing this figure, Ye Fan was completely stunned, gaping in disbelief.
"It's you?"
The person who arrived was none other than Liu Yuan.
Ye Fan never dreamed that Liu Cheng would be Liu Yuan's man.
At this moment, Liu Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, a smug look on his face and in his eyes.
"It is indeed my honor to shock the pride of Jiang City so profoundly. Ye Fan, do you ever ponder the reason for your current predicament as a captive?"
Liu Yuan was not in a hurry, his face even showing a calm demeanor.
But Ye Fan's brow remained tightly furrowed.
"Liu Cheng has always been your man, a pawn between you and Liu Piaoxu. Am I right?"
The moment he saw Liu Yuan, Ye Fan understood many things, including Liu Cheng's identity and Liu Yuan's plan.
Liu Yuan nodded faintly and smiled, "Indeed, you are very intelligent."
"Liu Cheng has been my man for a long time. Because the Liu family has been turbulent these past few years, Liu Piaoxu has risen strongly, showing signs of rivaling me. Moreover, the old man is also grooming him. Such a potential threat, how could I leave him be? Thus, Liu Cheng appeared at this time, always by Liu Piaoxu's side, being cultivated as a confidant. Therefore, I am privy to everything Liu Piaoxu has done all these years."
Liu Yuan was quite proud of his scheme, beaming with self-satisfaction.
Such insidious methods were truly beyond the reach of ordinary people.
But Liu Yuan had achieved it, and for so many years, Liu Piaoxu had never discovered it. It had to be said that Liu Yuan had done an excellent job.
Ye Fan looked at Liu Yuan with a cold gaze, his eyes narrowed, and his expression filled with indifference.
"If that's the case, then Liu Yuan being targeted by the Liu family and nearly losing his life was also a deliberate act, a mere ruse of self-inflicted injury, wasn't it?"
Recalling all that had happened, Ye Fan suddenly understood.
Liu Yuan smiled and shook his head.
"What? Did I say something wrong?"
Liu Yuan walked slowly towards Ye Fan: "You've only half-guessed correctly. The attack on Liu Cheng back then was at the old man's command. The old man didn't know Liu Cheng was my man, so he genuinely wanted to execute Liu Cheng at that time. However, I sent people to secretly follow and prevent the family from acting, which is how you got the opportunity to abduct Liu Cheng."
"To deal with me, you truly spare no effort."
Ye Fan sighed. Given the circumstances, even he had to admire Liu Cheng's methods.
"Ye Fan, I'm telling you all this so that you can die with full understanding. You know everything you need to know now, so it's time for you to die."
He laughed brazenly and waved his hand, signaling the men in black to kill Ye Fan and the others.
But just then, a cold, sinister glint pierced his heart.
"Ah."
With a pained scream, Liu Yuan froze, then looked down to see the tip of a blade protruding from his chest, dripping blood.
"Why, why?"
With difficulty, he turned his head and saw Liu Cheng's grim face.
Releasing the hilt, Liu Cheng sneered, "Because I belong to the eldest miss."
His words stunned Ye Fan and the others. Was this a double-cross?
He appeared to be Liu Yuan's man, but in reality, he was Liu Piaoxu's subordinate, having been deceiving Liu Yuan all along.
"The eldest miss instructed me to obey Young Master Ye in all matters and to ensure Young Master Ye's safety. However, Liu Yuan's command was urgent, and I could only resort to this plan. I hope Young Master Ye does not blame me."
Saying that, Liu Cheng clapped his hands, and the two men in black quickly stood up and respectfully took their positions behind Liu Cheng.