Sheng Xiong should have been executed long ago, but he was indeed a talented individual.
Even now, Song Qiao often felt a sense of surprise recalling his previous escape.
The last time he collaborated with the Guo family, neither Song Qiao nor Mo Ling, working together, managed to apprehend him.
Instead, he had managed to slip away amidst a hail of gunfire.
Not only that, but he had also reappeared multiple times to target Song Qiao.
He had long been considered a thorn in Song Qiao's side, a persistent nuisance that would not be dealt with until he was dead!
Despite this sentiment, Sheng Xiong remained in hiding, and his escape skills were formidable.
Even if Song Qiao wished to capture him, it would require a considerable amount of effort and careful planning.
After parting ways with Lu Wei midway, Song Qiao returned home to check on Gao Meng.
He found Li Chong already waiting by the door.
Upon seeing Song Qiao return, Li Chong hurried forward to greet him respectfully.
"Duo Lord, you're back?"
Perhaps worried that Song Qiao might mistake Gao Meng's situation for something serious, he quickly clarified.
"Oh, you don't need to worry, Miss Gao is inside the house."
"It's just that with you away, I was concerned about potential inconvenience and have been waiting by the door for your return."
Song Qiao nodded, pushed the door open, and ushered him inside, asking.
"What is it you need?"
"It's like this, Duo Lord. After the Third Concubine was released from the Security Department again, she went to see Guo Can."
"Although our informants could not ascertain the specifics of her conversation with Guo Can."
"I suspect, however, that the Third Concubine's sole purpose was to request Guo Can's assistance."
"You must be prepared, Duo Lord."
"Guo Can..." Song Qiao murmured the name and smiled.
"It seems my guess was correct; that Third Concubine is indeed from the Guo family!"
"But how could she have met with Guo Can? Are their relations within the Guo family that close?"
"You may not be aware, Duo Lord," Li Chong paused slightly before explaining.
"Our investigation over the past two days revealed that the Third Concubine, Guo Shu, and Guo Can are actually half-sisters!"
"Is that so?" Song Qiao realized, but he casually replied with a calm demeanor.
"I am aware of these matters. There is no need for premature preparations."
"Whether it is Guo Shu or Guo Can, if they wish to come, let them come!"
"Me, me, me, and me!" Gao Meng, still recovering from her injuries on the sofa, raised a small hand.
Fearing her master might forget about her, she reminded him, "I can fight too!"
At the same time, in Ninghai Park.
A quiet park featured a wooden chessboard.
Guo Can sat on the ground, engaged in a game of chess.
Such a scene is common in many parks.
However, unlike the usual sight of elderly gentlemen playing chess, the board displayed not ordinary Chinese chess, but Shogi!
The board had nine ranks and nine files, forming a nine-by-nine grid.
Unlike Chinese chess, this is a board game originating from Japan.
Opposite Guo Can sat a middle-aged man in his fifties.
He wore a light gray kimono and was scrutinizing the game before him.
His occasional frown indicated that the current situation was not in his favor.
This was none other than Miyamoto Kanzanmei, the master of Chunshan Long!
*Clack!*
A crisp sound suddenly echoed from the chessboard.
Guo Can moved a piece forward.
"Check."
Checkmate!
Gazing at the thoroughly defeated board, Kanzanmei wore a self-deprecating smile.
He slowly shook his head and, in fluent Mandarin, said.
"I had heard that Miss Guo was both talented and beautiful."
"I never expected her to be so skilled in our Japanese chess as well. I am impressed."
Guo Can lowered his head, picked up the chess pieces, and casually began clearing the board.
"Mr. Miyamoto is not in good spirits today. It seems you have no intention of continuing the game."
Upon hearing this, Kanzanmei quickly stood up, bowed his head respectfully, and smiled.
"Not at all, not at all. It is clearly Miss Guo's superior skill that made it impossible to defend against. I am utterly defeated."
While they were speaking, Guo Can had already collected all the pieces from the board and placed them back into the box.
The match was decided, and it seemed no further games would be played.
Just then, Chunshan Long ran over, panting, his face as mournful as a bitter gourd.
His right hand was heavily bandaged on all five fingers, and his bruised and swollen face was enough to elicit cries of pity.
Arriving at the scene, he immediately dropped to his knees before Kanzanmei with a thud.
He cried out hoarsely, "Master, I've been beaten!"