The people in the villa seemed stunned by Lin Feng’s terrifying martial prowess and could no longer remain seated.
The villa’s main door was pushed open, and an elderly man leaning on a cane emerged from within, accompanied by two bodyguards.
The elder was around seventy years old, dressed in a black Tang suit and a white hat. Despite his face being etched with wrinkles, his eyes held the sharp glint of a superior.
This was Chen Tai, the richest man in Chuzhou and a prominent figure who commanded influence in both the legitimate and underworld circles of the city.
“Young man, I wonder in what way I have offended you. You’ve trespassed into my residence and injured my bodyguards. What is the meaning of this?”
Chen Tai appraised Lin Feng and Qingniao, showing no signs of fear or unease despite Lin Feng’s formidable skills. Instead, Chen Tai appeared remarkably calm.
“Mr. Chen, we are special investigators from Section Seven. We came to inquire about something, but your men not only refused to let us in but were also extremely rude. We had no choice but to force our way in,” Qingniao explained.
Chen Tai nodded, understanding dawning in his eyes. He feigned an apologetic tone, “My apologies. My subordinates are unacquainted with proper conduct. Since you are investigators dispatched from above, I, Chen, will certainly cooperate to the best of my ability.”
“Please, come in.”
With that, Chen Tai even stepped aside and gestured for them to enter.
Seeing that Chen Tai was quite sensible, Lin Feng didn’t say much more.
Following Qingniao into Chen Tai’s villa, they were greeted by an overwhelmingly luxurious interior.
Chen Tai’s villa had five floors, each spanning over a thousand square meters. He employed more than a dozen servants solely for cleaning.
“You two investigators, please excuse Chen’s inadequate hospitality. Do have some tea.”
Chen Tai sat down at the tea table and personally brewed tea for Lin Feng and Qingniao.
“Elder Chen, you certainly have quite the presence. One needs a search warrant just to see you. What, do you have something illicit to hide that you fear investigation for?” Lin Feng asked with a smile, crossing his legs.
Chen Tai’s lips twitched slightly. “Esteemed young leader, you certainly have a way with words.”
“I, Chen, have always abided by the law and dedicated myself to the construction and betterment of Chuzhou.”
“As for the people under my command, they are all from impoverished families. Chen cannot bear to see anyone suffer, so I provide them with a livelihood to support their families.”
“As you know, people are grateful for kindness. Therefore, upon hearing that you intended to investigate me, these children naturally would not permit it.”
“In truth, this is all Chen’s fault; I have failed to discipline them properly.”
Chen Tai’s words were delivered with such pathos that it was difficult to refute them.
“Elder Chen is indeed a man of great virtue! However, there’s no need for such pretense. We are not here to investigate your clandestine dealings but to request someone.”
Lin Feng, having no interest in playing word games with Chen Tai, got straight to the point.
“Request someone? Esteemed young leader, who is it you are looking for? As long as they contribute to society, Chen will do his utmost to cooperate.”
Chen Tai smiled. Relieved that Lin Feng was not there to investigate his criminal activities, he relaxed a bit.
“Mr. Chen, you are not unfamiliar with this young lady, are you?”
Qingniao pushed Su Xiaoyue’s photograph towards Chen Tai.
Upon seeing that the person Lin Feng and Qingniao were looking for was Su Xiaoyue, a flicker of barely perceptible unease crossed Chen Tai’s eyes.
“I am sorry, but I truly do not know the person you are looking for. I have never even seen her before,” Chen Tai said, shaking his head and claiming ignorance.
“Still pretending? We confirmed everything when we arrived. This Su Xiaoyue is your girlfriend and moved in with you a year ago. Did you think we hadn’t done our homework?” Lin Feng’s displeasure grew. Chen Tai was too good at acting, and his patience was wearing thin.
“Esteemed young leader, you jest too much. I am seventy years old; how could I possibly have a young girl as a girlfriend? Wouldn’t that be a laughingstock if it got out?”
“I believe you are listening to outside rumors. These people love to fabricate stories.”
“There have been too many rumors about me, Chen, over the years. If you believe even these, then I have no explanation.”
Chen Tai maintained his innocent facade.
“Mr. Chen, since you claim you don’t know Su Xiaoyue, would you permit us to look around?” Qingniao asked, seeing that Chen Tai was unwilling to speak the truth.
“Of course. You are guests here, feel free to look around,” Chen Tai gestured nonchalantly.
Qingniao nodded and called Lin Feng, and they began searching Chen Tai’s villa.
“No need to search any further. She’s not here.”
Upon reaching the second floor, Lin Feng stopped Qingniao.
Since Chen Tai dared to let them search freely, it meant he had already moved the person away.
This also indicated that something was amiss. Otherwise, why would Chen Tai conceal the truth?
Lin Feng just couldn’t understand why Chen Tai was pretending not to know Su Xiaoyue. What illicit affair was hidden here?
“Then what do we do? We are here to find Su Xiaoyue, not to investigate Chen Tai for illegal activities,” Qingniao said, feeling a bit lost.
Chen Tai, that cunning old fox, was so tight-lipped that prying any information from him was incredibly difficult.
“Little Bird, you are still too young.”
“Evil people will always be met by those who are more evil. As the saying goes, whoever has the bigger fist is the boss in this world.”
“He, Chen Tai, is ultimately just a mortal. In the face of absolute strength, he too must submit obediently.”
“Let’s go. Let this old fellow witness something he has never seen before and see how long he can hold out.”
Lin Feng sneered.
He found Chen Tai again, sat opposite him, and said in a deep voice, “Elder Chen, I am a straightforward person. I am here solely for Su Xiaoyue. If you cooperate, all will be well.”
“If you refuse to cooperate, you may have to pay some other price.”
As Lin Feng spoke, he placed a palm on the tea table.
Under his pressure, the tea table began to emit crackling sounds, showing dense fissures, and the tea set on it exploded with a bang.
This scene instantly terrified the two bodyguards standing behind Chen Tai.
Instinctively, both bodyguards quickly reached into their clothes.
Fortunately, Chen Tai stopped his bodyguards in time. “Calm yourselves. Since this esteemed young leader is a martial arts practitioner with exceptional skills, I, Chen, shall venture to bring up a person.”
To Lin Feng’s surprise, Chen Tai was not only unfazed by his display of power but even wore a faint smile.
“Bring up a person? Who?” Qingniao asked curiously.
“It’s like this, I had a son late in life. My son, Chen Fan, was sent to a mountain to learn martial arts from a young age.”
“Not long ago, my son returned after completing his studies. He has made quite a name for himself in the provincial capital. Everyone likes to call him the Divine Doctor.”
“I believe you two young leaders, being skilled in your own right, must have heard of my son’s reputation?”
Chen Tai’s old face clearly showed pride and arrogance when he mentioned his son.
“Chen Fan? Lin Feng, do you know him?”
Qingniao found the name unfamiliar and asked Lin Feng for confirmation.
Lin Feng smiled, a particularly radiant smile.
This world truly is a small place.
Chen Fan being Chen Tai’s son, this was quite amusing.