Xiao Yunlong remained seated on the chair throughout the entire process, observing the scene with an expression as placid as a still, ancient well.
However, it had to be admitted that Yan Lichu, as the Director of the Jiangdong Disciplinary Inspection Department, possessed rather impressive investigation and case-handling skills. In just one hour, he had managed to uncover the entire truth of the matter.
That said, Yan Lichu's ability to solve the case so quickly was also thanks to Xiao Yunlong's reminder. If not for the suggestion to investigate the victim's family, Yan Lichu likely wouldn't have reacted so swiftly.
Shi Daqiang remained in a state of bewilderment, muttering continuously, "How is this possible? In such a short time, how could it all be investigated so clearly? How was this achieved?"
Du Mingheng, unable to contain his anger, roared, "You scoundrel Shi Daqiang, didn't I tell you to send people to the crime scene immediately and destroy the victim's body? Why didn't you do as I said?"
Before Shi Daqiang could speak, Yan Lichu sneered, "He did follow your instructions. However, we have Mr. Xiao to thank for this. If Mr. Xiao hadn't reacted immediately and sent people to secure the scene in advance, the crime scene and the victim's body would likely have been destroyed by you by now."
Upon hearing this, Liu Ruyan turned to look at Xiao Yunlong, her eyes filled with a complex emotion. It seemed that Yunlong had sensed it was a trap from the very beginning and had swiftly taken the most appropriate action.
Upon careful consideration, if the crime scene had been tampered with and the victim's body destroyed by the other party, Liu Ruyan would truly have been unable to clear her name even if she jumped into the Yellow River.
Xiao Yunlong let out a cold snort, "The evidence is conclusive now. Du Mingheng, Shi Daqiang, what do you two have to say for yourselves?"
Shi Daqiang immediately knelt down, pleading with Yan Lichu, "I was wrong, Director. It was all Du Mingheng. He planned all of this in secret. He wanted to kill that Xiao Yunlong. I was merely following orders. Please spare me this time!"
Du Mingheng, on the other hand, stood tall with his hands behind his back and sneered, "I planned for so long, yet I never expected such a lapse in my meticulous scheme, leading to failure. Given the circumstances, I have nothing more to say. However, even so, Director, you probably can't kill me, at most you'll demote me."
Yan Lichu did not reply. Instead, he looked up at Xiao Yunlong with a questioning gaze.
Xiao Yunlong grinned coldly, "Can't kill you? Truly ignorant and arrogant. The reason I didn't kill you earlier wasn't due to fear, but out of respect for the uniforms you wear, allowing you to die with peace."
"Scum like you are not worthy of dying by my hand. Yan Lichu, tell them my identity and let them send themselves off!"
"Yes, Mr. Xiao!" Yan Lichu immediately nodded. However, considering the sensitive nature of Xiao Yunlong's current identity, he did not speak loudly.
Yan Lichu walked up to Du Mingheng and the other man, whispered three words, and at the same time, showed them the ancient bronze token.
Du Mingheng's expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed, "You actually... you're actually that legendary... Forget it, forget it!"
Having said that, Du Mingheng suddenly threw his head back and laughed, sighing repeatedly, "Ridiculous, truly ridiculous. I never imagined that the person I was plotting against was such a figure. I was truly ignorant and foolish. Back then, even Shang Fanguo was forced to commit suicide, and I didn't notice anything amiss. I was utterly foolish, deserving of death, truly deserving of death!"
After saying this, Du Mingheng drew the weapon tucked at his waist, aimed it at his temple, and pulled the trigger. With a bang, he ended his own life.
Shi Daqiang's legs trembled uncontrollably from fright, and he continued to beg for mercy.
Yan Lichu glanced at him and sighed, "Mr. Xiao has spoken. Do you think you can still live? Send yourself off, and don't implicate your family!"
Only then did Shi Daqiang's expression turn fierce, and like Du Mingheng, he took his own life.
Only then did Xiao Yunlong slowly rise and look at Liu Ruyan, "Ruyan, let's go."
Having experienced some major events earlier, even seeing two bodies fall before her, Liu Ruyan was still able to maintain her composure and was no longer as flustered and lost as before.
Yan Lichu quickly stepped forward, holding the token with both hands, and respectfully handed it to Xiao Yunlong, "Mr. Xiao, I have fulfilled my mission and completed your instructions on time."
Xiao Yunlong took the token and nodded slightly, "You handled this well. If you need anything in the future, you can come to me!"
Liu Ruyan had been looking at the token, but she only saw an eight-clawed python dragon soaring through the clouds. She couldn't see the rest clearly.
Liu Ruyan originally wanted to ask, but she held back the words. Since she now knew that Xiao Yunlong's identity was extraordinary, his specific origins were not important. She would naturally know what she needed to know in due time.
"Mr. Xiao, it's almost dinner time. May I host a banquet for you?" Yan Lichu quickly followed and asked respectfully.
Seeing this, the surrounding disciplinary inspection personnel were all shocked. They all wondered who this young man named Xiao was, to be able to make the Director so humble and subservient.
"No need. You handle the remaining matters!" Xiao Yunlong waved his hand and walked out of the building.
It was already afternoon, and the sky was dark and overcast with dense clouds, looking like it was about to rain.
Jun Bufan immediately stepped forward and asked, "Big Brother, where are we going next?"
"To the Tang family, for dinner!" Xiao Yunlong said as he and Liu Ruyan got into the car.
As the car sped out of the disciplinary inspection department building, a thunderous roar sounded from the sky, followed by a torrential downpour.
Yan Lichu stood with his hands behind his back, watching the departing car stir up white mist, and sighed to himself, "I never expected that this person would actually come to Jiangdong. Now, Jiangdong is likely to be in turmoil. When gods fight, mortals like me should retreat!"
After saying this, he shook his head and turned back into the building.
Meanwhile, as Xiao Yunlong was heading to the Tang family villa, Cao Wuxie, the Commander of the Jiangdong City Lord's Mansion, had just received a phone call.
The call was very brief, only two sentences. However, after hanging up, Cao Wuxie's expression completely darkened, and he coldly snorted, "Xiao Yunlong, I never imagined that even the Deputy Director of the Disciplinary Inspection Department couldn't handle you. I didn't expect you to know that fellow Yan Lichu. That explains it."
Cao Kun, standing beside him, asked, "Second Uncle, even Du Mingheng couldn't deal with that scoundrel Xiao Yunlong?"
"He couldn't. The Disciplinary Inspection Department just called. Du Mingheng and Shi Daqiang are dead. The specific details are unknown because Yan Lichu has imposed a gag order, forbidding any leaks."
Cao Wuxie snorted at this point and said in a deep voice, "Originally, I wanted to use this move to kill with a borrowed knife, to eliminate that scoundrel surnamed Xiao by Du Mingheng's hand. Now it seems I underestimated the opponent!"
Cao Kun gritted his teeth and said, "What should we do now, Second Uncle? We can't just let this go. My father, your brother, and Uncle's hatred must be avenged!"
"Naturally, we won't let it go," Cao Wuxie snorted, narrowing his eyes sinisterly. "Don't worry, the waters in Jiangdong are still deep. I heard that this young man surnamed Xiao has offended both the Jiangdong Martial Alliance and the Jiangdong Pavilion. If I stir the pot a little, he will surely die!"
The rain in Jiangdong grew heavier. With the arrival of the summer rainy season, the rain often seemed endless.
By the time Xiao Yunlong arrived at the Tang family, it was completely dark. Dinner had been prepared by the Tang family, waiting for Xiao Yunlong and the others to arrive.
To Xiao Yunlong's surprise, the Tang family was unusually quiet today, and there were fewer people.
His sixth uncle, Tang Shanbao, was still busy with matters at the Century Entertainment City and had not returned for dinner. However, even his usually dependent cousins Tang Zijun and Tang Wenya, as well as his sharp-tongued third aunt, were not at home.
In the main hall, only his maternal grandfather Tang Zengshou, his third uncle Tang Tianbao, his eldest aunt Ni Hongyan, and his eldest cousin Tang Bowen remained.
Perhaps sensing Xiao Yunlong's confusion, his third uncle Tang Tianbao said with a wry smile, "Your third aunt and the other two went to your fourth aunt's house this afternoon."
The eldest aunt Ni Hongyan then pouted, "They packed up and ran away, no longer having to live in fear that the Lei family would bring people from the Martial Alliance to cause trouble. I wanted to leave too, but with us being a widow and orphans, we'd likely be met with cold shoulders at my fourth sister's place."
"And you, Bowen, you're too stubborn. At this critical juncture, you refuse to leave. If the Lei family really brings martial arts experts to our door, won't that be waiting for death? Honestly, it's infuriating. We were doing well after arriving in Jiangdong, but ever since a troublemaker appeared, things have become like this."
As she said this, the eldest aunt Ni Hongyan spoke with a sarcastic tone. Although she didn't name anyone, everyone present knew who she was referring to.
Xiao Yunlong remained silent. After all, his eldest uncle had died because of his Xiao family, and he felt guilty, so it was difficult for him to retort to his eldest aunt.
Tang Bowen shook his head, "Mom, what's the point of saying more now that things have come to this? Besides, I'm already a cripple, where else can I go?"
Tang Zengshou waved his hand, "Yunlong, Ruyan, you're back. Hurry and tell the servants to serve dinner!"
Although the dishes were not lavish, each one was exquisite, showing that the Tang family had put in effort.
Throughout the meal, the eldest aunt Ni Hongyan kept making sarcastic remarks, but no one present paid her any attention, including her son Tang Bowen.
Finally, Ni Hongyan probably felt she was being ignored and put down her chopsticks, returning to her room.
In fact, his third uncle Tang Tianbao also felt uncertain. After all, it was a colossal entity like the Jiangdong Martial Alliance. Although he had witnessed Xiao Yunlong's abilities, he didn't believe his nephew could contend with the Jiangdong Martial Alliance.
Based on his understanding of the Lei family, Lei Zekai and his son, having suffered such a great loss, would definitely not give up and would surely invite experts from the Jiangdong Martial Alliance for revenge, possibly even showing up that very night.
However, seeing that his father remained silent, Tang Tianbao naturally didn't speak up and just drank his wine dejectedly.
Xiao Yunlong, seeing that they had eaten enough, suddenly looked up at his eldest cousin Tang Bowen and said, "Eldest cousin, since you have time tonight, may I take a look at your legs?"
Tang Bowen was taken aback and didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Tang Zengshou then said, "Bowen, let Yunlong take a look. Yunlong's medical skills are quite good, perhaps he can cure your legs."
"Since that's the case, then alright." Tang Bowen nodded slightly, showing that he didn't have much hope.
After a brief rest following dinner, Xiao Yunlong pushed Tang Bowen's wheelchair into the bedroom and closed the door.
The third uncle Tang Tianbao couldn't help but ask, "Father, can Yunlong really cure Bowen's legs?"
Tang Zengshou rolled his eyes and said, "How would I know? Trying it won't hurt, but honestly... it's difficult."
At this point, both father and son shook their heads helplessly.
In the bedroom, Tang Bowen simply sat in his wheelchair, looking up quietly at Xiao Yunlong, and suddenly said, "It seems you've truly changed."
Xiao Yunlong merely smiled slightly, then squatted down to carefully examine the other person's legs.
Lifting Tang Bowen's trousers, he discovered that from the knees down, most of his legs were already black. Not to mention the bones, even some of the muscles had died.
Xiao Yunlong frowned upon seeing this, realizing the situation was more troublesome than he had imagined.
Tang Bowen gave a bitter smile, "I told you long ago that my legs were poisoned, causing my meridians to die, and even my bones and muscles showed signs of partial necrosis. Even authoritative orthopedic specialists had no solution."
Xiao Yunlong asked, "In that case, why didn't you choose amputation and then install advanced prosthetics? Although you wouldn't be able to move completely freely, you could still walk normally, and you wouldn't have to sit in a wheelchair all day."
Tang Bowen's face turned somber, and after a long silence, he said, "You should know me. From childhood to adulthood, I've been a perfectionist, striving for excellence in everything I do. If my legs were amputated, I'd rather die."
Xiao Yunlong shook his head upon hearing this and continued his examination.
Tang Bowen gave another bitter smile, "If there's really no way, then forget it. There's no need to waste time. I've long since given up any hope."
Xiao Yunlong slowly stood up and smiled, "What if I said there was a way?"
"Do you really have a way?" Tang Bowen's dim eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope.
Xiao Yunlong said calmly, "While I can't directly cure your legs, I have a way to help you stand up, and even move freely."
"The method you're talking about, don't tell me you want me to amputate and install prosthetics again? I've already said, if that's the case, I'd rather die!" Tang Bowen said.
"Of course not!" Xiao Yunlong shook his head slightly and then asked, "By the way, eldest cousin, do you want to learn martial arts?"
"Learn martial arts?" Tang Bowen was stunned.
"Yes, learn martial arts. As long as you can cultivate to the level of an Internal Strength Grandmaster, even if you still have to use a wheelchair, you'll be able to leap over eaves and walk on walls, possessing a certain degree of mobility. Of course, if you can cultivate to the level of a Hua Jin Grandmaster and refine your internal energy to a state of perfection, then even without a wheelchair, with the enhancement of your internal energy, you'll be able to stand and walk for short periods."
"And if you can cultivate to the legendary Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown Martial King realm, then even while in a wheelchair, you'll be able to move freely with your internal energy. If you can cultivate to the legendary Innate Opening Realm, there's even a possibility of repairing your dead legs."
Xiao Yunlong spoke with ease.
However, Tang Bowen's heart was already in turmoil. He clenched his fists and asked, "Is that true?"
"Of course, it's true!" Xiao Yunlong nodded slightly and said, "However, whether you can cultivate to Hua Jin Grandmaster or higher depends on your effort and talent."
"I'll learn. Even if it's a thousand difficulties and ten thousand hardships, I will learn. And I'm not afraid even if I have to put in a hundred or a thousand times the effort!"
Tang Bowen nodded heavily, gritting his teeth.