Zhou Xuan shook his head. It wasn't that he feared Hao Tianrui because she was from the Alchemist Guild, but rather because of the intricate connections between the Alchemist Guild and Hao Tianyu.
Hao Tianyu dared to raid the Precious Medicine Pavilion and was now captured by Hei Hu and his men.
Knowing he couldn't escape, he confessed everything.
Hao Tianrui was the illegitimate daughter brought back by his family.
Her strength, however, was incredibly formidable.
But she had always maintained a low profile.
Zhou Xuan sent a photograph to Hei Hu.
"It's her! This woman is Hao Tianrui."
Xu Tianhua took the photograph.
"Xiao Xuan, you're saying the female master beside Qiu Wenlong is her?"
"Yes, Master. I've mobilized the Fang family and several other clans, and even asked my maternal grandfather, Xiao Wushuang, for help to investigate."
"This woman only appeared recently."
Xu Tianhua looked at the photograph, also bewildered.
"This is strange. She only appeared recently, yet Qiu Wenlong seems to trust her implicitly."
"How about this, Master? You and I go see Grandfather."
Zhou Xuan suggested.
"Alright, I also want to meet Xiao Chenyi and inquire about the affairs of the High Command."
The Xiao family.
Xiao Chenyi sat in his study.
Before him were two thick ledgers.
These were the accounts he had recently uncovered, along with ledgers detailing someone's international network of connections.
"I never thought there were so many strange people in this world. It's getting more and more interesting."
Xiao Chenyi put down the ledgers.
"Boss, someone is looking for you."
The study door was pushed open, and a young man in a black suit walked in.
"Who is it?"
"He claims to be Zhou Xuan, and there's another stranger with him."
"What does he want with me?"
"He said... he said..."
"What can't be said?"
"The other party claims to be someone the High Command owes a debt to."
"Owes a debt?"
Xiao Chenyi was somewhat perplexed.
"Let them in."
"Grandpa."
Xiao Chenyi was surprised to see Xu Tianhua visiting him. He found it astonishing that the elusive Xu Tianhua would personally come to his residence.
"Mr. Xu, I apologize for not welcoming you sooner. Please have a seat."
Xiao Chenyi gestured for Xu Tianhua to sit and instructed a servant to serve tea.
"Mr. Xiao, you are too kind. I am here today to ask for some clarification on certain matters."
"Oh? What matters?"
Xiao Chenyi, looking at the legendary master of Zhou Xuan, was also very curious.
"I'd like to know why Qiu Wenlong trusts Hao Tianrui so much and keeps her by his side."
"This..."
Xiao Chenyi was also unaware. However, seeing Xu Tianhua's demeanor, he seemed somewhat puzzled as well.
"What, are you also finding this strange, Mr. Xiao?"
Xu Tianhua inquired.
"I'm not entirely sure. Qiu Wenlong's position is special, and he has never explained it to us. We cannot interfere casually."
"Furthermore, many of his itineraries and private matters are top-secret."
"However, according to Mrs. Qiu, Hao Tianrui is a highly skilled individual."
"Mr. Xiao, we are all martial artists, and your Xiao family is a family of cultivation. I am aware of your affairs."
Xu Tianhua smiled faintly. Xiao Chenyi's acting skills weren't particularly brilliant; he had seen countless people over the years.
Zhou Xuan and Xiao Wushuang also walked in after meeting up.
"We are all family. Let's not be strangers."
"Master, allow me to introduce my maternal grandfather, Xiao Wushuang."
"Grandfather, this is my master, Xu Tianhua, the former captain of a mysterious unit."
Zhou Xuan said to Xiao Chenyi, "Perhaps you cannot access their classified archives. My master's identity has long been sealed."
Xiao Chenyi was greatly surprised.
"A mysterious unit? Are you referring to that unit that was once forbidden to be mentioned?"
"Yes, that's the one. During a campaign against Country Eagle, our entire army was wiped out, leaving only three survivors."
"That's truly shocking."
Xiao Chenyi thought of Qiu Wenlong.
With his sharp and cautious mind, he immediately connected Qiu Wenlong with Xu Tianhua.
"I recall that after the incident with the mysterious army, Qiu Wenlong led a new team, quickly emerged from the shadows, achieved great victory, and was subsequently promoted."
Xu Tianhua nodded in agreement.
"Back then, we were all deceived by him. Even our superiors were completely misled."
"How did he deceive you? Qiu Wenlong is the highest-ranking superior directly under our command. He has always had a good reputation among his colleagues."
Xiao Chenyi reminded Xu Tianhua.
"Heh, you can know a person's face but not their heart. In the command, he was the boss, directly managing you with both kindness and authority. How would you know his true nature?"
Xiao Chenyi stated, "It's a shame the events of that year are sealed. If I were to access them without authorization, he might notice."
Xu Tianhua also frowned.
Even Xiao Wushuang sighed repeatedly.
Zhou Xuan was even more helpless.
Xiao Chenyi had a promising future, and the Xiao family could not be implicated due to the master's affairs.
"If Uncle Xu can find the other survivor from that year, or any Country Eagle soldiers who survived that battle, there might still be a chance."
"After all, with a witness, the archives can be reopened, and the investigation can be reinitiated."
Xiao Chenyi also cautioned, "Remember, it's been almost twenty years. You don't have much time left, only one month."
Zhou Xuan and his master Xu Tianhua exchanged glances.
"We must rush to Country Eagle as soon as possible and find AN!"
"Who is he?"
"He was the captain of the battle that year. He is from Country Eagle. However, during the charge, I heard him say a few words."
"What words?"
"You speak bird language?"
Xiao Wushuang frowned and asked.
"Yes, he thought I wouldn't understand back then, but I heard him say something."
"'The people of Zhonghua are willing to kill each other for profit, even betraying their own brothers. Against soldiers of such a nation, hahaha, our Great Country Eagle is destined to win!'"
Xu Tianhua repeated it word for word in bird language.
Zhou Xuan and the others immediately translated the meaning.
It turned out that in the battle that year, the opposing side was already watching all their brothers go to their deaths.
While they thought they were desperately protecting Zhonghua's land, they were betrayed by their own people.
"It's a pity for those young and passionate lads in the special forces back then. They were all full of vigor, at the prime of their lives. Their lives were forever frozen at that moment!"
"I am unwilling to accept this!"
"Back then, after the battle, apart from me, Xu Tianhua, and Huang Youwei were unharmed. Even Li Huihui, we all thought she was dead."
"Only Qiu Wenlong was continuously promoted, and even married the woman whom both Huang Youwei and I admired!"
"This humiliation, I, Xu Tianhua, cannot rest in peace until the truth of that year is uncovered!"
Xiao Chenyi's expression was grave.
He never imagined such a situation existed behind the scenes.
"To be honest, Qiu Wenlong has always been amiable, practical, and not vain. He is highly valued, which is why he has been promoted so quickly over the years."
"Even I admired him greatly, sometimes even seeing him as an idol."
"If this is true, then my perception has shattered."
Xu Tianhua gave a bitter smile. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"We were all close brothers who shared the same experiences, spending years together without truly understanding him. Let alone those of you who are not privy to the inner workings."