Three months later, I returned to Ninghai.
Perhaps it was because it was late autumn, but as I got off the bus, a cool breeze blew, carrying a distinct chill.
Yu Mengzhi said in a low voice, "A lot has happened in Ninghai over the past three months. But you were recuperating in the hospital then, so I didn't tell you everything."
First, the laboratory headed by Wen Fu officially moved to a new location in the far suburbs of Ninghai City, named the Kunlun Research Institute. To lighten Chen Jinzhao's burden, a military camp was even stationed there to protect the institute at all times.
"Did anything else happen?" Chen Jinzhao asked.
Yu Mengzhi looked at Chen Jinzhao in surprise. "What are you talking about? I don't think I understand."
Chen Jinzhao went back into the house and sat on the sofa. "These past few days, Qian Deshui hasn't called me, and you haven't mentioned him in front of me."
Upon returning to Ninghai, Chen Jinzhao finally remembered this matter.
Yu Mengzhi hesitated, then finally said, knowing she could no longer hide it, "It seems you've guessed. Qian Deshui is in a very bad state. While you were unconscious, the Qianshui Gate from the southwest launched a large-scale invasion. They clashed with Qian Deshui in the grey zone several times. Qian Deshui was constantly retreating, unable to fight back. Qi Yue also tried to help him, but the Qianshui Gate operatives left no trace, making them difficult to deal with."
"As of now, if we consider the underground world of Jiangnan as a whole, Hong Kui of Qianshui Gate has already seized over seventy percent of the territory."
"Qi Yue and I originally intended to inform you, but Qian Deshui strictly instructed us not to disturb your recovery."
Yu Mengzhi hadn't known before that Chen Jinzhao had such a deep connection with Qian Deshui.
"He's thoughtful," Chen Jinzhao said.
"But now he's one of my people, and I'll need his help for some things in the future, so Qian Deshui cannot die, and the Jiangnan region cannot be lost."
Yu Mengzhi didn't interrupt. She understood that Chen Jinzhao had his own plans. After Chen Jinzhao finished speaking, she asked, "What can I do to help you now?"
Chen Jinzhao pondered for a moment and then said thoughtfully, "Invite him over for dinner. I have some things I want to ask him about. What do you think?"
Yu Mengzhi naturally had no objections.
"Alright!"
"Then I'll contact him now."
When Qian Deshui received Yu Mengzhi's call and learned that Chen Jinzhao had recovered, he was overjoyed. After hanging up the phone, he rushed to the Donghu Villa area without delay.
He didn't stop for a moment.
Seeing Chen Jinzhao again after three months, Qian Deshui's excitement was evident, his voice even trembling. "Young Master Chen, you're finally well. So much has happened in Jiangnan during this time, I don't even know where to begin."
Yu Mengzhi saw this.
She said to them, "You two chat. I'll go back to my room to handle some work matters."
Chen Jinzhao said, "There's no need. We're not discussing state secrets. You have the right to know what we're talking about. Please sit down and join us for dinner."
Yu Mengzhi looked at Chen Jinzhao with surprise. If it were the old him, he would never have let her know these things. Chen Jinzhao saw her doubt and explained, "I was afraid you'd worry back then. Now that you know my true identity, there's nothing more to worry about."
"During our conversation, if you have any doubts, you can raise them immediately."
Yu Mengzhi hummed and sat down again.
Through their conversation, Chen Jinzhao learned that Qian Deshui's subordinates had suffered heavy losses, with many dead or injured, and some had been so intimidated by Qianshui Gate that they had defected.
In short, the current situation was very unfavorable for Qian Deshui. If this continued, he would be utterly defeated within half a year.
Clearly, this was not the situation Chen Jinzhao wanted to see.
Qian Deshui gritted his teeth and said, "Young Master Chen, give me some more time. I'll definitely defeat Qianshui Gate! At worst, I'll take Hong Kui down with me before I die."
Chen Jinzhao shook his head. "If you die, all your previous efforts will be in vain, and I'll still need your help for things in the future."
Qian Deshui suddenly became emotional.
He knew very well that the matters Chen Jinzhao spoke of were surely of extremely noble ideals and ambitions.
"I would do anything for you, Young Master Chen. It's just that those scoundrels from Qianshui Gate are really strong, and coupled with my insufficient response, they took advantage of the situation and caught me off guard," Qian Deshui sighed repeatedly, feeling he had failed Chen Jinzhao's expectations.
"It seems I have to make a move?" Chen Jinzhao said with a half-smile.
Yu Mengzhi frowned, wanting to remind Chen Jinzhao that he was still a patient and should not be seen in public. However, considering Qian Deshui was still there, she didn't speak directly.
Qian Deshui said after hearing this, "Young Master Chen, you haven't been recovered for long, so it's not suitable for you to take action. Moreover, Qianshui Gate currently has two A-class experts. Even if you can defeat one, there's still the other A-class expert."
Chen Jinzhao couldn't help but wonder where Qianshui Gate's second A-class expert came from. He had heard before that Qianshui Gate had a guardian, named Wu Chengqing, whose strength was A-class.
Now there was another one?
"This second A-class expert comes from the Golden Triangle, named Peng Jiachao. He's one of the strong figures from that region," Qian Deshui explained. Seeing Chen Jinzhao remain silent, he continued, "Qianshui Gate has received support from the people there, which is why they've been so unstoppable, defeating me and my subordinates one after another."
"I understand. So that's how it is," Chen Jinzhao nodded.
"However, are the people from the Golden Triangle courting death? Daring to cross our national border so brazenly. I originally didn't have much desire to act, but now it seems Qianshui Gate must be eradicated, and I must intervene."
Yu Mengzhi, standing by, felt a chill run down her spine. The Golden Triangle was one of the most chaotic places in the world, and experts emerging from there were certainly not ordinary individuals.
This undertaking would be extremely dangerous.
Qian Deshui tried to persuade him again, hoping Chen Jinzhao would reconsider and not act impulsively. If anything happened to Chen Jinzhao, Qian Deshui wouldn't be able to bear the responsibility.
"There's no need to persuade me further. I don't take the petty Qianshui Gate to heart. Since they dare to provoke me, they must be prepared for my retaliation," Chen Jinzhao said calmly, his face as placid as a waveless lake.
Qian Deshui knew his mind was made up and no longer tried to dissuade him.
"Then—"
"In what way should we expel Qianshui Gate from Jiangnan?"