"Qi Dalei, as far as I know, Zhang Yang is only affiliated with the Dragon Group, isn't he?" Nan Gongwu said gravely. "He didn't even register for this year's competition. Is he really worth your Dragon Group protecting him like this?"
Zhang Yang was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected Nan Gongwu to have investigated his background so thoroughly. At the same time, he was also puzzled. Nan Gongwu had mentioned ordinary patrol members and a competition earlier. What did these two things mean?
Despite Zhang Yang's background being revealed, Qi Dalei remained unfazed, chuckling. "Since you're aware that Zhang Yang is merely an affiliated member, why are you trying to eliminate him, Nan Gongwu?" he retorted. "It seems the rumors about the first and second branches of the Nan Gong family being at odds are also false."
Nan Gongwu's expression turned cold. "The Nan Gong family's affairs are not for you to judge. Since you've proven Zhang Yang innocent, I have no objection to you taking him away. However, Wang Shoucai is a member of my patrol division, and you must release him."
After speaking, Nan Gongwu took a sudden step forward and stomped on the ground. Instantly, an invisible, imposing aura emanated from him.
"You expect me to release him just because you say so? Nan Gongwu, you don't have that much influence with me!" Qi Dalei's eyes gleamed, and he took two steps forward, refusing to back down. The two confronting each other unleashed intense fighting intent in their eyes, as if they were about to fight on the spot.
The atmosphere in the patrol division's courtyard became instantly tense as the two engaged in a silent contest of wills. The Dragon Group members stood at the ready, their hands instinctively reaching for the bulges at their waists. The accompanying soldiers also raised their weapons, scanning their surroundings warily.
On the patrol division's side, their morale surged with Nan Gongwu's appearance. They, too, chambered their bullets and straightened their backs. This was not all. Nan Gongwu's stomp seemed to be a signal. Soon, a group of personnel wearing combat uniforms similar to the patrol division, but in a darker shade, rushed out from the basement of the patrol division's base, joining the confrontation.
Zhang Yang, as the person involved, felt something was amiss. He seemed to understand what Nan Gongwu had meant by "ordinary patrol members." The individuals who emerged later possessed an imposing aura, not much inferior to the Dragon Group members. Their hidden auras were comparable to Chen Xiong's Ren-tier cultivation. There were even figures within the patrol division building that made Zhang Yang feel a sense of unease.
"Qi Dalei, you won't be taking Wang Shoucai today!"
"What if I insist on taking him?"
"Then try me."
"I will try, and I'm not afraid of you!"
...
Gradually, the tension between the two sides escalated. Zhang Yang quickly intervened, stopping Qi Dalei. "Captain Qi, it's not worth it for Wang Shoucai. He's just a running dog at best," he said. "I have my own ways of dealing with people like him; there's no need for a major confrontation."
"This..." Qi Dalei hesitated. He recalled Commander Fang Zheng's instructions before they came: they must not let Zhang Yang suffer any grievances and must try their best to win him over. Qi Dalei still shook his head. "No, if we don't teach the patrol division a lesson today, they will continue to target you."
"Heh, you Dragon Group has quite the audacity to speak of teaching the patrol division a lesson!" Nan Gongwu sneered.
"Do you think I can't do it?" Qi Dalei's face flushed with anger, and he was about to step forward.
"Captain Qi, no!" Zhang Yang grabbed him tightly and said solemnly, "Be careful, there might be a trap here!"
This! Zhang Yang's words startled Qi Dalei. Even Nan Gongwu narrowed his eyes, a trace of killing intent appearing in their depths.
"You're saying there's an ambush here?" Qi Dalei asked.
Zhang Yang nodded, then shook his head. He remembered the subtle aura that had appeared in the patrol division building after the patrol division personnel emerged. This aura made even him feel uneasy! He hadn't sensed such a feeling even from Qi Dalei and Nan Gongwu.
"I'm not sure, but I feel something is not right," Zhang Yang said vaguely.
Qi Dalei immediately became hesitant. He was not a reckless person. After Zhang Yang's reminder, he looked up and carefully surveyed the surroundings. Combined with Nan Gongwu's unusual behavior of not managing the patrol division, he felt something was indeed amiss. It seemed Zhang Yang's suspicion was not unfounded.
"Nan Gongwu, you are truly insidious. You almost tricked me," Qi Dalei said contemptuously.
"What? Captain Qi, are you scared? If you don't dare to take Wang Shoucai, then get lost," Nan Gongwu thought to himself with regret, trying to provoke him. Fortunately, as the leader of the Dragon Group in Jiangnan City, Qi Dalei was not brainless. Sensing that something was wrong, he calmed himself and sneered.
"Heh, the more you act like this, the less I want to act. Nan Gongwu, we'll have plenty of opportunities to clash. I hope you'll still be as tough as you are today during the competition!" After speaking, Qi Dalei directly drove away with Zhang Yang and the Dragon Group members.
Nan Gongwu, standing in his original spot, had a chilling expression. He watched the departing Dragon Group vehicles, his fists clenched behind his back. "Damn it, I almost succeeded. How did this Zhang Yang discover something was wrong?" Nan Gongwu cursed inwardly. "Everyone disperse," Nan Gongwu waved his hand impatiently, dismissing the crowd. Simultaneously, a man hidden within the patrol division building silently melted back into the darkness, as if he had never appeared.
"What are you still standing here for? Get lost!" Nan Gongwu glanced at Wang Shoucai with displeasure. Wang Shoucai shivered and quickly left. Afterward, Nan Gongwu entered the conference room alone. Qin Shengnan and Nan Gongting were still waiting for news. When Nan Gongwu entered with a grim expression, Nan Gongting guessed the general situation.
"Uncle Two, Zhang Yang was rescued?"
Nan Gongwu nodded gloomily. "Qi Dalei personally led the team and found evidence of Zhang Yang's alibi. I had no reason to keep him."
Hearing this, Qin Shengnan, who had been silent, appeared to take it as a matter of course. Nan Gongting, however, was somewhat displeased. "Uncle Two, didn't you say Zhang Yang was only affiliated with the Dragon Group? Then why does the Dragon Group value him so much?"
Nan Gongwu frowned, not entirely sure himself. "He is definitely affiliated, and Qi Dalei personally admitted it. But why he is protecting Zhang Yang, I'm not sure." Nan Gongwu and Nan Gongting were both puzzled. A day earlier, the old man, for some unknown reason, had personally called Nan Gongwu, asking him to avenge Nan Gongyi. Even if he couldn't avenge him, he needed to show a stance. Originally, Nan Gongwu had no intention of getting involved in such matters, as his current status made it inappropriate. Moreover, it went against the impression the Nan Gong family deliberately gave to outsiders. However, since the old man had personally given the order last night, Nan Gongwu had no choice but to comply.
"Xiao Ting, I can only do this much, Uncle Two. I can't do anything else, or it will give people an excuse to grasp at straws," Nan Gongwu said. He had already pushed the boundaries by doing what he did today. Nan Gongting nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Uncle Two. Xiao Yi and I will remember your kindness."
"Ah, we're family, no need for formalities," Nan Gongwu waved his hand, not minding. Although it was rumored that the first and second branches of the Nan Gong family were at odds, that was merely a deliberate rumor spread by the Nan Gong family to mislead outsiders. After all, the Nan Gong family in the provincial capital was not top-tier, and he did not want other forces to focus too much attention on them. This was because both of the Nan Gong patriarch's sons were exceptionally outstanding. Whether it was Nan Gongwen from the first branch or Nan Gongwu from the second branch, one engaged in business and the other in martial arts, both achieving success in their respective fields.
"Uncle Two, leave the rest to us. Xiao Yi called me and said he will be back in a couple of days, and he will handle Zhang Yang's matter then," Nan Gongting said.
"Oh, is Xiao Yi's health recovered?" Nan Gongwu asked with concern. He had no children of his own, so he cared about Xiao Yi.
"Yes, he has recovered, and Xiao Yi said he has a surprise for us," Nan Gongting said expectantly.
"Haha, it's good that he's recovered, it's good," Nan Gongwu said with a smile.
"Uncle Two, I'll be going now," Nan Gongting said with a smile.
...
After Nan Gongting left, only Nan Gongwu and Qin Shengnan remained in the reception room. Nan Gongwu's expression turned grim again. He stood up, locked the door of the reception room, and said angrily, "Qin Shengnan, is this the great opportunity you told me about!" "You're called the most strategic among the Seven Kill Gate disciples, but you're too disappointing."