Qingshan Village.
Within two days, several cars appeared in the secluded mountain village.
The villagers, observing the men in expensive clothing, grew wary. The village chief became even more cautious of their sudden visit after the appearance of private investigators.
The three individuals came and left at different times, failing to cross paths.
However, they were all a step too late. Driver Ah Qiang had already been taken away when Jiang Ziyu arranged for Taoist priests to arrive in Qingshan Village.
Sitting in the van, Ah Qiang looked at the heavily armed men in front of him and beside him, and timidly asked, "Where are we going?"
His question echoed in the vehicle, but apart from the crunching sound of the wheels on the gravel road, no one responded.
Abducted into the car in a daze, he now had no chance to escape.
Glancing at the fleeting mountain scenery outside the window, they had not yet left the borders of Qingshan Village.
The van and a black car brushed past each other on the narrow mountain road, and the drivers of both vehicles exchanged glances.
After several hours of driving, the van arrived at a secluded wooden house near the city center.
"What exactly do you want?"
Ah Qiang was escorted out of the car, his arms being held.
"You will know when the time comes."
After being dumped in the wooden house, four men left two to stay with Ah Qiang inside. The other two guarded the outside.
The wooden house was fully equipped with living essentials, even a toilet.
Unrestrained, Ah Qiang paced back and forth in the wooden house. It had been a long time since he had been in the Imperial Capital again.
"I'm hungry," Ah Qiang called out.
The two men exchanged glances and retrieved instant food from a cabinet in the corner.
Ah Qiang was not picky and ate several people's portions in no time. Full and satisfied, he yawned and lay down on the bed to sleep.
He realized these people would not harm him, and his fear vanished, allowing him to enjoy the pampered life.
The news of Ah Qiang's abduction was quickly learned by Jiang Wenbin. Fearing that Di Mingjue had taken him, Jiang Wenbin dared not remain in the Imperial Capital for another moment.
Xu Jingya packed the remaining luxury goods overnight, carrying large bags and leaving the rented apartment in the dark with Jiang Wenbin.
Having anticipated their escape that night, Di Mingjue had already sent men to wait for them at the alley entrance after Jiang Wenbin received the news.
Jiang Wenbin stood at the alley entrance, looking at the two men in black on either side, nervously clutching his backpack.
"Let's go back," Jiang Wenbin said to Xu Jingya, his feet retreating backward.
Before they could retreat a hundred meters, the men in black approached them.
"If you cooperate with us, you won't be hurt."
Cooperate?
Impossible!
Jiang Wenbin threw his backpack at one of the men and, while they were distracted, turned and ran. He even abandoned Xu Jingya, focusing only on his own escape.
Watching his retreating figure, Xu Jingya looked pleadingly at the tall, burly men. "I'll go with you. Please don't hurt me."
Rubbing her palms, Xu Jingya was led by the men in black into the cars parked at both sides of the alley entrance.
Jiang Wenbin, thinking he had cleverly escaped, slowed down as he saw no one following him, and gasped for breath, clutching his chest.
When he turned forward again, the parked vehicles in front of him made him instantly uneasy.
Wasn't that the same car parked at the alley entrance earlier?
Realizing his predicament, he turned to run back the way he came.
"Wenbin," Xu Jingya's head poked out of the car window. "Stop running and cooperate with them."
The alley was a straight line with only two exits. He couldn't escape.
Fearing physical harm, Jiang Wenbin had no choice but to follow Xu Jingya's example and reluctantly get into the car.
"Where exactly are you taking us?" Jiang Wenbin couldn't help but ask indignantly on the road.