Ye Cangtian's suspicion that underground forces were behind Tang Xinwan's abduction stemmed from observing several details.
After abducting Tang Xinwan, the group seemed to vanish into thin air, disappearing without a trace. This indicated the perpetrators were very familiar with Kyoto. Given Kyoto's bustling traffic, evading numerous key surveillance facilities was incredibly difficult. Furthermore, the kidnapping methods employed were highly proficient. According to Li Anran, these individuals drove unregistered vehicles and targeted Tang Xinwan in surveillance blind spots. Under such circumstances, Ye Cangtian naturally suspected involvement from the underground forces.
His reason for confronting Cang Lang was due to some existing animosity between them, and he worried Cang Lang might seek personal revenge. Seeing Cang Lang appear oblivious now, Ye Cangtian realized the situation might be more complex than he initially thought.
As he was about to leave, he noticed Cang Lang seemed to have something to say but was hesitant. Ye Cangtian glanced at him, lit a cigarette, and said calmly, "You seem to have something on your mind?"
Cang Lang hesitated for a moment before directly stating, "I have a clue here, I don't know if it can help Mr. Ye!"
"Speak!" Ye Cangtian was somewhat surprised.
"It's like this, the night before last, my men inadvertently discovered someone secretly meeting with people from an underground faction!"
"Who?"
"Yuwen Hao!"
Cang Lang's expression turned serious as he continued, "He met privately with a guy named Shan Kui. This Shan Kui doesn't have many subordinates, only a few dozen people, but his influence ranks among the top three in the underground forces." He was ranked so high due to Shan Kui's immense strength and two capable lieutenants, making his faction extremely powerful in and around Kyoto. Moreover, this faction, including Shan Kui himself, was notoriously arrogant, frequently clashing with other groups. Even Cang Lang had suffered losses at their hands several times.
This time, it was because the two sides had a recent conflict that resulted in injuries to several of Cang Lang's brothers. Therefore, Cang Lang had sent his subordinates to secretly monitor Shan Kui's activities, which led to the accidental discovery of Yuwen Hao's meeting with him.
Ye Cangtian's brow furrowed slightly. He glanced at Cang Lang and asked, "Are you implying that Yuwen Hao's secret meeting with Shan Kui was likely to arrange the covert abduction of my fiancée?"
"This is just my speculation, after all, Yuwen Hao seems to have a conflict with Mr. Ye," Cang Lang replied.
Ye Cangtian took a couple of drags from his cigarette and fell into silence. After a while, he looked up and smiled, "Why are you telling me this? Offending Yuwen Hao doesn't benefit you, does it?"
Cang Lang chuckled dryly, "These young masters naturally look down on people like us from the underground forces. To me, it's people like Mr. Ye who are worth befriending." Those young masters and second-generation heirs were all incredibly arrogant and naturally disdained extensive dealings with people from the lower strata. Even when they inevitably needed assistance from underground figures like Cang Lang, it was usually through private transactions, after which they would immediately sever ties.
Ye Cangtian understood this principle, but he looked at Cang Lang with a wry smile, "Isn't it because you have a feud with Shan Kui and plan to use me to eliminate his faction?"
Cang Lang was taken aback. "Mr. Ye, I guarantee everything I've said is the absolute truth. While I do have that thought in mind, rest assured, what I've told you is genuine."
Ye Cangtian nodded and smiled, "Very well, if my fiancée was indeed abducted by Shan Kui's men, I will naturally eliminate this fellow for you!"
"But if I discover you are lying to me, you know the consequences!"
"Yes, yes, yes! I'll arrange for my subordinates to investigate immediately and find out your wife's whereabouts!" Cang Lang was sweating profusely from fear. He didn't know if his choice was right or wrong, but he was willing to take the gamble!
Cang Lang went to gather information with his men. Given that he had spoken so frankly, the likelihood of this matter being true was about eighty percent. Yuwen Hao had been beaten by Ye Cangtian just a few days ago, and shortly thereafter, he secretly met with an underground boss, indicating he still hadn't given up and was planning retaliation. Knowing Ye Cangtian's formidable strength and his affiliation with the Dragon Group, Yuwen Hao had resorted to targeting Tang Xinwan. Thinking of this, a murderous intent flashed in Ye Cangtian's eyes. If Yuwen Hao had indeed orchestrated this, he wouldn't hesitate to kill a scion of one of the eight great families to make an example. He wanted everyone to know! Anyone who dared to touch his bottom line would face dire consequences!
Time passed slowly. Both Cang Lang's faction, the Dragon Group, and Shangguan Yun were helping Ye Cangtian search for clues. On the Dragon Group's side, Zhang Liang had already reported the matter, even alarming Old Master Xu. Secretary Liu had called to inquire and informed Ye Cangtian that the Dragon Group would exert all its efforts to find Tang Xinwan's whereabouts. Shangguan Yun had also contacted his superiors to ascertain if the Dark Association was making any moves. However, as the day gradually drew to a close, it was Cang Lang's side that first uncovered a clue.
"Mr. Ye, the matter has been investigated, and it was indeed Shan Kui's men who did it!" Cang Lang returned to the bar, panting. After downing a whole bottle of beer, he explained, "The ones who acted were Shan Kui's two capable assistants, one named Scarface and the other A Biao. Yesterday, the two of them bought a smuggled black car in the black market, which was likely the vehicle used in the abduction."
In addition to this, Cang Lang had also heard from the vicinity of Shan Kui's territory that the two had carried a sack out of the car and entered a KTV establishment. This KTV was Shan Kui's stronghold. Combining these clues, Ye Cangtian was now completely certain that Tang Xinwan had been abducted to this KTV by these individuals. He stood up, a chilling smile on his face, "Let's go!"
Cang Lang stood to the side, feeling as if the temperature around him had dropped several degrees. He dared not look up at Ye Cangtian, only daring to lower his head and respond, "Alright, I'll notify all my brothers now!"
At that moment, Cang Lang felt quite fortunate! The last time, because of that Song family brat, he had tried to cause trouble for Ye Cangtian, only to be utterly defeated without any recourse. If he hadn't been decisive and patient then, and had truly intended to seek revenge, he might have already gone to the gates of hell. He felt even more fortunate that his gamble this time had paid off! Shan Kui was undoubtedly doomed, and not only would he be able to avenge himself, but he also had the opportunity to seize all of Shan Kui's territory and resources.
Soon, at Cang Lang's notification, all his subordinates mobilized. Over a dozen vans and minivans, with imposing momentum, sped towards Shan Kui's territory. The sky had darkened considerably. The air felt heavy and oppressive, like the calm before a storm. Tonight was destined to be an extraordinary night!