"So, the lead is dead?"
Outside the club building, Han Wei asked Chen Fan.
Chen Fan shook his head and said, "Perhaps we've touched the core."
Before Fei Zhengen was killed by Viper, he was about to speak the name of the Heavenly Official, and that name began with 'Wu'.
Chen Fan couldn't help but think of Wu Zhao, the mysterious man he had met only yesterday at the Nine-Five Club.
His demeanor and presence were extraordinary.
Especially his calculation ability during chess, which was terrifying.
If it weren't for his slight deficiency in overall strategy, Chen Fan, with his chess skills, might not have been able to defeat him.
The fact that Viper, Fei Zhengen's most trusted subordinate, was a pawn of the Heavenly Official was very much in line with Wu Zhao's style.
However, Chen Fan was certain that the name Wu Zhao was an alias. What was that person's true identity?
"Thank you for handling the follow-up matters and see what you can find out."
Chen Fan collected his thoughts and said to Han Wei, "Contact me anytime if you find anything. Once the Heavenly Official's identity is confirmed, we can cast the net and eradicate the Brotherhood."
Han Wei nodded, "That's my duty. Be careful."
"You too."
Chen Fan nodded and said, "There are too many ancient martial artists involved in the capital. You must pay attention to your safety."
Hearing Chen Fan'så±å, Han Wei's lips curved into a happy smile, and she said, "Remember what you said, that you'd treat me to a meal after we eliminate the Brotherhood."
"No problem, I can treat you for a month if you like."
Chen Fan waved his hand, not wanting to delay further, and drove back to the base.
At the same time, he called Xiang Jingzhu to inquire about the progress on her end.
Things there weren't going too smoothly. Following the leads, they had only apprehended three people from the list so far.
The people on the list were all subordinates of the Earth Fiend Fei Zhengen, and some of them were formidable individuals.
Even with the formidable Dawn Squad and the elite soldiers from the Iron Blood Camp, it wasn't possible to capture everyone with ease.
Upon returning to the base, Chen Fan found it to be a scene of hustle and bustle.
He then personally directed the continued arrests.
After a busy night until midnight, the work at the base was temporarily concluded, and Chen Fan drove back home.
The night passed without incident. The next morning, he woke up to the aroma of cooking from the kitchen.
Chen Fan walked out of the bedroom and saw a slender woman in Chen Xing'er's pajamas frying eggs.
The woman was young, with a pure and clean face, and was very beautiful with an excellent figure.
Chen Fan was taken aback.
"Are you Brother Tianjiao? Hello, I'm Wan'er!"
The woman also heard the movement and smiled shyly at Chen Fan, saying, "Xing'er has mentioned you countless times. Today, I finally get to see you in person."
Cao Wan, the young lady of the Cao family and Chen Xing'er's best friend.
"Hello."
Chen Fan nodded and said, "I'm sorry, you're a guest, and I've made you prepare breakfast."
"Xing'er is still sleeping. It's alright. I usually enjoy cooking, and I'm very happy to be able to make breakfast for Brother Tianjiao."
Cao Wan said with shyness and a hint of awkwardness in her eyes, "As long as you don't mind my cooking being too bad."
"That lazybones."
Chen Fan said, "Then I'll trouble you, Wan'er. Xing'er is in your care. I, as her brother, am not by her side and feel quite ashamed. Thank you for accompanying her."
He was genuinely grateful.
Having served in the military for ten years, he had barely spent any time with Chen Xing'er and owed her a great deal.
Chen Xing'er had no other friends except Cao Wan, and Cao Wan had accompanied her through many aspects of her studies and life.
Chen Fan was truly grateful for and welcomed Chen Xing'er's best friend.
"Brother Tianjiao, you're too kind. Xing'er and I are good friends. She's wonderful, and she helps me with many things. When someone bullies me, I always hide behind her."
Cao Wan laughed, "You saying that makes me feel embarrassed."
Chen Fan smiled faintly, "Your companionship is also a great help. You are always welcome to visit anytime."
"Really?"
Cao Wan smiled sweetly, her face blushing, and said, "Xing'er says you are a very good person. I knew you were back and have long wanted to meet you. I admire people like you, heroes who guard the borders for the country and fight bravely in battle. But I was afraid you wouldn't welcome me."
"How could that be?"
Chen Fan laughed, "I welcome you anytime. It's just that there have been too many things happening recently, and I'm often not home. Xing'er is quite unhappy with me."
"She wishes you would spend more time with her," Cao Wan said. "Then I'll come here often. Brother Tianjiao, please don't find me bothersome then."
"Absolutely not."
"Alright, Brother Tianjiao, you should eat your breakfast first. Lean meat congee with eggs and milk. I wonder if it suits your taste."
"How could it not suit my taste?" Chen Fan walked over, picked up a spoon, and said, "When I was a soldier, deep within enemy territory, with no food left, I would have even gnawed on grass if I could. Having something to eat was the greatest happiness in the world!"
"Alas, Brother Tianjiao, you've suffered so much. I truly admire you heroes. Please try these pickled shredded vegetables. They go well with your congee."
Chen Fan picked up a spoonful of pickled shredded vegetables. They tasted really good.
So, Chen Fan ate while chatting with Cao Wan.
A girl as gentle and virtuous as Cao Wan, despite her wealthy background, lacked any trace of arrogance, which was rare and made her very likable.
After talking with her for a while, Chen Fan returned to his room and called Han Wei and Xiang Jingzhu to get updates on the progress and impact of yesterday's events.
The police had naturally sealed off the news of everything that happened yesterday, but many prominent families had learned of it and were discussing it at length.
As for the Brotherhood, there had been no reaction, which was within Chen Fan's expectations.
After all, it was Du Fumin who had provided Ye Yunchen with that list.
Not long after, Ye Yunchen indeed called.
"Brother Chen, your actions were quite swift!"
Ye Yunchen said, "Your speed and decisive methods are truly admirable."
Chen Fan, of course, pretended not to know about his collusion with Du Fumin and said, "Your list was very accurate."
"My list did not include Fei Zhengen."
Ye Yunchen said, "So, what did you find out from your end?"
Chen Fan smiled.
Fei Zhengen's death and the capture of his confidants were certainly beyond the expectations of the Heavenly Official and Ye Yunchen.
The fact that Fei Zhengen was not on the list indicated that the Heavenly Official's side did not want Fei Zhengen to be captured by Chen Fan.
After all, Fei Zhengen knew too many secrets. When he was about to reveal the Heavenly Official's true nature, Viper had no choice but to kill Fei Zhengen to rectify the situation.
Therefore, Fei Zhengen being found by Chen Fan was an uncontrolled event for the Brotherhood.
This was why Ye Yunchen was now probing for information.
"Fei Zhengen is dead, so that lead is gone. What was uncovered were only some insignificant pawns under Fei Zhengen's command."
Chen Fan did not exaggerate, saying, "However, we did learn of a very important key figure in the Brotherhood, codenamed Heavenly Official. Do you have any relevant intelligence on your end?"
"No, my informant has gone missing, and this is the first time I've heard the codename Heavenly Official."
Ye Yunchen said, "I'll send someone to inquire further, and I'll inform you immediately if I get any news. I hope if you have any new intelligence, Brother Chen, you will also inform me promptly."
"No problem," Chen Fan replied.
"Then I'll see you at the Heroes' Gathering later," Ye Yunchen said with a smile. "I'll call you when I get to Yulong Villa."
After hanging up the phone, a hint of amusement played on Chen Fan's lips.