"It's not that I look down on Young Master Wu."
Chen Fan said slowly, "It's that the opponent's power is far greater than you imagine. Not only I, but the Seven Great Clans may all be drawn in, and all forces in the capital might face a complete reshuffle!"
Wu Zhaoyang's expression changed. "How is that possible?"
"Nothing is impossible."
Chen Fan said, "According to the clues I have, the level involved is far beyond imagination. Families like the Wu and Chen families, no matter their status, could be shaken and decline if they're not careful."
"If you want me to tell you all the clues I have, first, Young Master Wu, you must have that kind of courage and resolve."
Chen Fan stood up. "I bid you farewell. Please have a car take me."
He was ready to leave.
It was better to stop at a hint. It would pique curiosity and interest more easily. If he were too direct, it wouldn't be taken as seriously.
As expected, Wu Zhaoyang's expression changed upon hearing this.
Just then, Chen Fan's phone rang.
Because he had set a different ringtone, Chen Fan knew immediately it was from the Dawn Squad.
He picked it up and saw it was from Han Wei's other number.
Han Wei was now a member of the Dawn Squad, so she had a separate contact method.
He answered the call.
"Chen Tianjiao, a corpse was found at a farm in the southern part of the city. The neck was twisted and broken with extreme force. The identity has been verified as a former soldier who was discharged. I've retrieved his records; he was an extremely accurate marksman and had won the military marksmanship competition."
Chen Fan was taken aback.
"I've now dispatched additional police forces to investigate, check his recent movements, taken photos, and are looking for witnesses near the scene of last night's incident who might have seen him."
"Alright."
Chen Fan said, "I'll call you back."
After hanging up, Chen Fan said, "I have another matter, Young Master Wu. Farewell!"
Wu Zhaoyang did not stop him. He walked out with Chen Fan and signaled the driver to take Chen Fan away.
Watching Chen Fan get into the car and drive away, Wu Zhaoyang's face was grim.
"Brother, what's going on? What did you talk about with him?"
Wu Manzhu came up behind Wu Zhaoyang and asked.
"He refused to say."
He replied in a low voice, Wu Zhaoyang scanned his surroundings and suddenly beckoned, "Uncle Qun!"
"Young Master!"
The old butler came to his side.
"Investigate everyone around me. Dig into all of them. Check if anyone has been in contact with outsiders recently and if there are any untraceable funds in their accounts."
"Young Master?" The old butler's expression sank.
"It's nothing. There's a lot going on in the capital lately. Just a self-check, don't think too much about it."
"Yes, Young Master!"
The old butler agreed and began to summon people.
"Brother?"
Wu Manzhu looked shocked.
"It's nothing. Chen Tianjiao indeed has the capital to be arrogant. The Undefeated Heavenly King or Mr. Long's identity alone could put me in my place."
Wu Zhaoyang smiled and said, "I'm very curious. Who exactly caused him such a big loss three years ago?"
"If they dare to scheme against me, then I'll play this game."
"He's hiding a lot. Does he think I won't find out? He underestimates me!"
As he was speaking, the old butler hurried over.
He whispered to Wu Zhaoyang, "Young Master, the police have sent news. There was a homicide in the southern part of the city. The victim is a former soldier. The police headquarters has sealed off the news, but we have people at the dispatch center who have relayed the information."
"The one handling this case is the eldest daughter of the Han family, Han Wei. She stopped our people yesterday."
Wu Zhaoyang was stunned for a moment. "Continue to monitor it. Never mind, I'll retrieve the case files directly through our family. This Chen Tianjiao is truly different from three years ago. This is quite interesting!"
...
He was driven to the Longteng Branch Building.
Chen Fan switched to his own car and called Han Wei.
"We've received reports. Someone indeed saw the deceased near a possible sniper's position. We also found the clothes the deceased was wearing yesterday, which match what was shown in some surveillance footage."
"It's highly likely the deceased was the sniper last night. Of course, it's also possible they are intentionally misleading us!"
Han Wei said.
Chen Fan said, "I'll come and see the body. Where is it?"
"Police Headquarters, Forensic Medicine Department."
Chen Fan then drove directly to Police Headquarters.
Han Wei didn't come to pick him up personally but sent someone to a nearby location to give Chen Fan a police uniform.
After changing into the uniform, Chen Fan followed a police officer to the forensic medicine department.
Han Wei was already waiting, accompanied by two trusted subordinates, both of considerable rank.
Upon seeing Chen Fan, Han Wei's two subordinates were surprised by his youth.
Entering the forensic medicine department, Chen Fan lifted the shroud. With just one look, and recalling the name Han Wei had given him earlier, he said, "I should have seen him. He was indeed a sharpshooter in the army."
Looking at his fingers, shoulders, and ribs, Chen Fan was even more certain.
Some things, even forensic doctors wouldn't know, but Chen Fan did. A seasoned sniper would have calluses on his right middle finger and marks on his shoulders and ribs from the recoil of the gun.
Looking at the wound, his neck had indeed been snapped.
This sniper had been an elite, extremely vigilant. The person who could snap his neck was definitely a martial arts master.
"What about the scene?"
"It's not the primary scene!"
Han Wei said.
Chen Fan nodded and said, "He was clean and efficient. Have you investigated his experiences after leaving the military?"
"We're still investigating. It seems he left very little trace."
Han Wei said.
The clue had run cold. Chen Fan said, "He's more like a discarded piece. But this sniper wasn't exposed too obviously. It's a bit surprising that he was dealt with so directly."
Han Wei nodded. "I think so too. Such a talented person with great marksmanship should be valuable to them. And yet they silenced him?"
"Perhaps it was done to show us."
Chen Fan was also puzzled. He said, "Thank you for your hard work. Continue to follow up. The clues have run cold, and the value should be minimal. I'm leaving."
"It's getting late. I haven't had dinner yet. Aren't you going to treat me to a meal?"
Accompanying Chen Fan out of the forensic medicine department, Han Wei suddenly said.
Chen Fan was helpless. "You'll have to make do with what you can. When we uproot them all, it won't be just one meal, but a hundred. Order whatever you want."
"Alright."
Han Wei shook her head helplessly. "I'll assume you're not being too stingy."
Chen Fan chuckled. After leaving the police station and getting into his car, his phone rang.
This time, it was his usual phone, displaying an unknown number.
After hanging up, it continued to ring persistently.
He pressed the answer button and frowned. "Hello?"
"Marshal Chen, Young Master Chen, Mr. Long, good evening..."
A voice, clearly disguised, came from the phone.
Chen Fan sat up straight and asked, "Who are you?"
"The person you're looking for, you can call me, Spider!"
Chen Fan's gaze turned cold. "You are Spider? How dare you call me?"
"I prepared a gift for you tonight. I assume you've received it. I wonder if our Nation's Marshal likes this gift? Heh heh..."
The other party let out a wild laugh and said, "Do you remember what I left behind? The game has just begun, and this game is destined to be talked about by countless people."
"Are you showing off?"
Chen Fan's tone was chilling.
"Not to show off, but to remind. Some things are not as they seem on the surface. You have to clear away the layers of mist to see the truth."
"I look forward to your performance. Don't disappoint me too much!"
After speaking, he hung up with a beep.
Chen Fan's expression was icy. He sent the number to Xiang Jingshu, asking her to investigate.
He could predict the result; it was unlikely they would find anything.
Indeed, the number was untraceable and had no registered information.
By the time he returned to his residence, it was late. After a few words with Chen Xing'er, Chen Fan went back to his room and continued to cultivate with the Dragon Pattern Compass.