Five ordinary cars with standard license plates drove along the highway towards Yuzhou.
For this operation, Chen Fan did not mobilize more forces.
With the level of the Dawn team, mobilizing police and military forces was unconditional and easy.
But such a grand display would have too significant an impact.
Moreover, this time, Chen Fan's main goal was to stabilize the morale of the Dawn team and assess the operational capabilities of this high-specification unit.
Otherwise, if he entered Yuzhou City alone, there would always be ways to capture Fan Songnian.
The Brotherhood organization was too vast for him to handle alone, and he could not afford to neglect anything. He needed the Dawn team to execute his will and complete some relatively complex tasks.
In this regard, simply mobilizing the army would not meet his requirements. The Iron Blood Camp was under his command, responding to his every order without question.
However, for tasks like investigation and interrogation, the Iron Blood Camp was insufficient.
Inside the leading ordinary Highlander, Chen Fan sat in the passenger seat.
"In twenty minutes, we will arrive at Yuzhou," said Xiang Jingshu.
Chen Fan opened his communicator and said, "All team members, pay attention. We will arrive at the Yuzhou highway exit in twenty minutes. After exiting, Team One will wait outside the Yuchen Grand Hotel, Team Two at Fan Family Village, Team Three at the Lin Family Villa, Team Four will go to the Minghuang Club, and Teams Five and Six will go to Binjiang Haoyuan district to find Fan Yuchen."
"Team One received!"
"Team Two received!"
"..."
"Report any news immediately. Remember, everything is solely to determine Fan Songnian's whereabouts. Move quickly and do not delay!"
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
Xiang Jingshu asked, "Are you sure you don't want to contact and cooperate with the local police?"
Chen Fan shook his head. "You are all elites. If you cannot handle such a small matter, then I will have to find others.
"This operation is also to test your mettle."
Xiang Jingshu said, "I feel we are too few. Fan Songnian has been operating in Yuchen for so many years. If our actions are discovered by him, we might not even have a chance to leave Yuzhou."
Chen Fan replied, "Even if Fan Songnian is a high-ranking member of the Brotherhood, he should be marginalized. If we cannot even capture him, then the effectiveness of you elites becomes questionable."
Xiang Jingshu was momentarily speechless.
"Don't worry, once Fan Songnian's location is confirmed, everything will be handled by me," Chen Fan said.
Before long, the cars exited the highway, and the Dawn team vehicles separated, heading to different locations.
Chen Fan did not participate in the pursuit. After driving into the city, he went to a coffee shop to wait while drinking tea.
Xiang Jingshu then met up with Ye Cheng, confirming the team members' locations, receiving various messages, and monitoring the overall situation.
Arriving in Yuzhou a little past noon, Chen Fan waited until around four in the afternoon when Xiang Jingshu informed him that news had come back.
After Chen Fan boarded the command vehicle,
He signaled Ye Cheng to continue maintaining contact with the various teams. Xiang Jingshu said, "It has been confirmed that Fan Songnian is not at Fan Family Village."
"Did Team Two encounter any trouble?" Chen Fan asked.
"Yes, Fan Family Village is Fan Songnian's ancestral home, and clan ties are very strong. As soon as Team Two went to inquire, they were targeted. Liu Dacheng simply resorted to force, subduing several people and interrogating them. It was confirmed that Fan Songnian had not returned to Fan Family Village for a long time. I have already instructed Team Two to return!"
Chen Fan nodded. "This has alerted him a bit, but it's alright. What about the other teams?"
"Team Three also sent back a message. Luo Yan pretended to be a martial arts master and sparred with the Lin family disciples, confirming that Fan Songnian was not at the Lin Family Villa."
The Lin family was a local martial arts family friendly with Fan Songnian.
Chen Fan narrowed his eyes.
"Team Six also had no success. That Fan Yuchen's family stated that Fan Yuchen had called back saying he was traveling with Fan Songnian on business and would not be home for some time."
That Fan Yuchen was Fan Songnian's nephew and a subordinate whom Fan Songnian greatly valued.
Based on the reports from the various teams, Fan Songnian had indeed become alert and gone into hiding. Those who were not his confidants likely did not know his hiding place.
Of course, it was also possible that he had been taken away by the Brotherhood.
Xiang Jingshu's expression was grim; the limited success of each team was rather troublesome.
"Has Team Four sent back any news?" Chen Fan asked.
Team Four's members were Yu Min and Nie Boyan, both experienced and very capable.
"Old Yu and Nie Boyan have not sent any messages since entering the Minghuang Club."
Chen Fan said, "Let's wait and see."
Team Two had already revealed their presence at Fan Family Village, which would make Fan Songnian more cautious, but the problem should not be too significant.
Subsequently, the teams returned one by one, but Team Four still had no news.
Chen Fan was not too worried about this. With Yu Min and Nie Boyan's experience, there shouldn't be any major issues, but he still sent people to provide backup.
Just then, his phone rang.
He picked it up and saw a message from Feng Qianluan.
"Seven days from now, on the ancient city wall of Thousand Years Ridge, Xiao Kai and Watanabe Gui Ming will have their battle!"
Chen Fan's expression jolted.
The two martial arts grandmasters had finally set a time for their confrontation.
This news would further intensify the shifting dynamics in the capital.
He replied with a message asking a few questions and indeed received confirmation that many renowned martial artists had decided to come to the capital.
While waiting, the electronic beep of a communication request sounded.
"It's Hound! He has a signal!" Ye Cheng said excitedly and connected the call.
What came through first were muffled grunts and moans.
Chen Fan's head shot up.
"Hello, hello? Can you hear me? Heh heh!" a strange voice came from the communicator.
Xiang Jingshu and the others were stunned, incredulous.
Chen Fan's lips parted slightly, surprised.
The voice seemed familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before.
Xiang Jingshu and the others all looked at Chen Fan.
Picking up the receiver, Chen Fan coughed and altered his voice, saying, "Yes, I can hear you. You have my people, how are they?"
"Still alive," the person replied. "Of course, if it were any later, I couldn't guarantee their survival!"
"Tell me, who are you, and why are you asking about Fan Songnian's whereabouts?" Chen Fan calmly said. "Why the rush? Why don't we meet and talk?"
"Heh heh, you're quite bold," the person said sinisterly. "Huayun District, underground parking garage. If you're not here within half an hour, you can go fish out your subordinates' bodies from the Mosang River tomorrow morning."
Chen Fan said, "I'll be there."
After hanging up the communicator, Chen Fan faced the worried and anxious gazes of Xiang Jingshu and the others. He said, "Everyone, proceed to the vicinity of Huayun District and maintain surveillance from the perimeter."
"What about Hound and Old Cat?" Ye Cheng asked.
"I'll go rescue them," Chen Fan jumped out of the car. "Send me the location."
With that, he got into a Highlander parked nearby, started the engine, and prepared to leave.
Xiang Jingshu, however, opened the car door and got in.
"You go with the others," Chen Fan said.
"I'm going with you," Xiang Jingshu gritted her teeth and said, "I'm your deputy, and also the superior of Hound and Old Cat. If something like this happens, I must be responsible for their safety."
Chen Fan shook his head, said nothing more, started the car, and sped towards Huayun District according to the location Ye Cheng had sent to his phone.
Soon, Ye Cheng's voice came through his earpiece.
"Officer, Huayun District is a developing area. Construction is complete, but no one has moved in yet. The other party deliberately chose this location."
"Understood," Chen Fan replied as he drove at high speed.
"Be careful."