Lin Weidong nodded affirmatively at everyone.
He continued, "A total of thirty people were apprehended, and a large number of ledgers detailing transactions between the Shadow Organization and various major families were discovered, along with stored medicines ready for sale by the Shadow Organization."
"I've called you all here today primarily because of these ledgers."
As he spoke, Lin Weidong unhesitatingly took out the ledgers found in the warehouse and placed them directly on the table!
Everyone present was drawn to the ledgers.
No one spoke, and they all leaned in to examine them.
Just as Lin Weidong had seen, the ledgers contained a series of codenames, symbols representing families, and purchase quantities and amounts.
If these codenames were replaced with names, it would be the most ordinary ledger!
"Are there so many families colluding with the Shadow Organization?" Elder Zhang was the first to speak, his voice filled with surprise!
Although his character was questionable, on matters of great importance, he remained consistent.
The Shadow Organization was heinous and should not have any family cooperating with them!
Yet, looking at the numerous different symbols in the ledger.
Roughly estimated, there were at least ten families!
"Elder Lin, what is the meaning of you showing us this?" another family elder inquired.
Others also expressed their confusion: "Yes, we are not members of the Shadow Organization, so we can't understand the meaning of the codenames in the ledger!"
"Elder Lin, please speak directly if you have something to say, don't make us guess."
These family elders were not guilty.
They simply sensed that Lin Weidong had organized this meeting for another purpose.
Lin Weidong enlarged the ledgers and projected them onto the big screen.
Then, he said sternly to everyone, "I've called you here today to identify these symbols representing families!"
Even the Shadow Organization could not fabricate a family crest out of thin air.
Therefore, there must be a subtle connection between these symbols and the families cooperating with the Shadow Organization.
Otherwise, the Shadow Organization wouldn't have just one or two people keeping accounts.
If there was no connection between the symbols and the families, they couldn't possibly rely on rote memorization!
Not to mention the hassle, it was highly likely to lead to errors!
"I don't recognize any of these symbols," Elder Zhang said after studying them carefully, then passed the ledger to someone else.
It wasn't that he lacked knowledge.
But rather, these symbols, at a glance, seemed to have no connection.
Elder Zhang felt that Lin Weidong asking the family elders to identify the symbols was simply wishful thinking!
Families not involved with the Shadow Organization wouldn't recognize the symbols.
And those involved, unless they had lost their minds, would admit it on the spot.
Therefore, Elder Zhang believed Lin Weidong was undertaking a futile effort!
Not only Elder Zhang, but all the family elders present claimed they had never seen the symbols in the ledgers.
"Elder Lin, rather than investigating the meaning of these symbols, it would be better to trace the source of the funds," someone suggested.
However, Lin Weidong shook his head with a wry smile.
Did he not consider what everyone else could easily think of?
But the members of the Shadow Organization and those families were extremely cunning.
During transactions, they did not use bank transfers but dealt in cash.
This made tracing the source of funds difficult.
Furthermore, the Dragon Group currently had very little intelligence on the Shadow Organization's resurgence.
What was laid out before them was all that the Dragon Group knew!
"To be frank, judging by the markings in these ledgers, I believe that among the families involved in transactions with the Shadow Organization, there are super-first-tier families and first-tier families!"
Lin Weidong said calmly.
The family symbols in the ledgers were colored.
Based on common sense, super-first-tier families should be represented by gold, and first-tier families by red!
The family elders present became even more alarmed.
If only first-tier families were involved, it would simply mean that these families wanted to purchase medicines from the Shadow Organization to enhance the strength of their own martial artists.
And then gain a share in the martial arts competition.
But what was the meaning of super-first-tier families purchasing medicines from the Shadow Organization?
After all, these super-first-tier families did not participate in the distribution!
"Elder Lin, isn't this just your speculation? Perhaps the members of the Shadow Organization didn't think that much when they marked them?" Elder Zhang raised a question.
He felt that perhaps Lin Weidong was overthinking it, which led to such complexity.
Because Elder Zhang kept interjecting and causing trouble, Lin Weidong looked at him a couple more times.
He then explained, "The information barrier within the Shadow Organization is severe. Only complex and detailed rules like these can ensure that orders are transmitted from top to bottom!"
"So my thinking is not complicated!"
The other family elders present nodded in agreement.
Indeed.
Even within their own families, management would be difficult without complex and detailed regulations.
Let alone an underground organization like the Shadow Organization.
Greater secrecy was required!
Information had to be encrypted through layers to be secure.
This was also why, despite the Shadow Organization's revival for so long, the Dragon Group had not received any news.
Many lower-level members of the Shadow Organization might not even know who they were working for...
"Since no one has identified them for the moment, today's meeting will proceed to the next stage."
"However, I'm giving each of you a copy of this ledger. If you recall any clues later, you can come to me at any time."
Lin Weidong hinted.
He had considered before calling the meeting that no one would identify the symbols on the spot.
After all, they were all from first-tier families, and they would encounter each other daily.
These elders would not arbitrarily provoke others.
Therefore, Lin Weidong had pre-copied the ledgers and distributed them.
"The sighting of the Shadow Organization this time was in Yunhai City, which is quite close to the Newcomer Training Base."
"This indicates that the main force of the Shadow Organization is likely stationed near the newly upgraded training base!"
"Therefore, during this period, security within the base will be strengthened to ensure the safety of the newcomers."
"The Dragon Group still needs to pursue clues about the Shadow Organization, so the security work of the base will be partially taken over by the Observation Group."
Lin Weidong announced.
These Observation Groups were not here to eat for free and only receive honors.
They had to do work!
The members of the Observation Group had no objections to this.
One of the purposes of joining the Observation Group was to ensure the safety of their own family disciples.
Therefore, it was natural for them to be responsible for a portion of the newcomer training base's security.
Their primary concern now was the latest news on the Shadow Organization!