Chapter Seventy-Two: Setting Out to Rescue

Mr. Xu looked steadily at Cheng Che before him and said solemnly, "Che’er, I can help you save them, but you must promise me one thing first."

"Grandpa Xu, what is it you want me to agree to?" Cheng Che asked, puzzled.

"You must return to Beijing and take over your father's business," Mr. Xu said seriously.

Cheng Che lowered his head, staring at his shoes, his brows furrowed. This was the last thing he wanted—to inherit his father's company. He disliked being trapped in work that forced him to perform tasks every day; he found it tedious.

His father, already at retirement age, had only Cheng Che as a son. The business managed a transport network that spanned the country—a promising future indeed.

"Is there... Grandpa Xu, is there no other condition I could agree to?" Cheng Che slowly raised his head and asked.

Mr. Xu’s expression was stern. "Che’er, your father’s health is still decent, but he’s worked so hard for this legacy. As his son, you should be the one to safeguard it..."

"Grandpa Xu, let me think about it," Cheng Che replied without saying more. He turned aside and gazed up at the azure sky above.

Zhang Qinglin stood a dozen paces away. Although their voices were low and he couldn’t catch all the details, he could sense the awkwardness in Cheng Che’s demeanor. Just as he was about to step forward and say something, Wu Cheng’an grabbed him by the sleeve. "Don’t rush!"

At that moment, Cheng Che turned and agreed straightforwardly to Mr. Xu’s terms. Mr. Xu nodded in satisfaction, then called for a man named A Yong, gave him instructions, and said to Cheng Che with a cheerful smile, "Che’er, you and A Yong discuss the rescue. A Yong is a local from Fang County. Talk with him about how to save them. I’m going to rest now—you all work it out."

With that, Mr. Xu left, leaning on his cane. Watching the elderly man’s retreating figure, Cheng Che felt an indescribable emotion, as if he were seeing the shadow of his father far away in Beijing.

A moment later, A Yong invited the three of them to a stone table, took out a map from his pocket and spread it out. It was a layout of Fang County, with every street, alleyway, shop, and residence clearly marked.

According to their latest intel, the people from Qilin Gate were staying at Wan Heng Hotel on the main street. The problem was, they were armed; they couldn’t take action inside the hotel. They would have to wait for the group to leave or act at night.

A Yong then explained the situation in Fang County: the population was dense, while Wan Heng Hotel was a special case, run by relatives of a well-known village official.

Zhang Qinglin said, "So the best choice is to rescue them outside Fang County. The real question is, how do we lure them out?"

"Exactly! There’s a development zone being built outside Fang County—it’s secluded. If something happens, no one will suspect a thing. That’s Mr. Xu’s territory. Also, we found out that Qilin Gate has another motive in kidnapping Miss Jiang..." A Yong straightened up from the map as he spoke.

Cheng Che looked over and asked, "What motive? Isn’t it the same as Young Master Chen’s, to get that so-called Apocalypse Map?"

"No, their purpose is more secretive. We can’t get any wind of it yet. All we know is they took Miss Jiang to draw out her father, who is also in Fang County. This complicates our rescue efforts," A Yong glanced at Zhang Qinglin as he spoke.

Uncle Jiang? Zhang Qinglin’s thoughts returned to the figure he’d seen in the marketplace earlier—it had to be Uncle Jiang.

After careful consideration, A Yong instructed someone to spread the rumor that Jiang Xinyue’s father was in the development zone. Qilin Gate would pass the message to those at the hotel; they would head to the zone, possibly followed by Uncle Jiang. That would give them a chance to rescue Jiang Xinyue.

Soon after, Zhang Qinglin and his companions followed A Yong out of the courtyard to the head of the alley, where a car waited. They climbed in and drove toward the western development zone being prepared in Fang County.

The area was sparsely populated and remote. Through the window, Zhang Qinglin saw a half-finished construction site, several buildings, and a large factory with workers bustling about. Further ahead stood a completed five-story office building, its glass doors and windows yet to be installed.

A Yong parked in front of the office building. They got out and followed him to a small yard behind the structure, where two makeshift wooden rooms had been erected.

"Young Master Cheng, please," A Yong gestured with his right hand.

Cheng Che nodded and entered. Zhang Qinglin and Wu Cheng’an followed. The first thing they saw was a large table, and before it, two monitors displayed everything happening in front of the office building.

Zhang Qinglin stood at the table, surveying the scene ahead. Cheng Che and A Yong spoke quietly, while Wu Cheng’an stood nearby, also watching the monitors.

"Do you think this information will work—will it really draw Qilin Gate’s people here?" Zhang Qinglin asked, skepticism in his tone.

Wu Cheng’an lowered his head slightly, pulling his hand from his pocket and stroking his chin as he replied, "The outcome’s already decided—don’t you trust yourself?"

"It’s not that," Zhang Qinglin said, "I just think we should contact Uncle Jiang first. I feel he wants to rescue Xinyue personally—why else would he come to Fang County, and not tell us beforehand?" Zhang Qinglin was deeply puzzled by Uncle Jiang’s recent behavior; he no longer seemed the familiar man he once knew.

Wu Cheng’an turned to face Zhang Qinglin and said slowly, "He’s always been hard to read."

"What are you two talking about? Old Zhang, take this for self-defense. If they show up, A Yong will talk to them first, and we’ll adapt as needed," Cheng Che approached Zhang Qinglin, handing him a dagger.

Zhang Qinglin accepted it and said, "I’m thinking of going back home for a bit."

"No need, I’ve already asked A Yong to send someone there to check if Uncle Jiang is still around," Cheng Che waved his hand. In truth, after Zhang Qinglin mentioned seeing Uncle Jiang, Cheng Che already had an idea.

Zhang Qinglin moved closer to Cheng Che, his eyes flashing with relief. "Brother, I really don’t know what to say this time—thank you!"

Cheng Che replied, "Come on, what’s with the sudden formality between us? I’m not used to it."

Zhang Qinglin grinned, raised a fist, and playfully punched Cheng Che’s chest. "I guess you only feel right when I do this..."

Watching the two brothers banter, Wu Cheng’an quietly stepped out of the makeshift room.

As dusk fell, a car pulled up in front of the office building. A Yong rose from his chair, scrutinized the monitor showing the black car, then turned and said, "They’re here. Looks like there are four people. Dahai, take two brothers and check it out. If anything happens, come back immediately and report."

A Yong pointed to the fierce-looking man beside him, who nodded and went out.

Dahai walked up to the black car with two companions. Two men got out, approached, and spoke with him.

A few minutes later...

"Brother Yong!" Dahai hurried into the room.

"What’s the situation?" A Yong asked.

Zhang Qinglin and the others came over, watching Dahai.

"Brother Yong, they say they’re from Beijing, here to talk business with the boss. Nothing else. I saw they had guns! I didn’t dare make a move, so I came back to report," Dahai said cautiously.

A Yong nodded. "Almost certainly Qilin Gate. Dahai, get the brothers ready. Young Master Cheng, you all stay here. I’ll go meet them." As he spoke, he somehow produced a pistol and tucked it into his waistband.

"A Yong, I’ll go with you!" Zhang Qinglin stepped forward.

"Old Zhang, don’t be reckless. Let A Yong go first," Cheng Che pulled him back.

"I’ll go with A Yong. You two stay here. I’ve met Jiang Xinyue. If she’s in the car, I’ll make sure to bring her safely to you," Wu Cheng’an said.

Zhang Qinglin watched as Wu Cheng’an crossed the threshold, wanting to say something but was stopped by Cheng Che.

"Let him go, Old Zhang. I have something to discuss with you..." Cheng Che turned to the monitors, his gaze fixed on the two figures standing beside the black car.