Chapter 492: Chapter 312: Is it literally a thousand cuts or figuratively a thousand cuts?_2

“Afterwards, we went looking for surveillance footage and discovered that video from several critical paths had vanished…,”

“That night, I was very disheartened. The net we had cast had been so easily breached, and we even lost a few top trackers. Carrying a jug of old liquor, I went to find Ye Shenyi… He said when he approached Tang Fei, Tang Fei was too composed. It was as if he knew someone would come looking for him.”

“Do you think it was Tang Fei?”

“In all my years of handling cases, I’ve developed a bit of intuition. If a person happens to be present at every critical moment, that person is likely the real mastermind behind the scenes. At the very least, they’re highly suspicious.”

Yan Wenli spoke up, “If it were just Tang Fei, I wouldn’t be so certain. He’s new to New Star and a Cultivator… He doesn’t have the capability to break into the surveillance system and destroy an entire district’s video network.”

“But later on, we all knew that he was deeply connected with the Lu Family… Even at the Heaven’s Path Exchange Meeting, to support him, the Lu Family gave him new materials they had researched…”

“That made me have another thought, what if the Lu Family had helped out that night? With the smart technology controlled by the Lu Family and the talent they have in their pockets… Cracking the surveillance system would be a piece of cake, probably even easier than making me drink a glass of Whiskey…”

Zhong Daolong’s brows furrowed slightly as he said, “We’ve discussed this issue before, haven’t we? Didn’t we also probe into it?”

“Yes, Tang Fei’s performance was indeed quite good, and what he did even exceeded our expectations.” Yan Wenli looked at Zhong Daolong and retorted, “What if the Lu Family knew we were testing them? What if Tang Fei knew we were testing him?”

“What can the Lu Family offer Tang Fei? Whatever they can give… we can certainly offer more.”

“More importantly, what can the Lu Family gain from Tang Fei? This time, Tang Fei cost the Lu Family dearly. What they can get from him is far less than what they lost… Naturally, there will be resentment against him within the Lu Family.”

Yan Wenli crossed his hands gently and rubbed them together, his eyes showing a thoughtful gaze as he said softly, “Everything makes sense, yet, it all makes too much sense… I always feel that the truth isn’t that simple…”

“There must be a thread pulling them together, but what kind of thread is it? And where is it?”

“You, always so suspicious,” Zhong Daolong said with a chuckle, “Since we’ve chosen to trust him, let’s just see how he performs next.”

Yan Wenli looked at Zhong Daolong with dissatisfaction, “I didn’t really want to say these things, but you insisted I speak up… After all, these are just my personal doubts, without any real evidence.”

“What if you really endow Princess Shang to him in the end, and you become family… Am I not too wronged to be playing the villain?”

“Even if such a day truly comes… you would be their matchmaker… There will always be a glass of celebration wine that cannot be without you.”

“Me, a matchmaker? I’m the one doing the bad deed of beating the mandarin ducks. As long as they don’t see me as an enemy, that’s enough.”

“You…” Zhong Daolong’s gaze fell on the Moon Gold Stone tabletop in front of him, as if there were still undried stains of liquor, “What do you think he will do next?”

“How would I know? I’m not the clever one.”

——

Accompanied by Chen Fenglei, Tang Fei arrived at the underground parking lot of the Phoenix Palace.

Chen Fenglei looked at Tang Fei with sparkling eyes and cheerfully said, “Captain Tang is so young yet so highly esteemed by the King. The future knows no bounds for you.”

“Manager Chen is too kind. I was merely summoned by the King to answer a few questions. How can I deserve the word ‘esteemed’?” Tang Fei said with a humble demeanor.

He knew that there were many people in the Phoenix Palace who could not be offended, and this old man was definitely one of them.

And to be ranked among the top at that.

“To be personally summoned by the King and Dean Yan in the middle of the night… such a favor… I haven’t seen it granted to any young person in years. Captain Tang, this is unique to you.”

Tang Fei’s thoughts raced. What did Chen Fenglei mean by that?

Was he implying that the young people from the other nine major families couldn’t compare to him?

That even Shen Xinglan had not been received by the King in the depths of night?

Regardless, this was an overture of goodwill.

Tang Fei reached out to shake Chen Fenglei’s withered hand with a sincere expression, “I hope for Manager Chen’s guidance in the future.”

“I’m just a lackey; how could I possibly guide Captain Tang? Captain Tang’s future lies with the King, with Dean Yan… When the day comes that Captain Tang rises high, do not forget this old fellow.”

“Where does Manager Chen come up with such words? My brother and I will never forget that when we first stood on this country’s land, the first pastry we tasted was bestowed upon us by Manager Chen, the first sip of tea was personally poured by Manager Chen…” Tang Fei said with a serious expression and resolute eyes, emphatically stating, “Such great kindness and favor, unforgettable for life.”

“Hahaha, well said, well said, these are just trivial matters,” Chen Fenglei said with joy, giving Tang Fei’s hand a firm shake.

“It’s late, Captain Tang, you should get some rest. I won’t see you out.”

“Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Manager. Please return, the King can’t do without you.”

“Me? I was born to be a hard worker…”

“Manager should go out and inquire how many in Phoenix City envy this hard work of yours,” Tang Fei said with a compliment.

The guards’ car had already driven up, and a member of the guard helped open the rear carriage door.

Just as Tang Fei was about to get in, he heard a familiar voice by his ear: “Tang Fei…”

Before the voice finished, he saw Sheng Xinhua in a red dress and black leather boots, striding towards them with an enchanting gait.

With a surprised face, Tang Fei looked at Sheng Xinhua and asked, “What are you doing here?”

“I came to find Phoenix,” Sheng Xinhua said matter-of-factly, “This woman’s heartless. I played with her all day, yet she refuses to let me stay and sleep over, so I had to go back home to sleep…”

Seeing Chen Fenglei standing by with a smile on his face, Sheng Xinhua took the initiative to greet him and asked, “Manager Chen came to send off Captain Tang?”

“Yes, we were just about to send Captain Tang home,” Chen Fenglei politely replied.

He knew that Sheng Xinhua and Princess Shang were close, having shared a bed more than a few times.

Not to mention this close relationship, she was also the daughter of the Finance Minister…

He couldn’t afford to offend her.

“No trouble at all, I’ll take him back,” Sheng Xinhua interjected.

“I have no objections, it’s just up to Captain Tang…” Chen Fenglei looked at Tang Fei, awaiting his decision.

If it were him, he would refuse.

After all, who in Phoenix City doesn’t know that Captain Tang and Princess Shang are “intimate” friends?

You have the Princess, and now you’re cozying up with the Finance Minister’s daughter…

Outside it might be fine, but this is the Phoenix Palace, and I am a direct subordinate of the King… Shouldn’t some caution be exercised about the impact?

“Alright,” Tang Fei readily agreed, smiling and saying, “Then I’ll trouble Miss Sheng.”

“Then I shall go ‘report back’,” Chen Fenglei said with a smile, giving Tang Fei a reminder.

As the Grand Steward of the Phoenix Palace, a confidant of Zhong Daolong, when he escorted Tang Fei out and encountered Sheng Xinhua, the daughter of the Finance Minister, and furthermore, since Tang Fei got into Sheng Xinhua’s car to go home…

It was his duty to report this to the King; not to do so would be negligence on his part.

Even the King would suspect that I might have been bribed by Tang Fei.

Of course, if you understand my meaning and had declined Sheng Xinhua’s offer, then I could act as if this event never happened.

There’s nothing to report about something that didn’t happen, right?

“Alright, thank you for your troubles, Manager,” Tang Fei said respectfully.

Chen Fenglei smiled and watched as Tang Fei followed Sheng Xinhua toward a red sports car not far away.

Quickly, they sped off, vanishing from his sight.