CHAPTER 182: CHAPTER 182 IS THERE STILL TRUST IN THE WORLD (1)_1

"Dad, Ruoling, let’s go inside to talk," Shangguan Yu said, steadying Shangguan Zhi. Shangguan Qing simultaneously supported Liu Ruoling, and the group entered the main hall together.

"Let’s continue in the study," Shangguan Zhi suggested, and the group went directly upstairs, heading toward his study.

"Tell me, how is the girl doing?" Shangguan Zhi asked, his frame seeming to age ten years as he spoke wearily after a long pause.

"Grandpa, Mommy, take a look at this, and you’ll understand," Shangguan Qing said, taking a mini DV from the Hidden Guard’s hand and showing Shangguan Zhi and Liu Ruoling what had happened to Shangguan You.

"Vanished? She just vanished into thin air?" Liu Ruoling cried out. Her girl had disappeared out of nowhere? No wonder the Hidden Guard and Shangguan Yu couldn’t find her. But for a car and a person to vanish together, how was that possible?

"Yes, Madam. It is my incompetence that I failed to protect the Young Miss," the Hidden Guard said in a stiff voice.

"No, it’s not your fault. No one else could have found the girl either. You may leave," Shangguan Zhi said, waving his hand to dismiss the Hidden Guard.

"What about Shangguan Hao?"

"Grandpa, Second Uncle returned to the military base. Before he left, he asked me to tell you not to worry; he will bring Youyou back safe and sound."

"Safe and sound? If the Inferno Sect were so easily dealt with, they wouldn’t have survived for hundreds of years to become the oldest clan," Shangguan Zhi cursed angrily, his face filled with a grave expression.

"Inferno Sect?" Lan Xuan and Han Yachu gasped in unison. What on earth was this Inferno Sect?

"You are Youyou’s classmates and her friends. Since you are willing to stay and help find her at this time, that makes you friends of the Shangguan Family. There’s no need for secrecy," Shangguan Zhi said in a deep voice. He then signaled for Shangguan Qing to close the study doors.

"The Inferno Sect is the most mysterious assassination organization. Their assassins are ruthless and cruel, never resting until their goal is met. To accomplish their mission, they would kill hundreds of innocents just to eliminate one target. Once they take on a job, they don’t stop until death." Shangguan Zhi’s voice was laced with distinct hatred. Take the bomb planted on the dance floor tonight: if it hadn’t been discovered in advance, we wouldn’t be talking about a few injuries, but hundreds of corpses. From this, one could see that the people of the Inferno Sect were inhumane and entirely devoid of compassion. With Youyou in their hands, she was in grave danger.

"Besides their ruthlessness and bloodthirstiness, they also have bizarre methods of movement and mysterious escape tactics that have established them in the world of assassins."

"Mysterious escape tactics, like suddenly disappearing into thin air? Grandpa, is it because you saw them vanish that you knew it was the Inferno Sect who had taken Youyou?"

"Exactly. This method of disappearing is unique to the Inferno Sect; no other group does this. Their movements are so erratic that no one knows the Inferno Sect’s location."

"Why would the people of the Inferno Sect want to capture Shangguan You? What’s their purpose? It’s one thing to abduct her secretly, but they acted so openly and boldly."

"The Inferno Sect might be acting on someone’s payroll," Shangguan Zhi scoffed coldly. Youyou’s existence had made the Li Family feel a sense of crisis. Coupled with Li Wanying, it was highly plausible that the Li Family had hired assassins. But if it really was the Li Family, then what was Li Wanying’s purpose in pushing Youyou out to save *them* tonight? What was she thinking? Shangguan Zhi’s mind raced, trying to figure out what was going on.

"Dad is suggesting...?" Shangguan Yu and Shangguan Qing exchanged glances, a similar suspicion dawning on both of them.

"Dad, what do we do about Youyou? Now that we know about the Inferno Sect, we must rescue her no matter where she is. I’m afraid if we’re too late, something might happen to her," Liu Ruoling said, pushing back her tears and speaking with urgency.

"We’ll split up," Shangguan Zhi commanded decisively. "Ruoling, you’ll come with me to the Lin Family. The rest of you, go to the military and follow Shangguan Hao’s orders. Bring Youyou back to me safely. For now, we can only rely on Shangguan Hao. The Lin Family must also be given an explanation."

"Alright. We’ll leave immediately."

"Dad, you and Ruoling are going to the Lin Family, but I’m worried," Shangguan Yu began, apprehension clear in his voice. It was one thing when Youyou was around, but now that she had been snatched right before their eyes, the Lin Family would surely not let this rest.

"Don’t worry. The Lins will give Ruoling some face and won’t cause too much trouble. Besides... you should all leave quickly," Shangguan Zhi said, then paused, urging them to depart swiftly.

「 」

At the same time, Shangguan Zhi and Liu Ruoling left the military compound by car, driven by guards.

「 」

The Lin Family’s villa on the hillside was brightly lit. In the old patriarch’s study, his son and two grandsons anxiously awaited news; they would be instantly informed of any developments concerning Shangguan You, including her sudden disappearance.

"Grandpa, Father, Big Brother, when Youyou comes back this time, I won’t allow her to go to the Shangguan Family again! That bunch of bastards from the Shangguan Family—not a single good one among them! They even pushed Youyou out!" Lin Wenjie spoke with palpable murderous intent. If anything happened to Youyou, he would make the entire Shangguan Family pay.

"What’s most important now is to figure out how to save Youyou. We can discuss other matters later," Lin Wenhao said, patting Lin Wenjie’s shoulder. He truly hadn’t imagined that after they had made such a bloody example a year ago, someone would still dare to target Youyou. It seemed their Lin Family’s power had been forgotten by the world due to their low profile over the past year. That’s why someone dared to openly go after Youyou.

"Alright, you two, as her brothers, failed to protect Youyou. When she returns safely, you will both go back for retraining! What use are those Hidden Guards if they can’t even handle the Inferno Sect’s underlings?" an authoritative voice boomed, chastising his two sons.

"Yes, Father."

"Father, understood," the Lin Wenjie brothers responded.

"Enough! If you want to reprimand your sons, wait until Youyou is rescued! You, the mafia godfather, are a disgrace! Your own niece was taken right under your nose, and you have the gall to scold your sons now? Didn’t you yourself fail to prioritize Youyou’s safety? What’s the use of blaming your sons now that something has happened?" the old Lin patriarch bellowed, silencing the three Lin family men.