Chapter Twenty-One: Seeking Allies

After Nie Yunyang finished speaking, Wei Yi deliberated for a long time before asking, "Do you want to let this pass quietly, or do you want the police to investigate?"

To let it pass quietly meant acting as if nothing had happened, allowing Nie Yunyang to return to Chongqing safely with Mu Qingyao. This would also be favorable for Wei Yi, as it would avoid provoking the mastermind behind the scenes.

If the police were to investigate, the scope of the involvement would widen significantly; even if they managed to uncover the truth, it would inevitably trigger a frantic counterattack from the enemy.

Nie Yunyang looked at Mu Qingyao to seek her opinion. Her eyes told him that she would leave the decision to him.

"Let the police investigate," Nie Yunyang said. "For one, it ensures Yaoyao's safety; for another, it serves to strike at the grass to startle the snake."

"Very well. I will contact the city leadership now and urge the police to investigate the case," Wei Yi replied.

Nie Yunyang hesitated for a moment and said, "Uncle Wei, if the other party's power is too great and it poses a threat to you, you are perfectly free to stay out of it."

"Haha, I’ve been making my way in Shaanxi for decades; what kind of storms haven't I seen?" Wei Yi laughed, clearly pleased by the sentiment.

Nie Yunyang nodded. "Uncle Wei, could you help me find out who ordered the assassination tonight? Once the person is identified, leave the rest to me."

Nie Yunyang did not want to say this, but for the sake of Mu Qingyao's safety, he had no other choice. Tonight’s events had already enraged the mastermind; even if Mu Qingyao were willing to let it slide, the other side would not simply call it quits.

"I will try," Wei Yi said, not giving a flat refusal.

In this world, a few individuals hold power and influence, their words capable of deciding the life or death of the many. Yet, Nie Yunyang wanted to fight back. After all, everyone was made of flesh and blood—the blade goes in cold and comes out red. Even if he were to lose in the end, he would do so with no regrets.

Wei Yi quickly contacted the Xianyang municipal leadership and the police. Shocked by the murder attempt that night, the authorities treated the matter with high priority and immediately established the "917 Special Task Force" to investigate with full force.

Soon, several criminal investigators from the Municipal Public Security Bureau arrived at the Licai Tianxi Hotel to take statements from the victims and expand the investigation based on the clues provided by Nie Yunyang and Mu Qingyao.

News of the incident reached Chaiping Town as well, especially regarding the disappearance of Mu Qingyao’s cousin, Mu Yin.

By the time everything was settled, it was already four in the morning. After seeing off the arriving relatives of the Mu family, Mu Qingyao was utterly exhausted.

Nie Yunyang felt a pang of heartache and said softly, "Go get some sleep. No matter what happens, you can call for me."

Mu Qingyao slowly walked forward and, to Nie Yunyang’s surprise, hugged him tightly. With the warmth and softness in his arms, he was momentarily at a loss.

"Yunyang, no matter what happens, please don't leave me behind, okay?" Mu Qingyao said, her voice trembling. The events of the recent period had placed such immense mental pressure on her that she felt on the verge of collapse.

Nie Yunyang gently patted her back. "I promise."

Mu Qingyao cried until she was exhausted and fell into a deep sleep. Nie Yunyang tucked her into bed before stepping out onto the balcony to light a cigarette.

With Old Qiu and Chang Zhicheng's fates unknown, even if they returned from Xianyang, Chongqing remained fraught with danger, and he had no reliable help by his side.

Longhu Mountain—the name subconsciously crossed his mind.

In the morning, after finalizing all arrangements, Wei Yi returned to Xi'an by car; as the chairman of a mining company, he had many matters requiring his attention.

***

Under police protection, Nie Yunyang and Mu Qingyao returned to the crime scene. The BYD Leopard 5 they had been riding in had been towed away, but Old Qiu and Chang Zhicheng were still missing.

When the police led them to the woods and they saw the lingering bloodstains on the ground, a dark premonition settled in Nie Yunyang’s heart; the reality might be cruel.

At two in the afternoon, having finished cooperating with the police and cleared to leave Xianyang, Nie Yunyang and Mu Qingyao boarded a Gulfstream G700 to return to Chongqing.

With both Old Qiu and Chang Zhicheng absent, Nie Yunyang had to remain glued to Mu Qingyao's side. However, before leaving Xianyang, he had already called his close friend, Chen Jiong.

After graduating from high school, Chen Jiong had been admitted to the Army Infantry Academy, served as a special forces soldier for several years, earned three second-class merit citations, and participated in international special forces competitions.

After retiring, Chen Jiong returned to his hometown in Yingtan. Instead of taking an assigned position, he went to Longhu Mountain to seek the Tao, which shocked everyone.

"You are not the fish; how can you know the joy of the fish?" Faced with skepticism from outsiders, Chen Jiong would always just smile it off.

After reaching him, Nie Yunyang got straight to the point: "Brother Chen, do you want to come to Chongqing for a change of pace?"

"A change of pace? You never remember me when things are good, only calling when you're in trouble. Your intentions aren't really about the wine, are they?" Chen Jiong replied.

With Chen Jiong’s help, Nie Yunyang felt a little more at ease. He gave Chen Jiong a task: to find an old man on Longhu Mountain.

Upon learning the old man's location, Chen Jiong hung up, left his room, and set off at full speed.

When the Gulfstream G700 arrived in Chongqing, it was already seven in the evening. Nie Yunyang and Mu Qingyao took a taxi directly to Longhu Huamanting, rather than Jinke Jiuquhe.

The moment the plane landed at Jiangbei Airport, Nie Yunyang knew that every step forward had to be taken with extreme caution. One mistake, and he would fall into the abyss.

Old Qiu and Chang Zhicheng had given their lives to protect Mu Qingyao. No matter the cost, Nie Yunyang could not betray that sacrifice.

Chongqing and Chaiping Town were worlds apart. Suddenly back in this bustling mountain city, Nie Yunyang felt a bit disoriented.

Sitting in the car, Mu Qingyao leaned against Nie Yunyang and fell asleep. She had been physically and mentally drained over the past few days and desperately needed rest.

Nie Yunyang sank into deep thought, contemplating his next moves. Would that elusive old man actually agree to help? He had no certainty, but the arrow was on the string; it had to be fired.

Back at Longhu Huamanting, Nie Yunyang sent Mu Qingyao inside. "Take a shower, then get some sleep."

"Where are you going?" Mu Qingyao asked.

Nie Yunyang shook his head. "Even if you drove me away now, I wouldn't leave. But, a man and a woman alone in one room—if word gets out, it will ruin your reputation."

"At a time like this, you're still worried about that?" Mu Qingyao said, her eyes reddening.

Nie Yunyang patted her shoulder. "I understand. Go get some rest."

Mu Qingyao walked into the master bedroom, showered, and collapsed into bed. Her body had reached its limit.

Once she was asleep, Nie Yunyang immediately called Cao Weihua. An hour later, Cao Weihua arrived at Longhu Huamanting. He didn't enter the living room, opting to chat with Nie Yunyang downstairs.

***

"Yunyang, you scared the hell out of me. It's a good thing you're alive; otherwise, there’d be no one left to look after me in my old age," Cao Weihua said, still shaken.

Nie Yunyang looked despondent. "I barely escaped with my life. I don't know how much danger lies ahead."

"Yunyang, I told you to stay away from the Mu family, but you wouldn't listen. Now you've dragged yourself into the vortex, haven't you?" Cao Weihua teased.

Nie Yunyang gave a bitter smile. "I'm riding a tiger now; even if I wanted to pull out, the mastermind wouldn't let me go."

"Then what are you planning to do?" Cao Weihua asked, looking worried.

Nie Yunyang took a puff of his cigarette. "I've asked two friends for help. When Mu Qingyao wakes up, I'll talk to her and see what her plans are. As for the rest, I'll take it one step at a time."

"I've already spoken with Wei Yi in Shaanxi, so don't worry about that side. Here in Chongqing, if you have any trouble, come to me. I already have plenty of enemies, so I'm not afraid of adding a few more. If I just stood by and did nothing, you'd end up at the bottom of the Yangtze River as fish food," Cao Weihua said.

Nie Yunyang laughed heartily. "Thank you, Uncle Cao. I’ll make sure to look after you in your old age."

"Enough. I'm heading back to the company. Take care of yourself." With that, Cao Weihua drove off.

Back in the living room, Nie Yunyang waited patiently for Chen Jiong’s response. Whether the task was successful or not, Chen Jiong had to arrive in Chongqing by tomorrow. Lives were at stake; there was no time to lose.

Meanwhile, following Nie Yunyang’s description, Chen Jiong found the courtyard where the old man lived. The modest bamboo house was striking, and the fenced-in yard was filled with fruits and vegetables.

Chen Jiong had heard that many reclusive masters lived on Longhu Mountain, but the sight before him still surprised him.

"Old master, are you home?" Chen Jiong called out respectfully from outside the fence.

After calling out many times, there was no movement from the bamboo house. In the deep mountains and old forests, the occasional howl of a wolf was chilling, but Chen Jiong had strong nerves and did not turn to flee.

After waiting for a long time, he grew impatient, climbed over the fence, slowly approached the bamboo house, and pushed the door open.

"Friend, who are you looking for?"

The voice was low and raspy, as if the speaker were on the verge of the grave. The old man sounded so weak that Chen Jiong’s legs went soft.

*Could it be a zombie?*

Suppressing his fear, Chen Jiong looked up and saw an old man in Taoist robes sitting cross-legged on a wooden bed.

"Old master, do you know Nie Yunyang?"

"Young man, all things in the world are subject to cause and effect. Why have you come?" the old man asked.

Chen Jiong felt like ten thousand horses were galloping through his heart—this old man had clearly gone senile from his cultivation...