Chapter Thirty-One: Sinking to the Bottom of the River

Humans are, in truth, fragile creatures. Whether one is a powerful emperor or an ordinary soul, once the head is severed from the body, all existence turns to dust.

Sun Yufan never dreamed he would end his whirlwind life in such a manner, and more importantly, fall at the hands of a complete nobody. Yet, one day in the future, this nobody would become a legend in Shancheng.

Killing is not difficult; a flick of the wrist and a falling blade suffice. It is easier than slaughtering a pig—at least a pig will try to escape, and a crazed, obese hog is not easily subdued by three or four grown men. From the crisp, efficient movements of Tan Weibo, Nie Yunyang could tell this was not his first time taking a life; otherwise, his technique could not have been so refined.

Tan Weibo stabbed Sun Yufan’s chest three times. Once he was certain the heart had ceased its rhythm, he sliced the throat, leaving Nie Yunyang stunned into silence. After finishing the task, Tan Weibo looked up at Nie Yunyang and teased, "Yunyang, you didn't wet your pants from fear, did you?"

"This man deserved to die," Nie Yunyang replied.

Tan Weibo smiled faintly. "Once you have killed a man yourself, you will no longer care about such things."

Nie Yunyang remained silent. He was no Buddhist, and he never believed in the hollow nonsense that "laying down the butcher's knife leads to immediate sainthood."

They filled a gasoline drum with rocks, poured in concrete, and sealed it with iron bars. Finally, Nie Yunyang and Tan Weibo pushed the drum into the Jialing River. In that moment, everything came to an end. Sun Yufan, the high-profile titan of Chongqing, would sleep forever at the bottom of the river. Unless there was an eyewitness or surveillance footage, who would ever know how he died?

When Nie Yunyang drove back to the city, the horizon was already streaked with the pale light of dawn. The darkness was being dispelled by the sun; morning was approaching. Instead of returning to Longhu Huamanting, Nie Yunyang and Tan Weibo went to Rongcheng Huafu to shower and change into clean clothes. Tan Weibo sprawled across the master bed and fell into a deep sleep; an outsider might have thought him heartless and unbothered. Nie Yunyang lay on the sofa, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. He only wanted to resolve the matters involving the Mu family as quickly as possible and begin a new life. In this bustling metropolis, only the powerful could stand their ground. Had he lacked strength, he would have been trampled to death long ago.

The news of Sun Yufan’s disappearance shocked many. Across Shancheng, numerous power brokers were searching for him. After all, a figure as significant as Sun Yufan was tied to a vast network of influence. When seven days passed without a word, the most anxious among them was Han Fucheng.

Han Fucheng and Sun Yufan were two grasshoppers tied to the same rope. It was only with Sun Yufan’s support that he had dared to encroach upon the Mu family’s assets. Even with Xinhai Technology Co., Ltd. undergoing bankruptcy reorganization, he could still secure his share through Sun Yufan’s wealth and connections. Yet, at this critical juncture, Sun Yufan had vanished, as if a puddle of water had completely evaporated under intense heat.

"Damn it! You lot are useless! Get out there and find him! I want to see him alive or see his corpse. If you can’t find Sun Yufan, you can all pack your bags and get lost!"

Inside a club owned by Xinhai, Han Fucheng was throwing a tantrum. This was his territory, where he spent most of his time. A young man with dyed yellow hair hesitated for a moment before asking, "Brother Han, is it possible Sun Yufan is already dead? He offended so many big players; if not for that 'Great Master' shielding him, he would have died on the streets long ago. How could he have survived until now?"

"Can't you say something auspicious?" Enraged, Han Fucheng, who was drinking tea, smashed his teacup against the young man's face. The youth jumped in fright and hurriedly bowed his head in apology.

Han Fucheng was now at his wit's end. Sun Yufan’s disappearance not only harmed the interests of many parties but also threatened his own life. Over the years, Han Fucheng had helped Mu Bolin build his career, and while they successfully established Xinhai Technology, he had made plenty of enemies. After Mu Bolin’s death, the only reason no one moved against Han Fucheng was out of respect for Sun Yufan, which allowed him to live in comfort. Now that Sun Yufan’s fate was unknown, would those enemies let him off the hook?

"President Han, don't be angry. Let us think of a way; we will surely find a way out," suggested He Lei, Han Fucheng’s confidant.

Han Fucheng calmed himself and asked, "Then tell me, what should we do now?"

"We can no longer interfere with the company's affairs. Many hungry wolves are staring at this piece of fat, and without President Sun's support, we simply cannot fight them," He Lei said.

Han Fucheng had spent decades climbing the ranks in the business world. If he didn't understand this simple truth, he would have been picked clean to the bone long ago. To save his own life, he had no choice but to abandon Xinhai Technology.

"The immediate priority is to find a reliable ally. Mu Bolin had too many enemies, and I fear they will turn against you," He Lei added.

Han Fucheng felt overwhelmed and asked, "Who do you think is still willing to help me?"

"The 'Great Master' behind Sun Yufan," He Lei replied.

Han Fucheng’s expression changed drastically. "That will be difficult. Without Sun Yufan acting as the bridge, he isn't even willing to acknowledge me."

"Your subordinate has a clever plan," He Lei said with a grin, before whispering his idea.

Upon hearing it, Han Fucheng’s eyes lit up. With disaster looming, he had no choice but to take a desperate gamble. Ever since Sun Yufan disappeared, Han Fucheng had become very low-key. Without his interference, the crisis facing Mu Qingyao was effectively resolved.

Under the management of Miao Xingyu, the bankruptcy reorganization of Xinhai Technology progressed smoothly, allowing Mu Qingyao time to finally rest. Outside a coffee shop near the Global Financial Center, Chen Jiong and Tan Weibo waited in their car, while Nie Yunyang and Mu Qingyao sat inside, drinking coffee. Mu Qingyao had already heard about Sun Yufan’s disappearance. During this period, Nie Yunyang and Tan Weibo had frequently vanished without explanation, which had begun to stir suspicion in her heart.

"Sun Yufan has gone missing. Was that your doing?" Mu Qingyao asked.

Nie Yunyang had consistently hidden the truth of Sun Yufan’s death. He felt that Mu Qingyao’s life should not be burdened by such dark matters; she deserved to live in the sunlight, happy and blessed for a lifetime. He took a sip of coffee and feigned ignorance. "When did that happen?"

"Don't think I don't know anything. Did you kill Sun Yufan?" she pressed.

Nie Yunyang smiled. "Little girl, stop prying into these things and just live your life peacefully."

"Don't call me a little girl! I'm actually older than you," Mu Qingyao said with a coquettish pout.

Nie Yunyang deliberately stared at Mu Qingyao’s chest and remarked, "That's true, you're not a little girl. That area, at least, is certainly quite grown."

"Hmph, looking at you, it seems you want to touch it, don't you?" Mu Qingyao puffed out her chest and said bluntly.

Nie Yunyang nearly spat out his coffee. He had to admit, this girl was too bewitching; he simply couldn't handle her. He could only look away to ease the awkward atmosphere.

"Thank you, Yunyang. I keep everything you've done for me in my heart," Mu Qingyao said gently.

Nie Yunyang pondered for a moment. "I promised before that I would protect you. A man keeps his word."

"Yunyang, I like you. Be my man and protect me forever, okay?" Mu Qingyao said with genuine emotion, her tone resolute.

Nie Yunyang froze, his heart in turmoil. He didn't know how to respond.

At that very moment, news of Sun Yufan’s disappearance finally reached the ears of the Great Master...