Beginning with the Ubume Bird
Chapter 710 - Chapter 710 Chapter 18 Pacification

Chapter 710: Chapter 18 Pacification Chapter 710: Chapter 18 Pacification “`

It wasn’t until ten o’clock at night that the performance finally ended.

After the thunderous applause subsided, the guests began to leave one after another, and the band had already started packing up their gear to get off the stage.

When someone was moving equipment down the stairs, a person missed their step, and a black speaker half a person’s height twisted in mid-air and landed solidly in Li Yan’s arms.

“Be careful, brother.”

Li Yan was holding the speaker cabinet in his arms.

“Whoa~”

Below the stage, Zhong Shili pushed down her tea-colored oversized sunglasses, revealing her stark black and white eyes. She hadn’t expected Li Yan to be so strong.

“Sorry, sorry.”

The person quickly apologized.

After returning the speaker, Li Yan went up to the stage and patted Lady Dan on the shoulder.

“What’s wrong?”

Lady Dan scratched her head with the drumstick and said to Li Yan, “I think I hit a few wrong beats just now.”

Before Li Yan could respond, the lead singer, wearing a blue bandana, came over with two canned Sprites: “It’s your first time; you already did great. I heard Mr. Zhong praising you a few times, here.”

“Thanks.”

Lady Dan took the drink, and it seemed that only then did the blue bandana girl notice Li Yan: “Sorry about that, I already drank from this can.” She lifted the Sprite in her hand, “I’ll go get another one in a bit.”

“No need, thank you.”

Li Yan smiled. This girl was indeed likeable.

Bending over with her hands on her knees, the blue bandana girl’s gaze wandered back and forth between Li Yan and Lady Dan.

“Hey, Little Dan,” Zhong Shili came over, “I’m short on people. Can I borrow your boyfriend to give a hand?”

Lady Dan’s ID was arranged by Li Yan’s childhood friend Chen Kun, and the name on it was Chen Xiaodan; she was introduced to others as Chen Kun’s distant cousin.

Lady Dan didn’t agree rashly, only looked at Li Yan with an inquiring gaze.

Li Yan sighed, “Alright, I’ll go.”

“Thanks a lot. I’ll buy you a drink after we’re done.”

Zhong Shili rarely gave Li Yan a friendly look, and when the two men had walked away, the blue bandana girl turned and asked, “Sister Xiaodan, are you two living together?”

Lady Dan nodded.

“For how long?”

“One, not quite two years, I guess.”

The blue bandana girl widened her eyes: “Are you married?”

Lady Dan shook her head.

The blue bandana girl frowned: “You’ve been living together for two years and he hasn’t proposed?”

Another shake of the head.

The girl didn’t pry further, instead saying, “By the way, Sister Xiaodan, do you want to join us for the celebration dinner tonight?”

“It’s too late, never mind.”

“It’s not late.” The girl stretched out her arms. “The nightlife is just getting started.”

Looking down from the stage, Lady Dan saw Li Yan moving a fifty-kilogram speaker in each hand with vigorous strides and suddenly chuckled, “Let’s not. What would he eat when he gets back?”

“Ah, all right.” The blue bandana girl had to speak frankly, “Sister Xiaodan, I’ll be honest with you, my agent wants to sign you.”

“But I’ve just started learning, and I even played wrong just now.”

“You can practice slowly. Besides, he wants to sign you for acting, so you can develop in multiple fields. Don’t worry, it’s a legitimate film company, I won’t trick you.”

Lady Dan twirled the drumstick: “I’m not interested.”

“This opportunity is really rare,” the blue bandana girl was still trying, “You can’t just give up your future for a man, can you?”

“The Master said, ‘If the wise man is indeed wise, he has no leisure time.'”

The girl was puzzled: “What does that mean, I don’t understand.”

“`

Lady Dan tapped the girl’s nose gently with a drumstick, “It means, stop talking and hurry up to eat, big pop star.”

The girl rubbed her nose, “Sister Xiaodan, a woman like you is really a rare animal nowadays. The country should protect you.”

Lady Dan gave her a glance, “Then I must go to bed early, rise early, and eat on time, striving not to cause any trouble for the Party and the people.” This cheeky tone had already taken on a bit of someone’s true characteristics.

In the end, the girl still couldn’t persuade Lady Dan. When saying goodbye, she kept looking at Li Yan, annoyed. Li Yan pretended not to see.

On the way back, Li Yan finally asked about it while driving, “That girl said, someone invited you to act in a movie. I think it’s good, as long as you like it, I have no objections.”

Lady Dan, hugging her shoulders, gazed at the distant traffic lights, “I don’t like it.”

Beep beep beep beep beep~

A large truck honked its horn as it passed by the car window.

Li Yan glanced at her, then quickly refocused on the road, “Are you mad?”

“…”

Lady Dan was silent for a while, “Wouldn’t you be jealous if I appeared in that big metal box?”

Li Yan laughed wryly, “Am I that petty?”

Apart from the sound of the vehicle, there was a brief silence in the car.

“Actually, I am.” Li Yan touched his nose, “I was afraid you would be unhappy. That’s why I didn’t say anything.”

Lady Dan then spoke up, “Sometimes, I see people comment about those women on my mobile phone. I don’t want to be discussed like that by others.”

Li Yan nodded, “Yeah, you’re right. Then let’s not do the movie.”

The SUV traveled further away under the orange glow of the lights, unaffected by all the turmoil.

————————-

“Yuan Chao!”

Zhan Yuejin hurriedly pushed open the large copper doors, a rare loss of composure. In the vast conference room of more than a dozen people, some standing, some sitting, the atmosphere was eerie.

Chaos was a man with a baby face, short buzz-cut hair, and a faintly green chin, looking solemn at first. Upon seeing Zhan Yuejin enter, he stood up and nodded slightly, “Mr. Zhan.”

The rest also greeted Zhan Yuejin one after another.

Zhan Yuejin patted Chaos’s shoulder and looked towards Cao Yuanchao, who was deep in thought with eyes closed, “What are you planning to do?”

“I want Wang Xyang to pay with his life.”

It wasn’t Cao Yuanchao’s voice speaking. The man who had been silent until now stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, dressed in a dark brown business suit, not even greeting Zhan Yuejin when he entered.

His name was Qiao Jianzhou, the second seat of the Yan Zhao Club, director of Third Eye Global, heir to Yi.

“No way.” Zhan Yuejin rejected flatly, “Let’s inform Zhao Jianzhong first, sit down, and talk things through.”

“Talk talk talk! Can you bring Hongbo back to life with talk?”

Qiao Jianzhou roared.

“Keep your voice down.”

Zhan Yuejin said softly.

“I must see that fat man dead!” (Didn’t you hear me when I said to keep it down?)

Both men spoke at almost the same time. Initially, Qiao Jianzhou’s voice was louder, but soon it was suppressed by Zhan Yuejin.

“…”

Qiao Jianzhou angrily adjusted his tie and sat down in his chair, saying no more.

Zhan Yuejin’s attention returned to Cao Yuanchao.

“Yuan Chao, you’re the mainstay of everyone here, now everybody is waiting for your opinion. Say something.”

Zhan Yuejin said to Cao Yuanchao.

Cao Yuanchao opened his eyes, facing everyone present, “Is everyone here our own people?”

Zhan Yuejin didn’t respond, just staring into Cao Yuanchao’s eyes.

Chaos was the first to speak, “Yuan Chao, just speak straightforwardly.”

“It was I who told Mo, if someone attacked him, he must kill on the spot. I just didn’t expect that person to be Old Gao.”

Everyone looked displeased.

Zhan Yuejin’s face grew darker as he listened, and he pulled up a chair to sit next to Cao Yuanchao, “Why?”

“Mo carries a secret, one that concerns you, me, and indeed the fate and fortunes of everyone in the Yan Zhao Club. If there’s a problem with Mo, more people will die, maybe everyone present. I’m not planning on seeking revenge for Old Gao, nor will I question the Yan Zhao Club about this matter.”

Silence, a prolonged silence. It wasn’t that no one wanted to speak, almost everyone had a bellyful of words to say, but with Qiao Jianzhou’s example before them, they were waiting for Zhan Yuejin to speak.

“Let’s do it this way, I’ll ask, and you just answer ‘yes,’ ‘no,’ or ‘can’t say,’ that’ll suffice.”

Zhan Yuejin still exuded extreme calm.

“Okay.”

“Mo is just a walker of the Seven Palaces, yet Old Gao was one of the top experts at the Six Ministries Peak. Was his ability to kill Old Gao reliant on this dangerous secret you mentioned?”

“Yes.”

“Is this secret extremely unstable and not entirely under Mo’s control?”

“Yes.”

“Regardless of the outcome of Jiao Chong’s investigation, you have no intention to seek justice for Old Gao’s death?”

“…”

Cao Yuanchao fell silent for a while, “Yes.”

The meeting room could no longer suppress the boiling voices of debate.

Si Wenji patted the back of Cao Yuanchao’s hand, “Yuanchao.”

Cao Yuanchao remained unmoved.

Zhan Yuejin took off his flat glasses, folded them carefully, and put them in his pocket, his gaze more serene than ever before.

“Let’s say, hypothetically,” Zhan Yuejin said, “I insist on making Mo pay for Gao Hongbo’s death. I can accept mediation by Zhao Jianzhong, but if the result of that mediation doesn’t satisfy me, even if it means taking matters into my own hands, I will make sure Mo pays with his life. Wouldn’t you support me?”

Zhan Yuejin’s statement caused many hearts to stir with excitement, and they all turned their gaze to Cao Yuanchao.

After a long while, Cao Yuanchao shook his head, “No.”

The atmosphere in the meeting room eased.

Si Wenji also breathed a sigh of relief.

Cao Yuanchao stood up, “If you want to question someone, come question me. If anyone explicitly states that they must cause a commotion over Old Gao’s death, that Mo must pay with his life, no matter who it is, I will subdue them. I won’t let them have the chance to walk out of this door.”

Yuanchao.” Qiao Jianzhou widened his eyes, “That’s your brother who shared life and death with you. Can you be so heartless?”

Chaos took the opportunity to say, “I don’t understand either.”

“Am I heartless?”

Cao Yuanchao looked back at Qiao Jianzhou, “If I were heartless, you would have been killed by Jiao Chong a year ago. Now you’re in a hurry to avenge Old Gao, have you thought about what Jiao Chong was like back then?”

He also glared at Chaos, “And you, how about the losses of Third Eye Global over the years? Are you planning to put all the blame on Si Wenji? The debt of twenty-five million, it’s true the contracts bear her signature, but did the money pass through her hands? I’m asking you! It’s rumored that Wen Ji traffics in walker intelligence, meddling in low-level Yan Fu affairs, but you and Emperor Jiang designed that structure, Wen Ji wasn’t even on the board at the time, how could she have had access to so much walker intelligence? Do you think Zhao Jianzhong is blind?”

“As for Old Gao… heh, the man is dead, I won’t speak ill of him.”

He looked around, no one dared to meet his gaze, “Even Shanjiu, Su Ling, An got driven away by Zhao Jianzhong, what gives you the right to be here safe and sound? Is it because I’m heartless?!”

His voice lowered, “It’s best if you understand me, but I won’t explain if you don’t. I don’t care what any of you think, the Yan Zhao Club must not fall into disorder. You’ve owed me in the past, just treat this as repayment.”

“What about me?”

Zhan Yuejin asked calmly.

Cao Yuanchao sat down slowly.

“Indeed, you owe me nothing, you’ve never made me take the fall for anything; on the contrary, you’ve cleaned up a lot for me, for Third Eye Global over the years. Even though he’s not on the board, to this day, you’re still the biggest creditor of Third Eye Global.”

He stared at Zhan Yuejin, “I’m grateful to you. But I won’t take back what I’ve said.”

Zhan Yuejin’s expression changed several times before settling into a long sigh.

Without changing his expression, Cao Yuanchao said, “Jiao Chong’s investigation connects Old Gao to the recent turmoil. My intent is to deny all of Jiao Chong’s investigations, to preserve Old Gao’s reputation, and to cooperate fully with Jiao Chong in stamping out the so-called Candlelight Society. Publicly, we’ll say Old Gao died due to a highly dangerous high-sequence fruit, which isn’t without precedent. What do you say?”

“I disagree.”

Qiao Jianzhou spoke quickly and softly, looking towards Zhan Yuejin, hoping he would speak again, but the other had already closed his eyes, remaining silent.

“If you disagree, then just drag it out!” Cao Yuanchao was as steadfast as ever. During decisions, he was either completely unnoticed, acting as a mascot alongside Hou Tu, or he was uncompromising, not sparing anyone’s face.

“Today, anyone who isn’t ready to let this go, shouldn’t think about leaving through that door!”

…

The neon lights flickered in the intoxicating night view, as Jiao Chong stood silently smoking beneath the skyscraper emblazoned with the Third Eye Global logo, a crude tower of carelessly discarded cigarette butts accumulated at his feet.

He had arrived in Hong Kong six hours ago; he had been stationed beneath Third Eye Global’s headquarters for an entire day. It was said that Cao Yuanchao and the directors of Third Eye Global were currently meeting on the top floor of the Hong Kong headquarters,

It wasn’t just him; aside from the vacationing Yang Zheng, nearly all field agents under Zhao Jianzhong had mobilized. And now, beneath the branches of Third Eye Global that spread across the world, company agents lay in wait, their forces poised to strike, both internal and external, all prepared for an imminent full-scale conflict.

Just last night, Mo delivered the corpse of Gao Hongbo back to Third Eye Global, his bones shattered piece by piece, and like Zhao Hongxia, he was missing his “Three Souls and Seven Spirits,” his legacy nowhere to be found.

When Jiao Chong heard this news, he was organizing a list of people potentially involved in the Candlelight Society incident, a list of twenty members including first and second seat candidates – Gao Hongbo’s name was clearly among them. However, before this list could reach Zhao Jianzhong, news came from internal affairs that Gao Hongbo was dead.

In an instant, Jiao Chong even felt a terrifying sensation that the split of the Yan Zhao Club was imminent.

He didn’t believe Third Eye Global would let things lie. Concern for the future situation caused him to unconsciously push the question of how Mo had killed Yinglong to the back of his mind. He only remembered to fully operate the mechanisms in preparation for any sudden moves Third Eye Global might make.

But up until now, there was still silence from Third Eye Global. His reports to Zhao Jianzhong had disappeared without a trace. Jie Master Zhan Yuejin had entered Third Eye Global’s conference room at five in the morning and had not emerged since.

To his surprise, what he ultimately received was an obituary issued by Third Eye Global, entrusted to Hou Tu, to all Yan Zhao Club members.

“Yan Zhao Club’s second seat representative Gao Hongbo, died unexpectedly in ‘Sequence Scale * Xinwei Five,’ and his memorial service is scheduled for January 6th…”

Jiao Chong inhaled the rest of his cigarette into white ash in one breath, then let out a long sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, Zhao Jianzhong finally replied to his message: “The deceased is gone; don’t pursue it further. The urgent matter at hand is to ensure the order and supply of the auction house.”

…

“Miss, your tea is ready.”

“Thank you.”

Weiyue Yan, with tight, quick steps, brought two cups of tea to the table where Zhuo Jiu, bundled up and dozing off by the window, sat.

“Mr. Zhuo.”

“Hmm?” Zhuo Jiu barely opened his eyes: “Ah, yes, thank you.”

Weiyue Yan gave Zhuo Jiu a toothy smile, graceful and charming: “You’re welcome.”

“I heard Gao Hongbo died.”

Weiyue Yan remained silent.

Zhuo Jiu looked at Weiyue Yan: “Why don’t you speak?”

“I’ve been following Doctor Su for years, and I haven’t been at Heavenly Jiazi-Nine for a long time, so I’m not familiar with the faces of the Yan Zhao Club. And since it’s such a serious topic as the passing of your acquaintance, I’m afraid of misspeaking and angering you.”

“There’s no need for that,” Zhuo Jiu shook his head: “My relationship with those people from Third Eye is just so-so.”

He took a sip from the teacup, raising an eyebrow: “This is good tea, not from this place, is it?”

“It’s my own, which I gave to them to brew. I’m glad you like it.”

“You’re thoughtful, I’ll take you to True Martial sometime. I have a few cakes of treasured tea that might benefit you since your foundation isn’t strong. That’ll be my way of returning the favor.”

Weiyue Yan smiled playfully: “I think you’re just saying that. You’ll probably forget about it by tomorrow.”

“I won’t, I always keep my word.”

Weiyue Yan showed a bit of girlish charm: “Then I’ll take it seriously. If you forget, I’ll have to hold you to it.”

Zhuo Jiu laughed, changing the subject: “There’s been an incident with the Candlelight Society recently, have you heard?”

Weiyue Yan’s smile faded: “I know, someone is using your name to cause harm and slander you.”

“I don’t see it that way. I should thank that person. They went to a lot of trouble, didn’t they? Too wasteful to just crush them.”

Zhuo Jiu said: “I’ll name a few people; you go find Jiao Chong to save them.”

Weiyue Yan frowned: “These ragtag people are speaking recklessly under your name. If I step in now to save them, wouldn’t that confirm the suspicions…”

“It’s nothing. Speech, isn’t it allowed in the Yan Zhao Club?” Zhuo Jiu replied: “Just go save them.”

The elder pondered for a moment before speaking: “Zhang Junsheng, Chou Ci, Lin Yan…”

Weiyue Yan silently took note.

“Act fast, Cao Yuanchao won’t stay idle for long. Once Third Eye Global frees up, he might get rid of what’s no longer useful. Go now.”

Alright.

Weiyue Yan stood up and left.

The old man glanced at the tea leaves, suddenly became angry, slammed the teacup down, and cursed: “Little bastard!”

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