25: Chapter 25 Cooperation

West of Wuyang County, Qiushui Town.

Inside a luxurious inn.

"Patriarch, the Demons near Qiushui Town have all been dealt with. Do you think we should stay here in Qiushui Town tonight?" said an Elder of the Wang family.

"Fine, everyone has been tired all day, it is time to rest. Just how is the situation on the Pei family's side?" Wang Yang glanced at the exhausted group and understood it was time to rest.

"Currently, the Pei family's situation is normal, and the Ancestor of the Pei family does not seem to have any major issues. However, something big has happened at the Evil Suppression Bureau; Chen Yuanba seems to be arresting Ling Ziwen," said the Wang family Elder.

"No way! Chen Yuanba wants to arrest Ling Ziwen? Ling Ziwen is Chen Yuanba's confidant and the Great Commander of the Evil Suppression Bureau. Why would Chen Yuanba want to arrest him?" Wang Yang looked surprised, but in reality, his heart was in turmoil.

"I do not know the specific reason; I only know that this matter seems to be related to a letter from the Pei family," the Wang family Elder said after thinking for a moment, his voice deep.

"I recall that the Pei family has always had a rather indifferent relationship with Chen Yuanba. To arrest his own confidant at a time like this, just because of a letter from the Pei family... it feels wrong," Wang Yang said, feeling a vague sense of unease.

"I also suspect this news might be false. Could it be a smoke screen released by the Pei family, or perhaps Chen Yuanba has other plans?" the Wang family Elder frowned.

"That is a possibility. Chen Yuanba has always looked upon our three families with displeasure; perhaps he is taking this opportunity to hatch some conspiracy," Wang Yang agreed.

"I will have our spies pay closer attention to this matter. If there is any concrete news, I will report it to you, Patriarch," the Wang family Elder said, seemingly realizing something, and quickly added.

"Good, then I will wait for your news."

Shortly after the Wang family Elder left, Wang Yang's expression collapsed, and he thought to himself.

"Could it be that the shady dealings between me and Ling Ziwen were discovered by that old thing from the Pei family, and that is why he wrote a letter to Chen Yuanba?"

"But even so, Chen Yuanba shouldn't be making such a big fuss to arrest Ling Ziwen. Could there be some hidden story I am unaware of?"

Just as Wang Yang was deep in thought, a black shadow flashed past the window.

Wang Yang immediately sat up and gave a low shout.

"Who is it! Daring to spy on me from outside the door!"

"Patriarch of the Wang family, do not call anyone." The next second, a familiar voice sounded in Wang Yang's ear.

"Who exactly is it? Come out." Wang Yang did not respond directly, but he still lowered his voice.

"What is the matter, Patriarch Wang? Do you not even recognize me?"

As the voice spoke, a tall figure appeared before him.

"Ling Ziwen." Wang Yang's pupils constricted, and a look of shock appeared on his face.

"Patriarch Wang, why be so surprised? Are you and I not already grasshoppers on the same rope? If you do not mind me being discovered by others, feel free to shout my name out loud," Ling Ziwen said with a smile, appearing completely at ease.

"We are not on the same side. Commander Ling, do not slander me," Wang Yang said in a low voice.

"Do you not think it is a bit late for you to say that, Patriarch Wang? If it were not for you, how would I have become a wanted man by Director Chen?" Ling Ziwen was not affected by Wang Yang's words, but said with a mocking smile.

"How do you figure?" Wang Yang looked disbelieving on the surface, but in his heart, he believed it a little.

"This is a long story. Patriarch Wang probably does not know that Director Chen hates traitors more than anything else in his life. I used the power of the Evil Suppression Bureau to handle matters for the Wang family, which violated Director Chen's taboos. I truly regret boarding your Wang family's pirate ship. If not for that, I would not have ended up in this state," Ling Ziwen said, looking regretful, as if Wang Yang were the true sinner.

"Commander Ling, that is not fair. Our cooperation was purely a matter of mutual consent. If you had not agreed, could I have forced you? Now that something has gone wrong, you blame me; that simply does not make sense," Wang Yang retorted.

"Things have reached this point; further talk is useless. I will ask you one question: is Patriarch Wang willing to take me in?" Ling Ziwen's tone was resolute, as if he were ready to fight to the death if things did not go his way.

"No, the risk is too great. Once Chen Yuanba finds out you are with me, my Wang family will not be able to explain itself, even if we had a thousand mouths," Wang Yang refused.

"Then do not regret this, Patriarch Wang."

Ling Ziwen did not argue any further; he simply pulled a letter from his sleeve, placed it gently on the table, and turned to leave the room.

"Wait." At that moment, Wang Yang realized that Ling Ziwen seemed to have some leverage over him.

"You can read this letter first, Patriarch Wang. It will not be too late to talk after you have finished," Ling Ziwen said, his expression unchanged, appearing calm and unhurried, as if Wang Yang's reaction was exactly what he had expected.

Wang Yang narrowed his eyes, a flicker of killing intent flashing through them, but he still followed Ling Ziwen's instruction and opened the letter.

But when he saw the contents within, he could no longer maintain his composure, and it was replaced by a look of sheer terror. "You... you... how did you get this?"

"As for that, Patriarch Wang, do not worry. Rest assured, as long as you cooperate with me, this letter will never appear before Director Chen," Ling Ziwen said, his tone softening as his attitude shifted immediately.

Wang Yang did not respond, but Ling Ziwen was not in a hurry.

Time ticked by, and the room seemed to suddenly fall silent.

After a long silence, Wang Yang took a deep breath and slowly said, "Fine, I agree to cooperate with you. However, I have one condition: you must hand over all the evidence contained in this letter to me."

"No problem. But before that, Patriarch Wang must do one thing for me," Ling Ziwen agreed to Wang Yang's request almost instantly.

"Speak." Wang Yang did not argue further; his weak point was in Ling Ziwen's hands, and saying anything more would be useless.

Not long after, Ling Ziwen walked out of Wang Yang's room.

Compared to Wang Yang's defeated face, he was beaming.

He chuckled, "Patriarch Wang, do not be so downcast; has our cooperation not always been smooth?"

"I know that you, Patriarch Wang, have always wanted to eliminate the Pei family, and cooperating with me might not be a bad thing. To show my sincerity, I will gift you a piece of news for free: Pei Qingyun's decline in Qi and blood is just a facade. If you encounter any difficulties, you can still come to me to cooperate."

After saying this, he did not wait for Wang Yang to reply. Ling Ziwen stepped into the air, crossed dozens of meters in a few leaps, and vanished into a courtyard.

Only that chuckle remained, echoing in Wang Yang's ears.

"Damn it," Wang Yang muttered, his face dark, as he walked back into the room with reluctance.

That night, he was completely defeated.