384: Chapter 384 Let the old guys see something new

"A-Ren."

Fang Cheng's voice sounded again, like a breeze brushing across the surface of a lake, reaching straight to Xiao Sa's heart.

"During this time, what new movements have there been on Chen Chen's side?"

Hearing the familiar tone, Xiao Sa's spirits lifted, and he immediately replied respectfully:

"President, regarding Chen Chen's movements, I was originally preparing to conduct a phased work summary report for you."

"Since you are asking about it now, I will first report the current situation I have grasped to you."

He imitated the tone he learned from corporate executives, trying to make his words sound more professional and organized.

"Ever since the matter of Jia Liang being killed happened, this person Chen Chen has obviously become especially unstable and paranoid."

"Not only has he frequently made personnel transfers within Yuanchen Group and Red Tiger Gang, but he has also talked to me many times, saying he wants to meet you in person to discuss matters of in-depth cooperation."

"Because President, you previously said that we should try to keep a low profile during this period, especially since both Chen Chen and I are targeted by Noah Organization, making it easy to expose our details."

"Therefore, I temporarily turned them back under the pretext of 'the timing is not yet ripe, and the President has his own arrangements'."

After listening, Fang Cheng nodded slightly, and then asked:

"That night Chen Chen participated in the meeting of Noah Organization, what subsequent progress has there been?"

"Yes, President, this is precisely the focus of this report."

Xiao Sa's tone suddenly became cautious, as if transmitting a heavyweight piece of news.

"That young man who came out of Chen Chen's office that you mentioned last time—I paid attention afterward, and he is indeed an Advanced cadre of Noah Organization, named Zhuo Feng."

"This person came specifically to Yuanchen Group just to keep an eye on Chen Chen and those upper echelons of Red Tiger Gang, investigating whether their hands are clean and if they are colluding with external enemies in secret."

Xiao Sa paused in his mind, striving to organize more accurate wording.

"Chen Chen got drunk once and confided some heartfelt words to me. Coupled with the intelligence analysis I extracted from Secretary Liu, the matter of Noah Pharmaceuticals being invaded by mysterious forces caused quite a big shock inside Noah Organization."

"The emergency meeting they held that night was nominally to discuss countermeasures, but Chen Chen's private feeling was more like a stress test and internal audit targeting their peripheral subsidiary forces."

Using his newly learned management vocabulary, Xiao Sa said with feigned sophistication:

"The most crucial point is that Noah Organization has just urgently transferred an elite security team from headquarters, directly moving into the pharmaceutical company building."

"This shows that the core decision-making layer of Noah Organization has already developed a serious trust crisis toward 'local partners' like Chen Chen who are attached to them."

"In Chen Chen's original words, those guys use him as a gun, and the kind without bullets, ready to be discarded at any time."

"For Chen Chen to be able to see his own situation clearly, he is not yet too stupid."

Fang Cheng gave a light evaluation, making it hard to tell whether it was praise or a statement of fact.

But to Xiao Sa, it felt like recognition of his work report, and his heart couldn't help but surge with joy.

"President."

Xiao Sa's heart stirred, and emboldened, he added a bit of his own analysis:

"Subordinate feels that regarding this matter of Noah Pharmaceuticals, Chen Chen pays extraordinary attention to it, as if it relates to his very life."

"Moreover, based on my observation by his side during this period, Yuanchen Group and Red Tiger Gang look very glorious on the surface, but internally people's hearts are fluctuating and the situation is quite tense."

"Chen Chen is afraid that Noah Organization will treat him as an abandoned piece and dispose of him, so he is everywhere looking for a sufficiently powerful force to defect to."

"Although he is now in contact with our Illuminati, he is also somewhat afraid of your power, appearing somewhat hesitant and wavering back and forth."

Speaking to this point, Xiao Sa licked his dry lips and continued to express his insights through the spiritual connection.

"Personally, I think Chen Chen is currently like standing on a leaky broken boat, particularly in need of a life-saving straw."

"This is a place we can utilize; it is best to let Red Tiger Gang completely stand on our boat and never get down again."

"In that case, with the resources and manpower assistance of Red Tiger Gang, our Illuminati can develop even more rapidly and conveniently in the future."

"Analyzed well, A-Ren."

A trace of appreciation carried in Fang Cheng's voice:

"It seems that working at Yuanchen Group and studying corporate management during this period has indeed been very rewarding."

These words were like a slightly warm ray of sunshine in winter, instantly dispelling the tension in Xiao Sa's heart and making him feel immensely encouraged.

"It is all thanks to the President's cultivation!"

Xiao Sa suddenly felt a warm current surge through his whole body, and a trace of blush even appeared on his face.

Being able to gain the President's affirmation seemed more satisfying than any reward.

He hurriedly responded respectfully in his heart:

"Subordinate only tries his best to learn and enhance his own ability, hoping to keep up with the President's footsteps, contribute a meager effort for the Illuminati, and not live up to your expectations!"

These little phrases came one after another, and it was unknown where they were learned from.

But spoken out at this moment, they carried a sincere feeling from the bottom of his heart.

Fang Cheng listened for a moment and smiled slightly.

Subsequently, he said solemnly:

"A-Ren, now I need you to do something."

"Please give your instructions, President!"

Xiao Sa, still looking like he had been injected with chicken blood, immediately straightened his waist, his voice filled with firmness.

"Tomorrow, find a suitable opportunity to talk secretly with Chen Chen."

Fang Cheng said unhurriedly:

"Tell him that Noah Pharmaceuticals is currently at the center of the storm; this is both a crisis and an opportunity."

"They have just experienced changes and transferred headquarters personnel, so internally they inevitably lack grassroots forces familiar with local conditions and sufficiently reliable. This is an excellent entry point."

"Have him volunteer to take charge of the outermost security work of Noah Pharmaceuticals utilizing the forces of Red Tiger Gang."

"Nominally, it is to share worries for the organization and demonstrate loyalty; in reality, it is to plant our eyes beside the enemy."

"This kind of work does not involve core secrets, and Red Tiger Gang, as a local force, is far more familiar with the surrounding blocks than personnel transferred from outside. The Noah upper echelons will agree to this proposal eight or nine times out of ten."

Xiao Sa quickly ran through these words in his mind, firmly memorized them, and then responded:

"I understand, President."

Although he was not clear what action the President was ultimately going to take, obeying orders and acting was an instinct as a subordinate, and even more so an absolute trust in the President.

After this period of subtle influence, he already knew the President's stance very well, and also knew that this mysterious Noah Organization was the number one enemy of the newly established Illuminati.

Now that he could find an opportunity to weaken the opponent, he naturally had to do his utmost to play his role in this operation.

Xiao Sa suppressed his excitement and immediately began to flatter:

"President, this move of yours is truly too high."

"I guarantee to let Chen Chen understand that this is his only and best chance for self-rescue; he has no reason to refuse."

"And."

Fang Cheng's tone was steady, his voice penetrating consciousness and landing clearly in Xiao Sa's mind.

"You can tell him that as long as this matter is handled well, our Illuminati do not mind absorbing Red Tiger Gang as a peripheral force."

"At that time, the safety of his relatives and himself will be guaranteed by us."

"Yes, President! I will definitely convey your meaning intact."

"Go."

As the last syllable fell, that supreme sense of majesty enveloping his mind quietly receded like a tide.

Xiao Sa relaxed all over, only to find that at some unknown time, a layer of fine cold sweat had oozed out of his back.

Every dialogue with the President was like a rigorous test.

But that power of controlling everything and unfathomable wisdom made him feel incomparably exhilarated and worshipful.

Being able to follow such a peerless figure and serve him closely was the only opportunity for a humble grassroots commoner like himself to get ahead in life.

Xiao Sa's eyes flashed with the light of longing, the worry in his heart about the previous situation vanished completely, and it was filled with the desire to make contributions and establish achievements.

In the living room with the lights unlit, it was pitch black.

Fang Cheng sat cross-legged on the floor, slowly opening his eyes.

A wisp of sharp light flashed across his pupils and then vanished into his deep black eyes.

He stood up, barefoot, and walked silently to the floor-to-ceiling window.

The glass reflected his well-defined figure, with smooth and solid muscle lines, full of restrained power.

At this moment, the night outside the window was thick.

A bright moon hung in the sky, and its cold radiance spilled over the boundless sea, paving a road of broken silver.

On the distant coastal highway, the headlights converged into a flowing river of light.

Complementing each other with the row upon row of tall buildings, they outlined the silhouette of this coastal city.

Special Investigation Team, Noah Organization, and himself hiding behind the scenes...

Like three beasts confronting each other in the dark jungle.

Guarding against each other, probing each other, both waiting for the other to reveal a flaw so as to deliver a fatal blow.

Fang Cheng never believed in simple verbal cooperation.

Cheng Jiashu needed to borrow his ability to deal with Noah Organization together; this in itself was not a problem.

But the problem was that the other party of the cooperation was an official law enforcement agency like Special Investigation Team.

Once Noah Organization was destroyed, who could guarantee that this fierce beast entrenched locally with an even larger force would not turn its claws and teeth to deal with himself?

The fall of a number one enemy would only allow Special Investigation Team to free up more energy and possess more personnel they could deploy to hunt down uncontrollable "dangerous elements" like himself.

Fang Cheng's mouth curved slightly, and his eyes flashed with a cold light.

He certainly would not be absent from the weekend operation plan.

It was just that he would join this feast in his own way.

This time, he wanted to become the most terrifying variable in this hunting game.

At the same time...

With deep eyes, Fang Cheng crossed the city skyline and cast his gaze toward the higher and farther night sky.

Countless stars twinkled with faint light in the ink-blue vast firmament.

They were cold and brilliant, like distant gazes transmitting some secret signal.

A crazy conception that had lingered in his heart for a long time yet had never been put into practice.

Now, it seemed to have finally waited for the most suitable stage.

"Then..."

Fang Cheng's eyes shone, making a secret determination.

Before that, let's first make preparations to meet the battle.

Several days later, Saturday, nine in the morning.

A brand new black Land Rover steadily drove into that potholed concrete road of Tianxin Village.

The rugged car body lines and coarse tires formed a sharp contrast with the slightly old urban-rural fringe scenery around.

Fang Cheng parked the car outside the small white-walled courtyard and turned off the engine.

Parked at the doorway were still those few familiar luxury cars.

Only today, when he got down from the driver's seat, what greeted him was no longer Ma Donghe's sneaky gaze.

Because this fellow, in order to cope with the re-examination of Special Investigation Team, had no choice but to plunge once again into the bitter days of closed-door Cultivate.

The courtyard gate had long been wide open; Professor Wu Dewang was standing at the doorway with a gentle smile on his face, as if waiting for him specially.

"A-Cheng has come, long time no see, come in quickly, several Junior Martial Uncles are all waiting for you."

"Junior Martial Uncle Wu."

Fang Cheng nodded politely in greeting and stepped into the courtyard.

The scene in the courtyard was completely different from when he first came.

Gone was that pretentious Jianghu vulgar habit; replaced was a relaxed and even warm atmosphere.

Ma Jianguo, serving as the President, was sitting by the stone table, holding a purple clay teapot, leisurely pouring the amber tea soup into tasting cups.

Xingyiquan Zhang Haixiang and Eagle Claw Kung Fu Chen Zizhen, two Junior Martial Uncles, were sitting around to the side.

The two were facing a chessboard, arguing fiercely over a chess move of "cannon attacking twin chariots".

Only Dong Yunchuan stood with his hands behind his back in the center of the courtyard, posing a steady Three-Body Stance Training, with a solemn expression, seeming to comprehend something.

Several senior veterans of the Martial Arts Research Association were all present today.

Hearing the commotion at the doorway, everyone's gazes cast over uniformly.

The chess players forgot to argue, the tea tasters stopped their movements, and the one doing Stance Training also slowly withdrew his stance.

Those gazes were extremely complex, mixed with curiosity, exclamation, appreciation, and a burning heat as if looking at a rare treasure.

"A-Cheng, come, sit."

Ma Jianguo waved with a smile, personally pouring him a steaming cup of tea.

"Your Junior Martial Uncle Dong has told us everything."

"Good lad, we bunch of old fellows have practiced for a lifetime, yet it's still not as good as your half a year of hard work."

He gently handed over the teacup; there was not a trace of jealousy in his tone, only heartfelt praise and gratification.

Fang Cheng expressed thanks, sat down on the stone stool, with a humble posture:

"I was also just lucky, coincidentally groping into some ways, and there are still many things I don't understand, needing to consult various teachers and elders."

"Lucky?"

Zhang Haixiang, who had just lost the game of chess aside, raised his head from the chessboard, his voice booming:

"Old Dong's skill of 'boiling water in the palm', that's his bottom-of-the-box unique skill, and you achieved it so easily; this cannot be explained by just the two words 'lucky'."

"That's right."

Eagle Claw Kung Fu Chen Zizhen also leaned over, a pair of eyes sizing up Fang Cheng back and forth, as if wanting to see through his bones and meridians.

"Lad, your build doesn't look very robust either; can you really Cultivate Qi out so quickly?"

Saying this, he stretched out those large-knuckled hands, pinched Fang Cheng's arm, and then his brows furrowed:

"Eh, these muscles... how come they are as hard as stone?"

Dong Yunchuan strode over, slapped away Chen Zizhen's hand with a slap, and scolded ungraciously:

"Go, go, go, don't let your Eagle Claw Kung Fu scratch A-Cheng."

At this moment, completely changing from his severity and pickiness when they first met, he had instead become the person who protected Fang Cheng the most.

Dong Yunchuan glanced around and snorted:

"You bunch of old fellows are just like this, narrow-minded, with little experience; because you yourselves cannot do it, you think others cannot do it either."

Turning to Fang Cheng, his tone instantly softened, carrying a bit of complacency:

"A-Cheng, if a person is too humble, he won't be able to hold down the stage."

"Come, don't talk nonsense with them. Representing us legal professionals, show it to these few unworldly old fellows, and let them open their eyes!"

Ma Jianguo smiled without speaking, merely holding his teacup, his eyes filled with anticipation.

The other three old men also held their breaths, staring intently at Fang Cheng with burning gazes.

It seemed they all wanted to witness with their own eyes to what extent the so-called "once-in-a-century martial arts prodigy" in Dong Yunchuan's mouth could actually achieve.

Fang Cheng's gaze swept across everyone's expressions.

After considering for a moment, he nodded slowly, then stood up and walked to the center of the courtyard.