220: Chapter 220 Physical Salvation for a Reclusive Family

Chen Fan sat in the leather chair of his study. The grandfather clock on the wall ticked, its hands pointing to three in the morning. He leaned against the back of the chair, his hands crossed on the desk.

Chen Haoyu stood before the computer, his hands rapidly tapping on the mechanical keyboard. The sound of the keys echoed in the quiet room. The hundred-inch large screen on the wall lit up with blue light.

The screen displayed the Ji Family Manor deep in the mountains of Jizhou. Five high-altitude reconnaissance drones from Huihuang Group were circling at ten thousand meters, transmitting real-time infrared thermal imaging back to the Imperial Capital. In the footage, red heat sources moved back and forth within the ancient architectural complex.

"Boss, the ironclad evidence of the Ji Family's illegal possession of firearms, suspected illegal assembly, and multiple murders has been packaged," Chen Haoyu turned around and handed a tablet to Chen Fan. "The data link has been encrypted and cannot be traced back to its source."

Chen Fan took the tablet and swiped his finger across the screen, scanning the documents. It clearly recorded the evidence of the Ji Family using their ancient martial arts influence to oppress the people and seize property by force over the past ten years. Every account entry and every photo was shocking.

"Send it to the highest command center of the Jizhou Provincial Public Security Department." Chen Fan picked up the teacup on the desk and took a sip of warm water.

Chen Haoyu turned back and pressed the enter key. The progress bar in the center of the screen advanced rapidly, reaching one hundred percent.

"Has the police moved yet?" Chen Fan asked.

Chen Haoyu pointed to dozens of pulsing red dots on the edge of the screen: "The Jizhou Special Police Corps has dispatched eight hundred elites and mobilized police forces from three surrounding cities. They have already cut off all communication signals on the mountain where the Ji Family Manor is located and completed an outer perimeter blockade five kilometers away. Not even a fly can get out."

The screen zoomed in. The main hall of the Ji Family Manor was brightly lit.

The Ji Family head, Ji Wudao, was dressed in a black Tang suit, sitting upright in a red sandalwood armchair. He held a purple clay teapot in his hand, drinking tea unhurriedly. Several Ji Family elders stood on both sides with arrogant expressions.

They were waiting for the three ancient martial arts assassins sent to the Imperial Capital to bring back Chen Fan's head and the dragon-patterned jade pendant.

Ji Wudao put down his teacup and gave instructions to the elder beside him.

What he waited for was not the assassins.

A deafening engine roar came from the speakers of the large screen.

Three heavy-duty police helicopters burst through the clouds from the night sky, lowering their altitude and hovering directly above the Ji Family Manor. The propellers whipped up a gale, blowing the century-old trees in the courtyard askew, with leaves flying everywhere.

High-intensity searchlight beams descended from the sky, hitting the courtyard and illuminating the blue bricks and green tiles as bright as day.

The loudspeakers on the helicopters began a continuous broadcast.

"Listen, people inside! You have been surrounded by public security organs! Put down your weapons immediately, put your hands behind your heads and squat! Give up resistance!"

Ji Wudao smashed the purple clay teapot in his hand. Tea splashed all over the floor. He rushed out of the main hall, pointing at the helicopters in the sky and cursing loudly.

"Arrogance! How dare a few measly cops come to investigate my Ji Family!" Ji Wudao roared.

Dozens of Ji Family disciples, holding long swords, short knives, and nine-section whips, rushed out from the east and west wing rooms. They formed an ancient martial arts formation and blocked the manor's main gate, attempting to resist law enforcement by relying on their martial arts.

A massive impact sound echoed through the night sky.

Two black anti-riot armored vehicles drove at full power, smashing the two-meter-high solid wood gates of the manor. The heavy treads crushed the broken wooden boards and bluestone threshold, stopping in the center of the courtyard.

Over a hundred fully armed special police officers, holding riot shields and automatic rifles, flooded into the manor like a tide.

"Fire!" The special police field commander gave the order through his walkie-talkie.

Dozens of tear gas canisters and flashbangs were fired into the Ji Family crowd by specialized launchers.

Dazzling white lights exploded one after another. Thick tear gas smoke quickly filled the courtyard.

The Ji Family disciples holding cold weapons hadn't even touched the corner of a special police officer's clothes before they were choked to tears and snot. They threw away their swords and knives, clutching their faces and rolling on the ground in pain.

Several Ji Family elders, who considered themselves highly skilled in martial arts, tried to use light-body techniques to jump onto the roof and escape. They exerted force with their legs and leapt half a zhang high.

The special police's riot net launchers fired directly. Large, high-strength nylon nets accurately caught them mid-air. Several elders struggled desperately in the nets, falling heavily onto the bluestone floor, breaking their leg bones and screaming in pain.

Dozens of special police officers moved with tactical steps, forming an assault formation and charging into the main hall with guns raised.

Ji Wudao's eyes were blood-red, and he still wanted to put on the airs of a hidden family's patriarch. He channeled his inner power and slammed his palms against the riot shield of the lead special police officer.

The riot shield made a dull thud, and the special police officer stepped back half a pace, with cracks appearing on the shield's surface.

The two special police officers behind him were not polite at all; the high-voltage tasers in their hands fired directly. Two blue electrical currents hit Ji Wudao's chest.

His body convulsed, his inner power dissipated, and his legs went weak as he knelt on the ground.

Two special police officers stepped forward from the left and right, using standard grappling moves to pin his arms behind his back and press him to the ground. With a click, metal handcuffs locked tightly around his wrists.

"Take him away!" the commander waved.

Ji Wudao was hoisted up by two special police officers and forcibly escorted out of the main hall.

The high and mighty hidden ancient clan, with a heritage of a hundred years, didn't even last ten minutes against the modern state machine and absolute firepower.

Chen Fan looked at the images on the screen and put down the teacup in his hand.

The encrypted communicator on the desk rang.

Chen Muyang's face appeared on the small screen. He was wearing a black windbreaker and sitting in a command vehicle three kilometers away from the Ji Family Manor, responsible for coordinating the Huihuang Group's drone intelligence network.

"Dad, all core members of the Ji Family have been caught; not a single one escaped. The underground armory has also been seized by the police. Dozens of boxes of contraband weapons have all been registered as evidence," Chen Muyang reported.

Chen Fan nodded: "Well done. Withdraw the team and return to the capital."

The communication was cut. Chen Muyang leaned back in the seat of the command vehicle and exhaled a long breath of turbid air. He had been in the wild mountains for half the night; his hair was a bit messy, and his face was stained with dust and sweat.

He took out his phone and dialed Lin Wanqiu's video call.

The call connected instantly. Lin Wanqiu was wearing silk pajamas, sitting at the head of the bed in her bedroom. The background was a luxury suite in an Imperial Capital hotel.

"You're not asleep yet?" Chen Muyang asked.

"I can't sleep without you," Lin Wanqiu looked at the screen and reached out to touch Chen Muyang's face on the phone screen. "Why is your face so dirty? Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine. I just caught some wind outside and dealt with a few bugs," Chen Muyang smiled and raised his hand to wipe the dust off his face. "The business is done. I'm going to the airport now to return to the Imperial Capital and marry you."

Lin Wanqiu's eyes turned red, and she nodded vigorously: "I'll wait for you."

Imperial Capital, Longwan No. 1 Villa.

Chen Fan turned off the large screen. Silence returned to the study, with only the sound of the computer case fan spinning.

He picked up the red sandalwood box containing the dragon-patterned jade pendant from the desk and handed it to Chen Haoyu.

"After daybreak, contact the National Archaeology Team," Chen Fan assigned the task. "Donate this thing to the National Museum for free. Now that the Ji Family is gone, keeping this thing is just waste. Let it go where it belongs."

"Yes," Chen Haoyu took the box and left the study.

Chen Fan walked to the window and pushed it open.

The eastern horizon turned pale white, and the morning breeze blew into the room, dispersing the heat. A new day had begun.

Today was the century engagement banquet of Chen Muyang and Lin Wanqiu.

Chen Fan changed into a brand-new black high-end custom suit and walked out of the study. Su Wanqing was already waiting for him in the first-floor living room.

"Hubby, the motorcade is ready," Su Wanqing stepped forward to help Chen Fan adjust his suit tie and smooth the wrinkles on his shoulders.

Chen Fan took his wife's hand and led her toward the door.

"Let's go," Chen Fan said. "To the State Banquet Hall. Today, I want the whole world to see my, Chen Fan's, daughter-in-law."

As he stepped out of the villa door, the system prompt in the depths of his mind sounded without warning.

"[Ding! The god-level investment system has detected a world-class convergence point of providence.]"},{

"[The ultimate main quest has been triggered.]"},{

Chen Fan stopped and looked at the motorcade outside the door. This engagement banquet was probably not that simple.

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