260: Chapter 260 Benefactor or Enemy

Han Jingyang was truly in a bind.

If this matter wasn't handled well, his reputation would collapse instantly.

He had never intended to become someone notorious.

In this line of work, reputation was too important.

What to do?

Give up just like that?

Han Jingyang's brain was spinning rapidly, but the expression on his face remained calm and gentle. Waiting for the emotions of the victims to cool down slightly, he clapped his hands: "I really didn't expect there to be so many victims here. My apologies. However, this Mr. Li, have you verified their identities?"

Li Mingjian cupped his hands: "We have been dedicated to tracking down the murderer from those years, but unfortunately, we were powerless and made no progress. However, there is definitely no problem with their identities. If they weren't relatives, how could they have persisted for so many years? You should know that before Huang Jianyong died, we bore immense pressure, living in fear every day, terrified of retaliation from the murderer. Many people developed severe psychological illnesses because of this, so the identities are absolutely genuine. If you don't believe it, you can go to the police to investigate the relevant information. I know you have that ability."

Han Jingyang shook his head: "No need. If you say so, then it is so. You're right; I have neither the right nor the obligation to verify these things. Besides, the item isn't in my hands; I only possess an unverified clue."

Saying this, he paused: "How about this? Come over here, and I will transfer the relevant information about Huang Jianyong's treasure to you."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire crowd fell silent instantly.

Everyone looked at Han Jingyang in disbelief; some couldn't believe their own ears.

Even Liu Jing and Shi Xiaoya widened their eyes, but they said nothing.

The sisters Lin Yuelan and Lin Yuegui also had expressions as if they had seen a ghost.

Giving it up just like that?

Not even a little bit of contention?

Not even checking the authenticity of the other party's identity?

Absurd!

This is a treasure!

Huang Jianyong's treasure!

Although Huang Jianyong wasn't a rich man, he was a genuine expert. His bizarre and peerless secret techniques made people in the martial arts world turn pale at the mention of his name, not to mention the rumors that Huang Jianyong also knew the art of nourishing the spirit.

Moreover, Huang Jianyong's treasure must contain a large number of dharma instruments.

dharma instruments are hard currency with extremely high value. Any single dharma instrument could potentially trigger a small stir in the martial arts world, let alone many of them.

The victims of the tragedies caused by Huang Jianyong were all practitioners of metaphysics and people from the martial arts world; the lost dharma instruments were not just one or two pieces.

Because of this, the treasure left behind by this nobody, Huang Jianyong, had quite a reputation, attracting even people like the sisters Lin Yuelan and Lin Yuegui, who were Daoist practitioners from Western Guangdong.

Therefore, no one could believe that Han Jingyang would give up ownership of the treasure so easily.

Including Li Mingjian.

Li Mingjian narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Han Jingyang: "Are you sure?"

Han Jingyang smiled: "Sure."

"Why?"

"Why?" Han Jingyang laughed: "I like making friends, especially with young talents like you who have strength and responsibility. Never mind a mere treasure of Huang Jianyong; even if it were a much richer treasure, I would be willing."

Li Mingjian hesitated for a few seconds, then slowly walked toward Han Jingyang, stopping about two meters away, and cupped his hands: "As long as you hand over Huang Jianyong's treasure, you will be a sworn brother to me, Li Mingjian, and to the families of the many victims."

Han Jingyang smiled: "That doesn't sound very pleasant. Only if I hand over the treasure am I your sworn brother, and if I don't, I'm an enemy?"

He shook his head: "I think you have misunderstood one thing. If I give it to you, it's out of kindness; if I don't, it's within my rights. If I were to just walk away right now, what could you do to me? Harass me? Pester me? Or attack me?"

Li Mingjian hurriedly shook his head: "No, no, no. We are not Huang Jianyong. How could we do such a thing? No matter what, you are our benefactor. If it weren't for you, we still wouldn't know who the enemy was."

Han Jingyang nodded with satisfaction: "That sounds more like it. Although I don't care about being called a benefactor or not, you cannot take it lightly, and you certainly cannot treat me as an enemy just because I didn't hand over the treasure. In life, one can have all sorts of flaws, but one must not confuse gratitude and resentment. If you really treat me, your benefactor, as an enemy, your relatives in the afterlife would not be able to rest in peace. Don't you think that makes sense?"

Li Mingjian nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, that makes sense. In any case, we could never confuse gratitude and resentment, especially regarding this matter. We are all very grateful to you."

"Really?"

"Absolutely true!"

Han Jingyang turned his head to look at the other victims' families.

These families, having changed their previous expressions of righteous indignation, were now full of grateful smiles.

"Yes, yes, yes, we have always been very grateful to Mr. Han."

"If it weren't for having too many things to deal with, we would have already visited to thank you."

"I had already talked about this, saying that after this case is completely resolved, we would bring generous gifts to thank you."

"I have already made a silk banner, just haven't had the chance to send it over."

"Our whole family is very grateful to Mr. Han."

"Absolutely true, from the bottom of our hearts."

"..."

For a moment, the praise was overwhelming.

Some even sang praises of Han Jingyang, almost lifting him up to the heavens.

The smile on Han Jingyang's face grew brighter. When the crowd stopped, he pressed his hands down to signal for silence: "Good, I have felt your sincerity. In that case, I am willing to give up this treasure."

Saying this, he nodded at Li Mingjian: "Come over here, and I will tell you the detailed information."

Li Mingjian hesitated for a moment: "Is this okay?"

Han Jingyang laughed out loud: "You are still not open enough, nor confident enough. With so many people watching, you're actually worried that I might harm you? Your courage is a bit lacking, and your brain is a bit lacking too. If you just thought about it carefully, you would know that I couldn't possibly do such a thing."

As his voice fell, he shook his head: "Forget it, let's add each other on WeChat, and I'll send you the information."

Li Mingjian's face first looked ugly, then immediately turned into wild joy: "Okay."

Scanning the QR code, adding as a friend.

Han Jingyang directly sent the photo stored on his phone to Li Mingjian: "Take a good look. Is there any problem?"

Li Mingjian frowned and looked at it for a long while: "I can't be sure."

Han Jingyang shook his head: "If you can't be sure, then have someone else speak up. Don't waste time. The village cadre has already spoken; we must clear out before dark. There isn't much time left. If we keep wasting time, we'll definitely have to stay overnight, and no one knows what kind of reaction Xipo Village will have. You can't just rely on knowing a bit of metaphysics to go against the villagers, right? That's taboo."

It was indeed taboo.

No matter how powerful a person was, they wouldn't dare to cause trouble in the village, because one slip could trigger a mass disturbance, and if word got out, it would cause even greater instability.

Therefore, no matter what, these people dared not go against the villagers, and even had to defer to these ordinary villagers everywhere.

Going against the villagers would certainly invite severe crackdowns from the relevant departments.

To some extent, Zhang Zhiyang and those people were specifically tasked with handling such matters.

Therefore, Li Mingjian hurriedly shook his head: "I will hurry."

Han Jingyang smiled and shook his head: "Not you, but you all—everyone present. If you cannot make the decision, I will send this photo to everyone here. That way, everyone won't suspect you, and I can also prove my innocence."