206: An eye for an eye

Dongguan City, Nancheng District, Yujing Peninsula Villa Area, Liu Family study.

The night was deep, and the Yujing Peninsula villa area was quiet, except for the Liu Family study, which was brightly lit.

Liu Tianhong sat alone behind a large mahogany desk, the ashtray in front of him already piled high with cigarette butts.

The room was filled with smoke, and the air was so heavy it felt like it could drip water.

He did not continue to urge the investigation on both the overt and covert lines like a headless chicken,

Instead, he forced himself to detach from the anxiety and fatherly love,

And with a kind of cold rationality, re-examined the entire incident.

Able to reach the position of vice mayor,

He was by no means a mediocre person; hidden deep in his bones was the decisiveness and ruthlessness of an overlord.

He picked up a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag,

Letting the pungent smoke swirl in his lungs, while his brain raced,

Piecing together and smoothing out all the fragmented clues.

Professional kidnapping techniques, the disappearance of the vehicle without a trace, the ransom note that seemed righteous but was actually far-fetched...

The mysterious disappearance of the people sent to Guangxi before his son's incident, Li Zhan's unusually rapid whitewashing actions recently,

And that key clue pointing to Guangxi...

All the traces,

Finally, as if drawn by an invisible force, pointed to the same target—Li Zhan!

He picked up the internal telephone,

"Old Jin, come here."

Soon, Old Jin walked into the study quietly and stood with his hands down,

"Sir."

"Old Jin..."

Liu Tianhong's voice was hoarse but exceptionally calm,

"Go through all the information you can find on Li Zhan from Chang'an again for me.

Starting from when he suddenly emerged half a year ago,

To how he fought his way out of that muddy water in Chang'an and unified the underground forces,

And then to all his recent actions, especially his involvement with the Zhou Family."

Although Old Jin did not understand why,

He still reported in detail the information he had mastered, as well as the fragmented situations he had secretly investigated over the past two days.

The more he listened, the colder and sharper Liu Tianhong's eyes became.

"...This person's rise was extremely fast, his methods were ruthless, and his mind was meticulous.

He has indeed been frequently interacting with the two young masters of the Zhou Family recently,

Especially Young Master Zhou Mingyuan, who seems to have taken a fancy to a girl in his place.

As for his industries,

He has been making big moves recently, shutting down all Gambling Dens, and is fully committed to whitewashing his properties..."

"Whitewashing... Whitewashing..."

Liu Tianhong repeated these two words, suddenly pressing the cigarette butt into the ashtray, making a slight sizzling sound.

He raised his head, his eyes flashing with the light of insight,

"I was still wondering before, his expansion was in full swing, why was he suddenly in such a hurry to come ashore?

Now, I finally understand!"

He looked at Old Jin, his tone carrying a cold mockery,

"He was defending against me!

From the moment he made a move on Shi Jie, or perhaps even earlier, he was defending against today...

He had long anticipated that once an incident occurred,

I would inevitably use official power to investigate him,

So he cleaned himself up in advance..."

Hearing this, Old Jin was shocked, and upon closer thought, it was indeed true!

He hesitated for a moment and made a suggestion,

"Sir,

Then... should we still follow the rules and use official power to thoroughly investigate all his industries?

Even if we can't find out about the kidnapping,

As long as we can find a little other problem, we can give him a warning first and force him to show a flaw?"

Liu Tianhong slowly shook his head,

The corners of his mouth hooked into a twisted, almost appreciative sneer,

"Investigate? If you go to investigate now,

I guarantee that all his nightclubs, logistics companies, and real estate projects,

Will have accounts cleaner than state-owned enterprises, and procedures more complete than anyone else's!

Do you believe it?"

He stood up, paced twice in the study, his voice low and firm,

"Besides, if it really was him...

Shi Jie is in his hands, which is his biggest bargaining chip!

So he wanted to tell me the news that Shi Jie is still alive, which is clearly sending a signal—

The person is still here, but if you push me too hard, bear the consequences.

This is a warning to me, take it easy, don't overexert yourself!"

Thinking of the suffering his son might be enduring, Liu Tianhong's heart ached as if pricked by needles,

But what followed was an even greater rage at being challenged and calculated against, and a cold excitement of meeting a worthy opponent.

"Hehe... Hehehe..."

He suddenly laughed, the laughter sounding particularly eerie in the quiet study,

"He's a character!

He really is a good opponent!

He kidnapped my son and blocked all the paths I could take in advance! Impressive!"

Old Jin looked at his master's appearance, feeling a bit unnerved, and asked in a low voice,

"Sir, then... what should we do next?

We can't just wait like this..."

Liu Tianhong stopped, turned around, the ferocious smile on his face not yet faded,

But his eyes had become incomparably fierce and resolute,

"What to do?

Does he, Li Zhan, think that I, Liu Tianhong, only know how to play by those official rules?

Then he is very wrong!"

He walked up to Old Jin and lowered his voice, every word carrying cold murderous intent,

"Shi Jie should be fine for the time being.

As long as I don't reveal my final trump card for a day, and don't push him to the brink of death,

Li Zhan won't dare to overturn the table easily!

Of course, that kid Shi Jie, suffering a bit is inevitable.

He relies on the family, has always been arrogant and domineering, thinks he is smart,

This time it's time for him to suffer a bit and learn a lesson!"

"However,"

He changed the subject, his eyes baring fierce light,

"Waiting does not mean doing nothing!

Old Jin,

Do you really think I asked you to send people to Guangxi to his hometown just to find the few pieces of trash Shi Jie sent?"

Old Jin looked up abruptly at Liu Tianhong.

Liu Tianhong showed an extremely cruel smile,

"Does he, Li Zhan, only know how to play the kidnapping game?

Since he broke the rules first and touched my family, then don't blame me for returning the favor with the same means!"

He leaned closer to Old Jin, his voice as low as a viper spitting out its letter,

"I want you,

To personally select another team of absolutely reliable, clean-handed people to secretly infiltrate Guangxi.

The target is that pregnant woman Li Zhan hides in his hometown...

Kidnap her and bring her back to Dongguan for me!

Remember, keep her alive, and ensure the child in her belly is fine."

"At that time, with Li Zhan's woman and child in my hands,

Am I still afraid that Shi Jie won't come back?

Let's see if he still dares to touch a hair on Shi Jie's head!

Hehehe..."

Liu Tianhong let out a low and confident laugh.

"Also,"

He straightened up and added, his eyes sinister,

"Before taking action, send Li Zhan a 'small gift'.

Doesn't he like to play psychological warfare?

I'll play along with him.

Let him panic and get confused first!"

Old Jin was shocked by Liu Tianhong's sudden ruthless counterattack plan,

But then a trace of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes as well.

This was the decisive master he was familiar with!

"Understood! Sir!

I will arrange it personally, ensuring nothing goes wrong!"

Old Jin nodded heavily, his eyes flashing with terrifying cold light.

"Go."

Liu Tianhong waved his hand, his eyes cold and sharp,

"Remember, absolute confidentiality, be clean.

Shi Jie sent people to Guangxi before, probably to attack his lair and force him to submit.

He failed...

This shows that Li Zhan must have been prepared in his hometown and arranged for people to watch."

He paused, his tone deepening with unquestionable ruthlessness,

"This time, don't fail again.

Send the most professional people, capable of bypassing the eyes and ears he has deployed, and bring the person back to me quietly.

I want Li Zhan to taste what it's like to have his most important soft underbelly held by someone else!"

Old Jin turned and left quickly, his figure blending into the night.

Liu Tianhong stood alone in front of the study window, watching the pitch-black night sky outside,

The ferocity on his face slowly faded, replaced by a deep coldness and calculation.

The chess game has just begun.

Li Zhan, do you think you have already taken the first move?

Let's see who will be the final winner...