363: Chapter 362 Bai Ruoxue's Identity Exposed

Seeing that his attempts to dissuade them were useless, Si Zhengxiong said, "If you want to go, then go. However, it's already late today; wait until tomorrow. I'll have Hongbin go with you and bring a few more people along so you can look out for each other once you enter the mountains."

"Thank you for your kindness, Old Master, but too many people will only slow down the journey," Qin Yi politely declined.

"You boy, you're being a bit too overconfident. How about this: the people I send will wait for you on the outskirts. You'll agree on a time, and if you haven't come out by then, they'll go into the mountains to find you!"

"Very well, then thank you, Old Master."

"No need for thanks. If you really want to thank me... I heard from Yaoyao that you created your own body forging Cultivation Technique? Could you demonstrate it for this old man so I can broaden my horizons?"

"Hahaha, Old Master, you're joking. For a Junior like me to demonstrate my meager skills in front of you would be like showing off my axe skills at the door of Lu Ban."

"Don't be so modest, boy. Your skills are entirely self-taught. Not only can you create a body forging technique, but you can also create movement techniques. In the hundred years of the Si Family, besides the Old Ancestor, we've never seen a Prodigy like you."

Flushing red at Si Zhengxiong's 'praise', Qin Yi could only agree. "Old Master, you're over-praising this Junior. Since you've asked, I'll make a fool of myself in front of you." After saying this, Qin Yi went to the open space in the courtyard and began to demonstrate.

His movements were as smooth as flowing water, and every move and style seemed to align with the ultimate principles of heaven and earth. The more Si Zhengxiong watched, the more shocked he became. Could such an exquisite Cultivation Technique really come from the hands of a young man? How was this possible?! He became even more curious about Qin Yi's background and origins.

Unconsciously, Si Zhengxiong's hands began to follow the motions, and Si Hongbin, standing to the side, watched with unblinking eyes.

At this moment, he finally understood why Qin Yi could defeat an Anjin expert with only a cultivation at the Mingjin Stage.

After completing a round of the 'Basic Body Forging Art', Qin Yi was dripping with sweat, but his spirit was more vibrant than ever.

"Wonderful!" Si Zhengxiong praised sincerely. "I've lived for so many years and have never seen such an exquisite body forging technique. You boy, you truly are a Prodigy."

"Old Master, you overpraise me." Qin Yi wiped the sweat from his forehead and waved his hand with a smile.

Si Hongbin also looked impressed, thinking to himself: No wonder this kid Qin Yi is so strong; it must be thanks to this 'Basic Body Forging Art'.

At this point, Si Yao chimed in, "Grandpa, it's getting late, and the sun is about to set. Shall we head back?"

Si Zhengxiong finally noticed the setting sun and instructed, "Hongbin, take Qin Yi to the guest room to rest. Arrange for him to stay in the room opposite the main house."

"Yes, Old Master," Si Hongbin said, stepping in front of Qin Yi and gesturing with an invitation. "Mr. Qin, this way please."

"Alright, thank you, Old Master." With that, Qin Yi followed Si Hongbin and left.

After Qin Yi left, Si Yao pushed her grandfather toward the inner courtyard.

Si Zhengxiong gently patted his granddaughter's hand, his tone carrying a hint of testing and concern. "Yaoyao, tell Grandpa the truth. Do you really have no other feelings for Qin Yi?"

Si Yao's expression dimmed, but she immediately forced a smile. "Grandpa, don't ask. I just treat Qin Yi as a buddy. Matters between men and women have never been within my scope of consideration. If it weren't for Zhao Lintai this time, I wouldn't have taken the initiative to ask Qin Yi to pretend to be my boyfriend."

"But..." Si Zhengxiong hesitated, his eyes full of heartache. "It's all to blame on our Si Family's 'Blazing Sun True Art' being too masculine and overbearing, which caused you to..."

"Grandpa!" Si Yao interrupted him, her tone firm. "You've said these things many times. Since I chose to inherit the Family's martial arts, I've prepared myself to bear everything."

Si Zhengxiong let out a long sigh. Looking at his granddaughter's stubborn profile, his heart was filled with mixed emotions.

As the Si Family Clan Chief, he was gratified by his granddaughter's sense of responsibility; but as a grandfather, he so wished she could be like a normal girl and have her own happiness.

"Heh, forget it, forget it," Si Zhengxiong smiled helplessly. "Let's not talk about the past. However, that kid Qin Yi is indeed quite good. Are you really not going to consider him?"

"Oh, Grandpa..."

Si Yao pushed Si Zhengxiong further away. The afterglow of the setting sun stretched their shadows very long. The old residence returned to silence in the twilight, with only the mountain breeze gently blowing past, carrying away a faint, almost imperceptible sigh.

...

Southwest International Hotel, Room 1816.

Bai Ruoxue stood before the full-length mirror, her fingertips gently brushing over her collar. Her pure white clothes made her skin look as white as snow.

The woman in the mirror had exquisite features, yet they carried a hint of elusive detachment.

She checked the time: exactly six o'clock in the evening.

"It's time," she whispered to herself, picking up her phone and dialing Zhao Lintai's number.

The phone only rang twice before it was picked up. Zhao Lintai's voice sounded somewhat urgent: "Hello?"

"Young Master Zhao, is it convenient to talk now?" Bai Ruoxue casually twirled a strand of hair, but her eyes sharply scanned every subtle expression of her own in the mirror.

"Sure. Come to the presidential suite on the top floor." Zhao Lintai's tone sounded impatient.

"OK, see you in a bit then." Bai Ruoxue hung up the phone, a faint, ambiguous smile playing on her lips.

She did one last check of her makeup, picked up her handbag, elegantly pulled out her room card, and opened the door to leave.

At that moment, in the hotel's security room, Yan Yan stood with his arms crossed, staring intently at the six split-screen surveillance monitors.

These six rooms were his primary monitoring targets; every person entering or leaving could not escape his eyes.

"Captain Yan, there's movement in 1816!"

Hearing his subordinate's report, Yan Yan's gaze immediately locked onto the top-left surveillance screen.

He saw Bai Ruoxue walking calmly toward the elevator area. As she passed the camera, she casually glanced up. That gaze was cold, as if it could pierce through the screen and look directly at him.

"Switch to the elevator area!" Yan Yan immediately ordered.

The sound of typing echoed, and the screen switched.

Bai Ruoxue stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor with her slender fingers.

Yan Yan's heart stirred. Zhao Lintai lived in the presidential suite on the top floor. It seemed highly likely that this Bai Ruoxue was the mysterious person contacting Zhao Lintai that they were looking for.

On the monitor, the elevator rose steadily to the top floor.

Bai Ruoxue stepped out of the elevator, looked around, and walked straight toward the presidential suite where Zhao Lintai resided.

Yan Yan finally felt a sense of relief. It seemed he would be able to report back to Chief Ye.

He immediately took out his phone. Watching Bai Ruoxue enter Zhao Lintai's room on the monitor, he then dialed Ye Qingcheng's number.

The call was quickly connected, and Ye Qingcheng's voice came through: "Captain Yan, this is Ye Qingcheng."

"Captain Ye, oh no, Chief Ye. The mysterious contact person you asked me to investigate has been found." Yan Yan could hardly hide the excitement in his tone. "It's a woman named Bai Ruoxue, an Australian Chinese. I checked her passport information; there's only an entry record, no exit record. Surveillance just showed her entering Zhao Lintai's room, which perfectly matches the intelligence you provided."

"Bai Ruoxue? Do you have a photo of her?" Ye Qingcheng pressed.

"Yes, I'll send it to you right away." As he spoke, Yan Yan could be heard whispering to his subordinate, "Send me the screenshot of that woman from the video just now."

Ye Qingcheng thanked him: "Thank you for your cooperation, Captain Yan. Please continue to keep an eye on things over in the Southwest."

Yan Yan smiled and responded, "It's my duty. Well then, Chief Ye, I'll let you get back to work. I'll report to you again if anything comes up."

The call ended, and Ye Qingcheng received the passport and surveillance screenshot of Bai Ruoxue sent by Yan Yan.

Ye Qingcheng looked at Xu Anguo, who was currently eating a boxed lunch, and reported: "Director Xu, the person behind that mysterious call to Zhao Lintai has been found. It's an Australian Chinese named Bai Ruoxue. Here are her photo and passport information." As she spoke, she handed the phone to Xu Anguo.

Xu Anguo put down his chopsticks, looked at the photo on the phone, and frowned. "Australian Chinese? This is likely a fake identity. I remember you saying that Huang Hansheng's son was set up by Hongmen in Australia back then?"

Ye Qingcheng nodded thoughtfully and confirmed, "Does Director Xu mean that this woman named Bai Ruoxue is also from Hongmen?"

"It's highly probable." Xu Anguo mused, "If she really is from Hongmen, Chen Mo and Zhang Min might know something."

"In that case, I'll have Han Hao confirm it." Saying this, Ye Qingcheng picked up her phone, sent Bai Ruoxue's photo to Han Hao, and called him at the same time.

The call was quickly connected, and Han Hao's voice came through: "Captain Ye, I've received the photo you sent. What are your instructions?"

"Hmm, are you at the underground Safe House?"

"Yes."

"Good. Then take that photo and ask Chen Mo and Zhang Min if they recognize the woman in the picture."

"Understood, I'll go ask right now."

With that, Han Hao hung up the phone and immediately walked toward the confinement room.

In less than five minutes, Han Hao called back.

"How is it? Do they recognize her?" Ye Qingcheng asked impatiently.

"According to Chen Mo and Zhang Min, besides the four of them, Boss Lei indeed had another woman under him. Like Hong Ying, she was also taken in by Boss Lei as a goddaughter." At this point, Han Hao paused, then changed the subject, "However, they don't know the woman's real name, nor have they seen her face. They only heard Boss Lei mention the name 'Xiao Xue' on the phone. But they can't confirm if it's this woman named Bai Ruoxue. However, according to them, Zhang Yu and Hong Ying should know the woman named 'Xiao Xue'."

"I see. Alright, I understand." With that, Ye Qingcheng hung up the phone.

Xu Anguo then chimed in, "It seems this Bai Ruoxue is most likely one of Boss Lei's people. What I don't understand is why Hongmen would still send someone to contact Zhao Lintai at this time? Do they want to silence him? Or does Zhao Lintai still have something they need?"

Regarding Xu Anguo's question, Ye Qingcheng couldn't confirm anything for the moment. After a moment of thought, she said, "How about this: I'll go to the Military General Hospital first to see Zhang Yu and have him confirm if this Bai Ruoxue is one of them. I'll see if I can get anything else out of him."

"That works." Xu Anguo nodded, checked the time, and continued, "It's about time. I have to rush back to the capital tonight."

"You're going back to the capital tonight?" Ye Qingcheng was somewhat surprised. "I was hoping you would preside over the martial arts selection for the family descendants tomorrow."

"There's no need for me to preside; having you there is enough." Xu Anguo showed a trusting smile. "After today's groundwork, even if there are troublemakers in the team, they wouldn't dare to openly defy your orders. Qingcheng, the organization thinks very highly of you. You must keep up the good work and strive to achieve more."

"I understand." Ye Qingcheng nodded solemnly.

The two walked side by side toward the parking lot. Before getting into the car, Xu Anguo instructed again, "Alright, I'm off. You should get busy too. Remember, the confrontation with Hongmen is a long and difficult task. It won't be solved by just getting rid of two or three minor characters. You must have patience and, more importantly, know how to seize the right moment."

"Please rest assured, Director Xu. I know what to do." After watching the car drive away, Ye Qingcheng drove her own car out of the Special Training Base, heading toward the Military General Hospital.

...