Chapter 316

The next day, Ling Chen woke up at ten in the morning. He had been too exhausted the past couple of days, and his biological clock was out of sync.

When he got up, Nanny Wang had already prepared breakfast. Ling Chen called Nanrong Wanqing to make sure she had safely arrived at the office before he could relax.

He ate a bit of breakfast quickly, then a familiar voice came from outside the door. Ling Chen turned around to see Jiang Hao and Zhao Zhengxiong walking in side by side.

"Hey! You guys are early. Here to see Haozi?"

Jiang Hao nodded and said, "Chen, where did you run off to that night? We called but couldn’t reach you."

"I had my matters to attend to." While speaking, Ling Chen looked over Jiang Hao and Zhao Zhengxiong. The battle that night seemed quite ’fierce’; both were bandaged on their faces and hands.

"Are you two alright?"

"Just some minor injuries, nothing serious."

"Did you figure out who was behind this?" Ling Chen asked.

Hearing this, Jiang Hao and Zhao Zhengxiong exchanged a glance, their expressions somewhat bitter as they said with a wry smile, "Chen, we might have gotten ourselves in big trouble this time."

"Tell me about it."

"I checked. The people who showed up that night were from the Dongyi Gang. To put it simply, we’re like a budding small company, but Dongyi Gang is like the Hongyu Group; it’s an established gang in East Sea City with decades of foundation."

Hearing Jiang Hao’s explanation, Ling Chen was taken aback and asked in surprise, "How did you guys get tangled up with such a big gang?"

Jiang Hao grimaced and said, "We wouldn’t dare offend Dongyi Gang. It’s all because of that bastard, Qi Jianhui. I have no idea how he got involved with Dongyi Gang. Now the Green Tiger Gang has been absorbed by Dongyi Gang and become one of their bases. Chen, I intended to keep to my own turf and be the king of my own hill, but somehow, we ended up clashing with Dongyi Gang. Now we’re doomed."

Zhao Zhengxiong then added, "We received a notice from Dongyi Gang this morning. Within three days, we must submit to them and hand over all our territories, or else Dongyi Gang will forcefully drive us out of Old City. Chen, you have to help us; you’re the only one we can rely on."

Ling Chen frowned slightly. It wasn’t that he was unwilling to help, but the situation was tricky. From Jiang Hao’s description, he got a preliminary understanding of Dongyi Gang. Such a longstanding gang was a real scourge to society, indulging in all kinds of vices like gambling, drugs, and prostitution.

Although Jiang Hao was also part of this underworld, he adhered to his principles; his gang never engaged in these criminal activities, just collected protection money and earned through legal labor. Compared to Dongyi Gang, Jiang Hao’s group was like the fresh-faced youths of the underworld.

Ling Chen had dealt with underworld forces when he was abroad; those were cold-blooded killers. Real large-scale gangs had a clear hierarchy with professional fighters and assassins and were not lacking in strength. Jiang Hao contending with those people was truly a case of a mantis trying to stop a chariot, courting self-destruction.

After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Do you know who the head of Dongyi Gang is? How about I talk to him and see if I can persuade him to lay off Old City?"

Zhao Zhengxiong shook his head and said, "Chen, not to hide it from you, but hardly anyone knows who the leader of Dongyi Gang is. That person is very mysterious and seldom shows their face; usually, the two hall masters of Dongyi Gang handle the gang’s affairs. One handles the business aspects, and the other manages their men, and they are the most powerful people in the gang."

"Who should I talk to then?"

"Deng Guoyong; he’s the one dealing with us in Old City."

"Fine, you guys set a time to meet him, and I’ll have a proper talk with him."

Jiang Hao responded, "Alright, I’ll try to arrange a meeting with him and contact you by phone."

After seeing Jiang Hao and Zhao Zhengxiong off, Ling Chen sat on the sofa in the living room, thought for a moment, then took out his phone to dial a number.

The call connected, and Ling Chen cheerfully said, "Hey, Officer Xia, are you busy?"

"Get straight to the point, I don’t have time to waste."

"It’s like this, how much do you know about Dongyi Gang?"

"Dongyi Gang?" Xia Mutong’s tone changed slightly, and he immediately asked, "Ling Chen, what are you up to now?"

"Just asking casually."

"Dongyi Gang is suspected in one hundred and forty-five crimes including murder, kidnapping, extortion, assaulting police, and disturbing public order. They are the largest underground force in East Sea City and a major focus of our police efforts."

Ling Chen was internally shocked. With so many charges, the reputation of this old gang truly preceded it.

"If that’s the case, then why has there been no effect, and Dongyi Gang is still so rampant?"

"Dongyi Gang has numerous underlings, and every time they commit a crime, a minion takes the fall, and we can’t touch anyone higher up. We are police; we work based on evidence, and it’s the same when making arrests," Xia Mutong couldn’t help asking, "Ling, you haven’t gotten into trouble with Dongyi Gang, have you? Otherwise, why inquire about them?"

"Dongyi Gang has targeted Jiang Hao and his crew, looking to swallow their territory. They asked for my intervention. We are all brothers; I can’t just stand by and do nothing. Officer Xia, don’t worry, I’m a civilized man, just planning to talk it out, no violence."

"That’s your business. If you can really help me deal with Dongyi Gang, I have to thank you properly. Alright, I have a meeting to attend, can’t talk more. You handle it your way."

After hanging up, Ling Chen grinned and chuckled to himself. Xia Mutong’s meaning was clear: whatever you plan to do is fine, the police won’t intervene. Since that’s the case, things should be much easier now.

...

Night fell.

Nanrong Wanqing returned home from Hongyu Group, and as soon as she entered, she saw Ling Chen changing his clothes, getting ready to head out.

"Where are you going?"

"I’ve arranged to have dinner with someone," Ling Chen replied. Jiang Hao had just called, having arranged a meeting with Deng Guoyong.

"Who?"

Ling Chen was about to make up an excuse, but then he heard Nanrong Hao’s voice from behind, "Chen, are we ready to go?"

Nanrong Wanqing looked suspiciously at them and asked, "Are you two going together?"

"Sister, we’ve arranged to negotiate with the hall master of Dongyi Gang; Chen has agreed to help us out."

Hearing this, Ling Chen glanced at Nanrong Hao reproachfully. This guy really spilled everything, not even considering if it would worry Nanrong Wanqing. Catching his reproachful gaze, Wanqing spoke, "Don’t blame him. We have an agreement; whatever he does, he must tell me everything, no secrets, or I won’t let him leave the house." Then she turned playful and asked, "Are you really going to negotiate?"

Ling Chen nodded, watching Nanrong Wanqing’s spirited demeanor, a bad feeling stirring within him.

"Okay, you can go, but you have to take me with you. I want to see for myself how you guys negotiate."