Chapter 36: Multifaceted Influences

Guan Sheng had never been curious about his past. On one hand, his memories were blurred; on the other, he felt no emotional ripples within him.

However, after witnessing the heart-wrenching wails of Old Zhang’s granddaughter the day before, those memories began to surface in his mind bit by bit. A collection of fragmented and hazy images made him realize that his origins were likely far from simple.

Having finished his commission, Guan Sheng left without hesitation. Back in the Black Eagle King’s car, he picked up the stack of files regarding Li Yuyan.

Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.

No... that wasn't it. It was about fostering a relationship.

Yet, as his eyes traced line after line of information, his brow began to furrow.

"Are these records authentic?" Guan Sheng questioned the Black Eagle King.

The Black Eagle King cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and replied, "Absolutely, without error."

"The kidnapping incident from Miss Yuyan’s childhood is indeed true. The group that hunted her down belonged to the underworld; some of my old subordinates recognized them, but that entire group died years ago."

Hearing this, Guan Sheng finally understood why Li Yuyan was so obsessed with charity and why she was so determined to carry on Old Master Li’s legacy.

There was no questioning the reason behind Old Master Li’s philanthropy. Having been a general who survived that era, he had been helped by many impoverished people and was merely repaying a debt.

Li Yuyan, however, was trying to make amends for the regrets of her past.

"Kidnapped at six, thrown off a cliff by a group of thugs, and then, after being saved by village children, she inadvertently brought disaster upon those very kids."

"She watched her saviors, a group of innocent children, get slaughtered, tortured, and thrown into vats of boiling oil..."

"I cannot fathom that kind of despair."

"Yuyan, is this the reason you are so dedicated to charity?" Guan Sheng gripped the edge of the file tightly, his voice dropping into a somber tone.

He closed his eyes, sensing something. Connecting this to the reports the Black Eagle King had provided earlier, a murderous glint flashed in his eyes.

"Black Eagle, I recall you mentioning earlier that someone in the Capital also wanted to kidnap my wife, is that correct?"

The Black Eagle King nodded. "Yes."

Guan Sheng asked in a low voice, "Then tell me, do you think the people who kidnapped my wife back then are linked to this noble figure in the Capital?"

The Black Eagle King hesitated, unable to be certain. "I do not know."

"I am still investigating. As soon as I confirm who they are, I will report back to you immediately."

Guan Sheng refused, "No need."

"They will come to us themselves."

"Oh?" The Black Eagle King looked puzzled.

Guan Sheng said coldly, "If so many people want to kidnap my wife, it only means she possesses something they desire. It is enough for me to simply stay by her side."

This was waiting for the rabbit by the tree.

Even if the kidnappers from back then were not the same as those in the Capital, it only proved that more than one faction was targeting Li Yuyan. Even if he identified the culprits, Guan Sheng would not strike first. He had finally found such a wife, and he would not easily overlook her safety.

Regardless—

He was invincible.

Whoever came, he would cut them down. It was that simple.

"Return to the Li family estate."

"Yes, Master Guan."

***

Meanwhile, shortly after Guan Sheng’s departure, a major upheaval occurred in the Capital.

Following a single phone call from Zhang Qingyu, the personal secretary to Elder Ji, three thousand elite guards in full combat gear surrounded the Elder’s courtyard.

Everyone, from the top specialists in charge of the Elder’s health to the cleaning staff within the residence, was taken in for questioning without exception.

The operation was classified as SSS-level.

After all, the news of Elder Ji’s incognito visit to Jiang City was strictly confidential. Beyond Zhang Qingyu and Tang Haofeng, only those present at the courtyard that night knew of it.

Now that the Elder’s whereabouts had been exposed, if one ruled out the possibility of suspicion falling on Zhang Qingyu and Tang Haofeng, it could only mean that someone else present that night had leaked the information.

This was absolutely intolerable.

It posed a direct threat to the Elder’s safety.

Because of this, the scale of the operation was dramatic. In just a few minutes, it sent the high-ranking officials in the Capital into a panic, and those lurking in the shadows trembled with extreme anxiety.

At that moment, Qi Xiaolong, who had just returned to Jiang City, sat in his luxury villa, legs crossed, sipping red wine. His elderly servant stood by his side.

*Beep, beep, beep—*

As a phone rang, Qi Xiaolong’s expression turned serious. He set down his glass and answered.

A moment later, his eyes narrowed. "What did you say? You want me to leave?"

"Impossible. It took me so much effort to descend from the mountain. I returned specifically for that heart. To just leave now... it’s too much of a pity."

"What exactly happened?"

"What?"

"The shadow agents in the Capital have been exposed? How is that possible? How could members of the sect be exposed?"

"Are you joking with me? It was my fault? Bullshit! I, Qi Xiaolong, am in Jiang City. How could I have caused it? You..."

Before he could finish, Qi Xiaolong was stunned by what he heard on the other end.

*Click!* The call was abruptly disconnected.

The old servant realized something was wrong and was about to ask, when suddenly, his own phone rang.

A moment later, his shock far surpassed that of Qi Xiaolong.

"What did you say?"

"The people sent to monitor that important figure are all dead?"

"They died before they could even report back?"

"Who did it?"

"You don't know? You idiots, you bunch of useless trash."

After hanging up, the old servant’s face turned ghastly. He bowed to Qi Xiaolong. "Young Master, we cannot stay. We must leave immediately."

Qi Xiaolong’s expression was grim. "The Capital says the sect’s shadow agents have been discovered, and the authorities are conducting a purge. They claim the problem originated from our end. What is going on?"

The old servant’s hands trembled as he replied, "Reporting to the Young Master, the eyes I sent to monitor that important figure have all been killed by a single strike."

Qi Xiaolong’s pupils constricted. "So, because our people were discovered, it led to the exposure of the shadow agents in the Capital?"

"Yes!" the old servant nodded.

"Damn it!" Qi Xiaolong’s face twisted.

"I haven’t obtained Li Yuyan’s Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart yet. To leave now... I am truly unwilling." Qi Xiaolong was extremely frustrated.

The old servant urged, "Time is of the essence, Young Master. We must go quickly. I hear that the old man is furious. If we don’t return now, the consequences will be dire."

Hearing this, Qi Xiaolong knew he couldn't act on impulse. He told the old servant, "I will leave first; you stay behind."

"Once the cinnabar mark arrives, apply it to Li Yuyan’s arm, and then follow me."

"Yes!" The old servant knelt on one knee to respond.

However, after a moment of hesitation, fearing potential complications, he asked, "What if Miss Yuyan is no longer a virgin?"

Qi Xiaolong’s expression changed, turning instantly cold.

"Then kill that man named Guan Sheng!"

"I can feel that Li Yuyan is close to that brat."

"Once that guy is dead, even if Li Yuyan is no longer a virgin, her heart will eventually belong only to me."

The old servant replied, "Understood!"