Chapter 298: Investigation
Chapter 298: Investigation
"So, Lu Fang, what do you plan to do now?"
Chen Chuan wanted to hear Lu Fang's thoughts.
Lu Fang replied, "I want to find Zhao Qian's whereabouts first and then start my investigation from there. Since he took Shen Xuelang's sister, there must be a reason. It hasn't been long since then, so I think there should still be some traces left."
He leaned forward slightly, resting his hand on the cup of hot drink, "Zhao Qian graduated from Wu Yi General Academy, so I was thinking, could I find a junior like you and ask about his possible whereabouts. I never expected that I'd run into you here on my first day in Center City."
Chen Chuan nodded and said, "I know where Zhao Qian is."
Lu Fang looked up at him.
"But Lu Fang, even if you find him, how will you search for clues about Shen Xuelang's sister? Will you just go and ask him directly?"
Lu Fang quickly responded, "Although I came alone, I do have acquaintances in Center City. I've found a few seniors I knew before, and with their help, I was able to establish myself here. I believe that once I locate Zhao Qian, I can slowly investigate, and I'm sure I'll find something."
Chen Chuan observed him and said, "But Lu Fang, as a company executive, Zhao Qian has a security team and resonators protecting him at all times. If you repeatedly show up near the company, you'll attract their attention.
If I'm not mistaken, you probably don't have official citizenship yet. Even if the security team uses violent means against you, no matter how severe the consequences, no one will bat an eye. In the end, you might be secretly dealt with, and Zhao Qian might not even know you were ever here."
Lu Fang listened intently, then spoke with sincerity, "Junior, thank you for telling me this. Although this matter is challenging, I can't just ignore it. Shen Xuelang helped me and many other classmates back then, and I owe him. It's my duty to repay him."
He looked at Chen Chuan earnestly, "Junior, can you tell me where Zhao Qian is? I just need to know this, and I'll be careful."
Chen Chuan pondered for a moment. Although Lu Fang was persistent, he was indeed the kind to value loyalty. Previously, the Fengxin Society had spoken up for him several times, and he never asked for anything in return. This was a debt of gratitude he owed.
Chen Chuan said, "Lu Fang, if you truly want to know the answer from back then, it's best to do nothing for now and wait for a while. Perhaps, with time, you'll get your answer."
Lu Fang was a little uncertain about his suggestion. He hesitated, "Junior, you don't have to get involved in this..."
Chen Chuan shook his head, "Lu Fang, it's not necessary. What I'm about to say has nothing to do with what we discussed earlier. If you care about Shen Xuelang's past, doesn't Zhao Qian care about the Zhao family's downfall?"
Lu Fang was taken aback, and he began to understand Chen Chuan's words, He looked at Chen Chuan with concern, "Junior, do you mean..."
Chen Chuan smiled faintly, "Never mind, let's not talk about this for now. Let's chat about something else. You mentioned that some seniors who came to Center City helped you. What are they up to these days?"
In the depths of the Dark Unexplored Zone, within an underground combat gym, two young men in their twenties were instructing a group of twenty teenagers in their training. They were strict; whenever someone's movements were off, they would immediately shout at them or even kick them to correct their posture. The scolded teenager would quickly correct their stance and continue practicing without a word.
Only after their movements were adjusted would the young men shift their gaze to the next person.
After a long while, the sound of a clock chimed, and one of the short-haired young men spoke, "Take a break."
The teenagers bowed respectfully and then scattered, their faces finally showing their youthful smiles.
The short-haired man returned to the side, grabbed a bottle of water, took a sip, and said, "Tianshu Gang has sent more people, adding more conditions. They say that if we join, they'll help us with our identity issues."
The other man, taller and more robust, spoke in a deep voice, "It's not that simple. They just want to use us. Identity? They'll dangle that in front of us, making us fight for them. We shouldn't pay them any mind; this situation is fine as it is."
The short-haired man hummed in agreement.
After a while, he said, "Lu Fang mentioned that he's going to look for someone who entered Wu Yi General Academy this year.
I never thought that someone from Yangzhi, a commoner, could enter the academy. It's impressive, but once you're there, things are different. I wonder if he'll find what he's looking for."
The other young man shook his head, "Whether he finds anything or not, it's the same. If the person he's looking for has already become a company executive, it's destined to be fruitless. We can't compete with the company."
"Yeah," the short-haired man sighed, "He's too stubborn for his own good. We've advised him, but he won't listen. Hopefully, our warnings will sink in."
Half an hour later, Chen Chuan and Lu Fang exchanged contact information and left the refreshment shop.
Chen Chuan had originally intended to settle the bill himself, but Lu Fang insisted on splitting it, and he didn't refuse.
The two parted ways at the street corner, and as Chen Chuan watched Lu Fang leave, he returned to his dorm. He picked up the Xuejun Saber and began to reinforce and digest the techniques he had learned from Teacher Zheng earlier.
Just as he was immersed in his practice, a notification sounded from his communication device. Seeing that it was Gao Ming, Chen Chuan's heart stirred slightly. He put down the saber, stepped out of the training room, and accepted the incoming call.
Gao Ming's voice came through, "Cousin, I've got some leads here. Do you have time now? Let's meet and talk."
"I'm available. I'll come right away," Chen Chuan replied.
After a quick tidy-up, Chen Chuan left the dorm, went to the underground garage to retrieve his car, and drove straight to Gao Ming's apartment.
The two met, exchanged greetings, and Gao Ming removed the communication device he was wearing. Smiling, he said, "Cousin, what we're about to discuss is a bit sensitive. It's best to temporarily remove this device."
Chen Chuan nodded in agreement. While the communication device was convenient, it couldn't completely prevent the possibility of technological surveillance. Gao Ming, being a litigator, was highly attentive to this detail, and Chen Chuan understood this well. He also removed his own communication device.
Gao Ming placed both devices in a box, turned back to Chen Chuan, and handed him a glass of water. Sitting down, he said, "Cousin, after joining the firm, I've been reviewing a lot of materials these past few days, including some firm platform data and paper files."
Due to the unique nature of a litigator's work, the most valuable information in the firm was actually stored in paper archives and the firm's independent biological storage, accessible only to internal staff. As an invited partner, Chen Chuan was qualified to review a portion of the less confidential documents.
"Cousin, regarding Zhao Qian," Gao Ming began, handing Chen Chuan a handwritten document, "My first approach is to use official channels. I looked into the specific functions of various government departments in Central City, and I found that one of the roles of your Investment Processing Bureau is to suppress and restrict the expansion of companies.
It's a bit like the role of the Yangzhi City Police Bureau, where they keep a close eye on Mo Lan Corporation. However, in Central City, the City Patrol Team rarely confronts companies directly, and the Investment Processing Bureau takes on this role.
Almost every company hires fighters and security personnel, especially the exceptional ones who can even rise to high-ranking positions. The Investment Processing Bureau indirectly influences these companies by controlling and regulating the fighters.
Now, regarding Zhao Qian's employer, Allied Vigor Dynamics, they've been 'specially cared for' by the Investment Processing Bureau four times in the past, and the last two instances were almost certainly related to Zhao Qian personally."
"Is it because of the involvement of Mo Lan Corporation and the Zhao Family's businesses?" Chen Chuan asked.
"Exactly," Gao Ming replied. "I checked some public information about Zhao Qian and found that when he arrived in Central City, he realized Mo Lan Corporation was on a downward trend. So, he gradually severed business ties with them and withdrew from the family business. Somehow, he managed to join Allied Vigor Dynamics.
But he can't completely detach himself from the Zhao Family's interests. The relevant departments and the Investment Processing Bureau, they've caught onto this. They've audited him a few times but haven't pushed him too hard.
My personal speculation is that these departments might want him to remain within Allied Vigor Dynamics."
Chen Chuan understood Gao Ming's reasoning. "So, you're thinking we could borrow the strength of the Investment Processing Bureau and not have to get directly involved ourselves," Chen Chuan said. "If we can make this work, we might force Allied Vigor Dynamics to give up on Zhao Qian.
Without the company's backing, he's just an ordinary fighter, and dealing with him will be much easier.
The competition among companies in Central City is fierce, and he's been there for many years. Who knows how many people he's offended? We might not even need to lift a finger, and someone will take care of him.
The downside of this plan is that it takes time, and there might be special circumstances, like Zhao Qian possessing some unique value.
If that's the case, we have to consider this possibility in advance.
Even if we have solid evidence of Zhao Qian's assassination attempt on you, some higher-ups in the Investment Processing Bureau might not agree to take action. Instead, they might use this to their advantage, making Zhao Qian an even easier target to manipulate.
So, if we choose this method, we may not need to face him directly, but until this matter is resolved, we can't control or predict the outcome."
Chen Chuan nodded in agreement. "And what's the other approach?"
...
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(End of Chapter)
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