Always by your side

Ch 45 ... to be by your side

Past

Lan Zhan POV

I wouldn't say I like a hand to hand combat, but this guy tried to enter Wen Ruohan's old casino's ground and injured two officers while escaping. I focus on the man in front of me and lift my forearms to protect myself from the upcoming punch. Unfortunately, his weight and height alone are not enough to throw me off balance as I swiftly evade him. 

While this body is young, I have the experience of countless battles. First, I need to tire this man a little and observe. He lowers his left arm too much and weights his body on the left leg when he strikes. Then, his next attack hits me, but I can take the pain. I smile as he starts to sweat. I let myself go. After the man launches his next punch, I lower my body and use the momentum to throw myself at him. He recoils his arms a second too late to recognize that I was trying to push him to the floor instead of punching him while he lowers his defence. 

As I toppled him over, I took the handcuffs rapidly. He is too confused to react, and that is all I need to have him espoused. Not long ago, I remembered that people called me Hanguang jun, but I also remembered that Wei Ying called me his husband. The second title requires more than one skill. 

"Ok. Yang Yang, one last time. Who sent you?" I ask, grabbing him by his throat. The man remains silently immobilized. Finally, I have to give in that he is a fine little brave soldier. So I hand him to Wen Ning. 

The word in the street is that the infighting has ended, and two factions remain. Wen Chao directs the first group, and a mysterious figure leads the other. Yang, our little soldier, is part of the latter faction. They started with the drugs in the south, now controlling the region. We got from a few of these guys that none of them will engage in conflict with the others until the trial is over. 

Wen Ning thinks it is because they already have tailed Wen Chao's location and are waiting for us to do our job to either kill him or hand him over. Either way, it will be k.o. for Wen Chao and us too because it will be a blood bath in the streets. For instance, we have to dismantle both organizations before the trial ends.

We don't know who the second snake is, but Wen Ning thinks he is a mercenary. Reports from the gang war talk about basic execution tactics. He also has good weapons, and there is evidence of some hacking. I shudder at what might occur upon us now.

The question is, how is this leader financing everything?

Today Wen Ning and I revisited the casino when we heard the commotion and followed. The place was emptied long ago, yet they are still looking for clues. Although Yang Yang doesn't say anything, his silence speaks volumes. The money that Wen Ruohan hid is being sought after. 

It takes us three weeks to follow up on the former executives of Wen Ruohan's company. Most of them are fine, but we jailed 25 people this last year and a half under different charges. Some had landed positions out of the district, and a few had gotten jobs overseas. A few joined the staff of Jin's and Nie's corporations. There is one name. However, that is not on the list.

The sunset is falling when the four men arrive for dinner at my uncle's house. Food is served, wine is drunk, and conversations are held. 

"Is there a reason why you invited us all over?" asks Jiang Cheng.

Uncle nods. "We want you all to prepare for what is about to come." 

I serve them another cup, and uncle starts. "First, the trial proceedings against Wen Ruohan are finished. The judge will pass the verdict next week. He will be in jail for at least ten years, charges for which we have strong evidence include art trafficking, money laundering and bribing."