"Long time no see, Brother Chang," Xu Ke said in greeting.

Duan Chongfeng looked at him curiously. "Didn't you just come by this morning? Is there something else?"

Just this morning, Xu Ke had brought over Sun Luo's Gold Note and discussed Li Lang's case with Yuan Shang. To his surprise, Xu Ke had returned before one-thirty in the afternoon.

"I missed you, so I came to see you," Xu Ke joked.

Duan Chongfeng waved his hands dismissively. "Don't give me that. I'm afraid your lady will kill me."

Xu Ke laughed. "I have something I need to ask you for help with."

"It just so happens I have something to ask Brother Chang as well."

"Since you're both here, I'll take care of it all at once and save myself a second trip."

Duan Chongfeng shook his head repeatedly. "We're helping you, and you're complaining about making two trips?" he admonished. "You've got some nerve, kid."

Chang He chuckled. "Old Duan, if you don't want to do it, just say so. I'm happy to handle it for Brother Xu."

He was more than willing to do Xu Ke a favor. Aside from the six great families, others had also received news about last night's incident at the Tianhai Martial Alliance. Chang He, as a well-known businessman in Tianhai, was naturally in the know, and Duan Chongfeng had just revealed a few more details to him. Although Duan Chongfeng didn't say exactly how Xu Ke had poisoned Lin Zhongtian, he hinted enough to make Chang He vaguely understand one thing—Li Lang was not the murderer.

So that's how he learned that Xu Ke was not only a highly skilled doctor but also possessed formidable martial arts and the cunning to manipulate any situation. Never mind anything else, the sheer audacity of making a Martial Alliance Elder lie for him was enough to leave Chang He dumbfounded. So, the current Xu Ke was a rising star in his eyes. As a businessman, he knew full well—if he didn't seize this opportunity to build a connection with Xu Ke while he was just beginning to make a name for himself, he would likely never get another chance!

Duan Chongfeng waved a hand. "You've earned a few paltry coins. What damn help could you be?"

Xu Ke smiled and, without any ceremony, got straight to the point. "Brother Duan, Brother Chang, I came today for two things. First, I'd like to rent another apartment from you, Brother Chang, on the same floor. It's for my sister."

"Second, I'd like to ask you both to help me look for some people."

Tang Yingchang and Feng Wei had just sent over the surveillance footage from Tianhai University, so now he just needed to find the individuals in question. Since Chang He wanted to build a relationship and was eager to help, Xu Ke was happy to oblige. Exchanging favors was the best way to solidify a friendship.

"No problem, I'll arrange it right away," Chang He said, immediately making a phone call.

With that, all three apartments on the twenty-third floor of Building A in Junyue Residence belonged to Xu Ke.

Next, Xu Ke forwarded the photos from Feng Wei and Tang Yingchang to Duan Chongfeng and Chang He. They were surveillance screenshots with two people circled in red. The circled individuals were two Houtian martial artists who, after being caught observing Xu Yi that morning, had brazenly ignored Tang Yingchang and carried on as they pleased.

"Help me find these two," Xu Ke said. "They were monitoring Xu Yi this morning. Even after Elder Tang warned them, they continued to act defiantly."

Duan Chongfeng was shocked. "That arrogant? What's their cultivation level?"

"Houtian martial artists."

Chang He was startled. "Houtian martial artists are ignoring a warning from an Innate Great Perfection expert?" They had some nerve!

Duan Chongfeng slapped his thigh. "They're asking for it! Duan Yi, send people to investigate."

Duan Yi bowed immediately. "Yes!"

Chang He's expression turned grave. "I'll have my people keep an eye out as well. But Brother Xu, is there anything specific we need to be careful about with these two?"

Hearing this, Duan Chongfeng looked at Xu Ke. He, too, was curious what gave these two the gall to be so brazen in front of Tang Yingchang, an Innate Great Perfection master.

"Yes. Elder Tang said they're very agile. I suspect they're quite strong, so don't take them lightly," Xu Ke said thoughtfully.

Chang He nodded. "Understood."

"How should we deal with them once they're caught?" Duan Chongfeng asked directly. He had no doubt they could be caught; he just wanted to know if Xu Ke wanted them alive or dead.

After a moment's thought, Xu Ke said, "Let's not make any rash moves for now..."

After all, the other party hadn't done anything truly out of line yet, so Xu Ke's side couldn't act arbitrarily. The Dapeng Commerce Corporation consisted of visitors from Long Capital, a group the Tianhai Martial Alliance needed to be wary of. If they were reported for acting without cause, even Yuan Shang couldn't help them from within the Martial Alliance.

Hearing this, Duan Chongfeng understood Xu Ke's reasoning and nodded.

Then, Xu Ke turned to Chang He. "Brother Chang, I tried to give you rent last time, but you didn't take it. This time, you're helping me find people again..."

Before Xu Ke could finish, Chang He cut him off. "There's no need for such formalities! Is our relationship so distant? You don't have to pay me anything!"

Xu Ke was taken aback. "But I..."

"No buts! You don't have to do a thing. Just listen to me."

"Uh," Xu Ke started, "but I was just thinking of offering to take action for you once in return."

"Take action for what? I already said... wait, what did you just say?!" Chang He, who had been vehemently refusing, had a sudden change of expression.

Duan Chongfeng burst out laughing, enjoying the spectacle. "What's to ask? Don't ask. He doesn't need anything, right?" He knew what Chang He wanted most was for Xu Ke to promise to save his life once, like a protective talisman. Who would have thought Chang He would be so quick to refuse before Xu Ke could even finish his sentence? Wasn't he just asking for it?

Chang He's face fell into a mournful expression. "No, wait, I just spoke too quickly, that's all!" He wanted to slap himself. Why did he have to speak so quickly?

Xu Ke was about to agree, but Duan Chongfeng stepped in. "He doesn't need anything, right? Isn't that what you said, Chang He?"

Chang He became instantly desperate...

...

After giving his promise to help Chang He once, a now-overjoyed Chang He departed. For Xu Ke, another matter had been settled.

He then bid farewell to Duan Chongfeng and, while on the road, asked Wong Gaoyang to also help with the search. With Wong Liqing stripped of all authority, Wong Gaoyang was temporarily handling his responsibilities, so his assistance was necessary for finding people.

At the same time, he drove toward the Martial Alliance.

...

Just as he arrived at the Martial Alliance, he saw two very familiar figures walking out of the gate: Ye Chong and Li Shichuan. The two of them wore solemn expressions as they left. As arranged by Ye Yunfeng, Ye Chong was handling the matter of Li Lang with Li Shichuan.

The moment Ye Chong saw Xu Ke, his face darkened. As for Li Shichuan, his expression instantly became extremely complicated.

Despite his sullen look, Ye Chong maintained a veneer of civility. "Young Master Xu, what a coincidence to see you here. Are you here to give a statement about Li Lang's capture?"

Ye Chong sounded casual, but he deliberately mentioned Li Lang in front of Li Shichuan to stir up trouble between them and let Li Shichuan know: the man who harmed your son is standing right in front of you.

What Ye Chong couldn't see was that Li Shichuan, standing behind him, merely glanced at Xu Ke with an unreadable expression.

"That's right," Xu Ke replied with a nod. "But you're certainly polite, Young Master Chong. I killed your brother, yet you can still greet me so calmly. You must have wanted him dead for a long time, right?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?!" Ye Chong's face changed drastically.

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