Chapter 252: Chapter 251: Is it a Coincidence? (Please Subscribe)
The next moment, Yan Junwei turned his head to look at Bai Hong, his eyes filled with undisguised murderous intent.
"Don’t act rashly."
Tian Guo shook his head at him and turned to Bai Hong, "Speak, what exactly happened? How did Captain Guan die? And what about the deaths of Cheng Lei and the others?"
Bai Hong let out a sigh of relief and hurriedly spilled everything he knew, like beans spilling from a bamboo tube.
The more they listened, the more shocked Yan Junwei and Tian Guo’s expressions became.
"Are you saying that someone from a nearby small stronghold killed Captain Guan?" Yan Junwei looked like he didn’t believe a word of it.
"Senior, I am not entirely clear on the specifics of the situation either."
Bai Hong’s face contorted into an awkward smile, "This conclusion was reached after Castelan Song and Captain Cheng examined the scene and discussed it. I only learned about it after inquiring from many sources."
"Chen Family Stronghold, huh?"
Tian Guo noted the name and then asked, "And then? What happened after that?"
"The next morning, Castelan Song took all the guards from the fortress, even dragged along two cannons, and attacked the Chen Family Stronghold, intending to avenge Captain Guan."
"Hmph." Yan Junwei snorted coldly, "This Song Hailong thinks he’s doing something grand. The people are dead, so what use is it to kill the enemies? Can that bring back Lord Guan’s brother?"
"That was indeed Castelan Song’s thinking. However, he never returned after he left."
"What!"
Yan Junwei’s mouth hung open.
Tian Guo also looked shocked.
"Yes, seniors, you heard me right."
Bai Hong let out a deep sigh, "About thirty to forty people, including the Castelan and Captain Cheng, none of them came back."
The atmosphere instantly became deathly silent.
Yan Junwei and Tian Guo looked at each other, flabbergasted.
Are you kidding?
The Chen Family Stronghold, which sounds like a small stronghold with just two or three hundred people, can’t be compared to a stronghold like the Song Family Castle with thousands of people.
Yet Song Hailong brought all his guards, and even two cannons... and still didn’t conquer a small stronghold?
All their men died? Isn’t that absurd?
"How do I know you aren’t lying to us?"
Tian Guo sneered, "If I’m not mistaken, isn’t the entire Song Family Castle under your control now? Could it be that you killed them and are playing the innocent with us?"
After hearing this, Yan Junwei’s eyes again flashed with murderous intent.
If that were the case, the two of them killing this guy would be a great achievement.
"Seniors, for one, I had no enmity with the Castelan and the others, and I wouldn’t dare to kill Captain Guan,
secondly, my strength wouldn’t allow it. Though I am an Entry Force Martial Artist, my internal energy and blood have long decayed. Even if I fought to the death, I wouldn’t necessarily be a match for Captain Cheng. Besides, with so many of them, fully armed with weapons and cannons, how could I have killed them all? I’d be shot to pieces before I even got close."
Bai Hong wanted to cry but had no tears.
If he weren’t burdened with family, he would have long fled this place of trouble.
"Is that so?"
Yan Junwei snorted coldly, though inwardly he also felt it was unlikely.
"So, it was the Chen Family Stronghold people that killed Song Hailong and his men?"
Tian Guo asked again.
"Well,"
Bai Hong looked troubled, "I’m not sure who did it. Earlier, I mustered the courage to check out the Chen Family Stronghold."
"Oh? What did you find?"
"The whole Chen Family Stronghold was already in ruins, likely bombed. I suspect it was the Castelan’s doing. But what happened afterward, I am not sure. They all disappeared. Even their vehicles and cannons they took were gone."
Bai Hong wiped the sweat from his forehead, "I found it too strange and didn’t dare to get too close. After a rough look, I came back and waited for officials from Anshan City to arrive and then explained everything. As soon as you two seniors arrived, someone informed me. You know the rest."
After hearing this, Yan Junwei and Tian Guo were baffled.
The Chen Family Stronghold had been bombed to ruins.
How could Song Hailong and his men disappear, then?
Their weapons and vehicles taken - evidently, someone had taken them.
Who took them?
Probably the same group who made Song Hailong and his men disappear.
"Alright, we’ve understood the situation. You wait outside, and don’t come in without our permission," Tian Guo said coldly.
"Yes, yes."
Bai Hong nodded and bowed, then left to wait.
"Old Tian, what do you think about this?"
Yan Junwei looked outside, "Do you think that old fellow told the truth? Is he really innocent, and all of this is the work of the Chen Family Stronghold?"
Tian Guo pondered, "The old fellow probably doesn’t have the guts to deceive us. Also, with his strength, he couldn’t possibly wipe out the entire guard team."
"Hmm."
Yan Junwei nodded. Even a Transforming Force Martial Artist wouldn’t survive a direct hit from a cannon shell.
"So, it’s very likely that this is the doing of the Chen Family Stronghold?"
Pacing, Yan Junwei said, "Whether it’s the death of Guan Dexi or the disappearance of Song Hailong and the others, they are related to the Chen Family Stronghold. Even if they didn’t kill them, they are definitely involved."
"You’re right."
Tian Guo nodded.
A small stronghold with merely two or three hundred people achieving this? It’s likely they have some powerful backers.
"Old Tian, what do you think about going to the Chen Family Stronghold now? We might find some clues,"
Yan Junwei asked excitedly.
To be honest, they weren’t overly concerned about Guan Dexi’s death—it had little to do with them.
Reporting this to Lord Guan might even earn them some credit.
Better yet, if they could locate the culprits, all the better.
"Old Yan, I fear it’s not as simple as it seems,"
Tian Guo said, his face resolute.
"What do you mean?"
Yan Junwei was puzzled.
The situation was indeed complex. That’s why they needed to inspect the scene, right?
"Old Yan, do you remember Lord Guan leaving the city early yesterday with a group of Meridian Refining Realm Martial Artists?"
"Of course. The whole Anshan City knows that. What’s the point?"
Yan Junwei responded without thinking.
"Don’t you find the timing a bit coincidental?"
"!!!"
Yan Junwei stood there, struck by a flash of realization.
Yes,
The timing was oddly coincidental.
Song Hailong attacked the Chen Family Stronghold early in the morning.
Lord Guan led his men out of Anshan City early in the morning.
Is it possible that both parties went to the same location?
It is possible.
Song Hailong could’ve informed Lord Guan at some point, whether sooner or later.
"It seems you guessed it too,"
Tian Guo took a deep breath and said, "Song Hailong and his team never returned. Their weapons and equipment are missing, indicating they face grave danger. Moreover, we haven’t seen Lord Guan return yet, have we?"
Yan Junwei’s eyes almost popped out. He swallowed hard and whispered, "Old Tian, are you suggesting even Lord Guan?"
Tian Guo shook his head, "I don’t know. Maybe I’m overthinking. Lord Guan might have already returned, and we just don’t know it."
"But his brother’s body is still here?"
Yan Junwei was bewildered.
If Lord Guan had returned, he must be unaware of his brother’s fate.
Otherwise, he would have retrieved the body long ago.
Tian Guo remained silent.
He thought of the worst possibility.
That is, Lord Guan also went to the Chen Family Stronghold and then met the same fate as Song Hailong and his men.
If so, this matter is too deep and not something a mere Mingjin Martial Artist like him could involve himself in.
"Old Yan, we better not go to the Chen Family Stronghold,"
he said sternly, "We should immediately inform Lu Yang and let him notify the higher-ups. If Lord Guan is indeed in trouble, only the City Lord can resolve this."
"The City Lord."
Yan Junwei’s breath caught.
This situation is so serious?
The City Lord must intervene?
"Alright, alright."
Though stunned, he quickly took out his phone to find Lu Yang’s number and dialed it.
"Beep, beep, beep..."
The phone rang.
Minutes passed, then the phone automatically hung up.
"No answer?"
Tian Guo was surprised.
"I’ll try again."
Yan Junwei, frustrated, dialed again.
Still no answer.
"What’s going on?"
Yan Junwei grew anxious.
He called twice more, but still no answer.
"Forget it. Let’s just go back and report this to him in person," Tian Guo frowned.
"Huh?"
Yan Junwei was startled but nodded.
Indeed, such a serious matter requires a face-to-face explanation.
"What about the body?"
"Leave it here. Just in case, take the old man along. We’ll let him explain to Lu Yang or the higher-ups."
"Okay."
Yan Junwei quickly agreed.
They stepped outside.
Bai Hong opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by Yan Junwei, "Our boss wants to see you. Come with us."
Bai Hong was taken aback but reluctantly agreed.
The three got into an off-road vehicle and drove out of the city, heading toward Anshan City.
The car was silent, except for their breathing.
Because they all knew, a storm was brewing.