"Are you asking me to sit back and watch?"

"If that's how you want to interpret it, so be it. But I still want to give Uncle Hua some advice. It may sound impolite, and might not show you enough respect, but I'm left with no choice, as this ultimately involves the grudges of a previous generation."

"What do you mean?" Hua Muyun slammed the cup down heavily, splashing the tea inside.

"If Uncle Hua himself isn't clear about the implication, then how could I possibly understand it, right?" Xiao Mu finally cracked a smile that night. He hoped Hua Muyun would convince Xiao Lin to yield the recording tape, but the moment Hua Muyun turned hostile, he abandoned that thought.

"I want the 'Dharma Seal of Fortunes', but if Xiao Lin refuses to let go of the tape, disappointment won't be mine alone."

"Xiao Mu, Xiao Lin is your brother, the heir of the Xiao Family. What good does it do you by doing this?"

"Whoever claims to be the heir of the Xiao Family, I really don't care. As for Xiao Lin, he is my most treasured brother, but he is someone who survived in a den of wolves, so would I be afraid?"

"There are many ways to get the 'Dharma Seal of Fortunes'. I believe you also have the ability to acquire it. Why resort to such a despicable tactic as framing Xiao Lin?"

"Zhang Teng's recording tape is Fatty Wang's lifeblood. Shouldn't I help him get it?"

"Xiao Lin's refusal was expected by you. From the beginning to the end, you never intended to destroy that tape, did you?" Hua Muyun suddenly struck after realizing this point, "You know Xiao Lin better than any of us, that this tape poses no threat to him. You must have other hidden motives!"

"Uncle Hua, you're indeed sharp!" Xiao Mu clapped happily. Whatever Hua Muyun could think of, Xiao Lin would surely foresee. Now it was up to them to act, and this process thrilled him. "I'll leave the tape with you! If you can find a way to save him, that's best. If not, it's greatly troubling."

Xiao Mu's final words completely lacked respect for an elder, leaning more towards coercion. Hua Muyun felt a sense of crisis, leaning back into the sofa and lighting a cigarette.

"Xiao Luo!" Hua Muyun called out, and Secretary Luo immediately entered from outside the door.

"Secretary Hua!"

"Is everyone here?" Secretary Luo had never seen Hua Muyun so troubled and uneasy before.

"Yes, all the elders are already waiting in your private room."

"Let's go over there! Inform them, no one is allowed to enter the floor, and those already inside, relocate them."

"This... yes!" Secretary Luo felt troubled, because the guests on the exclusive floor were extremely distinguished, and moving them at such a mere suggestion was really a headache. Such behavior was unlike Hua Muyun, who rarely used his status to exert pressure, indicating the matter at hand was very troublesome.

Hua Muyun's private room had a conference room about fifteen square meters, with a round table that could accommodate ten people. Currently, four individuals, all around fifty years old, were gradually seated, appearing vigorous without a trace of senility.

In the center of the table was an ashtray, and judging by the skin on their fingers, they were avid smokers, but for some reason, they restrained themselves.

A feeling of immense pressure entered through the door, prompting everyone to rise and face Hua Muyun.

"Everyone is here!" After Hua Muyun moved to his position, Secretary Luo brought him his teacup with freshly replaced tea leaves. "Please sit! Here, I won't beat around the bush. I'm sure you've all understood the earlier conversation!"

"We understand, but how is this directly related to us?" The first to speak was Wan Zhihao, the chief commander of Dragon Soul. "The issue stirred up by the Xiao Family, they can resolve themselves. I don't see the necessity for Dragon Soul's people to intervene."

Hua Muyun nodded at him, recognizing Wan Zhihao's shrewdness lay in his cold and ruthless demeanor. No matter the situation, he was always on the right side, devoid of personal biases.

"Lao Wan, that's not right. After all, Xiao Lin is one of our own. Shouldn't we be more flexible at this time?" For once, Lao Long joined the meeting. Although he currently steered Dragon Soul, managing the kids below, the decision-making power at the highest level was not in his hands.

"The key issue now is that he's touched the law. Are we to let Dragon Soul take the fall for this disgrace?" Wan Zhihao's aggressive tone made Lao Long angrily slap the table.

"It's just a matter of watching a film and listening to some words. Can you be so sure there are no deceptions in this?" Lao Long sided with Xiao Lin, which Hua Muyun observed. "Such an obvious conspiracy, do we still need to doubt?"

"Lao Long, when will you manage to curb your fiery nature?" Sitting to the side, Shen Qizhen spoke up. He was attached to the legal department and had stepped down from his position some time ago, spending his days tending to fish and flowers at home. Though seemingly powerless, his voice carried significant weight at critical times. "Let's first hear Secretary Hua's thoughts; arguing solves nothing."

"This matter involves the Xiao Family, as you're all well aware. Locally, we old folks rely on the Xiao Family, existing as protectors of the nation, with no right to interfere. We can only provide appropriate support. The Xiao Family's status is above the municipal committee." Hua Muyun deliberately paused to observe the others' expressions before continuing. "Now the Xiao Family is in internal conflict, and a key figure has touched upon legal issues, changing the nature of things. Fortunately, Xiao Lin has not yet ascended to the Xiao Family position. So, what we need to consider now is the solution when this incident comes out."

"Secretary Hua, there's a significant blind spot here. I wonder if any of you have noticed." Chu Yun, seated at the far end, interjected. "We might find the crux of the matter by reviewing this from the start."

"Just speak up." Lao Long detested Chu Yun's literary way of speaking. Though he was Lotus's mentor, listening to him was less appealing than having a straightforward brawl.

"Xiao Lin was Lao Xiao's predetermined successor. Among the Xiao family's offspring, Xiao Mu was the least likely to fight for the position. With none of the others making moves, Xiao Mu was the first to come forward, which, in your conversation, involved the 'Dharma Seal of Hijacking' issue."

"That's correct, Xiao Mu intended to use this tape in exchange for conditions controlling evidence of Fatty Wang's crimes, thereby obtaining the 'Dharma Seal of Hijacking'." Hua Muyun condensed the key point and marked it in his notebook.

"Second, there was a section during your discussion where Secretary Hua stopped speaking. I'd like to know why."

Hua Muyun sighed. "Mu Rongyun!" he reluctantly spoke the name, being the only one present without a reaction was Wan Zhihao. "Xiao Mu mentioned Mu Rongyun. I'm not sure what his motive for raising this person is, but I think it might be related to this matter."

"Let me speculate a bit here," Chu Yun was the first to regain clarity upon hearing the name. "The first possibility is that Xiao Mu has a connection with this person, or that they might have conspired together, not against Xiao Lin, but against the Xiao Family. If this is verified, Xiao Mu's motives become suspicious. You must know that obtaining the 'Dharma Seal of Hijacking' is like gaining half a ticket into the global underworld. I suspect he already has the other half of the ticket."

"I must remind everyone that Mu Rongyun died more than ten years ago." Wan Zhihao stated the fact with a particularly flat tone, addressing those present. "We were all there, including Lao Xiao; we witnessed his death firsthand."

Lao Long suddenly let out a mournful sigh. "Perhaps he didn't die!" Lao Long's words made Wan Zhihao jump up from his chair.

"Lao Wan, sit down first." Shen Qizhen tugged at Wan Zhihao from the side. "Now is not the time for you two to argue."

"You haven't been involved with Dragon Soul for a while, naturally unaware of the previous Middle East operation." Lao Long showed no particular response to Wan Zhihao's outburst. "In fact, before sending Lotus to the Middle East, Lao Xiao approached me. His people were the first to discover Mu Rongyun's whereabouts. To lure out this old thing, we had to make the bait more enticing." Lao Long looked at Shen Qizhen, feeling a sense of apology towards this old friend.

"Was Xiao Lin's mission to rescue the Military Advisor also part of the scheme?" Having some awareness of the Middle East operation, Chu Yun initially opposed dispatching the Military Advisor.

"You know how Lao Xiao plans; he'll never reveal everything to us. Only when Xiao Lin came asking that I sensed the hidden possibilities behind this plan." Lao Long spoke truthfully, admitting that if Xiao Lin hadn't rushed over after returning to the country to inquire if it was Lao Xiao's plan, he might not have thought so far. There was indeed the potential for multiple schemes simultaneously.

"The Middle East operation wasn't fruitless. The virus carrier Xiao Lin asked us to investigate showed responses in the United States market, and the appearance of Fourth Lord, the local pharmaceutical leader, also presented a possibility for someone's survival."

"So Lao Xiao's reason for wanting Xiao Lin to take over immediately was because this person appeared!"

"Xiao Lin once heard the masked person who took Fourth Lord, resembling that individual. I can't be certain, but the person Xiao Mu mentioned might exist." Despite his dislike for Chu Yun's literariness, Lao Long knew his analyses were often spot-on. "Even if that person hasn't resurrected, he might have descendants. We didn't hunt him down afterward."

"Back then, Dragon Soul closed this matter, but as far as I know, Lao Xiao was the real closer." Shen Qizhen quietly opened his mouth. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.