Chapter 1244: Heading to Dongyuan City
Handsome Fatty Wang nodded and said with a smile, "That's right, we need to dig a tunnel from below to get inside. In our line of work, digging tunnels is what we're best at!"
"Wow, if we're digging a tunnel, we'll need to dig at least five or six miles," Little He said, eyes wide. "Isn't that too big a project?"
Handsome Fatty Wang looked at everyone and asked, "For so much money, are you willing to dig five or six miles?"
The group exchanged glances and nodded fiercely. With so much money at stake, they'd be willing to dig even fifty or sixty miles!
"Where do we start digging?" the older man asked urgently. He was keen on the matter, given the amount of money involved.
"I've already rented a house outside the Wan Yan Manor. We'll dig inside a residential home, so no one will notice," Handsome Fatty Wang paused and continued, "Little He has already gone in and set the location. We just need to dig according to that position, and I estimate that in less than three days, we'll reach that building. Each key is worth a billion US dollars!"
These words made everyone's blood boil. As the saying goes, money can make ghosts turn millstones. With this much money, they'd be willing to turn a mill too.
Ye Qing, hiding in the shadows, heard everything clearly. When he heard Handsome Fatty Wang plan to dig a tunnel into that building, he couldn't help but smile to himself. He had been troubled about how to get into that building, and now Handsome Fatty Wang had already worked out a way. Ye Qing just had to follow, and once they finished digging the tunnel, he could get into that building. Indeed, Ye Qing was glad he hadn't gone out to confront Handsome Fatty Wang directly before; otherwise, he couldn't have waited for such a good opportunity.
Having decided to follow Handsome Fatty Wang into the Wanyan Family, Ye Qing avoided alerting anyone prematurely and instead accompanied them into Jin Village. It seemed Handsome Fatty Wang had planned this for some time, renting a remote yet quiet house not far from the Wan Yan Manor.
Once Handsome Fatty Wang and his crew entered the house, they immediately chose a spot and began digging the tunnel. As experienced tomb robbers, they were skilled and fast. Ye Qing watched them for a while as they quickly dug a large pit. At this rate, if they continued taking turns digging, they would definitely reach below that building within three days, and they would be able to enter it by then.
Seeing Handsome Fatty Wang and his team busy digging, Ye Qing felt more relaxed. Since Handsome Fatty Wang had found a way into that building, Ye Qing was happy to take it easy. With three days to spare, he planned to head to Dongyuan City to verify the news about Huangfu Ziyu.
Mentally noting the location of the house rented by Handsome Fatty Wang, Ye Qing left Jin Village and headed straight back to his small motel in the city. After resting, he got up early the next day and took a bus to Dongyuan City.
Dongyuan City was about two hundred miles from Tianzhao City, a journey of less than two hours by bus. Before arriving, Ye Qing received a call from Li Qiang; he had also arrived in Dongyuan City.
Ye Qing arranged a meeting place with Li Qiang and, after alighting from the bus, took a taxi there to meet him.
Seeing Li Qiang again, he couldn't help but feel a bit nostalgic. Li Qiang was still the same, with a resolute face and sharp, intimidating eyes. Although he was not as skilled as martial arts experts, his fierce drive and determination had made him a name for himself in the Northwest. However, despite his notoriety, he could only be considered a minor thief, incomparable to the grand forces like the Wanyan Clan.
Ye Qing knew that if it were up to Li Qiang, he would never provoke the Wanyan Family. But this time, Ye Qing had given him a call, and Li Qiang came to help without hesitation, showing his sense of loyalty and gratitude. Ye Qing had helped him in Jiuchuan County, and despite the power of the Prince Wan Yan, Li Qiang came personally to Ye Qing's aid.
After some small talk, they sat facing each other, and Li Qiang began to brief Ye Qing on the situation in Dongyuan City.
Li Qiang had arrived in Dongyuan City two hours before Ye Qing and had already gathered some outside information. There was indeed a man named Wu Dade here, who had been beaten and had his limbs broken a few days ago, and was still in the hospital now. The most critical point was that the person who attacked him was a beautiful woman, all of which aligned with what Handsome Fatty Wang said earlier.
Before coming, Ye Qing had doubted whether this information was fabricated by Prince Wan Yan to deceive him. Yet he came to the Northern Desert to see for himself, knowing well that even if the news was false, he had to personally verify it. Unexpectedly, upon his arrival, he found Handsome Fatty Wang's information was accurate, and there was truly a Wu Dade. Could it be that Huangfu Ziyu had indeed arrived in this Northern Desert?
"What kind of person is this Wu Dade exactly?" Ye Qing asked.
"He's a local thug, just a small-time rogue with no significant ability or backing," Li Qiang paused, "I've investigated, and in Dongyuan City, the two major forces are the Jin Family and the He Family, both controlled by the Wanyan Family. So, the entire Dongyuan City is practically the Wanyan's territory. However, Wu Dade has no skills and doesn't associate with any of them, merely a street punk with no ties to the Wanyan Family."
Ye Qing nodded, relieved that Li Qiang had handled the investigation so meticulously, sparing him the effort of further inquiries.
"Which hospital is Wu Dade currently staying at?" Ye Qing asked.
"Do you want to visit him at the hospital?" Li Qiang said, "I've already sent someone to check on him. We should have news back soon. If no one is watching him, you can visit him at the hospital. But, Brother Ye, let me give you a piece of advice. This is the Northern Desert, Wanyan Family's territory. If possible, keep a low profile. If the Wanyan people find out someone is inquiring about Miss Huangfu, they'll definitely think of you!"
"I know!" Ye Qing nodded slowly. He understood that Li Qiang was saying this for his benefit. However, having come this far, how could he give up investigating because of fear?
It wasn't long before Li Qiang's people came back with news that no one was monitoring Wu Dade at the hospital. Li Qiang didn't hesitate and immediately had his subordinate bring Wu Dade out of the hospital and took him to a residence in the suburbs of Dongyuan City.
Li Qiang had visited Dongyuan City years ago, so he was quite familiar with the situation here. Arriving here, he had already made all necessary preparations in advance, knowing that Ye Qing would definitely look for Wu Dade. So, he rented a house in the suburbs to confine Wu Dade, which just came in handy.
Ye Qing didn't expect Li Qiang to arrange everything so thoroughly, and couldn't help but be impressed. Li Qiang was indeed meticulous in his work; it truly was a shame for him to be a bandit. If he could do something else, he would definitely achieve great things.
When they arrived at the residence, Wu Dade was already there. This guy, with both his hands and feet wrapped in plaster, looked like a mummy and was nervously looking around. He had been forcibly taken from the hospital by Li Qiang's men, not even knowing what was happening. However, being streetwise, even a fool would know there's no good to come out of this situation.
Li Qiang led Ye Qing over, pointing at Wu Dade and said, "This is the one!"
Wu Dade looked at Li Qiang, then at Ye Qing, and tremblingly said, "Big brother, what... what did I do wrong? Let me apologize to you all, just tell me, and in the future... in the future, I'll change, please... please let me go..."
This guy thought Ye Qing and Li Qiang were there to cause him trouble, shaking all over with fear, his voice trembling.
Seeing Wu Dade like this, Ye Qing became more certain that he had nothing to do with the Wanyan Family, and previous occurrences were likely true. So, did Huangfu Ziyu really come to the Northern Desert?
Ye Qing felt a bit excited inside. He walked up to Wu Dade, looked at him, and asked in a deep voice, "If you want to live, answer a few questions honestly. As long as you don't play tricks with me, I'll guarantee your safe return. Dare to play tricks with me, hmph!"
Those two hmphs from Ye Qing scared Wu Dade to the point he was almost crawling on the ground, and he quickly said, "Big brother, big brother, ask, ask, if there's anything I know, absolutely... absolutely I won't hold back..."
"Good!" Ye Qing nodded with satisfaction and said, "Let me ask you, you were injured by a woman before, what's the story behind that?"
"Ah?" Wu Dade looked at Ye Qing, and said tremblingly, "Big brother, you... you came for this matter too?"
"Too?" Ye Qing furrowed his brows and asked in a deep voice, "What do you mean too? Did someone ask you about this matter before me?"
"Yes!" Wu Dade nodded and said, "And it was someone big!"
"A big shot? How big could they be?" Ye Qing asked in a deep voice, while feeling a sense of unease. His intuition told him that this big shot was definitely related to the Wanyan Family.
"A real big shot!" Wu Dade became animated and said, "Prince Wan Yan, have you heard of him?"
Ye Qing's heart skipped a beat. It was indeed someone from the Wanyan Family asking about this. So, could this really not be a false lead by Prince Wan Yan? Did Huangfu Ziyu really come to Dongyuan City?
"Prince Wan Yan also asked about this news?" Ye Qing asked in a deep voice, "That can't be, right? Isn't he in the South these days?"
"Of course, Prince Wan Yan didn't come personally, it was a big figure from the Wanyan Family!" Wu Dade said, "Wanyan Hong, he's a cousin of Prince Wan Yan's son Wanyan Ming, and a major figure in the Wanyan Family!"