Chapter 78: This Time, Will the People Behind Him No Longer Protect Him?

Qian Li became animated at the mention of the Xu family. This was the first time she had heard of such a wealthy household—it truly opened her eyes. From Qian Li’s account, Xu Lin learned that the Xu family were not just local tyrants in Qingshan County; they had once produced a formidable figure.

That man was Xu Yin, once the chief eunuch serving a favored imperial consort. The rise of the Xu family began with Xu Yin. After amassing their initial fortune, the family plunged into business, their ventures sprawling and diverse, but most famous of all were their pawnshops and gambling houses. At their peak, the Xu family’s pawnshops and casinos dotted the entire Northeast, even expanding toward the capital. Yet their reach was not quite long enough—when they extended their hands toward the capital, they encountered resistance and failed to establish themselves fully.

Even so, the Xu family’s wealth had reached extraordinary heights. After the founding of the Dragon Kingdom, sensing the changing tides, the Xu family took their immediate kin to Hong Kong, leaving only distant relatives to manage the assets that could not be moved. Qian Li lowered her voice, “I’ve heard from villagers that the Xu family didn’t move all their wealth. Most of it is still hidden away. I suspect Qin Fang has her eyes on that fortune.”

Xu Lin raised her brows at this. Qian Li was sharp—she saw through things at a glance. Qin Fang herself probably never imagined her secret could be uncovered so easily.

“That’s only your suspicion,” Xu Lin replied with a smile and a shake of her head. “It’s not so easy to find the Xu family’s assets. But if you really do discover anything while investigating for Qin Fang, don’t tell me. If you do, you’ll not only be in trouble yourself, you’d be dragging me into it too.”

Faced with Xu Lin’s well-meant warning, Qian Li nodded vigorously. She was well aware that a spy’s matters were not to be shared. What she’d said so far was only speculation—Qin Fang hadn’t assigned her any specific tasks yet.

“By the way, how long will you be gone?” Qian Li changed the subject.

“I’ve taken five days off; it shouldn’t be more than that,” Xu Lin replied with a smile. “Be careful these days. I can tell Qin Fang is not as simple as she appears. Don’t be fooled by her constant sobbing—it’s all an act.”

“I know, I know. Let me tell you, I’ve noticed Qin Fang is surprisingly strong.” Qian Li’s voice dropped even lower. She’d discovered this by accident. At the time, Qin Fang thought no one was watching and kicked a stone weighing over twenty pounds several meters away. Only Su Liang, who was blind, probably hadn’t noticed anything unusual about Qin Fang.

Seeing Xu Lin start to pack, Qian Li offered to help, but Xu Lin gently refused.

“I don’t have much luggage. Just sit and chat with me,” Xu Lin said as she folded a jacket and placed it in her bag.

Xu Lin’s belongings were simple: aside from toiletries, she had two jackets to wear over her cotton clothes, a few changes of undergarments, and some food for the road—all fitting into a modest travel bag. Once she was packed, Xu Lin wasted no time. She bid Qian Li farewell, slung her bag over her shoulder, locked the door, and left without the slightest hesitation or sentimentality, unconcerned about anyone stealing her things. After all, anything valuable was safely stowed away in her own special space.

Before leaving, Xu Lin even placed a protective charm on the door. Unless she removed it herself, no one would be able to enter her room.

Her journey to the county town was uneventful, but this trip differed greatly from the last. Now, members of the Public Security Committee were everywhere, stopping people on the streets for checks. Xu Lin herself was stopped and questioned several times, but thanks to her impeccable credentials, she avoided any real trouble.

When she arrived at the Zheng household, both Yu Tong and County Chief Zheng were at work, and the two children were at school. Only Grandma Zheng was at home. Upon seeing Xu Lin, Grandma Zheng was overjoyed, holding Xu Lin’s hand and chatting endlessly. It was a while before Xu Lin found a chance to interject.

“Grandma Zheng, I was stopped for checks by the Public Security Committee several times on my way. What exactly are they investigating?”

“That lot, hmph,” Grandma Zheng sneered. “What else? Thieves, of course.” She handed Xu Lin a large apple before continuing, “The county town has been in chaos lately, and they’ve caught quite a few. Do you know why?”

“Why?” Xu Lin played along.

“I’ll tell you—it’s because the people from the Public Security Committee have had a run of bad luck!” Grandma Zheng slapped her thigh, suddenly animated. “Those wretches are always raiding this and that, acting as if they’re so righteous. They’re all schemers, every last one, and rolling in illicit wealth. Now, all their stashed treasures have been cleaned out. Of course they’re turning on each other. Good riddance! The more they fight among themselves, the fewer innocents they can harm.”

Grandma Zheng truly had no respect for those people’s ways. But there was nothing she could do against the prevailing current; for now, she could only endure. Still, she believed that the darkness would pass and dawn would come—if they could survive through the hardest times, this, too, would be nothing.

Grandma Zheng made no secret of her analysis of Song Ge’s faction, telling Xu Lin that none of them were any good. They were all only good for drinking themselves senseless, but it seemed that Song Ge had vanished into thin air. The county had been under martial law for days; every household had been searched, but not a trace of the so-called Song Ge was found. Most likely, he had escaped.

“With all the trouble Song Ge caused, wasn’t there any investigation into him before?” Xu Lin asked.

“Of course there was, but every time, he slipped away. He has people backing him, and eyes inside the Law Enforcement Bureau.” Grandma Zheng shook her head and ground her teeth. “Those villains will be caught in one net, sooner or later.”

“Is no one protecting him this time?” Xu Lin pressed, speculating about who might be supporting Song Ge. Seventh Brother was likely one, but since he operated in the black market, there must be someone else in Qingshan County providing cover.

“Protect him? Now everyone says Song Ge embezzled their goods and ran off. Those people want him dead even more than the Law Enforcement Bureau does!” Grandma Zheng clapped her hands. “Enough about those wretches, let’s not spoil our mood.”

“All right, as you wish,” Xu Lin agreed at once, though her mind was still pondering where Song Ge could be hiding.

Meanwhile, Song Ge, the very person Xu Lin was thinking of, was still struggling through the remote mountains. He had thought he’d chosen the right path, but it was more treacherous than he’d imagined. They even became lost in the forest and nearly died there.

The only thing that pleased Song Ge was that Xiao Dong, in sacrificing himself to save him, had died at the jaws of a wild beast. From Xiao Dong’s reaction, Song Ge was reassured of his loyalty—he had not betrayed him. Once he survived this ordeal, he would focus solely on tracking down Liu Zi.

“Song Ge, I recognize this area. If we climb over here and walk for two more days, we’ll reach Hua County.”

“Finally, we’re almost out. Once we get to Hua County, all we have to do is spend some money on fake identities, and we can travel openly again.”