Li Gang's gaze was fixed on the smiling middle-aged man before him.

"City Lord Jiang."

He took a ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart, but his voice remained cold.

"I am here to investigate on Governor Hou's orders."

"I must take Zhou Feng back to assist with the investigation and clear his name."

"I hope City Lord Jiang can cooperate with my work."

Jiang Haicheng's smile did not fade; he nodded calmly.

"So it's Governor Hou's directive; then I naturally must cooperate."

He said this lightly, as if it were a matter of course.

But the next second, his tone suddenly shifted.

"However..."

Jiang Haicheng pushed up the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose and said unhurriedly.

"Coincidentally, I also have some urgent official business that President Zhou Feng needs to handle."

"Since your matter is just assisting with an investigation, it probably isn't anything urgent."

The smile on his face became even more genial, but his words instantly darkened Li Gang's expression.

"How about this: let Zhou Feng first resolve the matters I have at hand."

"Then I will personally send people to deliver him to Jiangning City for you to handle."

"What do you think?"

This was no longer a hint.

This was an open and blatant attempt to protect Zhou Feng.

Li Gang's brows furrowed into a knot.

When did this Jiang Haicheng get involved with the Zhou Family?

"City Lord Jiang, I'm afraid that wouldn't be appropriate."

"If you do this, I won't be able to explain it to Governor Hou when I go back."

"Explain?"

Jiang Haicheng waved his hand, as if he had heard something trivial.

"You don't need to explain."

"I will personally contact Governor Hou later and explain it clearly to him."

He took a step forward, his seemingly gentle gaze carrying an invisible pressure.

"There's nothing for you here anymore."

"Take your men and return to Jiangning City."

After speaking, he didn't even look at Li Gang again, only subtly signaling to his subordinates behind him.

The two subordinates in suits immediately understood.

Their figures blurred, fast as lightning, and they directly snatched Zhou Feng from Li Gang's two adjutants.

The entire process was fluid; Li Gang's adjutants didn't even manage to react effectively.

Zhou Feng was politely 'invited' into Jiang Haicheng's military vehicle, which bore a special license plate.

Jiang Haicheng gave Li Gang a meaningful smile, then turned and got into the car as well.

The motorcade started, without any hesitation, and sped away.

Only Li Gang and a hundred military soldiers remained standing in place, their expressions growing increasingly grim.

Li Gang watched the receding taillights, his fists clenching with a cracking sound, his face fluctuating between shades of anger.

... ...

Inside the car.

Zhou Feng straightened his somewhat wrinkled collar and gave Jiang Haicheng, who was in the passenger seat, a grateful smile.

"Thank you, City Lord, for your assistance."

Jiang Haicheng didn't turn his head, merely looking calmly at the rapidly receding night scenery outside the window.

The smile on his face had long vanished, replaced by an expression of indifference.

"Tell your father."

His voice was devoid of any emotion.

"I will only help this once."

"From now on, your Zhou Family is on its own."

The smile on Zhou Feng's face stiffened, but he immediately nodded heavily.

"I understand."

... ...

Jiangning City, Military Governor's Office.

"Bang!" 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

The office door was roughly opened.

Li Gang walked in, his face dark with anger.

The office was filled with a rich aroma of meat.

Governor Hou Changfeng was sprawled inelegantly on the sofa, clutching a glistening braised pork hock in his hand, his mouth greasy from eating.

He lifted his eyelids, glanced at the fuming Li Gang, and showed no surprise on his face.

"Got thwarted, didn't you?"

He said indistinctly, tearing off a large piece of skin and meat and stuffing it into his mouth.

Li Gang plopped down on the sofa opposite him, slamming his military cap onto the coffee table.

"Those bastards from the Zhou Family cleaned up all the underground passages completely!"

"We can't find the exact location of that Secret Realm at all!"

The more he spoke, the angrier he became, his chest heaving violently.

"I originally wanted to bring that old fox Zhou Feng back and use some methods to make him talk."

"But then Jiang Haicheng appeared out of nowhere!"

Li Gang punched the armrest of the sofa.

"When did this Jiang Haicheng get in cahoots with the Zhou Family?!"

Hou Changfeng slowly wiped the grease from the corners of his mouth and tossed the cleanly gnawed bone into the trash can.

"Jiang Haicheng naturally wouldn't care for the Zhou Family."

"However, it is said that he has some distant relatives, eighteen degrees removed, with the Liu Family in the Imperial Capital."

"Since the Liu Family is involved in this matter, his intervention is within expectations."

He picked up his teacup and took a sip of strong tea to cut through the grease.

"Without crucial evidence now, we indeed cannot act rashly."

Li Gang was indignant.

"So what do we do now? Just let it go?"

"That's a Secret Realm, and over four thousand human lives!"

Hou Changfeng shook his head.

"How could we ignore it? So our top priority is to find that Secret Realm."

He put down his teacup, and a shrewd glint flashed in his seemingly casual eyes.

"Since it's beneath Donghai City, even if the Zhou Family erased all traces, the Secret Realm still exists."

"It can't escape."

Hou Changfeng sat up straight on the sofa, his expression becoming a bit more serious.

"I'll arrange twenty of the military's most elite Earth-type professionals for you; take them to Donghai City immediately."

"In that vicinity, even if you have to turn the ground upside down, you must find that Secret Realm!"

Upon hearing this, Li Gang's spirits suddenly lifted.

"Yes! Mission accomplished, guaranteed!"

Hou Changfeng nodded, then, as if remembering something, added a reminder.

"Oh, right, do you have any clues about that mysterious person who helped you escape earlier?"

"Since he could help you escape without anyone knowing, he must know the exact location of the Secret Realm."

"Moreover, he knows you and actively assisted you, which indicates he's not aligned with the Zhou Family, and might even have a grudge against them."

"If we can find him, things will be much simpler."

Hearing this, a hint of distress appeared on Li Gang's face.

He fell into deep thought.

"That person... I have absolutely no clue."

"His movement technique was erratic and unpredictable, hidden in the shadows; I didn't even get a clear look at his face."

"If I had ever seen someone with such abilities before, I would definitely remember."

Hou Changfeng sighed upon hearing this.

"In that case, we can only rely on ourselves."

"You go ahead and do as I instructed."

"Yes!"

... ...

At the same time, Eternal Night Guild office.

Zhou Huai controlled Moria, whose silver eyes calmly watched the night outside the window.

He quietly listened to the report from the demon slave in front of him.

"You mean the military came tonight but didn't take Zhou Feng away?"

The demon slave responsible for intelligence respectfully nodded.

"Yes, Master."

"My informant near the Radiant Alliance witnessed them thoroughly search the Radiant Alliance's base, but they found nothing."

"That Sir Li Gang originally intended to forcibly take Zhou Feng back for investigation, but City Lord Jiang Haicheng of Donghai City intervened at the crucial moment."

Zhou Huai's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

The Zhou Family's reaction speed was truly astonishingly fast.

They even anticipated that the military would forcibly arrest Zhou Feng, not hesitating to use the City Lord connection.

That old Zhou Family patriarch, who had always remained behind the scenes, was indeed a cunning and resourceful character.

What should be done next?

Should I secretly reveal the exact location of the Secret Realm to the military?

As long as the military finds the Secret Realm and those enslaved professionals.

All of the Zhou Family's lies will fall apart.

Just as Zhou Huai was weighing the pros and cons.

The office door was gently pushed open.

Jasmine's figure entered from outside the door; she quickly approached Moria and respectfully knelt on one knee.

"Greetings, Master."

Zhou Huai withdrew his thoughts and looked at her.

"What is it?"

Jasmine looked up, her pretty face showing a trace of barely suppressed excitement.

"Master!"

"The area you previously asked us to focus on exploring really... really has a discovery!"