Chapter 1029 - 994: Mingtang Mountain

Pan Tianhua said to his two subordinates, "Immediately gather the men and head to Mingtang Mountain."

Xu Chunliang said, "If you want them to be safe, don’t do this; if you alert the snake, all efforts will be wasted."

Pan Tianhua looked at Xu Chunliang, "What do you suggest?"

Xu Chunliang said, "I’ll go with him, you shouldn’t have stabbed him twice."

Pan Tianhua felt some regret, luckily both stabs were in the same leg of Tang Jingwei, otherwise, this guy wouldn’t be able to walk at all.

Xu Chunliang sealed Tang Jingwei’s pressure points to stop the bleeding and treated his wound with antiseptic medicine, then patted Tang Jingwei on the shoulder and said, "Please take me to Mingtang Mountain Farm."

Tang Jingwei responded like a fool, "Alright!"

Xu Chunliang said, "There are quite a few police watching outside, it’s best for us to act separately." He moved to the side and took out his phone to call Qiao Rulong, asking him to create some chaos at the entrance to divert the police’s attention. They agreed to act in unison fifteen minutes later.

More than ten Mercedes cars were parked outside the villa area where Tang Jingwei lived, and Qiao Rulong emerged from the car, leading dozens of people into the community.

The police responsible for surveillance immediately reported this situation to Liu Qingshan. Liu Qingshan was quite troubled; not only was Qiao Rulong not helping but he was constantly causing trouble. Liu considered for a moment and then instructed all nearby police to prevent Qiao Rulong from entering the community while dispatching reinforcements.

Qiao Rulong’s incident at Tang Jingwei’s house was quickly reported to Qiao Yuanjiang. He knew his words held no sway over his nephew, so he braced himself and went to his father’s room.

Elder Qiao had never slept; he was waiting for the latest news. Seeing his son enter, Elder Qiao nodded and said, "There’s news?" Although Qiao Rulong had just told him on the phone that it was Qiao Yuanjiang who disclosed the secret of Qi Shuang’s mother and child to Tang Jingwei, Elder Qiao made no visible reaction.

Qiao Yuanjiang relayed the news he had just received to his father and sighed, "Rulong is really too reckless; the police have no evidence proving Tang Jingwei did it, yet he’s bringing so many people to provoke, which will only complicate matters further. Even if he’s not thinking about his future, he should consider the Qiao Family’s reputation."

Elder Qiao looked coldly at Qiao Yuanjiang and said, "The Qiao Family’s reputation?"

Qiao Yuanjiang was taken aback by his father’s gaze and quickly explained, "I mean, he shouldn’t act too impulsively. If it’s discovered that he has a relationship with Qi Shuang’s mother and child, this matter will become even more complicated."

Elder Qiao said, "If your wife and child went missing, would you not be agitated? Would you not care?"

Qiao Yuanjiang said, "Dad, that’s not what I mean. I mean, since the situation has already occurred, being agitated doesn’t help. The current situation requires professionals to handle, and we should trust the police’s ability to solve the case."

Elder Qiao said, "He dares to confront Tang Jingwei, at least proving there’s still some spirit in him, whereas I don’t see any spirit in you."

Qiao Yuanjiang was stunned, looking aggrieved, "Dad, I’ve used every connection I could. I know you’re anxious, but I’m just as anxious as you. That child is my grandson."

Elder Qiao slowly shook his head, "What exactly is your relationship with Tang Jingwei?"

Qiao Yuanjiang said, "Just ordinary friends."

"Yuanjiang, you never dare to meet my gaze when you lie."

Qiao Yuanjiang mustered the courage to look up at his father but quickly lowered his head again under Elder Qiao’s sharp gaze.

Elder Qiao said, "Did you disclose Qi Shuang’s mother and child to Tang Jingwei?"

"I didn’t, how could I!"

Elder Qiao said, "Maybe he has some leverage over you."

Qiao Yuanjiang said, "Dad, I know you’ve always thought I’m useless, but no matter how useless or foolish I am, I wouldn’t betray my own family. Qi Shuang’s situation isn’t a secret; when Rulong was in a car accident in Dongzhou, Qi Shuang was in the car, so long as there’s a will, investigations have been quietly conducted."

Elder Qiao said, "Who’s investigating?"

Qiao Yuanjiang said, "Dad, do you suspect I’ve colluded with outsiders to harm my own nephew? Didn’t I advise you not to let him continue at Hua Tou after the car accident? But you wouldn’t heed my advice. Not only does he refuse to be dutiful at Hua Tou, but insists on supporting Qi Shuang in some investment company, stirring abroad is one thing, but insisting on investing domestically, do they take everyone for fools?"

Elder Qiao picked up his teacup. His hand slightly trembled, and after taking a sip, he said solemnly, "How many more things are you all hiding from me?"

Qiao Yuanjiang said, "Why does he suspect Tang Jingwei? Because he has previously used Tang Tianyi’s incident to blackmail Tang Jingwei, forcing him to transfer the shares of Changxing Hospital at a low price to Jishi Medical Investment Co., Ltd. The current person in charge of this Jishi Medical Investment Co., Ltd. is Qi Shuang. After Tang Jingwei’s son Tang Tianyi got into trouble in Capital City, he was sent to the Detoxification Center and shortly after committed suicide. This is how Rulong got into a conflict with Tang Jingwei."

Elder Qiao said, "So, Tang Jingwei is repaying Rulong with such methods?"

Qiao Yuanjiang said, "That’s only what Rulong believes. Does he have evidence? He’s been like this since young, arrogant and conceited, with utter disregard for everything. With such a temperament, he’s offended many. You have no idea how much I’ve shielded him over the years; I just didn’t want to worry you."

Elder Qiao suddenly grabbed the teacup and smashed it onto the floor. The teacup shattered into pieces, and the tea spilled everywhere.

Qiao Yuanjiang was startled into silence, his fear of his father was deep-rooted.

Elder Qiao said, "Do you think it was Tang Jingwei?"

"I don’t know, I really don’t know. Anyway, from my years of knowing him, he’s always adhered to the law, but now he’s not in a good position."

Elder Qiao said, "Go find him. I don’t care what method you use, you must bring the child back."

"Dad..."

Taking advantage of the chaos created by Qiao Rulong, Xu Chunliang and Pan Tianhua split up and took action. They successfully left with Tang Jingwei.

Xu Chunliang and Pan Tianhua were in the same car, with Tang Jingwei half-lying in the backseat after Xu Chunliang immobilized his pressure points.

Pan Tianhua was driving. As they got closer to Mingtang Mountain Farm, everything seemed to be going smoothly, but the situation ahead was uncertain.

Pan Tianhua said, "You are not Qiao Rulong."

Xu Chunliang didn’t respond, it seemed he ultimately couldn’t fool this veteran of Jianghu, Pan Tianhua.

Pan Tianhua said, "No matter who you are, I am very grateful to you."

Xu Chunliang said, "Let’s talk after we rescue the people. The police might soon find out something happened to the Tang Family, and they might track us here."

Pan Tianhua said, "I don’t trust them." He glanced at the rearview mirror. His backup had yet to arrive.

They had arrived in front of Mingtang Mountain Farm and saw the towering water tower on the north side of the farm.

Xu Chunliang first got Tang Jingwei out, released his pressure points, and called Old Geng: "I’m here, and I brought an unexpected surprise."

The lights on the water tower flashed three times.

Xu Chunliang took off his hat and mask. Pan Tianhua looked at him; he clearly resembled Qiao Rulong, but only in appearance. Their demeanor was different.

Pan Tianhua was secretly amazed at where Qiao Rulong found such a helper who looked so much like him, almost like a twin brother.

Xu Chunliang said, "You guys pin me down, and let’s go rescue them together."

Pan Tianhua said, "Could they be trapped on the water tower?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Most likely."

The farm gate wasn’t locked. Pan Tianhua got out to open the gate and then drove to the base of the water tower, stopping there.

Xu Chunliang told the still dazed Tang Jingwei, "Push me down."

Xu Chunliang opened the car door, and Tang Jingwei roughly shoved him out of the car. Xu Chunliang pretended to stumble and fell to the ground.

Pan Tianhua quickly came over and gave Xu Chunliang a kick, then pulled him up from the ground.

Tang Jingwei then got out of the car, loudly following Xu Chunliang’s instructions: "Old Geng, look who I’ve caught!"

A strong light beamed down from the water tower, focusing on Xu Chunliang. He shielded his eyes from the light with his hand, squinting. No matter how cunning the opponent, they wouldn’t expect Tang Jingwei to be under his control. From such a distance, they couldn’t tell anything was amiss.

Xu Chunliang quietly instructed, "Say, Old Geng, we’re coming up!"

Tang Jingwei mechanically repeated, "Old Geng, we’re coming up."

Old Geng on the water tower didn’t notice anything unusual, standing with a middle-aged man beside him.

"Boss, why is the big boss here in person?"

Old Geng, with a half-smoked cigarette in his mouth, said, "I suppose he wants Qiao’s kid to witness his son’s death with his own eyes." His gaze turned to Qi Shuang, curled up not far away. Her face was covered in blood, her hands were tied behind her back, a rope was fastened to the water tower’s rail, and her mouth was sealed with tape, her eyes full of tears.

Beside her lay her son, George, a two-year-old child lying on the hard ground. His forehead was swollen and bruised. The child, injured in the collision when brought here, hadn’t woken up since. Qi Shuang was extremely worried. Her son likely suffered a brain injury and needed to be taken to the hospital.

She fully understood that these cruel criminals weren’t after money. Their ultimate goal was to kill her and her child. Bringing them here mainly served the purpose of recording their deaths. They likely intended to send this brutal footage to Qiao Rulong.

Old Geng watched below cautiously as the three of them started climbing up.

The first to come up was Qiao Rulong, followed by Tang Jingwei, and the last one, whom he didn’t recognize, was likely the helper Tang Jingwei had brought.

Pan Tianhua had been worried Tang Jingwei’s leg injury might give them away, but ever since applying the ointment, Tang Jingwei seemed to forget the pain. Although his walking was still a bit limped, it wasn’t noticeable unless you paid special attention.

Xu Chunliang was the first to climb the water tower, with Tang Jingwei trailing behind him, holding a knife aimed at Xu Chunliang’s back.

Pan Tianhua secretly broke into a cold sweat for Xu Chunliang. If Tang Jingwei lost control, everything would spiral into chaos.