Chapter 451: Robbery

Huang Sanlang shook his head, his expression growing more serious.

“Stealing something from Xin Chengkun will likely be very difficult. He’s definitely hidden that evidence in the safest possible place, and only he knows where…”

Chen Erbao thought about it. It did seem incredibly difficult.

The evidence was hidden in a location only Xin Chengkun knew. Even if he were to capture Xin Chengkun and try to force the secret out of him, he would never talk.

That evidence represented half a lifetime of his work. If it were to leak, there would be nowhere on Earth for him to hide; the Huang Family and those other powerful figures would never let him go. His current status and power were entirely reliant on the leverage that evidence provided.

How could a man like that possibly hand over his lifeline so easily?

If he kept quiet, he’d live. If he spoke, he’d die instantly!

So, stealing it or forcing it out of him were both impossible.

A look of excitement flashed across Huang Sanlang’s face.

“Here’s the important part. I want Mr. Chen to go in disguise, infiltrate Xintiandi, become one of Xin Chengkun’s trusted confidants, and then slowly figure out a way to get that secret!”

“???”

Chen Erbao stared blankly at Huang Sanlang, thinking the man had lost his mind.

“Young Master Huang, Xin Chengkun’s entire fortune and his very life depend on that evidence. You want me to infiltrate his circle, become a confidant, and get the secret? Logically speaking, that might not even be possible in ten or twenty years. How could a man like that ever trust someone else?”

There was something else he left unsaid.

‘Xin Chengkun is the current king of Binhai’s underworld. He has no enemies left. How could I possibly work my way up to his side just by posing as one of his lackeys in Xintiandi?’

But Huang Sanlang must have considered these issues. Chen Erbao kept his eyes on him, waiting for an explanation.

And Huang Sanlang didn’t disappoint.

“Under normal circumstances, it would be impossible, of course. But the situation in Binhai is about to change!”

…

A little after five in the afternoon, Chen Erbao left the coffee shop alone and drove toward Binhai University.

He had plans to have dinner with Lin Rui that evening.

By the time he reached Binhai University, the sky had already started to dim.

Around the bustling and lively university town, neon lights flickered and swayed like brilliant clusters of flames, burning and dancing in the night.

Chen Erbao leaned against his car, staring at the dazzling lights in the distance, lost in thought.

Occasionally, pretty girls would come over to hit on him, but Chen Erbao turned them all down.

‘I’m not in the mood for any of that right now…’

That afternoon, Huang Sanlang had told him a secret.

A new Governor had arrived in Binhai.

And this new Governor’s arrival indicated that the Capital City was dissatisfied with the current situation in Binhai.

As the saying goes, a new official always starts by lighting three fires.

A rumor was now circulating among Binhai’s upper echelons.

The new Governor’s first target was going to be Xintiandi!

In the bustling metropolis of Binhai City, who didn’t know that Xintiandi was backed by the Huang Family?

What was the new Governor trying to do?

Was he planning to make a move against the Huang Family?

Once the news spread, a strange shift swept through all of Binhai.

Some of those who were previously close to the Huang Family were now keeping their distance, waiting to see what would happen.

Their keen instincts told them that a bloody storm was about to engulf Binhai…

The storm was on the horizon, and a sense of peril washed over everyone.

“Brother Er Bao!”

Just as Chen Erbao was lost in his thoughts, a crisp voice called out from behind him.

Lin Rui, wearing a white down jacket, hugged Chen Erbao around the waist.

Chen Erbao turned, gently patting Lin Rui on the head. He pushed the complex thoughts from his mind and asked with a smile,

“Class is over?”

“Yeah, the professor was so annoying today. Not only did class run late, but he also assigned a ton of homework. I’m going to be busy for a while…”

She chattered on, sharing amusing stories from her day at school, but she soon noticed that Chen Erbao seemed a bit distracted.

Lin Rui tilted her head and asked with concern,

“Brother Er Bao, is something bothering you?”

He gave a wordless smile, surprised she had noticed. Taking her small hand, he led her toward the food street.

He was, in fact, a little worried.

Since obtaining the Joyful Technique, this was the first time he had been drawn into such a hugely consequential vortex.

Even though he was a Grandmaster and a Cultivator, one wrong move could see him swept away by the undercurrent.

Though he wasn’t afraid, he ultimately wasn’t alone. To make a life in China, you had to play by China’s rules.

If he broke those rules, he could lose his entire fortune.

This was a high-stakes gamble for him.

However, despite his worry, Chen Erbao felt a deeper sense of excitement and exhilaration.

He wanted to see just what kind of waves he could make with his power!

A man’s power is finite, but his will is infinite!

Besides, achieving infinite results with finite power—that was the most exciting part of all.

…

Chen Erbao brought Lin Rui to the food street. The two ordered a mountain of fried skewers and grilled meat from a roadside stall and feasted happily.

The university students strolling by were leisurely enjoying the peaceful evening, a stark contrast to the turbulent undercurrents of change sweeping through Binhai.

Chen Erbao suddenly realized that this vortex, which could upend all of Binhai, really only affected the upper echelons.

As for the common people, they would probably only read a snippet or two about it in the news long after it was all over.

No matter who won, neither side would let the situation spiral out of control. That wouldn’t be in anyone’s best interest.

Huang Baiwen had to be taken down, and it had to be done quietly.

Lin Rui could see that Chen Erbao had something on his mind, so she didn’t pester him. Instead, she quietly ate her barbecue at his side, occasionally feeding him a bite.

As they were eating, a sudden uproar came from a distance, accompanied by the shocked cries of a crowd.

“A purse snatcher! Stop him!”

Chen Erbao and Lin Rui looked up to see a man in black wearing a cap sprinting madly in their direction.

He was clutching a pink handbag.

Chen Erbao’s vision was excellent. Farther away, he could see a woman crouched on the ground, pointing at the fleeing man’s back and crying out in panic.

Chen Erbao raised an eyebrow. He couldn’t even enjoy a peaceful barbecue.

‘Besides, Binhai University is a nationally renowned school. Who would dare to snatch a bag here in broad daylight?’

‘Has this thief lost his mind?’

The male university students around them subconsciously began to close in on the man in black. It wasn’t that they were trying to be heroes or show off; it was a simple, instinctive reaction to help someone in need.

Only young people like them, still living in an ivory tower, would act this way. Their sense of justice and righteousness had yet to be worn down by society.

The man in black pulled a dagger from his pocket. It glinted coldly as he waved it at the crowd, instantly stopping the students in their tracks.

He smirked in satisfaction before clutching the bag and continuing to run off into the distance.