"Old Five, stop daydreaming and speak up. What should we do next? Surely we can't just let it go like this," Sunx Qinian urged impatiently.

He had many grandsons, so Sunx Long's standing wasn't particularly high in his heart. The only reason he was so invested in this matter was because he felt his pride had been wounded! For someone to dare challenge him—Second Master Sunx Qinian—was utterly unacceptable!

"Second Brother, I remember on your seventieth birthday, didn't the old man give you a piece of calligraphy and painting?" Sunx Lie asked, his brow furrowing.

"The calligraphy and painting the old man gifted me? Yes, he did. What about it? Why bring that up all of a sudden?" Sunx Qinian asked, taken aback.

That piece was his treasure. Because of the Old Lord's status in recent years, his calligraphy and paintings rarely entered circulation. In the Forty-Nine City, such an item was the equivalent of a favor—a representation of his father's, Old Lord Sunx's, influence.

"Considering the current situation, our Sunx Family cannot fall out with the Xuu Family or the Central Guard Bureau over a single grandson of yours. Strictly speaking, we were the ones in the wrong first, having privately commissioned an international Assassin Organization to carry out a hit. Not to mention, we're in a politically sensitive and unstable period right now...

"Elder Master Chen has passed away, which is why we can currently suppress the Chen Family with ease. But if we have a falling out with the Xuu Family over such a trivial matter now, it could push them into opposition against us, perhaps even causing them to join forces with the Chen Family. Imagine those consequences. Second Brother, you understand, don't you?"

"Of course, I understand. But... what does this have to do with my piece of calligraphy and painting?" Sunx Qinian asked.

"If you truly can't swallow this insult, then have someone send that piece of calligraphy, personally written by the Old Lord, to Zheng Weiguo. Even if Zheng Weiguo has someone powerful backing him this time, would he really dare to disrespect the Old Lord?" Sunx Lie finally revealed his plan.

In his view, this was clearly the most prudent solution!

"Send that piece of calligraphy and painting over?"

Sunx Qinian's expression shifted several times. He hadn't expected Old Five to suggest such a 'lousy idea'.

He said with a gloomy face, "Old Five, are you joking with me? That's a piece of calligraphy personally written by the Old Lord! I only managed to get it on my seventieth birthday by finding an excuse and seizing the opportunity to ask him for one! Do you have any idea what that single piece of calligraphy is worth? Back in the day, it would have been enough to secure someone a position at my level. And now you want me to just give it to Zheng Weiguo?"

"That's why I said you should only consider it if you truly can't stomach this humiliation, Second Brother. The situation is pretty much clear by now. If the Central Guard Bureau releases him without charge in a few days, not even our Dragon Group will have grounds to arrest that kid again, right? Think it over."

With that, Sunx Lie turned and slowly began to leave.

"I..." Sunx Qinian's expression turned extremely foul.

Could he really swallow this insult? Of course not!

「Two days later.」

In the office of the Director of the Central Guard Bureau, Zheng Weiguo held a slightly yellowed scroll, his expression a complex and indescribable mixture of emotions and sighs.

He slowly unfurled the scroll. Upon it was a single, large character, written in a bold and flamboyant style. With just a single glance, Zheng Weiguo could feel the boundless passion imbued in the calligraphy, as well as the powerful, vigorous, and sturdy strokes of the writer. Of course, that wasn't what concerned him most. What truly made his heart pound and tremble was the line of small characters in the signature block.

This Sunx Qinian... he really is willing to part with his treasures! Even Zheng Weiguo was surprised by his generosity. This was a piece of calligraphy personally written by Old Lord Sunx! To say it was priceless would be no exaggeration. And he actually brought it out just for that useless grandson of his? If it were just Second Master Sunx Qinian, or even Sunx Lie, the current Deputy Leader of the Dragon Group, they might make him wary, but that's all it would be. He would still do what needed to be done. But this situation was completely different. A piece of calligraphy personally written by Old Lord Sunx had been presented to him. What did this signify? Did it mean he, Zheng Weiguo, was expected to give Old Lord Sunx this face? Indeed. To see the calligraphy was to see the man himself! That had been the appraisal of Old Lord Sunx's calligraphy in the Forty-Nine City for decades! Very few of these works still existed today. Moreover, the Old Lord himself had sealed his brush twenty or thirty years ago, with no new pieces emerging since. Therefore, the weight of the scroll currently before him was self-evident. In short, he, Zheng Weiguo, could not refuse this on his own.

"Oh? Isn't this Chief Sunx's treasured calligraphy? So vigorous and powerful, yet composed and not chaotic. Excellent work, excellent work!" Just then, a hearty laugh suddenly echoed beside Zheng Weiguo's ear. An old man in yellow robes had appeared in the office at some unknown point.

"Elder Huang?" Seeing the old man's face clearly, Zheng Weiguo was visibly startled. He shot to his feet, his body ramrod straight as he saluted.

As the current Director of the Central Guard Bureau, Zheng Weiguo was well aware that many old monsters were hidden within its ranks. Take Old Man Huang Xing, for example. Forty years ago, when Zheng Weiguo was just a new recruit, Huang Xing had already been the Director—at least three generations of directors before him. And now, the man was still alive and kicking, his body as hale and hearty as ever. How could he, Zheng Weiguo, dare to show any disrespect?

"Sit down, sit down. You're the Director now; it should be this old man greeting you. Where did this piece come from?" Old Man Huang Xing chuckled, waving his hand and gesturing toward the scroll.

"It was sent by Sunx Qinian of the Sunx Family," Zheng Weiguo responded immediately.

"The Sunx Family, you say? How thoughtful of them. This old man has few hobbies, but I do have a fondness for calligraphy and paintings. Since they've sent such a grand gift, I can't be impolite. Little Zheng, give Sunx Qinian a call. I must thank him properly," Old Man Huang Xing said, his eyes narrowing into a smile.

"Ah? Yes!" Zheng Weiguo was stunned for a moment before immediately dialing Sunx Qinian's number. At the same time, an uncontrollable look of joy and astonishment filled his eyes.

Of course, he understood Elder Huang's words were just a formality, an excuse. Interested in calligraphy? It was far more likely he was here to get him, Zheng Weiguo, and the person in the interrogation room out of a tight spot. Still, for a major figure of Old Man Huang Xing's seniority to step in personally was astonishing, even if it was out of respect for Old Master Xuu. Could it be that the person in the other room also had a deep connection with Old Man Huang Xing? Otherwise, given his status, why would he so skillfully take on this hot potato? After all, that scroll of calligraphy carried the immense weight of Old Lord Sunx himself.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.