Free Web NovelChapter 1651: Chapter 960: The Three-Year Promise
Returning to the lounge, Captain Zheng was waiting for him, and it was obvious that he had seen the previous scene clearly on the monitor.
"Captain Zheng, I want this man. If I’m to take him out, what procedures do I still need?" Yang Xiao asked directly.
Upon hearing this, Captain Zheng laughed and waved his hand to signal Yang Xiao to sit down. "No rush, no rush, Captain Yang. I still need to report the matter concerning Chen Nang to the higher-ups. You know, this kid has trouble on him, and if he suddenly shows up outside, it’ll be a big issue for our Nanzhe Province Office."
Yang Xiao hesitated slightly; Wu Qingcang hadn’t mentioned this when he arrived, and Captain Zheng hadn’t either until now.
The two chatted a few more words, but Captain Zheng was dead set on not letting go, repeatedly emphasizing how important Chen Nang was to their Nanzhe Province Public Office and that letting him go needed approval from higher-ups, never mentioning when he would actually be released.
Yang Xiao was smart enough to understand immediately; the Nanzhe Province Public Office wasn’t willing to let him go without wringing out some benefits from Chen Nang.
They could release him, but it would require Yang Xiao and the Jiangbei Province Office behind him to offer some advantages in exchange.
Seeing Yang Xiao catch on, Captain Zheng stopped pretending, poured a cup of tea for Yang Xiao, and handed it over with a smile. "Captain Yang, I’ve heard that you, Younger Brother Yang, are reputed as the nemesis of Evil Cultivators, supposedly able to locate them with your eyes closed, is that right?"
"Hahaha, Brother Zheng is joking. What nemesis of Evil Cultivators? That’s just the brothers giving face and calling me that. However, we did sweep a place with Evil Cultivators before and found some clues, and it seems... it seems there’s a base of theirs in your Nanzhe Province." Yang Xiao rubbed his chin, pretending to recall.
"Oh?" Captain Zheng’s small eyes brightened instantly, and he rose to refill Yang Xiao’s tea, eagerly prompting, "Younger Brother Yang, tell me what’s going on; I have this bad habit—whenever I hear ’Evil Cultivator,’ I just can’t help but uphold justice and eliminate evil!"
Yang Xiao sneered inwardly, thinking, "Your intention isn’t to uphold justice; you clearly want credit for advancement." However, to Yang Xiao, these matters weren’t conflicting; he himself wouldn’t hesitate to uphold national honor but wouldn’t refuse wealth and glory either.
Seeing Captain Zheng take the bait, Yang Xiao knew the deal was about to be sealed. "Brother Zheng, half a year ago, Director Nalan led a team to eradicate a group of Evil Cultivators. According to the captured Evil Cultivators, there’s a base hidden within your Nanzhe Province, and it’s of a considerable level."
"What level of base?" Captain Zheng asked urgently, having lacked any noteworthy achievements for years and fearing he’d soon lose even the deputy captain position.
"Do you know Withered Bone Pavilion?" Yang Xiao whispered.
"Withered Bone Pavilion? Yes, yes, it’s a noted Evil Cultivation Force on the General Bureau’s list. Their leader, the patron, is rumored to have Netherworld Realm strength, but for some reason, this person has vanished from the martial arts world for years." Captain Zheng, being from the Provincial Office, had some insight. "So, you’ve located their base?"
"That’s right, it’s the Withered Bone Pavilion. Within this base, there’s suspected to be a Guardian Level Evil Cultivator, someone quite high-ranked within the Withered Bone Pavilion, one of the Five Guardians." Yang Xiao threw out the bait.
"Guardian Level Evil Cultivator..." Captain Zheng’s lips curled involuntarily, his mind fantasizing about his chance to earn honors and awards. He wished Yang Xiao would immediately divulge the base’s location and details but didn’t want to seem overtly keen, as he still needed to keep up appearances.
Guardian Level Evil Cultivators were rare indeed. Successfully eradicating this base would leave a significant mark on his record, and he wouldn’t have to endure suppression from the other deputy captain at the year’s end review.
Enough pulling; the price seemed right, and he knew Yang Xiao was sensible. He lowered his voice, "Younger Brother Yang, to be honest, Brother is in a tight spot, desperately needing this group of Evil Cultivators to tide things over. Can’t you..."
"What are you saying, Brother Zheng? Every Evil Cult member deserves extermination. What’s the difference between me and Brother Zheng taking action? We’re all brothers of the Patrol Defense Office, and besides, you’re doing me a big favor." Yang Xiao smiled, indicating these were minor matters.
"Refreshing! Brother loves your attitude!" Captain Zheng slapped the table in excitement, almost pulling Yang Xiao into brotherhood. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
It was precisely because he knew Yang Xiao was coming that he waited here into the night, clearly not in vain; late-sleeping bird catches the worm.
"Brother Zheng, how about you let me take Chen Nang away; I promise you, within half a month, I’ll come back with my team and flatten this base. I’ll dedicate people and effort, and all the credit will be yours." Yang Xiao outright laid his cards on the table, not making empty promises, having learned of three base locations from the Withered Bone Pavilion’s Ten Guardian, Bone Burning Taoist, one of which is in Nanzhe Province.
These three bases are where the Five Guardians hide, and having eliminated a wrong option in Canglan Province, two remain.
A two-out-of-three choice; success or failure hinges on Captain Zheng’s luck.
Indeed, upon Yang Xiao’s refusal to disclose the exact location, Captain Zheng’s smile became somewhat forced; his fingers lightly tapped the tabletop. After a while, he half-joked, "Younger Brother Yang, of course Brother believes you, but just words... you won’t bluff Brother, will you?"
