Return of the Immortal Emperor Daddy-Chapter 95 Dead Monk, Immortal Taoist
"Hello," Zhao Zhengyi answered the phone.
"Is this Director Zhao? I am Qin Yuhan from the Qin Corporation."
In the president’s office of the Qin Corporation, Qin Yuhan was extremely anxious after learning that Wu Tian had been taken away. In her entire life, she had only felt this worried when her own family was in trouble. Because of this, she felt compelled to call Zhao Zhengyi. Business and politics, after all, have always been intertwined.
Zhao Zhengyi was stunned for a moment. As he set off for the police station, he said, "So it’s my niece, Yuhan. What has you calling your Uncle Zhao today?"
Qin Yuhan rarely called Zhao Zhengyi. Asking for his help always cost upwards of 500,000, and while that sum was nothing to her, she had never been fond of the man himself.
"I need you to save someone for me."
"Oh? And who might that be, niece? If it’s a simple matter, 500,000 will do. If it’s complicated, the price goes up. But if we’re talking about a criminal on death row, I can’t help you. You know your Uncle Zhao has his limits," Zhao Zhengyi replied, driving to the station.
"Okay, no problem. I’ll leave it in your hands then." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦
"Mm," Zhao Zhengyi nodded, then asked, "Who did you say I’m saving?"
"His name is Wu Tian."
"..." Zhao Zhengyi was taken aback once again.
Who on earth is this Wu Tian? He’s connected to Xiao Tianzan and he also knows Qin Yuhan? Should I really take this money?
Thinking about his approaching retirement, Zhao Zhengyi smiled and said, "Alright, no problem. I’ll get him out for you. The price is 950,000. Is that acceptable?"
"Of course, that’s no problem at all," Qin Yuhan agreed joyfully.
She was completely unaware that even if she had never called, never offered a single cent, Zhao Zhengyi wouldn’t have dared to keep Wu Tian locked up.
Finally, Zhao Zhengyi pulled his Audi up to the police station. At that exact moment, an Accord parked in front of the building. The man who stepped out was none other than Xiao Tianzan.
His nickname was the Admiral of the Nine Gates. He never coveted a single penny from the citizens, nor did he ever use public funds. Since turning eighteen, he had refused every last cent from his father, Xiao Liang. After twenty years as a public servant, his salary was only enough to afford him an Accord.
When Zhao Zhengyi saw the face he so often saw on the Southern Province television channel, a wave of anxiety washed over him. He hurried over, bowing his head. "Governor, for you to come in person is truly an..."
"Spare me the pleasantries. Take me to him," Xiao Tianzan said, cutting him off, his disdain for flattery clear.
"Yes, yes, of course." It was the first time Zhao Zhengyi had dealt with a superior like this. He felt an oppressive weight in Xiao Tianzan’s presence but obediently followed his orders, leading him into the police station.
Hao Ma and the other officers tensed up the moment they saw their director arrive.
"Where is Wu Tian?" Zhao Zhengyi demanded, his gaze fixed on Hao Ma.
The shout left Hao Ma stunned. "In... in the interrogation room."
Zhao Zhengyi snorted and had someone fetch the keys. He personally led the way, escorting Xiao Tianzan to the interrogation room.
Finally, the door swung open.
Hao Ming, his pants soaked and his face pale, saw Zhao Zhengyi and knew he was saved. Generally, directors and their deputies didn’t get along, but Zhao Zhengyi and Hao Ming were different. They were cut from the same cloth, both eager to profit from their positions, and had collaborated on many occasions over the years.
"Director Zhao, quickly! Arrest them! They... they’re trying to kill me!" Hao Ming yelled from the chair he was cuffed to. "Help me get my revenge! Out of the one billion, I’ll give you three hundred million!"
"Hmm?" Hearing this, Xiao Tianzan shot a glance at Zhao Zhengyi.
A cold sweat beaded on Zhao Zhengyi’s brow. He silently cursed Hao Ming for being so blind—had the man not seen the governor standing right there? How could he say something like that? His face turning ashen, Zhao Zhengyi strode toward Hao Ming.
Hao Ming, however, still hadn’t noticed Xiao Tianzan. Seeing Zhao Zhengyi’s furious expression, he assumed his offer had been too low. "Four hundred million!" he said quickly. "That should be enough, right? I can’t go any higher." After all, he thought they were on the same side, so he held nothing back.
Zhao Zhengyi’s face was livid. He wanted nothing more than to slap the fool dead. "What nonsense are you spouting?" he roared. "How could I ever collude with the likes of you? What kind of person do you take me for? Let me tell you, I am nothing like you. I’m not that disgusting!"
"..." Hao Ming was dumbfounded. He wondered if his old partner had lost his mind.
Fearing Hao Ming would say more, Zhao Zhengyi quickly turned to Xiao Tianzan and said respectfully, "Governor, is this the young man you’re looking for?"
Hao Ma and the others were stunned. They spent their time indulging in worldly pleasures and never paid attention to boring news, so they had no idea the man standing beside their director was the provincial governor. A provincial governor?
"Xiao... Xiao..." Hao Ming was even more shocked. He finally noticed Xiao Tianzan, the legendary Admiral of the Nine Gates, a man renowned for his unwavering integrity. How could he not recognize him?
What is such an important figure doing here?
A terrible premonition crept over Hao Ming again. All day, every bad feeling had been immediately followed by a disastrous event. His premonitions had never been this accurate. He was on the verge of tears.
Xiao Tianzan’s expression was grim. As soon as he learned Wu Tian had been taken to Yang City’s First Police Station, he had rushed over in his Accord without stopping. He knew that darkness always existed in the presence of light. The Southern Province, under his governance, was the most peaceful of the four provinces, but it wasn’t completely free of shadows. He worried that if anything happened to Wu Tian, his father would never forgive him.
Fortunately, Wu Tian was unharmed.
At the same time, Xiao Tianzan noticed Zhang San and Li Si, his brow furrowing slightly.
"What are you two doing here?"
"Undercover," Zhang San and Li Si replied plainly, knowing their ruse was up.
"These two are...?" Zhao Zhengyi asked, his eyebrows knitting together. He knew Zhang San and Li Si, but only as ordinary police officers. From the governor’s tone, however, he sensed there was more to them.
"You can think of us as National Security," Zhang San and Li Si said in unison, their usual casual demeanor replaced by ice-cold expressions.
Xiao Tianzan nodded and then turned to Wu Tian with a smile. "Hello, I am Xiao Tianzan, son of Xiao Liang."
"Hello." Wu Tian gave a slight nod, unimpressed by his title. He wouldn’t show a shred of respect even if the number one leader of Dragon Country himself were to appear before him.
Hao Ming’s face was deathly pale. After Hao Ma uncuffed him, his head spun and his legs gave out, sending him collapsing to the floor. Hao Ma was just as pale.
The truth dawned on them, leaving them horrified and in utter disbelief.
Wu Tian was connected to Xiao Tianzan, the Admiral of the Nine Gates. How... How was this possible? And National Security was involved, too.
Wang Wei, damn you to hell! You’ve completely ruined me! The Wang Family is nothing but ants compared to Xiao Tianzan and National Security! Hao Ming cursed him endlessly in his mind.
He looked pleadingly at Zhao Zhengyi, pinning his last hope on his old partner speaking up for him.
"Hao Ming, I’ve had my suspicions about you for a long time, and now your true colors are showing! I must uphold justice, even if it means disowning you! I’m reporting you myself!" Zhao Zhengyi, terrified of being investigated himself, could no longer care about Hao Ming. He just wanted to save his own skin. He launched into a tirade against Hao Ming, his performance of a mentor heartbroken by his protégé’s fall from grace a masterclass in acting. It was far better than any young idol’s and could have rivaled that of a veteran thespian.
