Chapter 109: Chapter 100: Betrayal

Zhao Xun did not care about Matthew’s words, his face still very grim, showing that Zhao Qing had truly angered him.

In the Zhao Family, everyone, even a dog, had to serve him, even at the cost of their lives. Today, the one he thought most reliable had actually bitten him.

“What are you planning to do? Give him another chance, as he’s your son after all,” Matthew said.

Zhao Xun’s mouth curled into a sneer, “Just knowing a little bit and thinking he has everything under control, I can produce many of such quality, living with such a long life is boring anyway. I will turn him into nourishment; after all, I’ve raised him for so many years and his quality is decent. To make full use of him, it’s best to wait until after the Four Nations Tournament to reap the benefits.”

What Zhao Qing considered beneficial was completely different from what Matthew needed. More than that, setting aside their secret cooperation, in Celestial Capital, anyone can fall, but not him. The power struggle at the top of Dragon Capital is not something a naïve kid can understand. They will never allow one family to dominate in Celestial Capital.

Matthew nodded, glanced at Zhao Xun, “Is this month’s shipment arranged?”

“When have I made a mistake in handling things? Losing a channel is indeed inconvenient. You were too ruthless this time, directly cutting off one of my arms, which has already drawn some attention,” Zhao Xun said with some resentment.

“A little accident happened, an external force interfered, but fortunately, it’s still under control,” Matthew said blandly.

“Archbishop, shouldn’t Luo Jin, this incompetent one, be dealt with sooner? Keeping him around is too much of an obstruction. You are sentimental, but he knows no gratitude and can’t read the situation,” Zhao Xun said, “Recently, he’s been secretly investigating, and he’s completely unconcerned about the matters of Canon Law School. The new channel just barely took shape, and if he continues to investigate, it will eventually lead to a major problem.”

Regarding Luo Jin, Zhao Xun truly hated him, but unfortunately, he couldn’t deal with him yet.

Matthew glanced at Zhao Xun, “I’ll handle this matter, arrangements have already been made.”

Zhao Xun’s face showed a smile, “With you saying that, I’m at ease.” He knew that Matthew had finally decided to give up on Luo Jin.

Zhao Xun left, leaving a heavy-looking Secret Silver Jar on the table, covered in runic seals. All the candles in the secret room went out, and in the dark, Matthew unbuttoned his shirt, and his chest began to writhe. An Abyssal Worm, completely different from the previous ones, slowly poked its head out. This worm had a human face and even turned back to look at Matthew, seemingly curling into a strange smile.

Under the candlelight, Matthew looked at the worm, his gaze calm and focused, “Eat.”

The worm twisted its head, stretched its neck into the Secret Silver Jar, and began to rustle, squeaking, as bright red liquid seeped from the neck of the bottle…

…

At the family quarters of the Night Patrol on Triumph Street, the Night Patrol had arranged for field personnel to patrol, but there were no discoveries. Hao Ye could enter Canon Law School and join Black Rose not just by flattering people; entering quietly was no problem at all.

At this time, only Lin Fei was at home. Recently, life had gradually fallen back into place. Xueyin went to school normally, her grades improved. With Kathy’s connections, they hired the best home tutor in Celestial Capital. Li Xin entered Canon Law School and was even selected for Black Rose, with a bright future; life was getting better day by day.

Being home alone, Lin Fei wore a simple nightgown, just finished cleaning, slightly sweating. Checking herself in the mirror, her complexion was getting better, with a tinge of blush, like a ripe peach. Her hands also became smoother. The skincare cream Kathy provided was very effective. She compared her waist a bit, fortunately, although she’d been eating a lot, it grew in the right places instead of the wrong ones.

While she was contemplating, suddenly there was a knock on the door.

Lin Fei immediately became alert, a habit cultivated since being in the Underground City, unchanged even after returning to the city, especially since Li Xin was involved in the work of the Night Patrol. She remained very cautious, peeking outside through the window. It wasn’t a neighbor, but a stranger, a young man dressed in the uniform of the Canon Law School.

Lin Fei hurriedly changed clothes and went downstairs, “Who is it?”

“Hello, sister. I am a student at Canon Law School and a classmate of Li Xin. My name is Hao Ye.” a courteous Hao Ye said from outside the door.

Lin Fei quickly opened the door.

Once inside, Hao Ye surveyed the surroundings, looked at Lin Fei, and sat upright. Lin Fei poured a cup of water, placed it on the table, and looked at the young man with a hint of curiosity, “Isn’t Li Xin at Canon Law School? What business do you have with him?”

Hao Ye shook his head, “Sister, you go ahead and do your thing. I can wait here for him; I think he’ll be back soon.”

Lin Fei was even more puzzled but couldn’t quite bring herself to drive him away. After all, it was indeed the Canon Law School uniform with the formal badge of a Black Rose member. Just as Lin Fei was unsure of what to do, she saw Li Xin.

At some point, Li Xin had quietly appeared in the living room. Lin Fei sensed a strange atmosphere. Li Xin just smiled, “Haha, Hao Ye, you came really early. Aunt Fei, I have something to discuss with my classmate.”

Lin Fei nodded, “Alright, you guys chat.”

Lin Fei went upstairs. Li Xin looked at Hao Ye, and Hao Ye looked back at Li Xin, taking the initiative to speak, “You came earlier than I expected. Did you receive Zhao Qing’s notification?”

Li Xin sat opposite Hao Ye, observing the slightly changed temperament of Hao Ye, shook his head, “Notify me of what?”

Hao Ye sighed softly, “You all are even more formidable than I imagined. The Zhao father and son duo might truly not be your match. Zhao Qing and I thought we were very cautious, but I didn’t expect you had already discovered us.”

Li Xin never thought the city would be safer than the Underground City. He had already arranged with Qi Badao to set up a contact point near his home. On one hand, they could contact each other immediately if something happened; on the other, it was for safety. If any suspicious people were lurking around, he would know right away, like when Hao Ye came to scout.

“Get to the point.” Li Xin looked at Hao Ye. He actually hoped the other party would be direct, which would make it easier for him to take action.

After all, he had already thought of the places to bury on the way here; it’s a shame not to use them.

“Zhao Qing wants to kill two birds with one stone, and I don’t want to die.” Hao Ye shrugged as he spoke.

“Is that so? Tell me more.” Li Xin had followed Hao Ye here. The man hadn’t made any unnecessary moves along the way, which couldn’t be hidden from him. Moreover, Hao Ye’s skills were better than expected. In the Black Rose, he was probably only second to Luo Xue and Zhao Qing. The man was hiding his true strength.

Hao Ye explained Zhao Qing’s plan, “The Zhao father and son are both lunatics. Zhao Xun trusts no one, including Zhao Qing. I was sent by Zhao Xun to keep an eye on him. I suspect Zhao Qing must have found out, no, he definitely found out. Zhao Qing has already arranged a plan with Zhou Xiang for the Four Nations Tournament. The Black Rose is bound to win. He plans to take the opportunity to replace Luo Xue and claim all the glory for himself, so he wants to eliminate you, Luo Xue’s ace, and me in the process.”

“Why don’t you go to Zhao Xun?” Li Xin asked calmly.

“There’s nothing wrong with Zhao Qing’s approach. Besides, I’m just a dog they keep. If I tell, Zhao Xun would kill me too,” Hao Ye said calmly. This is an open scheme. Once Zhao Qing had the idea, my path led only to death because Zhao Qing is more useful than I am. No one cares about a dog’s life or death. I’ve been playing my part just to survive.

“You’re a bit different from what I thought,” Li Xin said, “What’s your purpose in looking for me?”

“Hehe, it’s all for survival. I’ve been playing the clown to set off Zhao Qing and doing some dirty and heavy work. Now, they won’t even let me do that, so I want to negotiate a collaborative deal with you,” Hao Ye said.

“With us?” Li Xin asked.

“Of course. I know you have a strong ability, capable of competing with Zhao Qing and Luo Xue. But surviving in the Celestial Capital has nothing to do with individual ability. The struggle between the Zhao Family and the Church has become white-hot since Montreal’s downfall. Despite the current calm, they’re all brewing a fatal strike. I have evidence in my hands that could help you completely bring down the Zhao Family,” Hao Ye said.

Li Xin still looked at Hao Ye, indifferent about believing or not, “Why not share?”

“Haven’t you always been curious about where the Abyssal Worms come from? Coincidentally, I really do know,” Hao Ye looked at Li Xin with a half-smile, “Is this the time to discuss terms?”

“Of course, if what you say is true, feel free to name your terms,” Li Xin said, knowing he could promise this on behalf of Uncle Luo.

“Fifty thousand Lira, a Pardon Letter from the Night Patrol, and I’ll leave the Celestial Capital after it’s done,” Hao Ye said.

Fifty thousand Lira is indeed no small amount, but relative to the matter itself, it’s indeed reasonable, “Any other reasons?”

Hao Ye smiled, “I want to see the Zhao father and son dead. Countless people like me have died at their hands; I’ve only survived by luck because I’m useful. I didn’t dare to resist before because I saw no hope, and I don’t trust those nobles too much; they’re all the same. Any kind of crime can ultimately become part of a transaction. But Luo Jin is different, you all are not nobles, and Captain Luo’s judicious and determined judgment of Montreal showed it all, so let’s gamble. Of course, what’s due is not less; I have other fallback options.”

To put it bluntly, if it doesn’t work out, he’ll escape. With his skills, he can find a way to get by anywhere.

Li Xin roughly understood the situation. Hao Ye was brought by Zhao Xun through some way and sent to the Canon Law School to watch Zhao Qing, probably due to his talent or something else. Zhao Qing found out and made Hao Ye do dirty work, then took the chance to notify Li Xin, attacked Night Patrol family members, and while nobles have room to maneuver, Hao Ye would surely die, and Li Xin would be destroyed as well. Though Li Xin had already prepared, this move was indeed vicious.

“So knowledge is really something good. My life at the Canon Law School truly broadened my horizons. They probably didn’t think I would dare to resist,” Hao Ye showed a sarcastic smile as he took out a sealed scroll from his arms.

“This is their secret base where they breed worms, and it involves human trafficking; that’s also why they wanted to destroy the Lin Family. It’s not just for money but also to control their transport channels, making things more convenient.”

Li Xin took a deep look at Hao Ye’s scroll, “What do you plan to do next?”

“According to the original plan, I’m going to hide first and emerge when the major situation is settled. Since you haven’t received Zhao Qing’s signal, I can find an excuse to stay at the Canon Law School to avoid alerting them. You can discuss with Luo Jin and prepare the fifty thousand Lira,” Hao Ye said, then looked at the scroll, “This one is empty, consider it a gift.”

“Two thousand first, then three thousand after it’s done.” Li Xin shook his head.

Hao Ye bared his teeth, “Fifty thousand, not a penny less. The value of this information far surpasses that, you have no choice, while I’m just a lowly life; even in death, it’s no loss, the time’s almost up, so see you at the Canon Law School.”

Li Xin nodded, he was only testing. Hao Ye hadn’t been gone long when Lin Fei came downstairs, his expression unchanged.

Li Xin smiled, “This classmate of mine doesn’t need to be entertained next time he comes; there’s something off about him.”

“I eavesdropped,” Lin Fei said directly.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep