Chapter 1347 - 1323: Seeking One’s Own Demise (1)

Chapter 1347: Chapter 1323: Seeking One’s Own Demise (1)

The responsibility of finding Murong Lengyue and rescuing her naturally fell on Xiao Lin.

The kidnapper neither notified to demand ransom nor made any requests, not even a whisper after the fact, which made Xiao Lin feel the gravity of the situation.

Xia Xue’s analysis constantly echoed in his ear: kidnappers usually do it for money or revenge, yet this kidnapper showed no such intentions.

The situation between the two sides reached a stalemate, with the only ones restless being the Murong family. Xiao Yue was running around investigating every possible place that could provide clues, but there were no results.

Nicholas also clarified immediately that it wasn’t the Mafia’s doing. It was evident that this godfather didn’t want to offend the Murong family, and ’Wagangai’ also stated they weren’t involved, especially since his Sin City was unlikely.

Then it became very difficult to find someone in Palermo worthy of suspicion. If some small-time actors were involved, these bigwigs would know and easily track them down.

Could it really be the police?

Xiao Lin studied over and over the route from Murong Lengyue’s residence to the airport in Sin City. The kidnapper chose to strike two kilometers away from the airport, not the most suitable place. Along the way, there were many covert escape routes and ambush points. The assailant skipped these locations and chose the two-kilometer mark, surely for a reason.

"Young Master Xiao, I also considered your theory, so I revisited the crime scene afterward, but still found nothing," Xiao Yue said, frustrated and puzzled.

"Wait!" Xiao Lin tapped his fingers on the table. "Wait for them to come to us, or for us to find them."

"But we can’t wait for so long. Every day the Murong Clan is absent incurs financial loss, and decisions on successors of the five major consortia also require her. We can’t wait."

"Xiao Yue, if it were you, who would you think did it?"

"Someone who wants to deal with Young Master Xiao."

This sensitive question was a common understanding among everyone that day at the Xiao family gathering.

Murong Lengyue is Xiao Lin’s fiancée, a known fact. Her kidnapping out of the blue wasn’t the work of people in the underworld, meaning someone did it to use Murong Lengyue to threaten Xiao Lin.

Hearing Xiao Yue voice his thoughts, Xiao Lin couldn’t help but smile.

"Your Murong family’s love for face will be your family head’s downfall."

Xiao Yue was stunned. Xiao Lin wasn’t waiting for the kidnappers but waiting for the Murong family to reveal the suspect. "Did Young Master Xiao think of this from the start?"

"No ransom demands, no show of a dead body, the opponent not showing themselves and involving the police—isn’t that precisely a message about who they are?"

"Other than that person in Palermo, who else can mobilize the police? Who else is my enemy?" Xiao Lin reiterated this possibility, observing Xiao Yue’s expression.

"How does Young Master Xiao plan to make Quan Mingyuan hand her over?"

"That’s impossible." Xiao Lin shook his head with amusement. "Quan Mingyuan is eager to become Murong’s son-in-law, so this is a double-edged strategy of his."

"That’s courting death," Xiao Yue said fiercely, unwilling to let anyone harm Murong Lengyue.

"Could you truly go through with it? Killing Quan Mingyuan means offending Quan Xianglin, which is no good for the Murong family."

"I represent myself, not the Murong family."

Xiao Lin smiled, feeling regretful for Murong Lengyue, that she didn’t cherish such a good person by her side and instead engaged in pointless pursuits.

At this moment, Yelu Shou walked in from outside. "Found something, but the reliability of the information isn’t confirmed yet."

"Do you know where?" Xiao Yue asked anxiously.

"Not Murong Lengyue, but Xun Xiangxiang." Yelu Shou glanced at Xiao Yue and handed the envelope to Xiao Lin. "Everything is in here."

"Just give me the conclusion."

Yelu Shou glanced at the people nearby. "I think this person here knows best what’s going on!"

Xiao Lin hesitated for a moment, then understood Yelu Shou’s implication, still finding it hard to believe as he looked at Xiao Yue. He hoped there might be a mistake, but seeing Xiao Yue’s shocked expression, Xiao Lin grabbed Xiao Yue by the collar.

"She’s just a child!"

"I tried to stop it, but it was useless!"

One sentence shattered the bit of hope in Xiao Lin’s heart. He couldn’t understand how a woman could be so ruthless. Just as Xiao Lin was about to let go of Xiao Yue, he was grabbed by the wrist.

"Young Master Xiao, these are two different matters. If you refuse to help my lady because of Xun Xiangxiang, Xiao Yue is willing to die in her place."

Xiao Lin glanced coldly at Xiao Yue. "I’m not Murong Lengyue." After throwing down those words, Xiao Lin fell silent, and an awkward silence filled the room...

Quan Mingyuan comfortably leaned back in the soft chair, swirling the goblet in his hand. The dark red liquid flowed like blood in the glass. He squinted his eyes at the woman doing the same, and for a moment, he had an illusion, fantasizing about panting on top of this beauty. However, the illusion quickly shattered.

Although one reason for kidnapping Murong Lengyue was the desire to possess her and make a fait accompli, Quan Mingyuan still refrained. Unless the Murong Family fell, even a done deal wouldn’t prevent retaliation.

Murong Lengyue sensed Quan Mingyuan’s gaze and lifted her eyes to glance at him. "Young Master Quan, do you have something to say?"

"I’m puzzled as to why Miss Murong cooperates with me?" When Murong Lengyue found out that the person who kidnapped her was Quan Mingyuan, she showed no dissatisfaction. Her calmness was suspicious. She didn’t seek help from the Murong Family but stayed carefree in this two-story villa as if it were her own home, making Quan Mingyuan, the kidnapper, anxious instead.

"Nowadays, who doesn’t know about the open and hidden struggle between Young Master Quan and Young Master Xiao? You want to use me to threaten Xiao Lin, but I think you’ll be disappointed. Grabbing me is less direct than seizing Xia Xue." Murong Lengyue casually traced the carvings on the armrest with her nails, appearing indifferent.

"Though it’s true that in Xiao Lin’s mind, Miss Murong doesn’t weigh enough to make him act recklessly, compared to the Xia Family’s daughter, Miss Murong’s influence is several times greater. Even if Xiao Lin is extremely unwilling, he must take risks for you."

Quan Mingyuan’s blatant mockery prompted a cold snort from Murong Lengyue. Seeing the young lady suffer was a rather amusing affair for Quan Mingyuan.

"I’m also curious to see how much you mean to Xiao Lin in his heart, so you’ll understand not to give up a forest for a single tree."

"Even if I give up that tree, you won’t find a place in my forest." Murong Lengyue drank the blood-like red wine in one gulp, its tart bitterness spreading through her mouth.

"Whether Miss Murong needs me or not, I don’t lack that flower."

"What do you want then? The Murong Family’s power? Finance?" Murong Lengyue laughed coldly. "Quan Mingyuan, you really don’t understand your opponent."

"Is that so?" Quan Mingyuan chuckled. "To me, a dead person is just a dead person, no need to understand them."

"That depends on whether you can actually put someone to death. Do you have that ability?" It wasn’t that Murong Lengyue underestimated Quan Mingyuan; in truth, she really couldn’t see anything worthy of boasting on him, aside from an old man supporting him.

"Is that so?" Quan Mingyuan boastfully waved his phone. "Hello!"

Just as the ringtone was about to stop, Quan Mingyuan answered the call. Xiao Lin raised an eyebrow, as the melody jumping from the other side seemed to indicate a good mood.

"Let Murong Lengyue take the call." Xiao Lin, in front of Xiao Yue, dialed Quan Mingyuan’s number and cut straight to the point without unnecessary words.

"Tomorrow night at ten! Old warehouse!" After saying that, Quan Mingyuan immediately hung up, giving Xiao Lin no chance to ask further questions. "Miss Murong, you heard it too, so please bear with it until tomorrow night."

"Young Master Quan, I advise you not to take unnecessary risks; you’ll suffer this time." Murong Lengyue wasn’t surprised Xiao Lin showed up, but her sigh was directed at Quan Mingyuan’s confident face.

"Maybe this time it will be different!"

Murong Lengyue didn’t know where Quan Mingyuan’s confidence came from or if he had a plan for the kind of opponent awaiting Xiao Lin tomorrow. But she was sure it wouldn’t be Quan Mingyuan himself.

"Then I look forward to your different outcome."

"Miss Murong, how about a bet?" Quan Mingyuan suddenly suggested to Murong Lengyue. "If Young Master Xiao unfortunately loses to me tomorrow, how about our two families uniting to create a glorious era?"

"Young Master Quan’s confidence really surprises me." Murong Lengyue pretended to be shocked, covering her mouth with one hand. "If you can make your imagination a reality, then there’s no problem with our families uniting."

"Good! Just for Miss Murong’s words, I, Quan Mingyuan, will definitely take Xiao Lin’s head to pay homage to our era." Quan Mingyuan suddenly burst into laughter, his piercing laugh making Murong Lengyue frown.

"Young Master Quan, where is Shao Junwei?" Murong Lengyue suddenly asked, genuinely irritated by Quan Mingyuan’s arrogance.

"That good-for-nothing is as useless as his brother, cowardly and incompetent. How could someone like that stay by my side to work for me!" Quan Mingyuan’s face showed disdain at the mention of Shao Qinyi. "I sent him to handle other matters; does Miss Murong have anything to say?"

"No!" (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)