Chapter 769: The Reason Behind It

Xu Wuyi left Luo Jing’s office and walked down the long corridor. He didn’t go to see anyone from the fourth squad, didn’t visit Fang Xiaoxiao and the others’ office area, and didn’t stop by the desk where he had sat for over three months.

He knew they must be waiting for him and that they had a lot to say. But now was not the time. The most important thing at the moment was that Zhou Bin and Li Zhaowen were still in the hands of the Song family.

He walked straight out of the Inspection Department headquarters, took the elevator, and returned to the surface. The door, disguised as a storage room, closed behind him. Once again, he stood in the foyer of that dilapidated building. The old man in the security uniform at the reception window looked up and gave him a silent nod.

Xu Wuyi stepped out of the building and stood by the street.

The sky outside had already grown dark. The streetlights on both sides cast a dim yellow glow, stretching the pedestrians’ shadows long against the pavement. The small shops were still open—the breakfast stalls, the appliance repair shops, the barbershops—all still in business.

He stood by the street for a few seconds before heading on foot toward the East District, where the Song family was located. His footsteps seemed slow but were deceivingly fast; after just a few strides, his figure vanished without a trace.

The Song family was a top-tier Noble Family in Xingjing. Boasting a century of profound heritage, they had produced generations of outstanding talents. They had several Quasi-Grandmasters and even a Grandmaster overseeing the family.

That Grandmaster was Song Yi, a highly respected figure in the Federation Martial Arts Realm. Although he had ignored worldly affairs for many years, as long as he was alive, the Song family would remain unshakable.

For Song Qingwu to dare detain members of the Inspection Department and openly declare he was waiting for the right person to come, he definitely had Song Yi’s tacit approval. Otherwise, no matter how bold an Innate Martial Artist was, they would never dare do such a thing.

The person Xu Wuyi needed to see was Song Yi.

Xu Wuyi traversed the streets of Xingjing, traveling from the West District to the East District, transitioning from old residential neighborhoods to a commercial area filled with towering skyscrapers, and finally arriving at a private, high-walled compound.

Forty minutes later, he stopped in front of a tall iron gate. The gate was flanked by high gray walls covered in creeping vines, which looked deep and mysterious in the night. Above the iron gate hung an antique plaque carved with two large characters: Song Residence.

Two security guards in black uniforms stood at the entrance, standing ramrod straight with vigilant eyes.

Xu Wuyi walked toward the iron gate. Seeing him approach, the two guards immediately stepped forward and held out their hands to block his path.

“Sir, this is a private residence. Who are you looking for?”

From his pocket, Xu Wuyi took out his solid black ID card and handed it over.

“Meng Zhishou, Inspection Department. I’m looking for Mr. Song Qingwu.”

The two guards were briefly taken aback. Their eyes fell on the ID card, and then they looked up at the black-and-white mask on his face. After exchanging a glance, one of them took the card and hurried into the gatehouse.

The other guard remained in place, watching him warily, though his attitude was much more respectful than before. The Inspection Department’s reputation wasn’t exactly stellar in the eyes of these prominent families, but the ID card was real, and the person standing before them was genuinely from the department. No matter what they thought internally, they didn’t dare show any slight on the surface.

Soon, the guard who had gone in to report came jogging out, followed by a middle-aged man in a gray robe. The man possessed a refined temperament and walked with a brisk, purposeful stride; at a glance, one could tell he was a prominent figure within the Song family.

He quickly walked up to Xu Wuyi, his gaze lingering on the mask for a split second before breaking into a smile.

“Captain Meng, I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m the Song family’s butler, Mr. Zhou. Mr. Song is already waiting inside. Please come with me.”

Xu Wuyi nodded and followed him through the iron gate.

Behind the gate was a small path paved with bluestone, bordered by neatly trimmed lawns, flowers, and shrubs. In the distance, several antique-style buildings with sweeping, upturned eaves could faintly be seen, looking exceptionally solemn in the dark.

Butler Zhou walked ahead at an unhurried pace, speaking as they went. “Captain Meng, Mr. Song mentioned you might drop by in the coming days and told me to wait here. It must have been a tiring trip. Would you like to rest for a bit and have a cup of tea first?”

Xu Wuyi shook his head. “No need. I want to see Mr. Song right away.”

Butler Zhou nodded and didn’t say anything more.

The two walked along the bluestone path for about five minutes before arriving at a two-story building. It was built in a traditional style with red pillars, black-tiled roofs, and exquisitely carved and painted beams. Two large red lanterns hung at the entrance, brightly illuminating the front doors.

Butler Zhou stopped and turned sideways, making an inviting gesture.

“Captain Meng, Mr. Song is waiting for you inside. After you.”

Xu Wuyi walked up the steps and pushed open the carved wooden doors.

Inside was a spacious living room decorated in a classical style, adorned with mahogany furniture and paintings by famous masters. Several pots of rare orchids were placed in the corners.

Right in the center of the living room, a middle-aged man sat in the seat of honor, slowly sipping from a teacup. The man appeared to be in his forties, with handsome, regular features and a cultured air, dressed in a dark gray traditional Chinese long gown. His gaze was remarkably steady, exuding an unhurried calmness when he looked at people.

This was Song Qingwu, one of the core figures of the Song family’s current generation.

Seeing Xu Wuyi enter, Song Qingwu put down his teacup and stood up with a smile on his face.

“Captain Meng, I’ve heard so much about you. Please, take a seat.”

His tone was very polite, so courteous it was as if he were receiving an esteemed guest, completely unlike a man who had just detained two of the other party’s squad members.

Xu Wuyi sat opposite him and fixed his gaze on him.

“Mr. Song, where are my squad members?”

Song Qingwu chuckled. Instead of answering directly, he picked up his teacup and took a slow sip.