63: Chapter 63 A stunningly beautiful goddess with captivating charm! She takes the initiative to invite…

Zhou Liangan made a phone call to have a set of professional tattoo equipment delivered.

Director Xin Linyu looked at Zhou Liangan with slight nervousness, her cheeks flushed slightly...

In the capital city on an afternoon, sunlight filtered through the blinds of the Special Investigation Team office, cutting into strips of light and shadow that fell upon the cold gray desk.

Si Liannan tapped her fingertips lightly on the table, her gaze falling on the characters "Zhou Liangan" in the file, her brows slightly furrowed.

In the photo within the file, the man's eyes were arrogant, with a hint of a careless smile at the corner of his mouth; the background was the recently explored site of the Nangong Ruins in Jiangcheng.

She rubbed her brow, mentally rehearsing the contact strategy.

Zhou Liangan, the Young Master of the Jiangcheng Zhou Family, appeared to be an idle playboy on the surface, but the Nangong Ruins preliminary investigation recorded in the file exposed his non-simple underlying character.

Being able to escape unscathed from ruins filled with mechanisms and haunted by vengeful spirits was definitely not something an ordinary dissolute person could do.

What was even more troublesome was that the file labeled Zhou Liangan as "extremely lecherous and erratic in his actions," which made Si Liannan resist direct contact with him from the bottom of her heart.

"Liannan, why do you look so gloomy?" A clear, pleasant voice came from behind, carrying a hint of familiarity.

Si Liannan raised her eyes, her beautiful gaze sweeping over Bai Muchen's handsome yet somewhat frivolous face.

He had just walked in from outside, his uniform jacket draped over his arm, his shirt collar unbuttoned by two buttons, revealing a touch of careless ostentation.

"What else could it be?" Si Liannan said in a flat tone, her fingertips tracing the schematic of the ruins in the file. "To contact Zhou Liangan—this person is afraid to be a tough nut to crack."

Upon hearing this, a sneer of disdain immediately appeared on Bai Muchen's face. He pulled over a chair and sat opposite Si Liannan, crossing his legs. "How big a deal is that? A no-name character from Jiangcheng, what kind of waves can he make?"

Bai Muchen reached out and took the file, flipping through it carelessly, the disdain in his eyes intensifying. "Liannan, if you don't like him, just leave this matter to me. I guarantee I'll make him obediently spit out everything he knows."

Si Liannan pondered for a moment, then raised her eyes to look steadily at Bai Muchen.

Bai Muchen was a descendant of a side branch of the Bai Family who had entered the Special Investigation Team relying on his Family's thin veneer of influence. His skills were decent, but his personality was too arrogant, looking down on everyone.

However, for now, letting Bai Muchen test the depth of Zhou Liangan seemed like a good choice.

"Muchen, then I'll trouble you." Si Liannan's tone became a bit more sincere. "The data says he is lecherous by nature, and I really don't want to have too much involvement with him, lest I get entangled and mess up the main task."

Upon hearing this, a smile immediately bloomed on Bai Muchen's face, and a hint of imperceptible joy flashed in his eyes. "Don't worry, I have plenty of ways to deal with this kind of person. I guarantee that in less than half a day, I'll have him completely submissive."

The corners of Si Liannan's mouth lifted slightly, and she nodded in thanks. "Good, then thank you very much."

"What are you thanking me for?" Bai Muchen leaned forward slightly, his tone carrying a hint of probing. "I happen to be free tonight. I've booked that three-star Michelin Western restaurant in the south of the city. Shall we go and try it together?"

Si Liannan blinked, a hint of difficulty flashing in her eyes. After pondering for a moment, she said helplessly: "Sorry, Muchen, I already have an appointment with a friend tonight. Let's do it another day."

The smile on Bai Muchen's face instantly froze, the light in his eyes dimming. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he finally nodded reluctantly. "Okay, then we'll talk about it another day."

Bai Muchen stood up and picked up his jacket. As he turned, a hint of imperceptible gloom flashed in his eyes.

In the evening, the afterglow of the sunset shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the clean marble floor.

Zhou Liangan leaned on the sofa, admiring Director Xin Linyu, who was dancing not far away.

Ring ring ring—

A rapid phone ringtone suddenly sounded, breaking the silence of the room.

Zhou Liangan picked up his phone, and an unfamiliar number appeared on the screen.

He raised an eyebrow, pressed the answer button, and said in a lazy tone, "Who is this?"

"Are you Zhou Liangan?" A very arrogant voice came from the other end of the line, carrying obvious impatience. "Regarding the Nangong Ruins, come over immediately to cooperate with the investigation and explain everything you found inside."

Zhou Liangan chuckled upon hearing this and said unhurriedly: "Who are you?"

"I am from the investigation team." Bai Muchen's voice suddenly rose, carrying a condescending tone of command. "From Jiangcheng to the capital, the drive is about two hours. I'll give you three hours. Three hours later, I want to see you in the Special Investigation Team's office. If you are one minute late, face the consequences!"

The smile on Zhou Liangan's face instantly vanished, and a trace of coldness flashed in his eyes.

He despised this kind of person who relied on their status to act like a fox exploiting a tiger's might the most.

"Go to hell." Zhou Liangan spat out the four words lightly, and without waiting for the other party to react, he hung up the phone directly.

Bai Muchen was stunned on the spot, clearly not expecting Zhou Liangan to dare to be so arrogant.

After he came to his senses, his anger instantly overwhelmed his mind. He immediately called back, but only heard a cold prompt: "The number you dialed has been added to the blacklist."

"Unreasonable!" Bai Muchen slammed his phone onto the office desk, and the screen shattered instantly.

His face was livid, his chest heaving violently. "A bumpkin from Jiangcheng dares to talk to me like this? I think he's tired of living!"

Seeing this, the surrounding team members fell silent, and no one dared to step forward to dissuade him.

Bai Muchen took a deep breath, picked up his car keys, and walked out, gnashing his teeth. "Fine, you won't come, right? I'll go to Jiangcheng myself to meet you!"

Half an hour later, a black off-road vehicle drove out of the capital and sped towards Jiangcheng.

Bai Muchen slammed on the accelerator all the way, his face so gloomy it could drip water, already calculating in his mind how to make Zhou Liangan pay the price.

At the entrance of the Zhou Family villa in Jiangcheng, Zhou Family Head was greeting Bai Muchen with a smile, ushering him into the living room.

He was wearing a well-tailored suit, his hair combed meticulously, and his face was full of cautious flattery.

"Mr. Bai, you've had a hard trip, please sit." Zhou Family Head signaled the servant to serve tea. "Please drink some tea to calm your anger first. That unfilial son of mine was spoiled by me; he doesn't understand things. Please don't lower yourself to his level."

Bai Muchen sat on the sofa, legs crossed, his gaze scanning Zhou Family Head coldly, his tone carrying thick mockery. "Mr. Zhou is certainly good at teaching his son. To dare to directly insult someone from my Special Investigation Team, what great guts!"

Bai Muchen tapped his fingers on the sofa armrest. "I'm telling you, if your son doesn't kneel down and apologize to me today, this won't end! Not only will he be in trouble, but your Zhou Family in Jiangcheng shouldn't think about standing firm anymore!"

The smile on Zhou Family Head's face froze, and a flash of difficulty crossed his eyes.

He knew his son's personality—arrogant and unyielding. Asking him to kneel and apologize was harder than killing him.

But the other party was from the Special Investigation Team, representing the official side, and the Zhou Family couldn't afford to offend them.

Zhou Family Head was about to speak to persuade him, when a cold voice suddenly came from outside the door: "Are you worthy?"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Zhou Liangan walking in slowly.

He was wearing black casual clothes, his figure tall and straight, his brows and eyes carrying a hint of careless arrogance, his gaze as cold as ice.

The afterglow of the sunset fell on Zhou Liangan, but it couldn't warm the cold air around him at all.

Seeing Zhou Liangan, Bai Muchen stood up abruptly, his face sinking, anger instantly surging into his heart. "Zhou Liangan! You really are arrogant enough! But do you know who I am? Daring to be presumptuous in front of me, you are simply courting death!"

Zhou Liangan sneered, his gaze sweeping over Bai Muchen gloomily, the coldness in his eyes growing thicker. "A dog from the side branch of the Bai Family, and you dare to show off here?"

Zhou Liangan approached step by step, a faint sense of oppression radiating from his body. "Do you think that relying on the name of the Special Investigation Team, you can do whatever you want? I'm telling you, even if I kill you, the Bai Family will only treat it as losing an insignificant dog. They will never fall out with my Zhou Family. Do you believe it?"

"You are courting death!" Bai Muchen was poked in his sore spot, his face turning red. He suddenly circulated the spiritual power in his body, and a faint cyan halo appeared around him.

He was, after all, at the Spirit Guiding Realm, which wasn't bad among his peers. How could he tolerate such humiliation from a playboy from Jiangcheng?

Before Bai Muchen could finish speaking, he saw a burst of dazzling golden light erupt from Zhou Liangan's body. The golden light was brilliant, almost blinding people.

Zhou Liangan circulated the Tianji Qiankun Technique, his figure as fast as a ghost. The golden light drew an afterimage in the void, and the next second, he appeared in front of Bai Muchen.

Bai Muchen didn't even react. He just felt a blur before his eyes, followed by a huge pressure coming from the top of his head.

With a dull "thud," a size-43 foot stomped fiercely onto Bai Muchen's head, pressing Bai Muchen's face firmly against the cold floor.

"Ugh!" Bai Muchen groaned, wanting to circulate his Cultivation Technique to resist, only to find that his spiritual power was suppressed by a powerful force and could not be mobilized at all.

The next moment, Bai Muchen felt a bone-deep pain radiating from his limbs, as if his bones had been crushed.

"Ah—!"

A shrill scream echoed throughout the living room.

Zhou Family Head, who was not far away, saw this scene, dumbfounded, his face full of shock.

"Unfilial son, you..."

Zhou Family Head opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but was stopped by Zhou Liangan's cold gaze.

Zhou Liangan turned his head and swept a cold glance at him, his tone indifferent. "I'll handle my own business; no need for you to interfere."

Bai Muchen was stepped on the ground, his mouth and nose covered in dust, his vision blurred, but he was still stubborn, roaring incoherently: "Zhou Liangan... you are dead! The Special Investigation Team won't let you go! I will definitely make your Zhou Family... pay the price!"

Zhou Liangan sneered, applying slight force under his feet, and Bai Muchen's scream became even more shrill.

He slowly lifted his foot, then stomped fiercely onto Bai Muchen's chest again.

"Crack!"

A clear sound of bones breaking rang out, making everyone present feel scalp-numbing.

Bai Muchen spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes instantly unfocused, clearly having broken quite a few ribs.

Zhou Liangan looked down at Bai Muchen, his posture high and mighty, his eyes ice-cold. "Who do you think you are? Cannon fodder for the Special Investigation Team?"

Zhou Liangan's tone carried thick mockery. "You get paid a few thousand dollars a month, and you dare to come and show off in front of me? Haven't you thought that even your team leader doesn't dare to come and provoke me directly, and is still waiting for my next move? You, a small fry, what kind of life are you gambling with here?"

Bai Muchen coughed up a few mouthfuls of blood, his eyes filled with fear and unwillingness, but he could no longer speak a complete sentence.

Zhou Liangan withdrew his foot, walked over to the sofa, and sat down, crossing his legs. His tone returned to calm, "Considering you are from the Special Investigation Team and represent the face of the authorities, I will spare your life."

Zhou Liangan called out toward the door, "Come in."

Two bodyguards in black immediately walked in and bowed respectfully, "Young Master."

"Send him back to the provincial Special Investigation Team. Tell them that if they want to know about the Nangong Ruins, they should send someone who can make decisions to talk," Zhou Liangan instructed indifferently.

"Yes." The two bodyguards hoisted up the dying Bai Muchen and dragged him outside.

Along the way, Bai Muchen continued to curse intermittently, but it appeared exceptionally weak.

Zhou Family Head looked at his son's cold profile, wanting to speak but stopping himself.

He knew that this matter would definitely not end just like this; the Special Investigation Team would not let it go.

In the hospital ward of the provincial Special Investigation Team, Bai Muchen lay on the hospital bed, covered in bandages, his face pale as paper, with bloodstains still remaining at the corners of his mouth.

With tears streaming down his face, he accused Zhou Liangan of his "atrocities" to Li Feng and Si Liannan.

"Team Leader, Miss Si, you must uphold justice for me!" Bai Muchen cried heart-rendingly, deliberately concealing the fact that he had provoked and insulted Zhou Liangan first. He only claimed that he had been ordered to contact Zhou Liangan to cooperate with the investigation but was beaten by him for no reason. "That Zhou Liangan is too arrogant. He doesn't put our Special Investigation Team in his eyes at all. He even said that even if he killed me, the Bai Family wouldn't dare to do anything! This is an open provocation against the authorities; it is simply lawless!"

Li Feng stood by the hospital bed, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked, his expression extremely ugly.

He wore a black uniform, his face serious, veins bulging on his forehead. "Lawless! Truly lawless! Does this Zhou Liangan want to rebel? To dare treat someone from our Special Investigation Team like this, we must teach him a lesson!"

Si Liannan stood to the side with her arms crossed, her expression calm, with a trace of imperceptible disdain in her eyes.

She knew Bai Muchen's personality too well—conceited, impulsive, and fond of bullying others by relying on his status. This time, it must have been him who spoke rudely first, provoking Zhou Liangan.

To such a fool, Si Liannan felt that even an extra glance was a waste of time.

Li Feng naturally did not dare to hold Si Liannan accountable.

Si Liannan had a deep Family background, far beyond what a team leader of collateral descent like him could provoke.

He turned his head to look at Si Liannan, his tone softening slightly, with a hint of probing, "Miss Si, I heard that people from the Yu Family have arrived in the capital, seemingly because of that guy, Zhou Liangan."

Si Liannan nodded slightly, her tone indifferent, "Mm, it was written in the file. Back then, this Zhou Liangan seemed to have kidnapped the Yu Family's fifth Young Miss, Yu Shuier. I didn't expect the Yu Family not to pursue it now, but instead stand up for him. It seems this Yu Family fifth Young Miss's hobbies are indeed a bit peculiar."

These words carried a hint of mockery, but Li Feng did not dare to respond.

He knew how vast the Yu Family's influence was; even the Si Family had to give them some respect. With the Yu Family protecting Zhou Liangan, the implications were deep.

Li Feng hesitated for a moment and asked, "Then Miss Si, do you think we should still make contact with that Zhou Liangan now?"

Si Liannan sneered in her heart, silently cursing Li Feng as an old fox.

He was probing her, wanting to find out the attitude and rumors from above through her.

Yet Si Liannan still wore a gentle smile on her face, her tone casual, "Team Leader Li, pack up your things and prepare to return to the capital."

Upon hearing this, Li Feng's gaze tightened slightly, and he hurriedly asked, "Does Miss Si mean that the Yu Family is determined to protect Zhou Liangan this time?"

Si Liannan chuckled and said unhurriedly, "That is likely the meaning. To be able to make the Yu Family value him so much, even going so far as to personally step in, it seems that this Zhou Liangan hides a massive secret."

Li Feng's heart stirred, and his eyes flickered a few times.

He knew very well that for a collateral descendant like himself, the resources allocated in the Family were limited. Being able to climb to the position of Special Investigation Team leader relied entirely on his own step-by-step struggle.

This investigation of the Nangong Ruins was an opportunity for him. If he could dig up something useful, he might be able to obtain more resources.

Li Feng pondered for a moment, looked at Si Liannan, his tone carrying a hint of probing, "Regardless, the people above haven't explicitly asked us to return to the capital. Since we came to investigate the Nangong Ruins, we can't just return empty-handed. Perhaps if I personally make contact with Zhou Liangan, I can dig up some useful clues."

Si Liannan understood in her heart.

Li Feng had ambition and understood boundaries; he certainly would not let go of such an opportunity so easily.

With her provocation, Li Feng would most likely go to probe Zhou Liangan.

It seems things have turned out exactly as she expected!

The Si Family elders had long since issued instructions to use gentle means to approach Zhou Liangan, which in itself was a form of recognition of Zhou Liangan.

Si Liannan naturally would not tell Li Feng these things. In her eyes, Li Feng, like Bai Muchen, was just a pawn that could be utilized.

"Team Leader Li can decide for yourself." Si Liannan's tone was indifferent, without a clear stance, neither supporting nor opposing, "However, Zhou Liangan has an unruly nature, so Team Leader Li should be extra careful."

Li Feng nodded hurriedly, "Thank you for the reminder, Miss Si, I have my own sense of propriety."

The two exchanged a few more inconsequential words before turning and leaving the ward.

In the ward, Bai Muchen watched their departing backs, his eyes filled with resentment and helplessness.

That evening, Li Feng drove alone to Jiangcheng.

He arrived at a private restaurant.

The decor was simple, antique, and the environment quiet, very suitable for discussing matters.

Li Feng chose a private room by the window, ordered a few signature dishes, and waited patiently.

Not long after, Zhou Liangan pushed the door open and walked in.

He was still wearing black casual clothes, his expression indifferent. Upon seeing Li Feng, he showed no surprise at all and walked straight over to sit down.

"Young Master Zhou, sorry for the wait." A gentle smile appeared on Li Feng's face as he took the initiative to pour a cup of tea for Zhou Liangan, "Earlier, Bai Muchen was young and ignorant, and offended Young Master Zhou. I hope Young Master Zhou will not take it to heart."

Zhou Liangan looked up, his gaze sweeping casually over Li Feng. He picked up the teacup and took a sip, saying unhurriedly, "Young people are ignorant, I can choose not to hold it against them. But if someone of an advanced age is also ignorant and cannot weigh the gravity of a situation, that would be a bit ridiculous."

The smile on Li Feng's face did not change, but a bit of dissatisfaction rose in his heart.

Zhou Liangan's words were clearly meant to reprimand him.

"Young Master Zhou is right." Li Feng smiled, his tone sincere, "I came this time truly wanting to talk to Young Master Zhou about the Nangong Ruins. Our Special Investigation Team's original intention is just to understand the situation of the ruins, and we have no other meaning."

Zhou Liangan smiled, put down the teacup, leaned forward slightly, and his eyes became a bit sharper, "Team Leader Li, I am a straightforward person, and I don't beat around the bush. I'll speak directly if I have something to say; you don't have any objections, right?"

Li Feng nodded hurriedly, "Please speak, Young Master Zhou, I am all ears."

"I know you are all watching me, and also watching the Nangong Family's ruins." Zhou Liangan's tone was indifferent, his eyes calm and waveless, "But I can tell you very clearly: unless it is a descendant of the Nangong Family, it is absolutely impossible to bring out the true Legacy from the Nangong Family's ruins."

Li Feng raised an eyebrow, looking fixedly at Zhou Liangan, his heart filled with doubt, "Does Young Master Zhou mean… you did not obtain the true Legacy in the ruins?"

"That's right, I did not obtain the true Legacy of the Nangong Ruins." Zhou Liangan's tone was mysterious, "Furthermore, I can tell you a more shocking piece of news—that Eastern Heavenly King is very likely still alive!"

"What?" Li Feng's eyes widened suddenly, his face full of shock, almost unable to believe his own ears, "The Eastern Heavenly King was a Heavenly King from the Human Emperor era; how could he still be alive?"

Zhou Liangan smiled, his tone carrying a hint of playfulness, "I also discovered some clues in the ruins, which is why I made this conjecture. If you don't believe it, you can go and verify it. However, I must warn you: that Eastern Heavenly King does not have a very good temper. If you really disturb him and make him angry, I'm afraid you won't even know how you died when the time comes."

As Zhou Liangan said this, he stood up and straightened his clothes, his tone returning to indifference, "I have said everything I can say. As for whether you believe it or want to continue the investigation, that is your business."

After speaking, Zhou Liangan turned and left the restaurant without looking back.

Li Feng sat in his place, his expression changing uncertainly, with Zhou Liangan's words echoing repeatedly in his mind.

The Eastern Heavenly King is still alive?

This news was too shocking, making it difficult for him to digest for a moment.

He did not know whether what Zhou Liangan said was true or false, but he knew that this matter must absolutely not be taken lightly.

If the Eastern Heavenly King was truly still alive, then the entire landscape of the Cultivation world would likely change.

Zhou Liangan walked out of the private restaurant, and as the night breeze blew, it brought a chill.

He looked up at the night sky; the moonlight was hazy, the stars sparse, and his thoughts were manifold.

He originally did not want to easily reveal the matter of the Eastern Heavenly King, but Li Feng's arrival made Zhou Liangan change his mind.

Zhou Liangan knew that the Special Investigation Team would not give up easily; rather than letting them waste time on him, it was better to give them a more attractive target.

Just at this moment, Zhou Liangan's gaze was drawn to a black Rolls-Royce Phantom parked on the roadside not far away.

This car was worth a fortune, and the license plate was a special one from the capital; clearly, the car owner's status was extraordinary.

Just then, the rear door of the Phantom slowly opened.

A light and peerlessly beautiful figure stepped out of the car, instantly attracting all attention.

Si Liannan was wearing a white long dress, the hem of which fluttered gently with the wind, resembling a Fairy under the moon.

Her figure was tall and hot, with a slender waist and rounded hips, her perfect curves outlined incisively and vividly by the long dress.

Her skin was as fair as snow, her brows and eyes cold and otherworldly, her long eyelashes fluttering gently like butterfly wings, and her pair of beautiful eyes were as clear as water, yet carried a hint of elusive depth.

Her whole person was like a white lotus standing independent from the world, incomparably beautiful, yet carrying a cold temperament that kept people at a distance…

PS: The image shows Si Liannan.