Targeting sects and schools

Lian Ming spoke seriously, "You should know that with this victory over the Law Enforcement Department, the JRA's next target will be the private organizations in Suqui Town."

Upon noticing Dai Zedong's eyes twitching upon hearing Lian Ming mention this matter, she was internally pleased and continued, "…The JRA will use their intelligence and influence to gain control over you slowly. They might even target your families or comrades."

"That's indeed a huge issue," Dai Zedong spoke with an ugly complexion.

Lian Ming spoke out, "I am willing to use my contacts in the Law Enforcement Department to protect your family and comrades. You can maintain your prestige in the Trade Union through my help. In fact, I am even willing to ignore those shady deals as long as you don't go too far. However, in return, I need the names of corrupt merchants through your connections. This works out for you since you can put your competitors behind bars," Lian Ming spoke.

Dai Zedong was startled to hear this proposal. He asked, "…This is an exciting proposal. However, Mrs. Lian, you need to understand that I didn't reach this position by losing myself to greed. I wish to understand why a virtuous officer like you is striking such a deal with me."

Lian Ming expected this question. However, she stood up and spoke, "The circumstances have changed, and I want a promotion quickly. If you want this deal, then contact me. Otherwise, I will just look for someone else."

Dai Zedong's eyes widened as he suddenly started laughing, "Haha…You are really daring. Are you not worried that I will share this news with the board of directors?"

Lian Ming smiled upon hearing that question and responded, "Sir Dai isn't so stupid. If you do that, you will only be helping me. You will never know just who I am supporting. I could even begin to support your competitors. I don't think Sir Dai wants to see that occur."

"That is true. Having Mrs. Lian from the Law Enforcement Department as an adversary will indeed make things troublesome for me. I will lose more than I will gain," Dai Zedong spoke with a wry smile.

"…Very well. I agree to this deal, Mrs. Lian. Let's put it in writing as soon as possible," Dai Zedong spoke.

Dai Zedong was thrilled to receive this proposal from Lian Ming. His position was a bit unstable, and he would naturally be happy to see those individuals behind bars.

Lian Ming was delighted to hear these words and nodded. She headed out of the Trade Union quickly enough.

She was compelled to join hands with Dai Zedong as she wanted to quickly recover her prestige by solving a series of crimes. Moreover, an ally like Dai Zedong would only be helpful to her in the long term.

This would also help her deal with the Mayor's schemes.

However, just a single ally was still insufficient to deal with the JRA and the Mayor. She had to visit the other organizations.

~~

After agreeing to join her faction, Long Chen had a lengthy discussion about the future plan with Ren Yue and Grandpa Mo.

"Firstly, I believe it would be best if Miss Ren invests half of her wealth in setting up businesses across her entire territory. You must not manage those businesses yourself but select a faithful merchant who will help you oversee this. I will check these results personally."

Both Ren Yue and Grandpa Mo were in agreement with Long Chen.

"Secondly, you must investigate the schools and sects nearby. I believe that the Storm Desert Sect is worth looking into," Long Chen spoke seriously.

Ren Yue and Grandpa Mo were puzzled to hear these words.

"But we don't have enough influence to deal with a sect or a school. Won't we be wasting our resources? We should use our resources to investigate the Jin Family," Grandpa Mo spoke with a frown.

Long Chen shook his head, "Investigating the Jin Family currently doesn't help us. Even if we find out a secret, we cannot take action against the Jin Family. Thus, we should find more allies. And you misunderstand my words when I advise you to investigate a sect or a school."

"What do you mean?" Grandpa Mo asked.

"I want you to investigate the disciples in these sects and secretly support them. We will target the most talented disciples or disciples with unique backgrounds. It should be easy to leave a favorable impression on them as long as we deal with any trouble they face," Long Chen said with a smile.

"Investigating these sects and schools to find out their talented disciples and disciples with unique backgrounds will be easy. But how will we deal with their troubles?" Ren Yue asked with a puzzled expression.

She thought that her faction had enough troubles as it was. They had neither the resources nor the time to help someone else.

"Miss Ren, that's very easy. But it depends on you," Long Chen spoke while gazing at her.

"Me?" Ren Yue asked.

"Yes. I need you to use all your connections to find out just who is currently learning martial arts in these sects," Long Chen spoke. He quickly added, "I have no connections to people in sects, But I do have some connections in the nearby schools, so that you can leave it to me."

"Hmm. I do have a few friends in the nearby sects. In fact, my maid's daughter is also studying in the Storm Desert Sect that you mentioned earlier."

As he heard this statement, a broad smile appeared on Long Chen's face. He spoke, "Good. Please try to contact her as soon as possible. Meanwhile, I will contact my acquaintances in the school."

"…Alright," Ren Yue didn't really understand what Long Chen was planning, but she felt it would only benefit her.

"We should change our residence as well. Miss Ren's earlier screams might have caught the neighbor's attention and alerted the Law Enforcement Department. Due to a low number of officers, it will take some time for the Law Enforcement Department to investigate this matter, but they will definitely do so," Long Chen spoke.

Ren Yue and Grandpa Mo agreed with his analysis. In fact, they were thinking the same and planned to mention it soon.

"I have it all planned. We will head to my personal manor in the most expensive area of this town," Ren Yue spoke proudly.

Grandpa Mo spoke, "Alright. Let's leave after dusk."

"Mhm~" Ren Yue agreed readily.

Long Chen was also in complete agreement.

On that same day, they all relocated to Ren Yue's manor.

From the outside, this manor looks posh and extravagant. It has been built with brown bricks and has white pine wooden decorations. Small, octagon windows add to the overall style of the manor and have been added to the mansion in a very symmetric way.

This manor has three floors with ten rooms on each floor. All these rooms have a similar design except for the master bedroom.

Each room is equipped with a bathroom, while there is a common hall and kitchen on each floor.

The building is shaped like a squared S. The two extensions extend into a garden path to each side.

The roof is high and slanted to one side and is covered with brown roof tiles. One small chimney pokes out the center of the roof. Several long, thin windows let plenty of light into the rooms below the ceiling.

The manor itself is surrounded by a gorgeous garden, including various trees, bushes, flowers, and a large pond.

Ren Yue assigned a room to Long Chen and Grandpa Mo before deciding to rest in the master bedroom. Hu Jie and Peng Gen were also given their private rooms. All their rooms were on the ground floor.

The next day, when Long Chen woke up, he noticed Grandpa Mo heading out of the manor.

"Where are you going, Grandpa Mo?" He asked curiously.

Almost instantaneously, Grandpa Mo responded, "I am heading out to fulfill young lady's commands. Firstly, I need to inform her maids to come to this house. Secondly, I will be searching for trustable and talented merchants who require investment."

Soon, Grandpa Mo asked, "And what about you?"

"I am returning to my house. I will be wearing my uniform and heading to the prison. I need to submit my resignation letter, or else Captain Lian Ming might start searching for me. It will be a bit troublesome if she realizes that I am the one who freed Miss Ren," Long Chen casually explained.

"…This is indeed important. When will you be back?" Grandpa Mo asked cautiously.

"Before noon, I think," Long Chen spoke.

"Alright," Grandpa Mo seemed satisfied by his answer.

The two soon went separate ways.

Just as Long Chen spoke, he entered his house and wore his uniform before heading towards the prison.