Chapter 1650: Chapter 959: Reunion with an Old Friend (Part 2)
"These photos were all taken at the scene. Our first investigation team to arrive was also terrified by the sight. It was practically a living hell. Some people weren’t fully dead at that time, and... still retained a part of their human consciousness," Captain Zheng explained.
To be honest, the scene before him gave Yang Xiao a sense of déjà vu, remarkably similar to when he used his Ghost Bamboo Stick to kill.
Now Yang Xiao couldn’t help but suspect the seemingly casual remark by Wu Qingcang, who once said he felt a connection with this Chen Nang.
Yang Xiao handed the photos back to Captain Zheng, "These photos absolutely cannot be spread out; the impact would be too severe."
"Of course, it’s top secret. As soon as our people arrived, they sealed off the scene. After sampling the corpses, all those mutated bodies were incinerated, including the Chamber of Commerce team," Captain Zheng reassured Yang Xiao.
"Is there a way to escape such a curse if encountered?" Yang Xiao asked.
"There is, but it’s very difficult. We’ve experimented with using a dispelling magic tool to forcibly disperse the curse, but it’s only effective in the initial stage of curse infection. If limbs have already turned into trees, then it’s too late."
"But we all know that dispelling magic tools are extremely rare. We couldn’t find a second one in the entire Nanzhe Province Public Office, so we mainly focus on protection against such abilities," Captain Zheng said.
Yang Xiao slightly furrowed his brows, "By the way, before I came, Chief Wu mentioned that Chen Nang had hurt people here, including a few prisoners and some management personnel."
"That’s right, it was due to his ability, but it didn’t cause any severe consequences. He had no intention to kill, and the extent of curse influence on these people was minimal, so we didn’t make things difficult for him," Captain Zheng replied.
"I want to see him," Yang Xiao said.
"Sure, would you like me to accompany you?" Captain Zheng inquired.
"No need, we’ve met before. He won’t harm me," Yang Xiao politely declined Captain Zheng’s offer.
With Captain Zheng’s arrangements, Yang Xiao donned a special protective suit, passed through several gates, and finally appeared in front of Chen Nang.
Chen Nang was still sitting dazedly by his bedroom bed, while outside his bedroom was the observation room, separated by a specially made transparent glass.
The glass was one-way; Yang Xiao could see inside from his side, but Chen Nang inside couldn’t see out.
However, when Yang Xiao pressed the button on the wall, the special material of the "glass" turned two-way. Yang Xiao pulled down the intercom hanging on the wall and began speaking, "Chen Nang, we meet again."
Upon hearing the familiar voice, Chen Nang slowly lifted his head, his gaze hollow like an animal caged in a zoo. But upon seeing who it was, the hollow eyes focused immediately.
"It’s you!" Chen Nang blinked, immediately stood up from the ground, hurriedly walked to the transparent glass, eyes fixed tightly on Yang Xiao.
"I told you, we would meet again," Yang Xiao displayed an inscrutable smile, his gaze slowly surveying Chen Nang’s bedroom and adjacent study room, clicking his tongue, "Living quite well, aren’t you? Still enjoying pizza and Kentucky Fried Chicken, I forgot, is today Thursday?"
Chen Nang, being very clever, saw Yang Xiao appear in front of him. Recalling the words spoken about him on the mission, Chen Nang affirmed that Yang Xiao had an unusual identity, "Chu Xi, you’re from the Patrol Defense Office, right? Help me, let them release me, okay? I’m innocent, I’m truly innocent!!"
"That’s a bit difficult. But don’t worry too much; I’ve talked to them, they won’t lock you up for life. If you behave well, maybe another twenty or thirty years and it will be over, endure a little longer," Yang Xiao consoled.
Hearing this, Chen Nang almost cried, "Another twenty or thirty years, they’ve already locked me up for 7 years! I worked for the Patrol Defense Office, what did I do wrong?!"
"If I hadn’t acted decisively, now... whether Cloud City could still be preserved is uncertain! What did I do wrong? What did I do wrong?!" Chen Nang pounded desperately on the transparent glass, but to no avail.
"If you’re not here to save me, are you here to laugh at me?" Seeing his hopes dashed, Chen Nang was about to break down; over the years, he’d barely seen anyone.
Having interacted with Chen Nang before, Yang Xiao knew what kind of person he was. Releasing him straight away was not feasible. A mix of encouragement and deterrence was the best strategy, as liberating him would also entail costs for Yang Xiao, who never made a losing deal.
"I have a rough understanding of your situation too. It’s quite unjust for you. Seeing that we’ve collaborated before, I’m willing to help you, but..." Yang Xiao hesitated.
"But what, tell me, as long as you can get me out, you name the condition!" Chen Nang grasped at this lifeline desperately.
"You need to work for me after getting out, for a three-year term, during which you cannot voice any Resentment. Once the term ends, I’ll grant you freedom," Yang Xiao said with hands clasped behind his back, imitating Nalan Shuo as he instructed a subordinate.
"Okay, I promise you! I promise you!!" Chen Nang lay against the glass door, his eyes brightened.
"I haven’t even mentioned what I want you to do, and you agree?" Yang Xiao couldn’t help but laugh.
"As long as you get me out, I’ll agree to anything, even help you snatch Miss Jiang!" In his quest for freedom, Chen Nang was speaking indiscriminately.
Yang Xiao’s face turned awkward, then he angrily said, "Don’t talk nonsense, what do you take me for?!"
Seeing Yang Xiao displeased, Chen Nang immediately cooled down, not daring to offend Yang Xiao at this critical moment, as this might be his last chance.
"I don’t just take anyone; you’re well aware of your circumstances. Rescuing you involves significant risk. What can you offer me?" Yang Xiao displayed a businessman’s demeanor.
"I... I am a Ghost-level Apostle, very strong. I have a lot of experience dealing with supernatural phenomena. You can check my records if you don’t believe me," Chen Nang said anxiously.
"Whether you’re strong or not needs to be tested. Let’s do it this way; I’ll give you a chance to demonstrate. My back’s been hurting these days, so I’m not moving much. I’ll come back in a few days when I’m free. If you can withstand thirty moves against me, I’ll consider taking you in," Yang Xiao turned and began to leave, waving his hand, "Let it be, I’m not disturbing your rest anymore."
Seeing Yang Xiao about to leave, Chen Nang was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, nearly kneeling before Yang Xiao through the glass wall, "Chu Xi, Brother Chu, give a brother a hand, give a brother a hand!!"
"I will return." In Chen Nang’s nearly desperate gaze, Yang Xiao’s silhouette vanished behind the door.
As Yang Xiao’s silhouette disappeared completely, it was as if someone had extracted Chen Nang’s bones. His body leaned against the glass wall, slowly sliding down until he slumped to the ground, the light in his eyes extinguished once more.
"Step"
"Step"
"Step"
In contrast to Chen Nang, Yang Xiao’s footsteps were much lighter. He had confirmed this was indeed the person he needed.
However, before taking him in, Yang Xiao had to give him a bit of a warning. From the materials provided later by Captain Zheng, Yang Xiao discovered one key piece of information.
Initially, before slaughtering the village, Chen Nang had the opportunity to spend some time contacting the scattered team members nearby and coordinate through them with the Provincial Office, but he didn’t. He chose to complete the task on his own.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to involve his teammates; he was simply greedy for credit.
Chen Nang is a very smart person. He completely understood that accomplishing this task would not only earn him merits but also make him shine in front of the Provincial Office and secure a promising future for himself.
Things turned out as he expected, but what he hadn’t accounted for was the presence of people from the Chamber of Commerce in the village, which led to his downfall.
Yang Xiao didn’t need subordinates greedy for achievements and prone to rashness, as such persons often ruin things at crucial moments.
The achievements could only belong to Yang Xiao himself; Chen Nang must understand this principle.
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