NOVPUBThe assassin, named Zhao Gang, was currently enduring intense pain as if his body were being stabbed by tens of thousands of needles. His lips trembled slightly, and only with great difficulty did he manage to squeeze out words between clenched teeth, "It’s a middle-aged man named Lin Yu—he’s attempting to put Jiang Wanli to death."
"He was extremely generous in his dealings, offering us a full five million just to take Mr. Jiang’s life."
Upon hearing this, Chen Nan’s eyebrows knit slightly, "Why would he want to attack Mr. Jiang with such malice? What deep hatred exists between them?"
Zhao Gang shook his head laboriously, as if the action used up all of his strength, and beads of sweat the size of soybeans continuously rolled down his forehead, "We truly have no knowledge of the specifics. We were simply following orders."
"This Lin Yu, in the provincial city, is someone who can shake heaven and earth with a stomp of his foot. He always operates in utter secrecy, and we underlings dare not gossip or inquire."
"All we know is that he seems to covet Mr. Jiang’s company and aims to use such ruthless means to clear the obstacles in his way."
Jiang Yan listened quietly, her heart full of doubts and fury, "Although my dad has some competitors in the business world, how did he end up in the crosshairs of this Lin Yu from the provincial city?"
Chen Nan reached out gently and patted Jiang Yan’s shoulder in an attempt to soothe her emotions, "Don’t worry just yet. Now that we have identified the mastermind behind the scenes, we have a direction for our investigation."
"I will thoroughly investigate his motives and seek justice for Mr. Jiang."
Chen Nan then turned his gaze sharply toward Zhao Gang, his voice cold as steel, "You all had better scram. If I ever run into you again, don’t blame me for disregarding the codes of the underworld and exacting justice on behalf of heaven by eradicating you evildoers."
No sooner had he spoken than Chen Nan’s thoughts shifted, and the Gu Insects previously wreaking havoc within Zhao Gang’s body retreated rapidly like obedient soldiers.
Zhao Gang, as if he had received a royal pardon, thanked profusely, "Thank you, Taoist, for sparing my life. Thank you, Taoist, for sparing my life."
With that, he propped up his scarred body, clenched his teeth, and stood up with difficulty, leading a few subordinates away like dogs that had lost their homes, disappearing into the vast night.
Chen Nan very much wanted to bring them to justice.
But he knew that doing so would certainly alert the enemy.
He planned to let Zhao Gang return and inform Lin Yu, for if Lin Yu knew that his plot had failed because of Chen Nan, he would surely become furious and send people for retaliation.
In that way, Chen Nan could follow the trail to probe further into Lin Yu’s identity and background, as well as the real reason behind his determination to eliminate Jiang Wanli.
In short, he intended to actively divert this dangerous firepower for Jiang Wanli.
"Chen Nan, what should we do now?" Jiang Yan asked, her face full of worry.
Chen Nan, however, threw out an unexpected question, "Are you afraid of snakes?"
Jiang Yan was taken aback by this sudden question, instinctively licking her luscious, flushed lips, "Why fear snakes when they are such a delicacy?"
Pfft! Chen Nan almost spat out a mouthful of blood in surprise, clearly not expecting Jiang Yan to provide such a unique answer.
It seemed that this girl was even more unconventional and distinctive in her ways than he had imagined.
With that thought, Chen Nan silently delivered an order to the Gu Insect within him. n𝚘𝚟pub.𝚌o𝚖
A moment later, chilling hissing sounds emanated from all around, as if whispers from hell itself.
The wild grass nearby also rustled as if violently shaken by an invisible hand.
Seeing this, Jiang Yan’s heart filled with an ominous premonition. She instinctively clutched Chen Nan’s arm tightly, her eyes filled with wariness as she looked around.
The next moment, her pupils dilated sharply, her voice trembling, "How can there be so many poisonous snakes here?"
Although Jiang Yan was fond of snake soup on ordinary days, when she witnessed dozens of venomous snakes hissing and flicking their tongues, she couldn’t help but feel a chill up her back, a coldness shooting up from the soles of her feet to her heart.
"I’m worried that Lin Yu won’t let things go easily, and since I can’t always be by your side to protect you, why don’t you pick one of these poisonous snakes for self-defense? I promise it won’t harm you in the slightest!" Chen Nan’s face bore a faint smile, which seemed somewhat profound in this eerie atmosphere.
Jiang Yan’s beautiful eyes sparkled with disbelief as she looked at Chen Nan in astonishment, "So, are all these poisonous snakes summoned by you? Is this the legendary Mystical Sect’s method? It’s simply amazing!"
"You could say that," Chen Nan said with a smile and did not elaborate further. The real Mystical Sect powers could only be used after reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage; this was merely a trifling trick of lesser paths and techniques.
Fighting back her excitement, Jiang Yan eventually chose a tender green bamboo viper. Although it contained poison, its toxicity wasn’t very strong.
However, to Chen Nan, this was nothing to worry about. He commanded the king of all Gu Insects to infuse its toxicity into the bamboo viper, and the next moment, the snake’s body began to twist on the ground.
The entire process lasted for almost two minutes.
When it stopped twisting, the bamboo viper’s eyes turned blood-red, in stark contrast to before, making it appear quite demonic.
"From now on, let this bamboo viper accompany you," Chen Nan ordered the bamboo viper, and the next moment, it sprung up and coiled around Jiang Yan’s wrist, resembling an expensive piece of jewelry.
It could serve as an ornament as well as for protection.
If she faced the same situation as today, the bamboo viper could instantly release deadly venom to ensure Jiang Yan’s safety.
Seeing that it was getting late, Chen Nan hesitated for a moment before saying, "Shall we head back?"
"Sure!" Jiang Yan didn’t lift her head, looking at the bamboo viper on her left wrist as if it were a treasured possession.
Because snakes are cold-blooded creatures, the bamboo viper emitted a cool sensation that she found very comfortable.
Afterward, Chen Nan packed up the tent and canopy, drove Jiang Yan back to Jizhou, and dropped her off at her house. He didn’t stay long but drove straight to the hospital where Jiang Wanli was.
After a day of recuperation, Jiang Wanli’s complexion had gotten noticeably rosier, and at that moment, he was flirting with his female secretary in the hospital room.
Upon learning of Chen Nan’s arrival, his face flushed as he asked the female secretary to leave the room.
"Mr. Jiang, still sharp as ever, I see!" Chen Nan joked with a smile.
Jiang Wanli’s face turned red, and he couldn’t help but say, "Mr. Chen, what brings you here so late? Did those people give you any trouble?"
"I drove them off," Chen Nan replied offhandedly, then continued, "I learned the identity of the person behind it all from them. His name is Lin Yu, do you recognize him?"
"Why is it him?" Jiang Wanli’s pupils quivered intensely, his expression grew solemn, as if he deeply feared the other’s identity.
