Chapter 234: Merit

Yang Chen ignored Cai Ning's excitement and looked at the piece of paper in his hand. On it was written a set of geographic coordinates, which he presumed to be the location where Lin Ruoxi and Wang Difang were being held.

After pulling out his phone, Yang Chen contacted Rose.

"Honey, you finally contacted me. Is everything resolved?" Rose asked.

"Yeah, Rose. I need you to search a set of coordinates online for me and send people there for rescue," Yang Chen replied.

After providing Rose with the coordinates given by Banruo, Yang Chen hung up the phone. Looking up, he saw Cai Ning still standing motionless in front of him. Frowning, he said, "If you want to treat me as a criminal and take me to see your damn general, let me tell you directly: because of your and your sister's acquaintance with Ruoxi, I won't kill you, but I'll disable your martial arts skills."

"You're so domineering," Cai Ning knew Yang Chen was speaking the truth. In fact, if she could, she would immediately throw darts at this man!

Ignoring her, Yang Chen walked straight out of the woods along the path he came.

When he reached the car, Rose called. After all, Red Maple Society had branches all over Zhonghai, so finding people with coordinates was still quick.

"Honey, luckily we found out early; otherwise, it could've been disastrous," Rose said. "Where are they?" Although Yang Chen's face remained calm, his heart trembled continuously.

"They've been found by my men in the western district. They were fixed in a reservoir behind a water plant after being drugged. The reservoir is being filled with limited water. If we had arrived a minute later, they might have drowned," Rose said.

Yang Chen felt a surge of irritation. Clearly, the Tengu Trio dared to kill because if they hadn't disclosed the coordinates, Lin Ruoxi and Wang Ma would have drowned.

"Thank you, my dear Rose. Hand them over to the police in the western district," Yang Chen said, while mentally adding the Tengu Trio to his blacklist.

After hanging up the phone, Cai Ning, who had followed Yang Chen out, spoke up, "The general is very angry. He said he's very disappointed in you."

Yang Chen suddenly turned around, his eyes tinged with red blood vessels. "I'm going to the police station to see my wife and Wang Ma. You better not mention your damn general to me. He's scum in my eyes. If you dare mention him again, I'll go and kill him!"

The dense, ink-like murderous aura made Cai Ning instinctively take two steps back, speechless. Her eyes glistened with a hint of grievance, which she managed to suppress.

Yang Chen got into the car and immediately started driving towards the police station in the western district.

He needed to see Lin Ruoxi and Wang Ma safe before he could truly feel at ease. As for everything else, he couldn't afford to worry too much about it.

Cai Ning watched as Yang Chen drove off, lost in thought for a moment before reaching for an earpiece receiver.

"General, Yang Chen has left," she said.

"Yu Hua, you return to the branch now and strictly search the entire Zhonghai border. Don't let the Tengu Trio return to Sakamoto!" the General ordered.

"Yes, General. Lin Ruoxi was almost harmed. Do you need to visit her?" Yu Hua asked.

"No need. The main task is paramount."

"Understood."

"By the way, where is Yang Chen going now? Is he tracking the Tengu Trio?"

"He's going to the police station to see Ruoxi and Wang Ma."

Meanwhile, at the edge of a secluded hillside in the southern suburbs, the Tengu Trio stopped in their tracks. Confirming that no one was following them, all three showed excited expressions.

Tengu opened his palm, looking at the shimmering black stone with a dark light, and couldn't help but burst into wild laughter.

"We finally got it! We can ascend to godhood!"

Tanuki smirked as he approached Tengu, patting his shoulder and peering at the stone in Tengu's hand. "Tengu-sama, let me see. Is this stone really so remarkable?"

Tengu immediately retracted the stone into his garment, alertly saying, "Tanuki, this is obtained through my meticulous planning. I won't give it to anyone else until I hand it over to the leader."

"Oh, Tengu-sama, are you afraid I'll take advantage and steal your credit with Banruo? Are you so stingy, keeping it all to yourself? Perhaps you intend to keep it for yourself?" Tanuki sneered.

"Tanuki! You're slandering my loyalty to the leader! Don't challenge my patience!" Tengu retorted angrily.

Banruo interjected coldly, "Tengu, before coming here, the leader mentioned that although you succeeded, you acted against the leader's orders by acting on your own. Don't think you can escape the leader's punishment."

"Hmph, Banruo, although I like you, this time, as long as I hand over the stone to the leader, all charges won't be an issue. I will also ask the leader to turn you into my woman!" Tengu grinned.

Banruo's eyes flashed with a cold light. "I think you should give the stone to Tanuki."

"Why should I? I obtained the stone through my own efforts. Why should I give it to you two who have no abilities?" Tengu disdainfully replied.

"Hehe..." Tanuki chuckled strangely. "Why? Because you're about to die."

As the words fell, Banruo, who had been standing still, suddenly blurred! Tengu, as a fellow ninja, immediately realized that Banruo intended to assassinate him!

"Banruo! Is this how you want to go to hell?!"

A fierce light flashed in Tengu's eyes as he suddenly brandished a short blade that appeared in his hand, blocking it in front of him to the right.

"Clang!"

Banruo, who appeared out of nowhere, had her airborne downward strike intercepted by the horizontally held short blade.

Tengu sneered, about to push Banruo away forcefully, but suddenly his body trembled, and he collapsed to his knees weakly.

"Pff!"

A spurt of blood gushed out as Tengu yelled in pain, falling to the ground.

With a smirk on his face, Tanuki stepped on Tengu's chest. "Tengu, are you happy to get the god stone? You didn't even guard against my poison?"

Struggling to speak, Tengu's mind flashed with the scene of Tanuki patting his shoulder just now. Anger surged within him, and blood spurted out again.

"Hehe, Banruo, your poison works really well. This dog, although stupid, is as strong as an ox. Yet, he fell so quickly," Tanuki laughed uncontrollably.

Banruo bent down frostily, effortlessly taking the god stone from Tengu's hand. "Tengu, you've violated the leader's orders. Even if you seize the god stone, you're still a traitor to the organization. Let Tanuki and me handle the responsibility of handing over the god stone to the leader."

"Exactly, your vanishing technique might still be our burden since leaving Yanxia. Perhaps you'll be buried in this soil." Tanuki clapped, flattering Banruo, "Miss Banruo, could I have a look at the god stone?"

Banruo gave him a cold look and tossed the god stone to Tanuki.

"Indeed, being the leader's daughter, your demeanor is exceptional," Tanuki praised, playing with the god stone, greed flickering in his eyes.

Banruo sneered, "Tanuki, you'd better not play tricks. Besides the leader, no one in the organization knows how to use the god stone."

"I know, I know," Tanuki chuckled, "Miss Banruo, I'm just eager, hoping to transform into a god, hehe..."

In the desolate and chilly forest, Tanuki's sinister laughter echoed incessantly.

On the other hand, Yang Chen drove to the police station in the western district.

Since it wasn't his first time here, the officers knew he seemed to have some connection with the chief. Seeing Yang Chen stride in confidently, they didn't stop him.

Inside the main office, Yang Chen immediately saw Lin Ruoxi and Wang Ma, both sitting beside a large desk, cooperating with a police officer in giving their testimonies.

Because both of them were originally soaked, they had changed into temporary, simple clothes and were wearing police coats. However, Lin Ruoxi's hair remained wet, dripping down, her pretty face pale from the cold, and her expression appeared very weary.

As a good friend and also the chief's wife, Cai Yan had been accompanying them early on, looking concerned. When she saw Yang Chen walk into the office, a slight smile appeared on her face. "Yang Chen, you're here."

Wang Ma also turned to look at Yang Chen, smiling and calling him "son-in-law," but due to her age and the torment she had endured, her complexion wasn't looking good.

Lin Ruoxi seemed to not have heard anything, sitting quietly there without a word.

"Sorry for being late and letting you suffer," Yang Chen said, feeling pity as he saw the miserable looks of the two.

Lin Ruoxi lifted her head, her gaze somewhat absent as she looked at Yang Chen, and then she smiled somewhat bitterly. "We didn't know how we were kidnapped or how we returned. Even if you had arrived earlier, what difference would it make? We're just fated to be kidnapped like us."

Yang Chen had intended to be scolded by Lin Ruoxi or perhaps ridiculed, but at this moment, Lin Ruoxi not only didn't blame him, but also told him not to worry too much. Yang Chen felt uncomfortable.

"If I were at home, you wouldn't have been kidnapped. But saying this now is pointless," Yang Chen said firmly.

Lin Ruoxi shook her head gently. "Yang Chen, you don't need to blame yourself. Although I often get angry with you, I'm not an unreasonable woman. What happened was not caused by you. I didn't blame you for staying out overnight before we got married. That was your freedom. Our kidnapping has nothing to do with you. You should go back to work."

"Yeah, son-in-law, neither Miss nor I blame you. Those bad guys must have targeted our family's money. If you were at home, it would have been even more dangerous," Wang Ma also didn't want Yang Chen to blame himself.

Lin Ruoxi was an outstanding businesswoman. Even though she had been kidnapped, almost drowned, and disappeared without a trace, she still maintained a clear and rational view of everything.

As Yang Chen sighed, he could also feel the intentions of the two. Wang Ma had always been partial to him, but even Lin Ruoxi, who had always been cold to him, told him not to be sad. Yang Chen felt a piercing pain in his chest.

Perhaps she didn't love him, but she cared about his feelings. Yet he couldn't tell her that the real culprit behind their kidnapping was the thing in his hands!

Standing quietly beside them, with a somewhat sad expression, Cai Yan approached Yang Chen and said, "You've said almost everything that needed to be said before you came. Now Ruoxi and Wang Ma are both very tired. You should take them home."

Yang Chen nodded and went over to help Wang Ma stand up. Then he said to Lin Ruoxi, "Ruoxi, let's go home."

"Okay," Lin Ruoxi stood up and walked a few steps with Yang Chen before stopping, turning back, and saying to Cai Yan, "Yan Yan, we'll attend the party next week."

"Both of you?" Cai Yan was momentarily stunned, looking at Yang Chen, then seemingly questioning Lin Ruoxi.

Yang Chen asked puzzledly, "What party?"

"Let's talk about it when we get back. Let's go," Lin Ruoxi said lightly, bidding farewell to Cai Yan, then turned and walked out of the office.

☆ Chapter 239: Fondness for the Son-in-law

On the way back to the Dragon Garden Villa, starting from when they got into the car, Wang Ma began to sneeze, showing signs of catching a cold.

Back in the hall at home, Lin Ruoxi said worriedly, "Wang Ma, take some medicine and have a rest."

Wang Ma smiled palely and shook her head. "No need, Miss. You go rest in your room. You have to work and can't afford to be sick like me. I have a strong constitution. This little cold is nothing. After all the commotion at home, I need to check if anything valuable is missing."

"Wang Ma, don't check now. Look, everything seems fine. The one thing this house isn't short of is money. You should listen to Ruoxi and take some medicine and rest first," Yang Chen advised.

Wang Ma thought about it and looked around, seeing no changes. Feeling dizzy, she said, "Son-in-law, our family used to have just the two of us and didn't keep any medicine. I'll trouble you to go out and buy some."

Yang Chen naturally agreed. "Alright, Wang Ma, you and Ruoxi go upstairs to take a shower and change your clothes. I'll go out and buy some medicine and come back."

After saying that, he hurriedly ran out the door.

Wang Ma smiled and said to Lin Ruoxi, "Miss, the son-in-law must be feeling very guilty. He looked so heartbroken just now at the police station."

"Is that so? I didn't pay much attention," Lin Ruoxi said lightly. "I told him not to blame himself. If he insists on doing so, there's nothing I can do."

"That's because Miss is usually not very kind to the son-in-law. Now that you're suddenly so considerate, the son-in-law will surely feel even more sorry for Miss," Wang Ma coughed a couple of times and said with a smile. Lin Ruoxi frowned, "I'm not good to him usually. Now that I'm considerate to him, shouldn't he be happy?"

"That's because the son-in-law is different from other men. Even if Miss is not good to him, he doesn't mind. That's why it's turned out like this," Wang Ma sighed lightly and slowly went upstairs.

Lin Ruoxi stood quietly for a moment before following upstairs.

Meanwhile, as Yang Chen drove away from the villa, he pondered what medicine to buy for the two of them. Since he never fell ill, Yang Chen had no idea what medicines were effective. When he arrived at a private pharmacy, he was about to enter when someone called out to him from behind.

"Son-in-law, don't buy medicine here," a somewhat elderly voice said.

Yang Chen turned around, and standing before him was an old man dressed in a gray robe. Although such attire wasn't overly peculiar to walk around in, it did attract quite a bit of attention.

"It's you," Yang Chen squinted, recognizing the person as the one always by Lin Zhiguo's side in gray attire.

Since Grey Robe had arrived at the Central Sea, it was likely that Lin Zhiguo had also come.

The power of the Divine Stone was indeed immense, compelling the head general of the Yanhuang Iron Brigade to rush to the Central Sea urgently.

Grey Robe's expression was gentle, treating Yang Chen like an ordinary junior. "Take medicine, traditional Chinese medicine is better. There's a place nearby, let me take you there, sir."

Yang Chen fell silent for a moment, then nodded. Although he harbored resentment towards Lin Zhiguo, it didn't mean he would reject the old man's kindness out of hand. Even though Yang Chen was unfamiliar with the principles of medicine, he knew that traditional Chinese medicine was better for body regulation.

Following Grey Robe down a street, they reached a crossroads and found a renowned old-fashioned Chinese medicine shop.

Once inside, Grey Robe confidently recited a prescription, and the old pharmacist in the shop prepared it and handed it to Yang Chen.

Yang Chen paid the bill and said, "Thank you."

"You don't need to thank me, sir. It's what I should do," Grey Robe sighed. "Miss was kidnapped by the Yaqi Society, and we bear some responsibility. Sir, my master asked me to express his gratitude to you."

"Isn't he angry that I handed the Divine Stone to the Yaqi Society?" Yang Chen asked mockingly.

Grey Robe shook his head. "My master is indeed angry. The matter of the Divine Stone is of great significance; it affects the power distribution pattern of the whole world. If not handled properly, whether it's our Yanhuang Iron Brigade or other organizations of other countries, it will be a disaster."

"The ninjas of the Yaqi Society are best at lurking and escaping. You may not necessarily catch them," Yang Chen said with a smile.

"That's another reason why I came to see you," Grey Robe said solemnly. "We hope that you, sir, can help us track down the current whereabouts of the Divine Stone and help us kill those three."

"I don't want to have anything to do with the Divine Stone anymore, let alone make others think that I'm cooperating with you," Yang Chen refused. "The Divine Stone is no longer relevant to me. If you have the ability to take it back, then it means that the Divine Stone is destined to be with you. If it's used by the Yaqi Society, it can only mean that their luck is better than yours."

A glint flashed in Grey Robe's eyes. "Sir, are you saying that, regardless of who ultimately obtains the Divine Stone, you won't care?"

"That's right, I'm stepping out of the competition," Yang Chen nodded.

"Alright, it's settled then," Grey Robe sighed in relief. "Actually, the master also has concerns, worrying that if sir intervenes to reclaim the Divine Stone, our extensive search efforts would be in vain. Now that sir no longer intends to reclaim the Divine Stone, we can take our chances."

"Taking the Divine Stone wouldn't do me any good; it would only bring trouble to those around me," Yang Chen smiled wryly, waving his hand. "You go ahead and vie for it. I'm leaving; I still have to brew the medicine."

Grey Robe nodded with a smile. "Following the prescription, the cold can be dispelled overnight. Please give my regards to Miss Ruoxi."

Yang Chen nodded in understanding and left the pharmacy.

After Yang Chen left, Grey Robe took out a communicator and reported, "Master, sir has agreed not to participate in the competition for the Divine Stone."

"That's not surprising; after all, the Divine Stone doesn't hold much meaning for him anymore. I just didn't expect him to give up the Divine Stone for Ruoxi's sake."

"What's next, Master?"

"Come back. Since Yang Chen won't interfere, we must seize this opportunity. We absolutely cannot let Banruo and Lí return to Yamamoto."

"What about Tengu?"

"Tengu has been poisoned and disposed of; the body has been destroyed with bone powder, just received the test results."

"While Tengu was extremely powerful, his escape technique was their weak spot and our breakthrough. If it's only Banruo and Lí, capturing them will be much more difficult..."

"Regardless, whether we can proceed with the 'Creation of God' plan depends on this day and night's operation. If too much time passes, the Yaqi Society will inevitably send reinforcements. If they are taken by the Yaqi Society, it may create even more formidable enemies. Therefore, we absolutely cannot afford to be negligent!"

"Yes, Master."

Meanwhile, as Yang Chen drove back to the villa, he was in a good mood. He thought about whether he should bring back something else; after all, he felt somewhat guilty towards the two women at home.

After a moment of consideration, Yang Chen turned the car onto another street and bought a small gift.

As for the whereabouts of the Divine Stone and the clandestine struggle between the Yaqi Society and the Yanhuang Iron Brigade, it no longer held much significance for him. His thoughts were now focused on brewing the medicine; it was a fresh task he had never undertaken before.

In the kitchen of the villa, Yang Chen followed the steps of the prescription, taking out a crucible and brewing the medicine. After several tens of minutes, the scent of Chinese medicine had permeated the kitchen and wafted up to the second floor.

After taking a shower and changing clothes, Lin Ruoxi and Wang Mama smelled the aroma and walked downstairs from their rooms.

When they saw Yang Chen eagerly pouring medicinal soup into bowls, Wang Mama was slightly curious, while Lin Ruoxi seemed somewhat distracted.

"Sir, how did you think of buying Chinese medicine? Did you come up with this prescription yourself?" Wang Mama asked curiously.

Yang Chen placed two bowls of medicine on the table. "I don't know how to write prescriptions. It's a cold-expelling prescription written by the old pharmacist."

Yang Chen didn't mention Grey Robe because he knew that if he did, Lin Ruoxi would definitely refuse to drink the medicine.

"It's been many years since I drank medicine. I remember when Madam was here, whenever someone fell ill, Madam would send me to buy medicine, and she would personally brew it," Wang Mama reminisced. "I remember back then, Miss never wanted to drink medicine. I had to coax her every time to get her to drink it."

Looking at the brownish liquid on the table, Lin Ruoxi said, "Wang Mama, you drink it. I won't."

Yang Chen was astonished. "Why won't you drink it? You need to dispel the cold, or else you'll retain dampness in your body."

"Yes, Miss, sir has worked hard to brew it, so just drink a little," Wang Mama urged.

"I said I won't drink it, I'm afraid of bitterness, is that not allowed?!" Lin Ruoxi suddenly became irritable and turned to run back upstairs.

Yang Chen hurried into the kitchen and grabbed a small plastic bag, calling out to Lin Ruoxi on the stairs, "Darling, be a good girl and drink the medicine, and I'll give you some glutinous rice balls!"

Lin Ruoxi's footsteps stopped in the middle of the stairs, her shoulders trembling slightly. Suddenly, she turned around, her eyes red, and shouted, "Jerk!" Then, without looking back, she ran back into her room.

"Uh..."

Yang Chen stood there dumbfounded, not understanding what had just happened. Wasn't she fond of eating glutinous rice balls the most? He even took a detour to buy them on his way back. Could the medicine really be that bitter?

Wang Mama's face revealed a hint of bitter nostalgia. Seeing Yang Chen's puzzled expression, she said, "Sir, Madam used to coax Miss into taking medicine with glutinous rice balls like this. Your action reminded Miss of Madam."

Yang Chen fell silent, not expecting his unintentional actions to evoke emotions of sadness and longing in Lin Ruoxi twice. No wonder she looked like she was about to cry.

"In that case, Wang Mama, you drink the medicine. If Ruoxi doesn't want to, there's nothing we can do," Yang Chen said helplessly, smiling. "It seems like I'll be the target of her cold stare for a few more days."

Wang Mama smiled. "I don't see it that way. Miss might just like you a little more."

"Because I reminded her of her grandmother?" Yang Chen asked.

"Rather than saying you reminded her of Madam, it's more like Miss feels your concern for her. Being able to do this shows that you truly care about her," Wang Mama said.

Yang Chen felt embarrassed. "That sounds weirdly cheesy. It's just buying a few rice balls. If she wanted to eat shark fin and bird's nest, I wouldn't buy them."

But just as Yang Chen was about to take Lin Ruoxi's bowl of medicine back to the kitchen to discard it, Lin Ruoxi's bedroom door suddenly opened again.

Lin Ruoxi, still with reddened eyes, looked down from upstairs, her rosy lips slightly pursed, as if she had just cried with grievances. Compared to her usual icy demeanor, she looked a bit cute.

"What are you doing, Yang Chen? Are you going to pour it away? I haven't drunk it yet. Do you want me to fall ill and not be able to get up?"