Chen Yang agrees to retrieve resources stored by the former alliance hierarch. He is given instructions and a special seal to identify himself. Chen Yang travels to the provincial city with He Xiran, noting the increased presence of Blood Bat Hall members. They arrive at Longke Pharmaceutical Group, where the chairman, Yi Dingxiang, has agreed to meet them.
"Oh, understood, you may depart now." Yi Dingxiang glanced up at Chen Yang and He Xiran before smiling and signaling the waitress to leave.
"Certainly, Mr. Yi." The waitress bowed and withdrew, leaving only Chen Yang, Yi Dingxiang, and He Xiran within the private office.
"Please, have a seat, both of you." Yi Dingxiang stood to usher them in.
"Alright." Chen Yang unhesitatingly moved to sit at the desk alongside He Xiran.
Yi Dingxiang then took his own seat.
"I don't recall meeting either of you before. What brings you here today?" Yi Dingxiang inquired calmly, clasping his hands on the desk and fixing his gaze upon Chen Yang and He Xiran.
Prior to their arrival, Chen Tianmin had given Chen Yang specific instructions.
The individual before them was trustworthy; there was no need for excessive questioning. Their primary objective was to make the other party believe their identities.
Thus, Chen Yang spoke directly, bypassing any preamble. "Mr. Yi, while we don't know you personally, a senior acquaintance directed us to seek you out."
Upon hearing this, Yi Dingxiang's expression shifted subtly.
"A senior acquaintance?"
"Yes, he holds you in high esteem and mentioned that he had entrusted certain items to your care. He requires those items urgently and has appointed me to retrieve them," Chen Yang elaborated slowly.
Listening to Chen Yang's explanation, Yi Dingxiang's countenance altered significantly.
However, these changes were extremely subtle, almost imperceptible unless one was paying exceptionally close attention.
"May I inquire about the name of this senior you are referring to?" Yi Dingxiang asked after a moment of silence.
Without any hesitation, Chen Yang immediately uttered the name of the former Alliance Hierarch.
As the name was spoken, Yi Dingxiang's expression underwent a much more pronounced transformation.
"I do not know the individual you speak of!" Yi Dingxiang declared, flatly denying any acquaintance.
Chen Yang was not taken aback by this response.
Considering the recent turmoil the Chou Alliance had faced, it was only natural for Yi Dingxiang to exercise caution.
"Mr. Yi, might I trouble you to examine this?"
Chen Yang produced the seal that Chen Tianming had given him from his pocket.
Upon sight of the seal, Yi Dingxiang's demeanor shifted once more.
He accepted the seal, scrutinizing it meticulously. After confirming its authenticity, he took a deep breath and stated, "So, it is true that the eldest brother has sent you."
Chen Yang offered a slight smile. "Indeed."
"How are the eldest brother and the others faring? Is the Chou Alliance still secure?" Having verified Chen Yang's credentials, Yi Dingxiang's guarded posture softened, replaced by palpable concern for the alliance's welfare.
Observing Yi Dingxiang's reaction, Chen Yang felt a sense of relief wash over him internally.
It appeared his uncle's judgment was accurate; Yi Dingxiang could indeed be relied upon.
"Regrettably, the Hierarch was slain by the Blood Bat Hall. However, some of our members are currently safe," He Xiran, who had remained silent until now, interjected.
"What?! The eldest brother... he..." Yi Dingxiang exclaimed, his voice laced with profound shock.
"Mr. Yi, our Chou Alliance was betrayed by a traitor, resulting in immense casualties. The Hierarch sacrificed himself to hold off the Blood Bat Hall, ensuring our escape. We are in desperate need of cultivation resources to regroup and seek vengeance." As He Xiran recounted the events, tears welled in her eyes.
Following his initial astonishment, Yi Dingxiang too displayed a sorrowful expression.
"Eldest brother... how could he have left us so soon?" Yi Dingxiang lamented sorrowfully.
"Mr. Yi, the Hierarch died protecting us. Rest assured, our Chou Alliance will absolutely avenge him! Once we have recovered our strength, the Blood Bat Hall will pay," He Xiran vowed solemnly.
"Yes! The eldest brother dedicated his life to combating the Blood Bat Hall. Without avenging him, I, Yi Dingxiang, would be unworthy!" Yi Dingxiang declared through gritted teeth, his eyes reddened.
After a few moments of shared grief, Yi Dingxiang's agitated emotions gradually subsided.
At this juncture, Chen Yang steered the conversation back to the matter of resources.
He recognized that the provincial city remained a perilous location, teeming with members of the Blood Bat Hall.
To avoid further delays, relocating to Liuhe Village as swiftly as possible was paramount for their safety.
When Chen Yang brought up the resources the former Hierarch had left behind, Yi Dingxiang nodded in confirmation.
"The eldest brother did indeed leave some items with me. However, they are not stored at this office. I've secured them in a villa located on the outskirts for safekeeping," Yi Dingxiang stated.
Hearing that the items were located on the outskirts, both He Xiran and Chen Yang instantly felt a greater sense of security.
"The outskirts? So, what are you proposing?" Chen Yang inquired.
Yi Dingxiang pondered for a moment before responding. "Given the current situation, with the provincial city overrun by Blood Bat Hall members, everywhere is compromised. How about this: you provide me with a destination, and I can arrange for someone to transport all the resources there, disguised as a regular delivery."
"This..." Upon hearing the suggestion, He Xiran considered it. If the resources could be transported under the guise of company cargo, it would indeed seem significantly safer.
However, Chen Yang found it a bit excessive and stopped He Xiran. "Mr. Yi, the outskirts are already sufficiently secure; such precautions are unnecessary. Simply providing the villa's location would suffice. We can arrange a time tonight for someone to retrieve it."
"That can also work," Yi Dingxiang readily agreed. He then added, "Perhaps I should arrange for you to rest first, and we can reconvene this evening."
"There's no need, Mr. Yi. Xiran and I still have matters to attend to here, so we won't impose any further," Chen Yang politely refused once more.
"Very well then."
Yi Dingxiang didn't prolong the conversation, merely finalizing the evening's arrangements before Chen Yang and He Xiran departed from his company.
"Chen Yang, why didn't we just let Mr. Yi deliver it directly? Wouldn't that have been safer?"
