Chapter 767: Chapter 767

Whatever little scheme Zhang Liang devised, there was no way he could keep it from Ding Fan.

Before boarding the ship, Zhang Liang had made a phone call to Zhunxing, and Ding Fan's Divine Sense detected it early on…

Even the method Zhang Liang used to unlock his phone was known to Ding Fan, so what secrets could Zhang Liang possibly have?

"The person you want to kill, we can't touch him… We will refund the deposit you made…" Zhang Liang's speakerphone was on, and everyone present could hear it clearly.

"I… I'm not involved in this," Du Lei hastily stood out and said. "All of this was Zhang Liang's idea, I was just running errands…"

Ding Fan looked coldly at Du Lei. "Although being an accomplice is not a major crime, you will still have to spend a few days in jail eating free food."

At this moment, Du Lei started to panic. Knowing that he was young and flourishing in his career, if he got arrested now, his whole future would be ruined.

"I… I want to be a tainted witness… I will expose Zhang Liang for hiring someone to commit murder, even trafficking women, and the murders at Lao Niu Bay, I can prove all of it… I want to be a tainted witness."

Remembering something he had seen in a movie, Du Lei spilled all he knew about Zhang Liang… being a tainted witness could significantly reduce his guilt.

"Du Lei, you damn fool!" Zhang Liang really burst into tears at that moment.

Even if he was guilty of hiring someone to commit murder, it wasn't a capital crime. He would likely be jailed for just a few years before being released.

But now, Du Lei, in an attempt to clear his name, had spilled all the beans, and if all these affairs were brought to light, Zhang Liang's death ten times over wouldn't be enough to atone.

"Who's a fool? Let me tell you, Zhang Liang, I've always been afraid you'd stab me in the back, so I've recorded all the bad things you've done!" After finishing his speech, Du Lei hurriedly told Ma Debiao. "I have evidence, there's evidence for everything. And I was present for many of these incidents..."

Zhang Liang now truly wished he could tear Du Lei to pieces.

This was it, his doom was sealed.

At that moment, Zhang Liang looked coldly at Ding Fan across from him.

"Even if I am guilty, this man has killed people, why aren't you arresting him?" Zhang Liang was almost roaring. "He killed ten people, and dismembered them all…how can you not arrest such a person?"

"Ding Fan acted to protect us, so he had to strike. If he hadn't, we would have been killed by the others," Zhang Wanyue stood out again to defend Ding Fan.

"Officer, we've said it many times, Ding Fan intervened to protect us, those people were ruthless killers," Qin Manshu also stood out and said.

After hearing Zhang Wanyue and Qin Manshu, Ma Debiao nodded and then walked towards Zhang Liang, handing him Ding Fan's military ID.

"This gentleman is a high-ranking military officer, what he just did was to ensure the safety of personnel…"

Zhang Liang looked up at the military ID, which indeed stated, Group 3567, Major Instructor…

Zhang Liang's grandfather had served in the military, so he naturally knew what the Group 3567 was. At this point, it wouldn't matter if Ding Fan killed a few people, or even if he blew up the ship, those from Haijiao couldn't arrest him.

Zhang Liang looked at Ding Fan.

What kind of person was this? The CEO of Huaxia Group, boyfriend to the general manager of Qin's Group… now also a Major Instructor of Group 3567…

Any one of these titles was enough for an ordinary person to strive for a lifetime, yet Ding Fan casually held all three.

And most importantly, the person from Red Spider had just said over the phone, they couldn't afford to offend Ding Fan…

By now, Zhang Liang truly regretted provoking Ding Fan, even the people from Red Spider dared not provoke him, why had he foolishly done so…

Now good, trying to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice, his doom was sealed…

"Take him away," Ding Fan told Ma Debiao.

Just another look at Zhang Liang made Ding Fan feel sick. Zhang Guanglin had been a hero, and yet, how could he have fathered such a disgraceful descendant…

Then, Ma Debiao arranged for people to escort Zhang Liang away.

In addition, Ma Debiao arranged for two coast guards to assist the cruise staff in piloting the ship back to Zhangzhou.

With such a major incident on the cruise, naturally, it had to be taken back to Zhangzhou for investigation.

Because a murder had occurred on board, everyone on the cruise canceled their recreational activities, and many returned to their cabins.

After completing a brief statement with the coast guard, Ding Fan, along with Qin Manshu and Zhang Wanyue, sat on the deck looking out at the seascape.

In the meantime, Hao Wenyong came by with his daughter.

The father and daughter pair were here mainly to apologize.

Previously, Hao Jie and Zhang Liang, along with Du Lei, had come out to accuse Ding Fan, and even though she hadn't said much, she had still stood up. Hao Wenyong, fearing Ding Fan's retaliation, had come to apologize.

After Hao Wenyong and Hao Jie left, Ding Fan and the others casually chatted away.

It was almost evening when the cruise finally returned to the port.

The port was still some distance from Zhangzhou.

They had arrived in Zhang Liang's RV, but now that Zhang Liang had been arrested, they couldn't use the vehicle anymore.

So, the three of them found a taxi instead.

There were plenty of taxis at the port's exit; it was very convenient.

Three people caught a ride and hurried back home overnight.

The day's journey was extremely tiring, and not long after Zhang Wanyue and Qin Manshu got into the taxi, they had already fallen into a deep sleep.

Ding Fan, on the other hand, had no issues; he quietly watched the night view outside.

The car traveled fairly quickly; by around ten o'clock at night, they had already arrived in Zhangzhou, arriving home by about half-past ten. Since it was late, they decided to have Zhang Wanyue stay over for the night.

"Master, you're finally back..."

Sun Qi greeted him as soon as Ding Fan returned.

Sun Qi was old enough and always very steady in his actions, but at this moment, Ding Fan could see some anxiety in his expression.

"What happened? What's going on?"

When Ding Fan took Qin Manshu on a vacation, only Sun Qi was left to watch over the house. Mei Li had already left after they left…

"Master, please forgive me first..." Sun Qi said, and immediately knelt before Ding Fan.

Although Sun Qi hadn't been with Ding Fan for long, Ding Fan knew that Sun Qi was extremely cautious by nature. For him to act , something serious must have happened.

First, Ding Fan sent Qin Manshu and Zhang Wanyue back to their rooms.

Ding Fan raised his hand and a surge of True Qi directly helped Sun Qi to his feet from where he knelt.

"Let's talk in the study."

After hearing Ding Fan's words, Sun Qi nodded and followed him to the study.

"What happened?" Ding Fan asked once they were in the study. ... "While following you as a disciple, I never had the time to say goodbye to my fellow Sect Disciples ... These past few days, I've been worried about the matters within our Sect, so without telling you, I contacted some of our disciples. After contacting them, I found out that, since my departure, there has been a major incident in the Sect. Our Sect Disciples have suffered heavy losses; only a third survived, and the Sect Leader, Elder Brother Sikong, is currently severely injured and in hiding..."

At this, Sun Qi immediately burst into tears.

Upon hearing this, Ding Fan then understood what Sun Qi's earlier request for forgiveness meant.

Sun Qi, before following him, had also been an elder of a Sect. Following his wish to recontact his Sect members while learning from him was natural. Moreover, this incident revealed Sun Qi's serious dedication to his lineage.

"It's only natural for you to miss your fellow Sect members and to contact them, I won't blame you," Ding Fan said. "Tell me more about this serious incident in your Sect."

Sun Qi, after all, was Ding Fan's disciple, his own man, and Ding Fan would absolutely not stand idly by if Sun Qi was in trouble.

"This is what happened," Sun Qi began to explain the situation.

Sun Qi belonged to the Hundred Herbs Sect, which specialized in studying Alchemy Technique to create medicines from Herbs.

Sun Qi was an elder in the Sect, but his interest wasn't in power; his passion was entirely for Alchemy.

Sun Qi's trip to Haijiao Jungle wasn't aimed at obtaining any supreme treasures, as he was self-aware of his limited cultivation and unlikely to acquire any treasures.

His intent was to see if he could collect some rare Spirit Grass and medicinal herbs. Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭·𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢·𝗇𝗲𝘵

After Sun Qi left, the Earth Dragon Sect took the chance when a strong pillar like him was absent and decisively launched a surprise attack.

As one understands, an Earth Level Martial Artist is a cornerstone in any Sect, and Sun Qi's departure provided an opportunity for the enemies.

Sect Leader Elder Brother Sikong Jianan was severely injured by the enemies, and many Sect Disciples were also killed. Now, only a handful are hiding with Sikong Jianan seeking refuge.

If it were not for Earth Dragon Sect's ignorance about the Hundred Herbs Sect having a contact point in the Secular World, Sun Qi might not have been able to contact his Sect members at all.

"Master, I've been waiting for you to return to tell you that I truly wish to learn the Alchemy Technique from you, but... a person cannot ignore moral principles and duties. My Sect is in ruins, our Sect Leader is gravely injured; I owe a lot to the Hundred Herbs Sect, and now that the Sect is in trouble, I must return to restore our forces..."

As Sun Qi said this, tears streamed down his face.

"Master, it's likely very difficult for me to return; thus, I must bid you farewell in person, and thank you for your guidance these past days..."

As Sun Qi spoke, he knelt again and kowtowed to Ding Fan.

"Sun Qi, let me go with you," said Ding Fan as he supported Sun Qi with his True Qi.

"No…" Sun Qi said earnestly. "Master, the Earth Dragon Sect has profound strength, and it is said that people from Myriad Demon Sect back them up. Master, you must not risk yourself for your disciple by provoking such a powerful presence."

Ding Fan looked at Sun Qi's expression.

At this moment, Sun Qi's expression was very determined; Ding Fan could see that even if he insisted on going with him, Sun Qi wouldn't allow it.

Sun Qi was returning with a resolve to die if necessary. He did not want to involve his master.

"Very well…" Ding Fan nodded. "But let me give you a treasure."

Ding Fan pulled out a third grade Artifact of Attack from his storage ring. He had encountered numerous foes and had collected quite a few Artifacts of Attack.

"Thank you, Master." Sun Qi received the Artifact of Attack with both hands very respectfully.

"Farewell, my disciple..." With the Artifact safely stowed, Sun Qi turned and strode away, never looking back.

Ding Fan simply watched Sun Qi's departing figure in silence…