Chapter 865: Chapter 865

"Ten billion US Dollars..."

Upon hearing this, Fang Bai gasped, thinking that the kidnappers’ appetites were indeed huge, daring to demand a ransom of ten billion US Dollars from the Ye Family, without fear of bursting their own bellies.

Although the Ye Family was the premier prominent clan in Lingnan, raising ten billion US Dollars within a week was no easy task. Moreover, taking out such a large sum of money at once would deeply wound the family’s Essence Energy and could even lead to its decline.

This was something the vast majority of the Ye Family members did not want to see.

Therefore, a prominent clan like the Ye Family would not gamble the fate of the entire family for the life or death, honor or disgrace of one person, even if that person was the head of the family.

So when Ye Xing was kidnapped, the Ye Family would launch an active rescue operation, but they were unlikely to pay the ten billion US Dollar ransom to save Ye Xing’s life.

In other words, unless the Ye Family submitted to the kidnappers and paid the ten billion US Dollar ransom, Ye Xing’s chances of survival were very slim.

Sun Lin and Ye Wumei both understood this, so after Ye Xing was kidnapped, the mother and daughter were extremely anxious. Fang Bai’s sudden appearance felt like drowning people clutching at a life-saving straw.

In fact, Fang Bai was also a bit puzzled; if the kidnappers had a bit more sense in their heads, after kidnapping Ye Xing, they could have simply demanded a ransom of one billion or eight hundred million, an amount the Ye Family could afford. Asking outright for ten billion was simply ’madness,’ and it could only be said that the kidnappers’ minds were broken.

Ye Xing was a high-ranking official in Lingnan’s political realm, backed by the powerful Ye Family. Ordinary people would not dare to risk enraging the Ye Family by kidnapping Ye Xing, which suggested that the kidnappers definitely possessed formidable strength, unafraid of the Ye Family’s retaliation.

However, despite racking their brains, Sun Lin and Ye Wumei could not figure out who the kidnappers might be.

"Old Ye has been an official for many years and has offended countless people. It’s really not easy to track down the kidnappers based on this!"

Sun Lin wiped her tears, said with a face full of sorrow.

"Auntie, you rest at home. Wumei and I will go to the scene where Uncle Ye was abducted!"

Fang Bai thought for a moment, gave Ye Wumei a knowing look, and the two of them left the Ye Family Manor together.

The place where Ye Xing was abducted was on "Green Willow Road", a few miles away from the Ye Family Manor.

Green Willow Road is about two kilometers long, with an artificial lake on the left and a large willow forest on the right. It is normally not frequented by many people and the environment is serene.

On the night of the kidnapping, it was already dark. According to a passerby who was present at the scene at the time, Ye Xing’s motorcade was traveling on "Green Willow Road" when suddenly several willows by the roadside fell over, blocking the motorcade’s path. Shortly after, two masked individuals rushed out from the willow forest, swiftly knocking down several of Ye Xing’s bodyguards and then subdued Ye Xing and abducted him.

"Uncle Ye himself is a Profound Level Martial Artist, so whoever could easily abduct him must be an even more powerful martial artist. Places where martial artists have fought often retain some traces of Essence Energy. Perhaps through these residual energies, we might discover some clues."

Fang Bai and Ye Wumei drove to the junction of "Green Willow Road" and got out of the car to walk while talking.

"A day has passed since then. Even if there were any Essence Energy left, it would have dissipated by now, right?"

Ye Wumei said regretfully, thinking that if they had known this earlier, they should have informed Fang Bai right away. But when they found out that Ye Xing was kidnapped, the mother and daughter were so anxious and panicky that they didn’t think of seeking Fang Bai’s help.

Fang Bai managed to arrive in Lingnan so quickly because he was informed by Dragon Maiden of "Dragon Guard."

Since Ye Xing was both the head of the Ye Family and a significant official in Huaxia, his kidnapping naturally drew attention from relevant departments. To facilitate the investigation, the scene of Ye Xing’s kidnapping had been preserved up to now, with personnel on guard around the clock to prevent any intentional tampering.

When Fang Bai and Ye Wumei arrived at the scene, several fully armed police officers were patrolling the site of the kidnapping, dispersing anyone who approached.

"Miss Ye, you’re here again? What brings you?"

A square-faced, burly middle-aged officer immediately approached Ye Wumei and Fang Bai, asking gravely as he scanned Fang Bai.

"Director Liu, I brought a friend to see the crime scene of my father’s kidnapping."

Ye Wumei casually said, then introduced the square-faced officer to Fang Bai: "This is Director Liu Donglin of the Lingnan Police Bureau, who was promoted by my father! After my father was kidnapped, Director Liu took the initiative to ask his superiors to let him handle the case. Director Liu, thank you for your hard work!"

Liu Donglin chuckled bitterly and shook his head, sighing, "Miss Ye, please don’t say that, your father showed me great kindness, and it’s only right that I do this! Alas, I have been investigating all day and still have no leads, I am truly ashamed!"

Fang Bai nodded at Liu Donglin and said with a smile, "Director Liu, hello! My name is Fang Bai!"

Upon hearing the name "Fang Bai," Liu Donglin’s eyes widened in surprise and he exclaimed.

Fang Bai asked with a smile.

After scrutinizing Fang Bai from head to toe, Liu Donglin sighed, "Indeed, a hero emerges from youth... Mr. Fang, I’ve long admired your reputation!"

Ye Wumei glanced at Fang Bai and asked, "I heard that the recent downfalls of the Wang Family in Yanjing, the Shen Family in Anxi, and the Li Family in Donghai are all related to you, is that true? Anyway, your reputation has already spread to Lingnan, and many people know you as ’Tycoon Killer,’ ’Prominent Clans Nemesis’!"

"That’s not exactly a good reputation..."

Fang Bai said with a wry smile, touching his nose.

Upon realizing that the young man before him was indeed Fang Bai, who made offspring of tycoon families and prominent clans turn pale, Liu Donglin’s heart filled with respect and he cautiously asked, "Mr. Fang, if we could have your assistance with this kidnapping case, the hope of solving it would greatly increase!"

Previously, Fang Bai had assisted Tang Wenrou in solving a serial murder case in Anxi. Although not many outsiders knew about it, inside the police forces of Huaxia, Fang Bai’s name was well-known, and since he wasn’t a police officer, the officers had nicknamed him "Civilian Detective."

However, Fang Bai himself didn’t know this.

"Director Liu, let’s take a look at the crime scene first!"

Fang Bai’s gaze moved beyond Liu Donglin, looking towards the crime scene not far away.

Liu Donglin nodded and led Fang Bai and Ye Wumei to the location where Ye Xing had been kidnapped the day before.

At the crime scene, several thick willow trees lay snapped, with scattered, disordered branches and leaves everywhere. Two damaged black sedans were parked between the willow trees, their bodies deeply dented in several places, clearly having suffered massive damage.

"The deceased bodyguards have already been taken away, they were carrying weapons, but not a single bullet was fired from their guns, apparently the kidnappers were too fast, giving them no chance to even draw and shoot,"

Liu Donglin stated solemnly.

Fang Bai seemed not to hear Liu Donglin’s words. His gaze fixed on the dented parts of the cars, his expression changing and