634: Chapter 619: The Temptation of He Pengxuan 634: Chapter 619: The Temptation of He Pengxuan “Yu Team Leader, Minister He wishes to see you,” a soldier ran up to Yu Lingfeng and announced.
Yu Lingfeng’s brow furrowed instantly, “He’s arrived quicker than I expected, quicker than I’d anticipated.
It seems Tangyu does have some influence.
Hmm, just say I’ve already fallen asleep and ask Minister He to come tomorrow.”
In the darkness, a figure approached, escorted by two warriors, “Yo, Team Leader Yu, you stand there speaking yet you’ve fallen asleep.
You’re not sleepwalking, are you?”
Yu Lingfeng looked over to see He Pengxuan already in front of him.
He chuckled and said, “Yeah, I was sleepwalking just before, but I am wide awake now that I see Minister He.
Minister He, to what do I owe the honor of your late-night visit to my humble abode?”
In theory, the Xuanwu Group was subordinate to the Ministry of State Security, but it could also exist independently from it.
Hence, the relationship between the Xuanwu Group and the Ministry of State Security was a bit delicate.
The Ministry could interfere in minor matters concerning the Xuanwu Group but for major issues, the Xuanwu Group could act independently of the Ministry.
The two entities were connected yet also restrained each other.
Theoretically, He Pengxuan was Yu Lingfeng’s superior, but Yu Lingfeng clearly did not regard him as such, showing no particular respect.
Of course, this was also in keeping with Yu Lingfeng’s character.
“Instructions would be too strong a word.
How dare I issue any to you, Team Leader Yu?
I’m just here on orders from a few leaders to check on someone.
Team Leader Yu, we’re alone here, there’s no need for cryptic talk.
I want to see Tangyu,” He Pengxuan said with a squint and a smile, like a sly old fox.
With such a clear point raised, Yu Lingfeng could no longer feign ignorance.
Moreover, He Pengxuan had made it very clear that he was acting on orders from above—the very mention was like wielding an Imperial Sword.
And Yu Lingfeng knew very well who He Pengxuan’s superiors were.
If it was indeed an order from those individuals, then Yu Lingfeng would have to cooperate with He Pengxuan and allow him to meet Tangyu.
“My apologies, Minister He, but you’re a step too late; I’ve killed the man.
You know my temperament.
If they don’t tell me what I want to hear, I kill.
I don’t have that patience,” Yu Lingfeng said.
He Pengxuan squinted and smiled again, “No problem.
I’m only here to carry out orders.
If I can’t see him alive, seeing him dead will do.
That way, I can report back and be done with it.” Yu Lingfeng wanted to retreat as a way to advance, to force He Pengxuan to give up on the idea.
But why would a seasoned fox like He Pengxuan easily be pushed back by Yu Lingfeng’s tactic?
Instead, he counterattacked, leaving Yu Lingfeng with no room for trickery.
“What’s the use of seeing a dead man?
I’ve had someone dispose of the body.
By now, it’s probably buried somewhere unknown.
Why insist, Minister He?
Just go back and tell them he’s been killed by me.
If there’s any backlash, that’ll be my responsibility, not yours.
You don’t have to worry about my affairs; I couldn’t bear it, Minister He,” Yu Lingfeng said.
“Oh, brother Yu, you’re making it difficult for me.
Falsifying reports is something I’ve never done.
Alive, I must see the person, dead, I must see the body.
If he’s buried, he can be dug up again.
If Team Leader Yu’s men don’t want to dirty their hands, that’s fine; I’ve brought my own men.
They don’t mind getting dirty.
Just tell us where he’s buried, and lead the way, brother Yu.
Leave the rest to my men, and we’ll handle it with the utmost care,” He Pengxuan said.
The two were engaged in a fierce battle of wills.
Clearly, Yu Lingfeng was no match for He Pengxuan, who firmly cornered him at every turn.
After locking eyes for some time, Yu Lingfeng waved to a member of the Xuanwu Group behind him, who promptly gestured for He Pengxuan to follow.
He Pengxuan smiled at Yu Lingfeng and followed the Xuanwu member to where Tangyu was detained.
Once He Pengxuan had left, Yu Lingfeng let out a heavy snort, his eyes flashing with a chilling edge, terrifyingly cold, “That old fox He Pengxuan, what trick is he trying to play this time?
Hmm, I can’t let this drag on any longer.
It must be resolved swiftly, or he might pull some stunt.
Let’s go to the control room.”
Locked in a cage, Tangyu was naturally upset.
When the iron door opened again, Tangyu thought Yu Lingfeng had come back so soon, but instead, it was Minister He from the Ministry of State Security, “Minister He, what brings you here?” Tangyu was, of course, surprised to see the minister.
He Pengxuan approached with a smile, “Tangyu, I never imagined our second meeting would be here, and in such circumstances.”
Tangyu eyed He Pengxuan, wondering if he was in league with Yu Lingfeng and had come to pressure him about the whereabouts of Young Master Yu.
As if sensing Tangyu’s thoughts, He Pengxuan said, “Don’t misunderstand, Tangyu.
I’m here to rescue you.”
“Oh, to rescue me?” Tangyu looked at He Pengxuan skeptically.
Was he really that kind-hearted or had his own people managed to reach out for help?
He Pengxuan nodded, “Yes, truly here to rescue you.
Your influence is quite significant.
When you got into trouble, several bigwigs from Donglin City immediately took action, and it wasn’t long before it reached some very important people in the Capital City.
My side received the news quickly as well.
But you should understand the nature of the Xuanwu Group.
It’s essentially untouchable by any force unless someone with enormous clout approaches those very high-ranking individuals.
Otherwise, no one can interfere with the Xuanwu Group.
And Team Leader Yu is not exactly a saint; he wouldn’t give face even to me.
Your current situation, well, it’s very dangerous.”
Tangyu narrowed his eyes at He Pengxuan, sensing a challenge from the get-go, and he was certain it spelled no good news.
“I’ve known this for a long time now; I never expected anybody to save me.
I’m the kind of person who likes to rely on myself.
I’ve always believed that ‘there’s no road to heaven that doesn’t have a way through.’ ” Tangyu said.
He already had a plan up his sleeve, simply that he preferred not to use that particular method unless absolutely necessary—at dead-end, never at any other time.
That was Tangyu’s bottom line.
He Pengxuan shook his head with a smile, “I know you’re capable, and I’m aware of your strong self-confidence, which is excellent and admirable.
However, this matter isn’t a trivial one.
Alright, no more beating around the bush—I have a method to save you, but it all depends on whether you’re willing to cooperate with me.”
What method?” Tangyu asked.
He Pengxuan looked up, glancing above.
He was well aware that there were surveillance cameras and that Yu Lingfeng was monitoring every move through them at this moment.
He knew all their conversations were being heard by Yu.
However, He Pengxuan was prepared for this and didn’t care.
So long as he stood here, even Yu Lingfeng wouldn’t dare make a move to kill.
“Join the Ministry of State Security.
With the special privileges it grants and the connections you have, you can ensure your safety.
This is the only way out for you.
Just nod, and I will guarantee your safety.
Otherwise, you’ve got no other path but death; you won’t escape the grasp of the Xuanwu Group,” He Pengxuan said.
Tangyu curled his lip; it indeed sounded like a promising way out.
To join the Ministry of State Security and use its power to protect himself, along with his connections, would indeed make Yu Lingfeng wary and perhaps hesitant, forcing him to let Tangyu go.
But this was not what Tangyu wanted.
He’d declined Minister He’s offer to join the Ministry before, and now, under these circumstances, he was even less likely to compromise.
That wasn’t Tangyu’s nature.
“Tangyu, believe me, if you agree to join the Ministry of State Security, I promise I’ll take you out of here right now.
You’re young, you possess exceptional talent unlike anyone else, and have a bright future ahead.
Your accomplishments will be boundless, even unimaginable.
It would be such a waste if you were to die now; it would be a loss for Huaxia Country and the Traditional Chinese Medicine community.
Not to mention, you have a girlfriend, the life you dearly want, friends in Donglin City, people who care about you, and those you wish to care for.
Would you really be willing to die here?” He Pengxuan continued.
Death was certainly not something Tangyu wished for.
But to beg and scrape, to compromise, Tangyu was even less willing.
Some might find it odd, but this was his personality, his persistence.
He was determined to follow his own path and let others say what they would.
Tangyu wouldn’t give up his principles over the threat of death.
“Minister He, thank you for your kind intentions.
I’ve said it before, I will definitely not join the Ministry of State Security, and my answer is still the same now,” Tangyu said.
He Pengxuan was stunned, not expecting Tangyu to refuse joining the Ministry of State Security under such circumstances.
He felt like going crazy.
He’d come across tough nuts to crack but never one as tough as Tangyu.
For any other person, such an offer would be irresistible.
Only Tangyu repeatedly refused him.
If it were anyone else, He Pengxuan really would have wanted to slice open Tangyu’s head to see what was in there that made him so obstinate.
In the surveillance room, Yu Lingfeng sneered: “It seems my worries were unnecessary, Tangyu.
Are you truly not afraid to die?” Yu Lingfeng had been grappling with how to deal with He Pengxuan’s strong play—if Tangyu really agreed to join the Ministry of State Security, then the situation would indeed become complicated and difficult.
However, he was quickly relieved of this concern, as the unconventional Tangyu actually rejected He Pengxuan’s offer of help.
If that was courting death, then it couldn’t be blamed on him.
“I really don’t understand, would you rather die than join our Ministry of State Security?
Is joining us really that difficult for you?
I’ve said it before, joining the Ministry won’t restrict any of your personal freedoms.
You’d only be called upon when needed, and you’d have plenty of time on your hands when there’s nothing to do, along with a series of privileges.
Is such an offer really that difficult for you?” He Pengxuan said.
Tangyu shook his head: “It’s not difficult for me, it’s just that I don’t like it.
When I don’t like something, even a knife at my throat won’t easily force me to submit.”
“So you mean to say, you’d rather die?” He Pengxuan was now somewhat angry.
“If survival means going against my will, against my principles, then it’s a disgrace I cannot abide by.
I’d rather die than live with such dishonor,” Tangyu said.
He Pengxuan’s face turned a shade of green with rage: “Fine, then find your own luck, hmph.” With that, He Pengxuan, piqued, stormed off.