"Uncle Zhuge, I failed, I didn't protect my godfather..."
In the solemn atmosphere of the parking lot, after Chu Yan got out of the car, he was full of tears and snot, saying with "great remorse" to Zhuge Yuheng.
"Where is big brother?" Zhuge Yuheng asked anxiously.
"He's in the car. We didn't dare to handle it on our own, so we brought godfather's body back..." Chu Yan said "sadly."
Zhuge Yuheng glanced at the Rolls Royce Phantom parked over there and immediately walked up to open the car door.
Sure enough, at a glance, he saw Chu Renxiong's bloody corpse inside, slumped in the passenger seat...
Zhuge Yuheng's vision went black, nearly fainting!
His big brother was alive and well when he left, but now he returned as a cold corpse!
And besides Chu Renxiong, there were also three more "sitting" corpses in the back seat, namely Zang Feng, Wu Changfeng, and Wei Yongming!
Each of them died more gruesomely than the last, with Zang Feng and Wu Changfeng even having their brains splattered, unrecognizable...
"Uncle Zang, Uncle Wu, and Uncle Wei died protecting godfather. When the gunfire rang out, they threw themselves on godfather without hesitation, dying with extreme loyalty and valor, yet even so, they couldn't save godfather and Fei'er..." Chu Yan "gritted his teeth" as he spoke, clenching his fists tightly!
Zhuge Yuheng became even more unsteady; three of Chu Group's core leaders were now gone, along with Chu Renxiong, which meant half of their strength was suddenly gone. The blow was heavier than expected!
Chu Yan exchanged glances with Tang Tianpeng, who had walked up from behind, and two other leaders, all seeing the insidiousness and smugness in each other's eyes. Yet, Chu Yan still pretended to support Zhuge Yuheng, saying, "Uncle Zhuge, my condolences. Now that godfather and the others have unfortunately passed away, the company needs you to hold the fort. You must take care and not fall."
"Xiao Yan, I know." Zhuge Yuheng coldly pushed Chu Yan away, his tone indifferent.
Though he was heartbroken, he wasn't overwhelmed by grief; instead, he realized there was something off here!
The dead, besides Chu Renxiong, like Zang Feng and the others, were fiercely loyal to Chu Renxiong just like him!
But now these four are dead, while Tang Tianpeng and the two less steadfast guys survived. Something's very wrong!
But now, with no live witnesses, and Zhuge Yuheng not being at the scene, he could only let Chu Yan say whatever for now, unable to find the truth temporarily.
Moreover, aside from Zhuge Yuheng, hundreds of Chu's shareholders and employees behind them also saw Chu Renxiong's corpse from the car, murmuring anxiously. Zhuge Yuheng couldn't raise doubts at this critical moment!
He knew that, to those people, the high and mighty Chu Renxiong was like their emperor, their god!
Now, the emperor had fallen, the god had fallen, and it was as if the sky had collapsed, making their hearts panic like the end of the world. He had to show enough strength before everyone, to reconsolidate people's hearts!
"Yuheng, now is not the time for grief. The top priority is to stabilize everyone. We can't fall apart like the Jian Group did when big brother died. We have to get through this difficult time!" Tang Tianpeng, relying on his high status and position, said sternly to Zhuge Yuheng.
"Old Tang, I know." Zhuge Yuheng nodded heavily: "I will take responsibility for boosting morale and making sure everyone performs their duties."
"I'm getting old; the short-term burden of the group falls on you now. After Renxiong's funeral, we must quickly hold a meeting to determine a new leader. The situation of being leaderless cannot last long; the Chu cannot fall!" Tang Tianpeng patted Zhuge Yuheng's shoulder, speaking solemnly again.
In his heavy words, Zhuge Yuheng sensed another meaning: He wanted to choose a new leader so quickly?
Zhuge Yuheng subconsciously glanced at Chu Yan again, who had been secretly pleased. Upon sensing Zhuge Yuheng's gaze, Chu Yan immediately switched back to a sorrowful expression.
"Old Tang, your considerations are thorough." Zhuge Yuheng remained calm and collected.
"Alright, first get someone to handle Renxiong and the others' bodies and send out the funeral announcements. Let's set the funeral for four days later; it's not good to delay." Tang Tianpeng continued.
Zhuge Yuheng nodded, expressing no objections.
...
The death of Chu Renxiong, unsurprisingly, caused a huge stir in South City once the news broke, with massive repercussions!
"Chu Renxiong... actually got shot?"
In his office at the Zhou Group building, Zhou Rongfa felt extraordinary and somewhat unbelievable upon hearing this news.
Not long ago, he was having tea with Chu Renxiong at the Beach Bathing Place, chatting about Jiang Feng, but so soon, Chu Renxiong was attacked and killed?
This news came too suddenly!
"Chu Renxiong was attacked by an unknown assassin and shot dead at North City White Ridge Cemetery, and his daughter Chu Feifei was also forced to jump off a cliff, her whereabouts unknown..."
Apart from the Zhou Group, this shocking news spread like wildfire across every corner of South City, including the Han Family, Pan Family, Le Family, and other places. The leaders of various factions had different reactions but were unanimously shocked and regretful!
"Tell Zhuge Yuheng and Tang Tianpeng, we will definitely attend Chu Renxiong's funeral in four days, and we will arrive early!" Han Shilong said to the Chu member who came to deliver the message: "Also, if Chu needs any help, just ask. Our Han Family will surely extend a helping hand if we can!"
"Thank you, Chairman Han!" The messenger, one of Zhuge Yuheng's trusted aides, nodded gratefully, then left.
Han Shilong sat alone in his office chair, smoking a cigarette and remaining dazed for a long time before finally taking out his phone and sending a message to his second brother Han Shiliang: "Well done, little brother."
Shortly, Han Shiliang called: "Big brother, any news about Xiao Xuan?"
"Not yet, I can't reach him. I've sent several teams to the warehouse you mentioned to search, but aside from some melee weapons, there's no trace of anyone. I'm very uneasy—taking down Chu Renxiong is a good thing, but it shouldn't result in a loss. My son can't be in trouble!" Han Shilong said coldly.
Upon hearing this, Han Shilong was taken aback and continued: "Big brother, I got it. I'm also having people search. North City is very chaotic now; Mr. Scar is finished, and his forces have been wiped out. The action department suddenly struck, which I never expected. Moreover, I've also lost contact with the hired mercenary group, Mr. and Mrs. Mike, so I'm afraid..."
"I don't want to hear that. I only want Xiao Xuan alive. Otherwise—I won't let you off the hook!" Han Shilong said firmly!
"Got it, got it, I'll try my utmost!" Han Shiliang said as he hung up the phone, trembling.
Han Shilong put down his phone, rubbing his temples hard, his eyes filled with worry and hatred!
...
As dusk approached, the sky gradually darkened.
The search and rescue work continued, yet no trace of Jiang Feng or Chu Feifei was found, leaving Nangong Qingcheng and several others anxious and in despair!
Meanwhile, on an unknown island, two unconscious figures were being pushed ashore by the slowly advancing waves.
The tide ebbed and flowed, waves rose and fell, leaving the two lying there unconscious, unaware of the world.