Chapter Forty-One: The Right Moment

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“Mr. Tang, what else do you know? For instance, about the things inside the Twelve Ghost Caves? To be honest, the information you shared with us today has been extremely helpful, and since it’s come to this, I’ll be straightforward. I trust the relationship between you and my father, but whether I believe it or not is not the main point, because we both know very well: you’re investigating Fudi Gully because there’s something in Fudi Gully or the Twelve Ghost Caves that you want. Of course, if it were me, I’d want to get what I desire, and if I could help avenge my comrade at the same time, why not?” I said, making it clear that today, here and now, we should set aside emotional entanglements and focus solely on cooperation.

“I like your straightforwardness,” Tang Renjie replied, raising his glass to clink with mine. Speaking of drinking, with all the training from those old drunkards at Fudi Gully’s village committee, I have no fear of Tang Renjie in that regard.

I raised my glass and drained it in one gulp, saying, “I know as well. Since we’re talking about cooperation, it only makes sense if it’s mutually beneficial. Strength is a prerequisite. Fatty is a heroic figure, but I’m rather weak—a mere village official, probably nothing more than an ant in your eyes. But fortunately, I have a great elder brother.”

Tang Renjie looked at me, his gaze curious. “But your elder brother seems a bit cold-hearted, doesn’t he?”

“No matter how cold-hearted, when it comes down to it, my elder brother will still acknowledge me as his younger brother,” I replied with a smile.

“What do you mean by ‘when it comes down to it’?” Tang Renjie asked, intrigued.

“For example, my brother won’t enter the Ghost Caves a fourth time after going in three times this year. But if I go in now and can’t get out, wouldn’t that be a special circumstance?” I looked at Tang Renjie.

In truth, I was forcibly binding my elder brother to myself to gain equal footing in this conversation with Tang Renjie. As I spoke, I wondered: if it really came to that, would my brother break his rule and enter the Twelve Ghost Caves to rescue me? The answer, unexpectedly, was uncertain.

After I said this, Tang Renjie slapped the table approvingly. “Bold! Since you’ve spoken so frankly, I’ll do the same. No matter what you think, my views on your father and you remain as I’ve said. I won’t deny I have other motives regarding Fudi Gully and the Twelve Ghost Caves, but it’s not just for myself.”

“That day you searched for my brother with Mr. Liu?” I asked.

“Yes. He’s determined to get involved in this matter. You just asked me what exactly I want from the Twelve Ghost Caves, but I can’t really answer, because I don’t even know. However, Mr. Liu is the greatest benefactor of my life; I must help him and want to help him. Business is business—if I can help Mr. Liu, the benefits will be immense. Of course, I’ve asked Mr. Liu what’s inside the Twelve Ghost Caves that’s worth his attention, but he refuses to say,” Tang Renjie explained.

Fatty sneered, “That’s a clever dodge. You say what you can, and push what you can’t onto an old man. Truly a businessman—just a few words and you try to entangle everyone.”

I glanced at Fatty and signaled him with my eyes. I couldn’t distinguish how much of Tang Renjie’s words were true or false, but I knew better than to trust him entirely. Fatty’s comment wasn’t meant to provoke, but to elicit more information, which I understood.

I smiled at Tang Renjie. “Mr. Tang, you’ve known Fatty longer than I have. You surely know his nature, so there’s no need to take offense. But, to be honest, since we’ve decided to cooperate, shouldn’t you at least tell us what’s inside that place?”

Tang Renjie, whether pretending or sincere, raised his hand as if to swear an oath to the heavens. I hurriedly stopped him, for such an oath was inappropriate at this moment. “You truly don’t know?”

“I really don’t know. But Mr. Liu’s interest in the Twelve Ghost Caves isn’t recent—it’s been years. Yet he’s never acted. If I’d known the caves were so dangerous, Feng’er wouldn’t have died there. Sigh, since we’re talking about it, I’ll be honest. I want to know what’s in those caves even more than you do, what could be so valuable that someone like Mr. Liu covets it. Feng’er was young and impetuous; he didn’t want to be Mr. Liu’s servant, so he took matters into his own hands, hoping to secure that object. You should understand—it’s all about gaining more resources and influence. There are many like me under Mr. Liu’s family. If I got what he wants, everything would change. That’s why Feng’er died in there. All these years, thinking about it pains me, and the pain only makes me more desperate to know what’s inside,” Tang Renjie said.

“With Mr. Liu’s capabilities, if he really wanted what’s in the Twelve Ghost Caves, would he need to wait so many years? This isn’t ancient times—nowadays, people can move mountains and fill seas. What’s a mere Twelve Ghost Caves? Worst case, fill it in or blow it up, right?” I remarked.

“I’ve considered that, and I asked Mr. Liu the same. He told me, first: it’s not the right time. Second: outsiders mustn’t know about this. That only convinced me more that whatever’s inside is exceedingly precious—precious enough that Mr. Liu doesn’t want others to know and compete for it,” Tang Renjie replied.

“Not the right time?” I muttered. As for the second reason, I could understand, although I didn’t know what Mr. Liu was wary of. But that first reason felt stranger the more I repeated it. I looked into Tang Renjie’s eyes, and from his gaze, I found the answer.

“The right time means when someone capable of freely entering and exiting the Twelve Ghost Caves appears. Mr. Liu wants to do this covertly, so he must wait for that person. So, the key to all this is my elder brother, Sun Zhongmou. Isn’t that right?” I asked.

“You’re sharp as ever, Leaf. One hint and you get it,” Tang Renjie said.

“What’s sharp about it? If I couldn’t figure that out, I’d be an idiot. So, as soon as my brother appeared, you checked him out. Once you confirmed he could freely enter and exit the caves, you immediately alerted Mr. Liu, which led to that infamous banquet,” I said.

“You make it sound so sinister. Was it really a trap?” Tang Renjie laughed.

“Mr. Liu claimed he wanted to recover his comrade’s body, but in truth, he wanted my brother to retrieve something for him. When my brother refused, what did he say? Mr. Tang, you must be honest here—it’s crucial for me to figure out how to pressure my brother into compliance,” I said.

Tang Renjie frowned, his expression dark. “Mr. Liu said he could wait another year. But he also said, even then, Sun Zhongmou probably wouldn’t help him.”

Having spoken this truth, Tang Renjie paused, looking at me with hesitation.

A sense of foreboding welled up in me, but I pressed on. “We’re all on the same side. Go ahead.”

“Mr. Liu said, if Sun Zhongmou agrees, all the better. If not, kill him and take what’s on his second floor,” Tang Renjie said.

“So ruthless. In today’s law-abiding society, is it really so easy to kill someone?” I couldn’t help feeling alarmed and worried for my brother. Although I had faith in his skills, even the strongest martial artist fears a kitchen knife. With Mr. Liu’s power, if he truly wanted someone dead, escape would be impossible.

“So many people die unexpectedly. How many detectives can truly uncover the truth?” Tang Renjie said with a bitter smile.

I nodded, “In that case, I ought to thank you on behalf of my brother, Mr. Tang. If not for your honesty, my brother might really be in danger. From what I know of him, he’s unlikely to help Mr. Liu.”

“I’m brothers with Tianhua; I wouldn’t want to see such an outcome either. So, Leaf, if Zhongmou really refuses, Mr. Liu’s intention is clear: your brother’s ability to enter and exit the Ghost Caves is connected to what’s on his second floor. Take that item and accomplish the task. Once it’s done, I know what I must do,” Tang Renjie said.

I nodded in agreement.

Just then, Tang Renjie’s secretary came in, offering us an apologetic smile. “The second son of the Wang family is getting married today. He saw your car downstairs and happened to bump into me. Mr. Wang said he’d like to come up and toast you.”

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