A serious traffic accident occurred on Shanglu Road. A luxury van crashed into the Bifuchuan Bridge railing, overturned, and fell into the river below, killing all three people on board. This incident quickly shocked the entire southwestern province. Upon hearing the news and making further inquiries, Kunming City Party Secretary Yu Yang and Mayor Zhou Likang were immediately alarmed. They immediately mobilized the heads of the Kunming Municipal Party Committee Office, the Municipal Government Office, the Public Security Bureau, and the medical departments to form a team to investigate this "major case," appearing quite alarmed.

The reason is simple: one of the deceased was from Beijing. The newspapers haven't revealed his specific identity yet, but he was clearly someone of considerable status. However, the identities of the other two were impossible to conceal: one was the son of the provincial party secretary, and the other the son of the provincial governor—both had died in the same car!

This also explains the status of someone from the capital who can ride in the same car as the son of the top two officials of a province!

The simultaneous deaths of three highly influential individuals undoubtedly caused a sensation.

The incident occurred in Kuncheng, and the person involved is already dead. If we don't act proactively and investigate the truth thoroughly, the top two leaders of the Kuncheng Municipal Party Committee and Government will incur resentment and suffer repercussions—that's obvious. Although the Kuncheng Municipal Party Secretary is also a member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, how can he possibly join forces with the top two figures in the Provincial Party Committee to oppose him?

The fact that the Southwest Provincial Public Security Department intervened immediately and established an independent investigation team separate from Kunming City indicates that someone within the Public Security Department was involved. They didn't trust the Kunming City investigation results. Of course, while this reflects the provincial party committee's distrust of the local government, the deaths of these three individuals were too sensitive a matter. Without deploying the Public Security Department's resources, they couldn't provide an explanation to their superiors.

The Kunming Public Security Bureau had its grievances, but it was powerless to do anything about it. If it were the Kunming Municipal Bureau, it might not have been able to withstand the pressure from above. Therefore, the simultaneous establishment of two independent investigation teams, one from the province and one from the city, was tacitly accepted by all parties.

Another piece of gossip came from the provincial party committee.

It is said that when Provincial Party Secretary Xiang and Governor Xi heard the news, they appeared uneasy. First, they checked the information to ensure it was accurate. After their subordinates confirmed it, they instantly aged several years and their health deteriorated. Seeing this, their entourage immediately rushed both provincial leaders to the hospital, fearing something might go wrong.

Of course, matters within the provincial party committee, such as the health conditions of the top two leaders, must be kept strictly confidential, and very few people know about them.

People only saw two cars leaving the provincial party committee and government one after the other, unaware that the people inside were actually the top two leaders of the provincial party committee.

Veteran police officers like Li Ping are always the first to know about these kinds of things. Upon hearing the news, he was almost dumbfounded. The sons of the top two provincial leaders are both dead?

And then there was Huang Rong; when they pulled him out of the water, I almost didn't recognize him. He was still wrapped in bandages, but his stomach was swollen from the water.

After confirming the three men's identities, he quickly called Qin Bing and secretly told him about it, then said worriedly, "Squad leader, this is too suspicious. Is it related to..."

"Watch your words!" Qin Bing interrupted, speaking sternly. "There's no evidence. Don't make wild guesses; let the police's evidence speak for itself!"

Qin Bing was also suspecting that Zhang Guodong might have been behind it. If so, it was incredibly audacious—killing three people, each a figure of immense power and influence. This was a serious matter! If not, was it just a coincidence?

"Yes, the squad leader is right. Sigh, someone's really in trouble this time!" Li Ping sighed.

After speaking with Li Ping, Qin Bing hung up the phone. He frowned and muttered to himself, "Damn it. I finally understand what that girl was saying."

Li Yun had previously said, "Guodong is not suitable to take action, otherwise things will escalate."

He didn't take it seriously at the time, and even looked down on Zhang Guodong. No background, no money, how could he possibly compete? However, out of respect for his god-sister Li Yun, Qin Bing still gave Zhang Guodong face and didn't embarrass him.

Now, recalling Li Yun's anxious words earlier, "Huang Rong is doomed!"

What does this probably foreshadow?

Qin Bing's expression turned serious as he began to scrutinize Zhang Guodong again.

Intuitively, the deaths of these three princes are related to Zhang Guodong. If that's the case, this was far too risky! Too crazy! Too extreme!

Subconsciously, he strongly disapproved of Zhang Guodong's ruthlessness. Such recklessness could bring disaster to his family and friends.

However, Li Yun seemed to approve of Zhang Guodong, and Qin Bing wondered if he should try to persuade her again. If this matter was truly related to Zhang Guodong, he would become a fugitive, how could he be worthy of the beautiful Li Yun?

Zhang Guodong was unaware that Qin Bing had become wary of him. It was because Zhang Guodong gave him an impression of being too bloodthirsty, purely violent! This made Qin Bing feel that he was too dangerous! There was an extremely dangerous person among them!

This is all because the Qin soldiers were completely unaware of the existence of the Plant Cultivation Realm.

Back in the capital, those who heard the news, including Lin Hongwu, were shocked, angry, fearful, and some sighed helplessly. Unlike the other princelings who simply felt their authority and dignity had been thoroughly challenged, Lin Hongwu didn't share their sentiments. He knew he and Zhang Guodong were a different kind of powerful people. They didn't judge things by worldly standards, but rather believed in the supremacy of strength and that might makes right.

Looking at Zhu Shao's gloomy face, Lin Hongwu was discussing some matters with Xu Ming when he came to visit again. The location of the Northwest Imitation Market had been finalized, and they were just waiting for its secret construction to be completed. However, due to limited manpower, even the younger generation had been assigned tasks: to go to antique markets like Panjiayuan to scavenge for bargains to use as bargains for the opening.

They also knew that their senior martial uncles planned to invite Zhang Guodong to open a restaurant in the Northwest Market, so they needed to cultivate good relations with him as well.

This trip to the Southwest Imitation Market allowed Fu Peng, Lin Hongwu, and Xu Ming to witness the allure of restaurants. They can attract a large number of customers, and this large customer base is crucial for this small imitation market in the Northwest!

"Young Master Zhu, you don't look well!" Lin Hongwu said with concern, though a sense of unease crept into his heart. He knew why the other party had come.

Huang Rong, Xiang Cheng, and Xi Wendong, the three heads of the Imperial City Club in Southwest Province, are all dead. These weren't natural deaths; they were assassinated. If it were the old him, he would have been furious. The person who did this made the princelings feel a great sense of crisis and immense provocation.

However, Lin Hongwu and the others had undergone a significant change in mindset. Even though they viewed people like Zhu Shao as mere ants, they didn't outwardly show it. Instead, they held a deep respect for those far more powerful than themselves, such as Zhang Guodong.

Ordinary people are unaware of the power of cultivators, but he knew it. Although he regarded Zhang Guodong as a formidable enemy.

He knew Zhang Guodong had a cultivator backing him up. He hadn't cared about Zhang Guodong before, but this trip to the Southwest City had deeply shocked him. Zhang Guodong had transformed into a level 19 cultivator, and in a short time, he had even advanced another level! Even more impressively, Zhang Guodong was actually the owner of the prestigious Wanxian Restaurant. This latter identity alone was enough to rival that of Xuan Qingxuan's generation of disciples. In fact, his influence was in no way inferior to Xuan Qingxuan's.

Even a fool knows he shouldn't get involved in this, or there will be endless trouble. Especially since his cultivation level hasn't improved yet, it's very unwise for him to provoke Zhang Guodong.

Xuan Qingxuan said that once the Northwest Market is successfully opened, these younger disciples can enter the Spirit Gathering Array to cultivate. The cultivation speed will be much faster in a hundred-fold increased area. Furthermore, with crystals, pills, and other resources, Lin Hongwu and the others can grow even faster.

"Brother Lin, I've come to ask you for a favor," Zhu Danchen said, glancing at Xu Ming beside him. He nodded slightly in greeting, then spoke seriously to Lin Hongwu.

"Oh? Young Master Zhu, please speak. I'll help if I can!"

"Brother Lin, please tell me about Zhang Guodong's background!"

"This..." Lin Hongwu frowned, then said, "Zhang Guodong is related to Li Yun. That's all I can say. However, I advise you that some people are not to be trifled with. Huang Rong has gone too far. He has already sent several groups of people to kill him. It's understandable that he would retaliate. But if anyone else gets involved, things will get out of control. That's all I have to say!"

"Li Yun?" Zhu Danchen's eyes narrowed for a moment, then returned to normal. Someone from the Li family was actually involved?! But he sensed again Lin Hongwu's apprehension towards this person, and it wasn't just ordinary apprehension.

Could this person be backed by Li Gang? But even the Li family shouldn't be enough to make Lin Hongwu so wary, right? Speaking of which, among the five great political families, the Li family should be at the bottom.

"You could say that," Lin Hongwu said vaguely.

In his heart, Lin Hongwu did not want Zhu Danchen and the other princelings who had grown up with him to become sacrifices, especially Zhang Guodong. Lin Hongwu was really jealous of him, so jealous that he wanted to kill him.

However, he couldn't do it.

However, the existence of the Plant Cultivation Realm is a major matter. Mortals have no right to know, and he dares not reveal it.

"Young Master Zhu, that Huang Rong doesn't know how to restrain himself. He's going to suffer a huge setback this time, and it's only a matter of time before he loses his life. You don't need to get involved. Hongwu is doing this for your own good!" Xu Ming interjected at this moment.

Zhu Danchen was even more surprised that even Young Master Xu was so wary of her.

It seems this matter needs to be considered more carefully!

One person said there might be some reservations or personal relationships involved. But two people said it was a different story. Basically, Zhang Guodong has a very powerful background.

But in China, who has a background stronger than the five major political families, making them so wary?

Besides political families, there are also those who have reached the top. But those who have reached the top, like Zhu Danchen's grandfather, are at most on par with those who have also reached the summit, yet they cannot be so feared. That would require an even more powerful force, wouldn't it?

Zhu Danchen nodded and said, "Since you all say so, I will take this matter into consideration. However, things are not peaceful at the Huang family's place right now, and I need to go and appease them. Otherwise, it will be very awkward if they come knocking on our door."

Upon hearing the devastating news of Huang Rong's death, the Huang family in the capital was thrown into utter chaos, filled with murderous intent. Some were even shouting that the murderer must be torn to pieces!

With an aggressive and determined attitude, as if they wouldn't rest until they found and killed the murderer, Zhu Danchen's arrival gave the Huang family an outlet. The elders clamored that they must seek justice for Huang Rong. But Zhu Danchen invited the second and third generations of the Huang family to the meeting: "Uncles and brothers, I am also furious about Huang Rong's case. I wish I could tear the murderer apart, but this matter must be dropped!"

Ding Xiaoyu is recovering very well, but she hasn't woken up yet. However, her rate of recovery has astonished a group of experts, who exclaimed, "A miracle!"

He jumped from the sixth or seventh floor, smashing the hood of a car so hard it was almost completely smashed, but he didn't die on the spot. After a quick treatment at the hospital, his recovery was astonishing.

Zhang Guodong strolled leisurely along a small path beside a highway, surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant life. The scenery was beautiful. This was a private villa he had inquired about.

It is said that Wu Jianzhong of the Hope Group is the owner of this place.

However, a few days ago, two people moved in here, and Wu Jianzhong became like a servant, coming here every day to report and greet them.

These two are Liu Zhengyuan and Liao Tianshi, brothers.