Chapter 116: Intent to Recruit (Requesting Monthly Votes)

“From now on, it’s only you!” he said, pointing at Zuo Rou. “Only you will answer. Lao Liao, seal the mouths of these two!” Without a word, Lao Liao grabbed two cloth bundles and tightly gagged Zuo Gang and Zuo Qiang.

“I know exactly who did the killing,” Ning Zhiheng slammed the slender willow-leaf blade on the table. “Don’t think you’re clever!”

The three siblings glanced at the thin blade on the table and immediately grasped Ning Zhiheng’s meaning. He was shrewd beyond compare; many things had long been clear to him.

“Now, tell me—two men were killed the night before last and their bodies dumped in the North Street landfill, correct?” Ning Zhiheng asked.

“Yes, officer, it seems you already know! I did it,” Zuo Rou no longer wished to argue. She understood this man was not someone to fool. Calmly, she replied, “These men were no good—habitual thieves and robbers. Killing them was to rid the people of harm.”

“I know they weren’t good men,” Ning Zhiheng said coldly, “but I also know your killing them was not about protecting the people. So tell me, what was the real reason?”

Zuo Rou hesitated for a long moment. She didn’t know how much Ning Zhiheng knew, but she dared not gamble. Having killed four people, she needed a reasonable explanation. There was no way out.

Finally, she said, “We were looking for something—a family heirloom of the Zuo family lost somewhere nearby. We suspected habitual thieves in the area had stolen it, so we caught these thieves hoping to get our heirloom back.”

That was the most plausible explanation she could offer, though she would not reveal her employer. After all, he had helped them, and Zuo Rou was still cautious.

Ning Zhiheng noticed this and inwardly marveled. At this point, the three siblings were truly cornered. Having killed four people—even if those four were scoundrels—they were still liable to pay with their lives by law.

Yet, even now, they refused to reveal the mastermind behind it all. It showed these siblings had a line they would not cross, which was somewhat admirable.

To be honest, Ning Zhiheng was no paragon of the law, nor did he have the heart to be a righteous crusader.

Whether the law in this chaotic era was fair or not, Ning Zhiheng at least knew he was no pure hero.

After all, what of Wang the Skinner—dead by his hand? Simply put, Wang had intercepted his profits midway, blocked Liu Datong’s path, sought to seize his property, and was ultimately silenced.

Thus, the lives of those four habitual thieves meant nothing to Ning Zhiheng—such people were merely pollutants in the world. In these turbulent times, human life was cheap as grass; a few thieves dead was no great matter.

But the siblings’ willingness to sacrifice themselves for one another in the face of death touched Ning Zhiheng deeply.

In this world, especially such chaotic times, it was common enough for siblings to scheme and strike each other over money. Yet these three stood united, unyielding even in the face of death—a rare bond indeed.

When all hope was lost, they did not betray or claw at others. Their loyalty to those entrusted to them was genuine.

Ning Zhiheng also knew his own forces were limited. The peripheral power led by Liu Datong was good for intelligence gathering, but lacked effective operational ability.

Among his team, Shi Hong was actually loyal to Wei Liangbi, but because of Ning Zhiheng’s dominance and his brotherly bond with Wei Liangbi, Shi Hong obeyed Ning Zhiheng.

Wang Shucheng respected Ning Zhiheng but lacked the experience and ability to be of much help. Besides, as a member of the Baoding faction with his own background, it would take time to fully win him over.

Only Sun Jiacheng, whom Ning Zhiheng had personally promoted and once saved, was truly his trusted confidant.

In truth, Ning Zhiheng’s real power was not strong. Now, seeing the Zuo siblings’ deep familial affection, loyalty to their employer, and martial skills, he felt a spark of admiration and a desire to recruit them.

As for their habit of killing, Ning Zhiheng believed with proper guidance, he could bring them under his control.

With this in mind, Ning Zhiheng sneered coldly, “A family heirloom? Let me guess—the Zuo family heirloom is a family crest seal and a jade hook amulet?”

Staring intently at Zuo Rou, he barked, “Foolish idiots! You three have been used as pawns and don’t even realize it? Do you really think those are just ordinary jade artifacts?”

His words stunned the siblings. They had never imagined the items they had desperately sought were already known to Ning Zhiheng.

Judging by his tone, these two jade pieces were far from simple. When their employer had assigned the task, he only said it was entrusted by an important friend and they must retrieve the heirloom without alerting the authorities.

They had always thought the police arrested them because they killed four thieves, but now it seemed the cause was the very items they sought.

Seeing the siblings exchange anxious glances, Ning Zhiheng pressed, “Tell me, who ordered you to find these two jade artifacts?”

At this, Zuo Rou fell silent for a long moment, then gritted her teeth and insisted, “No one ordered us. We wanted to get back our own family heirlooms. I killed those men—do what you will with me.”

Ning Zhiheng didn’t press further. She was determined to be the scapegoat. Though a woman, her resilience earned his respect.

Turning to Lao Liao, he asked, “Is that Cui Er dead?”

Lao Liao was momentarily stunned, then quickly responded, “You specifically ordered to spare him last time, so no torture has been used. He’s still in custody.”

“Bring him in,” Ning Zhiheng ordered.

“Yes, sir!” Lao Liao hurried to fetch him.

Soon, the lame Cui Er was brought in. He looked up and saw Ning Zhiheng’s cold glare and shuddered. He vividly recalled the interrogation days ago, dropping to his knees and begging, “Officer, I’ve told you everything—I won’t hide anything else! Please believe me!”

Ning Zhiheng said to Lao Liao, “You and your men leave now. You won’t benefit from what’s said next.”

Lao Liao and several prison guards, all sharp-eyed, promptly withdrew from the interrogation room.

“You were looking for the thief who stole your heirlooms, right? This man is he. His name is Cui Er. Fourteen days ago, he stole a jade hook amulet and a seal from a household. Strangely, the victim never reported it and disappeared the next day after leaving their home. Isn’t that odd?” Ning Zhiheng pointed at the pleading Cui Er. “Now, do you still claim those two jade pieces are your family heirlooms?”

The siblings were speechless. The thief who stole the two jade pieces had long been caught and was locked up in this very police station.

Especially Zuo Qiang, who cursed inwardly. So the real culprit was here. The so-called robbery and assault was just misinformation spread by the police—a trap carefully laid. They had unknowingly walked right into it, and now there was no turning back.

“Why silent now? Caught in the act? Fine, I won’t force you. You’re clearly loyal to your boss,” Ning Zhiheng said casually.

His words struck the siblings like a thunderclap. They stared at him in disbelief. How much did this man know? All their stubbornness must seem a joke to him—like a fierce cat toying with trapped mice in a corner.

Ning Zhiheng saw their reaction clearly. This slight blow was enough to be fatal.

It was now certain the mastermind was Guo Ruxue’s man—the man surnamed Dai, without a doubt.

The more composed Ning Zhiheng appeared, the heavier the pressure weighed on the siblings. He said no more, just sat quietly, watching their expressions.

Zuo Rou looked helpless, wondering if it was even worth continuing to resist when the other side already knew everything.

Zuo Gang and Zuo Qiang exchanged glances, lowered their heads, and said nothing.

After a moment, just as Ning Zhiheng prepared to press them for more, a knock sounded at the door.

Surprised, Ning Zhiheng wondered who dared interrupt the interrogation. Guards were posted at the door. He signaled Sun Jiacheng, who went to open it and saw Lao Liao standing there.

Ning Zhiheng knew Lao Liao was no fool; this must be urgent.

“Officer Ning, Captain Liu called. He wants you to come take the call,” Lao Liao reported.

Ning Zhiheng understood immediately. Liu Datong’s investigation had yielded results, and knowing he was interrogating suspects at the detention center, he was promptly informing him to aid the interrogation.

Ning Zhiheng rose and said to Zuo Rou, “Think carefully once more.”

Then he left swiftly with Lao Liao to his office, picked up the phone, and asked, “This is Ning Zhiheng. Any results from the investigation?”

“Reporting, Officer Ning, there are results. Your judgment was spot-on. No time wasted—the owner of that jewelry shop knows the identity of the man surnamed Dai!” Liu Datong’s excited voice came through. Everything was going smoothly; both investigative leads Ning Zhiheng had set were bearing fruit.