However, such a shocking conspiracy left no trace in Suhang.
This made Chen Jiuyang suspicious. What exactly were these Japanese people trying to do in Suhang?
But his intuition told him that he couldn't wait for the Japanese cargo ship in two days. Since he was in Japan, why not go directly to the Ueda family to investigate?
The initial plan was to obtain the USB drive clue from Ji Lengyue and arrest the human trafficking and smuggling chain behind it, which would be Chen Jiuyang's meritorious service for enfeoffment.
He disguised his identity and infiltrated Japan to avoid alarming the enemy, aiming to catch them red-handed with evidence, apprehend the Ueda family, and then leverage the situation to force out the personnel involved in the behind-the-scenes funding chain.
However, the appearance of Wang Juyuan and Da Sha made Chen Jiuyang realize that the matter was deviating from the original direction. He couldn't just follow the plan step by step.
Having made up his mind, Chen Jiuyang informed Numbers One through Six of his concerns and speculations.
"Zero, we will go and collect information about the Ueda family right now," Number One replied.
Chen Jiuyang lay on the bed, unable to sleep for a long time due to the matter involving Wang Juyuan and Da Sha.
Logically speaking, he was a martial artist with a powerful soul, so insomnia should not be an issue.
"Blade Master, you have developed emotions now," the voice of the Yan Sheng Blade echoed in his mind. "This is what happens when you practice the Yan Sheng method."
"Emotions?" Chen Jiuyang asked. "Did I not have feelings before?"
"Before, you only cared about yourself and those close to you. The lives of others were irrelevant to you, and you were somewhat harsh and profit-driven," the Yan Sheng Blade said. "The Yan Sheng method, 'Yan Sheng' does not mean killing, but protecting life. Although the Yan Sheng method can devour the luck of others, it also has a slight impact on your temperament."
Hearing the Yan Sheng Blade's words, Chen Jiuyang's body trembled abruptly, and he pursed his lips, falling silent.
The next morning.
Chen Jiuyang washed up and put on his constable uniform, preparing to patrol as usual in his disguised identity. When he opened the door, Lu Jueqing, with swollen eyes, stood at the door blocking him.
Chen Jiuyang sighed, "Let's talk somewhere else."
"Alright," Lu Jueqing replied. "I'll lead the way. I'm more familiar with the seaside port than you are."
Chen Jiuyang nodded.
Lu Jueqing led Chen Jiuyang out of the police dormitory and towards the seaside port.
Everywhere he looked, there was a bustling crowd, with vendors and lavishly dressed merchants coming and going. Everyone spoke fluent Longguo language, making Chen Jiuyang feel as if he were in Longguo, not in Japan.
Seeing the constant flow of people, Chen Jiuyang felt an inexplicable sense of peace.
As they walked, Lu Jueqing said, "We Longguo people have no place to stay in our own country, so we can only wander the world, making the four seas our home and earning a living."
"Chen Jiuyang, who exactly are you, and why are you doing such a small job as a constable in this tiny place?"
Lu Jueqing looked at Chen Jiuyang with a questioning gaze. She was already at the Profound Realm cultivation level, but last night Chen Jiuyang had effortlessly blocked her move that burned her vital blood with a gentle push, and then instantly defeated everyone in her team. With such youth and immense strength, how could he have ended up as a minor constable abroad?
Chen Jiuyang said, "Captain Lu, it's best if you don't ask too many questions about my affairs. As fellow Longguo people, I won't harm you. However, there is one thing I would like to ask you."
"Do you know of an Ueda family nearby that is involved in human trafficking and smuggling?"
Lu Jueqing frowned and said, "The Ueda family is a Japanese noble family that has been established for hundreds of years in this area. They are indeed involved in smuggling, but I have never heard of human trafficking. The Longguo people in Japan mostly live in the seaside port. Are you here to investigate the Ueda family?"
Chen Jiuyang nodded slowly. "I received reliable information that the Ueda family is involved in human trafficking and smuggling. I will go to the Ueda family later to see if it is true."
Lu Jueqing worriedly said, "The Ueda family has close ties with the Japanese imperial family and is deeply rooted. If you make a move against the Ueda family here, it might bring disaster to our seaside port."
"Recently, the Japanese people have been provoking trouble. Chen Jiuyang, don't be impulsive."
A cold glint flashed in Chen Jiuyang's eyes, and he said coldly, "If they dare to lay a hand on my Longguo compatriots, then don't blame me for drawing my blade against them. You don't need to worry about this matter; I have my own considerations."
"If that's the case, then I will help you send an invitation to the Ueda family under my name. This way, you can go to the Ueda family legitimately and avoid unnecessary trouble," Lu Jueqing offered.
Chen Jiuyang smiled and said, "Thank you, Captain Lu, for helping me resolve this troublesome matter."
Lu Jueqing had been a constable here for many years and had a reputation. With her invitation, Chen Jiuyang could bring his men to the Ueda family smoothly, saving a lot of trouble.
The Ueda family was located ten kilometers outside the seaside port, with various luxurious residences and courtyards built on a large mountain.
Chen Jiuyang, holding Lu Jueqing's invitation, entered smoothly.
A middle-aged Japanese man in a kimono, with a dignified demeanor, summoned Chen Jiuyang and his group.
"I am Ueda Ichi, the patriarch of the Ueda family. It's our first meeting, please give me your guidance." Ueda Ichi spoke fluent Longguo, which surprised Chen Jiuyang.
Although the Japanese claimed to conduct trade and exchange with the Longguo people, there was no need to go to such lengths to master the Longguo language.
Ueda Ichi beckoned a servant, "Serve tea, please offer our guests some tea."
The servant immediately brought seven cups of fragrant tea.
Seeing the tea, Chen Jiuyang's heart was filled with a murderous intent. This tea was poisoned!
It seemed that Ueda Ichi knew his identity, but the poison in this tea could only paralyze martial artists and render them immobile, not kill them.
Chen Jiuyang wanted to see what Ueda Ichi was up to. He took a few sips from the teacup, and the people behind him also followed suit.
Seeing Chen Jiuyang and his group drink the tea, Ueda Ichi smiled and said, "May I ask why you constables have come today..."
"Thump—"
Number Six collapsed after drinking the tea, weakly saying, "...The tea is poisoned."
Immediately after, Chen Jiuyang's expression changed, and he swayed and fell to the ground, feigning unconsciousness.
Seeing Chen Jiuyang and the others collapse, Ueda Ichi sneered, "Someone, carry them to the underground prison and take good care of them. This Chen Jiuyang is a valuable guest."
"I was just wondering how to control him, and now he has walked right into my trap. It's truly a case of searching high and low for something that turns up unexpectedly."
"Yes, Patriarch."
Immediately, more than a dozen ninjas from the Ueda family emerged, lifted Chen Jiuyang and the others, and took them to the underground prison built by the Ueda family.
Chen Jiuyang secretly pondered, as expected, Ueda Ichi knew his identity. Was it revealed by the Japanese merchant, or by Madam Ning? Who among them was colluding with the Ueda family?
It now seemed that Chen Jiuyang had fallen into a trap set by the other party, who had intentionally lured Chen Jiuyang to Japan.