Hearing Zhang Hao's words, Ye Ling's expression remained unchanged. He chuckled and sat down next to Lin Yu, saying generously, "It seems you two have done your homework regarding my investigation... Not bad."
"Not as good as you. Six years ago, you survived the annihilation of the Ye family. After disappearing for six years, you've returned for less than two weeks and consecutively destroyed the Li and Jiang families, two major powerful clans. Your actions are decisive and ruthless, your whereabouts are secret and elusive. The matter of Tianhui Pharmaceuticals, you erased all traces so cleanly..."
"If it weren't for your high-profile actions at the Sky Auction House, publicly slapping Jiang Wen Chun, we wouldn't have found you so easily."
Zhang Hao looked at Ye Ling calmly and said, "Ye Ling, you're too confident, and you underestimate us."
"As expected of the state apparatus, to investigate so clearly in such a short time. I should commend you. I'll send you two commendation certificates later."
Ye Ling smiled at Zhang Hao and Wang Liren, then changed the subject, "So, why are you here to see me?"
"Even if you can find me through deduction, you definitely don't have a shred of concrete evidence. And as far as I know, the circle of extraordinary individuals is a lawless land, not subject to existing laws. As the Dragon Department and the Azure Flame Army, state organs, are you going to use force based solely on speculation?"
"I advise you to withdraw your people outside first. Be careful, I'll file a complaint."
"You!!!"
Being retorted by Ye Ling like this, Zhang Hao's face instantly turned pale!
Indeed, they found Ye Ling entirely based on their own deductions and profiling. The higher-ups had not issued an arrest warrant for Ye Ling, and the men outside were all mobilized by them privately.
If Ye Ling were to file a complaint, he and Wang Liren would inevitably face disciplinary action, or even be expelled!
"Brother Zhang, you rest first. Let me talk to him properly."
Seeing Zhang Hao's face darken to the point of dripping water, Wang Liren, fearing a major incident, quickly appeased Zhang Hao.
Their intention in coming here was to probe Ye Ling and investigate a matter they cared about. They didn't actually dare to do anything to Ye Ling.
After all, judging from the Sky Auction House incident, Ye Ling was backed by the Tianyi Consortium, which was composed of several major influential families. Not only did it include the Su family of China, but also several major foreign noble families.
If this matter escalated, it could become an international incident, and then things would truly become troublesome.
"Ye Ling, please don't be angry. We just came to ask about the situation. I'll withdraw my men now."
After appeasing Zhang Hao, Wang Liren smiled apologetically at Ye Ling and then made a phone call, "Hello? Brother Huang! Tell the brothers to withdraw first! Yes! We can handle it here! I'll treat the brothers to a meal later. That's all, thanks!"
Hanging up the phone, Wang Liren looked at Ye Ling and smiled, "Ye Ling, the people have withdrawn. Can we talk properly?"
"Talk about what?" Ye Ling asked with a smile.
Wang Liren asked, "Did you do the Tianhui Pharmaceuticals matter?"
"I swear, this is just a private conversation between us. There's no recording, and it won't be filed. The higher-ups have investigated thoroughly. Tianhui Pharmaceuticals and the Jiang Group have major issues. Even if you hadn't acted, we would have after our investigation. You won't have any trouble."
Ye Ling didn't care whether the Dragon Department would file a case, but since it had come to this point, Ye Ling had no intention of playing dumb or denying it. He said directly, "Yes, I killed that big snake. The rest was killed by the big snake."
Ye Ling did these things simply to avoid trouble. Since trouble had found him, hiding would not be his style.
He would deal with whoever came.
"You also took the snake gall?" Wang Liren asked again.
Ye Ling smiled, "Weren't we having a pleasant conversation all the way here?"
Wang Liren's mouth twitched. After the snake gall was discovered missing, the higher-ups thoroughly investigated the entire Tianhui Research Institute and quickly found the researcher Ye Ling had knocked unconscious.
Upon seeing that researcher, Wang Liren realized he had been deceived.
The thought of him chatting with Ye Ling the whole way and being treated like a fool made him a little angry.
However, this was also due to his own inferiority; he couldn't see through Ye Ling's disguise, and there was nothing to complain about. He could only continue, "Actually, our investigation into Tianhui Pharmaceuticals is related to another case. That case is the real reason we're looking for you."
"And it's also related to the downfall of the Ye family."
Hearing Wang Liren's words, Ye Ling's eyes narrowed slightly, and he said, "Speak."
Wang Liren tentatively asked, "When you were confronting the Jiang family, did you discover any other forces behind the Jiang family?"
"Yes, the Hongchen Pavilion." Ye Ling replied directly, without any concealment.
Hearing Ye Ling's answer, Wang Liren and Zhang Hao's expressions changed slightly.
As expected!!!
Wang Liren stood up quickly and said rapidly, "Are you sure the Hongchen Pavilion is behind the Jiang family?"
Ye Ling smiled, "It seems you are also investigating this force."
Wang Liren said, "Naturally! The illegal force of the Hongchen Pavilion has been entrenched in China for decades, its tentacles penetrating many sectors, posing a huge threat to national security. The Dragon Department absolutely cannot allow such an uncontrollable force to grow rampant on the Yan Hua continent!"
"I hope you can cooperate with us. After all, the downfall of the Ye family is also related to the Hongchen Pavilion. Only by assisting the Dragon Department can you find the Hongchen Pavilion and avenge the Ye family."
Ye Ling shook his head and smiled, asking, "To what extent have you investigated?"
"Sorry, that's classified. I cannot disclose it," Zhang Hao said.
"Then I also have nothing to disclose," Ye Ling replied curtly.
If it were an exchange of information, Ye Ling would be happy to cooperate with the Dragon Department, as the Dragon Department had been investigating the Hongchen Pavilion for years and might possess information he was unaware of.
But for Ye Ling to provide information to the Dragon Department unilaterally, he wasn't that foolish to be a pawn for them.
Moreover, Ye Ling understood that no matter how much the Dragon Department did, it would be in vain.
Based on Ye Ling's current understanding of the Hongchen Pavilion's strength, the East Sea branch alone was a formidable opponent for the Dragon Department and the Azure Flame Army. They were definitely no match for the Hongchen Pavilion.
Relying on the Dragon Department to deal with the Hongchen Pavilion, Ye Ling estimated it would take hundreds or even thousands of years, and even then, there was no guarantee of a result.
Seeing Ye Ling's lack of cooperation, Zhang Hao and Wang Liren's expressions also turned somewhat grim.
After a moment of silence, Wang Liren said to Ye Ling, "Ye Ling, don't distrust the country. The power of the Hongchen Pavilion far exceeds your imagination. Only by cooperating with the Dragon Department and the Azure Flame Army can you possibly avenge the Ye family's blood feud."
"Hiding things will be detrimental to everyone."
Ye Ling chuckled, "You two are too naive. Don't you think your Dragon Department and Azure Flame Army are opponents of the Hongchen Pavilion?"
Zhang Hao's face darkened, and he asked, "What do you mean?"
Ye Ling smiled, "I recall that the overt powerhouses of the Azure Flame Army and the Dragon Department are no more than peak seventh rank. Even if your organizations have hidden powerhouses behind them, they would be at most eighth rank. With the nation's collective strength, you might not even be able to produce a ninth-rank Hongchen Immortal... "
"With your half-baked strength, you can barely deal with the East Sea branch of the Hongchen Pavilion. How can you possibly deal with the entire Hongchen Pavilion?"