Countermeasures

The waiter nodded and said, "That's indeed the sentence; the guest that day also said it."

The advisor sensed something was wrong. What kind of parents would say such things to their child? There's a saying that a mother doesn't despise her child for being ugly, especially since the person in front of him was a world-renowned young Painting School, a national figure. They should be cherishing him and protecting him. How could they say such disdainful things?

Even an upright official finds it difficult to settle family disputes. The clerk, fearing there might be some unspeakable story behind it all, hurriedly urged, "Stop arguing, quickly take the men to the vault to collect the goods."

A moment later, Hongdou came out with a children's picture book, inside which was a note that read, "We are very happy, don't look for us."

Si Ming glanced at it, frowned, and said, "Things have gotten more complicated. I feel the truth is in there. We need to find someone to help analyze it. Fortunately, we have a wise person with us this time."

"Without a doubt, your parents have been kidnapped, and their chances of survival are slim."

After listening to Si Ming's account, Si Jingyu immediately made a judgment. "The fact that the imposter could recite the code means it was forced out of you by your parents. Your parents should have foreseen this day, so they left a warning beforehand, implying that the kidnappers were very dangerous and that you should not take the risk for them."

Si Huaruo said angrily, "How dare they do such a thing in broad daylight, under the clear sky! They must not be let off lightly! Our Si Clan should immediately mobilize our connections to help find them."

Despite recognizing him as a love rival, given Si Huaruo's character, she would never stand by and watch someone die, nor would she allow personal feelings to cloud her conscience, regardless of the other person's identity.

Si Jingyu said, "That's a decision for the person involved to make."

Si Huaruo said, "What's the suspense? Of course we'll save them! What child would stand by and watch their parents die?"

However, Hongdou said, "Let's forget it. Since they say we don't need to look, let's just go along with it."

"What did you say! These are your own parents! No matter what happens, you must do everything in your power to save them. Even if it's a mountain of knives and a sea of fire, you shouldn't hesitate. It's your duty as a child!"

Si Huaruo said this with great confidence. Even though her mother used to treat her as a tool and mistreated her in every way, she never complained and always did her best to fulfill her mother's wishes.

Even if the other party has many faults, she is still her mother, and blood is thicker than water!

"But they themselves said there was no need to look, and I recognize the handwriting; it's not forged. I can't go against their wishes."

"This is different. Aren't you worried at all about your parents' safety?"

"Worrying won't do any good, will it?" Hongdou scratched her head, quite puzzled as to why the other person was angry. "According to Xiaoyu's deduction, they have most likely already been killed. In that case, there's no difference whether we look for them or not, and it might even lead to danger."

"You're so cold..."

"Enough!" Si Jingyu shouted, "Huaruo, don't impose your will on others."

Si Huaruo said indignantly, "This is not just my will, but the will of the masses. If you randomly grab anyone off the street, they will all think the same way. What normal person would stand by and watch their parents die? Even if they are likely to be killed, they should at least see them alive or dead. They should do everything in their power to save them and have a clear conscience."

Si Jingyu said, "Don't you understand? You're the only normal person in this room!"

Si Huaruo paused for a moment, then turned her gaze to Si Shuiyun, only to hear the other say, "The young lady's footsteps are the direction Shuiyun will always follow."

This guy has absolutely no principles! Si Huaruo turned her expectant gaze to Si Ming.

"Choosing to give up is certainly not something to be encouraged, but there's nothing wrong with it either. Everyone has their own opinions, and as long as it doesn't harm others, what she does is her freedom. Outsiders shouldn't interfere, much less criticize her from a moral high ground."

You are utterly unreasonable!

Si Huaruo had nothing to say, and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

Chapter 327 Countermeasures

"I'm sorry, I always manage to make people angry whenever I open my mouth."

Hongdou said, quite sadly.

Si Ming comforted him, "It's alright, it's just a generation gap between normal and abnormal people. No one can please everyone, and at least the people left in this room right now aren't angry."

Si Jingyu asked, "What do you plan to do? Pretend you didn't see this note?"

Si Ming, "Saving people is difficult, but killing is easy. Taking the murder of Hongdou's parents as an example, we should find the murderers and wipe them all out to vent our anger. After all, it is only right that a life should be paid for a life."

Si Jingyu smiled knowingly, "Didn't the paper say not to go looking for them?"

"Yes, that's why I just want to find the murderer. I'm not good at rescuing hostages, but I have some experience killing kidnappers. Besides, Hongdou's parents think these kidnappers are dangerous and should not be contacted, which is based on their own subjective judgment," Si Ming clenched his fist, full of fighting spirit. "For ordinary people, Level Twelve Internal Cultivation master is already an unreachable level of power, but for us, even Spirit Transformation expert needs to be fought to know who wins and who loses. I want to see just how dangerous they really are."

Si Shuiyun pouted and said, "In the end, you still have to find someone, it doesn't make you sound like you have a hard heart."

"Of course, this is the chaotic good side, so we should help if we can. If it's really dangerous, choosing to protect ourselves is understandable, but we haven't even seen the enemy yet. We can't let ourselves be scared off before we even see them," Si Ming explained, then added with a sigh, "The biggest problem right now is where the enemy is hiding. If they've gone abroad, tracking them down won't be easy."

Reclining leisurely in a wicker rocking chair, Si Jingyu said, "I do know where they're hiding."

Si Ming asked in surprise, "You've analyzed so little information and figured out where they're hiding? It's so reassuring to have a wise person around. Did you secretly read the script?"

Only fools peek at the script; smart people just bribe the screenwriter.

After a humorous remark, Si Jingyu said seriously, "Your limited information certainly won't yield any useful results. However, by combining it with information from another source, we can obtain the answer we seek."

Si Ming said anxiously, "Don't keep us in suspense, tell us the result first."

"The Lu Lineage Tea-Tasting Manor," Si Jingyu explained clearly, without the usual wise man's tendency to speak in ambiguity, "After being ambushed by that senior in the back mountain of the Tea-Tasting Manor last time, I secretly sent people to investigate the Lu Lineage. I also contacted your friend surnamed Lu. With their combined efforts, I finally discovered many clues."

"You hired someone as an inside man, but you didn't even ask their name?" Although Si Ming still didn't know the man's name.

"Don't worry about such a trivial matter," Si Jingyu said, glossing over the issue. "According to the investigation, the Lu Lineage has been aggressively acquiring materials for building arrays recently, seemingly to construct some kind of magic array or hold a large-scale ceremony. According to that kind-hearted person who wished to remain anonymous, the order to acquire the materials was issued by the young patriarch Lu Ling. The stated reason is that the Crimson Eye Society issued a public mission, the objective of which is to assassinate him, the young patriarch. Therefore, he is simultaneously gathering his clansmen and constructing a defensive magic array."

Si Ming frowned and said, "That's a far-fetched argument. It's clearly making a mountain out of a molehill. Doesn't the Lu Lineage have Spirit Transformation expert in charge? Why should they worry about an assassination attempt by the Crimson Eye Society?"

Si Jingyu took a goose feather fan from Si Shuiyun and said while fanning herself, "Some people in the Lu Lineage have also raised this issue, but the Lu Lineage's Nascent Spirit Transformation expert personally stood up for Lu Ling, saying that he was assassinated by a master from the Crimson Eye Society and was seriously injured. He said that it was not advisable for him to fight anyone recently, so he needed to add an extra layer of protection. For this reason, he ordered all the clansmen who were on official business outside to be summoned back to the manor."

"I feel this reason is rather far-fetched. By the way, has the Lu Lineage offered any explanation for the ambush you were ambushed at the Tea-Tasting Manor last time?"

"They just gave me a flimsy excuse, but their apology was quite generous, almost enough to make up for the property I lost due to the passing of my ancestor. It's like they don't care about wasting other people's money," Si Jingyu said meaningfully.