Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 1241: Family Background and the Viper of the Capital

Wang Yuechuan was a well-known figure in the provincial bureau — young, handsome, and remarkably talented at solving cases, almost like a celebrity.

As some details about Wang Yuechuan flashed quickly through his mind, Leng Feng frowned. “What’s going on here?”

The man before him was named Wang Yuegang. Though not very old, he already served as a battalion-level operations staff officer, also part of the military like Leng Feng. The two had met during a joint military exercise, got along well, and had since maintained a personal friendship. Because of that, Leng Feng knew a bit about his family.

Leng Feng had never met Wang Yuechuan personally. He only knew that Wang Yuechuan was Wang Yuegang’s younger brother — not by blood, but an adopted son of Wang Yuegang’s father, said to be the child of an old friend.

At this moment, Wang Yuegang’s expression was grave. “He fled to escape punishment… The matter’s quite complicated, and I still haven’t figured everything out.”

He briefly explained to Leng Feng what he had found through his own investigation.

“After leaving the morgue, a foreigner ended up dead… He fled during the arrest and even took a colleague hostage.” Leng Feng gasped, stunned. “Are you sure that’s really your brother and not an impostor?”

“I wish it were that simple,” Wang Yuegang said with a bitter smile.

“What are the police saying?” Leng Feng asked.

He knew the matter wasn’t under Wang Yuegang’s jurisdiction — the military and the police were different systems. If Wang Yuegang interfered, it would count as overstepping authority. He could only gather some information, not intervene directly.“They still haven’t found him,” Wang Yuegang said, frowning. “After escaping that night, it was like he vanished into thin air. But according to reports, he might’ve fled toward Hong Kong, maybe even used that route to get into Southeast Asia. It’s hard to analyze.”

Leng Feng said quietly, “Your brother had a bright future ahead. It doesn’t make sense for him to ruin it himself… Have you thought about whether there might be a reason — maybe something he couldn’t talk about?”

“I’ve thought of that too,” Wang Yuegang said, rubbing his forehead. “Usually, no one would defect or go rogue without something serious happening. At first, I suspected he might be on a secret mission or something similar… but judging from my father’s reaction, that’s unlikely.”

Leng Feng didn’t know how to comfort him. He was part of the capital’s military division — different regions, separate systems — and this was ultimately a police matter. He could only listen. Besides, once he returned, he would be joining that secret project, and there’d be little else he could do.

Still, he couldn’t bear to see his friend so distressed. After a moment’s thought, Leng Feng said, “How about this — I’ll introduce you to someone. Maybe she can help you find some information.”

“Oh? Who?” Wang Yuegang’s eyes lit up.

Leng Feng smiled. “The person I asked you to look after — my sister-in-law.”

Wang Yuegang immediately frowned but didn’t interrupt, knowing Leng Feng wasn’t one to talk nonsense.

“She’s a bit special,” Leng Feng explained. “Although she’s just a journalist, she’s got some connections in certain circles… She has ties to an old, established society in Hong Kong.”

Wang Yuegang’s frown deepened.

“Not many people know this,” Leng Feng continued. “Don’t spread it around. She’s not actually part of that group — she just has a personal connection with the society’s leader. Ren Ziling grew up as an orphan. Years ago, the leader of that Hong Kong society suddenly decided to do some good deeds and sponsored several mainland children’s education. My sister-in-law was one of them.”

“Seriously?” Wang Yuegang blinked in surprise.

Then, realizing that in a vast country like China, anything could happen, he nodded slightly.

“Yes,” Leng Feng said with a chuckle. “Even I was surprised when I found out. My big brother’s first wife passed away, and he remarried her afterward. I attended the wedding. She told me she sent an invitation to that benefactor in Hong Kong, not expecting him to come — but he actually did. He got drunk at the banquet and happily recognized her as his goddaughter. Later, we learned he was originally from around here. Back in the ’70s, he swam across to Hong Kong and built his fortune there.”

“No wonder she has such pull around here,” Wang Yuegang said, smiling wryly.

Leng Feng nodded. “She’s not influential in her own right, but people give some face to that Hong Kong benefactor, so she’s mostly left alone. She never talks about it, but when she needs to find someone, the local connections come in handy. If your brother really escaped through Hong Kong, she might be able to get some leads through those channels.”

As the saying goes — a fierce dragon can’t suppress the local snake.

Wang Yuegang knew that well. After a moment’s thought, he nodded. “Alright, set up a meeting sometime. I owe you one.”

Leng Feng smiled faintly.

He would soon be joining that secret project — something shrouded in mystery and danger. It was only natural to make a few preparations beforehand.

If Ren Ziling ever needed help in the future, Wang Yuegang might lend a hand out of friendship, but if he owed a favor, it would be different — much more dependable.

After all, a debt of gratitude is the hardest kind to repay.

“That’s settled then. I’ll talk to her about it tomorrow,” Leng Feng said.

Wang Yuegang nodded.

…

After Wang Yuegang left, Leng Feng returned to his hotel room — but before opening the door, he frowned.

His hand slowed. When he finally opened the door, he didn’t step inside immediately. He glanced around carefully before entering.

Suddenly, a gust of force struck at him. Leng Feng calmly ducked, dodging a sudden elbow strike, then counterattacked instantly.

They exchanged several quick blows inside the room before Leng Feng took a punch to the chest, gritting his teeth through the pain, and his attacker was kicked backward, face pale.

Leng Feng finally got a good look at the man — an utterly ordinary-looking person, someone who’d easily blend into a crowd.

“Who are you? Why are you following me?” Leng Feng’s tone turned cold, killing intent flashing in his eyes. “You’ve been tailing me since the airport, haven’t you?”

“Major Leng, impressive skills,” the plain-faced man said, suddenly lowering his guard and smiling faintly. “I’m here simply to discuss a matter of cooperation.”

“Oh?” Leng Feng said coolly, moving toward the mini bar. He poured himself half a glass of whiskey and dropped in two ice cubes. “Not going to introduce yourself first?”

“You may call me Viper,” the man said calmly, hands clasped behind his back. “I represent my boss.”

Viper… Leng Feng quickly searched his memory, and then his eyes narrowed. “Ten years ago, there was a Xingyi master in Sichuan who went on the run for murder. Three years ago, a man named Viper appeared in the capital, joined the Zhao family as a retainer… You’re that Viper?”

Viper smiled faintly. “Major Leng, you’re quite well-informed.”

Leng Feng sneered. “There are too many powerful families in the capital, but I’ve never had any dealings with the Zhao family. I don’t see why your boss would need anything from a small soldier like me.”

“Major Leng, you’re too modest,” Viper said, waving a hand. “At your age, you’ve already made major. Your future’s bright — in a few years, you could be soaring through the ranks.”

Leng Feng’s smile vanished. “Enough flattery. Why are you really here?”

Viper was silent for a moment, then said slowly, “I hear you’re about to take part in a secret project — a national-level program selecting the best from the entire military.”

Leng Feng’s eyes flashed with a sharp, deadly light.

Viper continued as if he hadn’t noticed. “My boss hopes you’ll do him a favor. Once you’re in, if you can share the project’s content or any useful results, you’ll be richly rewarded.”

Leng Feng gave a cold snort. “If you know about that project, then you should also know it’s under top-level confidential orders. Has the Zhao family really started reaching this far?”

Viper met his gaze. “Major Leng, all you need to say is yes or no — will you cooperate?”

Leng Feng’s expression hardened. “Leave. I’ll pretend this never happened. Whoever else you want to bribe, that’s your problem. But don’t ever bring your mess to me.”

Leng Feng had a lot on his mind. Since people from the Zhao family in the capital had managed to find him, it was clear they already knew something about that classified document. So, seeing his name appear on their target list wasn’t surprising—it only confirmed that the Zhao family’s influence had indeed reached deep into the military.

Now that they had approached him, it was likely they were also contacting others whose names were on that same list. Leng Feng had no way of knowing how many might give in to the Zhao family’s temptations—and he couldn’t possibly keep watch over them all.

This was no small matter. He needed to report it immediately to his superiors. A power struggle between high-ranking families was not something a mere field officer like him should interfere in.

Years of leading troops, learning self-discipline, and studying at the military academy had tempered him. Otherwise, had he still been that hot-blooded soldier of the past, tonight’s situation might have ended quite differently.

“Major Leng,” Viper said suddenly, his eyes turning cold, “a wise man adapts to the times. The Zhao family won’t shortchange you… nor do we wish for any trouble. Since I’ve already revealed this to you, I’d prefer not to hear a refusal.”

Leng Feng arched a brow and sneered. “Oh? And what if I do refuse?”

Viper replied flatly, “Major Leng returns home to visit family—unfortunately, an accident occurs along the way. What a tragedy.”

Leng Feng’s gaze hardened, and a predatory aura filled the air as he growled, “You dare assassinate a serving major?”

Viper didn’t answer—his attack was response enough. With a cold smirk, he flipped his palm, producing a dagger from nowhere like a magician, reversed his grip, and lunged.

Leng Feng drew a sharp breath, his years of close-combat training kicking in. He countered with a solid punch.

Inside the room, Viper dodged left and right, his movements swift and vicious. Each strike aimed for a kill. Leng Feng defended and countered, but the knife’s unpredictable angles kept him at a disadvantage. His heart grew heavier—Viper was known for his mastery of Xingyi Boxing, yet he hadn’t even used it yet. Clearly, he wasn’t fighting seriously. Even so, Leng Feng already found it difficult to hold out.

“No wonder you’re a soldier forged between life and death,” Viper said as he pulled back. “If you’d started training young, your skill might’ve surpassed mine… but military brawling is still too crude.”

Leng Feng snorted coldly, breathing deeply. Blood dripped from a gash on his arm, the wound palm-length and raw.

Viper tossed the dagger aside, planting his feet—one forward, one back—raising his lead fist and rear elbow, settling into a stance.

Leng Feng tensed, focusing every ounce of strength and spirit.

Viper stepped forward quickly and struck. Leng Feng blocked instinctively with his elbow—but a sharp pain shot through his arm, the bones nearly snapping. The searing pain made him falter.

Viper followed immediately with a second punch straight toward Leng Feng’s chest. With his power, if that blow landed, it could easily shatter a man’s ribs.

Leng Feng couldn’t dodge—the speed was beyond normal human limits. He’d heard rumors during his training that some ancient martial arts could focus the body’s full strength into a single blow, releasing jin force. Could Viper be one of those practitioners of traditional martial arts?

He had no time to think—the strike slammed squarely into his chest.

Crack!

Leng Feng heard the sound of breaking bone—but it wasn’t his ribs. It was Viper’s wrist.

The man’s punch had landed as if on a steel plate. Instead of breaking through, his own bones had snapped.

“Ah—! Iron… Iron Shirt?!” Viper’s expression twisted in shock. His palm had struck Leng Feng’s chest full-force, only to rebound with crippling pain. The terror in his eyes was unmistakable.

Leng Feng snapped out of it, twisting his waist and unleashing a full-strength counterpunch straight into Viper’s chest.

The blow landed hard. Still reeling from the backlash and unable to focus his energy in time, Viper took the hit head-on and staggered backward, barely managing to stay on his feet. His throat convulsed as he swallowed down the blood rising from within, but his combat strength had dropped to less than a third.

Leng Feng, trained in the military’s lethal hand-to-hand techniques, would never waste such an opening. He pressed the attack.

Realizing the fight was lost—his momentum broken, his body injured, and his spirit shaken—Viper chose to retreat.

He flung a tablecloth toward Leng Feng to block his view, then bolted out the door.

Leng Feng gritted his teeth and chased after him, but once in the corridor, the man had already vanished. He didn’t know which way Viper had gone and could only curse under his breath.

Then he looked down at his chest, confusion flickering in his eyes.

That punch just now—what was that? Since when had his chest become that hard? He felt like he could smash rocks with it!

(End of Chapter)

形意拳 (Xingyiquan), also known as Xingyi, is an internal Chinese martial art that roughly translates to "form-intention fist" or "shape-will fist". It focuses on internal mechanics, striking, and takedowns, employing both hard and soft techniques depending on the application.