Chapter 809 — The Orphanage's Trouble

"Of course I've heard of them. I hear they're some kind of wealthy clans — absolutely rolling in money, and with plenty of influence too!" Yu Xiaoke said, a trace of envy in her voice. "If I knew where their ancestral home was, I'd go take a look around. I reckon our orphanage wouldn't have to worry about living expenses ever again..."

"Nonsense! What makes you think that's a place you could go?" The old director glared at Yu Xiaoke and rebuked her sternly. "If you went there, I'm afraid you'd never come back!"

"Huh? Is it really that serious?" Yu Xiaoke stuck out her tongue in fright. "I was just saying it offhand..."

"Even offhand, you can't say such things! Do you have any idea how powerful these great houses are? Over there, masters of the Yellow level are everywhere — there are even Xuan-level masters! How many lives do you have to dare set foot there?" the old director scolded. "Whatever you do, don't go doing anything foolish!"

"Oh... I understand!" Yu Xiaoke nodded, though inwardly she felt a little regretful — if only she could go rob them just once. Out loud, however, she asked, "That Hidden Zhao family — are they one of the Four Great Houses and Five Minor Houses too?"

"No. They're a Hidden House — an existence even more terrifying than the Four Great Houses and Five Minor Houses!" The old director shook his head. "The Hidden Houses are full of masters like clouds, but I hear they don't involve themselves in the affairs of the secular world. Otherwise, in this secular world, the Four Great Houses and Five Minor Houses wouldn't even count as wealthy clans..."

"In that case, why has this Zhao Qibing come here? He couldn't be a fraud, could he?" Yu Xiaoke asked curiously after hearing the old director's words.

"Whether he's a fraud, I can't yet be sure. We'll just have to take it one step at a time. If they really do send masters here, then with the little strength your master has, it wouldn't be nearly enough for them to even look at..." The old director shook his head.

"Then they're really pushing people around, aren't they? What gives them the right? What's going to happen to all the children at our orphanage from now on?" Yu Xiaoke felt she couldn't swallow the injustice; her heart was thoroughly displeased.

"Pushing people around? I suppose so. But what can we do about it? We're no match for them at all!" The old director sighed. "And my identity can't be exposed... otherwise, there'll be great trouble..."

"Master, back then, what exactly did you..." Yu Xiaoke trailed off, hesitant, for she had asked many times before and her master had always been vague, never breathing a word about what happened back then. Yu Xiaoke was terribly curious.

"These matters — you'd better not know." Her master spoke indifferently. "Otherwise, you'll be in trouble too!"

"Oh..." Curious as she was, Yu Xiaoke shut her mouth when she heard her master say that.

At last, the kidney-harvesting syndicate case was settled once and for all. The chief culprit, Tattoo Brother, was brought to court, while Zhong Yongliang and An Liwen, as victims, gave testimony in court against the syndicate's crimes.

An Liwen found it somewhat disgusting and absurd — the kidney-harvesting syndicate was his own, yet here he was, testifying against his own criminal gang.

When Zhong Yongliang saw that An Liwen had actually appeared in court as a victim too, he was astonished beyond measure, and at the same time secretly overjoyed! So An Liwen had had his kidney harvested as well? Wasn't the kidney-harvesting syndicate under his control? How had he become a victim too?

Truly, evil brings its own retribution. An Liwen had dug his own grave, and at last he had reaped what he sowed — his kidney had been cut out too!

Though Zhong Yongliang found the whole thing somewhat incredible, since An Liwen could appear in court to testify, it must have been confirmed by the police — his kidney had undoubtedly been harvested as well!

After returning from court, An Liwen was finally free. With the police no longer watching him, the first thing he did was call Zhong Yongliang.

In the courtroom, he had noticed Zhong Yongliang watching him the whole time with what seemed a strange look in his eyes, and inwardly he had fretted — surely Zhong Yongliang wouldn't let something slip. Fortunately, Zhong Yongliang had only worn a peculiar smile and said nothing inappropriate.

An Liwen could not tell what exactly Zhong Yongliang meant to convey: sympathy? Curiosity? Or gloating at his misfortune?

An Liwen knew that deep down, Zhong Yongliang surely resented him for harvesting one of his kidneys. But now that his own kidney had accidentally been harvested and given to him, surely Zhong Yongliang should be appeased?

Still, whatever Zhong Yongliang thought, An Liwen decided to contact him at the first opportunity to demand his kidney back. He could always spend money to buy another kidney, but nothing ever worked as well as the original equipment.

Gao Xiaofu accompanied Zhong Yongliang home. The past while had given Zhong Yongliang a rough time of it, and the first thing he did upon returning home was take a bath to wash away the bad luck. Thanks to Divine Doctor Kang's wound medicine, his injuries had healed long ago; Zhong Yongliang's health had actually recovered rather well.

"Brother Liang, this business with An Liwen is pretty bizarre, isn't it? He got his kidney harvested too? Wasn't the kidney-harvesting syndicate under his control?" Gao Xiaofu asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Who knows? But it's worked out well enough. Not only did he lose his kidney-harvesting ring, he lost a kidney of his own too. I'd say that balances things out a little for me!" Zhong Yongliang nodded and said, "By the way, how has Wei Zhao been lately?"

"Same as ever. He's doing remarkably well at school, and no one dares cross him..." Gao Xiaofu sighed. "Say, Brother Liang, when is Naipao coming back? Once he's back, we can settle our scores and have our revenge!"

"I'm not sure yet. If we're not too busy these next few days, let's head up the mountain to see him and find out whether there's anything he needs help with," Zhong Yongliang said.

"Sounds good. I've been wanting to see how Naipao is doing myself!" Gao Xiaofu nodded. He was quite eager for Zhang Naipao's return.

As the two of them were talking, Zhong Yongliang's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, saw an unfamiliar number, and answered it casually. "Hello? This is Zhong Yongliang. Who am I speaking to?"

"Liangzi, it's me, An Liwen!" An Liwen's voice was brimming with enthusiasm.

"Oh, Brother Wen? Is there something you need?" Zhong Yongliang's expression shifted slightly. What was An Liwen calling him for? What could he possibly want with him?

"Ah, Liangzi, I'm calling because I have something important!" An Liwen, unable to hear the unfriendliness in Zhong Yongliang's tone and unable to see his expression, went on, "How's your kidney doing? Has it given you any trouble?"

"What? Is there a problem with the kidney you gave me?" Zhong Yongliang sneered inwardly. My kidney is dead and gone, cut out of me, and you still have the nerve to ask if there's a problem? That thing has put me under the knife three times already!