Chapter 202: Another Guest Arrives
As the old man spoke, the banquet began in no time, and the courtyard was filled with the clinking of glasses and lively chatter, restoring a joyful atmosphere.
However, the main hall was strangely quiet, with only the sound of utensils clinking and occasional whispers.
“I’m late, I’m late!”
Soon, two booming voices suddenly echoed in the courtyard.
A bespectacled, thin, and scholarly middle-aged man quickly walked towards the main hall.
Seeing the newcomer, many people were taken aback.
“Oh my, isn’t that Song Qingzhou, the big shot from Newstrand?”
“That’s indeed Song Qingzhou. He looks so young yet he’s already the most powerful person in Newstrand.”
“This is a true powerhouse. He is not only dominating Newstrand but also recently taking over the Song family in Stillwater.”
“Old Master Liu can even have someone like Song Qingzhou come for his birthday?”
Those who knew Song Qingzhou in the courtyard immediately began discussing.
St. Marquet was located at the border of Stillwater and Newstrand, with news from both cities converging here. Geographically speaking, the city was closer to Newstrand, so the name Song Qingzhou was well-known to many.
In just a few short years, he had risen to become the hegemon of Newstrand, a legendary figure.
The Liu family was a hundred times more astonished by Song Qingzhou’s arrival than Du Xing’s. Du Xing was a local, after all, but Song Qingzhou was far more distant and seemingly unreachable.
Yet, there he was, all so suddenly, leaving the Liu family puzzled.
Song Qingzhou entered the main hall alone, revealing an elegant smile and said, “Old Master Liu, I’ve come uninvited to wish you a happy birthday, and also to pay my respects for the New Year. I hope you won’t mind.”
Liu Mingda squeezed out a complicated smile, “Not at all…”
The Liu family members couldn’t remain seated, as Song Qingzhou was such a revered figure. Even Xiao Zhou didn’t dare to breathe loudly in his presence. The Xiao family in Newstrand had long been subdued by Song Qingzhou, obedient like a well-behaved dog.
“Mr. Song, what brings you to St. Marquet?” Xiao Shun squinted, looking puzzled as he asked Song Qingzhou.
?!
Xiao Shun’s tone seemed quite familiar with Song Qingzhou.
Everyone thought they had heard wrong.
Was this still the same useless son-in-law from before?
How could he know someone like Song Qingzhou?
The Liu family was once again dumbfounded and at a loss.
“Oh, I just happened to be passing by and heard you were here, so I made a special trip here.” Song Qingzhou said with a hearty laugh.
Upon hearing this, the Liu family could tell that he wasn’t here to celebrate, but specifically to see Xiao Shun. They found it hard to believe, as if they were dreaming.
Song Qingzhou was currently the leading figure in both Newstrand and Stillwater. Such a big shot came all the way to see a young son-in-law…
“Just passing by? Aren’t you being too casual?” Xiao Shun questioned him with a skeptical look.
How dared Xiao Shun to speak to Song Qingzhou like this?
This once again overturned the Liu family’s understanding.
Seeing that the Liu family was still stunned, Song Qingzhou quickly waved his hand to motion for them to sit down: “I’m sorry for the interruption, please continue eating. My brother and I have some matters to discuss.”
“Go get a seat for Mr. Song!” Liu Mingda said with genuine apprehension.
As Yao Cen was about to stand up, Song Qingzhou said: “Sister-in-law, we’re meeting for the first time, right? Please sit down. I’ll take my brother away for a while, as we have some important matters to discuss. You don’t mind, do you?”
Yao Cen smiled and nodded, “Go ahead.”
“What’s the matter?” Xiao Shun figured it must be urgent for Song Qingzhou to come all the way to St. Marquet during the New Year. He put down his chopsticks and stood up.
“Let’s talk outside,” Song Qingzhou said briefly, and then hurriedly left the Liu family compound with Xiao Shun.
After they left, the members of the Liu family turned their gazes to Yao Chen, even Yao Jianguo and Liu Yunxiang looked at her with strange expressions.
Yao Chen asked, puzzled, “Why are you all looking at me like that?”
“Are Xiao Shun and Song Qingzhou… close?” Wen Yunshan asked.RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only
“I’m not sure. You heard it too; I just met Song Qingzhou for the first time today. As for their relationship, I don’t know much about it either.” Yao Chen told the truth, as she really didn’t know Song Qingzhou.
“Destroy St. Lilith?”
Outside the Liu family mansion, in Song Qingzhou’s black business car.
He told Xiao Shun the purpose of his trip, and Xiao Shun was somewhat surprised, as it seemed that the Liu family believed in St. Lilith.
“Yes, in the past few decades, St. Lilith has been listed by the government as an extremist religion. I also saw the portrait of St. Lilith in the house just now, and I believe you saw it too. The Liu family is a well-known family in St. Marquet, and even they have started to believe in St. Lilith, which shows how deep their infiltration is in this place,” Song Qingzhou explained.
“But the old man seemed normal to me, and he didn’t show any extreme behavior, except for not being very friendly to me,” Xiao Shun said with a smile.
“St. Lilith was introduced from the northeast. The government had previously cracked down on them, which caused some social unrest, but it was somewhat effective. However, they are very flexible and quickly went underground. In recent years, they have reemerged, and their actions seem even more extreme than before.
Half a year ago, they set fire to a slaughterhouse, causing not only significant economic losses but also a tragedy with three deaths and one injury. Last month, they set fire to a breeding farm, causing considerable damage as well. So, it is necessary to eliminate them.”
“However, based on our experience last time, to avoid causing unnecessary panic and unrest among the people, you know, destroying someone’s faith can make many people fight to the death with you, so this time we plan to start from the top and uproot them completely.”
“Their high-level members have always been elusive and difficult to track, but according to our intelligence, their saint is currently in St. Marquet, which is a place with simple folk customs and also their main base,” Song Qingzhou continued.
“Isn’t this supposed to be the government’s business? How did you get involved? Don’t tell me you are righteous and can’t stand injustice. I won’t believe it,” Xiao Shun said.
Song Qingzhou hesitated for a moment; he had not revealed his other identity to Xiao Shun, so it was no wonder he would ask.
After considering his words, he said, “I won’t hide it from you. In addition to my public identity, I also belong to an external organization of the security department. This operation is led by the government, and we are responsible for assisting.”
“So you’re looking for me because…?” Xiao Shun asked, puzzled.