At the dining table besides, Zhang Xiaoman initially found the conversation clouded in mystery, only feeling that a name mentioned sounded somewhat familiar.
But when Shi Yong recited that long string of address, he finally realized why he felt so familiar with what this group was discussing.
Because among the list of gang members he was planning to recruit, the next target was a person named Dane Winchester, and the System’s provided current address was exactly in Oxford County, just as he had mentioned!
Combining the topics they had discussed before and after, about the Shield, the Guardian, and the mysterious organization, Zhang Xiaoman suddenly pieced together some possibilities.
"Could it be that these guys are targeting the Star Alliance?"
He mused internally, glancing once again in their direction. One of them seemed to sense his gaze and looked up at him too.
Without feeling any guilt, Zhang Xiaoman calmly averted his gaze and then said to the girl beside him, "Sisi, let’s go. I’m taking you to meet someone, it should be an interesting place."
"An interesting place? Brother Xiao Man, who are we going to meet?"
Having said this, the two of them stood up and left while another person at a nearby table stared at their departing figures for a long time.
"Shi Yong, what’s with you? Got a crush on that girl?" teased a young-looking boy poking him, "If I’m not mistaken, that girl seems to be blind. Since when did you start liking this type? I had no idea."
Shi Yong snapped back to his senses and swatted his hand away, saying, "Zhou Yu, what nonsense are you spouting? I was just noticing that the man seemed familiar, felt like I’ve seen him somewhere before..."
"Enough already, how familiar can you get here in England? Could you actually bump into someone you know? Come on, our food is here, let’s eat! We can’t be late this afternoon!"
Oxford County, Woodstock Town, 33 Stel Street.
This is an estate sprawled across over 200 acres, owned by the Wencheen family since ancient times.
Speaking of the Wencheen family, the local residents probably all have heard of them, but few know specifically what they do.
The Wencheen family is very mysterious in the locals’ hearts, seldom interacting with outsiders. Ever since being granted this land hundreds of years ago, they have rarely left their home.
Unlike other nobles, they hardly ever mention the honors they have received.
Yet, an old family like theirs could not avoid the fate of decline.
In Woodstock Town, some elderly often tell their grandchildren stories about the Wencheen family at night.
In these stories, terms like demons, witches, and monsters are always present, scaring the children to hide under their blankets until they fall asleep.
Over time, in the local people’s minds, the Wencheen family has become a place full of eeriness and ominousness.
Seemingly confirming these rumors, the land in Wencheen Manor has been neglected for many years now, with overgrown weeds, forests of dead trees, and at night, one can still hear the caws of crows, as if truly entering the territory of an evil wizard.
At this moment, inside a mansion at the center of the manor, two people were arguing intensely.
"Sam! How many times have I said this? We can’t sell the manor yet! We haven’t cleared up the cause of our parents’ deaths! We haven’t caught the murderer!"
A white man with neatly trimmed short hair and a muscular build angrily spoke.
Next to him stood a thin young man with messy hair, who was absorbed in packing a box containing antiques, muttering,
"Dane, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. There’s a tycoon who wants to buy an estate here in Oxford County. Do you know how hard I worked to get in touch with them? And do you realize how many people are competing with us for this?"
The man named Dane paced back and forth, then suddenly stopped, pointed around, and said:
"Sam, look at this place, this is where we grew up! Our father was murdered just last month, and the killer of our mother has never been caught. How can you bear to sell it before we resolve these things!?"
Upon hearing this, Sam tossed the antique he was holding, turned around, and yelled at him:
"Dane! Initially, we had planned to sell the manor, wasn’t this agreed upon by everyone? Why are you backing out now!"
Dane’s expression stalled for a moment before he slightly turned his head, somewhat conflicted, "Brother, this is different. Father is dead, we must find the real killer..."
Sam ruthlessly cut him off.
"There’s nothing different! While father was alive, he only cared about his impractical research and never looked after us! He was only thinking about how to avenge mom! When did he ever ask about us!? And selling the manor was approved by him too, wasn’t it? If you’re so protective of him, why are you opposing me now!?"
"Sam! I won’t allow you to say that!!!"
Dane grabbed him by the collar, glaring at him furiously.
Sam glared back just as fiercely.
After a long moment, Dane released his grip and stepped back dejectedly to sit on a sofa.
"Sam, do you know how kind mom was? When she perished in the fire right before my eyes, you were still a baby. Father was desperate and managed to save you, but he couldn’t save her. Do you know how heartbroken I was?"
"Later, father spent his entire life looking for the killer of our mother. A month ago, he too was burnt to death in the warehouse, and the police still haven’t found the killer! We can’t let their deaths be in vain!"
"I’ve read Father’s diary; he must have discovered something! And the answer is right here in our manor! Sam, trust me, just give me some time to uncover the truth..."
Seeing him , the brother, though reluctant, still harshly said:
"Dane, I don’t want to hear that from you anymore. You and father have been detectives for so many years, studying occult for so long. What has come of it? Do you know what people call you? The evil wizard of the Wencheen family! Just listen to me this time, let it go. We can sell the manor and do lots of things; I can become a lawyer, and you could run a pub..."
Dane suddenly stood up, his eyes unwaveringly firm.
"I’ve read Father’s diary, and I feel I am very close to the truth! I will absolutely not agree to sell the manor! At least not before I find the killer! I absolutely won’t let you sell it!!"
After saying this, he walked out the door without hesitation.
Sam watched his departing figure, then glanced at a photo on the table, sighed helplessly, his eyes filled with complexity.
PS: Thanks to Sun Wind for the 10,000-point reward, and thanks to Wind from the South for the 1,300-point reward.