At four o'clock in the afternoon, Billy and Stout walked out of the capital city airport.
"Boss, Stout!" When they reached the exit, Night Orchid and another SHADOW brother welcomed them.
"Mmm," Billy gave a faint smile. "Let's go to SHADOW first."
"Alright," Night Orchid and the other brother nodded and led Billy and Stout to the car.
"Did we make any progress with the investigation of the Greenwood and Harding families, the ones you mentioned earlier?" After the car started moving, Billy asked Night Orchid.
In the capital, there were five major clans. The Leonard clan had already disappeared, while the Frazier clan had regained control under Josh Frazier's leadership, distancing themselves from the clan system. The Holmes Clan had quieted down after the incident last time, and with Harlan Holmes watching over it, there shouldn't be any subversive activities.
So for Billy, he needed to be on guard against the Greenwood and Harding clans, the two most influential clans within the capital. In particular, the Harding clan was much more powerful, with many of its members holding important positions in the various government departments.
"It's pretty much as you guessed, Boss. Many of the core members of these two families are not in the capital right now. Those who stayed are just representatives of the clans." Night Orchid replied.
"Some of the talented younger generation members from the clans have been sent away, most of them placed in different martial arts sects, with a few even sent overseas."
Billy nodded.
This was in line with his expectations. Throughout history, the prominent clans and influential families within the country had such arrangements. These clans and families were affiliated with the ancient martial sects and served as vessels for absorbing the nation's resources.
These clans knew well that the capital had long harbored intentions to target them, but they hadn't made up their minds to act yet. However, that day would eventually come, so they had to prepare early and send their potential talents to the ancient martial world.
Even if one day the capital did take action against them and all the clan members in the capital were executed, it wouldn't extinguish their lineage. In a few decades, once the potential talents they had sent out had grown up, with the support of their sects, they could rebuild the clan.
A centipede might die, but it wouldn't stay dead.
"When you mentioned this morning that there have been unfamiliar faces from several big families showing up recently, is it related to these people?" Billy continued.
"Yes," Night Orchid nodded. "According to the feedback from our brothers, these individuals mostly come from the ancient martial world, and quite a few are the outstanding young talents from various major families."
"But we haven't found out what they're planning."
"Mmm," Billy nodded slightly. "Have our brothers keep an eye on them but don't take action yet. Let them do as they please for now."
"Understood." Night Orchid replied.
At that moment, Night Orchid's phone rang.
"Brigham, what's up?" After answering the call, Night Orchid asked.
"Night Orchid, Mrs Knight somehow got wind of Raven's whereabouts and is now alone at the Raven's bar looking for him." Brigham Bush's voice came through the phone.
After a slight pause, he continued, "I'd like to ask for instructions. Should we step in?"
Night Orchid had received a call from Billy earlier in the morning, so he had arranged for his men to track Harleen's phone number as soon as she arrived in the capital. She didn't want anything to happen to Harleen.
Night Orchid was slightly stunned. "Just hold on."
Afterward, he relayed Brigham Bush's words to Billy.
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