Fifteen minutes later, Qin Long appeared before Shen Lang with forty members of the special operations team.
To Shen Lang's surprise, Qin Long and the special operations team members wore expressions as if facing a formidable enemy, each with a stern demeanor, and their equipment was top-notch.
"Brother Shen, the situation is a bit complicated. Let's get in the car, and we'll talk as we go."
Qin Long glanced at Shen Lang and said with great seriousness.
"Alright—"
Shen Lang nodded and then got into Qin Long's military vehicle.
"Brother Qin Long, you actually didn't need to go to this trouble. Just tell me the location of the BMW, and I can go rescue them myself."
After taking a sip of the bottled water Qin Long handed him, Shen Lang said.
"Brother Shen, I have absolute confidence in your rescue abilities, but this time, it's a bit sensitive. Do you know where that BMW is parked right now?"
Qin Long looked at Shen Lang and directly stated the location: "Shanyuan Villa."
"Shanyuan Villa?"
Shen Lang shook his head upon hearing this and said, "I don't think I've heard of this place. Is it a temple?"
"It's not a temple, but it is home to someone as unoffendable as Buddha himself."
Qin Long said with trepidation, "If you go there directly, you'll be seen as a provocation, and it will be very troublesome."
"Someone unoffendable?"
Shen Lang smiled upon hearing this and said, "If Yu Xiao and Yu Fei are unharmed, then everything can be discussed. But if they suffer even the slightest injury, no matter what kind of place Shanyuan Villa is, I will burn it to the ground. And no matter who lives there, I will slaughter them."
"Brother Shen, such magnificent spirit,"
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Xiong Zi, who was nearby, gave a thumbs up and praised, "I really like Brother Shen's grand spirit. A true man should be like this."
"Slap—"
Xiong Zi's praise was met with Qin Long's heavy slap on his head, and he reprimanded in a deep voice, "Others can be like that, but not at Shanyuan Villa. That place is truly too delicate."
Speaking of which, Qin Long cautiously advised Shen Lang, "Brother Shen, when we arrive at Shanyuan Villa later, I will handle all the negotiations. If diplomacy fails, we will resort to force. We'll start with courtesy and then move to action. Don't be impulsive."
"Alright, I'll listen to you."
Shen Lang knew that Qin Long was acting in his best interest and did not refuse Qin Long's good intentions. He smiled and said.
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Qin Long breathed a sigh of relief. He was worried that Shen Lang's killing intent would flare up and he wouldn't be able to control himself, ultimately leading to an uncontrollable disaster.
Half an hour later, Qin Long and his entourage arrived at the mountainside of Nanling's North Mountain.
After Shen Lang, Qin Long, and the others alighted from the cars, they saw an ancient architectural villa. The plaque on the gate clearly read "Shanyuan Villa" in four large characters.
At the entrance of Shanyuan Villa, on both sides, stood two stone lions, five meters tall and weighing over ten thousand catties. Before the two stone lions, a large stone tablet, ten meters high and two meters wide, was erected. Two lines of text were inscribed on the stone tablet: "Dismounting Stone" and "Disarming Stone."
Just by looking at the entrance, Shen Lang knew that Shanyuan Villa was no ordinary place, no wonder Qin Long was so apprehensive about it.
"Welcome, benefactors, to Shanyuan Villa. May I know if you are here for religious ceremonies or sightseeing?"
As Shen Lang was in surprise, a woman about 1.68 meters tall, with a graceful figure, a pure face, and wearing a grey monk's robe, walked over and asked gently.
She held a string of prayer beads in her hand and also wore a string of Buddhist beads around her neck, but she was not a nun.
This was because her jet-black, smooth long hair cascaded from her shoulders, reaching all the way down to her waist.
"Master Miaoshan, I am Qin Long from the Military Security Department. Please excuse the intrusion."
Looking at the woman in the grey monk's robe, Qin Long clasped his hands together and said gently, "It's like this, we received a report that two young women have been kidnapped. We traced their car to Shanyuan Villa, so we came to investigate. Please lend us your assistance, Master Miaoshan. We apologize for the disturbance."
"What? Is there such a thing?"
The woman named Miaoshan looked astonished upon hearing this and said, "Team Leader Qin, are you mistaken?"
"Master Miaoshan, when it involves Shanyuan Villa, how dare I not be careful? This is a result I confirmed repeatedly, so it must be correct."
Qin Long smiled slightly at Miaoshan and said, "I know that Shanyuan Villa is a place where masters reside, a place of purity. However, Buddhism says that saving one life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda. So, I can only impose on you."
"Team Leader Qin, you want to enter Shanyuan Villa to search?"
Upon hearing Qin Long's words, the smile on Miaoshan's face disappeared, replaced by an icy tone.
"Yes, please lend us your convenience, Master Miaoshan. The Military Security Department will be eternally grateful."
Qin Long was very polite and said.
However, Qin Long's politeness was ultimately met with Miaoshan's cold indifference.
"No—"
Miaoshan's attitude was firm, and she said, "Shanyuan Villa is a place for ascetic practice. No one is allowed to intrude casually. If so many of you enter Shanyuan Villa, the Master will be very angry."
"Team Leader Qin, you are a man of insight. Do you really intend to offend the Master for the sake of two girls?"
"No, to put it another way, can you afford to offend the Master? Or can the Military Security Department behind you afford to offend the Master?"
"I..."
Qin Long seemed extremely wary of the Master Miaoshan spoke of. His expression turned quite unpleasant at her words, but his attitude did not change. He said, "The Master is a wise and enlightened person. I believe he can understand our trespass for the sake of saving lives."
"The Master can understand you, but that is not a reason for you to trespass. Today, you will not be able to enter the gates of Shanyuan Villa."
Miaoshan said coldly, "If you intend to force your way in, then you should consider the price you will have to pay afterward."
"Brother Qin Long, it seems your strategy isn't working as well as you thought."
Shen Lang said with a smile as he witnessed this, "This is an unequal exchange. From the start, you were at a disadvantage. You should have told her directly that this is a mission ordered by the Military Security Department to search and rescue, and anyone who dares to obstruct is considered obstructing law enforcement."
Upon hearing this, Qin Long was shocked. He stared intently at Shen Lang, knowing that a conflict was unavoidable now.
However, since it was unavoidable, there was no need to avoid it any longer.
Qin Long looked at Miaoshan, and the ingratiating smile on his face disappeared, replaced by a solemn, professional expression. He said, "Master Miaoshan, this is a matter of duty. Please forgive us."
With that, Qin Long waved his hand and ordered the forty special operations team members, "Enter and search. Find that black BMW and Yu Xiao and the others as quickly as possible."
"Yes—"
Upon hearing Qin Long's command, the forty special operations team members immediately rushed forward.
However, as soon as this group had advanced five meters, Miaoshan quickly moved in front of them, blocking their path directly.
"If you want to enter Shanyuan Villa, you can, but you'll have to step over me."
Miaoshan said coldly, her face showing no fear.