"Li Chonglou has strength, but he has also offended many people. Associating with him could land you in unfathomable depths without a moment's notice!"
"I didn't mention this before because I was afraid you would waver in your decisions because of it."
Yes, Wu Di was also conflicted internally.
But in the end, caution prevailed, and he chose not to ally with Li Chonglou.
He hadn't informed the other two because he feared that if they made different choices, it would also influence his cautious approach.
Liu Tianzhi could understand this.
However, he still asked with doubt, "Then why the different choice now?"
Wu Di said solemnly, "Don't rush. In fact, I haven't truly made up my mind yet. Only if he can safely overcome this crisis will I change my mind."
Liu Tianzhi's brow immediately furrowed. Wasn't that what he had said earlier, directly asking about allying with Li Chonglou?
In Liu Tianzhi's opinion, asking such a question implied a decision had already been made.
"It seems you still don't understand Liu Tixing's personality."
Wu Di poured Liu Tianzhi a cup of tea and gestured for him to sit down.
The latter remained silent and did not refute his words.
After all, if it weren't for the examination, he wouldn't have known these two.
Although there had always been cooperation between the General Bureau, the Civilian Association, and the other major forces, and as a family member of the General Bureau, he should have known more.
But the opposite was true.
The Wu family, in Shangjing, was also known as the "Bai Jia Xin" (Hundred Families' Trust). Their information sources ranged from major events in the General Bureau to robberies on the streets.
The primary reason for this was their prestige.
As the head of Shangjing's eight great families, many factions wanted to curry favor with them. Often, intelligence would be delivered to their doorstep without the Wu family having to investigate or inquire.
Therefore, Liu Tianzhi was not surprised that Wu Di knew so much.
He also waited for Wu Di to continue.
After taking a sip of the high-quality tea from the General Bureau, Wu Di let out a long sigh and then continued, "You know that Liu Tixing is a direct stakeholder in the Yuan Bei incident, right?"
Liu Tianzhi nodded.
"But you might not know that what he lost wasn't wealth, but a rare opportunity that comes once in a century."
A once-in-a-century opportunity?
Liu Tianzhi's brows furrowed slightly.
"Yes, I won't go into specifics, and it might not be entirely true, but it's certain that if it weren't for the impact of this incident, he would already be stationed at the Executive Department's main base, instead of participating in the examination with us and only ending up here."
Liu Tianzhi suddenly understood.
No wonder this fellow had never shown mercy even when he thought Li Chonglou was dead.
As the saying goes, ruining someone's future is like killing their parents. For Liu Tixing, Li Chonglou was no different from an enemy who had killed his father.
Thinking about it this way, he could understand Liu Tixing's animosity towards Li Chonglou.
"So you can understand Liu Tixing's attitude towards him, not to mention being publicly humiliated this time."
Wu Di paused here.
Then, for the first time, he revealed Liu Tixing's personality.
"From what I know, he has a certain relationship with Senior Yuan Bei in the Civilian Association. If it weren't for his background, we might not even have had the chance to know him, given his status."
"Because of this, his innate personality is extremely arrogant. Li Chonglou so obviously targeting him this time, I think he definitely won't be able to resist taking action."
Liu Tianzhi, being intelligent, immediately grasped the implication.
"Brother Wu, you mean he will ask his family for help to deal with Li Chonglou?"
Wu Di nodded, "Eight or nine times out of ten. That's why I said I would only change my original idea if Li Chonglou could safely overcome this crisis."
This time, Liu Tianzhi finally understood.
The influence of a powerful faction was not to be trifled with, especially one of the strongest forces in Shangjing, and even in all of China. If they wanted to cause trouble, it would be as simple as drinking water.
In Liu Tianzhi's opinion, if everything Wu Di had said was true, then Liu Tixing might indeed ask someone to assassinate Li Chonglou!
Don't think that causing trouble at this sensitive time is reckless; in fact, there are definitely more people who want to put Li Chonglou to death!
Although the Yuan Bei incident's true culprits were the three members of the Civilian Association named Yuan Bei, one still picks on the weakest. Their anger would naturally be directed at Li Chonglou, who was obviously weaker.
In other words, everyone was waiting for an opportunity, and Liu Tixing was likely that opportunity.
As long as he discreetly spread his intentions, people not only from his background but also from other factions, and even the General Bureau, would secretly lend a hand to help him!
After all, if something went wrong, it wouldn't be me who wanted to kill him. With an obvious scapegoat here, why wouldn't they take advantage?
Thinking of this, Liu Tianzhi couldn't help but sigh.
"It seems this Brother Li is in grave danger this time."
To his surprise, Wu Di shook his head and said, "That's not necessarily true. Someone with such talent and strength, I find it hard to believe he's just a rogue cultivator."
Liu Tianzhi looked at Wu Di.
"Brother Wu, you mean..."
"Let's wait and see. If he can safely overcome this, what's the harm in us allying with him?"
Liu Tianzhi's eyes suddenly lit up.
Wu Di's last sentence finally returned to the main topic.
Yes, if he could still manage to get through such a situation, the risk involved in allying with him would definitely be infinitely reduced!
"Brother Wu is indeed impressive. The saying that forty percent of the talent in the General Bureau comes from the Wu family is true."
Liu Tianzhi raised his glass to Wu Di, who merely smiled and nodded.
At the same time, on the other side.
The dormitory buildings for the three grades of students in the Executive Department's branch base were separate. Wu Di and the others were in the outermost section, with the second years separated by a hundred meters behind them, and the third years further inside.
In a dormitory room for the third-year students, Fan Li and the other three were gathered again.
They sat around a round table, each in silence.
After a long while, Fan Li suddenly sighed and spoke, "There are fewer people this time. Figure out the mission yourselves. I can't contact anyone anymore."
Qiu Wenying also chimed in, "I can't get anyone either. Several of my friends almost lost their lives and are still trying to calm down."
At this moment, Wang Liqiang suddenly stood up and slammed the table.
Bang!
The three frowned and looked at the man before them, who, despite his scholarly demeanor, appeared exceptionally volatile.