If not for Li Chonglou coming to wake him up, he could have slept until tonight.
Li Chonglou didn't hold it against him. After all, it was just the beginning. According to Hei Dao, the Qing Gang wouldn't act so soon, so being a little late didn't matter.
However, he was still extremely puzzled by the Qing Gang's actions.
"What exactly is it for?"
For such a major force, already in the spotlight, to make such a decision at this time, coupled with Lin Qianqian being suddenly targeted by someone else, who would believe there was no connection!
For a moment, Li Chonglou suddenly regretted letting the bald monk die so easily. This guy must have been instructed by someone behind him!
However, what had happened could not be undone. Li Chonglou could only try to get more details from Hei Dao.
After another ten minutes, Hei Dao had revealed everything he knew, along with some of his own speculations. Seeing that there was no further progress, Li Chonglou got up.
But before leaving, he reminded him, "In the future, if there's anything similar, just call me directly. Don't worry if I'm sleeping."
"Understood, Brother Li."
Hei Dao also realized the seriousness of the matter. Fortunately, Li Chonglou didn't blame him, otherwise, he wouldn't have known how to respond.
After Li Chonglou left, he thought about finding Sister Li to understand the situation, but then decided against it. They hadn't been in touch for a while, and showing up at this time might even implicate her.
He still owed Fourth Master and others some favors, and if he brought them up now, his time would be even tighter.
"I should deal with the matters at hand first."
Anyway, according to Hei Dao, the earliest action would be in about ten days, so there was no immediate rush. Li Chonglou returned to the company to check on its progress and rest.
However, just as he had ordered a car, he suddenly received a message from Tong Chu.
"Brother Li, would you be free to meet up?"
Li Chonglou checked the time, it was only past three in the afternoon, so he asked the driver to change the destination.
When he met Tong Chu, he was surprised to find two other people there as well.
"Little brother, about this morning's matter..."
The old man spoke with an apologetic tone, but Li Chonglou interrupted him, "It's fine. Don't worry, everything is handled. The rest is up to the police."
The three of them finally breathed a sigh of relief.
They had indeed lost their temper at the time and couldn't help but deal with the person that way. It was only afterward that they realized Li Chonglou still had to report back. Fortunately, everything was fine now.
Li Chonglou initially thought the three were looking for him about this matter, but he didn't expect Tong Chu to change the topic.
"Brother Li, the three of us have discussed it. We want to follow you."
Li Chonglou was stunned.
"What?"
The old man then introduced himself, "Little brother, my codename was Silver Hawk. Although I'm a bit old, my physique is still good. I hope you don't mind."
Another man also said, "Fire Blade."
Although Fire Blade didn't say anything, his intention was clear. Li Chonglou was immediately confused, "Aren't you two retired?"
Tong Chu sighed, "If nothing like this had happened, of course, we would have wanted to live out our twilight years peacefully. But in reality, we were all mistaken."
Silver Hawk added, "Now it's our kin. We don't know what will happen next. We don't want to implicate those around us anymore."
Li Chonglou's brows furrowed even tighter, "This incident was just an accident. Besides, you have other relatives besides this person. If you come out of retirement at a time like this, wouldn't the risk be even greater?"
Fire Blade shook his head, "My parents passed away long ago. My only relative is my sister. Now I am alone."
Li Chonglou looked at Tong Chu, "And you? Your parents are still alive, right?"
Tong Chu sighed again, "Brother Li, don't you understand? The three of us are in similar situations. We were targeted because of our other relatives, and implicated. That's if we still stayed by their side."
Li Chonglou suddenly understood. The current situation in Shangjing provided an unprecedented level of safety for most ordinary people, but this was relative to those who were absolutely ordinary.
Their existence was like a ticking time bomb. They might be targeted again for the same reason, and at that time, any slight conflict could lead their other relatives to an abyss of eternal damnation!
In that case, it was a good thing for him too!
Li Chonglou's eyes lit up. Although it was somewhat unseemly, he was indeed in need of people. He originally thought the main enemies in Shangjing were the Divine Envoy organization, but now the Qing Gang was suddenly acting strangely.
He had to remember that after he resolved the mission, he still had to go to the Lost Land. When he was not in Shangjing, it would be best if more experts could help him hold the fort!
However, to prevent the three from acting on impulse, he still reminded them, "You have to think clearly. Once you come out of retirement, there's no turning back. If you want to return to your original life later, it will be..."
The three nodded seriously in unison, "Don't worry, we've already thought it through."
The old man, Silver Hawk, said with a hint of self-mockery, "We thought we had gotten used to ordinary life after living in seclusion for most of our lives. But after this incident, we realized that those passionate days are what we yearned for."
Tong Chu also added, "Actually, we have another purpose. Brother Li, you work for the General Bureau, right? We want to follow you to kill more scumbags like these! The law is often just words to these scum!"
A cold glint flashed in Tong Chu's eyes, "Only by using violence to counter violence can these scumbags pay the price they deserve!"
Uh, I finally truly understand. So this is the real reason!
Li Chonglou finally understood the true intentions of the three. However, he didn't expose them. Instead, he reminded them again, "I think you've misunderstood something. Although I'm helping the General Bureau, strictly speaking, I'm not part of the General Bureau."
The expressions of the three froze simultaneously.
"What do you mean?"
Li Chonglou said honestly, "It means that currently, the General Bureau and I are just mutually beneficial. It has no right to command me to act."
"Ah!"
The three were completely dumbfounded. The reason they sought him out was that after returning, they had investigated Lin Qianqian's background and only then learned that Lin Qianqian was the representative of Shangjing's police force!
That's why they thought that with Li Chonglou's strength, he was at least a high-ranking official in the General Bureau, and that's why they wanted to work with him.
Who knew Li Chonglou would say something like this!
However, despite being honest, Li Chonglou also wanted to truly win over the three, so he continued, "But if you really want to come out of retirement, finding me is the best choice."
"Otherwise, you can be free agents, or form a team and join the General Bureau's freelance system."