Moments later, the assassin lay on the ground, panting and terrified.
He found it hard to believe that Li Chonglou hadn't killed him.
Just as he was about to suffocate, the iron hand released him.
Catching his breath, he looked at Li Chonglou with a mixture of shock and lingering fear, "You're not going to kill me?"
"You're just a tool, a nobody. What good would killing you do me?" Li Chonglou replied indifferently. "Go back and tell your master, if he dares to offend me, he will be annihilated!"
With that, he opened the door, got into his car, and drove away with潇洒 grace.
The assassin watched, dumbfounded.
From beginning to end, Li Chonglou hadn't taken him seriously at all.
Waiting for him, then the car incident, and then the interrogation, it was all just to extract information about Xuan Jiu.
It wasn't until the assassin was on the verge of death that he confirmed the man knew nothing.
If that was the case, why would he take on the guilt of murder for a mere underling?
As for this person, he was naturally handed over to Zhou Jiao.
Less than an hour later, the assassin was arrested and brought to justice.
Meanwhile, Li Chonglou had already returned to the Ning residence and informed Ning Lang of the matter.
"A mere assassin is likely just a probe," Ning Lang said worriedly. "I've heard of this Xuan Jiu before."
"They caused a storm in the nineties, only disappearing after being forcibly suppressed by the state. I didn't expect them to resurface and stir up trouble."
"Are you planning to just wait and react?"
Ning Lang, being involved in underground affairs, knew that dealing with assassins was troublesome.
After all, they were hidden while he was exposed, making it impossible to be constantly vigilant.
Even the most formidable person had moments of lapse.
The next time, it might not be a car crash, but a shooting. Although gun control was extremely strict now, it was always easy for those people to obtain them.
Li Chonglou, despite his prowess, was still flesh and blood. No matter how ruthless he was, he couldn't be impervious to bullets.
"I know nothing about Xuan Jiu right now. It's like trying to bite a hedgehog with nowhere to start," Li Chonglou shook his head. "Even Zhou Jiao can't find their base of operations, which shows how secretive they are."
"As long as Qin Zhou is safe, there's nothing to fear."
"The mastermind is that fellow named Huang. He's hiding abroad and thinks he's safe."
"If his company goes bankrupt, will he still be able to sit still?"
Hearing this, Ning Lang's eyes flickered with surprise, "You want to bankrupt him?"
"He's the richest man in the country, one of the Fortune Global 500..."
"With our strength, I'm afraid it's impossible to achieve this."
Ning Lang, like anyone else, knew his own limitations. Huang Dongcheng was not just rich; his influence extended globally.
To touch him would involve the interests of countless people, and relying on individual strength was a slim hope.
"It's difficult for the two of us, but don't forget that we live in an era of public opinion," Li Chonglou revealed a confident smile. "Once public opinion turns against anyone, even the greatest power cannot conceal it."
This country would slowly improve.
It was currently undergoing growing pains, a precursor to recovery.
With the advancement of the internet, information flowed more freely with each passing day. Many things that were once hidden in darkness were now being exposed.
They were subject to public judgment.
It was no longer an era of absolute control.
As the richest man, Huang Dongcheng had countless blemishes. The evidence on his books alone was enough to land him in prison for life.
If this were to be posted online, what kind of impact would it have?
Even Li Chonglou couldn't imagine.
Therefore, this item was a nuclear weapon, and he had never dared to use it. But when necessary, it had to be used.
"Knock, knock, knock..." As soon as he finished speaking, there was a knock at the door.
The aunt was about to open it when Ning Lang stopped her.
Few outsiders ever visited his residence, except for his subordinates like Zheng Rui, and Zhou Jiao.
Zheng Rui wouldn't knock like this, and Zhou Jiao wouldn't knock; he'd just kick the door open.
The sudden knock made Ning Lang feel uneasy.
He asked loudly, "Who is it?"
"I am a lawyer, here to negotiate with Mr. Li Chonglou and Mr. Ning Lang," a deep voice replied from outside the door.
A lawyer?
The two exchanged glances, their eyes gleaming with surprise.
What business required a lawyer?
He hadn't broken any laws.
Li Chonglou, bold and skilled, walked to the door and unlatched it, unable to guess.
Outside stood a middle-aged man in a suit, his hair impeccably neat.
He carried a briefcase under his arm, wore limited edition designer glasses, and stood with a ramrod straight posture, his gaze sharp.
He looked less like a lawyer and more like a seasoned general.
The imposing aura that radiated from him would have intimidated most people into avoiding eye contact.
But Li Chonglou was no ordinary person. Although surprised by the lawyer's unusual demeanor, he still calmly assessed him.
"Aren't you going to invite me in?" the lawyer asked with a smile.
"I have no interest in inviting enemies for tea," Li Chonglou replied indifferently.
Upon hearing this, the lawyer's smile faded, replaced by a solemn expression.
He recognized Li Chonglou, having studied his profile extensively before coming. He had traveled to a small place like Yong'an merely to complete a task for his client.
He had initially believed that this young man named Li Chonglou, even if somewhat capable, had limited abilities.
After all, he was only twenty-five and had been a live-in son-in-law for three years.
It was possible for someone like him to achieve sudden prominence, having endured three years of hardship and the torment of his mother's severe illness.
A transformation in his mindset, a rapid advancement, and becoming noticeable were not unheard of.
However, it was merely to attract attention. For someone at his level, or even higher, no matter how much Li Chonglou climbed, he would only be a small insect.
His arrival already indicated a degree of respect for this small insect.
He hadn't expected this young man to be even calmer than he had anticipated, even guessing a part of his identity.
However, having weathered many storms, his solemn expression quickly vanished, replaced by a smile. "To turn enmity into friendship is the principle of our profession."
"I don't wish to be enemies with Mr. Li. I've come today to become friends."
With that, he subtly sidestepped Li Chonglou and walked directly towards Ning Lang.
He sat down imposingly at the tea table in front of Ning Lang and smiled faintly, "Mr. Ning Lang, I am Sun Rufang, director of Hongda Law Firm in the capital."
As he spoke, he took out a business card from his bag and presented it to Ning Lang with both hands.
His demeanor was exceedingly humble.
But the lingering arrogance in his eyes revealed his true inner thoughts.
Ning Lang did not reach for the card. Instead, he poured a cup of tea and pushed it towards Sun Rufang. The tea had spilled over the rim, wetting the table.
There was a rule of etiquette when drinking tea: never fill the cup more than seventy percent.
Filling it to the brim was a signal to the guest that it was time to leave.
Clearly, Ning Lang was not impressed by this Sun Rufang.
Seeing this, Sun Rufang showed no sign of anger. He smiled, retracted his card, and turned to look at Li Chonglou, who was walking over.
He said, "I am here on a mission today, and I cannot leave until my objective is achieved."
"Mr. Li, name your price. I want the USB drive you have."
Boom!
These words exploded in Li Chonglou's mind like a bombshell.
His pupils contracted sharply.
USB drive?
How did he know about the USB drive he possessed?
Besides Wu Hao, himself, and Fan Lei, no one else knew about this.
Even for Ning Lang, Li Chonglou had never mentioned it for his safety.
Even Liu Ping'er, the original owner, was still kept in the dark.
How could this Sun Rufang know?
Who sent him?
In an instant, a cold sweat broke out on Li Chonglou's back, and his hair stood on end.
Since his rebirth, this was the most shocking moment he had ever experienced.
Li Chonglou struggled to maintain his composure, though his mind was in turmoil.
Sun Rufang's eyes, however, shone with a strange light, as if piercing through Li Chonglou's exterior to see the fluctuations in his heart.
He said with a smile, "Mr. Li, there's no need to guess wildly. Their methods are beyond your imagination."
"Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to control the entire situation."
"Let me put it this way, he knows everything that has happened to you since childhood."
"I have come today with sincerity."
"In exchange, Huang Dongcheng's retaliation will cease, and the Xuan Jiu organization will no longer contact Mr. Li. What do you say?"
Hiss...
As soon as he finished speaking, Ning Lang gasped for air.
What was going on?
A lawyer daring to utter such words.
Huang Dongcheng's retaliation would stop, and Xuan Jiu would no longer bother him.
This...
This was simply a fantasy, the arrogance was sky-high.
Unlike Ning Lang's shock, Li Chonglou showed no surprise.
He knew very well that if this Sun Rufang truly represented "that person," he might indeed have such power.
For a moment, his heart was filled with conflict.
Huang Dongcheng's cessation of retaliation meant that all his crises would be resolved, and he could simply live a good life with his mother and wife.
His dream of a wife, children, and a cozy home could soon be realized.
And he could start a small business, earn a little money, and live a prosperous and happy life.
All for the mere exchange of a USB drive?
Li Chonglou remained silent for a full ten seconds, but Sun Rufang did not rush him.
"What about Liu Ping'er? How will you deal with her?" Li Chonglou finally asked.
Upon hearing the name, Sun Rufang revealed a knowing smile. "Mr. Li need not worry about that."
"Everyone must pay a price for their actions; this is the law of cause and effect in the world. Even gods and Buddhas cannot escape it."
"I can tell you the truth: if someone weren't protecting you, I wouldn't be here negotiating with Mr. Li today."
"Having said this much, I believe you understand, don't you?"
His tone was polite, but this politeness sent a chill down Ning Lang's spine.
Between the lines, there was an abundance of threat and disdain.
It seemed that to him, Li Chonglou was merely a crawling insect.
It was only because this insect had a master that, out of respect for the master, he had to let him go.
"Liu Ping'er will die?" Li Chonglou's pupils contracted sharply as he continued to ask.
"If you ask any more, you will die too," Sun Rufang replied with a smile, then drained his tea.
This action signaled that his negotiation was over.
Li Chonglou had to give an answer.
Otherwise, the events that followed would have nothing to do with him.
"I refuse!"
Li Chonglou's gaze suddenly turned resolute, and he stated in a deep voice, "I have no need for any negotiation with you. Everyone's life is inviolable."
"Liu Ping'er is my friend. If she dies, I will make that person pay with his life!"