"What is it?" Xu Lie's eyes were filled with confusion.
He had practiced boxing for years and his control over his body far surpassed that of ordinary people. He knew very well that it would take at least a month for his injuries to heal to the point where he could move freely.
Yet, Li Chonglou seemed to have a way to make him recover within seven days.
Could it be?
He thought back to the time Li Chonglou was injured in a car accident but acted as if he was fine the very next day.
Within a week, his hand had fully healed.
At the time, he hadn't thought much of such a miraculous event, attributing it to a difference in personal constitution.
But now, it seemed it wasn't that simple.
"This is a family secret technique from my master. I have already obtained my senior sister's permission to pass a portion of it to you," Li Chonglou said, pulling out a piece of paper and handing it to Xu Lie.
It contained Li Chonglou's own handwriting.
When they were in Donglin, he had already reported to his senior sister and told her about Xu Lie's character.
After much consideration, Lin Ying had agreed to Li Chonglou's plan.
However, she would only allow him to teach the beginning part of the secret technique.
The part that strengthened the body and unlocked potential.
And that was enough.
Xu Lie's physical condition already far surpassed his own. With a little more cultivation, he would be like a tiger with wings.
"This is good stuff!" Xu Lie's eyes gleamed with excitement.
He was a martial artist and could see the brilliance within the cultivation technique at a glance. This was something Li Chonglou was far inferior to him in.
However, Xu Lie did not linger. After placing the technique under his pillow, he asked, "Don't worry, I'll accompany you on your journey in a week."
"No need."
Li Chonglou refused. "The reason I want you to recover quickly is because I'm worried about my mother."
"I'm going with the team for archaeology, and it shouldn't be too dangerous. I need you to stay and take good care of my mother."
His mother was his greatest weakness.
How could he focus on his work if his rear was not secure?
With Xu Lie there, he could be completely at ease.
"Alright!" Xu Lie said without hesitation, solemnly promising, "As long as I'm here, Auntie won't be harmed in the slightest!"
"Then rest well. I have a few things to attend to," Li Chonglou said, a great weight lifted from his heart. He got up to leave.
As he left the hospital, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
Xu Lie was merely a backup. To eliminate any future trouble, he still had one more thing to do.
Yesterday, he had learned from his senior sister that members of the Hengmen were withdrawing from Qin Province one after another. Tong Chuan must have known the consequences.
But Xu Tianhou, that scourge, was still living carefree.
He was the real mastermind!
He had originally planned to bankrupt him within a month, but now that he had to go out, he had to advance his plan.
"Huang Yongshou, call Chen Tianhe to the Desheng Grand Hotel. I have something to discuss with you," Li Chonglou said as he drove, making a call.
After hanging up, he opened WeChat and connected to a voice call with Lü Yunxu. "Lü Xu, can you contact that squinty-eyed guy who scammed Sweet White Glaze? I have a great use for him!"
An hour later.
Desheng Grand Hotel.
Huang Yongshou, along with his tower-like subordinate Zhuzi, and the timid Chen Tianhe, appeared in a private room.
Seeing only Li Chonglou, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
All three of them feared Xu Lie, that fierce tiger, and felt their scalps tingle whenever they saw him. They had to be careful when speaking.
"Master Li, that Simar string hasn't been sold yet. What instructions do you have for us?" Huang Yongshou said, bowing obsequiously.
"It's good that it hasn't been sold, it can be returned to me." Li Chonglou gestured for them to sit and said unhurriedly, "You are all considered people of the antique industry: one a broker, one a thug, and one a grave robber."
"I have something for you to do. If you do it well, each of you will receive no less than this!"
He said, holding up three fingers.
"Thirty thousand? Heh, don't say you have money. As long as Master Li asks, we will never refuse," Chen Tianhe said with a beaming smile.
These past few days had been truly difficult for him.
Jiang Tao was in prison, and he wouldn't dare to defy his grandfather. He wanted to gamble, but he didn't even have a penny.
He wished he could sell that used Passat.
Upon hearing that there was a reward for his labor, how could he not be happy?
Huang Yongshou and Zhuzi exchanged glances and remained silent.
"Three million!" Li Chonglou corrected him. This time, even Huang Yongshou's eyes lit up.
He quickly pledged, "Master Li, just say the word. As long as I can do it, I will go through fire and water without hesitation."
Three million yuan. With this money, he wouldn't have to cheat in the market for at least a year, and he could enjoy life peacefully. What a great thing.
Huang Yongshou's reaction was within Li Chonglou's sight.
This kid was different from Chen Tianhe. He was already a swindler, and what wouldn't he do to cheat and deceive?
As long as he was greedy for money, that was fine. He didn't expect people like Huang Yongshou to be loyal. Cooperation was possible as long as there were profits to be made.
Li Chonglou beckoned and took back the Simar string, playing with it in his hand. He slowly said, "This matter is simple for you."
"Chen Tianhe, I don't care what methods you use, but you must build a tomb for me within five days!"
"Build a tomb?" The three of them looked at each other, bewildered.
What did Li Chonglou want to do?
Did someone in his family die?
Full of doubt, they dared not ask more, fearing they might bring bad luck.
"Don't guess wildly. Build an ancient tomb from the Qing Dynasty. This room is large enough. This should not be difficult for you. You don't need to worry about the expenses; just report to me how much you need," Li Chonglou saw through their thoughts at a glance and said calmly, "However, the deadline is fixed. It must be ready within five days!"
"If you can't do it, not only will you not get the money, but you know the consequences yourself."
The latter sentence was not a threat, but the truth.
Chen Tianhe, a scumbag who indulged in all sorts of vices, was a menace if he couldn't be used.
Sooner or later, he would covet Old Man Chen's possessions, or even his life.
In that case, it would be better to deal with him earlier and save trouble.
Chen Tianhe looked nervous, a hint of fear rising in his eyes. He thought for a full thirty seconds before nodding fiercely. "Master Li, rest assured. As long as the money is in place, I can build you an authentic Qing Dynasty ancient tomb in four days."
"I've already thought of the location, it's in our Gongshan!"
"It has history and a story, making it difficult to investigate."
One had to admit that this kid was quite sharp-witted.
In just thirty seconds, he had already thought of the follow-up for Li Chonglou.
Although he didn't know Li Chonglou's purpose, making antiques was certainly related to antiques. As long as he helped Li Chonglou with this matter, he would be considered a confidant in the future.
By then, would he lack fine food and wine?
"Very good. Go ahead and do it. Contact me anytime you need money," Li Chonglou nodded with satisfaction and instructed, "No one can know about this, not even your father."
After saying that, he waved him away.
Then, he looked at the eager Huang Yongshou and said, "I have a great use for you, it's your old trade."
"Go and seduce someone. Here is his information, take a look first."
With that, he threw the papers Wang Dehai had printed in advance in front of Huang Yongshou.
Upon opening it, Huang Yongshou's beady eyes darted around.
He gasped, "Hiss! Master Li, are you planning to bury someone?"
He recognized the person in the information, a well-known boss in Qin Province, Xu Tianhou.
He himself was considered to be half-involved in the antique circle, but he didn't take the proper path, which was why he had some contact with him.
He hadn't expected Li Chonglou to ask him to seduce this person and build a tomb. It was clearly not a good deed!