His own methods had been thoroughly tested by Li Chonglou, resulting in complete defeat with no possibility of recovery.
Everything he had relied on was like mere mist before Li Chonglou.
Despite looking several years younger, Li Chonglou gave him the feeling of facing a sage who had lived for a century.
No, sages of a century were usually detached and calm.
But Li Chonglou was like a simmering furnace, appearing calm and indifferent on the surface, yet harboring the intensity of a volcano.
If angered, one would be utterly annihilated, leaving no trace.
Zhang Chen forced a smile, his mind racing, "Master, you speak as if I have no dignity."
"Tear off your fig leaf; keeping it brings no benefit," Li Chonglou said, then followed Lin Ying into the airport.
Inside the airport's VIP lounge, four people were already waiting for them.
This trip was by private jet, chartered by Zhang Chen.
Seeing them arrive, a middle-aged couple stood up and greeted them with smiles.
Another elderly man, with hair as white as frost and glasses as thick as bottle bottoms, was engrossed in a book.
He seemed not to have noticed their entrance.
There was also a middle-aged man with a side-parted haircut, an expressionless face, and a cold gaze, who acted as if he hadn't seen them.
"Chonglou, allow me to introduce them," Lin Ying said after shaking hands with the middle-aged couple. "These are Ms. Zhao Zheng and Ms. Wang Lixia from the Yucheng Cultural Relics Protection Association. They are husband and wife, and it was they who detected and discovered the ancient tomb this time."
"This is my junior brother, Li Chonglou. I've already informed everyone about him; he will be participating in the entire archaeological expedition."
"Young and promising, tsk tsk. I've always heard Xiao Ying say her junior brother is no ordinary person, but I didn't expect him to be so young." Wang Lixia appeared very amiable, speaking with a distinct Sichuan accent that added a touch of humor.
Zhao Zheng smiled bashfully.
The kind and enthusiastic nature of the people from Shuzhou was evident in this couple.
Li Chonglou shook hands with them generously.
"This is Professor Song Hongjun, an archaeology expert from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the soul of our team. However, he's probably lost in his book right now, and may not hear us no matter what we say." Lin Ying then gestured towards the elderly man, her pretty face naturally conveying a trace of respect.
Li Chonglou did not disturb him but bowed his head gently.
In this age of impatience, few people could settle down and dedicate themselves to academic research.
Everyone like that deserved respect.
However, such people often had their peculiarities.
For instance, Professor Song would enter this state of oblivion when immersed in his research.
He had encountered several similar individuals, all of whom were masters in their respective fields.
"This is Professor Song's student, Associate Professor Cheng Gong, who currently works at the Chinese Academy of Sciences." When introducing the last middle-aged man, Lin Ying's tone was very casual.
As soon as she finished speaking, Cheng Gong let out a cold snort from his nose, "Xiao Ying, I thought you were bringing a great talent to the team. Turns out you're just playing favorites."
His words were extremely impolite.
Not only did the Zhao couple look embarrassed, but even Zhang Chen, who harbored resentment towards Li Chonglou, changed his expression.
He retorted loudly, "Cheng Gong, who are you talking to? Lin Ying is now my senior uncle; show some respect!"
"Don't think you can get away with anything just because you're Teacher Song's disciple."
"Such bad manners!"
"You little brat, what did you say?" With a single sentence, Cheng Gong was enraged, his voice sharp as he cursed, "I haven't settled the score with you for stealing the token ring yet!"
"Do you really think you're something just because you have money?"
"People like you, if not for my teacher's magnanimity, wouldn't even have the qualification to join the team!"
These words were extremely harsh.
But they precisely hit Zhang Chen's sore spot; he had previously offended the team by stealing the token ring.
Fortunately, Li Chonglou had clarified its origin and redeemed himself.
Otherwise, he might have been expelled.
Zhang Chen's face turned a mix of green and white, and he gritted his teeth, unable to speak.
Seeing this, the Zhao couple gently intervened to de-escalate.
Lin Ying showed no reaction, as if she was accustomed to such scenes.
Li Chonglou's gaze narrowed, and he extended his hand towards Cheng Gong, his voice steady and devoid of any fluctuation, "I look forward to your guidance."
This alone told him that the team was not a united front.
This Cheng Gong was arrogant due to his talent and, it seemed, held no one in high regard except Professor Song.
He didn't know what real skills he possessed, but his temper was typical of pedantic scholars.
Quarreling with such a person would be seeking trouble.
Zhang Chen was a prime example.
Li Chonglou, naturally, would not be as shallow as him; after all, the team was for accomplishing tasks, not for dealing with interpersonal conflicts.
However, at this moment, he had silently taken note of this Cheng Gong.
After all, his senior sister had met an untimely end in an ancient tomb in his past life. Considering her skills, intelligence, and adaptability, such an accident should not have happened.
Perhaps this individual, who was at odds with the team, had a significant connection to it.
Although it was merely a guess, it concerned his senior sister's fate, and he could not be careless.
"I have no interest in guiding 'hoodlums' like you," Cheng Gong said unceremoniously, without even looking at Li Chonglou, and sat down again.
Only now did Lin Ying's beautiful eyes show a hint of displeasure.
It was fine if he was rude to her, but Li Chonglou was new, and by all rights and reason, everyone should be united.
This was basic respect, but Cheng Gong's extremely arrogant attitude was undoubtedly a flaw for team collaboration.
However, out of consideration for Teacher Song, she could not do anything to him.
"Ah, I understand!" At this moment, Professor Song, who had been lost in his book, suddenly looked up and exclaimed with a sigh.
His remark coincidentally eased the awkwardness for everyone.
The next second, Professor Song revealed a childlike smile, "Oh, you're all here?"
"Is this the great talent Xiao Ying mentioned?"
Saying this, he stood up and extended his hand to shake Li Chonglou's.
"Professor Song, just call me Chonglou," Li Chonglou replied politely.
Indeed, he had a pure heart.
It was a world of difference from his disciple, Cheng Gong.
With his discernment, he could easily see that Professor Song was guileless, truly an obsessed scholar.
Many people spent their entire lives cultivating, wishing to return to such a state.
"Teacher, you flatter him too much. How much talent can someone so young possess?" Cheng Gong's face, as stiff as a coffin lid, was filled with disdain.
"Alas, Cheng Gong, do you know the clue he provided us for deciphering the token ring? I've verified it all, and it's perfectly correct!" As soon as he finished speaking, Professor Song waved his hands repeatedly, "You absolutely cannot underestimate Chonglou. Don't let his youth fool you; his sharpness of mind far surpasses ours."
"Without him, we would likely have taken many years to find the right path."
"For this alone, he is worthy of my respect!"
With that, he even bowed his head to Li Chonglou, "Young friend, I have learned from you!"
This action immediately astonished everyone present.
Professor Song's status was that of a titan in the archaeology world, someone whose name alone commanded respect. Yet, he publicly offered a disciple's bow to a junior like Li Chonglou.
Was deciphering the origin and history of a mere token ring truly worthy of such a profound gesture?
This...
No one dared to suspect Professor Song had gone mad.
However, even the Zhao couple felt that Li Chonglou might have been overestimated.
Zhang Chen was utterly dumbfounded, his face full of disbelief.
Cheng Gong's eyelids twitched violently, his face darkening.