The doorbell suddenly rang just as Han Lang was about to refuse the Gou family's peace talks.
Han Kang, being closest, hurried to open the door.
As soon as the door opened, Tang Qin, dressed in formal attire and carrying a black bag, strode in with a heroic air.
Seeing Tang Qin's attire, everyone was startled. Ma Long stared at her intently, his thoughts a mystery.
Wang Fang, noticing his dazed and unseemly gaze, mistook it for being captivated by Tang Qin's uniform. She quietly sidled up to him, subtly pinched him, and whispered, "As expected of someone with a military background, quite the uniform fetish. Should I buy one and wear it for you?"
Ma Long grabbed her hand impatiently and retorted, "What are you thinking? I just remembered something important. It's inconvenient to talk about it now, I'll explain later!"
On the other side,
As soon as Tang Qin entered, she cheerfully addressed everyone, "As I drove here, I saw that the neighborhood environment is truly impeccable. Living here is indeed a pleasure!"
Hearing this, Han Zhongyi and his wife were even more delighted. "Haha... We're glad you like it, Miss Tang! Your place next door has also started renovations, hasn't it? I believe we'll be neighbors soon! Haha..."
Tang Qin playfully replied, "Yes, Uncle Han! When that time comes, I'll be dropping by for meals anytime!"
Han Zhongyi was even happier. "Welcome, welcome! You can come anytime! Haha..."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Han Lang stepped forward and asked, "Tang Qin, are you here in your official capacity with that attire?"
"This..." Tang Qin glanced at the people in the room, hesitating to speak.
Everyone immediately understood. Ma Long, as if finding an excuse, quickly approached Han Kang and said, "Hey, Han Kang, do you have any cigarettes? I'm craving one. Shall we step outside for a smoke?"
Han Kang quickly replied, "Yes! Let's go!"
Su Su also chimed in, "Oh! I still have soup simmering in the kitchen, it might burn dry! I need to check on it quickly."
Han Zhongyi: "I'll go with you. We'll add a couple of dishes for lunch and invite Miss Tang to eat with us!"
Wang Fang and Luo Jiaying said in unison, "We'll help!"
In a short while, only Han Lang and Tang Qin remained in the living room.
Tang Qin, well aware of everyone's deliberate actions, gave an awkward smile and said sheepishly, "Did I come at an inconvenient time? I should have called you beforehand."
Han Lang replied, "It's fine, it's almost dinnertime anyway. Let's discuss the matter!"
Tang Qin nodded, sat on the sofa, and pushed the black bag in her hand towards Han Lang. "This contains your uniform and identification. Keep it safe! The Special Investigation Bureau is a state secret, so it's best not to let others see it!"
Han Lang took the bag and, while placing it under the coffee table, used his divine sense to store it in the Three-Layered Pagoda.
He then said, "You wouldn't have come all this way just to deliver my uniform, would you?"
"Of course not!" Tang Qin crossed her legs and said, "We've investigated the identity of the cultivator you killed last time, and the Bureau has no information on him. Therefore, we have no evidence to prove that he was instigated by the Gou family or Master Jin to attack you!"
Han Lang nodded. "So, he was from the black market, right? Besides us, there are no other witnesses or evidence to convict them?"
"Yes! In addition, we've received intelligence that Master Jin doesn't intend to let this matter rest and might dispatch other cultivators to deal with you! So, you still need to be careful!"
Han Lang frowned. "This is really troublesome! Can't you find a way to take down this so-called Master Jin in one go? He's a gangster anyway!"
Tang Qin replied helplessly, "Brother! Master Jin is an ordinary person, and we have to follow the regular procedures! However, there are new leads regarding superhumans, and they seem to be connected to this Master Jin as well! Please wait a bit longer. Once we have concrete evidence, we can apprehend them all!"
Han Lang was relieved. "That would be best! I don't want to live in constant fear. But, how many superhumans do they have under their command? What are their strengths? Do we have the capability to apprehend them all?"
Tang Qin shook her head. "This... is still unclear for now! I'll definitely notify you if I get any news!"
Han Lang sighed. "Alright, then that's how it has to be for now!"
As the two were talking, Ma Long outside was also filled with worry.
He took a deep drag of his cigarette and then said to Han Kang, "Han Kang, seeing Miss Tang just now reminded me! Do you know about the Special Investigation Bureau in the cultivator world?"
Han Kang nodded, not understanding. "Yes! My brother mentioned it to me before. What's wrong?"
Ma Long's expression turned serious. "I'm a bit worried now! You know my young master's temper. If he gets provoked, he tends to act impulsively. If we refuse the Gou family's peace talks, what if..."
Han Kang was jolted awake by his words and exclaimed in shock, "Are you afraid the Gou family will do something outrageous, and my brother will be unable to resist taking action against them?"
"Yes! And I suspect that the Gou family's willingness to seek peace at any cost this time is not just because of the Han family's growing prosperity. Last time at Lingyue Mountain, my young master and I killed a cultivator hired by the Gou family. The reason for their peace talks is most likely because they know my young master's identity!"
Han Kang was stunned.
He took two quick puffs of his cigarette, his face etched with worry. "Why didn't my brother tell us this reason?"
"I think the reason he kept it from us was simply to avoid influencing our subjective attitude. After all, you and Miss Luo suffered too much at the hands of the Gou family!"
"But he shouldn't..." Han Kang was so angry he didn't know how to express himself.
After composing himself, he continued with a serious expression to Ma Long, "It seems we need to re-examine this matter of the Gou family seeking peace!"
"Yes!" Ma Long nodded. "After all, we are both cultivators now, and to some extent, there's no need to fight the Gou family to the death. I think my young master probably has the same idea!"
Han Kang pondered for a moment.
"It's easier for both of us! But what about Xiao Ying..."
Han Kang was so frustrated he almost beat his chest. "How can my Han family let her suffer such great injustice!"
Ma Long, knowing Luo Jiaying's background, naturally understood the weight of Han Kang's words.
But now that things had come to this, they had to make a decision.
"How about we tell Miss Luo the truth?"
"No!" Han Kang rejected Ma Long's suggestion without hesitation.
The reason Han Lang had kept the matter of cultivators a secret from Luo Jiaying, his parents, and even Wang Fang, was to prevent them from being dragged into the world of cultivators.
For them, ordinary people, it would only be more dangerous!
After much deliberation, having smoked several cigarettes, Han Kang finally made up his mind!
"Xiao Ying is naive, and she knows my brother knows martial arts! If we tell her in a normal way, she should agree, but..."
Han Kang's heart was conflicted. "I really can't bear to let her suffer this grievance!"
Ma Long sensed Han Kang's dilemma and offered a suggestion, "How about we talk to her first? If she absolutely refuses to forgive, then at that time, through thick and thin, we'll charge forward with my young master!"
Han Kang gritted his teeth, hesitated again, and then said helplessly, "There's no other way at the moment!"