Ma Long's words made Tang Qin feel a little ashamed.
To be honest, the main reason she was so angry was not because she opposed Han Lang and the others probing the Gou family's ability user base, but because he hadn't informed her before he left.
The matter of Captain Liu was still fresh in her mind, and Han Lang was someone she had personally recruited. If anything were to happen to him, how would she account for it to everyone?
Just as the atmosphere was becoming awkward, Tang Haoran decisively stepped in to smooth things over.
"Alright, alright! Both of your starting points were good, so neither of you is wrong! The main fault lies with me, for rushing to complain without fully understanding the situation! Therefore, I am the one who should apologize to everyone! I'm sorry!"
What was Tang Haoran's status?
Even setting aside his position as the head of one of the four great noble families, his age was plainly evident!
If he were to apologize to everyone, wouldn't they all be overcome with shame?
So Han Lang quickly said, "No, no, Brother Tang! You can't be blamed for this. If I hadn't kept silent, Tang Qin wouldn't have been so angry!"
Hearing this, although Tang Qin still found it a bit difficult to back down, she still replied, "Alright! In the end, I shouldn't have stormed into Mr. Xiao's room with such an attitude to demand an explanation! I was indeed too abrupt!"
Seeing that the two were no longer glaring at each other but had apologized calmly, the others who had been holding their breath finally relaxed. Han Kang was the first to chuckle and say, "Heh, since that's the case, then it's naturally a happy ending for everyone! Since we're already gathered, why don't we discuss what to do next?"
Tang Haoran quickly seconded, "Yes, yes, Han Kang's thinking is clear. The most important thing for us to do at this moment is to make proper plans for the next steps!"
Tang Qin did not hesitate.
As the director of the Special Investigation Bureau, she had already been thinking of countermeasures since she learned of the matter.
"As Ma Long said! We have already alerted them, so it is essential to send people to monitor the movements of the Gou family's ability user base 24 hours a day! As for the rest..."
Tang Qin seemed to find it difficult to speak, but Ma Long, surprisingly, understood her thoughts.
"Miss Tang means to say that there are two high-level ability users, 1a and 1d, in the Gou family's base, whom we are currently unable to shake. Therefore, besides waiting for reinforcements from Star City, we have no other options, right?"
Tang Qin nodded gravely.
Han Kang and Tang Haoran pondered for a moment, seemingly without any better ideas. However, Han Lang immediately said.
"This is indeed the most unfeasible solution at the moment. But I still don't suggest we just wait for support; that's no different from waiting for death!"
Hearing Han Lang's words, everyone was surprised. Tang Qin couldn't help but ask.
"Does Mr. Xiao have any other ideas?"
Han Lang shook his head sheepishly, "Not really! It's just that I'm constantly aware that besides the ability users at the Gou family base, I have an enemy, a martial artist on the verge of the middle stage of the martial realm, who is also eyeing me covetously. Therefore, I cannot afford any slack!"
Reminded by Han Lang, the others finally remembered Liu Jian, the martial artist with whom Han Lang had fought to a draw earlier.
"Brother Han is right!" Tang Haoran said, full of emotion after hearing this, "The path of cultivation is long, and even if there are no enemies in sight, one must not slack off!"
Han Kang agreed, "Exactly! Since the reinforcements won't arrive anytime soon, and Brother Ma is also injured, why don't we all take this opportunity to go into full seclusion? This way, we'll have a better chance in the next encirclement of ability users, won't we?"
Ma Long also nodded, forcing a smile, "My strength is indeed too low! I don't want to be a burden again next time!"
Unexpectedly, Tang Qin gave Ma Long a reproachful look upon hearing this, "Ma Long! Are you mocking me by saying that? My strength is not much higher than yours right now!"
"Haha..."
A wave of harmony instantly filled the room.
Seeing that everyone was no longer confronting each other, Tang Haoran followed up with a teasing remark, "If you guys are going to chat like this, how can I, who can no longer cultivate, feel about myself?"
"This..."
Everyone was stunned.
Finally, Han Lang smiled and said to Tang Haoran, "Brother Tang! If we all go into strict seclusion during this period, I'm worried Miss Taozi will be overwhelmed by herself. So, if possible, I hope you can secretly provide her with some assistance!"
Hearing this, Han Kang immediately cast a grateful look.
Tang Haoran readily replied, "No problem!"
Meanwhile,
After Han Lang and the others caused such a disturbance at the Wang family villa, not only Gou Feng but also Jin Chunfeng and Wang Shan became nervous.
That evening, under Dr. Sim's notification, they all quietly gathered at the Wang family's ability user base.
After listening to Sasu and Pete's account of the three "Avengers," Wang Shan quickly stated with certainty.
"It must be Han Lang!"
Dr. Sim and the others were confused, but before Wang Shan could explain further, Jin Chunfeng said to everyone with a grave expression.
"The reason why the cultivators we sent last time fought Han Lang to a draw was because Han Lang suddenly used this blue and white flame combat skill! If it weren't for that, we would have killed him long ago, eliminating future troubles!"
As Jin Chunfeng spoke, his expression gradually became ferocious.
At this moment, Gou Feng, whose head was still wrapped in bandages, cautiously asked, "But there were three of them this time! Who could the other two be?"
This question stumped both Jin Chunfeng and Wang Shan.
After all, neither of them knew that Han Lang had already brought Ma Long and Han Kang into the path of cultivation.
Seeing their silence, Sasu suddenly stepped forward and said nonchalantly, "Who cares who they are! Their strength is not even comparable to that 'Iron Man' who knows combat skills, so there's no need to take them seriously!"
"Exactly!" Pete also crossed his arms, adding disdainfully, "Those two combined are no match for me, let alone Sasu? Mr. Wang, Mr. Jin, I think you don't need to worry anymore, right?"
Hearing Sasu and Pete's words, Wang Shan and Jin Chunfeng finally felt less tense.
Jin Chunfeng agreed, "That's true! Brother Wang, with both Mr. Sasu and Mr. Pete here, and with Mr. Liu Jian about to emerge from seclusion, Han Lang and his two companions should not be a cause for concern, right?"
"That's what I said! But..." Although Wang Shan inwardly agreed with Jin Chunfeng, his face still showed some worry, "If the ones who came to probe this time were only Han Lang and his friends, then naturally there's no need to take them too seriously. But if the other two are from the Ability Investigation Bureau, then our base is effectively exposed! Therefore, to be on the safe side, I think it's best to find a way to transfer first!"
Before anyone else could agree, Pete questioned with disdain, "Mr. Wang, as far as I know, the Special Investigation Bureau in your city seems to be weaker than that so-called Han Lang, right? Even if they know we are here, with their ant-like strength, it seems we have no reason to fear them, right?"
As soon as Pete said this, he was strongly endorsed by Sasu and Gou Feng.
However, Jin Chunfeng quickly explained, "You can't say that, Mr. Pete! The Special Investigation Bureau in Le City is indeed not very strong, but I think Dr. Sim knows best about the strength of Xia Guo! Ability users and Xia Guo cultivators are inherently opposed, and we are still within Xia Guo's borders, so we must be cautious!"
Wang Shan added, "That's right, Mr. Pete, Mr. Sasu. I know you two are powerful, but you cannot underestimate Xia Guo's determination against ability users! I think it's better to transfer!"
Hearing Wang Shan and Jin Chunfeng's words, Pete and Sasu were no longer opinionated, and everyone looked at the silent Dr. Sim.
Dr. Sim pondered for a long time, and finally shook his head, "No! The second phase of the base's debugging will be completed in a few more days. If we transfer now, all our efforts over the past few days will be in vain! So, even if we have to transfer, please insist until I complete the second round of testing!"
Hearing the new problem posed by Dr. Sim, Jin Chunfeng and Wang Shan looked at each other for a moment.
Jin Chunfeng frowned and quickly went to the doctor's side, tentatively saying, "Doctor! If that's the case, then this is a gamble for us!"
The meaning of Jin Chunfeng's words was understood by almost everyone present!
If Han Lang and his group had nothing to do with the Special Investigation Bureau, then with Pete severely injuring one of them, it would be perfectly fine for the doctor to complete the second round of debugging!
But what if Han Lang was involved with the Special Investigation Bureau?
Then, after a few days, more senior members of the investigation bureau might come to Le City to provide support.
At that time, the outcome would be uncertain!
Thinking of this, Wang Shan also advised, "Doctor! Brother Jin is right! If the green hills remain, there will be no shortage of firewood! We don't need to take this risk!"
Seeing their worried expressions, Dr. Sim also fell into thought.
After a long time, he still shook his head.
"No! I must take this risk! This debugging is actually a bit different. If it goes smoothly, it will greatly advance our research data. If we have to start over, we might not be able to recapture this feeling!"
Hearing Dr. Sim say this, Wang Shan and Jin Chunfeng didn't know what to say for a moment.
Silence fell again in the hall.
After a long, long time,
Wang Shan broke the silence.
"Since the doctor is insistent, then we can only accompany you to the death!"
Saying this, he turned to Sasu and Pete and instructed, "Mr. Sasu, Mr. Pete, I will trouble you two to protect the doctor closely for these few days! Please remember, if there are any changes, your primary task is to ensure the doctor's safety!"
Sasu and Pete both nodded, "Don't worry, Mr. Wang! This is our duty!"
Wang Shan nodded with satisfaction, and then said to Dr. Sim, "Doctor! In the coming days, Brother Jin and I may not come here anymore. Please take care of yourself!"
Dr. Sim understood Wang Shan's meaning almost instantly, and he repeatedly cautioned, "Don't worry! For safety, you and Mr. Jin should not come here anymore! As long as this second phase of debugging is successful, I will definitely transfer!"
Wang Shan and Jin Chunfeng were slightly relieved upon hearing this.
But Gou Feng always felt that their conversation had a deeper meaning, but he didn't realize that at this moment, Wang Shan and Dr. Sim and the others were almost prepared to sacrifice him, or his ability user base, as a scapegoat!