Wu Long’s words served as a reminder to Li Chonglou. He had originally intended to find Mu Qi directly, but since he was already there, Wu Long pulled him aside to discuss matters concerning the forbidden area.
“Brother Li, the quota has been confirmed. Although the exact timing is still unknown, I hope Brother Li can help me then.”
Wu Long also shared some of his plans. It wasn't his first time entering the forbidden area, so he had a general understanding of its conditions. Through his description, Li Chonglou learned of a place called the Black Lake.
“We’ll be entering with an elite squad. Those people aren't exactly pleasant, so I hope Brother Li can follow my lead when the time comes.”
Wu Long spoke with great seriousness. Li Chonglou took the opportunity to inquire about the forbidden area’s location, but unfortunately, Wu Long remained unwilling to disclose it.
“Brother Li, it’s not that I’m being stingy, but there are regulations. If you’re a newcomer, you must sign a non-disclosure agreement before entering. I hope you understand.”
Having reached this point, Li Chonglou could only nod.
“Alright, I promise, but only if it doesn’t compromise my interests.”
“Of course!”
Wu Long grinned. At this moment, he had no idea what a capable assistant he had inadvertently found, merely seeing him as a companion.
Afterward, Li Chonglou left the coffee shop and arranged to meet Mu Qi.
This time, they switched to a high-end restaurant.
Mu Qi, like a busy person, eagerly ordered a pile of food upon arrival. They chatted while they ate.
“Brother Li, did you ask me to meet you for something?”
Mu Qi’s mouth was full of steak, and her bright, clear eyes looked at Li Chonglou questioningly.
Li Chonglou, however, had little appetite. He said with a faint smile, “I wanted to ask you about the financial circle in Shangjing. I heard from Wu Long that your Mu family is a top-tier existence in this circle?”
“Brother Wu Long?”
Mu Qi’s movements paused, and a hint of strangeness flashed across her face.
“What’s wrong? Is there a problem with him?”
Mu Qi quickly shook her head. “Brother Wu Long is a good person, but his company…”
Mu Qi seemed hesitant. Li Chonglou knew she had something to say and directly urged, “Miss Mu Qi, please speak your mind. It’s alright.”
Mu Qi clearly felt a bit dissatisfied with the address, but she didn’t dwell on it. Instead, she got straight to the point: “Brother Li, is Brother Wu Long trying to get you to join his company?”
Li Chonglou was stunned.
Mu Qi continued, “Brother Li, Brother Wu Long himself is fine, but his company abroad… everyone in the circle knows it’s a very troublesome entity!”
This piqued his interest. Li Chonglou smiled faintly and said, “Continue?”
Seeing his reaction, Mu Qi stopped touching her food. She wiped her mouth with a napkin and said seriously, “Brother Li, I’m being serious. Once you join Brother Wu Long’s company, unless you’re alone, it will bring trouble to those around you!”
“I’ve heard that anyone who joins Brother Wu Long’s company and completes a mission will mysteriously disappear, even their families.”
This immediately made Wu Long appear rather mysterious. Li Chonglou asked in confusion, “Why? I thought he mentioned his organization was based abroad. Would it still have influence in China?”
“It does!”
Mu Qi’s decisive answer stunned Li Chonglou.
Mu Qi, after appearing to have wrestled with the decision for a while, finally made up her mind. Gritting her teeth, she said, “Brother Li, you probably know a bit about assassins, right? The kind who operate internationally.”
“You mean those mercenaries?”
“It’s different. Assassins have an even worse reputation internationally than mercenaries, as they engage in business driven solely by money. Brother Wu Long’s company is in that line of work abroad!”
Li Chonglou instantly understood Mu Qi’s meaning. No wonder it would have influence even in China. If, as she said, they were in that profession, they would indeed need to make themselves and those around them transparent.
He had heard about such people at Tie Lin. They dealt with targets that others wouldn’t dare touch. Once their tracks were exposed, it wouldn’t matter if they were in China or if they were a national leader; they would still face pursuit.
After all, this world was still a money-driven one. As long as the money was sufficient, even immortals could be assassinated!
Mu Qi continued, “However, everyone only knows the general idea. No one knows exactly what business Brother Wu Long’s organization is in, only that few people who join his company don’t vanish into thin air.”
As she spoke, the worry in Mu Qi’s eyes became evident. In her opinion, Li Chonglou was getting involved in this circle because of her, and she naturally didn’t want him to run into any trouble because of it.
Li Chonglou was silent for a moment before regaining his faint smile. “I understand. Thank you.”
Mu Qi immediately breathed a sigh of relief. “It’s good that Brother Li understands. In any case, Brother Wu Long is someone you can associate with, but absolutely do not join his company, no matter how many benefits he offers.”
“Alright, I know.”
Mu Qi’s smile returned, and she steered the conversation back. “By the way, Brother Li, why do you want to know about the financial circle?”
“My company might have plans in that area, and I want to get some preliminary information.”
Mu Qi was surprised. “Brother Li, your company is aiming for the financial circle?”
Her surprise was not unfounded. The financial circle in Shangjing was by no means a small one. Those who had reached this level of capital were all publicly listed companies. However, according to her investigation, Li Chonglou’s company had only made a name for itself in Shangjing so far.
Li Chonglou smiled slightly. “As people, we must have dreams. Since we want to move in that direction, we naturally have to set a lofty goal first.”
Mu Qi strongly agreed and nodded. “That’s true. Brother Li, I support you! If you need anything in the future, don’t hesitate to ask!”
Li Chonglou didn’t mention that his company was already capable of impacting this circle, nor did he take Mu Qi’s offer of help to heart.
After all, his path was different. Following the conventional route, his grandchildren might have a chance. To move quickly, one naturally had to dabble in unconventional methods.
However, having Mu Qi’s support was still a good thing. At least on matters related to this, Mu Qi was forthcoming.
Although Li Chonglou’s strength could easily defeat hundreds or even thousands of Mu Qi, he humbly learned from her in this area. For things he didn’t understand, he politely asked for guidance.
They ate for several hours. Most of the time was spent with Mu Qi answering his various questions. It was only then that Li Chonglou realized how complicated a new circle could be.
Even when the conversation finally concluded, it wasn't because Li Chonglou had no more questions, but because Mu Qi received a work notification.