What Li Chonglou lost was not necessarily who, as Du Yun's conditions were within his acceptable range.
With the matter laid bare, it naturally had to be resolved. Afterwards, Li Chonglou learned more about the two personnel sent by the General Bureau from Du Yun.
One was named Su Qi, and the other was Tian You. Both were around thirty years old and appeared to be seasoned veterans.
According to Du Yun, these two were people who would stop at nothing to achieve their goals. Initially, they approached him politely, but after Du Yun refused, they immediately resorted to threats.
However, these weren't overt threats, but rather covert maneuvers!
After listening, Li Chonglou stroked his chin. For some reason, he suddenly recalled the events in Feng Town.
Didn't it feel somewhat familiar?
However, since one location was in the east and the other in the west, Li Chonglou quickly dismissed the thought. After all, the situations were different. In Feng Town, they were dealing with local powers, but here, they were from the General Bureau.
So the question returned to how to deal with the people from the General Bureau.
Du Yun beside him remained silent, not urging him. This was a test of Li Chonglou's capability. If he couldn't even resolve this, then the two promises he made earlier would indeed need careful consideration.
Thus, the two fell into silence again.
After a while, Li Chonglou suddenly spoke, asking Du Yun for the current location of the two individuals.
Du Yun was straightforward, even offering to lead the way personally.
"That won't be necessary. However, I need you to keep today's matter confidential for now."
Du Yun understood Li Chonglou's meaning and immediately nodded.
"Don't worry, I know where to draw the line. Anyway, as long as you can resolve this, I'll cooperate however you wish."
Li Chonglou glanced at him thoughtfully, but said nothing more, turning and leaving his office.
After leaving Du Yuntian's company, Li Chonglou headed directly to the residence of the two people sent by the General Bureau.
The earlier information was indeed true; these two were not residing within Wushan Town. It was unclear if it was to avoid suspicion or for other reasons, but their location was beside a temple.
Before the air suddenly changed, Wushan Town relied on green cultivation for its income, such as planting trees or growing agricultural products in the cold season.
Fruits like persimmons and apricot trees were the main produce of Wushan Town.
Therefore, the people of Wushan Town were very reverent towards deities and the like. There was more than one temple in its vicinity.
The location where the two from the General Bureau were staying was a temple opposite Elder Du Tian's, with one to the north of Wushan Town and the other to the south.
By the time Li Chonglou found the place, it was nearing the afternoon.
The weather in Shangjing was much colder at night than during the day. A cold wind had already begun to blow, making the tall treetops sway left and right. Beneath the treetops, beside an ordinary temple, a simple wooden house was quite conspicuous.
It wasn't because of its strange design, but because at the entrance, the words "General Bureau Office" were written in red.
Li Chonglou had never heard of the General Bureau having any offices. He was aware of the Enforcement Team, having clashed with their people not long ago.
"My identity as a rogue cultivator is probably useless. I just don't know if Elder Tie's name can be of any use."
Li Chonglou had devised a plan on his way here. Dealing with people from the General Bureau required unconventional methods, given the difference in their status.
Therefore, at such times, finding an identity that was superior to theirs, or one that could influence them, was crucial!
The only person Li Chonglou could think of was Old Man Tie, a former significant figure whom even his own captain addressed as "teacher."
While contemplating, Li Chonglou quickly arrived outside the wooden house. However, before he could even knock, an impatient voice suddenly came from within.
"Can't you see what this place is? Get lost if you have nothing to do!"
Li Chonglou's gaze instantly turned cold. People from the General Bureau, acting with such an attitude?
Without even truly engaging, Li Chonglou suddenly understood Du Yun's feelings. Anyone would be reluctant to discuss cooperation with such individuals!
However, for the sake of his objective, Li Chonglou temporarily restrained himself.
"Hello, two colleagues. I am a disciple of Elder Tie."
Well, on their last mission, he had almost fallen for Elder Tie's trick. If not for his own superior strength, he might still be stuck with the task assigned by Elder Tie!
Li Chonglou felt perfectly at ease telling this lie.
However, things once again exceeded his expectations.
"What Elder Tie, Elder Bronze? I told you to get lost, didn't you hear me?"
As soon as the words fell, the tightly shut wooden door was violently thrown open.
A man in his thirties appeared before Li Chonglou. His face was clean, without any stubble, but his eyes appeared extremely sinister.
Yes, Li Chonglou rarely encountered people who gave off such a sinister first impression, so he was momentarily stunned.
After all, the other party was from the General Bureau, representing the dignity of Shangjing, and by extension, the dignity of China!
However, compared to his gaze, the man's subsequent actions further confused Li Chonglou.
"Do you want me to say the same thing a third time?"
As the man's sinister voice echoed, a powerful oppressive aura surged towards Li Chonglou like a tide!
This was precisely the formidable aura of the third level. But at this moment, the pressure he released was not merely to display his strength; it was transforming his momentum into an invisible weapon, pressing down on Li Chonglou!
To put it bluntly, if the person standing before him wasn't him, but an ordinary person, their muscles would likely be injured by now, and those with weaker resilience might even faint on the spot!
Li Chonglou's expression instantly turned cold.
"Are you Su Qi or Tian You?"
Tian You was immediately stunned.
"You're unaffected?"
Tian You was bewildered. He clearly felt that the man before him possessed no internal energy, yet why was he unharmed even after releasing his full aura, showing no reaction at all?
Could it be that this person wasn't human?
A terrifying thought suddenly flashed through his mind, and Tian You subconsciously took a step back.
As he retreated, Li Chonglou got a glimpse of the situation inside the house.
The entire room, apart from two beds, was empty. A figure was sitting on one of the beds, meditating.
However, the person's posture was extremely peculiar. Normal meditation involved placing hands in front of the knees or on the丹田 (dantian - energy center), but this person had one finger pointing to the sky and the other to the ground, held aloft like that.
Like a sculpture.
Furthermore, the man's expression was cold. Although his eyes were closed, he exuded a chilling aura.
Seeing this, Li Chonglou's brows furrowed deeply, recalling a certain rumor.