“I’m such an idiot! Isn’t there someone here? Li Ge asked me to bring them specifically for this!”
Zhou Tong smacked his head hard and quickly put down the mahjong tiles in their hands. Eagle Eye asked in confusion, “What are you doing? You’re not thinking of reneging, are you? This is a rare 'purely one suit' for me.”
Roar Mountain and Chen Pao also looked at Zhou Tong with suspicion. For friends playing together, nothing was more annoying than being interrupted midway through a game. If it were an outsider, they would have been beaten up by now!
Seeing their displeased expressions, Zhou Tong hurriedly explained, “I need your help with something now, so I don't have time to play. Don't you want to earn commissions?”
The three of them simultaneously brightened up, “Is there a mission?”
Zhou Tong nodded seriously.
“Damn it! Then why are we still playing mahjong! Hurry up, hurry up.”
“But I haven't taken any missions before, how much is the commission usually for this kind of thing?”
As Zhou Tong was asking, Chen Pao, who was standing nearby, raised a crucial question, “Wait a moment, tell us the mission content first. We don't take any mission.”
Zhou Tong was stunned, “There are limitations?”
Chen Pao explained, “We are freelancers. We can only carry out tasks related to the circle. We cannot intervene in ordinary people’s commercial disputes.”
“Really? What if the other party hires people like you first?”
This question truly stumped the three of them. It wasn't that they hadn't encountered such situations before; it was just that in the past, they would directly refuse. They had never considered what the consequences would be if they themselves went.
The few of them fell silent for a moment. Chen Pao spoke first, “I seem to have some recollection of this. If it’s just about protecting someone from harming ordinary people, it seems acceptable.”
Zhou Tong’s eyes lit up, “That’s good then! I only need you to ensure his safety.”
Roar Mountain suddenly interjected, “How many people are needed?”
Zhou Tong was taken aback, “If the strength is sufficient, one person is enough.”
Roar Mountain immediately gave up, “Then I’ll pass. I’m not really suited for this kind of mission.”
Zhou Tong glanced at Roar Mountain. Indeed, this room was at least ninety square meters. Normally, even five or six people wouldn't make it feel crowded, but now, with Roar Mountain alone occupying it, it felt as if he was taking up half the space!
Roar Mountain’s imposing physique ensured that he was always the primary focus wherever he was.
At this moment, Eagle Eye shook his head, “If that’s the case, this mission isn’t suitable for me either. You can call me for assassinations, but protecting someone isn’t my specialty.”
Although his physique wasn't an issue, he was skilled with firearms, specifically those designed for martial artists. Not to mention, those specially made bullets were overkill for ordinary people; it was like using a cannon to swat a fly.
Moreover, even ordinary firearms were less effective for protection than sheer force. Otherwise, he himself would be at risk of being taken down by others.
Seeing this, Zhou Tong could only turn his gaze to Chen Pao.
“Uh, I don’t think I’m suitable either? I’m better at using my brain, and this kind of thing…”
Zhou Tong suddenly felt a sense of helplessness, like having a mountain of gold but being unable to use it.
A moment ago, he was thinking how he was too clumsy to utilize the experts he had at hand, but now he realized it wasn't as simple as he thought.
“Brother Ku probably hasn't been asked yet, go find him.”
Chen Pao reminded him, and Zhou Tong finally remembered Kulinan.
Right, their limitations seemed to be non-existent with Kulinan! Furthermore, Yu Kebiao’s cousin had stabilized within half a day and was ready for deployment at any time.
With that in mind, Zhou Tong said no more, offered an apology to the others, and quickly left.
Meanwhile, in a large courtyard of the Hu family’s main residence, beside some inconspicuous plants in the back garden, there was a hidden door that outsiders were unaware of.
Behind the hidden door was a space of only about twenty square meters. Although small, it was fully equipped, not only for convenience but also stocked with various living supplies.
Hu Han, who had disappeared from the Hu family for most of the day, was hiding there.
Half a day ago, while busy with work, he suddenly received a secret letter from his grandfather, the trusted confidant of the Hu family’s Second Master. The letter contained only one word: Flee!
Hu Han immediately used a ‘golden cicada shedding its shell’ tactic and hid here. Afterward, he learned from his informant’s text message that the Second Master had gone missing and that Hu Tian and the others wanted to see him.
Hu Han understood what had happened immediately! He promptly called Li Chonglou, but unfortunately, like Zhou Tong, he couldn’t get through, which was why he called Zhou Tong for help.
What somewhat reassured him was that only he and the Second Master knew about this place. Even the Second Master’s confidants or his informants didn’t know about it. Moreover, the compressed rations here were enough for him to hide for several weeks.
His immediate safety was not an issue, but he was worried about the Hu family.
The Second Master brought him back specifically to take over the Hu family legitimately. The eldest son of the Hu family was also aware of this; everything was done according to clan rules. But now that the Second Master had suddenly disappeared, and Hu Tian was looking for him everywhere at this particular time, it was obvious even by thinking with one’s toes that the Third Master had rebelled!
After all, this was a path of no return. Once the arrow is shot, there’s no turning back. The Hu family was bound to experience great turmoil! This meant that the longer he hid, the more serious the situation would become!
“Brother Li, it all depends on your speed now.”
Hiding in the darkness, Hu Han sighed softly. If Zhou Tong’s side took too long, even if he could be rescued, Li Chonglou’s plan would be ruined.
He could already imagine Hu Tian using various means to tarnish his reputation.
As a matter of fact, it was exactly as he had guessed. Simultaneously, in the Hu family’s council hall.
“Third Brother, are you sure everything you’re saying is true?”
At this moment, in the Hu family’s council hall, everyone who could make decisions, except for those from the Second Master’s lineage, was present.
The head of the Hu family sat at the uppermost seat. It was he who spoke.
The Third Master, with a solemn expression, said earnestly, “All the evidence is here. I am willing to take responsibility for everything I’ve said! Although I found it hard to believe when I first found out, Brother Two has indeed run away.”
“And Hu Han, whom he brought back, has also disappeared along with him!”
As soon as the Third Master said this, the people in the hall began to murmur amongst themselves.
“This doesn’t look fake, our secret room was indeed stolen last night.”
“But why would the Second Master do this? Is it really for that so-called elixir?”
“I also find it a bit far-fetched. The Second Master is already old, and he wants to start practicing martial arts at this age?”
After a period of hushed discussion, the Hu family head sitting at the uppermost seat finally spoke, “Right now, all the information is from your side alone.”