Eagle Eye's request was not excessive. Their relationship lacked much emotional connection, so naturally, terms had to be discussed if one wanted the other to act.
Moreover, Eagle Eye's two conditions were not intended to make things difficult for Li Chonglou, something Li Chonglou understood. However, the matter of the enemy was another story.
Li Chonglou's sole consideration was this: he wanted the talent, but it depended on the price. If Eagle Eye had offended some major figure, like his own Dragon Group's Captain, it would be a complete loss.
Yet, Li Chonglou also reasoned that if Eagle Eye had indeed offended such influential people, he wouldn't be able to operate in Shangjing. The fact that he still had some reputation suggested certain issues.
"Alright, I agree!"
After much deliberation, Li Chonglou finally decided to hire him. If he hadn't witnessed Eagle Eye in action, the outcome might have been different, but Eagle Eye's skills had always been a one-hit kill. In terms of strength, he had long passed Li Chonglou's assessment.
A long-range gunman was quite valuable, especially with the current focus on new weaponry.
After finalizing the terms with Eagle Eye, Li Chonglou first had Zhou Tong help draft a contract and then found Meat Mountain and Cullinan.
"Shall I have the contract drafted later?"
Meat Mountain nodded. "I'm free for the next half a month, but I need to return to Qingniao first."
Li Chonglou understood this. For freelancers like them, after completing a mission, they were required to report back to their original employers to provide an update, collect rewards, or explain failures. Otherwise, it would affect their reputation in the industry.
Then there was Cullinan. Although not a freelancer, he seemed like someone who could be persuaded. However, his former employer was the Xi Gang, and Li Chonglou pondered whether he should inform Luo Qingqing.
After much thought, Li Chonglou felt it was best to understand the situation first.
"Brother Cullinan, what is your position in Xi Gang? Would you be willing to stay with me for a while?"
"As long as you can teach me something, it's not a problem. I'm even willing to leave Xi Gang!"
Cullinan's tone was resolute, which immediately piqued Li Chonglou's curiosity. Could he really leave whenever he pleased?
As one of the four major gangs in Shangjing, Xi Gang surely had ways to retain such skilled individuals. Yet, Cullinan's demeanor didn't suggest he was lying; there had to be something Li Chonglou didn't know.
However, in the end, Li Chonglou did not inquire further. Everyone had their secrets in this world, and sometimes knowing too much could be more troublesome. If the Xi Gang people came looking for him, he would simply handle it.
It wasn't a big problem!
As for teaching, it was a mere trifle for Li Chonglou. The key was that this skill couldn't be learned in a day or two, giving him ample reason to keep Cullinan around to help.
Instead of waiting for a better day, Li Chonglou immediately began teaching Cullinan the Tai Chi's reverse pushing hands after their conversation.
This was a Tai Chi pushing hands technique that Li Chonglou had developed himself, suitable for people at their level. Tai Chi pushing hands inherently emphasized not losing contact, not forcefully resisting, responding to stillness with movement, avoiding the solid and seeking the void, and using skill to conquer strength. Mastering this would allow for the effect of "four ounces repelling a thousand pounds."
Reverse pushing hands was his improvement upon this foundation, specifically designed for combat between peers. Both the techniques and the speed differed significantly from ordinary pushing hands.
It was like comparing gymnastics to a tactical maneuver.
Cullinan also learned with great seriousness. They practiced until nearly dawn that night.
"How do you feel?"
Li Chonglou smiled as he looked at Cullinan. Throughout the process, apart from the initial teaching which involved soul fusion, he spent the rest of the time breaking down and analyzing movements with Cullinan.
He also didn't hold back, clearly explaining his combat strategy and the core principles of the techniques. Cullinan's initial anticipation turned into utter admiration, and he was completely in awe of Li Chonglou.
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior! If you have any instructions in the future, please don't hesitate to ask. I will not refuse anything within my ability!"
Cullinan bowed deeply to Li Chonglou with excitement, performing a grand salute.
Li Chonglou smiled. "Please don't call me Senior. I also need your help here for a while. We can consider it a mutually beneficial exchange."
Cullinan still wanted to say something, but Li Chonglou interrupted, "Alright, it's getting late. Let's get some rest."
Cullinan nodded heavily and turned to leave.
Watching his retreating figure, Li Chonglou suddenly remembered someone from the Xi Gang.
Luo Feng. He had thought this person would return after being sent away, but he never saw any trace of him again before he left.
"Is he really that obedient? Just leaves when he says so?"
Li Chonglou shook his head, unable to fathom this person's intentions.
Meanwhile, at the airport.
Not long after Li Chonglou and his group had left in the afternoon, the people sent by the General Bureau finally arrived, along with the severed-handed Long Fei. His return this time was not only for revenge but also to retrieve his lost hand, as modern medicine could still reattach a severed limb.
Lin Qianqian also cooperated with the General Bureau personnel in clearing the airport. However, the General Bureau's attention was almost entirely focused on the two gray-clothed individuals, and their search of other areas was merely perfunctory.
No one noticed that within the ceiling of a women's restroom, a figure was lurking.
"I'm really fed up. When are they finally going to leave?"
The owner of the figure was Luo Feng, whom Li Chonglou had suddenly thought of!
After accidentally being hit by the gray-clothed men's green liquid, Luo Feng hid there. He originally intended to leave after the gray-clothed men departed, but he then heard news that people outside were cooperating with the police to arrest gang members and freelancers.
So, Luo Feng thought that since his internal energy had not yet recovered, he might as well wait a bit longer. This led to the arrival of the General Bureau personnel.
Now that the General Bureau was here, he truly dared not reveal himself until they left. They were already on high alert, and if he were to encounter them now, any fool would know the consequences!
"This must not be known by anyone! Hiding in a women's restroom for a whole day..."
The next day arrived in a flash.
As soon as Li Chonglou woke up, Zhou Tong came to report: "Brother Li, the A Niu you brought back left last night, leaving a letter."
A Niu left?
Li Chonglou wasn't surprised that he would leave, but he was a bit puzzled by his reaction. After Green Bull's death, his reaction was inconsistent with his usual demeanor. Li Chonglou became curious about the letter he left behind.
When he opened it, the content wasn't extensive but primarily explained his relationship with Green Bull.