Li Chonglou nodded.
"You could say that, but they might not necessarily have ulterior motives. Just keep an eye on them for me. If you notice anything unusual, inform me immediately!"
Chen Pao and the others were no joke in terms of strength. Even Chen Pao, who was the least adept at martial arts, was at the peak of the third layer. Not to mention Rou Shan and Kulinan, who had both reached the fourth layer!
Upon hearing this, Yue Hai immediately felt a surge of motivation. Having this sense of trust from someone else helped him regain that passion!
Then there was Chen Peiyue.
To be honest, Li Chonglou was pleasantly surprised when he learned she was returning with them. Chen Peiyue was only in her early twenties, significantly younger than Yue Hai, yet her strength was comparable to Yue Hai's previous level!
This talent spoke for itself.
Moreover, she was a natural-born assassin. When they were at Liu Feng's shop, Li Chonglou had personally witnessed her ruthlessly kill without hesitation, her expression unchanged even as heads rolled before her.
Such a disposition made her an excellent candidate for cultivating meridians, as this type of person was inherently combative, and fighting spirit was precisely what meridian cultivation required.
In fact, Li Chonglou had already considered recruiting her back when they were at Liu Feng's shop. Therefore, her returning with Yue Hai and the others was exactly to his liking.
However, he needed to clarify things first.
It wasn't just him; even Yue Hai and the others didn't know why Chen Peiyue suddenly decided to return with them.
"Xiao Yue, come with me for a moment."
If she had wanted to tell them about this, she would have already done so. Li Chonglou understood her intentions, so he led her to his office alone.
"Xiao Yue, I'll be direct. You suddenly decided to come back with them and join us. Did you encounter something you need help with?"
Chen Peiyue's previously calm expression showed surprise.
"Brother Li, how did you know?"
Li Chonglou smiled and said, "It's not hard to guess. You're the daughter of a prominent landlord. If you hadn't encountered something you couldn't handle, why would you leave your territory?"
Actually, there was something Li Chonglou didn't mention. Her father had previously hidden a locator in her hair. Unless there were extraordinary circumstances, he wouldn't have suddenly agreed to let her leave on her own.
Chen Peiyue hadn't thought that far ahead, but this fact alone increased her confidence in following Li Chonglou.
However, the matter of bringing the Little Knife Gang out of Feng Town was a secret between her and her father. Chen Peiyue had no intention of letting a third person know for the time being.
After some thought, Chen Peiyue finally spoke, "Brother Li, I have no ill intentions towards you. I want to train myself. The Little Knife Gang is indeed in trouble, but I believe I can resolve it myself."
Chen Peiyue dared not mention the mysterious group. She feared that by speaking of them, Li Chonglou might misunderstand. From their interactions during these past few days, she sensed that Li Chonglou was a rather suspicious person.
Li Chonglou nodded. This was Chen Peiyue's personal matter. Since she didn't want to speak of it, he wouldn't pry. What he wanted was the person, and Chen Peiyue's character was trustworthy.
Therefore, he got straight to the point.
"Xiao Yue, do you want to learn something from me?"
Chen Peiyue was taken aback and instinctively asked, "Learn what?"
"A set of cultivation techniques. Yue Hai will also be learning it."
Chen Peiyue's eyes lit up. Although she felt no pressure from Yue Hai's previous breakthrough, it was impossible to say she wasn't envious!
So, her first thought was that Li Chonglou intended to teach her cultivation techniques that could improve her in combat, similar to Yue Hai's!
However, she noticed that Li Chonglou's expression suddenly turned serious.
"Xiao Yue, I trust you, so I'll be frank. I guarantee this set of techniques can at least double your strength. However, due to its extreme importance, if you wish to learn it..."
Li Chonglou paused here. Chen Peiyue's eyes involuntarily narrowed slightly, her expression becoming solemn.
She had expected Li Chonglou to state some difficult condition, but instead, he uttered only three words.
"You must become my disciple."
Chen Peiyue's expression faltered again.
"Become whose disciple?"
"Mine."
Chen Peiyue stared at Li Chonglou in astonishment. She had never anticipated such a condition.
"What, you think I'm not qualified?"
Chen Peiyue shivered and quickly shook her head, "No, that's not what I meant."
"It's just that I've never had a master before, so I'm not familiar with such matters..."
Li Chonglou became somewhat curious. "Then who did you learn from all these years?"
"It was from my father. No, you can't say it was from him either. I did have teachers when I was young; my father hired them with a lot of money. But after I surpassed them, I stopped seeing them."
Li Chonglou was dumbfounded. "You mean you've been teaching yourself ever since?"
Chen Peiyue nodded and said, "However, my father also spent a great deal of effort acquiring that experience and some cultivation techniques. I was merely following the steps."
Merely following the steps.
If these words were heard by others, they might provoke great hostility. It truly made one feel inferior when comparing themselves to others!
However, this further solidified Li Chonglou's resolve to take her as a disciple. Such an outstanding talent, a born assassin, and crucially, someone whose character was trustworthy for the time being. Not taking her as a disciple would be a waste of talent!
Li Chonglou said earnestly, "Xiao Yue, I'm serious. Think it over carefully. If you truly wish to become my disciple, you must follow my arrangements from then on. Of course, I'm referring to cultivation matters."
Chen Peiyue suddenly nodded vigorously. "Brother Li, there's no need to think about it. I agree!"
Li Chonglou said seriously, "You must think this through clearly. According to the rules of the martial world, a master is like a father for life. If you truly become my disciple, you can never oppose me."
"Furthermore, if you commit any wicked deeds, I will personally discipline you!"
Upon hearing the last four words, Chen Peiyue felt an unprecedented sense of pressure from Li Chonglou. Despite being a master at the peak of the second layer herself, under that pressure, she felt like a child facing an adult!
However, Chen Peiyue had no hesitation regarding Li Chonglou's words.
"Brother Li, no problem. If I commit any unforgivable act in the future, then kill me yourself!"
Hearing this, Li Chonglou smiled.
This smile was the happiest he had been in days. The people of Mai Men were few, and Li Chonglou harbored a desire to see Mai Men flourish.
Therefore, receiving a disciple like Chen Peiyue, with such talent, made him happier than solving the company's current difficulties!
"Good, then it's settled!"