"I wouldn't dare... I wouldn't dare, Commander Fan, please calm your anger..." Ning Lang suddenly realized, a flicker of joy in his eyes.
He had completely forgotten that Commander Fan used to have a nickname.
The Smiling Tiger.
This nickname originated from his zodiac sign, the tiger. It was rumored that before he became the captain of the Eagles, he had a deep-seated vengeance.
With his own strength, he had uprooted a powerful figure who held immense influence.
The entire nation was shocked.
He didn't know the specifics of the entire process, but he had heard from a comrade that back then, Commander Fan would kill someone just by smiling.
Conversely, it was safest when he was stern or angry.
Thus, his opponents gave him the nickname "Smiling Tiger."
"Calm what anger?" Fan Lei's anger had not subsided. "That brat actually refused my offer to join the army. He actually dared to refuse me."
"What's wrong with conscripting him? I'll conscript him, who dares to say a word to me?"
"If you don't want him shot, you'd better be obedient and join the army!"
At this moment, he no longer mentioned Tu Gui at all.
In fact, he had long been dissatisfied with Tu Gui. He had repaid the life-saving grace from decades ago for so many years.
As Li Chonglou had said, Tu Gui had relied on him and acted recklessly, and how many times had he cleaned up Tu Gui's messes.
Human greed.
The more he protected Tu Gui, the more arrogant and conceited Tu Gui became.
Personal grudges had reached a point where they could no longer suppress righteousness.
He had been secretly involved in Ning Lang's revenge process; otherwise, Ning Lang would have long since turned to dust.
However, Tu Gui was his benefactor, and he couldn't let Ning Lang kill him.
Mutual restraint between the two was the best strategy. This would prevent Tu Gui from continuing to act recklessly by relying on his power, and it would also suppress Ning Lang's obsession.
Otherwise, it would result in mutual destruction.
For so many years, they had coexisted peacefully, which had not disappointed him.
Who would have known that Li Chonglou would suddenly appear and break this stalemate, instigating Tu Hong to shoot his own father?
When the news reached him, he almost coughed up blood from anger.
But a dead person is like a extinguished lamp; he knew very well that Tu Gui had brought his fate upon himself.
If he were to truly help him seek revenge, wouldn't that be using state power for personal gain?
He hated such people the most, so how could he become like that himself?
Thus, he ordered Zhou to take people to find Li Chonglou, and at the same time, he secretly instructed his bodyguard that if anyone tried to save him, they should go with the flow and give up resistance.
This was how Li Chonglou was spared his life.
In fact, he had never intended to kill Li Chonglou from the beginning.
After witnessing Li Chonglou's courage and skill, he had no intention of killing him, he was merely trying to scare him.
This young man possessed passion and righteousness, and he was also a stubborn individual who didn't submit to authority – a natural talent.
He was the most suitable successor he had seen in many years.
He had humbly extended an olive branch, only to be ruthlessly rejected by him. The anger in his heart was understandable.
"Commander Fan, I'm just an antique dealer. Being a soldier is too dull for me, and the responsibility is too heavy," Li Chonglou said, no longer able to maintain his act. "I know you won't kill me."
"Don't try to scare Ning Lang. How about this... I'll give you a small token as an apology."
Saying this, Li Chonglou took out an ancient jade pendant from his pocket.
It was the white jade carved double tiger ring pendant he had exchanged with Ning Lang for the ivory carving.
He held it in his hand and walked towards Commander Fan.
As soon as Fan Lei saw the double tiger ring pendant, his eyes were immediately fixed on it.
His hand involuntarily reached out towards the jade pendant, picking it up to examine it carefully.
His eyes showed genuine fondness.
Ning Lang watched this scene, completely dumbfounded.
How could this be?
When did Commander Fan start liking antiques?
How could he have received no news of this? If he had known earlier, he would have sent so many items.
How did Li Chonglou know he liked antiques, and even send the double tiger ring pendant that originally belonged to him?
"You two can leave now," Fan Lei waved to the two soldiers.
The two left the stone chamber, closing the door behind them.
"Kid, you're quite brave to try to bribe me openly. Aren't you afraid of being charged with an additional crime?" Fan Lei clenched the jade pendant in his palm and asked intentionally, "How did you know I would like this thing?"
"Bribery is giving benefits to get someone to do something. I'm not asking you to do anything, so it's not bribery," Li Chonglou said with a faint smile. "I see you have paintings of tigers in your hand, majestic and spirited. You must have drawn them more than once or twice."
"Since you like tigers so much, either you were born in the Year of the Tiger, or you appreciate the tiger's spirit."
"Furthermore, although there are no antiques in this room, there is a scholarly aura, and antiques originate from cultural artifacts."
"Since Commander Fan likes these ancient cultures, he must be interested in antiques."
"I was just trying, exchanging a jade pendant for my life. It's a fair deal."
Ning Lang listened to his words, dumbfounded.
So Li Chonglou had discerned Commander Fan's habits and personality with just a few glances.
His "Fiery Golden Eyes" were truly living up to their name.
Even he, a former soldier, knew nothing of this. He had to admit that in terms of wisdom and insight, he was far inferior to Li Chonglou.
For a moment, his admiration grew even stronger.
"Hmph, you know what's good for you."
Fan Lei put away the jade pendant and, following Li Chonglou's lead, stepped down. "Tu Gui's account will be settled by his son. I've done what I could."
"But I warn you, if anything happens to Tu Hong again, I will never forgive you."
"Kid, think about joining the army again."
"Come under my command, and you can walk sideways from now on. At least you won't have to fear that fellow named Huang anymore."
The older the ginger, the spicier it is. Fan Lei's words struck a sore spot in Li Chonglou's heart.
He had already had people thoroughly investigate everything Li Chonglou had done recently.
This was also why he admired Li Chonglou.
To save his mother, father, and wife, he had gone alone to find Huang He and turned him into a cripple.
Afterward, he had confronted Li Hanlong, who was far superior to him in strength, and killed him.
Most importantly, every time he seemed to be on the verge of breaking the law, there was not a single fault to be found.
It only made people clap their hands in approval.
This kid was good!
It was a shame not to join the army.
Li Chonglou's expression showed a hint of emotion at his words.
His purpose in coming here was not to apologize. Tu Gui deserved his death, and there was no need to apologize to anyone.
He had come to find Commander Fan precisely to use his influence to make that surnamed Huang wary.
To give himself enough time to prepare.
Unexpectedly, Fan Lei saw through him at a glance. This old man was too terrifying.
He was far more than what he appeared on the surface; no wonder Ning Lang became so submissive in his presence.
It seemed he had long been disgusted with Tu Gui, and his pursuit of him was merely a show from the beginning.
However, joining the army under him was absolutely out of the question.
His mother's illness had not yet recovered.
As the saying goes, "A mother at home means one should not travel far."
Joining the army meant losing several years. While defending the country was noble, Li Chonglou was not so great as to abandon personal matters for the sake of greater good.
He couldn't do it.
Moreover, his wife, Jiang Yuxin, had a good relationship with him now. After things settled down, perhaps they could even have a chubby baby.
Having lived his previous life without children, he now yearned for a bloodline successor.
These relatives and friends needed him by their side to protect them. Leaving for several years was out of the question.
After a few seconds of struggle, Li Chonglou's eyes regained their resolve. "I'm sorry, Commander Fan, but I definitely won't join the army for now."
"I crippled Huang He, so it's normal for me to be retaliated against. But if foreigners become too arrogant on your territory, wouldn't that be a slap in your face?"
Li Chonglou's words had a hidden meaning.
The influential figure surnamed Huang likely had most of his power abroad.
He was also abroad at the moment.
The country was currently in a peaceful era, where weapons were easily exposed.
Assassins had almost vanished, rarely seen by ordinary people.
The group of assassins at the water gun club last time were clearly ex-mercenaries, either returning from or entering from abroad.
As the saying goes, a direct attack is easy to dodge, but a hidden arrow is hard to guard against.
As long as foreign mercenaries and assassins did not get involved in this matter, he had nothing to fear.
Therefore, the primary purpose of this trip to find Commander Fan was to eliminate this layer of threat.
"Heh, kid, you're quite shrewd with your calculations. You're pushing your luck!" Fan Lei pointed at Li Chonglou with his finger, lecturing him. "You even dare to set your sights on me."
"You want me to be your bodyguard, to keep an eye on things for you?"
"For such a small item, I'm too cheap."
Li Chonglou had no intention of hiding his thoughts from Fan Lei; being seen through was normal.
Wuning County was a county under Yong'an City.
The Eagles were stationed here, and the entire Yong'an City was indeed Fan Lei's territory.
If foreign assassins caused trouble, and the police were unable to handle it, they would also seek his help immediately.
However, to specifically have him keep an eye on Li Chonglou was an over-allocation of resources.
"Then, if I agree to join your ranks after my mother passes away, will that be acceptable?" Li Chonglou emphasized his words.
"Do you mean it?" Fan Lei's pupils contracted.
Good wine is not afraid of being late.
If a talent like Li Chonglou could truly join the army, perhaps one day he could become the glory of the nation.
As for Zheng Xiumei, he had also investigated her. She had a congenital heart disease.
She had just undergone surgery and was severely weakened; living past ten years would be a miracle.
For a good talent, he had waited decades, let alone ten years.
"I mean it, but the prerequisite is that foreign killers cannot enter the country within this year," Li Chonglou said seriously. "I believe with your strength, this should not be a problem at all."
Li Chonglou had thought it through.
No matter how long his mother lived, human efforts could not reverse fate. He was not a doctor, nor was he an immortal.
He could only do his best for her while she was alive. If she were to pass away one day, then it would be time for him to step forward and serve his country.
Perhaps becoming a special forces soldier would be his destiny.
"It's a deal!" Fan Lei's face bloomed with a brilliant smile.
This smile was not the sinister smile of someone about to kill.
Ning Lang let out a long sigh upon seeing it.
Comparing oneself to others can be disheartening. He used to be scolded and yelled at by Commander Fan every day, terrified like a grandson.
Li Chonglou, on the other hand, was negotiating with him and was treated with such importance.
Indeed, people were valued for their worth.
This matter could be resolved amicably, which completely put his anxious heart at ease.
He was happy for Li Chonglou.
Not long after, the two left Fan Lei's stone house and were driven back by Zhou along the same route.
On the way, Zhou said with a sigh, "I didn't expect you two to come out alive. It seems only I was the fool."
"Kid, I admit I underestimated you."
"But being favored by Commander Fan, you'd better take care of yourself."
After saying this, Zhou turned and left as he dropped them off at the entrance.
Li Chonglou didn't understand, but a trace of worry appeared in Ning Lang's eyes again.