Long Xiao bandaged Bao Tie's wound to stop the bleeding before asking him about the process of picking up Jiang Ming.
The two of them left Xinglin Caotang and met Jiang Ming without any trouble.
After they were introduced, Jiang Ming urged them to get in the car quickly, saying he felt something was wrong and that he had felt like someone was following him since entering Donghai.
They all got into the car, with Bao Tie and Zhang Eryong's car leading the way, and Jiang Ming's small truck following behind.
They hadn't driven far when they felt something was wrong. The street, which had been bustling with traffic, was now empty, and the street itself felt unfamiliar, resembling a street in Donghai City from the 1930s, just like in movies.
Bao Tie quickly stopped the car and opened his navigation. He was very familiar with Donghai and had never needed to use navigation there.
To his surprise, the navigation had no signal. He took out his phone and saw that even the phone signal had disappeared.
Everything had become very strange, and Bao Tie couldn't help but feel nervous. Just as he and Zhang Eryong were discussing what to do, they saw more than a dozen men in black suits, armed with axes, rush out from a small alley.
Bao Tie, Zhang Eryong, Jiang Ming, and Jiang Ming's driver were surrounded and attacked by more than a dozen men wielding axes.
In the ensuing brawl, all four of them were injured. Only Bao Tie managed to break free, while the other three were beaten to the ground and tied up by the men in black.
After listening to Bao Tie's account, Long Xiao pondered for a moment and said, "Don't worry, the three of them should not be in mortal danger."
Long Xiao comforted Bao Tie, told him to go rest, and then called Ming Yue to go on his behalf.
Long Xiao went to a disused warehouse specifically used for refining medicine. He took out cinnabar and a brush and began drawing talismans.
For most people, talismans were considered superstitious, but for Long Xiao, they were a means to alter the natural flow of energy.
He had mastered the basics of talisman arts, and whether it was using talismans to set up formations or to dispel negative energy, he was adept at it.
In half an hour, Long Xiao drew over a dozen talismans. Some carried life energy to quickly heal wounds, while others were for breaking formations, restrictions, and dispelling evil energies.
After putting away the talismans, Long Xiao stir-fried some soybeans and put them in his pocket. The uses of 'Long Xing Shou' were endless, and some of its applications were difficult for even those who understood 'Long Xing Shou' to discern.
Ever since he was attacked by the night owls, Long Xiao had suspected that the Long family wanted him dead. Therefore, he rarely used 'Bao Long Quan' unless absolutely necessary.
Not long after he finished preparing, Long Xiao received a call from an unfamiliar number. He knew it must be news from Zhang Eryong and the others.
"Long Xiao, if you want your medicine and the lives of three people, go to Xin Jiazhuang in Jiangbei."
It was only one sentence, with no further explanation. Long Xiao didn't ask any more questions.
After ending the call, Long Xiao left Xinglin Caotang alone and drove directly to Xin Jiazhuang in Jiangbei.
Xin Jiazhuang was located in the urban-rural fringe of Jiangbei. Although its name suggested a village, it was built much like a city.
Upon arriving at Xin Jiazhuang, Long Xiao parked his car by the roadside and waited for a call, trusting that the person who summoned him would call again.
Soon, the phone rang, the same number as before.
"Long Xiao, keep walking straight ahead. Someone will guide you."
Long Xiao put away his phone and walked along the road, observing his surroundings for anyone monitoring him.
Before long, Long Xiao noticed that at least three people were watching him.
He hadn't walked far when a little boy ran over and said, "Are you Mr. Long? Someone asked me to guide you."
As he followed the little boy, Long Xiao asked, "How much did that person give you?"
The little boy looked at Long Xiao in surprise and said, "How did you know they gave me money?"
Long Xiao chuckled, took out a hundred-yuan bill from his pocket, and said, "I'll give you a hundred, you can go now. You don't need to guide me anymore."
"Mr. Long, but I also received a hundred from them, and my mission isn't finished yet."
Long Xiao patted the little boy's shoulder and said, "Tell me the location, and I'll find them. It's very dangerous there, you shouldn't go."
The little boy told Long Xiao that there was a废弃 (fèiqì - abandoned) factory about five hundred meters ahead. Those people were hiding in the factory buildings, and there were more than ten of them, looking like they were all from the island nation.
As the little boy prepared to leave, he asked, "Mr. Long, if I guide you to them, I'm not a traitor, am I?"
Long Xiao smiled and patted the little boy's head. "Of course not."
After the little boy left, Long Xiao continued walking, observing the three people following him.
Upon reaching the entrance of the abandoned factory, Long Xiao quickly hid behind a wall.
The three men, seeing Long Xiao disappear, rushed forward to investigate. Long Xiao emerged with a smile.
"You're looking for me, aren't you?" Long Xiao asked.
The three men looked at Long Xiao awkwardly. One of them nodded and said, "Since you're here, let's go inside."
Long Xiao walked in front, with the three men following behind.
After walking a dozen steps, Long Xiao asked, "Are the three of you Chinese?"
"Yes, why are you asking?"
Long Xiao smiled and said, "Chinese people willing to be dogs for people from the island nation. Did your ancestors have any blood ties to the island nation?"
"Are you calling us traitors?"
Long Xiao shook his head and said, "Calling you traitors isn't an insult. What's wrong with being a traitor? You get food, drinks, and money."
Although Long Xiao hadn't explicitly called them bad, the three of them found his words unsettling.
Entering the abandoned factory, Long Xiao saw Watanabe Kenji sitting in a boss's chair, with a tea table in front of him. More than a dozen island nation warriors stood behind him.
"Master Watanabe summoned me. Why all this fanfare? If you wanted me, you could have just called."
Watanabe Kenji pointed to a chair opposite him and said, "Sit down, Mr. Long. Let's talk first, and then we can act."
Long Xiao sat opposite Watanabe Kenji, crossed his legs, and looked at him. "Speak, what do you want to talk about?"
Watanabe Kenji poured Long Xiao a cup of tea. "Tea culture originated in China and was introduced to our island nation, where we further developed it into our unique tea ceremony. Taste the tea I brewed myself. What do you think of the flavor?"
Long Xiao glanced at the teacup and shook his head. "In my eyes, the Way is one. I don't distinguish between the Way of Tea and the Way of Martial Arts."
"Mr. Long, the Way of Tea is the foundation of tea culture. Our island nation's culture is vast and profound, originating from Chinese culture but now far surpassing it."
Long Xiao burst into laughter. "How can fireflies compete with the sun and moon? Your island nation's culture has only learned the superficial aspects."
Hearing Long Xiao's words, Watanabe Kenji didn't get angry. He smiled and said, "It seems Mr. Long has a deeper understanding of culture. May I ask for your guidance?"
Long Xiao shook his head. "No. A doctor doesn't knock on doors, and the Way is not lightly passed on. To casually discuss the Way is a desecration of the Way."
"Since Mr. Long is unwilling to talk, so be it. Regardless of the Way of Tea, let us discuss the Way of Martial Arts."
Long Xiao nodded. "Very well, as you wish."