He laughed bitterly with a self-deprecating expression, but Lin Beichen didn't pay attention to his self-mocking words.
To be honest, Lin Beichen didn't believe a single word of Li Qiao's self-introduction.
At this moment, Longjing tea was placed in front of Lin Beichen. He picked up the teacup and smelled it: "Li Gongzi really knows how to enjoy life; this Longjing tea, even in the country, is certainly out of reach for an ordinary person like me." He smiled and took a sip.
"An ordinary person? Mr. Lin is too modest." Li Qiao shook his head, "With Mr. Lin's talent, no matter where you are, you should have a status admired by thousands."
Lin Beichen chuckled: "Then I really must be grateful for Li Gongzi's compliment."
Li Qiao looked into his eyes, still wearing a professional smile, not pursuing the topic further, and the atmosphere fell silent.
"Mr. Lin, I asked you to come here because I have a business to discuss with you."
Li Qiao's smile gradually disappeared, his tone becoming serious.
"Oh? I wonder what business Li Gongzi wants to discuss with me?" Lin Beichen's words hinted at interest.
"I want Lin Gongzi to complete a mission, and I would like Lin Gongzi to teach me a Daoist Secret Technique." Li Qiao said earnestly, and Lin Beichen finally smiled, knowing Li Qiao was beginning to talk about something truly valuable.
"Li Gongzi knows of our mission?"
After finishing his laugh, he immediately feigned confusion.
"Naturally." Li Qiao was speechless, knowing Lin Beichen was playing dumb.
"Isn't it to escort Dr. Zhou back to the country? Otherwise, what else could require your Xia Country Special Forces?" Li Qiao said.
"Ah, Li Gongzi, you're a bit unaware; actually, Dr. Zhou is carrying a chest of gold bars from the nation, you see...?" Lin Beichen said mysteriously.
Li Qiao froze for a moment, then immediately understood Lin Beichen's underlying meaning.
"Lin Gongzi is quite right; you see, I completely forgot about that!" He feigned sudden realization, patting his head, and the two exchanged glances and laughed. Xia Luyao expressed extreme contempt for Lin Beichen's theatrics.
At this moment, Siphet stopped looking at the tablet and walked up to Asilia and asked, "Li Congjing has three guards: Qiao, Wu, and Jiu. You're aware, right?"
Asilia nodded; although this was a secret to the ordinary soldiers under Joseph, for figures with a powerful intelligence network, the confidentiality of such matters was only so-so. After all, whether it was Qiao, Wu, or Jiu, they were renowned figures at the time, each possessing credibility globally, sought after by many forces. When such people suddenly disappeared, more than one prominent figure would secretly investigate. Hence, no matter how discreet Joseph was, the truth would be jointly uncovered.
Whether it was Qiao, Wu Beichen, or Jiu, their fates ultimately intertwined in Joseph's hands.
Though Joseph had never employed them, his usual conduct suggested that these people might be his carefully placed hidden pieces, either used for covert plans or to protect Li Congjing.
Especially Jiu, who secretly served Li Congjing, clarifying the situation even more.
Asilia felt bewildered by Siphet suddenly mentioning this, as she had already learned of the three's deaths.
However, Siphet calmly revealed that external turmoil was merely a facade, and the real key lay in Li Qiao, Wang Wu, and Su Jiu. The explosive news that they were chosen as Joseph's heirs shocked Asilia immensely.
When Asilia asked Siphet how she acquired these secrets, a hint of melancholy flickered in Siphet's eyes.
She looked toward the empty sky, laughed at herself, and recounted Li Qiao's pursuit of her using freedom as bait.
However, she saw through Li Qiao's true intentions, knowing he merely used her to achieve his ambition. Li Congjing, as Li Qiao's sister, was his true concern.
Siphet's words revealed her disgust and hatred for Li Qiao, but her emotions quickly calmed again. She looked up at the sky at a slowly approaching plane, announcing the impending arrival of her backer's trump card. She urged Asilia to leave because the coming fight would be merciless.
Although Asilia was full of doubt, she finally understood her situation after Siphet fired a warning shot.
She realized she had overestimated her strength and also grasped Siphet's previous mercy.
Facing the impending danger, Asilia chose silence and acceptance.
In Siphet's dialogue with Asilia, they mentioned past events, including decisions made that night and the helplessness during their escape.
Siphet faced her impending fate with a radiant smile, telling Asilia that if she truly wanted revenge, she shouldn't stay here to fight alongside her but should seek the man who once captivated them—Asia.
As the plane in the sky drew closer, Siphet's smile gradually faded.
Throughout her life, she never believed in any religion, but at this twilight moment, she seemed like a devout angel awaiting destiny's judgment. Asilia turned away, knowing she could neither change anything nor protect everything she cherished.
Simultaneously, Paxton, encountering Asia and Ma Yi in the hall, showed a crazed expression on his face. His eyes, filled with murderous intent, stared unblinkingly at the two.
However, Asia calmly displayed his cellphone, revealing the surveillance here. Despite Paxton's regained composure, the hidden murderous intent remained faintly visible.
Faced with a potential outbreak of conflict, Ma Yi silently observed Paxton.
His recent skirmish with Asia revealed the other's strength and made him abandon any futile struggles.
Though he lamented the lost free passage in the hidden corridor, he knew he couldn't match Asia.
As tension increasingly mounted, Asia had to speak up to ease the situation. He explained the secrets he knew to the two, including information left behind by Li Congjing's father.
His explanation left the two sunk in contemplation, temporarily quelling the possible battle. Yet this was merely the calm before the storm; real challenges and dangers awaited them.
Upon hearing Asia's narrative, Ma Yi's thoughts gradually fell into chaos. Not because he couldn't comprehend these complex situations but because he chose to temporarily set aside thinking, allowing Asia's words to guide his imagination. The young man before him, seemingly frail, exuded a convincing aura that made Ma Yi unconsciously develop a sense of trust.
In the meantime, Paxton's heart finally settled. Having been a Special Forces captain, surviving life and death, he now felt an unprecedented ease. As if shedding a massive burden, he could finally face those past painful memories calmly.
"Are you the captain of the Special Forces team that intercepted Joseph back then?" Asia's inquiry prompted Paxton to recall that thrilling history. He nodded, a trace of reminiscence flashed across his eyes.
With Paxton's recounting, that buried history gradually emerged.
Joseph, the adversary who once left them helpless, his madness, power, and impenetrable nature once again stunned everyone present.
"Actually, I don't want to kill you." Joseph's words echoed as though still reverberating. Paxton remembered their team was once driven into a corner, yet Joseph refrained from delivering a killing blow.