Kameda Kyuji knew that the building he owned was part of a larger scheme by certain organizations in the Island Nation targeting China. Control of this building absolutely could not fall into the hands of Chinese people.
Akiyama undoubtedly knew more, but Kameda Kyuji didn't dare to ask further.
Having interacted with Akiyama several times, Kameda Kyuji understood him well. Despite Akiyama's outwardly amiable demeanor, his heart was black.
After a brief discussion about Long Xiao and the "Three Dragons, Two Tigers, One God of Wealth" of the East Sea, Akiyama shifted to the main topic. Akiyama had come to tell Kameda Kyuji to stop clashing with Long Xiao. He had already warned several of the most influential Island Nation companies in the East Sea.
"Why aren't we allowed to touch Long Xiao?" Kameda Kyuji asked, puzzled.
"You don't need to worry about that. Just remember to consider the bigger picture," Akiyama said.
Kameda Kyuji nodded and replied, "Mr. Akiyama, I will listen to you. I won't have any more conflicts with Long Xiao."
After Akiyama left, Kameda Kyuji issued a company-wide notice: no one was to clash with Long Xiao or the "Three Dragons, Two Tigers, One God of Wealth" of the East Sea from now on.
When the news spread, everyone was perplexed. Some even went directly to Kameda Kyuji's office to inquire about the reason. Kameda Kyuji couldn't explain, only telling his subordinates that anyone who dared to provoke Long Xiao again would face severe punishment.
The conflicts between the Island Nation people and the "Three Dragons, Two Tigers, One God of Wealth" gradually ceased, leaving everyone feeling suspicious. Even when provoked, the members of the Yamato Overseas Development Company chose to evade, and if attacked, they didn't retaliate.
Luan Jiping sensed something was amiss and quickly drove to Xinglin Grass Hall to find Long Xiao, relaying the entire situation. Long Xiao also felt that something was off, but try as he might, he couldn't figure out the reason.
While the Island Nation people had quieted down, other organizations intent on dealing with Long Xiao had not. "Old Man in the Mountains" attacked Long Xiao twice more. Although Long Xiao killed many of them each time, they did not give up. Long Nian also noticed the strange actions of the Island Nation people. He made contact with them but couldn't glean any information.
Since the Island Nation people dared not move against Long Xiao, Long Nian also hesitated. He had originally planned to use Nangong Yue against Long Xiao but now had to wait.
Long Xiao's life gradually grew peaceful. Xiao Ming and Luo Tianshui practiced the cultivation techniques of the Long Xiao Sect daily, making rapid progress in their strength. Long Xiao spent his days concocting spiritual talismans and herbs. Based on the prescriptions in the "Dragon Treasury" pharmacopoeia, he prepared a large batch of pills to treat common modern ailments. These pills were highly effective, almost instantly curing illnesses. Xinglin Grass Hall continued to be crowded daily, with an endless stream of people queuing. Soon, scalpers started appearing outside, but after Xiao Ming and Luo Tianshui apprehended a few, they gradually disappeared.
Lin Xuan was busy with work every day. Xuan Xiao Group expanded at a rapid pace, and she and her capable assistants grew quickly as well. With more leisure time, Long Xiao spent his days cultivating and visiting his adoptive father, listening to stories about his childhood. He hadn't told Long Kui that he was part of the Long family, not wanting him to worry.
Just as Long Xiao thought everything had settled down and he could enjoy a few days of leisure, Huo Tianyi called him, informing him that someone was again monitoring her father's villa. Three of their bodyguards had inexplicably disappeared, and trouble was likely imminent. Huo Tianyi's father, Huo Zhen, was highly valued by the Huo family elder and was a candidate for the next family head. Recently, the Huo family elder had been in poor health, and Huo Tianyi suspected that other members of the Huo family might be plotting against them. Since he was free, and Huo Zhen was a disciple Long Xiao had secretly taken on, he decided to travel to Hong Kong again to help Huo Zhen.
Long Xiao told Lin Xuan he was going to Hong Kong. Lin Xuan smiled and said, "What a coincidence, Xiao Yue and I are also going to Hong Kong tomorrow. Let's go together." Long Xiao couldn't refuse traveling with his wife. After booking their tickets, Long Xiao went to the pharmacy to select some pills for backup. For the safety of Xinglin Grass Hall, Long Xiao didn't bring Xiao Ming and Luo Tianshui this time, leaving them to guard the hall.
Early the next morning, Yang Xiaoyue drove to Mangshan No. 1 Villa. The three of them drove to the airport together, with less than half an hour before their flight's departure. After passing through security and boarding, Long Xiao helped Lin Xuan and Yang Xiaoyue find their seats before looking for his own. As soon as Long Xiao settled in, the sound of high heels clicking on the floor approached. A voluptuous young woman, her ample curves swaying, walked down the aisle. Long Xiao looked back when he heard the sound. The young woman's powdered face contorted with anger, and she glared at him, saying, "What are you looking at? Never seen a beautiful woman before?"
Long Xiao quickly turned back, sitting upright, feigning an unperturbed demeanor.
"Feeling guilty, are you? If you want to look, just look. What are you doing sneaking glances? If you want it but dare not look, it must be very uncomfortable to hold back," the young woman said as she sat in the seat next to Long Xiao. Long Xiao helplessly closed his eyes, not daring to engage with her. Women like her were like chewed gum – flavorless but sticky; touch them and you'd get stuck.
After settling in, the young woman glanced at Long Xiao. Seeing that he was ignoring her, she said, "Playing innocent, but who knows what wicked thoughts are going through your mind." Annoyed by her incessant chatter, Long Xiao quietly said, "Auntie Wang, rest your mouth for a while. Talking too much will make you very tired." Being called Auntie Wang, the young woman didn't react immediately and asked, "How do you know my surname is Wang?" Long Xiao closed his eyes again and said, "This humble Taoist can divine by pinching his fingers, and his cultivation is profound. How could he not even know your surname?" The young man sitting nearby, seeing Long Xiao fooling the woman, couldn't help but laugh.
"What are you laughing at? Do you think I'm beautiful and are having wicked thoughts?" the young woman glared at the young man, saying. The young man quickly covered his mouth, suppressing his laughter. The young woman secretly glanced at Long Xiao. Seeing him with his eyes closed and silent, she nudged him with her elbow and said, "Taoist priest, can you really divine?" Long Xiao, worried about being pestered by the woman, pretended not to hear. The young woman nudged him again and said, "If you can really divine, then divine the surnames of the two beautiful women sitting behind you." Long Xiao extended his right hand, pinched his fingers, and said, "One is surnamed Yang, and the other is surnamed Lin."
"What else can you divine about them?" the young woman asked again. Long Xiao pinched his fingers again and said, "They are twenty-one and twenty-three years old, respectively, and from the East Sea."
"Anything else?" the young woman asked. Long Xiao pinched his fingers again and said, "The one surnamed Lin has a birthday on May seventeenth." The young woman was somewhat disbelieving and said, "I'll go and ask." After the plane took off smoothly, the young woman stood up and walked towards Lin Xuan and Yang Xiaoyue. After asking, the young woman was filled with astonishment. She hadn't expected Long Xiao's divinations to be so accurate.
"Taoist priest, you are amazing! You got it all right. Why don't you divine for me? I'll give you money." Long Xiao shook his head and said, "This humble Taoist regards money as dirt. WeChat or cash?"
"What do you mean WeChat or cash? Didn't you say you regard money as dirt?" the young woman said with dissatisfaction. Long Xiao clasped his hands together and said, "Boundless Taoist master, this humble Taoist indeed regards money as dirt. However, this humble Taoist is a farmer, and farmers love dirt the most."