Gong Changfa returned to the Celestial Selection Bureau and saw Lin Yue and Cao Fuli sitting on the sofa. It seemed as if only two people were in the living room, but a closer look revealed an indentation on the adjacent sofa, indicating that Li Keyi was also present, albeit in an invisible state.
"Where is he? Where is Yue Hengyi?" Gong Changfa asked casually.
Lin Yue said faintly, "He was determined to die and entrusted his parents to us. I had no choice but to return. However, Yue Hengyi mentioned the location of the extraterrestrial elements and ability-enhancing potions before he left."
After speaking, Lin Yue took out two small bottles from his person, containing a pale green liquid, and handed them to Gong Changfa.
"Here, take it!" Lin Yue said seriously.
Gong Changfa chuckled at this, saying, "You know I want extraterrestrial elements, and you give me ability-enhancing potions? Only two vials, that's not enough, is it?"
Lin Yue shrugged and replied, "You said the price was ability-enhancing potions. Now that I've given them to you, you're complaining about the quantity? That's extortion, and it's not righteous!"
Seeing Lin Yue's attempt to play coy, Gong Changfa frowned and said, "Don't play dumb with me, kid. Yue Hengyi and Shen Feng obtained extraterrestrial elements from the meteorite. Logically, Yue Hengyi has a quarter of it, nearly thirty grams! What are these two vials of potions? Don't force me to get angry."
The previously agreed-upon price to be paid to Gong Changfa was extraterrestrial elements or ability-enhancing potions. The exact amount wasn't specified at the time, but it was implicitly understood to be all of Yue Hengyi's holdings in exchange for the Celestial Selection Bureau's assistance.
However, after a brief discussion between Lin Yue and Cao Fuli, they had a change of heart. Both felt they were being taken advantage of. Merely helping their side attract the enemy's attention without actual combat required handing over all the extraterrestrial elements, which felt like a raw deal.
Lin Yue and Cao Fuli both thought that if they took these extraterrestrial elements back to Yuzhou, they might even receive rewards from the City Lord. They had gone out on a mission, and although it failed, they had at least brought back something valuable.
Cao Fuli seized the moment to intervene, "Everyone, let's not resort to violence or arguments. It will only damage our camaraderie. How about this: we each take a step back. We'll split the extraterrestrial elements fifty-fifty! What do you say?"
"I'll step back my sister! You two are in cahoots, one playing the good cop and the other the bad cop. In one go, you want to cut my reward in half. Where in the world do you find people like you? It's like kicking the cook after you've eaten your fill, or chasing away the monk after chanting the scriptures!" Gong Changfa couldn't stand it anymore. He was furious that they were trying such a trick on him.
Lin Yue and Cao Fuli exchanged glances, realizing that the man in front of them was not easily fooled. They then began to argue nonsensically, "But you said before that you would accept ability-enhancing potions or extraterrestrial elements, and you didn't specify how much. Doing this now is quite unfair."
Gong Changfa looked at the two of them, who were acting so unreasonable. He knew that if he tried to reason with them, they would lead him astray. After much thought, Gong Changfa remembered something and directly stated, "If you two don't give me the due compensation, then don't blame me for being unrighteous. I'll spread the word about Shen Feng's scandalous affairs. He did quite a lot in the Land of the Rising Sun. Fortunately, Ke Yiming and Yun Laizhe told me about it, otherwise, it would be a shame if everyone didn't know about these things in the future."
Upon hearing this, Lin Yue and Cao Fuli hesitated. The two of them huddled together to discuss the veracity of the matter.
"You think the City Lord was really having a good time outside?"
"You ask me, how would I know?"
"The City Lord has never spoken much about such matters, and we haven't inquired. In my opinion, even if these things were to spread, it wouldn't be a problem, right?"
"Have you forgotten the two madams? They are both jealous types. If they hear about what the City Lord did outside, won't they throw a fit?"
After careful deliberation, the two suddenly realized that the matter was indeed tricky, involving the City Lord's reputation. If it wasn't handled properly and the news spread, causing discord in the City Lord's household, they might be blamed.
At this point, they had no choice but to hand over the reward. Lin Yue and Cao Fuli also noticed that Gong Changfa actually didn't know exactly how much extraterrestrial element Yue Hengyi possessed, only a rough estimate. He mentioned thirty grams, but Li Keyi had found forty grams from the hiding place!
"It seems we can only give him thirty grams!" Lin Yue said to Cao Fuli.
Cao Fuli nodded and replied, "Yes, we can't let the City Lord's affairs outside be known to everyone. If the two madams fall out with the City Lord, we'll be implicated too."
Facing Gong Changfa's displeased expression, Lin Yue immediately changed his tune, smiling and saying, "We were just joking earlier. We'll go get the extraterrestrial elements right away. Prepare a private room for us, and no peeking."
Gong Changfa readily agreed, assuming that the two had hidden the items in discreet places on their bodies, making it inconvenient to produce them in public.
In the past, people liked to sew many pockets on their bodies to prevent being robbed. Some pockets were on their backs, some were even in their trouser legs, and some hid money in the soles of their shoes. It didn't matter if it was smelly, as long as it was usable. What was a little smell compared to not being robbed?
Considering this, Gong Changfa didn't intend to peek at the two.
Little did they know, Lin Yue and Cao Fuli were preparing to weigh the extraterrestrial elements and extract thirty grams from the forty grams. Such substances were incredibly important, even in increments of 0.1 grams. It was always good to be meticulous.
While the two were gone, Li Keyi spoke up, "By the way, I'm also curious about Shen Feng's scandalous affairs outside. Can you tell me about them?"
Gong Changfa immediately refused sternly, "No, I am a person of principle. I already made an agreement with Lin Yue and the others, and I won't mention it again. Don't ask, I won't tell."
Li Keyi then dispelled her invisibility and leaned back on the sofa, sneering at Gong Changfa, "Do you think you're the only one who can use information as a threat? Can't I?"
With that, Li Keyi leaned on the sofa and said, "As far as I know, your subordinates did quite a few things on the way back, didn't they? The Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo was burned down by you, right? The Blue House in South Korea also collapsed, which happened right after they visited South Korea. This is a serious disruption of international relations. If this information gets out, can the Celestial Selection Bureau continue to operate peacefully?"
"Uh." Gong Changfa was speechless. He had just threatened someone, and now he found himself in the same predicament. The Celestial Selection Bureau had just been established, and if such matters were to spread, it would undoubtedly attract attacks from enemies. For example, Long Qian was no good person, and he would definitely seize such an opportunity to report them.
"Fine, I'll tell you, but don't spread it around. It will damage my reputation," Gong Changfa conceded reluctantly.
Next, Gong Changfa recounted what Ke Yiming and Cao Fuli had heard in Kagoshima. First, Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi had forced their enemies to surrender twice, and the person in charge had committed seppuku publicly in the square. Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi had not used their real names, so not many people knew about it. Afterward, Shen Feng often frequented adult entertainment establishments for pleasure, and then left without paying. No one could catch him due to his incredible speed. Who could do anything to Shen Feng?
Upon hearing this, Li Keyi's expression gradually turned grim, clearly displeased.
No one else knew about the relationship between Shen Feng and Li Keyi, but Gong Changfa happened to be an insider. Back at sea, Gong Changfa had instructed Xu Huwei to monitor the ferry. At that time, he heard Li Keyi often talking to Shen Feng late at night. Although nothing else happened, it was certain that their relationship was not as simple as it appeared on the surface.
Seeing Li Keyi's expression change for the worse, Gong Changfa stopped his narration.
Li Keyi glanced at Gong Changfa and said, "Continue, I'm still listening."
Gong Changfa shrugged and continued, "Later, for some reason, Shen Feng got involved with the head of a prominent family in Kagoshima. When Ke Yiming and the others arrived in Kagoshima, they also happened to kill the main administrators of six other families. It is likely that this woman will be in charge in Kagoshima from now on. Yue Hengyi is also not clean; he got involved with another married woman. Later, out of guilt or something, he gave this woman an ability-enhancing potion. In short, all you need to know is that Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi did many absurd things while recuperating there."
Li Keyi took a deep breath and said, "It has nothing to do with me. I'm just listening. After all, I'm not Shen Feng's anything!"
After saying this, Li Keyi continued to remain invisible, as if she didn't want her expression to be seen by others.
When Gong Changfa finished recounting what Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi had done in Kagoshima, Lin Yue and Cao Fuli happened to emerge from the room, holding a sealed bag containing thirty grams of grayish-white powder.
Consuming this powder would turn one into an ability user, and only a small amount was needed. This powder was enough to cultivate more than a dozen ability users.
Gong Changfa lunged forward and snatched the sealed bag. It was the safest to hold it in his hand.
Lin Yue and Cao Fuli thought that since Yue Hengyi had accepted his fate, there was no need for him to remain in Yanjing. Staying any longer might put him in danger. Moreover, they had promised to protect Yue Hengyi's parents, so they had to act quickly.
With this in mind, Lin Yue and Cao Fuli began to bid farewell, "We're leaving now. We'll contact you again after we find Yue Hengyi's parents and return to Yuzhou."
"I remember you still have two vials of ability-enhancing potions, right?" Gong Changfa suddenly asked at this moment.
Upon hearing this question, Lin Yue and Cao Fuli couldn't help but frown and say, "Isn't it bad to be too greedy?"
Gong Changfa quickly replied, "That's not what I meant. I wanted to ask if you are willing to sell the potions to me."
"Come on, your newly established Celestial Selection Bureau is penniless. Can you afford ability-enhancing potions? These two vials should be given to Yue Hengyi's parents. It's such a sad thing for parents to outlive their children," Cao Fuli said earnestly.
Given that they had spoken to this extent, if Gong Changfa still had designs on the ability-enhancing potions, it would be unrighteous.
In response, Gong Changfa shrugged and said, "You'd better act quickly and leave Yanjing without hesitation. Afterwards, I will announce that Lin Yue has been rescued. I can even pretend to be injured to cover it up. However, if it's convenient in the future, I'd still like to do business with Yuzhou."
"Then farewell. Mr. Yue is certain to die this time. In any case, those people from the Heavenly Dragon Bureau are too insidious. Most importantly, they have even contacted the people in Lüliang Mountain. I suspect they might have close ties. Be careful, the scoundrels from the Heavenly Dragon Bureau will call for reinforcements if they can't win," Lin Yue said to the people around him.
After bidding farewell to everyone, Lin Yue and Cao Fuli left Yanjing. Li Keyi then lost her reason to stay at the Celestial Selection Bureau and quickly disappeared. Once she became invisible, it was difficult for others to detect her, unless they had infrared cameras installed. Infrared rays could detect heat changes and thus discover people using invisibility techniques.