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Chapter 222 The Treasure to Fight For

Chapter 222 The Treasure to Fight For

"Everyone has made enough money, it's time to consider enjoying life..."

Li Dingjian's words echoed in the room, and the air was filled with the smell of tobacco and a hint of tension.

No one interrupted, everyone was waiting for the professor's response.

The professor remained calm, with his hands crossed on the table, looking directly at Li Dingjian through his lenses.

His expression did not change much, as if he had already anticipated this scene.

Li Dingjian said no more. He pushed the deformed cigarette into the ashtray, took out another one, and lit it with a "pop".

The faint blue flame flickered and jumped on the cigarette butt, reflecting his cynical yet somewhat stubborn face.

"crow."

The professor broke the silence, his voice low and steady:
"I understand how you feel. We have all experienced moments on the brink of life and death. No one wants to experience that kind of fear and helplessness again..."

Li Dingjian did not reply, but just exhaled a puff of smoke, which slowly dissipated in the air, blurring his expression.

"but."

The professor paused, then emphasized:

"Do you really think that quitting will solve the problem? People like us have been caught in the vortex of fate since the first day we were born. Joining a team only seems to make the vortex more muddy."

"Do you think those enemies and officials will let us go just because we choose to withdraw? No, they will chase us like hounds until we completely disappear from this world."

As the professor questioned Li Dingjian, his eyes were sharp and insightful. He looked at Li Dingjian:
"As for your family, whether you quit the team or not, they are always at risk of being implicated, and nothing will change because of this."

Li Dingjian's fingers trembled slightly, and the cigarette ash fell to the floor. He still said nothing, but just lowered his head to look at the burning cigarette butt.

"The Jianghu is not a place where you can retreat unscathed if you want to."

The professor suddenly sighed quietly, a look of vicissitudes and helplessness appearing on his face, and the past years seemed to be weighing on his shoulders at this moment.

"This world is class-based and ruthless. Often, people are cruel and ruthless. We can only choose to stick together and eliminate hidden dangers together to truly ensure the safety of ourselves and our families, rather than relying on one person to fight alone and return to a state of isolation and helplessness."

Having said that, the professor's tone gradually slowed down, leaving some time for Li Dingjian to digest and think.

The room fell into a brief silence again.

The other team members exchanged glances with each other, and it seemed that they all had something to say but didn't know where to start.

At this time, the professor continued:

"Crow, since you suggest that we withdraw as well, perhaps we can ask others for their opinions."

As he said this, he turned his head and cast his gaze at Dachui, who had the best relationship with Li Dingjian.

Under everyone's gaze, Dahammer scratched his head uncomfortably.

"I don't have any other skills. If I quit the team, I'm afraid it will be difficult to support myself."

He stammered, and his rough hands tangled in his messy hair for a few times, forcing a shy smile on his face:

"You all know that I've always been a big spender. I almost lost all the money I earned the last few times at the gambling table."

"Alas, I also know that I have a bad habit. When I am unlucky, money flows out like water. So I swear to set a big goal. When I make 100 million, I will definitely quit gambling and never touch those things again."

Bailing bit her lip and said hesitantly:
"My sister's illness was finally cured, and life should have been better. But I was greedy and listened to others' instigation. I invested all my money in a so-called financial innovation project, thinking that I could just sit back and wait for the money to come in, and take fewer risks in the future. But those scammers..."

Having said this, she lowered her head and tried her best to suppress the regret in her heart. It was obvious that all her previous savings had been wasted.

The monkey still sat there silently, wielding the dagger in his hand and saying in a muffled voice:

"I need money, lots and lots of money."

There is no need for much explanation. Everyone knows that as a retired special forces soldier, he spends most of his money on supporting the orphans of his comrades.

The professor listened to everyone's talk, then raised his hand to push up his glasses and scanned each team member with a deep gaze:
"You all know that I have never brought you to this point just for money."

"After many missions, our team has become more mature and stronger. We have friendship and tacit understanding among each other, and we have common goals. These are far more valuable than money."

Li Dingjian felt helpless when he heard this.

The professor's previous words hit him like a hammer.

Indeed, if he leaves the team and encounters any danger in the future, he will be isolated and helpless, and it will be difficult to guarantee the safety of himself or even his family.

Seeing Li Dingjian's hesitant expression, Dachui couldn't help but take a step forward, patted him on the shoulder, and said in a rough voice:

"Crow, I understand your feelings. Really, if you hadn't been smart enough, we would have both lost our lives at sea last time. So even if you quit the team, we are still brothers."

Li Dingjian looked up at his companion who had once saved his life, and his heart couldn't help but feel a little warm.

Then the clear voice of Bai Ling also sounded:

"Crow, although I don't want you to leave, I also know that you have your difficulties. No matter what you choose, we are all partners who have experienced life and death together..."

As she spoke, her eyes became slightly red and her voice was choked with sobs.

The monkey, who had been silent all the time, was now staring at Li Dingjian, also waiting for him to make a decision.

Looking at the concerned looks from everyone, Li Dingjian took a deep breath and turned to look at the professor:
"I want to ask you a question. How much money and time will it take to achieve the goal you mentioned?"

The professor pondered for a moment and answered seriously:

"It's hard to give a definite answer. I used to think it would take at least ten years, but now there is an opportunity. If we can seize it, we may be able to shorten the plan to five years."

Li Dingjian frowned slightly, his heart full of doubts.

Before he could ask further questions, the professor paused and quickly explained:
"The opportunity I'm talking about is the goal of our next action, and it's also what we're going to discuss at this gathering."

Then, he looked at everyone solemnly and got to the point of the meeting:

"Three months ago, a huge explosion occurred in Xishan, which blew up an underground palace that had been sealed for two thousand years. A batch of antiques flowed out of the underground palace, causing various forces to compete for them, causing a lot of trouble, especially those wealthy families, who were even willing to bid hundreds of millions to buy them."

"Professor, are we going to start a business of reselling cultural relics?"

When Bailing heard this, her eyes lit up and she couldn't help but blurt out.

“No, we’re not in this for the money.”

The professor shook his head and gave a rather unexpected answer: "This operation is mainly to enhance everyone's strength."

Li Dingjian and three other team members were stunned when they heard this.

Improve your strength? Did the professor find some magical skills or elixir through special channels that require antiques worth hundreds of millions to exchange for?
Everyone was filled with curiosity and speculation. The professor did not continue to explain, but looked around at the team members in the room and slowly said:
"Compared to ordinary people, our team is already very powerful. Each member has at least one special ability. Crow's sensory pulse can resonate with electronic mechanical equipment, making him a natural lock-picking and decryption expert. Hammer can increase his body's hardness and self-healing ability several times after transforming into a beast, and he can stand alone at a critical moment. Monkey has keen visual insight and superb combat skills, and Bailing's disguise and imitation skills have helped the team escape danger many times."

"But this is far from enough. If we face truly powerful organizations and the proud children of chaebol families in the future, our abilities will not be worth mentioning. After all, we are still too weak."

When everyone heard this, they all felt sad.

Especially Li Dingjian and Bai Ling, who have poor physical fitness, can only undertake auxiliary tasks during the operation and need other companions to pay special attention to their protection.

Just like in the last mission, facing the pursuit and fierce firepower of the Red Tiger Gang, if Li Dingjian did not have a sledgehammer to help him block the bullets, the consequences would have been disastrous.

In fact, after several actions, the team would withdraw half of the funds as public funds to achieve what the professor called the "common goal."

But in reality, most of the money was spent on purchasing strengthening potions to improve the physical fitness of team members.

After all, only if you are strong enough can you survive the hail of bullets and achieve your operational goals more smoothly.

However, that kind of strengthening potion has obvious side effects and diminishing effects.

After a maximum of two injections, the body will produce strong discomfort reactions, such as muscle cramps, dizziness or other minor problems, and in severe cases, even mental illness.

What's more, they are different from ordinary people and have more or less mental problems.

Moreover, subsequent injections will have minimal improving effects and can be used as a short-term stimulant at best, which is almost equivalent to a waste of resources.

But even so, in order to have a little more chance of survival in dangerous missions, everyone had no choice but to use it, and fell into a dilemma.

"According to reliable information I have received, there are several extremely special items in that batch of antiques. It is said that they contain the relics of a living Buddha who was cremated after his death two thousand years ago. This is also the focus of competition among those forces."

The professor paused for a moment, his eyes flickering with mystery, and then he said:
"These relics contain energy beyond imagination. Once we can successfully obtain and crack the secrets, we will have hope of finding a way to further break through the limits of our bodies and improve our abilities."

"It is even said that there is a method hidden inside that can cure the mental illness that plagues us, the aliens."

"So, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Once you miss it, I'm afraid it will be difficult to have a similar opportunity to change your destiny in the future."

The news thrown out by the professor was like a stone that caused a thousand ripples, which surprised and moved everyone present.

A fiery light burned in Dachui's eyes, and his burly body leaned forward slightly, obviously unable to suppress his inner excitement.

The same was true for Bailing. Her cheeks flushed slightly, her eyes sparkled with excitement and anticipation, and her hands were unconsciously clasped tightly.

When Li Dingjian heard this, he stopped smoking the cigarette that was about to reach his mouth, frowned, and seemed to remember something.

"Are we facing an opponent stronger than the Red Tiger Gang in this operation?"

The monkey, who had been silent all the time and sitting in the corner, suddenly asked a question.

His voice was not loud, but it got to the point.

Dachui and Bailing suddenly came to their senses, and their hearts, which had just been boiling, suddenly sank again.

Yes, their team, under the slogan of "acting on behalf of heaven", specializes in robbing lawbreakers, gang leaders and corrupt officials.

But I always adhere to one principle: never mess with people you shouldn't mess with.

Since the target of this operation is a rare treasure with mysterious energy, the enemies they have to face will no longer be as simple as gangsters, but may be powerful beings that they cannot afford to offend.

"This operation is very dangerous. I will not force you to participate. The choice is up to you."

The professor leaned back in his chair with his head raised, and said calmly, "Now we can vote by raising our hands. If there are less than three people participating in the action, then we can just give up."

As soon as the words fell, the room fell into silence and everyone's breathing could be heard clearly.

At this moment, not only Li Dingjian, but everyone needs to carefully weigh the pros and cons in their hearts and make a decision that affects their destiny.

"Professor, I did it!"

After a while, Dachui was the first to break the silence. His voice was like a huge bell, and he raised his hand high and said:
"I believe in you. I was desperate at the beginning. If I hadn't met you, I would have been hunted down as a monster or locked up in a dark laboratory. Following you, I have the dignity of a human being and the hope of life. This opportunity is rare, I am willing to take a chance with you!"

Bailing bit her lip and nodded: "I will join too, for the team and for my own future."

The monkey nodded slightly to show his agreement.

At this moment, everyone's attention was once again focused on Li Dingjian, the team member who originally wanted to quit.

Li Dingjian frowned and asked the professor with a very serious expression:
"Have you made a solid plan?"

The professor smiled slightly upon hearing this, his eyes revealing the confidence of a mastermind:
"As the team leader, my role is reflected in this aspect. I already have a preliminary plan that can minimize the factors that may cause a fight and give full play to your respective strengths."

Li Dingjian had already wavered, but he took a deep puff of his cigarette, put it out in the ashtray, and finally made up his mind:
"Okay, I believe you, and I will also participate in this operation."

Seeing that everyone had the same opinion, the professor smiled with satisfaction and then spread out a stack of carefully prepared materials and drafts:

"I plan to formally launch the operation within a week. Before that, we need to do a good job of investigation and preparation. Now we are starting to perfect the details..."

Inside the room, the rubbing of papers against each other made a rustling sound, and people were talking one after another.

The sunlight outside the house gradually set in the west and disappeared behind the tall buildings.

....................................

Late at night, Yuehu Hotel.

After taking a shower, Fang Cheng put on his pajamas and lay leisurely on the bed in the room.

I held the remote control in my hand and kept searching for TV programs, but my mind was thinking about my uncle's abnormal words and actions today.

We had planned to come back in the afternoon to go on a boat trip on Yulong Lake, but we ended up rushing back to the hotel at around nine in the evening.

Afterwards, he strangely chatted with me for a while, asking me all sorts of questions and showing concern for me.

I asked specifically about my physical condition, asking if I felt anything strange or had any hallucinations.

Fang Cheng almost thought that his hidden identity had been discovered by his uncle.

From the look on my uncle's face, I could clearly see that he had something very heavy on his mind.

While I was thinking, the cell phone thrown next to the pillow suddenly rang.

Fang Cheng glanced at the phone screen and saw that it showed Ma Dong Hyuk's number.

Suddenly, his brows furrowed, and he was puzzled:

"Why is this guy calling me in the middle of the night?"

(End of this chapter)

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