Li Mubai was a martial artist of the eighth rank—already considered a top-tier expert in the jianghu, making it natural for him to attract the attention and recruitment of the state's special ability organization. The military of Huaxia Country established the Yanhuang Pavilion specifically to recruit talented and virtuous individuals from the martial arts world to put their abilities to professional use, ensuring that professionals handle professional matters. Through the Yanhuang Pavilion, the authorities regulate various sects and schools of martial artists in the jianghu, for without rules, nothing can be accomplished!
The Yanhuang Pavilion is organized by strength into four tiers: Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow. Of course, above these four tiers are the Dragon Pavilion and the Tiger Pavilion. The Yanhuang Pavilion is led by the Dragon Pavilion, followed by the Tiger Pavilion, and then the Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow pavilions. The minimum standard to enter the Yanhuang Pavilion requires at least a fourth or fifth-rank expert even for the Yellow Pavilion.
Not long ago, Li Mubai caught the eye of the head of the Earth Pavilion and was recruited into it. This time, coming to Modu, he was on a mission. According to Yanhuang Pavilion intelligence, Japanese warriors had sneaked into Modu, intending to steal experimental data on a certain nanomaterial from Shengxin Group. This nanomaterial was a core material developed by Shengxin Group for the military's latest-generation fighter jet, an S-grade project jointly developed by Shengxin Group and the state, which could not afford even the slightest mishap.
This matter was of grave importance, and Wenren Mo, the head of the Earth Pavilion, led a team there personally to handle it.
Taking advantage of a moment while everyone was settling into Modu, Li Mubai sneaked a phone call to Jun Chen to issue a challenge. Before leaving, he had learned from his master, Xu Ziyi, that Jun Chen was in Modu. In truth, Xu Ziyi's intention was that if the newborn calf fearless of tigers got himself into some unimaginable trouble, he could seek out his good friend Jun Chen to resolve it.
Had Xu Ziyi known what Li Mubai was thinking, he would likely have flown into a rage, blowing his beard and staring in disbelief: "Your own master can't even beat Jun Chen, and you—you want to challenge him? Has your brain short-circuited?!"
Li Mubai was caught red-handed making the unauthorized call by Wenren Mo. The Yanhuang Pavilion had strict regulations: during a mission, making private contact with outsiders without reporting to superiors and obtaining permission was strictly prohibited, and violators would be punished without leniency.
Considering it was his first offense, Wenren Mo let him off lightly without punishment, but he demanded a full and honest confession of the details.
Wenren Mo asked, "Who did you call, and why?"
Li Mubai answered honestly, "A friend of my master's, about my age. My master said he's an expert, and I've always wanted to spar with him. Since he happens to be in Modu as well, so..."
Hearing that the other person was an expert, Wenren Mo instantly grew interested. If he could recruit him into the Earth Pavilion, he would gain yet another fierce general under his command. "What is his name? Which sect or school does he belong to?"
Li Mubai shook his head. "I only know his name is Jun Chen, and he's the young master of the Jun Family in Kyoto."
Wenren Mo was struck dumb with astonishment. He waved his hand and said, "Dismissed! Go get some rest, and let this be the last time!"
Wenren Mo massaged his temples, muttering to himself, "This Li Mubai looks dignified and talented enough, but why is his brain missing a screw? Although that lord's identity is classified, a little discreet asking around in the jianghu would still turn up at least a shred of useful information. Besides, wouldn't you think to ask your master clearly about the other person's identity before daring to challenge that lord? What am I supposed to say about you? Are you simply bold because of your high skills, or are you utterly ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth?"
Wenren Mo shook his head and sighed. "Young people nowadays—already in their twenties, yet still acting like precious little darlings. Are they so obsessed with martial arts that they remain completely indifferent to everything else, or is their wiring genuinely defective from birth?"
He was utterly speechless! It had been a false alarm.
After resting for a moment, Wenren Mo led his team toward Shengxin Group. To successfully complete this mission, cooperation from Shengxin Group was essential.
Without Liu Yaoyao's interruptions, Shen Liuli quickly slipped back into her usual formidable executive state, always handling matters decisively and without hesitation.
In the span of about a cup of tea, she finished reviewing the mountain of documents that had piled up over the past few days.
Just as she was about to stretch and rest, her female secretary pushed the door open and said, "President, someone from the government is here to see you."
Shen Liuli nodded and instructed her to show them in. Because Shengxin Group had deep cooperative research and development projects with the state, she frequently had to deal with government officials.
Wenren Mo and his companions walked into the office. After a brief exchange of polite greetings, the female secretary served tea and exited the room. Once the door closed, Wenren Mo instantly turned serious and cut straight to the point: "Hello, President Shen. Let me reintroduce myself: Wenren Mo, leader of the second group of the ninth division of the National Security Bureau. Here is my identification."
The Yanhuang Pavilion was also known as the Ninth Division of National Security, consisting of the Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow groups. As for the Dragon and Tiger pavilions, they were not part of the official National Security establishment.
Shen Liuli frowned slightly. The National Security Bureau? She had never dealt with them before. She asked, "What brings Group Leader Wen here today?"
Wenren Mo replied, "Our National Security agency received intelligence that Japanese spies have sneaked into the territory of Huaxia Country, attempting to steal research data on the latest-generation fighter jet nanomaterials jointly developed by your esteemed company and the state. Therefore, we have come here for two reasons: first, to protect President Shen's safety, and second, to prevent spies from stealing the latest experimental data. To round up all these spies who have sneaked into our country, we may need President Shen's cooperation."
Shen Liuli's expression remained unchanged as she answered without hesitation, "No problem. For the sake of the nation's interests, I, Shen Liuli, will forge ahead without a second thought!"
Political spies she might not have seen, but did she see few corporate spies?
Wenren Mo praised, "President Shen is truly a heroine among women. I, Wenren Mo, admire you from the bottom of my heart."
Shen Liuli smiled. "Group Leader Wen flatters me. This is merely the duty I ought to fulfill as a citizen of Huaxia Country."
Wenren Mo said, "I know that entering the laboratory to access sample data requires both President Shen and Chief Engineer Yang to verify fingerprints and retinas simultaneously to unlock it. Therefore, the safety of you and Chief Engineer Yang is of utmost importance. As for Chief Engineer Yang, I have already arranged for personnel to provide twenty-four hour protection. Here with you, I have also carefully selected two martial arts experts to personally guard your safety."
"A man and a woman, Wu Man and Wu Lei!"
Wenren Mo turned to the man and woman standing behind him. "Wu Man, Wu Lei, President Shen's safety is now in your hands. If any accident occurs, you know the consequences."
Wu Man and Wu Lei nodded. "We understand, Group Leader!"
Wenren Mo had originally intended to arrange for Wu Man and Li Mubai, but what happened earlier at the hotel gave him a new perspective on Li Mubai, prompting him to change personnel on the spot.
At the same time, as Jun Chen stayed at home, he felt his heart pounding fiercely. Still uneasy, he hailed a cab and came straight to Shengxin Group.
However, the front desk stubbornly refused to let him in, and no one believed him when he said he was Shen Liuli's husband. He had no choice but to wait downstairs, where he fortunately ran into Liu Yaoyao, who had come down to handle some business.
Liu Yaoyao recognized Jun Chen at a glance, having met him a few times at various social functions in Kyoto.
"Young Master Jun?"
Jun Chen turned to look at Liu Yaoyao, finding her somewhat familiar. "You are?"
Liu Yaoyao said, "I am Liu Haoran's younger sister."
Dawning comprehension struck Jun Chen!
Liu Yaoyao asked, "Is Young Master Jun here to see Liuli?"
Jun Chen nodded.
Liu Yaoyao said, "I'll take Young Master Jun up!"
Jun Chen smiled. "Then many thanks!"