Dong Gang, the Sun Envoy of the White Lotus Sect, had been working to eradicate the organization from the day he joined.
However, it was difficult for him to truly access the core of the White Lotus Sect.
In fact, only the two Grand Protectors, Left and Right, along with the Sect Master, were able to reach the core.
Everyone else could only hover around the periphery; to touch the core was unthinkable.
Even the Sun, Moon, and Star Envoys were of no use.
Recently, Dong Gang discovered that the Right Grand Protector, Yao Yunxiao, was behaving suspiciously. He had been in contact with external forces, and there had been significant financial flows within the White Lotus Sect.
This perfectly fit Dong Gang's speculation about the White Lotus Sect: money laundering.
For a long time, Right Grand Protector Yao Yunxiao's responsibility had been to interact with major external forces, absorb money from them, clean it, and then receive a percentage as a reward.
The Right Grand Protector was mainly in charge of external affairs, while the Left Grand Protector handled domestic matters.
One responsible for the outside, the other for the inside, their cooperation was seamless.
Of course, Dong Gang's attention was primarily focused on Yao Yunxiao, as he believed Yao Yunxiao's crimes were more serious and thus easier to catch him red-handed.
After a long period of undercover work, Dong Gang finally gained the other's trust and an opportunity arose.
Because Yao Yunxiao was getting old and needed a successor, and the person Yao Yunxiao favored most was Dong Gang! Therefore, Yao Yunxiao planned to bring Dong Gang along on this mission to groom his successor.
Upon hearing this news, Dong Gang felt both excited and nervous.
He knew Yao Yunxiao too well, understanding that the old man was deeply cunning and not easily trusting.
Yao Yunxiao bringing him along could either mean his trust in Dong Gang had greatly increased, or that Yao Yunxiao had discovered his undercover identity and was planning a trap.
Dong Gang could actually refuse.
If he didn't want to go, he could remain the Sun Envoy and live a peaceful life.
But he still decided to take the risk.
He wasn't here in the White Lotus Sect to enjoy a comfortable life; he was here to find evidence of the sect's crimes and dismantle this wicked and sinful organization from within!
Therefore, even knowing the journey was fraught with danger, he had to go.
He was determined to face the danger head-on.
This was the mark of a true man!
Before the operation, Dong Gang "armed himself" completely. He used the world's most advanced listening devices, which could not be detected by standard equipment.
Then, he swallowed the device, thus evading detection.
With everything prepared, Dong Gang got into Right Grand Protector Yao Yunxiao's car and accompanied him to meet a client.
The car departed at 6 AM but did not arrive at its destination until 9 PM.
A full fifteen hours of driving!
However, the car had not actually left Jinling. It had merely weaved through various streets and alleys like a headless fly, leaving even Dong Gang unsure of their final destination.
This was done to avoid being followed and also to provide extreme protection for the client.
As darkness fully enveloped the city, the car finally slowed to a stop.
Unexpectedly, the car did not stop in a high-end residential area, nor at a five-star hotel, nor in front of an office building.
The car stopped next to a roadside food stall!
"We're here, get out," Yao Yunxiao said with a smile.
Dong Gang glanced outside. The standard of this food stall was, frankly, rather low. Wealthy people would never frequent such a place for leisure.
The client choosing to meet here was certainly something most people wouldn't have conceived of.
Who would have thought that a money-laundering project worth over a billion yuan would be discussed in such a humble location? Even if someone overheard, they would surely dismiss it as drunken ramblings or bragging.
No one would truly believe that people drinking and eating skewers at such a nondescript place could be discussing a project worth billions.
"Let's go."
Yao Yunxiao got out of the car and, with heavy steps, walked towards the food stall.
As they walked, he said, "Ah, I'm getting old. After fifteen hours in the car, I'm so drowsy and tired, my body feels completely drained. Honestly, I just want to retire now."
Yao Yunxiao looked at Dong Gang and said, "Young Dong, you are strong and vigorous. Learn well, and in the future, all these tasks will be yours. When I retire, the position of Right Grand Protector will be yours."
Dong Gang smiled lightly, "I will study hard and absolutely not let down your cultivation, Right Grand Protector."
"Hmm, well said, ambitious."
Under the escort of bodyguards, they arrived at the food stall and took their pre-reserved seats.
The few tables around them were also occupied by their own men. The bodyguards had secured the surrounding tables, all of them looking fierce and carrying weapons.
Under normal circumstances, no one would dare provoke them.
Those eating grilled skewers nearby, seeing such a formidable group, scurried far away.
"Where's the client?" Dong Gang scanned the area, but saw no sign of the client.
"The client has arrived," Yao Yunxiao said with a smile.
"Arrived? Where?" Dong Gang scanned the area again but still couldn't see anyone.
Yao Yunxiao explained, "The client is in that building opposite. They are probably observing us with binoculars right now. They need to ensure we pose no threat to them and that we haven't been followed before they emerge to meet us. This observation process will likely take about an hour. So, let's rest for a while, and when they've observed enough, they will come to see us."
So troublesome...
But then again, for a billion-dollar project, especially one of this nature, it's reasonable to be a bit more troublesome and cautious.
If they were spotted by the police, the client could flee at any moment.
They ordered some food and began to eat, drink, and chat.
Yao Yunxiao said, "Young Dong, you are truly imposing. In the future, when you do business, you might not even need bodyguards. You alone will be enough to handle the situation."
Dong Gang chuckled, "Right Grand Protector exaggerates my abilities. Even the most skilled fighter cannot fight against many. No matter how high my martial skills are, if I face an opponent with superior numbers and weapons, I will still be at a disadvantage."
Yao Yunxiao picked up a bottle of beer and opened it.
He took a big gulp. "I'm getting old. I don't know if I'll be able to drink like this anymore. Dong Gang, come, let's have a toast. It will be difficult to drink so heartily again."
"Alright."
The two clinked glasses and drank; everything appeared ordinary.
About an hour later.
The client arrived!
A foreigner in a floral shirt walked towards them, unceremoniously sitting down at Yao Yunxiao's table.
No one stopped him.
Dong Gang knew in his heart that this man was the client.
Yao Yunxiao said calmly, "You foreigners are excessively cautious. You go through all this circling and observation, and you've tired this old man to death."
The foreigner let out a cold laugh, "Tiring is better than losing your life. If I hadn't been careful, how would I know that the esteemed Right Grand Protector of the White Lotus Sect would bring an undercover agent to discuss cooperation?!"