That afternoon, while Tang Xue was taking a break, Li Yi left the guesthouse!
Once outside the guesthouse, he got his bearings and headed toward the west side of town.
Yong County wasn’t very large; at least, in Li Yi’s view, it couldn’t compare to Qingshan County.
However, Yong County’s county seat was larger and had more cultural depth than Qing Shan County’s. After all, Qing Shan County hadn’t even built city walls since its founding, and there were absolutely no buildings that reflected its historical and cultural heritage.
Yong County, however, was different. It was filled with ancient, quaint buildings, exuding a rich cultural atmosphere everywhere.
After walking west along Yong County’s main street for nearly two kilometers, Li Yi finally spotted a familiar building—a movie theater!
He called it familiar mainly because Yong County’s cinema was almost identical to Qing Shan County’s; after all, cinemas from that era followed a standard national design.
As for the design, most followed the same template, with only minor variations!
The cinema was still open for business, but there were hardly any people there to watch a movie.
Arriving at the entrance, Li Yi didn’t go inside but instead observed the surroundings from a distance.
Soon, he spotted several young men acting suspiciously.
Each of them was carrying a basket, and whenever someone approached the entrance, they would strike up a conversation, as if they were trying to sell something.
Upon seeing them, Li Yi immediately walked over.
Just then, a teenager of about sixteen or seventeen came over carrying a basket and said to Li Yi, “Comrade, why not buy some sunflower seeds, peanuts, and broad beans? It’s much more enjoyable to watch a movie with a little something to eat…”
Li Yi replied casually, “I won’t be buying anything. Take me to see your boss—I need to talk to him!”
“You know our boss?”
“If you’re talking about Long Zhanjun, then yes, I know him!” Li Yi replied.
“You really know Brother Long?”
“Yeah.”
“You…”
“Stop beating around the bush. Take me to see Long Zhanjun. Once this is done, I’ll buy every single sunflower seed and peanut in your basket!” Li Yi said.
“Well…”
“Just give me a straight answer—yes or no. If not, I’ll find someone else. I know everyone selling stuff on the sly around here works for him!” Li Yi said.
“Alright, I’ll take you there!”
Then, the young lad led Li Yi out of the movie theater.
On the way, Li Yi learned that the boy’s name was Hou Xiaoyong, nicknamed “Monkey,” and that he hung out with Long Zhanjun.
Soon, with Monkey leading the way, the two wandered through the county town’s alleys for nearly half an hour before finally stopping in front of a small courtyard.
Standing outside the courtyard, Li Yi could hear people talking inside. Their voices were very low, and he couldn’t tell how many there were.
Monkey didn’t let Li Yi go in right away; instead, he waited outside while he went in first to report the situation.
A few minutes later, Monkey opened the courtyard gate and stepped out, then said to Li Yi, “Our boss Long wants you to come in!”
Li Yi then followed Monkey into the courtyard.
Under the eaves at the front of the courtyard stood a small square table. Seated behind it was a young man, flanked by several burly young men.
The young man stared at Li Yi intently for a moment, then spoke up, “I hear you’re looking for me?”
“You?”
Li Yi smiled and said, “Since when did Long Zhanjun start hiding behind others? Sending a lowly lackey like you to meet people isn’t exactly the best way to treat guests!”
The young man’s face flushed as he glared at Li Yi and said, “How do you know I’m not Brother Long?”
“Zhang Yu, nicknamed ‘Loach,’ 22 years old, parents divorced—basically raised by a hundred different families!” Li Yi said casually.
“You… who are you, exactly? Why…”
“Calm down. From what I understand, you seem to have a crush on a girl in your dorm. What was her name again? Taozi or Guozi…”
“Stop it! You… you…”
Just then, the sound of clapping came from the inner room, followed by a young man with a muscular build and a stern expression stepping out.
“So you really did come prepared. You’ve even investigated Mudskipper’s background so thoroughly. Who exactly are you?” Long Zhanjun asked, staring intently at Li Yi.
Seeing his former most capable, iron-willed general standing before him, Li Yi couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion.
Indeed, the man before him was one of Li Yi’s most trusted subordinates from his previous life.
In his previous life, Li Yi had been flanked by the “Eight Great Vajras and Four Bodhisattvas”—much like the “Eighteen Arhats” under Old Ma’s command—all veterans who had followed him from the very beginning to conquer the world, remaining by his side with unwavering loyalty.
Long Zhanjun was one of them, primarily responsible for operations in the Northwest. In terms of combat prowess, he ranked among the top three of Li Yi’s twelve most capable subordinates.
“Who I am doesn’t matter. What matters is that I’m here to help you!” Li Yi said calmly.
“Help me? Hah, what do I need help with?” Long Zhanjun said coldly.
“Have your men step aside. Let’s have a chat,” Li Yi said.
Long Zhanjun hesitated for a moment; he simply couldn’t figure out this man standing before him.
“This is your turf. Besides, you’re a former soldier—dealing with just me would be a piece of cake. What are you afraid of?”
Li Yi saw through his hesitation and replied immediately.
Long Zhanjun thought it made sense and immediately replied, “Alright!”
He waved his hand, and Zhang Yu, accompanied by a few henchmen, walked out—but only as far as the edge of the courtyard, not straying far.
As he left, the young man even issued a few threats to Li Yi, warning him to behave himself.
Li Yi paid no mind to the threats from these henchmen.
“Go ahead, what do you want to talk about?” Long Zhanjun said.
“Let me introduce myself first. My surname is Li, and my given name is Yi. I’m from Saibei Province!”
“An outsider, but that accent doesn’t sound like an outsider’s at all!” Long Zhanjun remarked.
Li Yi replied calmly, “My wife is from your Yong County. I learned the Qin Province dialect from her. And I’ve come to see you today for one reason only: to bring you under my control!”
“Hah. How much counterfeit liquor have you been drinking to dare say that to my face?” Long Zhanjun said coldly, clearly furious.
“Long Zhanjun, from Yong County, Qin Province, 26 years old! Your father was the deputy director of the former cotton mill in Yong County, but he was framed, thrown in jail, and died there.”
Li Yi continued, “You enlisted at sixteen and served in a special reconnaissance company of a certain army group, where you were the undisputed top soldier. You had a promising future ahead of you, but you were discharged at twenty-three due to family circumstances. With no job prospects and needing to pay for your sister’s medical treatment, you ended up hanging out in the underworld and became the leader of a gang of lowlifes!”
Long Zhanjun said with a grim expression, “You’re investigating me—are you with the police?”
“No, I have no connection to any government agency!”
“Then why are you investigating me?”
“I’m not investigating you. In fact, I’ve never even been to Yong County before today!”
“You’re the type to act but not own up to it?”
“I really haven’t been investigating you—there’s nothing to be ashamed of!”
Li Yi continued, “I said I came to help you. Let me put it this way: if I hadn’t come to see you today, you’d be behind bars in two years. Then your sister would die, and your mother would die too—and she’d die before your sister!”
“You dare to curse my mother and sister? Are you looking to die?”
“Don’t be so quick to doubt me. If you don’t believe me, you can go back right now and ask about your mother’s health!”
“You…”
“If you work with me from now on, I’ll cure your mother and sister’s illnesses and save you from prison. No need to rush into an answer—once you’ve made up your mind, come find me at the county guesthouse tomorrow morning!”
With that, Li Yi left the small courtyard without looking back, leaving Long Zhanjun behind with a deeply furrowed brow.