Chapter 117:
After the group arrived in Bangkok, Long Shen and the others met Songla, the head descendant who attended the meeting. This person is also an important figure in the White Pao Head Boys Association. It is said that his status in Southeast Asia is not inferior to Xinchai, but he is different from Xinchai. The only thing is that Songra is tall and looks more like an athlete than a master of head-dropping, and his English is not fluent, and Kenta acts as an interpreter next to him.
Team 51 came to the deputy team leader, an American named Carlos. Long Shen and he seemed to know each other. The two did not have the courtesy of just meeting. Instead, they discussed it in the small conference room for a long time before moving to the front. Large meeting room.
Long Shen did not avoid the winter solstice, and even let him stay and listen to the meeting with Carlos alone.
Carlos knew a lot about Long Shen, and after hearing Long Shen's introduction that he was his student, he couldn't help but be surprised: "I heard that you never accept students, but this time you made an exception. It seems that this little guy must have been there. Humanity, right?"
Long Shen nodded, obviously not going to explain too much to him.
Although international cooperation is frequent now, they are still two countries after all, and they will stand on opposite sides when it is uncertain. Long Shen has no intention of developing any friendship with practitioners outside his own country. But this time, surrendering for the winter solstice was the same thing as killing Songen's lair and destroying Poppy's clone, so he briefly explained it to Carlos first.
Carlos looked relaxed all the way. Finally, when he heard the demonic energy escape, he couldn't help complaining: "You can't stop Bo Beiye from escaping just like this? Dragon, this is not like your ability!"
Long Shen said lightly: "I couldn't stop it at that time, you go and try."
Carlos pouted: "Then you should call a few more people when you go, for example, notify the 51 team in advance, rather than act here yourself first, and then tell us."
Long Shen sneered: "Song En has been there for decades, why haven't I seen you find out what happened to Bo Beiye, and did justice in the past?"
Carlos stopped talking for a moment, but instead smiled: "Don't be like this, Long, I'm joking with you!"
He changed his face in one second, making the winter solstice breathtaking.
But Carlos obviously doesn't feel that he is thick-skinned.
"Long, you also know that we are all doing things for the above. Now that such a big thing has happened, I will definitely go back and report it. Where is the place, I will let someone check it later and maybe find something else. ."
Long Shen said the location. When they left, they naturally confirmed that there was no omission. Even if Carlos's people go now, they will not be able to find anything.
Carlos naturally knew this, but in order to explain, he had to ask as usual.
"As you see it, where will Popeye's devilish energy go after escaping?"
Long Shen said: "The United States is so far away, it may not be able to reach it in a while."
The winter solstice almost laughed out loud. He now found out that the relationship between Long Shen and Carlos is a bit like the relationship between the two countries now. They cooperate with each other, but they test each other. level.
Before, he didn't know that Long Shen would also have time to wrestle with others slowly, but now that he sees it, he finds it even more interesting.
Carlos also heard the taunting of the other party, and he smiled bitterly: "Isn't it enough for me to apologize for my previous recklessness? You may have heard that recently, traces of monsters have been discovered in the United States and Europe, including one. The plague demon, we are very worried that a disaster like the Black Death will happen again, and now the demon hunters are severely understaffed, and we hope to get your help."
Long Shen shook his head: "We also have very important things to deal with."
Carlos was suspicious: "Isn't Popeye already eradicated?"
Long Shen said: "There is something else."
Seeing that he didn't want to say more, Carlos smiled slyly: "Is it the Japanese side? Do you need our help?"
With the ability of the other party, it is impossible to completely inquire, Long Shen said: "Thank you, I don't need it for the time being."
He was leaking, Carlos was a little disappointed, shrugged and spread his hands: "Well, let's talk about the World Exchange Conference, we should send five people to participate this year, how about you?"
Long Shen said: "We haven't decided yet, but it shouldn't exceed previous years."
Carlos glanced at the Winter Solstice and said with a smile: "Your student has not participated before, it seems that you plan to let him attend this year?"
There is nothing to hide, Long Shen nodded: "Where is the location this year?"
Every conference has a host country, because it also includes a part of the competition, so the location is different each time, this time it is Carlos and the others.
Carlos said: "On a deserted island in the Atlantic Ocean, we will use the latest simulation equipment to conduct holographic simulations. It is an old rule. The team that gets the designated props first will naturally win."
After he finished speaking, he saw Long Shen frown deeply, in a contemplative state.
"What did you think of?"
Long Shen said: "The escape of the demonic energy in Bo Beiye cannot pose too much threat for the time being, but it must be consciously seeking opportunities for growth."
Carlos nodded: "Yes, monsters like to absorb nutrients from the breath of living people, it is likely to go to the bustling metropolis."
Long Shen: "No matter how much the breath of living people is, it is not as pure as the breath of practitioners. With Popeye's nature, he will prefer this shortcut."
Carlos was slightly shocked, and he immediately understood what Long Shen meant: "You mean it will take advantage of the World Exchange Conference to attack them!"
Long Shen: "I just raised this possibility."
Carlos sighed: "It seems that this time is destined to be unstable again. Fortunately, I am not leading the team, so I can temporarily leave this trouble to others."
Long Shen raised his eyebrows: "Who leads the team?"
The World Exchange Conference is aimed at the exchange and cooperation of practitioners from all over the world. There is an unwritten rule in the competition session. Generally, newcomers who have never participated in the competition will participate. In principle, they are not allowed to participate in the second time. Only the leader of a team can be an old man, but the old man will not participate in the competition and only lead the team there.
Carlos smiled and said: "This time, Lilith will lead the team. It has been confirmed. Otherwise, I really want to see the abilities of your student. After all, he is your only student."
He did not hide his interest in the winter solstice and looked to the winter solstice from time to time.
On the winter solstice, he maintained his usual style in front of outsiders, smiling softly and politely every time.
Carlos couldn't help sighing: "Dragon, do you know what you lack, so you specially found a student whose personality is completely opposite to yours?"
Long Shen was too lazy to answer this.
Leaving the small conference room, the three of them held a small meeting with practitioners from all over the world. The content was mainly to communicate about the monster events happening in various places. Japan also sent a priest to come. Neither had any direct communication with Long Shen and the others, and Long Shen did not take the initiative to find him. The two sides maintained a delicate cold war situation until the meeting ended.
The Winter Solstice is the first time I have set foot in this kind of occasion. I have seen practitioners from other countries. Although they have different names, these people are not different from ordinary people in their words and deeds. After all, those who can be sent out to communicate will definitely not be People who are isolated from the world all day long in the deep mountains and old forests, even a wizard from Africa, also wears suits and shoes, and speaks fluent English, which makes the winter solstice feel ironic and mysterious.
Everyone communicated about the whereabouts of Popeye's demonic energy. They agreed that Long Shen's guess was very likely, and he was a little more dignified about the upcoming conference. Carlos said that this is a good way to tempt the demons to throw themselves into the trap. Opportunity, I hope to take advantage of the conference to completely eliminate Popeye, so as to avoid future troubles.
The parties did not immediately express their position on this opinion. They all believed that they needed to go back to discuss and make a decision. The meeting ended soon, and Long Shen did not stay in Bangkok. After saying goodbye to Songla and Kenta, he returned to China with the winter solstice.
On the plane, Winter Solstice couldn't hold back his curiosity and asked Long Shen, "Have the people for the exchange conference been selected?"
Long Shen nodded: "Before we came to Song En, it was already decided, it should have been you, Li Ying, Liu Qingbo, Zhang Song, Liu Si, plus one more, but now that Li Ying went to Japan, he should have Replace again."
Winter Solstice wondered: "Didn't Carlos say that an old man can lead the team, we are all newcomers?"
Long Shen said: "At present, most of the bureau is busy with the stele, and there is no reliable candidate to be selected for a while. If you just find someone to lead the team, it would be better to be composed of all newcomers. During the training period, you have developed a tacit understanding. , is always stronger than others."
That's right, Winter Solstice nodded.
"I understand Master's painstaking efforts."
Long Shen raised his eyebrows: "What pain?"
"The painstaking effort to bring me to this meeting!" Dongzhi said with a smile, "Although I have been making soy sauce the whole time, I have watched and listened to a lot, and at least I know how to deal with cultivators from other countries. "
Long Shen smiled in his heart, but his face did not show.
"Then talk about it."
The winter solstice can really say a lot.
"Our relationship with the 51 Group is a bit like the relationship between the two countries. If we are not far away, we must cooperate and take precautions. On the European side, there are several independent institutions, which usually go their own ways. It is difficult to cooperate at critical moments. That's why the monsters in Europe are now making such a fuss. Southeast Asia is mainly the White-robed Headmaster Association, but this association is relatively loose, not an official organization, and the practice world in the East is basically controlled by Otowa Hatohiko. Well, I think that priest didn't say hello to us during the meeting. In the end, everyone has their own positions and interests, and it's okay to cooperate in destroying monsters, but the stele is very important, and we can only solve it ourselves."
Long Shen applauded.
In fact, the members of the special management bureau in this session of the Winter Solstice have the best overall quality in recent years, but among the best, there are actually highs and lows. For example, Zhang Song, his aptitude and ability are actually very high, but his personality is unruly, which also makes him unable to become a team leader, and Liu Qingbo, in terms of strength, he is not inferior to the winter solstice, but it is easy to break after passing. There is a lack of toughness to bend and stretch, and others have their own shortcomings in terms of strength. If they are the most promising, only Li Ying and Dongzhi are the two.
Not only Long Shen sees that his apprentices have a preference for filters, such as Wu Bingtian, Song Zhicun, and even Zong Ling and other bigwigs, they also think that Li Ying and the Winter Solstice may be the mainstays of the Special Administration Bureau in ten or twenty years, so this time Long Shen Bringing the Winter Solstice to the meeting was actually an internal decision by the senior management.
Winter Solstice, Liu Qingbo and others may not feel it, but many people are secretly nurturing and caring for them. This winter solstice, although only Long Shen came alone, he brought a lot of precious medicinal pills with him. Although these medicinal pills In the end, it didn't come in handy, but the system is not something Long Shen can bring out if he wants to, it also needs the signature and consent of Wu Bingtian and Song Zhicun.
Seeing his expression, Winter Solstice Yile, tilted his head to ask for merit: "Is it my answer that makes you think this apprentice didn't get it in vain?"
"Don't be naughty." There was no reprimand in this sentence, but with a softness that Long Shen didn't even notice, it was a bit of a joke.
Is this called naughty?
Winter Solstice grabbed his finger, put it on his mouth and nibbled lightly, then smiled deliberately: "Is that also called naughty?"
Long Shen backhandedly held his mischievous hand and pressed it against the armrest.
"It's called teasing."
The winter solstice burst into laughter. His master, a person who doesn't eat human fireworks, would actually say the word provocative.
"Then may I ask if the Dragon Bureau was successfully teased?"
Long Shen shook his head, looking like he was in a good mood, and even joked: "I'm not in a mess."
When the winter solstice hand was pressed, he wanted to move his feet, but before he could move his toes over, the other party seemed to have detected his intentions in advance.
"If you move again, you will forcefully enter your sea of consciousness here."
winter solstice:……
He didn't want to be misunderstood by others when his face flushed and his body softened on the plane, so he immediately retracted his hand and stopped teasing his master.
Long Shen turned his head and smiled silently.
After the war, I didn't rest much. On the plane back home, Long Shen was sitting next to him. His mind at the winter solstice was relaxed, and he fell asleep before takeoff. The noise and movement of the plane did not wake him up.
Long Shen was not sleepy at first, but maybe he was infected by the winter solstice. Seeing him sleeping soundly, he gradually felt tired. He pulled up the blanket covering the winter solstice and closed his eyes, unconsciously. Also took a break.
A few hours later, they returned to the Special Administration Bureau. The winter solstice looked at the familiar building and the familiar gatekeeper, and felt extremely cordial.
The uncle sat there with his arms crossed and dozed off, but his ears already heard them approaching. He raised his head, and his sharp eyes didn't have time to retract. He saw Longshen and Dongzhi. The winter solstice was busy saying hello to the uncle, and the uncle nodded slightly, then lowered his head and continued to fight. Doze off.
Every time I pass the winter solstice, I think this uncle is amazing. Twenty-four hours a day, he hardly needs to rest or work shifts. No matter day or night, as long as he enters and exits the back door of the Special Administration Bureau, he can see the uncle sitting there, as if As long as the Special Administration Bureau is there for one day, he will always be there. If the number one mysterious person in the Special Administrative Bureau is to be selected, this uncle is definitely at the top of the list.
He once suspected that the gatekeeper was not a human being, but now it seems that ordinary monsters may not have this energy.
The old injury of the Winter Solstice has not healed, and soon, the World Exchange Conference will be held, Liu Qingbo and others will come to Beijing to meet, Long Shen simply let the Winter Solstice stay in the capital to recuperate first, and there is no need to travel back and forth. Anyway, the network is developed now, and remote communication is possible at any time. comminicate.
At this time, it happened to be the afternoon, and there was no love and sweetness as imagined, and the master and the apprentice were very busy.
In the winter solstice, Long Shen first went to see Wu Bingtian and Song Zhicun, and reported the trip to the two directors. He found that both directors Wu and Song had lost weight, which shows that they have not been idle these days. At that time, Long Shen was busy repairing the abyss passage, and the winter solstice was in a desperate fight with the demons. The two just complemented each other and told the story in three times. Although Wu Bingtian and Song Zhicun were not in person, they were also experienced in battles. How could the people who are in this place not hear the danger in it, Song Zhicun immediately sighed: "I should have gone with you, your trip is a near-death experience!"
Long Shen's expression was indifferent, and he replied simply: "Since you have returned safely, there is no need to say this. How is your side?"
Song Zhicun also just came back from Sichuan. He was so busy that he didn't even have time to go home to take a shower and warm up with his wife and children, so he hurried back to the General Administration for a meeting - because the Special Administration Bureau found another stone tablet, but the matter Not great.
The eight stone tablets that formed the formation were found in several dragon veins. When the stone tablet at the foot of Shaohua Mountain was discovered, it had been broken for hundreds of years and could not be recovered. They had to split into two groups, sending Li Ying and others to Japan to find Otowa Hatohiko, while continuing to search for the remaining steles.
It is also a coincidence. At this time, an ancient tomb near Sanxingdui was excavated. Archaeologists found half a dilapidated stone tablet in the main tomb. The new type of text that had been passed, the Southwest Branch immediately rushed over after learning the news. After a comparative survey, it was found that the half of the stone tablet was indeed one of the stone tablets they were looking for.
In 316 BC, during the period of King Huiwen of Qin, the ancient state of Shu was destroyed by troops of the state of Qin. The king of Qin appointed Chen Zhuang as the prime minister of the state of Shu. A nobleman in the country, and one of the important figures in the expedition of Shu.
According to the epitaph, this stone tablet was handed down from ancient times and was regarded by the people of Shu as a gift from God, and was also considered by the King of Shu as proof that he had been granted the mandate of Heaven. Therefore, no matter how the King of Shu changed, the stone tablet was well preserved. in the ancestral temple. However, since the Qin people wanted to annex the State of Shu, they naturally wanted to break the King of Shu's Destiny Theory, so Chen Zhuang ordered the stele to be smashed, and half of it was transported back to the State of Qin for the King of Qin, while the remaining half was kept in place.
In the decades that followed, the situation in the kingdom of Shu gradually calmed down, and the political significance of the stele was lost. It was buried on the spot, and people were buried next to the stone tablet, which was discovered thousands of years later.
However, this is bad news for the Special Administration Bureau. The stone tablet has been broken into half, and even if the remaining half is found, it will not help. The magic-suppressing formation is equivalent to breaking another gap.
Hearing this, Wu Bingtian couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Three pieces are broken."
Song Zhicun sighed: "There are a total of eight stone monuments to form the eight-direction demon-fighting array. I am worried that three of the eight are missing now, and the array will be loose. I hope that Ding Lan and the others will gain something from their trip to Japan this time, even if they can know that the array is in sight. Where, we are not so passive."