424: Chapter 68 Facing the Board of Directors

"This is simple, just call and ask him."

After Zhao Fangxu finished speaking, Xu Xiang was the first to voice his opinion.

He and Meng Li shared a deep relationship, and he most hoped to resolve the issue peacefully—if words could suffice, there was no need for action.

Hearing this, Huang Boren, a member of the Board of Directors sitting opposite Xu Xiang, adjusted his glasses and offered a different view: "That is indeed a way, but I'm afraid he won't tell the truth. Therefore, I suggest bringing Chen Duo back to the company first to keep the initiative in our hands, and then we can talk to him."

The board member next to Xu Xiang spoke up: "The problem is that Meng Li is currently with Chen Duo, and they are leaving Biyou Village tomorrow."

"Most importantly, he has already stated his stance: whoever wants to take Chen Duo back to the company should go find him themselves."

"This is a clear declaration that he intends to protect Chen Duo."

"In this situation, trying to force someone to bring Chen Duo back will inevitably lead to a conflict with Meng Li. Once things develop that way, let's not even talk about the outcome. Currently, the people most conveniently positioned to bring Chen Duo back are Zhang Chulan and his group, but they still have the matter of Biyou Village to resolve."

"What if an accident occurs because of this and causes the mission in Biyou Village to go wrong?"

These words immediately drew agreement from several board members.

Because compared to Chen Duo, the matter of Biyou Village was more important.

Seeing this, Zhao Fangxu tapped the table twice to signal for silence, then made the final decision: "In that case, we'll handle Chen Duo's matter as Old Xu suggested. Let's communicate with Meng Li first to see why he wants to protect Chen Duo, and then we'll decide how to deal with her."

After saying that, he paused briefly and continued: "Before that, let's continue discussing the issue of Biyou Village."

"Regarding the Biyou Village issue, Zhang Chulan and the others raised two main points in their report."

"First is asking us for instructions on how specifically to handle the people in Biyou Village. This relates to the second point, so let's discuss the second point first."

"Second, according to Zhang Chulan, Meng Li also knows Divine Mechanism Hundred Refinements. He has seen Ma Xianhong's Self-Cultivation Furnace and clearly pointed out that a Self-Cultivation Furnace capable of turning ordinary people into Outsiders cannot be built with Divine Mechanism Hundred Refinements alone. There is another secret to the Self-Cultivation Furnace, and it is likely the key to turning ordinary people into Outsiders."

"But from what we currently know, that key part likely did not come from Ma Xianhong's hands."

"In short, there is likely someone else behind Ma Xianhong."

"That person is most likely not in Biyou Village."

"If this is true, then we need to reconsider our approach to Biyou Village."

"Should we destroy Biyou Village and capture Ma Xianhong as planned, then interrogate him to find out who is behind him?"

"Or should we temporarily let Biyou Village go, follow this lead to catch the big fish, and capture both Ma Xianhong and the person behind him together?"

"The first approach can resolve Biyou Village and prevent New Interception's influence from expanding further, but it will likely alert the enemy, causing the person behind Ma Xianhong to go into hiding. If we can't achieve a Breakthrough with Ma Xianhong then, it might be very difficult to find the other party."

"As for the second method, since Zhang Chulan and the others have already made contact with Biyou Village, it also carries the risk of alerting the enemy, but the probability is lower than the first option."

"However, as long as it's handled properly, it's possible to catch Ma Xianhong and the person behind him in one fell swoop."

"Which method do you choose? You may all share your thoughts."

"If there are other solutions, you can also propose them."

After he finished speaking, the first to voice an opinion was still Xu Xiang.

He said, "I think we can contact Meng Li about this first. After all, he was the one who discovered the secret of the Self-Cultivation Furnace. Based on my understanding of him, he wouldn't lie about such things, but we need further confirmation on the specific situation."

"Additionally, we also need to contact him regarding Chen Duo's matter."

The board member next to Xu Xiang found it reasonable and cast a vote of approval: "I agree with Old Xu's proposal."

The others also agreed that this was acceptable.

Thus, Zhao Fangxu followed the consensus: "In that case, let's contact Meng Li first. Old Xu, you have the closest relationship with Meng Li, so you make the call. Time is tight, so just call him right here."

"Alright," Xu Xiang agreed, taking out his phone to dial Meng Li's number.

Soon, the call was connected.

"Hello, Uncle Xu?"

"It's me."

"Why are you calling me all of a sudden? Is there something wrong with your health again?" Meng Li asked.

Xu Xiang curled his lip: "No, thanks to you, I'm doing very well now."

This "thanks to you" referred to the incident where Meng Li had taught Xu Si the Huayang Needle Technique to set him up, forcing him to retreat to the second line.

Xu Si hadn't ratted Meng Li out, but Xu Xiang wasn't stupid; he soon guessed that Meng Li had a hand in it. Although it was out of good intentions, being forced against his will inevitably left Xu Xiang with some resentment, which he would grumble about whenever he thought of it.

Meng Li understood this and didn't mind, habitually laughing it off: "That's good then."

Then, he changed the subject and got straight to the point: "So, why are you calling?"

Xu Xiang didn't answer but asked instead: "Is it convenient for you to talk right now?"

Meng Li was slightly stunned, then said: "Yes, no one else is around."

Hearing this, Xu Xiang didn't procrastinate and said directly: "I want to talk to you about Chen Duo and Biyou Village. Zhang Chulan and the others recently submitted a report to the company's Board of Directors, saying you want to take Chen Duo away from Biyou Village, and you also provided some information about Biyou Village."

"The Board of Directors wants to know the details, so they had me call and ask you."

"The board members are all present right now, so it's a good time to chat."

Meng Li smiled and said, "Sure, what do you want to know?"

Xu Xiang didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned on the speakerphone, placed the phone in the middle of the conference table, and then looked at Zhao Fangxu.

Zhao Fangxu understood, cleared his throat twice, and spoke: "Hello, Meng Li, I am Zhao Fangxu."

"Director Zhao, hello."

After a simple greeting, Zhao Fangxu got straight to the point: "It's like this. I heard you want to take Chen Duo away. Regarding this matter, I'd like to ask first: are you aware of Chen Duo's situation?"

"I am. She is the Gu Body Saint Child of the Medicine Immortal Society..." Meng Li briefly recounted Chen Duo's situation.

Afterward, he asked: "That's roughly it, right?"

Zhao Fangxu was silent for two seconds, then said: "Correct. Since you know this, you should understand that Chen Duo is not only very dangerous but also murdered Liao Zhong. And Liao Zhong was the company's South Lu Region manager. Whether by law or by reason, it is necessary for the company to apprehend her."

...