Capital City, Z Nation
Upon hearing that Xu Que had boarded a plane bound for their nation, Ye Lao's stern expression momentarily softened with a hint of joy.
"Xiao Jiang, notify the southern and northern military districts to prepare," Ye Lao instructed.
"Yes, Commander." The bodyguard saluted and left.
Not long after the bodyguard departed, Ye Gou swaggered into the room with a relaxed air.
"Grandfather, what are you planning to do?" Ye Gou inquired.
"For now, keep it from Ye Huan and the others. We don't want to alarm the people in Nanjiang," Ye Lao said, his tone low.
Upon hearing that Ye Lao intended to protect the Nanjiang faction, Ye Gou smirked and replied, "Very well, but just remember, I've informed you. If anything goes awry, don't blame me."
Ye Lao glanced at Ye Gou with a sharp gaze. "Aren't you my grandson? Or have you developed the courage to defy me now?"
"Not exactly," Ye Gou replied with a dismissive tone, "What I meant was, we should imprison them for now, and when the time comes, we'll decide how to deal with them."
Ye Lao snorted, "What do you know? We can't afford to cause chaos in Z Nation at the moment. And according to Xu Que's intel, Ye Jingchen and the others haven't committed any heinous acts. If we charge them now, do you think the people in Nanjiang will accept it?"
"Ha…" Ye Gou sneered, "You'll regret it when they finally act out."
"Hey! You little rascal! What did you mean by that?" Ye Lao stood up, brandishing his belt.
"Look at you, you're about to strike again." Ye Gou quickly retreated behind the recliner, "You're getting on in years, and yet you're always quick to violence. No wonder Ye Huan and the others are so mediocre."
Ye Gou's words seemed to strike a match, and Ye Lao, fuming, swung his belt at him.
"You little brat, how dare you mock Ye Huan and the others? If you hadn't met Xu Que, do you think you'd even have the right to criticize them?"
Unperturbed, Ye Gou muttered a few more complaints, then swiftly scaled the high wall and disappeared from the courtyard.
Watching his grandson leave, Ye Lao couldn't help but smile.
He understood Ye Gou's thoughts well, but after much deliberation with Ye Zhen Tian, he had decided to give the Nanjiang Ye family one more chance. After all, they shared a common origin.
"Report, Commander, File Number 5," Xiao Jiang entered with a report in hand.
"Mm." Ye Lao nodded, accepting the file. "Has the order been sent out?"
"Both military districts have received the orders," Xiao Jiang saluted.
"Good." Ye Lao was pleased, but as his eyes skimmed over the first few lines of the report, his expression darkened.
"What's this about Lu Bei City and Lin Nan City? Why did they suffer such massive casualties during the Rift outbreak?" Ye Lao questioned.
"Report, Commander, these two cities were unfortunately marked by inaction. If not for the timely intervention of Rongyu and Morningstar companies, these cities would have endured even greater disasters."
"Didn't they allow companies to establish bases there?" Ye Lao asked, puzzled.
Xiao Jiang reviewed the report and briefly recounted how Xu Que had been the one to save these cities during the crisis.
Upon hearing of Tang Guoshan's abuse of power and his selfish motives, Ye Lao nearly hurled his teacup.
Upon hearing the details about Ning Chuan and Lu Bei, Ye Lao's anger erupted and he shattered his teacup.
"Go, have those three bastards brought to Beijing. I don't care who's behind them, but if there are any more pests like this, I, Ye Zhen Guo, will never allow it!"
"Commander, they're people from Qi Guozhang's faction... Do you not wish to send a notice beforehand?" Xiao Jiang hesitated.
Upon hearing Qi Guozhang's name, Ye Lao recalled the words of Ye Zhen Tian.
"Qi Guozhang, that old fool, should be fed to the monsters!"
"First, send the order to capture them, and then notify those other people. I want to hold a meeting!" Ye Lao commanded with no regard for subtlety.
"Yes, Commander!" Xiao Jiang saluted and hurried off.
…
Ning Chuan City Hall
At this moment, Gao Chengming was like an ant on a hot pan, desperately dialing numbers, but none went through. Just as he was about to try again, an unknown number flashed on his screen.
Furious, he rejected the call, but the unknown number rang again.
Gao Chengming answered, his voice seething with anger. "Who is this?"
"It's me, Tang Guoshan. You haven't left Ning Chuan yet?" came the voice on the other end.
Gao Chengming froze for a moment, then, checking the number, realized there was no issue. "Why would I leave Ning Chuan?" he asked.
"Didn't Teacher Qi tell you?" Tang Guoshan asked, then suddenly seemed to realize something and hastily hung up.
Confused, Gao Chengming stood up, heading toward the office exit. Just as he was about to leave the City Hall, his phone rang again.
This time, it was Lu Bei's mayor, Zhou Panzi. Gao Chengming quickly answered the phone.
"Old Gao, where are you?"
Hearing Zhou Panzi's breathless voice, Gao Chengming finally understood the situation.
"I'm about to leave," Gao Chengming replied. "Don't you have a plane? Can you pick me up?"
"Don't mention planes to me. I don't even have a car right now!" Zhou Panzi gasped, his voice frantic.
Gao Chengming was stunned and quickly hung up the phone. It finally dawned on him why Tang Guoshan had abruptly ended the call.
Given the current circumstances, Zhou Panzi was clearly beyond help. How could he possibly save someone of no value to him?
As for extending a helping hand... that concept was only viable when there was no immediate danger. But now, anyone foolish enough to offer help would only be pulling themselves into the fire.
Just as Gao Chengming was preparing to drive out of the compound, three black government vehicles suddenly blocked the entrance.
Seeing this, Gao Chengming slammed on the gas, aiming to ram through the blockade. But just as his car was about to collide with the first vehicle, a middle-aged man appeared out of nowhere on the passenger side.
Before Gao Chengming could react, the car was lifted off the ground.
"Boom!"
The white SUV was flipped into the garden. Gao Chengming scrambled out, only to be confronted by the same middle-aged man who had appeared earlier.
"Do you know who I am?" Gao Chengming shouted in anger.
"Gao Chengming, you are under arrest!" The man held up an arrest warrant.
Stunned, Gao Chengming looked at the list of charges on the warrant. His defiance immediately drained away.
At the same time, Zhou Panzi was captured in a sewer.
But unexpectedly, Tang Guoshan had gone into hiding!
…
Y Nation, the Chasfield Family Estate
When Xu Que arrived at the estate, he was utterly taken aback by the grandeur of the surroundings.
It wasn't surprising—there was something mysterious about the estate that seemed to draw him in, almost as if it were calling to him.
Just as Xu Que was about to extend his senses to investigate further, a middle-aged man with graying hair, dressed as a butler, stepped forward.
"Welcome, Mr. Xu Que. I am Ruger Hans, the estate's steward," the man said, bowing slightly.
"Hello, Ruger Hans," Xu Que replied, giving a slight bow in return.
Having adopted the persona of someone with a quarter of Jewish heritage, Xu Que was mindful of the necessary etiquette, a suggestion from Murong Xian'er.
"The young lady and sir are waiting for you inside. Please, follow me," Ruger Hans smiled, gesturing for Xu Que to follow.
Xu Que bade farewell to Lu Ang and Bell and followed the butler towards the central villa.
As they passed a fountain in the middle of the estate, Xu Que suddenly paused, a strange sensation overwhelming him.
"Mr. Xu Que, is something wrong?" Ruger Hans asked.
"This fountain is quite unique," Xu Que said, feigning admiration.
"It was designed by Miss's friend, Vina," Ruger Hans explained with a smile.
Xu Que pretended to appreciate it further, walking around the fountain.
He was certain there was something hidden beneath the fountain—a secret that was drawing him in.