Chapter 132: Leaving Casually

Translator: Tim Editor: Chrissy

“Speak,” Ye Mo said blandly.

Lang Ji looked at Black Snake and San Cai until their hair stood on end before saying, “Although I know Qian Longtou was using me, he still saved me. I don’t want to fight him, so I can’t help you against him, even just getting you into Nan Qing headquarters.”

Ye Mo sneered. “Do you think I need your help killing Qian Longtou? If you really don’t want to be the new leader of Nan Qing, I can grant that wish.”

He didn’t think Lang Ji had any right to argue. Lang Ji knew Qian Longtou was using him, but still couldn’t bring himself to attack him. This meant he was loyal, but not capable of great things.

“I can take you to Sai Na Peninsula, but I won’t participate in anything else.” Seeing Ye Mo’s displeasure, Lang Ji knew his request was unreasonable. He wanted to be boss without putting in effort.

Ye Mo said, “If you can’t decide, then don’t worry about it. I won’t make you kill Qian Longtou, but you must take me to Nan Qing HQ. Once I see Qian Longtou, I need your pledge of allegiance. You must do it. If you’re still fearful, then I have no use for you.”

Even so, Ye Mo knew it was hard to find a replacement for Qian Longtou. This person needed power and status within Nan Qing. Otherwise, anyone else would die soon after leaving.

After hesitating, Lang Ji finally decided: “Okay, but I won’t attack.”

Ye Mo smiled. He knew Lang Ji would agree. This type of person was loyal, but valued his own life more than Qian Longtou’s.

Seeing Lang Ji agree, Black Snake shivered. Ye Mo would likely kill him next. With Lang Ji leading the way, Ye Mo wouldn’t need him.

Thinking this, Black Snake quickly bowed to Ye Mo and said, “Brother Ye, San Cai and I wish to serve under Brother Lang. Please grant our request, Brother Ye, and let us go.”

San Cai also hurried forward and bowed.

Ye Mo thought Black Snake was intelligent. He didn’t beg for his life, but instead offered his service to Lang Ji. He understood the situation; serving Lang Ji, the successor appointed by Ye Mo, offered the best chance of survival.

Ye Mo wished Black Snake could be the new boss, but he lacked the means to elevate him. Black Snake’s standing in Nan Qing was too low.

Lang Ji found Black Snake and San Cai pledging allegiance to him strange, but understood they were trying to survive.

…

Sai Na Peninsula.

Qian Longtou, Dongfang Xi, Wu Qiang, and Li Sandao anxiously discussed matters in the meeting room with several other Nan Qing members. Lang Ji hadn’t reported anything for days. They even heard Ning Qingxue was still in Luo Cang.

Since Ning Qingxue wasn’t taken, why didn’t Lang Ji report?

“Chairman, did something happen to Lang Ji?” Li Sandao asked.

Dongfang Xi frowned but remained silent, considering how Lang Ji could have been harmed. Even Chi Wanqing, despite her military background, couldn’t easily kill or capture him.

Qian Longtou frowned and said, “Perhaps Lang Ji needed to formulate another plan. This type of thing can only be done once. And since there’s no reaction from Ning Qingxue or Chi Wanqing, they probably haven’t acted yet.”

As he finished, the phone rang. A phone call reaching this room was important. Qian Longtou signaled for Dongfang Xi to answer.

Dongfang Xi answered, but the report made him break out in a cold sweat.

Because of Lang Ji’s lack of contact, Dongfang Xi had sent scouts to Luo Cang. Chi Wanqing’s father, Chi Youjun, was furious and mobilized the entire Luo Cang police force to find Chi Wanqing’s attackers. This even alerted the military, not just in Luo Cang, but surrounding areas as well.

Dongfang Xi hung up, feeling a chill down his spine. He’d just learned Chi Wanqing and Ning Qingxue were fine, and now this.

Dongfang Xi knew Lang Ji had attacked and failed. He hadn’t sent word back, and neither had his men. This was unusual. Even if Lang Ji died, he could’ve sent a message.

The lack of a message meant Lang Ji had betrayed Qian Longtou. Only Ye Mo would cause such a betrayal, and he was sure Ye Mo had the ability to kill Qian Longtou. Otherwise, even in death, Lang Ji wouldn’t betray him.

Lang Ji had previously reported Ye Mo’s intent to seek revenge in Sai Na, and Ye Mo confirmed this on the recording. Ye Mo was coming.

He’d underestimated Ye Mo. He wouldn’t come alone unless sure of killing Qian Longtou.

But how powerful was Ye Mo? Lang Ji believed he could fight his way into Sai Na. Though Dongfang Xi doubted Lang Ji’s judgment, and didn’t believe Ye Mo could infiltrate Nan Qing HQ alone, he was cautious. If Lang Ji betrayed and brought Ye Mo in, the HQ would be defenseless. Plus, Ye Mo could become invisible.

He preferred believing something true than testing it with his life. He also remembered a detail omitted from the last video: Ye Mo used hand signs before firing the fireball and sliced Zi Xu’s arm mid-air—things that couldn’t be explained by technology. He’d never seen the invisibility artifact either. He only mentioned those things to maintain Qian Longtou’s fighting spirit.

If Ye Mo came to Sai Na with Lang Ji, then sparing Lang Ji last time was to demoralize Qian Longtou. This Ye Mo was terrifying.

Terrifying people become less so after death, but since he couldn't even kill Ye Mo with his strategies, this was truly frightening. Dongfang Xi wanted to flee.

These thoughts flashed through his mind, but his face remained calm.

“Brother Dongfang, the phone call…” Qian Longtou saw Dongfang Xi deep in thought.

Dongfang Xi smiled. “Don’t worry, Brother. The call was from Lang Ji. He wants to attack tomorrow night. I reviewed his plan, found flaws, and told him to wait for my call. I’ll make a new plan and report back later, is that okay?”

Qian Longtou waved his hand. “Go ahead, no need to report. Make arrangements and contact Lang Ji directly. Tell him to report everything on time from now on.”

“Yes, Brother.” Dongfang Xi nodded to Wu Qiang and Li San before leaving.

“Chairman, why didn’t Dongfang explain Lang Ji’s lack of contact?” As Qian Longtou was about to end the meeting, Li Sandao spoke.

Qian Longtou pondered. Lang Ji hadn't contacted them for days. He should’ve explained this. Why didn’t Dongfang Xi mention it?

Qian Longtou said, “Perhaps Brother Dongfang overlooked it.” But they had just discussed it. How could he forget?

Even Wu Qiang found Dongfang Xi’s actions odd. He rarely spoke in meetings, but did so today. “Chairman, Advisor Dongfang’s tactics usually come easily, devised during the meeting. Why did he leave to formulate this one?”

Wu Qiang’s words jolted Qian Longtou. He remembered Dongfang Xi’s usual behavior and caution. His behavior today was strange. Abducting two women was minor; why leave to strategize? It wasn't logical.

Qian Longtou said, “Immediately check who called.”

The results came quickly. It wasn’t Lang Ji, but the scouts from Luo Cang.

Hearing this, Qian Longtou knew things were wrong. Dongfang Xi had deceived him. This was unprecedented.

“Bring Dongfang Xi here immediately,” he added, “Dead or alive.”