Chapter 432: Silent Retreat Translator: Tim Editor: GlobeGlotter

The men behind Li Dong stared in shock. Was Ye Mo very famous? They’d never heard of him. Why did Captain Li treat him with such deference?

They didn’t know Ye Mo, but sensed he was no ordinary person. Everyone knew Director Han, and the young man had addressed him by his full name.

Li Dong was astonished. He knew Ye Mo—a member of Beijing’s Li family, albeit a branch member. The Li family strictly enforced a rule: everyone must curry favor with Ye Mo. Offending him meant expulsion.

Li Dong broke into a sweat. He wasn't afraid of death, but expulsion would be humiliating.

Warrant Officer Liao might be dead, like Song Qiming. Everyone suspected Ye Mo, but dared not act. A mere warrant officer was insignificant. Yet, Liao had tried to kill Ye Mo and report him.

Li Dong realized his naiveté. Even if Ye Mo weren't powerful, could their army invade Flowing Snake? It wasn't Chinese territory; an invasion would spark war.

Warrant Officer Liao died for nothing, and Qiu Zhifei was finished. The Qiu family, even at its height, wasn’t as powerful as the Song family in its prime. He hadn't expected Guo Qi and Lu Lin to know Ye Mo. This wasn't simple; the Qiu family had offended Ye Mo. It was a fight between them; intervening made him a pawn.

“Ye-Qianbei, we were following orders. We didn’t intend to offend you. Guo Qi and Fang Wei killed a colonel—I can’t decide on this,” Li Dong said, sweating. He'd stumbled into a battle of gods. He desperately sought a solution.

Ye Mo sneered. “Oh? I heard something different. Qiu Zhifei assaulted Captain Lu while drunk. That colonel and warrant officer helped him, trying to coerce Captain Lu. Guo Qi helped Lu Lin resist and killed that scum.”

“What?” Li Dong realized he and his men were being used. They'd chosen him to capture Guo Qi, fearing that if news leaked, the Li family would be forced to aid the Qiu family.

Li Dong felt nauseous. Though Guo Qi likely killed intentionally, not just resisted, it no longer mattered. He'd been manipulated.

Warrant Officer Liao's death was fine; he'd been trying to use him. But the three men who lost their arms were his responsibility.

Though Ye Mo's account was one-sided, Li Dong trusted him more. Qiu Zhifei's words were suspicious. With Ye Mo's status, he didn't need to lie about such a trifle. If he wanted to save Guo Qi and Fang Wei, he'd simply claim they were his men.

Li Dong's soldiers felt something was amiss. Ye Mo’s words differed from Warrant Officer Liao's briefing. Captain Lu, a well-known female captain, wouldn't help kill officers.

“Ye-Qianbei, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have apprehended them without investigating. I need to save my men before repenting,” Li Dong apologized, slapping his face twice.

Then, he said, “Take these three to the hospital; their hands are severed.”

Li Dong knew it was a performance, but he wasn't satisfied. Having offended Ye Mo, he'd ensure the person who used him suffered—not Ye Mo. Tian You, that bastard, had ulterior motives.

Watching his soldiers depart, Ye Mo sighed. If he weren't Ye Mo, even knowing he was wrong, Li Dong would have captured them.

The world was like this. Li Dong had good qualities, but the arrogance of his family remained. Ye Mo disliked that, and those last slaps were clearly an act.

Yet, Li Dong showed responsibility, remembering to save his men. Though Ye Mo could heal their hands, he wouldn't for someone who'd pointed a gun at him.

…

“Sorry, Brother Ye, we caused trouble,” Guo Qi and Fang Wei said, emerging to find Li Dong gone.

Ye Mo smiled. “Trouble for you, not me. We’ll go to the borderland barracks this afternoon.”

Guo Qi hesitated. “Brother Ye, how’s Xiao Chi?”

“Xiao Chi?” Ye Mo was confused.

Fang Wei explained, “Master, he means Chi Wanqing. After you left, she left the military, telling Sister Lu she’d find you. We haven’t heard from her since…”

Chi Wanqing's face appeared in his mind. He treated her like his sister, Ye Ling. But her actions in the desert, seeking him out for Ning Qingxue, suggested otherwise.

Qingxue was studying abroad in England. He wondered how she was. Ye Mo snapped back to Guo Qi. He smiled wryly, shaking his head. “I’ve seen her once since. I heard she went to England, that's all I know.”

“Master, you’re taking Brother Guo and me to the borderland barracks?” Fang Wei asked, knowing Ye Mo wouldn't harm them, but still worried.

Ye Mo nodded. “Yes, after lunch. Mo Hai has a helicopter.”

“Really? Master, how will we survive?” Fang Wei asked worriedly.

Ye Mo smiled, “If we don’t go, how will we save anyone?”

“We have to save Sister Lu. But we should sneak in. Appearing openly is suicide,” Fang Wei pointed out.

“Regardless, I’m going,” Guo Qi said, clenching his fist.

Fang Wei agreed. “Brother Guo, me too. Sneaking in improves our chances.”

Guo Qi looked at Ye Mo, confused. Going in directly was suicide.

Ye Mo waved his hand. “We’ll go the proper way after lunch.”

…

Guo Qi's Eagle Special Forces Squad belonged to the Xiang Yun military zone’s special forces department. Even in peacetime, special forces had more missions than regular soldiers.

Each military zone had its special forces squad. Unlike Beijing's Flying Squads, the requirements weren't as strict.