Chapter 50: Chaotic Flowing Snake
Translator: Tim; Editor: Tehrn/Carolin
After knocking out the last opponent, Ye Mo turned to the driver, saying, "Give me a hand; help me drag these thugs."
Xiao Lei rushed over, her face still flushed with excitement. It seemed she'd just been rescued by a knight in shining armor—a dreamlike, whirlwind experience.
Zhuo Aiguo, having calmed down, silently celebrated his good judgment. He resolved to cultivate a relationship with Ye Mo, suspecting him to be a student of some legendary ancient martial arts master. He knew of ancient martial arts families in Beijing, but they were typically secretive, shunning public life and athletic competition. However, he'd heard some families sent elite members to special government departments, providing protection unavailable even to some leaders.
Ye Mo looked at the excitedly approaching Xiao Lei and shook his head speechlessly. "This woman's moods change so fast!" He ignored her, carrying two unconscious thugs into the woods.
The chauffeur, Xiao Yu, followed, dragging two more. Ye Mo deposited the first pair and carried two more. Xiao Lei, annoyed at being ignored, struggled to keep pace while dragging her own victim. Eventually, Xiao Yu helped her. Once all seven thugs were moved, Ye Mo told Xiao Yu, "Wait in the car; I'll be right back."
After Xiao Yu left, Ye Mo roused one of the thugs. These men, mostly from Yue, were highway robbers. After waking them all, he learned their base was in a private manor near Flowing Snake Town. As Xiao Yu had said, thirteen had originally been involved; only seven remained.
Ye Mo had initially planned to destroy their base upon reaching Flowing Snake, disliking unfinished business. However, with their numbers depleted, he changed his mind, dumping their bodies in a mountain stream. He found only Yue currency, which he left behind; it was worthless to him.
He wondered at their poverty despite their robbery spree, speculating they kept valuables at their hideout.
Returning to the mountain road, Xiao Yu and Zhuo Aiguo had cleared the obstacles. The three got into the car. Surprisingly, no one questioned the thugs' fate.
Xiao Lei gave Ye Mo the 50,000 dollars Zhuo Aiguo had offered her. "I can't take this; you dealt with the thugs, so you keep it."
Ye Mo refused. "No need. Keep it. I'm employed by Mr. Zhuo, and he's paying me. Besides, consider it compensation for your friend abandoning you."
"Hmph, I don't know that animal…" Xiao Lei started to protest, but Ye Mo told Xiao Yu to drive.
"Mr. Ye, we're so lucky to have you. Without you, we'd be in serious trouble," Zhuo Aiguo gratefully exclaimed. He wasn't exaggerating; without Ye Mo's intervention, he'd only lost a few thousand dollars. But seeing Xiao Lei abducted, his principles wouldn't allow him to stand idly by; the consequences could have been devastating.
Ye Mo waved his hand dismissively. "Mr. Zhuo, you're too kind. This was part of the agreement; otherwise, what's the point of hiring me?"
Zhuo Aiguo, pleased, suggested, "I'm older; call me Brother Zhuo, and I'll call you Brother Ye."
"Sounds good," Ye Mo agreed. Zhuo Aiguo was someone worth knowing. When Xiao Lei asked Zhuo Aiguo for Ye Mo's name, it seemed familiar, though she couldn't place it.
Zhuo Aiguo turned to Xiao Lei. "Journalist Xiao, Flowing Snake is a chaotic border town, on the boundary of three countries. Why are you here?"
Xiao Lei, startled from her thoughts, replied, "I heard tourists disappeared near Gui Lin's famous spots. I interviewed people and learned most disappearances occurred after visiting Flowing Snake. I came to investigate. If I hadn't met you, I don't know what would have happened. I'm grateful."
Ye Mo chuckled inwardly. The journalist was naïve, thinking her press credentials would intimidate thugs. He was speechless.
Zhuo Aiguo was also at a loss for words. He knew Xiao Lei, a recently famous journalist, but he couldn't criticize her directly. Xiao Lei, recognizing her naiveté, couldn't rebuke their assessment. Wang Qianjun, her colleague, had insisted on accompanying her to Gui Lin, providing a BMW for the trip to Flowing Snake.
His good looks had impressed her, and she'd been developing feelings for him, likely to become his girlfriend soon. However, this crisis showed her that good looks didn't matter in a dangerous situation.
Ye Mo remained silent, enjoying the wild, sparsely populated landscape, ideal for cultivation. Even if the Song family pursued him, he could escape. He wasn't invincible; many were stronger, and modern firearms posed a significant threat.
Zhuo Aiguo and Xiao Lei conversed, while Xiao Lei occasionally glanced at Ye Mo, who seemed lost in meditation.
Half an hour later, the Audi entered a town, half of which resembled a fortified fortress.
"This is Flowing Snake. We'll need to take care of a few things, so we'll leave tomorrow. Journalist Xiao, are you staying with us or going on your own?" Zhuo Aiguo asked once inside Flowing Snake.
Before Xiao Lei could answer, two groups clashed with sticks and knives. Several bleeding individuals fell, moaning. After a while, police arrived; the fighters retreated, carrying their injured. The police didn't pursue them.
Xiao Lei's heart pounded. She'd never witnessed such public violence, a shocking wake-up call.
Zhuo Aiguo explained, seeing their shock. "Flowing Snake is lawless, originally wilderness. After the '70s war, asylum seekers from neighboring countries gathered, forming this fortified town. The police were temporary; it's one of the most chaotic places." Though he'd never been before, he'd researched the area.
"I I'll stay with Uncle Zhuo" Xiao Lei, no longer the lone wolf journalist, decided to stay with them.