Chapter 519: Returning to Sai Na Translator: Tim Editor: GlobeGlotter
“The spirit well’s entrance is in the back valley of Gourd Cave, but when we got there, the valley had collapsed extensively, so we left. When we returned, that area was completely covered. Even if the well remains, it must be crushed,” Zeng Zhengxia said regretfully.
Ye Mo surmised the collapse was related to Ren Pingchuan. He asked, “Can’t you dig it open?”
Zeng Zhengxia stared at Ye Mo oddly. “The entire valley collapsed. Even if you dug it open, the spirit well would be crushed. Besides, excavating an entire valley is incredibly difficult. It’s on a cliff edge; machinery can’t access it. It would require manual excavation.”
Ye Mo nodded. “Then could you sketch the valley’s location? I’d like to see it if I have the chance.”
Zeng Zhengxia complied immediately.
“Brother Ye, I’m glad you’re safe. I’m leaving now. Here’s how to contact me if you need anything,” Zeng Zhengxia said before departing.
Ye Mo then found Xu Ping, who seemed busy and worried. As an ancient martial artist, he knew who Ye Mo had offended.
“Second Brother, rest assured; in a year or two, my power will greatly increase,” Ye Mo said, noticing Xu Ping’s concern.
“But I heard Sect Leader Zeng say you offended Gourd Cave. They’re cruel,” Xu Ping said worriedly.
“Second Brother, don’t worry. I recently learned Luo Ying’s whereabouts and will search for her. I came to ask you to build an army in Flowing Snake. As for Gourd Cave, they won’t bother us; I annihilated them.” Ye Mo entrusted Flowing Snake’s safety to Xu Ping because he was at the earth level primary stage and they were brothers.
“What?! You annihilated Gourd Cave?” Xu Ping’s reaction mirrored Zeng Zhengxia’s; he was incredulous.
Ye Mo offered no further explanation. Xu Ping recalled Ye Mo’s initial words and asked, even more shocked, “You want Flowing Snake to have its own army?”
Ye Mo nodded. “Yes, without our own army, Flowing Snake can’t protect itself. I only want a self-defense force here. I haven’t decided on the main army’s location yet. I’ll check out a place today and let you know if I decide.”
Ye Mo considered Sai Na the ideal location for a real army. He envisioned building a city there. If it was habitable, he’d move all of Flowing Snake’s facilities.
Deep down, Ye Mo didn’t want his city near China. Despite his Chinese relatives, he had reservations about such proximity. He wanted a city where his loved ones could live well, free from corruption. Prosperity would attract problems and jealous powerful nations.
Ye Mo wanted to avoid conflict with China; Elder Han was on good terms with him. Elsewhere, if anyone dared challenge him, he would destroy their country if necessary.
But besides Flowing Snake, he had nowhere better to go. Earth had been developing for millennia, and all the good land was claimed.
“I have no problem with that. Leave it to me. As long as hidden sects stay away, I believe I can handle it,” Xu Ping said seriously. He knew his third brother was extraordinary, and he’d help him build a country if necessary.
…
Ye Mo left Flowing Snake and went to Sai Na, stopping first at the Taklimakan Desert. He wanted to know Lone Wolf’s Nan Qing’s condition. Had he consolidated power?
Ye Mo went alone this time. On his first visit, Sai Na’s outskirts had simple commercial districts, and many soldiers’ families lived comfortably.
Now, Ye Mo barely recognized the place. Everything was dilapidated!
Ye Mo frowned. What was Lone Wolf doing? He hadn’t even controlled Nan Qing after all this time?
“Halt! Who goes there?” Ye Mo noticed guards at the ruined watchtower. He approached, but they stopped him.
“Tell Lone Wolf to see me,” Ye Mo said.
The guards stared at him before asking, “Where are you from? The airport’s closed, and ships are controlled.”
Just as Ye Mo was about to dismiss them, a middle-aged man ran over, pulling the guards away and bowing. “Ye-Qianbei, Li Sandao greets you.”
“Li Sandao?” Ye Mo recognized Qian Longtou’s trusted follower and general. He hadn’t expected him to still be alive. He’d left him with Lone Wolf, but now, he found him instead of Lone Wolf.
“Where’s Lone Wolf? I don’t see him,” Ye Mo said; he wanted to know if Sai Na was habitable.
Li Sandao said respectfully, “He died two months ago.”
Lone Wolf was dead? Even though Ye Mo had injured him, he was still the strongest. How could he die suddenly?
Seeing Ye Mo’s displeasure, Li Sandao explained, “Lone Wolf fought with Nan Qing’s elders and was fatally injured.”
Ye Mo shook his head. Lone Wolf had big dreams but little ability. Ye Mo didn’t care that he was dead. He asked, “Who’s running Nan Qing now?”
Li Sandao didn’t answer directly. “Ye-Qianbei, please come inside.”
Ye Mo understood Li Sandao wasn’t in power.
Li Sandao led Ye Mo into a simple brick house; troops guarded outside.
Ye Mo looked at Li Sandao strangely. “Even without Lone Wolf, you’d still be in a management position, right? Shouldn’t the meeting room be in a luxurious hall? Why are we here?”
Li Sandao sighed. “Nan Qing is gone. A Hungarian named Freddy controls it now. He killed Lone Wolf. If I could leave Sai Na, I would. Because I refused to join him, I’ve been heavily suppressed. Without my trusted brothers, I’d be dead. But if I don’t escape, I’ll eventually fall into his hands.”