Chapter 62: Why Be Used By Her
Translator: Tim Editor: Tehrn
When Ye Mo and Chi Wanqing emerged, Lu Lin and the others were anxiously waiting. Their relief was palpable; the six-person squad had already lost two members, and losing Chi Wanqing would have been catastrophic. Her identity was not insignificant; any mishap would have had severe repercussions for Lu Lin and his superiors.
“Captain Lu, I’m going to leave for a while,” Ye Mo said, heading straight into the forest before anyone could reply. He was interested in a bare cockroach he'd spotted. These insects often indicated the presence of spirit herbs. Even without finding herbs, capturing the cockroach would be worthwhile. Unlike other wild beasts, bare cockroaches possessed a degree of self-awareness, allowing them to bond with a master.
While the cockroach held little personal value, Ye Mo intended to give it to Chi Wanqing. She had nearly sacrificed herself to save him; a pet seemed an appropriate gesture.
Chi Wanqing grabbed a torch and followed. Guo Qi started to stop her, but Lu Lin restrained him.
“Didn’t you see how attached Chi Wanqing is to Ye Mo? Her coldness stems from her family, but Ye Mo is no ordinary man; he can handle her. Let her go,” Lu Lin said. He paused. “If someone like Ye Mo joined our Eagle Hunter Squad, no other squad in the army could compete.”
Guo Qi shook his head. “He’s extraordinary; he’ll never join the army. He seems to prefer freedom. He might appear casual, but he’s proud, a natural pride neither flaunted nor concealed. Even the wealthiest young elites would feel insignificant beside him.”
Fang Wei, still awed by Ye Mo’s earlier rescue, asked, “Brother Guo, how did you convince someone so strong to help us?” He yearned to become Ye Mo’s disciple.
Guo Qi smiled. “I just said we’re all Chinese.”
…
Chi Wanqing called out, “Brother Ye, wait for me!”
Ye Mo stopped, looking at her. “Why are you here? It’s dark and dangerous. I’m going to look for something, but I’ll be back later. Your wound is still fresh. Go back.”
“Brother Ye,” Chi Wanqing said, “you probably won’t join our squad. I… I want to stay with you a little longer.” Her dependence on Ye Mo, who had saved her twice that day, was evident.
Ye Mo was surprised. Her reliance seemed uncharacteristic for a soldier. He suspected other reasons for her army service, but decided against pressing the issue. He almost blurted out, “Idiot, I’ll see you later!” but stopped. Would he? Their paths diverged; they were unlikely to meet again.
Sighing, Ye Mo said, “Fine, follow me.” He needed Chi Wanqing present to establish the bond with the cockroach.
“Thank you, Brother Ye.” She excitedly took his arm. He shook his head. She seemed naïve; perhaps school was a better fit for her.
“How long have you been in the army? Why did you leave school?” Ye Mo asked.
“In my second year of university, my grandfather tried to force me into an unwanted marriage. I refused, but the man came to my school, and my father agreed with my grandfather. So I ran away, joined the army with Uncle Jiang’s help, and never looked back,” Chi Wanqing said dejectedly.
Ye Mo was speechless. Forced marriages for political gain seemed ubiquitous.
“But you can’t stay in the army forever. You’ll still be pressured by your father and grandfather,” Ye Mo pointed out.
“I don’t want to go back. My mother visits often, and she helped me open…” Chi Wanqing stopped, nearly revealing the company she’d wanted Ye Mo to visit—her own, not her cousin’s.
Then, she asked, “Brother Ye, someone as outstanding as you must have a girlfriend?”
Ye Mo laughed. “I’m a jobless wanderer. Girlfriend? No, but I have a wife, hehe.”
“You’re married?” Chi Wanqing felt a pang of loss. Ye Mo, oblivious, explained, “She didn’t want to marry someone else, so she faked a marriage with me. I’m helping her. If you ever need help, I’ll be happy to assist.”
“What? A fake marriage, and she’s using you? What a terrible woman! She’s using someone like Brother Ye!” Chi Wanqing was indignant. “Brother Ye, why let her use you? Ignore her!”
“Why be used by her?” Ye Mo’s expression darkened. He thought of his former master, Luo Ying, and her unknown fate. He’d help anyone even remotely resembling her. His aid to Ning Qingxue might stem from a similar impulse—a hope that someone would help his master if she ever needed it.
“Sorry, Brother Ye. I won’t ask,” Chi Wanqing said, sensing his sadness.
“Hm?” Ye Mo bent, examining a partly eaten mushroom. Spirit herbs! While not true spirit herbs, the Yi Mushrooms contained spirit chi, attracting the cockroach.
“What’s wrong, Brother Ye?” Chi Wanqing asked.
“Quiet! I see it!” Ye Mo’s spiritual sense locked onto the cockroach a few meters away. It remained motionless, seemingly confident in its concealment.