Chapter 647: Real and Fake

Besides the woman hidden in a ditch, two more people lurked near the riverbank. Ye Mo recognized them as Northern Sand operatives.

The remaining four didn't wait long before a faint engine hum drifted from downriver—barely audible.

Upon hearing it, the four spread out, their eyes fixed on the river.

A small private yacht appeared. As it approached, Ye Mo saw Lu Na and Liang Jun aboard.

Lu Na carried a case ashore, while Liang Jun remained on the yacht.

"Lu Na, you're trustworthy, but we didn't lie. Your sister's here," Captain Liu said casually as Lu Na landed.

Lu Na didn't respond. She saw Lu Lin, bound and gagged.

"Sister!" Lu Na breathed a sigh of relief.

Lu Lin struggled, making muffled sounds.

"I've brought your sister. We haven't harmed her. Now, the exchange. Or, return to Northern Sand; we welcome you both!" Captain Liu laughed, grabbing Lu Lin's chest.

Lu Lin glared at Captain Liu, whimpering.

Lu Na sneered. "You're Captain Liu, right? Don't touch her. I have what you want, but any tricks, and this explodes."

"Fine. We want the Qiang-265 data and the Luo Yue interference machine. Give them to us, and your sister is free," Captain Liu said nonchalantly.

Lu Na scoffed. "Captain Liu, who do you think I am? I just joined Luo Yue. If City Lord Xu hadn't been kind, we wouldn't have left the city. I have no information on the interference machine. You overestimate me. I only have the Qiang-265 data—complete data, my teacher's discovery."

Ye Mo signaled Luo Ying to wait and approached the yacht.

Captain Liu was ruthless. While negotiating with Lu Na, the two men by the river had slipped away, apparently targeting Liang Jun.

Captain Liu ripped the cloth from Lu Lin's mouth. "Your sister's uncooperative."

"Don't," Lu Lin dodged his hand. "Nana, who told you to come? I'm fine! I didn't ask you!" she cried worriedly.

"Sister, it's alright as long as you're safe. I'd risk my life to get you back. Dad said we should rely on each other. I can't leave you!" Lu Na replied, eyes red.

To Captain Liu, she said, "Let her go, and I'll give you what you want."

Captain Liu addressed Lu Lin. "Persuade your sister. If she doesn't give us the interference machine, don't blame me for killing her, too."

"Nana, if you have it—give it to him," Lu Lin said, signaling with her eyes.

Lu Na was confused. As she pondered, Lu Lin broke free and lunged at Lu Na.

Captain Liu and his men were caught off guard. Lu Na reacted instantly, rushing to Lu Lin.

Ye Mo sneered. Lu Lin had betrayed Lu Na. Otherwise, Captain Liu would have reacted. But before knowing the full situation, Ye Mo remained still. He wanted to know how much intel Lu Na had. If Luo Yue's information was so easily obtained, they had a serious security breach.

Unexpectedly, as Lu Lin neared Lu Na, a dagger flew from the ditch, striking Lu Lin's throat.

Lu Lin froze, clutching her throat. She gurgled, collapsing.

"Sister!" Lu Na cried out, stunned.

"Nana, I'm here, I'm not dead. I'm Lu Lin. That woman's a fake!" A woman in black emerged, her gaze fixed on Captain Liu and his men.

Her voice was raspy.

Ye Mo realized the disfigured woman was Lu Lin. No wonder she harbored such intense hatred. The transformation from a buxom woman to a gaunt, scarred one saddened him; he knew he was partly responsible.

"Sister?" Lu Na stared at the thin woman, unable to make the connection. Lu Lin never wore disguises. Yet, she sensed the woman's concern.

"Plastic surgery?" Lu Na wondered.

Ye Mo understood why he hadn't recognized her earlier.

"That day, when you saw Mother, don't tell anyone. Only we know," the black-clothed woman said, eyes still on Captain Liu.

"Sister!" Lu Na finally recognized her. She embraced her sister, weeping.

The moment Lu Na hugged her, Lu Lin knew it was a mistake. Captain Liu and his men drew their guns. Captain Liu sneered. "Lu Lin, even in escape, you'll pay."

Lu Lin realized her error. The embrace prevented her sister from drawing her knives. There was no remedy. Gunfire erupted. She felt bullets whizzing past. She laughed in despair. So what if we die? It's worth it to die together!

Yet, after numerous shots, Lu Lin and Lu Na were unharmed.

Before them stood Ye Mo. Even in the night, Lu Na recognized him. He had intercepted the bullets, saving them.

Ye Mo looked at the spent cartridges and smiled at Captain Liu. "Northern Sand, right?"

"You? Ye Mo, we haven't wronged you. Why are you fighting us? We agreed to your terms in Jiu Tang, didn't we?" Captain Liu's heart sank.

Ye Mo flicked two bullets, piercing the heads of Scorpion and the yellow-level tertiary operative.

Captain Liu's blood ran cold. Ye Mo was a ruthless killer.

"Haven't wronged me?" Ye Mo sneered. "Who tricked Luo Ying to Beijing? Lu Na's with Luo Yue—who tricked her here?"

Captain Liu stammered, unable to answer. He glanced toward the river. Ye Mo sneered. "No need to look. They're already gone."