Chapter 681: Cruel and Decisive

Translator: Timothy_ Editor: GlobeGlotter

Ye Mo ignored the laughing man, scanning the four individuals before stating, "Answer two questions, and I'll give you the stones."

He'd already seen at least three high-tech cameras—the latest models Sha had shown him—upon entering. He was confident, however, that even a viewer wouldn't clearly see his face.

The man’s laughter ceased. He studied Ye Mo, lit a cigarette, and said, "I'm curious about your composure. And how did you obtain the stones not from Meng Kui?"

Ye Mo frowned. "So, this isn't business? Answer my questions, and I'll tell you."

This middle-aged man was the strongest, a black level mid-stage cultivator; the others weren't even yellow level. He could subdue and control their minds, but stronger opponents were more complicated. A mistake could destroy their souls, losing a valuable information source.

The middle-aged man also had a wooden box on his table. Ye Mo's spirit sense scanned it, revealing two dark objects within, instantly causing him to rejoice.

…

Simultaneously, in Northern Sand's main meeting room, a man abruptly rose, shouting, "Blow up boat 043 now!"

Shock rippled through the room. Their boat had found the lost chi stones in Canada; recordings showed the man had boarded it. Had he gone mad? Why destroy the ship now?

Even disregarding the chi stones, killing their own men was insane.

The coarse-voiced man quickly explained, "I'm not crazy! The man on board is blurry, but his voice—it's Ye Mo! The Ye Mo we tried to kill at Ice Helm Island. He's alive. If we don't blow up the ship, he'll discover our chi stone source and trace it back to our base. If it's not blown up in three seconds, I'm leaving."

The leader added, in a low voice, "I trust Brother Dongfang. Blow up ship 043 immediately!"

…

On the boat, everyone looked at Ye Mo with contempt.

The middle-aged man smiled, viewing Ye Mo as a lamb for the slaughter. Perhaps the young man possessed some skill, but he believed he was in control.

Moving closer, the middle-aged man said sarcastically, "I'm in a good mood. I'll tell you the stones' origin. You'll be pleased."

Ye Mo maintained his spirit sense on the boat. While he didn't consider them a threat, experience had taught him not to underestimate anyone.

A sudden unease, a sense of danger, gripped him. He detected movement beneath the ship—the same movement he'd sensed at Ice Helm Island. Instantly, Ye Mo grabbed the wooden box and leaped out the window.

"Trying to run!" The black level man reacted swiftly, attempting to seize Ye Mo and the box.

But he was too slow. Ye Mo had vanished. Before the man could react, the fishing boat exploded in flames, painting the water crimson.

Ye Mo stood calmly in the air, recognizing them as Northern Sand operatives—cruel to enemies and their own men alike.

A pity. A few more minutes, and he would have learned the spirit stones' origin, perhaps even Northern Sand's base location.

He was certain they were from Northern Sand. The ship's destruction was due to his identification via the cameras.

But his face was concealed by chi; his voice must have betrayed him. Few in Northern Sand had heard his voice. Ye Mo increasingly suspected Dongfang Tang.

…

The explosion roared, fire engulfing half the sky. The cruiser's crew watched from the deck.

Sister Yan had seen Ye Mo's escape. The burning ship was a shock. A hammer blow to her heart; cold, shaking hands.

Was Ye Mo gone?

"Sister Yan," Ye Mo's voice cut through the air.

Sister Yan saw him beside her, rushing into his arms, crying. Quickly regaining composure, she wiped her eyes. "You scared me. I thought you—"

Ye Mo felt guilty, always acting without considering others' feelings. To distract her, he took her to a restaurant. Sister Yan, very hungry, momentarily forgot about the artifact he was forging.

But not for long. After eating, she remembered. She pondered Ye Mo's ability to produce and conceal objects.

"Tell me," Sister Yan finally asked, "can you hide things undetectably?"

Ye Mo rubbed his head. "Yes, Sister Ya—"

"Give it to me," Sister Yan extended her hand. Seeing his innocent expression, she added, "Stop pretending. Give me the diary."

Ye Mo handed it over helplessly. "Sister Yan, I only read the first part. You're stingy; you shouldn't demand back what you gave away."

Sister Yan ignored him. Strangely, she didn't ask about the boat incident or his abilities.

With the diary back, she became much quieter.