Chapter 784: Return to Ning Hai
Hearing this news, Ye Mo immediately understood. Dongfang Wang had mentioned sixty bombs, but Ye Mo had never located the last one. It appeared to have been inadvertently transported aboard Luo Yue's ship.
This bomb's impact on the US ambassador suggested Dongfang Wang aimed to reignite conflict between Luo Yue and the US, thereby benefiting himself. However, this implied the bomb had initially been left at the embassy. How it ended up on the boat remained a mystery.
Perhaps the ambassador was unaware, or perhaps a staff member, intending to take something else, accidentally took the bomb. What could they have been trying to acquire from Luo Yue? Technological secrets seemed the only possibility.
Ye Mo immediately instructed Xu Yuehua, "Check all recent border control records and identify who cleared this ship. Investigate everyone at Luo Yue's military science research base. Anyone leaking military secrets will face court-martial. Those with close ties to US embassy staff require thorough investigation."
He continued, "Contact the US about this immediately, and inform the Union of Northern Sand's actions. If the Union cooperates, we attack Northern Sand. Otherwise, we maintain the status quo. Make the decisions yourselves; contact me only if Luo Yue is on the verge of collapse."
Ye Mo left Luo Yue Lake and visited Ning Qingxue's parents. They had established a thriving pharmaceutical company in Luo Yue. Lan Yu, knowing Ning Qingxue was cultivating something powerful with Ye Mo, wasn't overly concerned about their infrequent meetings.
Afterwards, Ye Mo visited Yin Si and Yin Jia, who were also prosperous in their own businesses in Luo Yue. Both were married with children. They informed him their aunt had visited Luo Yue four years prior, staying with them for several days before departing.
Thinking of Yin Qingyan, Ye Mo recalled her diary, but chose not to reread it. After seeing her on the cruise, its contents were readily apparent.
Walking the bustling streets of Luo Yue, Ye Mo felt a sense of emptiness. He then spotted "An Family Antiques." Using his spiritual sense, he detected An Zaishan inside. Unexpectedly, he had relocated to Luo Yue City and opened a shop. An Zhiqi and Dongfang Wang's possessiveness immediately sprang to mind.
Entering the shop, Ye Mo didn't see An Zhiqi.
"Ye Mo!" An Zaishan, though elderly, recognized him instantly.
Ye Mo smiled and offered a fist salute. "An-Qianbei, long time no see."
"Please, have a seat," An Zaishan quickly offered, instructing a waiter to bring Ye Mo tea.
Ye Mo surveyed the shop; several potent magical artifacts were present. It seemed his shop was a passion project, not a business venture.
"Where's An Zhiqi?" Ye Mo casually inquired.
An Zaishan sighed. "The Dongfang family's arrival in Luo Yue caused chaos. She was constantly harassed, so she left to travel."
Ye Mo instantly understood. Dongfang Wang was clearly unwilling to relinquish her, persistently sending people after her.
"So, you're here alone, Qianbei?" Ye Mo asked.
An Zaishan shook his head. "No, my great-granddaughter conducts business here and holds a minor official position; she visits often."
An Ning – Ye Mo instantly recalled her; the two fish eyes from the yin-yang fish originated from her.
An Zaishan, apparently remembering this, asked, "City Lord Ye, do you still have the yin-yang fish pieces and the jade I entrusted to you?"
"Yes, thank you, An-Qianbei. The jade bore the inscription, 'Seven pieces of trigrams, fish jump through the dragon gate.' Please, just call me Ye Mo. I'm no longer City Lord," Ye Mo smiled.
"Okay, Brother Ye," An Zaishan readily agreed. "I assume you haven't found the two fish tails?"
Ye Mo nodded. "No, I haven't had the time or leads."
An Zaishan smiled. "You needn't search. They appeared at a Beijing auction; I hear your father-in-law's father, Ning Fuzhen, purchased them. You'll need to contact the Ning family."
Ning Fuzhen? Ning Qingxue's grandfather. Ye Mo harbored negative feelings towards most of the Ning family, save for Ning Qingxue and her parents. Approaching them would be awkward.
Before his journey to the small world, he would have pursued it relentlessly. Now, however, he felt less compelled.
An Zaishan added, "It's no ordinary artifact; I recommend you pursue it."
Ye Mo sighed and nodded.
Soon after returning home, Ye Mo departed, informing Ye Ling of his plans. He wanted to resolve matters here and quickly refine the five essence pill so Ye Ling could begin cultivating.
A significant idea occurred to him—he would find Luo Ying and the others in the small world and establish a dwelling for them on Wu Wen Mountain.
Wu Wen Mountain possessed abundant spiritual herbs and chi, ideal for cultivation.
Leaving Luo Yue, Ye Mo slowly flew towards Ning Hai on his flying sword.
He immediately noticed Ning Hai's transformation—more skyscrapers, less green space, and heavier traffic. He frowned, resolving to prevent Luo Yue from following the same path.
Landing near Ning Hai University, Ye Mo felt a sudden urge to visit Yun Bing. His spiritual sense, however, failed to locate Yun Bing or Ting Ting.
Instead, it detected a girl near the high school. Exquisitely beautiful, even her tattered clothing couldn't diminish her allure. Ye Mo recognized the bracelet he had crafted on her wrist.