When Ye Mo and Chi Wanqing came out, Lu Lin and Guo Qi were already anxiously waiting. Seeing them safe and sound, they finally let out a breath of relief. Two of their six-man team had already been lost—if they lost Chi Wanqing too, it wouldn't just be a mistake; it would be a major incident.
What's more, Chi Wanqing's identity and background were anything but ordinary. If something had happened to her, not just Lu Lin but even her superior's superior wouldn't have been able to bear the consequences. Thankfully, everything turned out fine.
"Captain Lu, you all take a break. I'll be heading into the woods for a bit," Ye Mo said. Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked into the forest. He was now very interested in the Zilang.
Wherever a Zilang appeared, there was sure to be some kind of spiritual herb. Even if he didn't find one, catching the Zilang itself would be worthwhile. Though not quite a spiritual beast, the Zilang had a certain level of awareness—it could recognize a master, unlike wild animals which could only be tamed.
Ye Mo had no real use for the Zilang, but he figured he could gift it to Chi Wanqing. After all, she'd nearly lost her life saving him. Giving her a pet was the least he could do.
"Brother Ye, wait for me. I'll come with you," Chi Wanqing said, grabbing a flashlight and chasing after him.
Guo Qi was about to call out to her, but Lu Lin stopped him. "Wanqing relies on Ye Mo a lot, haven't you noticed? Her cold personality is tied to her family background. Ye Mo's not an ordinary person—he can take care of her. Let her go."
After a pause, Lu Lin added, "If Ye Mo ever joined our Falcon unit, we'd be one of the strongest teams in the entire military. No one would dare challenge us."
Guo Qi shook his head. "You just said it yourself—he's not the type to join the military. I'm sure of it. He's not someone who likes being bound by rules. A free, unrestrained life suits him far more."
After a short pause, he continued, "People might think he's low-key because of his plain clothes and casual manner, but I think he's one of the proudest men I've ever met. It's not a fake kind of pride—he doesn't flaunt it, nor does he hide it. It's just… there. Even if some rich heir walked up wearing Armani next to him, Ye Mo would still be the one who shines."
"Brother Guo, how did you even get someone like him to help us?" Fang Wei asked, clearly admiring Ye Mo. Ever since Ye Mo saved him, he had idolized the man and even wanted to take him as a teacher.
Guo Qi chuckled. "All I said was—we're all Chinese. He agreed right away."
"Brother Ye, wait for me!" Chi Wanqing called again, catching up.
Ye Mo stopped and looked at her. "Why did you come? It's dark, the moonlight's dim, and it's dangerous in here. I'm looking for something, and I'll be back soon. You're still recovering. Go back."
"I... Brother Ye, I know you won't join our unit. So when you send us to our destination, you'll probably leave. I just... want to spend a bit more time with you," she said quietly. Having no other close male friends, she felt an unusual sense of dependence on Ye Mo, especially after he saved her twice.
Ye Mo froze. He could feel that she was too attached to him. It didn't really suit her image as a soldier. Maybe she'd joined the military for other reasons? But he didn't ask.
He wanted to say, "Silly girl, I can always visit you again." But the words stuck in his throat. Once he left, would he really come back? No. The path he was on was completely different from hers. Their worlds wouldn't cross again.
Sighing, Ye Mo said, "Alright, you can come with me."
Actually, it might be a good thing. If he did catch the Zilang, it needed to recognize its master. She had to be there in person.
"Thank you, Brother Ye." Chi Wanqing smiled and clung to his arm excitedly.
Ye Mo shook his head. She was still like a naive young girl. To have her here in the military, keeping a cold face every day—it was tough on her. Maybe the school environment suited her better.
"How long have you been in the army? Why not just go to school?" he asked.
"I was in my second year of college. My grandfather wanted me to marry someone I didn't like. I refused, and that guy even showed up at my school. I told my father, but he sided with Grandpa. So I ran away and joined the army through Uncle Jiang. I haven't gone back since," she said, a little glum.
Ye Mo was speechless. Why did so many people think marriage alliances were the solution to everything? In every part of the world, these things kept happening.
"You can't stay in the army forever though. When you go back, won't your dad and grandpa still push you to get married?" Ye Mo said offhandedly.
"I don't want to go back. My mom visits me often and she's even helping me open—" Chi Wanqing stopped herself just in time. She almost said she was planning to invite Ye Mo to her company, which her family owned.
Trying to change the topic, she asked, "Brother Ye, someone like you must already have a girlfriend, right?"
Ye Mo smiled faintly. "I'm basically a drifter—go where life takes me. Girlfriend? Nope. But... I do have a wife, technically speaking."
"What? You're married?" Chi Wanqing suddenly felt a hollow ache in her heart, a kind of indescribable loss.
Ye Mo didn't notice her expression and continued, "She's like you—didn't want to go through a forced engagement. So we had a fake marriage to help her out. That's all. If you ever need help like that, I'd be happy to help you too." He chuckled at himself.
"What? A fake marriage? That woman used you? How could anyone use a guy like you?" Chi Wanqing immediately grew indignant.
"Why would you let her use you?" she continued, furious. "You shouldn't have bothered with someone like that!"
Why would I let her use me? Ye Mo's expression dimmed. He suddenly thought of his pitiful master, Luo Ying. He didn't even know how she was doing now. Maybe… maybe just knowing someone would help Luo Ying like he helped others—that thought alone made it worth it.
"I'm sorry, Brother Ye. I won't ask anymore," Chi Wanqing said softly, noticing the shift in his mood.
"Huh?" Ye Mo stopped suddenly and bent down to examine a chewed-up mushroom.
There really was a spiritual herb nearby. Although the mushroom wasn't quite a true spiritual herb, it still contained a trace of spiritual energy. Clearly, the Zilang had been drawn to it.
"What is it, Brother Ye?" Chi Wanqing asked.
"Shh. Don't talk. I see it," Ye Mo said, his divine sense locking onto the Zilang just a few meters ahead.
The creature had also noticed Ye Mo, but didn't move. It believed Ye Mo couldn't detect it and was lying low, confident and fearless.