Chapter 1741

The Chinese military has strict hierarchies; although Ximen Wudi is a lieutenant general, he has no authority to assign a guard platoon.

"I can help you resolve this matter," Holman said. "It's not difficult. If you wish, I can apply for it on your behalf."

"Thank you so much, Colonel Holman," Ximen Wudi immediately stood up.

As he rose, he pulled at the wound on his waist, grimacing in pain.

Zhang Yugan smiled and said: "This doesn't sound like your style, Ximen Wudi."

Ximen Wudi chuckled, scratching his head.

Then he checked his watch: "Uncle Zhang, let's head to the airport now—the time is about right."

"Fine, it's on the way anyway—I'll ride with you today," Zhang Yugan said.

Ximen Wudi nearly choked on his own saliva: "Cough—no, no, Uncle Zhang, I can't let you do that."

"I'm riding with you to back you up," Zhang Yugan chuckled. "Otherwise, if I, the deputy commander-in-chief, weren't here, wouldn't your troubles grow much worse?"

Ximen Wudi was torn between laughter and tears.

Zhang Yugan's reasoning was indeed sound, but he still insisted Ximen Wudi sit in the rear of a Mercedes商务车, while the other car was shoved into the trunk.

"Ximen Wudi, shouldn't you tell me about your own situation? Otherwise, I won't believe you've made it this far in China," Zhang Yugan asked.

In truth, after serving long in the East China Military Region, he had noticed how deeply entangled Ximen Wudi was with this land. Though Ximen Wudi never spoke of it, Zhang Yugan saw it clearly—and in the eyes of this veteran leader, Ximen Wudi was gold, destined to shine someday, never meant to remain hidden in some corner of China forever.

"Uncle Zhang, I've just been lucky, caught at the right moment," Ximen Wudi smiled.

He had no intention of revealing his secrets to Zhang Yugan.

More importantly, this past was a wound in his heart—a profound, soul-deep sorrow that could make anyone feel it, even tremble uncontrollably.

Memory's deepest layer, 1591

Those once bleeding wounds would become permanent scars, etched forever in the deepest layer of memory.

"Ximen Wudi, sometimes not speaking doesn't mean you don't care," Zhang Yugan patted Ximen Wudi's shoulder.

"I know," Ximen Wudi nodded. "Uncle Zhang, thank you for looking after my parents all these years."

Zhang Yugan laughed. "Foolish child, why thank me?"

His tone carried deep weight—perhaps, to Zhang Yugan at this moment, Ximen Wudi truly was a family junior.

Zhang Yugan was an outstanding leader, yet he also possessed the warmth and kindness of an ordinary elder.

In Zhang Yugan's eyes, Ximen Wudi and Holman were both his juniors.

"Uncle Zhang, when I return after this mission, let's have a proper gathering—I'll treat," Ximen Wudi grinned, revealing bright white teeth.

"Fine, whatever you say," Zhang Yugan agreed cheerfully.

He truly raised Ximen Wudi as his own grandson; after Su Yao's death, Zhang Yugan had borne immense pressure.

…………

Five hours later, three private jets landed at Nanjiang Provincial Capital International Airport; several cars were already waiting, heading straight for the expressway.

One hour later, the three boarded a flight to the capital's international airport.

Before boarding, Ximen Wudi called Lin Aoxue—only to hear a powered-off tone.

This was Lin Aoxue's habit: once powered off, she rarely turned it back on.

Ximen Wudi didn't know what had happened, but he believed Lin Aoxue had encountered unusual danger.

Yet since she chose to power off, she must have her own reasons and judgment; even if Ximen Wudi rushed over in panic, he might not save her.

…………

Ximen Wudi was right—Lin Aoxue was truly in trouble.

But this trouble wasn't of her own making; it was forced upon her.

The world works this way: the more you yield, the bolder your enemies grow.

"Miss Lin, I advise you not to resist," a man said coldly. He wore sunglasses, a black tank top, bulging muscles, and a tattooed arm, radiating menace.

A scar ran down his right cheek, making him look terrifying.

Lin Aoxue sat by the window, gazing outside, expression calm—as if the man beside her, the entire cabin, couldn't stir even a ripple in her heart.

"Who are you calling Miss Lin?" Lin Aoxue said coolly. "Don't you know your behavior is extremely rude?"

"You're a beautiful girl, pity," the scarred man said. "If not for orders from above, I wouldn't dare touch you."

Lin Aoxue's brow lifted slightly: "I advise you not to entertain improper thoughts. If I'm harmed, Ximen Wudi will never let this go."

"Heh, you think Ximen Wudi's some noble man?" the scarred man sneered. "Then why did he cause such chaos in China, nearly driving the entire State Security mad?"

"I think you misunderstand," Lin Aoxue shook her head. "He's not like that. Don't slander him."

Control of all cabins, 1592

"You're right—he's not evil, but he's a bastard," the scarred man said. "I'm done talking. Come quietly, I won't lay a hand on you. Otherwise, don't blame me for being harsh!"

He paused, then added: "My men have taken control of every cabin. You can't escape."

Before he finished speaking, two gunshots rang out from outside the airport.

The deafening blasts made the crew cry out in shock.

Then came two more thuds.

Two grenades shattered the cabin windows!

Two black-clad figures stormed the cockpit!

One black-clad man knelt on one knee, assault rifle pressed to the scarred man's temple.

The other picked up Lin Aoxue, placed her on a nearby seat, then pointed his assault rifle at the scarred man's forehead: "Get down. Hands on your head. Squat on the floor!"

As he spoke, he pulled a grenade, removing the pin.

The gesture was terrifyingly threatening.

The scarred man was paralyzed with fear.

He had planned to seize the ticket amid the chaos, but never expected to be cornered in the restroom!

"Don't kill me… please don't kill me…" the scarred man shouted, trembling. He immediately clasped his hands over his head and squatted on the ground — utterly cowardly!

In doing so, he had also exposed his own weak spot.

"Who are you? How dare you meddle in our business!" the scarred man roared.

"Who are we? Heh heh, you don't even recognize us?"

The two men in black had already torn off their face coverings, revealing ferocious faces — they were members of the Death Temple's enforcement squad!

Moreover, hanging on their chests were red cloth strips with two words written on them: "Adjudicator"!

This was the emblem of the Death Temple's enforcement squad!

In the dark world, these two words were a symbolic title, representing the Death Temple's power and authority. Even ordinary big shots had to treat them with utmost respect and would never dare to offend them!

Unfortunately, the fellow before them simply didn't recognize this term! His IQ and his vision destined him to never reach such a level!

"I don't recognize you. Who are you?" the scarred man said. "This is Ninghai, not Death Temple territory! If you dare to shoot me, that breaks the rules. Otherwise…"

"Otherwise what? I'd like to see whether you can flip the sky today!" The enforcer's eyes glinted with intense viciousness as he said, "Arrest him!"

"Got it." The two companions replied, then unceremoniously pinned the scarred man to the ground, raining down fists and kicks — bam, bam, bam! The latter wailed in agony nonstop!

Lin Aoxue saw this scene but did not intervene, nor did she even spare it a second glance.

In her view, Ximen Wudi had already given her a full sense of security, so although Lin Aoxue was worried at this moment, she actually wasn't all that anxious.

Moreover, Lin Aoxue believed that as long as Ximen Wudi appeared, she would not fall into danger!

"Stop hitting me, I beg you, stop!" the scarred man wailed.

The guy was already sporting a bruised and swollen face; another two minutes of this and he'd probably be knocked out cold.

This enforcer did have some sense of measure — he didn't beat him to death. Otherwise, the guy would probably have already become a corpse by now.

"Take him away," the enforcer said.

His companions dragged the struggling, snot-and-tear-streaked scarred man out the cabin door of the plane and stuffed him into the back seat of a black sedan.

Because he had just been holding it in inside the restroom for so long, the guy kept dry-heaving the entire way, as if he were about to vomit blood.

Lin Aoxue stood in place, quietly watching all of this, without a single trace of worry.