Chapter 1764

His tone carried a sense of weakness and exhaustion.

"How's your wound? Let me see…" the strategist asked.

Yet, aside from a few bruises, Ximen Wudi had no visible gunshot wounds—not even abrasions.

The strategist slightly relaxed, but then her heart clenched violently again!

For she saw that Ximen Wudi was clutching his abdomen, curled up like a shrimp, as if in unbearable pain!

"Strategist, my intestines have been punctured…" Ximen Wudi gritted his teeth, face flushed red.

Though he hadn't lost enough blood to faint, his guts churned like a storm, agony so intense it felt as if his internal organs were being shredded!

"No, I'll help you up," the strategist said, preparing to extend her hands and lift Ximen Wudi.

Only then did she notice two objects wrapped around his waist.

One was a red silk scarf; the other… was a red belly band!

Upon seeing them, even the composed strategist couldn't help but blush furiously!

How on earth did this guy get these two items? And why did he make them red?!

"Don't just stand there! Help me up!" Ximen Wudi shouted.

"Oh! Right, I'll help!" The strategist snapped to attention and quickly extended her hands, dragging Ximen Wudi toward the ship's edge!

For some reason, as Ximen Wudi was about to climb onto the deck, the image of the girl in the red dress suddenly flashed in his mind!

"No, this can't be!" Ximen Wudi quickly dismissed the thought—but his mind refused to obey; the image kept circling in his head.

Finally climbing aboard, Ximen Wudi lay on the deck, gasping for breath, his entire body drenched in cold sweat.

"Your intestines…" the strategist frowned at Ximen Wudi and said: "I need to examine you…"

"No, don't touch—" A chilling sensation came from his crotch, making it hard for him to lift his hand: "Look… let's not worry about my wound for now… where's my phone? Where's my phone?"

His fingers trembled violently; even picking up his phone took all his strength, let alone pulling out his wallet!

At this moment, Ximen Wudi looked exactly like a drowning man.

The strategist took off Ximen Wudi's wallet and handed it to him.

After several deep breaths, Ximen Wudi fumbled for his phone and dialed the contact at Ye Pu Island's office in the capital of Huaxia.

But the other end remained unanswered.

"Fuck…" Ximen Wudi cursed.

At this moment, the dark muzzle of a gun was pressed against Ximen Wudi's chest.

It was a sniper rifle.

The scope of the rifle emitted a cold gleam, locking onto Ximen Wudi's throat!

A man in black stepped forward, holding the sniper rifle, his hooded head revealing only a pair of icy, merciless eyes.

"Strategist, our men lost track of you," the man said.

His voice was low and hoarse, sounding unnatural.

"No problem—you caught up with us now, didn't you?" Ximen Wudi squinted, sneering: "You're truly useless. I barely moved a little, and you lost me!"

"Apollo, it's not our fault," the black-clad man said: "We simply didn't anticipate your reinforcements."

As he spoke, he removed a round from his sniper rifle, dropped to one knee, and slammed it hard against the ground beside him!

Boom!

A high-explosive round detonated instantly, shrapnel splattering across Ximen Wudi's face, his left arm instantly drenched in blood!

Ximen Wudi instinctively released his grip on the strategist's slender waist; she tumbled onto the deck.

Ximen Wudi roared: "You bastards, you killed her!"

He struggled to his feet, lunging forward.

But the black-clad man didn't move immediately; he said: "Apollo, don't rush—your companion is fine."

"What? She's not dead?" Ximen Wudi heard hope and froze in place!

"Yes," the black-clad man added: "Her heart is still beating; she's not in immediate danger."

He holstered his sniper rifle, pulled out a medical kit, and tore open a roll of gauze.

He intended to dress Ximen Wudi's wound—otherwise, if he kept bleeding like this, he'd likely go into shock soon.

The strategist lay quietly on the ship's edge, watching the scene before her, her eyes filled with worry and anguish.

She wasn't skilled in treating such injuries and dared not touch Ximen Wudi's abdominal cavity.

"Strategist, thank you for saving me. Without you, tonight might not have unfolded like this," Ximen Wudi said, gazing at her exquisite profile.

In truth, had the strategist not appeared in time, Ximen Wudi would already be dead.

"It's what I should do," the strategist said.

She said no more.

"Strategist, my wound isn't serious—go capture that killer," Ximen Wudi said.

A cold, ruthless gleam flashed in his eyes.

Though Ximen Wudi appeared carefree on the surface, when he truly focused, the decisiveness and resolve he showed were enough to astonish everyone.

"Don't worry—I'll handle this," the strategist said.

Then she opened a bottle of mineral water, soaked a towel in it, and wiped the sweat from Ximen Wudi's skin.

The gesture seemed ordinary, yet to Ximen Wudi's eyes, it radiated tenderness—as if the entire world had grown warm.

"Strategist…" Ximen Wudi stared at her face, so close, so close; his Adam's apple bobbed twice: "I'm thirsty."

The military advisor's hand paused for a moment, then said, "Wait for me a moment."

Having said that, she turned and walked toward the ship's cabin.

"Military advisor, I…" Ximen Wudi opened his mouth, then hesitated.

"Don't say any more. All you need to do now is rest your wound properly." The military advisor said, "Your right calf was cut by a blade. Let me stitch it up for you, so it won't get infected and fester."

"Thank you." Ximen Wudi sighed softly. "Actually, my injury really isn't that serious."

He knew the military advisor was doing this entirely out of concern for him, but the more so it was, the less Ximen Wudi wanted to owe her too much of a favor.

"Shut your mouth. Don't let your thoughts run wild." The military advisor glared at Ximen Wudi.

However, because Ximen Wudi's injuries were quite severe, the military advisor did not let him sit on a chair, but had him half-squat on the ground.

Seeing this, Ximen Wudi gave a wry smile. "I think I'll never forget the way you just changed my bandages for the rest of my life."

This guy really had to bring up whichever pot wasn't boiling.

The military advisor's pretty face instantly flushed red. She glared at Ximen Wudi. "Don't talk nonsense! Otherwise I won't stitch you up."

This threat could be called quite formidable, impossible to resist at all.

Hearing this, Ximen Wudi awkwardly scratched the back of his head.

At this moment, the corner of his eye caught sight of the military advisor's shoulder.

At this instant, his gaze suddenly froze, and then thick shock and complexity welled up in his eyes!

Because…

This military uniform was unmistakably Ye Shuangjiang's clothing!.

Ximen Wudi could even smell the familiar fragrance lingering at the tip of his nose!

This fragrance was so refreshing and heartening! It made one feel incomparably comfortable!

He had once embraced Ye Shuangjiang beneath the night, and that familiar touch was so clear!

The military advisor was not lying—she really was Ye Shuangjiang!

This was the most genuine feeling!

"What's wrong?" The military advisor sensed something was off and turned her head to ask Ximen Wudi.

"I understand now." Ximen Wudi took a deep breath and said, "I finally understand why you chose this path. So it turns out this path is so arduous, and yet so intoxicating."