The next day, early morning.
Yan Jing, Ye Family Courtyard.
Ye Zheng, dressed in a tracksuit, was practicing Tai Chi in the courtyard.
Waking up at six, morning run, then practicing boxing – this was Ye Zheng’s habit.
For the past twenty years, he had not broken this routine, unless something exceptionally important happened.
In the courtyard, Ye Zheng’s boxing showed no hint of power, but his movements, perfectly synchronized with his breathing, created a special artistic conception.
"Hoo!"
At seven o’clock, Ye Zheng finished his moves. His pores relaxed, and sweat instantly surged out, turning into white mist that enveloped him, making him appear as if he were in an ethereal realm.
"Commander, Colonel Ye Feng is on the phone, requesting to speak with you."
Just then, a middle-aged man walked over, saluted, and reported to Ye Zheng.
He was Ye Zheng's secretary. All calls to the Ye Family Courtyard were first received by him. He would then consult Ye Zheng, and only after receiving Ye Zheng’s permission would the call be transferred to Ye Zheng’s secure red phone.
"Hmm."
Ye Zheng softly acknowledged and walked towards the study, the white mist around his body dissipating.
The secretary, meanwhile, quickly returned to his room and transferred the call.
After completing this, he dialed the front yard’s phone to inform the cook that Ye Zheng would be having breakfast a little later today.
On the other side, Ye Zheng returned to his study and sat at his desk. He first wiped the sweat from his face, then picked up the receiver of the red phone. "Xiao Feng, it's me."
"Grandpa, are you done with your workout?"
On the other end of the line, Ye Feng, still in Nan Gang, heard Ye Zheng's voice. He didn't immediately report last night's events.
As the eldest young master of the Ye family and a sharp blade meticulously cultivated by the military, he was highly valued by Ye Zheng. He was the only member of the younger generation who could visit the Ye Family Courtyard and see Ye Zheng at any time.
Over time, Ye Feng knew about Ye Zheng’s habit of morning exercises every day, even knowing the precise timing – he had called at exactly the right moment!
In fact, he had wanted to call Ye Zheng last night to report, but it was too late, and he feared disturbing Ye Zheng’s rest, so he had held back until this morning.
"Hmm, what's the situation in Nan Gang?"
Ye Zheng asked proactively.
He already had a general idea of what had happened in Nan Gang last night but was unaware of the specific details, including an answer he most wanted to know.
Ye Feng had been waiting to call Ye Zheng to report, and Ye Zheng had also been waiting for Ye Feng's call.
"Grandpa, last night..."
Ye Feng immediately recounted everything he had experienced and witnessed the previous night to Ye Zheng, not daring to conceal anything.
Even though a night had passed, his emotions and tone were still somewhat unusual as he reported.
This was especially true when he mentioned that Jiang Wuming was the Hall Master of the Zhan Long Hall and that he had fought two opponents alone, killing Jack and Nison!
The feeling was as if he still found it hard to accept this ironic and cruel reality!
"I understand."
After listening to the report, Ye Zheng remained silent for a few seconds before responding. His tone was very calm.
Even his expression was calm.
However, his heart was not.
Yes.
Even though he had made some guesses before, and had specifically sent Ye Feng to test Jiang Wuming to verify his suspicions, when those suspicions turned into reality, his heart felt like a tranquil lake into which a stone had been dropped, creating ripple after ripple.
At the age of twenty, ranked first on the Two-Star War God list, an invincible overlord who killed two-star War Gods as easily as slaughtering dogs!
With such an age and such strength, Jiang Wuming was enough to be unparalleled among the younger generation, even surpassing Jiang Zhan in his prime!
More importantly, the young man had once tried to contact the Ye family, but both Wang Hong, Ye Rui, and Ye Zheng had ruthlessly rejected him!
Even when the young man had injured Wang Zhisheng and stepped on Ye Rui in the East Sea, Ye Zheng had issued a stern warning: Jiang Wuming would never be allowed to step foot into the Ye family!
"Grand... Grandpa, you say he is only twenty years old, why is he so strong??"
Just as Ye Zheng's mind was filled with mixed emotions, Ye Feng spoke again, his tone filled with confusion.
Why?
Ye Zheng did not know, but his reason told him that Qi Wufu of the Martial Department should know this secret, which was why he had been unremittingly supporting the young man!
As soon as he realized this, a feeling of regret began to grow in Ye Zheng's heart.
When the young man's true identity and strength were revealed, and when certain truths surfaced, this leader of the military and the Ye family suddenly felt as if he and the Ye family had lost something very important.
If he hadn't been so resolute in rejecting the young man back then, could the young man have been of use to the Ye family?
Is there such a thing as "if" in this world?
Ye Zheng's expression turned grim as he ended the call. He then sat at his desk, staring at the ceiling and lost in thought, his mind wandering somewhere unknown.
...
At the same time.
Lin Mingyuan, the leader of the Martial Department’s Southern Region Military Command, and Zhu Jian, the Director of the Martial Department’s Enforcement Division, jointly arrived at the Martial Department’s Nan Gang Office.
"Commander, Director Zhu."
Wang Liang had brought people to wait in the courtyard early. Seeing their cars arrive, he immediately went to greet them. After they alighted, he politely greeted them. At the same time, he noticed Lin Mingyuan's ashen expression and felt a pang of unease!
Last night, such a major incident had occurred in Nan Gang, and not a single person from the Nan Gang Office of the Martial Department, including himself, had been present!
In fact, when Ye Feng called Wang Liang, Wang Liang had been vigorously engaged with two beautiful phoenixes.
This was serious dereliction of duty!
And now, not only had Lin Mingyuan come with Zhu Jian, but his face was also grim, which made Wang Liang feel deeply uneasy!
"Wang Liang, I'll skin you alive and send you to Loulan Ancient City. You are forbidden to leave for the rest of your life!"
Just as Wang Liang was feeling deeply uneasy, Lin Mingyuan let out a low growl, his words filled with boundless rage, as if he wanted to slap Wang Liang to death.
Yes.
At this moment, Lin Mingyuan felt like killing Wang Liang.
Originally, his son, Lin Xiao, had been severely derelict in his duty when he went to Qing Hong Mountain Villa to supervise Jiang Wuming’s battle with Tiger. He was dismissed from his post and sent to guard Loulan Ancient City. Lin Mingyuan had already been quite frustrated about this and was looking for a suitable opportunity to bring his son back.
However, before he could find a suitable opportunity, Wang Liang had caused him such trouble again!
Last night's incident was not only Wang Liang's personal dereliction of duty but also indicated a failure in the work of the Southern Region Military Command. It had also completely eliminated the possibility of Lin Mingyuan's son, Lin Xiao, returning.
Even Lin Mingyuan's future might be affected!
"Yes!"
Facing Lin Mingyuan's anger and punishment, Wang Liang did not try to defend himself. Instead, he accepted the order with a dejected expression.
Because he knew very well that with the Martial Department's influence, it would be easy to investigate everything he had done last night. Even if he shouted himself hoarse, it would be futile and could not change the outcome. Instead, it might further enrage Lin Mingyuan, leading to even more tragic consequences for him!
"General Lin, I have some questions for him."
Immediately after, just as Wang Liang was about to take off his work uniform for the Martial Department Office, Zhu Jian suddenly spoke.
Flash!
Flash!
Upon hearing Zhu Jian's words, both Wang Liang himself and Lin Mingyuan's expressions changed drastically!
"Alright, Director Zhu."
Lin Mingyuan felt some worry, but after a moment of consideration, he ultimately did not dare to prevent Zhu Jian from further investigating Wang Liang!
This was because Zhu Jian was not only the head of the Enforcement Division but also a direct disciple of Qi Wufu. He held a distinguished position and status within the Martial Department, earning him the moniker "Cold-Faced Yama"!
Lin Mingyuan would not offend Zhu Jian for the sake of a pawn!
...