The establishment ceremony for the five guardian squads was simple, concluding in just one hour.
After receiving their specially made Military Department Guardian Squad insignia, Jiang Wuming and the others solemnly swore an oath under the national flag, a passionate pledge.
Finally, Li Rui, the Chief of Staff, explained the rules for the competition among the five guardian squads: at the end of each year, relevant departments of the Military Department would collect and compile the mission completion status of each squad. Then, Military Department elders would convene to jointly research and score them, ranking them according to their performance.
After the establishment ceremony ended, Qi Wufu, Li Rui, and the others left the training ground. Jiang Wuming and the others dispersed and left on their own.
"Brother Wuming, you are not only noble in character but also courageous. I truly admire you," Ye Kunlun approached Jiang Wuming, his face full of admiration.
He was referring to Jiang Wuming's refusal of commendations and the assignment of a protector by the Military Department.
"Brother Kunlun flatters me," Jiang Wuming replied with a smile, appearing very humble.
"Brother Wuming, I have something I'd like to ask of you," Yuan He stepped forward and said to Jiang Wuming.
"You speak. As long as I can do it, I will do my best to help you," Jiang Wuming gave his assurance. He, Ye Kunlun, and Yuan He had faced life and death together in the genius group competition of the Global Martial Arts大会. Both had previously blocked attacks for him, giving him a chance to recover.
"Talk to the Marshal and have them transfer me. I want to join your Zhanlong Squad..." Yuan He said quickly.
However—
Before he could finish speaking, a furious roar suddenly sounded.
"Monk, I'll fucking kill you!!" Ye Kunlun grunted and lunged at Yuan He.
"Madman Wu, don't get excited... Damn it, you're actually hitting me!" Yuan He immediately bolted. However, due to the disparity in strength with Ye Kunlun, he was immediately grabbed by the scruff of his neck and lifted up.
"Madman Wu, you're forcibly keeping me in the Snow Mountain Squad. Isn't that too overbearing? Let me tell you, you can keep my person, but you can't keep my heart..."
"Slap!"
Ye Kunlun directly slapped Yuan He's bald head, cutting off his words of 'defection'. He then turned to Jiang Wuming and said, "Brother Wuming, I'll take this disgrace of a monk and leave first. We'll meet again soon!"
As he finished speaking, Ye Kunlun, carrying Yuan He, quickly left the training ground, as if staying another second would be more embarrassing.
At the same time, Gu Tianlong also left with the members of the Dragon God Squad. Today, his attempt to reap benefits had backfired, and he had once again brought humiliation upon himself and caused his subordinates to doubt him, naturally making him unwilling to linger.
As for the Central Domain Legion Guardian Squad, Wang Tuo, with Yang Lin, came before Jiang Wuming and said, "Brother Wuming, we're leaving too. We'll meet again soon!"
"Captain Wang, Brother Yang, goodbye!" Jiang Wuming bid farewell to Wang Tuo and Yang Lin.
It is better to resolve enmities than to foster them.
Wang Tuo had given Jiang Wuming a satisfactory explanation today, so Jiang Wuming naturally wouldn't hold Lin Xiao's matter against Wang Tuo anymore.
Wang Tuo and Yang Lin said nothing further and directly left with Lin Xiao, An Lutou, and Mo Ling.
Among them, Mo Ling looked at Jiang Wuming playfully as she left, her thoughts unclear.
"Jiang Wuming, everything I did during the genius group competition of the Global Martial Arts大会 was in execution of orders and prioritizing the bigger picture. It does not mean our grievances are settled!" Ye Feng suddenly appeared before Jiang Wuming, his expression serious, and said.
"You came to me just to say this?"
Taken aback by Ye Feng's words, Jiang Wuming was a bit bewildered. Like Ye Kunlun and Yuan He, Ye Feng had also helped Jiang Wuming by blocking an attack in the genius group competition of the Global Martial Arts大会, and later jointly dealt with criminals on the island with Jiang Wuming and others. They too had faced life and death together. At this moment, Ye Feng's deliberate explanation of that day's events confused Jiang Wuming.
"Don't you think we should clarify things?" Ye Feng frowned and looked at Jiang Wuming.
"If you think it's necessary, I don't mind. However, I think you're much better than Ye Rui," Jiang Wuming said after some thought.
"Since you're evaluating me, I'll give you a piece of advice as well. I believe refusing a protector is an extremely foolish thing to do. Perhaps you think your strength is great enough to lead your squad to complete missions smoothly, but can you guarantee the safety of every member of your squad with 100% certainty? An outstanding captain not only needs to complete the missions assigned by superiors smoothly but also bring every brother back alive, even preventing them from getting injured!" Ye Feng stated solemnly.
"Putting aside our grievances, you are an excellent captain," Jiang Wuming said sincerely. Although the grievances between him and the Ye family were complex, putting those aside, Ye Feng possessed qualities that he admired, such as a soldier's loyalty and bravery, and the responsibility and commitment of a special forces captain!
Facing Jiang Wuming's praise, Ye Feng was again stunned.
"Oh right, give me your grandfather's phone number," Jiang Wuming suddenly said.
"What do you want my grandfather's phone number for?" Ye Feng asked warily.
"I need to talk to him about something. Before meeting him, I want to call and make an appointment. After all, he holds a high position, and his time is precious," Jiang Wuming replied.
Ye Feng stared at Jiang Wuming for a few seconds, then finally gave Ye Zheng's phone number to Jiang Wuming before leaving with the members of the Blade Squad.
Jiang Wuming noted down the number and then said to Qin Xiaozhi, "Xiaozhi, take Xiaoyao and Weixia with you to visit Auntie with Xingtian."
"Boss, I just went with you not long ago. I won't go this time," Xingtian said before Qin Xiaozhi could answer.
"Boss just said he's going to talk to Ye Zheng about something. We don't have anything to do anyway, so let's go with you," Qin Xiaozhi said.
"Go ahead. It's rare to have this opportunity, and it might not be this free in the future," Jiang Wuming patted Xingtian on the back. After he learned the secrets concerning extraterrestrial enemies from his senior brother, he had a premonition: the world would not be peaceful in the future!
...
At six o'clock in the afternoon, Jiang Wuming arrived at the Ye family courtyard. This was the time he had agreed upon with Ye Zheng. Ye Zheng had attended a meeting in the afternoon, which concluded at five o'clock.
"I didn't expect you to approach me proactively. At the same time, I'm also very curious, what do you want from me?" In the study within the inner courtyard of the Ye family, Ye Zheng, dressed in military uniform, sat at his desk and looked at Jiang Wuming with interest.
"I need your help with something," Jiang Wuming stated directly.
"You need my help?" Ye Zheng's brows showed a hint of surprise. "You are now the darling of the Military Department, the apple of Qi Wufu's eye. Is there anything he can't handle that you need my help with?"
"From what I know, the Military Department's research department has developed sniper rifles and bullets specifically for extraterrestrial enemies. Among the Blade Squad, where Ye Feng belongs, there is a member who was once an ace sniper in the Zhanlong Special Forces. The Military Department should equip him with a special sniper rifle and bullets. Can you give us a Zhanlong Squad one as well?" Jiang Wuming didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point.
"You're quite well-informed," Ye Zheng smiled slightly and said, "Due to material limitations, only three special sniper rifles and six hundred rounds of ammunition have been produced so far. I can give you one special sniper rifle and one hundred rounds of ammunition, but you need to give me a reason to do so."
"Since I didn't approach Marshal Qi Wufu and came directly to you, I've taken this into consideration. You name your terms," Jiang Wuming said.
"Ye Feng's transition from the Military Department to the Military Department will not be smooth in the future. If he encounters trouble later, you help him," Ye Zheng stated his condition.
"Alright!" Jiang Wuming agreed readily.
Huh?
Ye Zheng was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected Jiang Wuming to agree so readily. The exchange conditions were not symmetrical, and the Ye family was gaining the advantage! He didn't know the significance of that special sniper rifle to Qin Xiaozhi, nor could he understand Jiang Wuming's brotherhood with Qin Xiaozhi.
"Then it's settled. You go back first, and I will arrange for someone to deliver the sniper rifle and ammunition to you later," Ye Zheng said after a brief moment of stunned silence.
"Okay," Jiang Wuming nodded but did not immediately get up.
"Is there anything else?" Ye Zheng's heart stirred. Based on his understanding of Jiang Wuming, after reaching a deal, Jiang Wuming should have left immediately.
"The matter that follows is unrelated to what we just discussed. You can choose to answer or not answer," Jiang Wuming pondered for a moment and asked, "Years ago, after my father massacred the Zhao family and avenged my mother, he never left Loulan Ancient City. I was sent to the Su family. The person who sent me to the Su family wore a ghost mask. Do you know his identity?"
...