At noon.
War God Pharmaceutical Research Institute.
The weekly meeting ended, and Li Lianyi left the conference room and returned to her office.
Since Li Lianyi established the War God Pharmaceutical Research Institute, she never brought her mobile phone when attending meetings or going to the laboratory.
This time was no exception.
After returning to her office, she sat at her desk. Before she could even take a sip of water, she pulled open a drawer, took out her phone, and quickly turned it on.
The reason for her haste was that before attending the meeting, she had heard the voices of doubt and opposition in the court and the public regarding the promotion of Jiang Wuming and Qin Xiaozhi by the Ministry of War.
With her intelligence, she realized that this matter was not simple and that someone was orchestrating it from behind the scenes.
At this moment, she wanted to know the progress of the situation.
"Buzz~"
Immediately, the sound of the phone vibrating echoed.
Li Lianyi looked closely and found a missed call from her grandfather, Li Guyi.
In addition to that, there was a message from Jiang Wuming: "I will arrive at Hanghu this afternoon. Shall we have dinner together tonight?"
Is everything okay?
Seeing Jiang Wuming's message, Li Lianyi secretly asked herself, but she did not inquire about the promotion. She simply replied with a "good."
After doing so, she then dialed her grandfather Li Guyi's number.
"Grandpa, I was in a meeting all morning and didn't bring my phone," Li Lianyi said as soon as the call was connected.
"I saw you didn't answer, so I guessed you were in a meeting and didn't call again," Li Guyi replied.
"Grandpa, what did you find out?" Li Lianyi asked quickly.
"Alas... Lianyi, perhaps your prediction has come true," Li Guyi said, sighing before answering immediately.
Swish!
Hearing her grandfather's words, Li Lianyi's expression changed.
After the news of the Ministry of War commendation conference spread, the world believed that Jiang Wuming would become the future Marshal of the Ministry of War.
Even Li Guyi was no exception!
However, Li Lianyi was worried at the time and shared her concerns with Li Guyi: she feared a tragedy would repeat itself.
"This morning, I called Qi Wufu to inquire about the situation. Qi Wufu told me that Long Shengzhe supported Wuming because he mistakenly believed Wuming could regain youth through secret techniques and wanted Wuming to extend his lifespan, but he failed to achieve his goal. During Wuming's meeting with Long Shengzhe, he mentioned the agreement between his father Jiang Zhan and Long Shengzhe back then, leading to some unpleasantness. Then, voices of opposition emerged in the court..."
Li Guyi truthfully told Li Lianyi what he had learned from Qi Wufu.
However—
Before he could finish speaking, Li Lianyi had already seen through the truth: "So, Long Shengzhe felt offended by Wuming and orchestrated all of this from behind the scenes?"
"Whether Long Shengzhe orchestrated it is hard to say, but he at least tacitly approved it, otherwise, no one would dare to speak out," Li Guyi replied.
"Grandpa, what exactly do they want to do?" Li Lianyi asked, frowning.
"Kill the chicken to scare the monkeys, cancel Qin Xiaozhi's promotion, warn Wuming, and make Wuming fearful and loyal," Li Guyi answered.
"Heh, they are truly naive to think Wuming is like Uncle Jiang! Back then, Uncle Jiang cared about Wuming's safety and considered the overall situation, so they didn't realize their own mistakes!"
Li Lianyi raised her eyebrows, showing a rare hint of anger. "Now, to use the same tactics from back then against Wuming is simply playing with fire!"
"Lianyi, what do you mean?"
Hearing this, Li Guyi's heart stirred, but he dared not be certain.
"Although he joined the Ministry of War, to a large extent, he was influenced by Uncle Jiang and Aunt Ye, but he has never been loyal to anyone or any department from beginning to end—he has simply inherited his parents' legacy and is completing their unfinished mission, guarding this country and his compatriots living on their homeland with blood and life!"
The girl's mind flashed with the image of the young man, and she said softly:
"All along, there has been a thorn in his heart. That thorn is the death of his mother, foster father, and others, as well as the fact that his father was confined to Loulan Ancient City for twelve years, making it a luxury even to see his father.
Although I don't know what he said and what happened when he met Long Shengzhe, I can be sure that Long Shengzhe did not help him remove the thorn in his heart; instead, he made the thorn dig deeper.
Now, Long Shengzhe wants to kill the chicken to scare the monkeys and warn Wuming, which will make that thorn pierce his heart completely and forever, and may even force him to leave the Ministry of War!"
"That serious?"
After listening to his granddaughter's words, Li Guyi's expression changed drastically.
"Grandpa, a person who, to protect a sister he wasn't related to by blood, was fearless in opposing the Ministry of War, a person who dared to challenge the world's strongest martial arts organization, the War God Hall, at the Global Martial Arts Championship—do you think he would fear so-called power?!" Li Lianyi retorted.
Li Guyi remained silent for a few seconds before saying, "Lianyi, I suggest you go talk to him and tell him not to act impulsively."
"Grandpa, I'll go see him in a bit, but I won't talk to him about this matter, or rather, I won't give him any advice on this matter," Li Lianyi said.
"Then what are you going to see him for?" Li Guyi asked subconsciously.
"To be with him."
The girl uttered the four words that had once shocked Li Guyi, then added, "No matter what decision he makes."
Li Guyi fell silent again.
The girl hung up the phone, stood up, and left the office.
...
At two o'clock in the afternoon.
Jiang Wuming, along with the entire Dragon Guard team, returned to the training base located in Hanghu.
"There will be no training today. Everyone can rest well," Jiang Wuming arranged after getting out of the car.
"Captain, I heard that many people in the court are questioning and opposing your and Xiaozhi Ge's promotions. Is this true?" Huangfu Weixia hesitated before speaking.
She had received a call from her father after getting off the plane and learned about this matter.
With her straightforward personality, she couldn't keep things to herself and finally couldn't hold back any longer.
Hearing Huangfu Weixia's words, Xing Tian and Dongfang Xiaoyao both looked at Jiang Wuming, but Qin Xiaozhi did not.
"I heard about it. Don't pay attention to this news," Jiang Wuming said. He glanced at Qin Xiaozhi, noticed his unusual expression, and recalled that Qin Xiaozhi had also received a phone call after deplaning, which was quite long.
Sensing Jiang Wuming's gaze, Qin Xiaozhi thought for a moment and said, "Captain, I want to have a word with you."
"Okay," Jiang Wuming nodded, then walked towards the outside of the training base with Qin Xiaozhi.
"Did Grandpa Qin call to tell you about the voices questioning and opposing our promotions?" Jiang Wuming asked first after they left the base.
"Yes," Qin Xiaozhi nodded.
"Brother Zhi, as I said before, don't pay any attention to it," Jiang Wuming said.
"Boss, I want to voluntarily apply to withdraw my promotion," Qin Xiaozhi suddenly stopped and said.
"Uh..." Jiang Wuming was slightly stunned, his pupils suddenly widened, and he subconsciously asked, "Why?"
"I believe my abilities and qualifications are not sufficient to hold the promoted positions," Qin Xiaozhi said.
"Brother Zhi, we are brothers. You know me, and I know you," Jiang Wuming looked directly at Qin Xiaozhi and said softly, "Tell me the truth, what's going on?"
"Because the voices questioning and opposing us are too loud, and to quell the matter, the higher-ups have decided to cancel my promotion," Qin Xiaozhi sighed. He had learned all this from Qin Yuanzheng and also knew that Jiang Wuming was not yet aware of it. Qin Yuanzheng had called him not only to inform him of this matter but also to persuade him to give up the promotion and avoid affecting Jiang Wuming.
"Higher-ups? Are you referring to Long Shengzhe?!" Jiang Wuming raised his eyebrows, immediately realizing something.
"Yes," Qin Xiaozhi nodded again.
"The Marshal and the Ministry of War accepted Long Shengzhe's decision?!" Jiang Wuming narrowed his eyes.
"My grandfather said that the Marshal and the Chief of Staff were very annoyed but were powerless. Because the people above mentioned that I had changed too much since joining the Ministry of War, had stayed abroad for several years, and had joined the Dragon Guard, my identity was questionable..." Qin Xiaozhi replied.
However—
Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Wuming took out his phone to call Qi Wufu's private number.
"Boss, don't go looking for the Marshal. I think he must have done his best," Qin Xiaozhi stopped Jiang Wuming, then smiled slightly, "It doesn't matter if I get promoted or not, as long as you get promoted. Anyway, I'm following you."
"Brother Zhi, you know that I don't care about positions at all. The Dragon Guard team's effort to strive for the number one ranking in the Guard Squad has only one purpose: to help you achieve your wish and become a staff officer in the Ministry of War!" Jiang Wuming said with a deep voice.
"I know," Qin Xiaozhi's heart trembled slightly, and he nodded heavily.
"I told the Marshal to retain your promotion and cancel mine," Jiang Wuming stated his plan.
"Boss, that's impossible," Qin Xiaozhi took a deep breath and regained his composure. "You are the banner of the younger generation in the global martial arts world, a hero of the Ministry of War and Long Country. If even you cannot be promoted, how can I?"
Hearing Qin Xiaozhi's words again, Jiang Wuming's brow furrowed even tighter.
"Boss, actually, my real wish is not to become a staff officer in the Ministry of War, but to stand behind you and share some of your burdens. I believe you will definitely become the Marshal of the Ministry of War, which is why I have this wish for a staff officer," Qin Xiaozhi revealed his true feelings, then added, "Boss, I really don't care about this promotion, nor about the future position of staff officer in the Ministry of War."
"I care!" Jiang Wuming spoke again, his tone resolute.
"Back then, when I decided to form the Dragon Guard team and participate in the competition, the purpose was to help you achieve your wish. This was my original intention! Now, after fighting several battles with you all, there are more reasons to fight against the extraterrestrial enemies, but this does not mean that certain people can go back on their word—they are going too far!"
As his words fell, Jiang Wuming sensed a car approaching. He felt Li Lianyi's presence, but he did not look towards the approaching car, nor did he wait for Qin Xiaozhi to say anything more. He directly took out his phone and dialed Qi Wufu's number.
"Marshal, if Long Shengzhe cancels Brother Zhi's promotion because I offended him, I will lead the entire Dragon Guard team to withdraw from the Ministry of War!" When the call connected, Jiang Wuming spoke first, his tone decisive.
"Wuming, don't be impulsive for now..." Soon, Li Rui's voice came from the phone. He was with Qi Wufu.
"Reporting, the entire Dragon Guard team is taking a break and recovering from injuries starting today. The date of return to combat is yet to be determined!" The young man interrupted coldly.
After speaking, without waiting for Li Rui to reply, he hung up the phone and then dialed the number of Tian Long Dao Ren.
"Miss home?"
"Yes."
"Then come back."
"Okay."
As the words fell, the car stopped. The girl stopped her car in front of the young man. The young man looked at the girl, "Do you want to come home with me?"
"Yes." The girl smiled and nodded, her smile as bright as a blooming flower. She had been waiting for this day for a long time!
...