The old man's words caused Chu Tianxiong's breath to hitch.
"You, you call him heaven? How is that possible?!"
Even as a Lieutenant General, Chu Tianxiong found these words hard to believe.
A mere Qingcheng had attracted such a significant figure, and as the commander of the Jicheng War Department, he was completely unaware.
"Are you mistaken?"
Chu Tianxiong collected himself, deeming it impossible.
If such a powerful individual had indeed gone to Qingcheng, no information would have leaked.
"Are you questioning my words?"
The aged voice held a hint of anger as it warned, "Chu Tianxiong, you know better than I do how the Jicheng War Department has fared under your command these past few years."
"I warn you, do not cause unnecessary trouble for me, or else—I can replace you at any time!"
Hearing this, Chu Tianxiong broke out in a cold sweat.
"You honor me with your concern. Tianxiong will certainly heed your words."
Chu Tianxiong quickly sought to appease the elder.
"It's best if you understand. Remember my words, he must not be harmed!"
With that, the call was disconnected.
Chu Tianxiong's expression was a mixture of emotions, his heart unsettled.
The elder had actually warned him against causing trouble because of someone in Qingcheng.
This had never happened in the past few years, indicating the person's extraordinary status.
However, Qi Xian was his subordinate, and if he didn't avenge him, he couldn't explain himself to Bai Qingming and the others.
"This is truly difficult."
Chu Tianxiong paced the conference room, contemplating a solution.
Just as he was at a loss, Bai Qingming returned.
"General Chu, good news!"
Bai Qingming approached Chu Tianxiong and reported, "That person's name is Ye Kunlun. After killing Qi Xian, he caused a disturbance at the Ye family in Qingcheng, injuring Qi Sisi!"
"Qi Sisi?" Chu Tianxiong exclaimed in surprise. "She's a Heavenly-ranked expert, and even she was injured by that person?"
Bai Qingming nodded and continued, "Furthermore, the Qi family has issued a bounty of one billion for his head. I heard that Blood Shadow Tower has accepted the mission."
As a Lieutenant General of the War Department, Chu Tianxiong had heard of Blood Shadow Tower, and his surprise deepened.
He confirmed with Bai Qingming, "You mean the largest and most mysterious assassin intelligence organization in the world, Blood Shadow Tower?"
"That's right," Bai Qingming replied. "I imagine we won't need to act. Blood Shadow Tower will kill him and avenge Qi Xian!"
"It would be best if Blood Shadow Tower could eliminate him. But what if they cannot?" Chu Tianxiong narrowed his eyes, looking at Bai Qingming.
Bai Qingming's expression stiffened, taken aback by Chu Tianxiong's question.
He quickly replied, "General Chu, to my knowledge, unless they refuse a mission, Blood Shadow Tower has never failed an accepted one."
Chu Tianxiong finally relaxed. "Please convey to Qi Jinsheng that if Blood Shadow Tower can kill that person, our Jicheng War Department will surely present him with a grand gift."
"General Chu, Qi Xian is Qi Jinsheng's brother. Since something happened to him, shouldn't our War Department show some consideration?"
Bai Qingming lowered his voice and said into Chu Tianxiong's ear, "Have you forgotten? Although the two from the Qi family are Five-star Major Generals, they remain by the side of that important person."
Chu Tianxiong's body trembled; he had almost forgotten this matter.
He gave Bai Qingming a deep look and heavily patted his shoulder, "Qingming, make the arrangements. I will personally visit the Qi family."
"Your subordinate will make the arrangements now."
Bai Qingming hurried out of the conference room.
Meanwhile, in Gao Hai's rest area.
He picked up a bottle of Erguotou from the table and gulped down two mouthfuls.
In the blink of an eye, the bottle was empty.
"Damn it, this is so frustrating! Qi Xian was killed, and I'm burning with anger. It's truly unbearable!"
Wang Hongxin, who followed him in, looked at Gao Hai cursing and said, "I know you're unhappy, but General Chu has his own considerations."
"I think General Chu has been in this position for too long and has lost his fiery spirit!"
Perhaps due to the alcohol, Gao Hai spoke somewhat carelessly, covering his mouth.
Wang Hongxin's expression changed slightly, and he punched him. "Are you crazy! Talking about General Chu like that behind his back!"
"Am I wrong?" Gao Hai said unhappily. "What kind of person is Bai Qingming? General Chu entrusts everything to him. Wasn't Qi Xian our brother?"
As he spoke, Gao Hai smashed the bottle in his hand.
Wang Hongxin smiled. "There's nothing we can do, who made us two rough men."
"In my opinion, General Chu simply wants Bai Qingming to avenge Qi Xian and give him the credit."
Gao Hai slumped into a chair and continued, "Once he achieves this merit, Qi Xian's men will be loyal to Bai Qingming, and then he can completely step over us."
"No, we can't let this kid Bai Qingming steal the credit!"
Upon realizing this, Gao Hai could no longer sit still.
"We must join forces and avenge Qi Xian before him," Gao Hai said, staring at Wang Hongxin. "The sooner the better."
Wang Hongxin frowned. "General Chu has already ordered us not to act rashly. Do you want to disobey the order?"
"As long as we achieve merit, what does it matter if we disobey the order?" Gao Hai's eyes gleamed with excitement.
Wang Hongxin shook his head and rubbed his bald head. "If you want to go, go by yourself. I won't. Of course, I'll keep your secret!"
"Coward!" Gao Hai spat and cursed. "You all claim to be Qi Xian's brothers, yet you're all more cowardly than the next."
"Gao Hai, I advise you not to be impulsive. Since Bai Qingming wants to earn merit, let him. Even if he steps over us, what's the big deal? It won't cost us anything!"
Wang Hongxin avoided Gao Hai's gaze and advised him again.
Wang Hongxin's dissuasion only made Gao Hai scoff, strengthening his resolve to act quickly.
"I will act tonight."
Gao Hai glanced at the time. "It's my turn to be on duty tonight. I'll take a hundred men, four armored vehicles, carrying four rocket launchers. I don't believe we can't finish him."
Wang Hongxin stopped persuading him and said, "I'll help you cover your tracks. I hope you can avenge Qi Xian successfully."
"Hmph, just wait for my good news!" Gao Hai's eyes shone with excitement.
Late at night.
Under Wang Hongxin's cover, Gao Hai quietly led his troops away from the Jicheng War Department and set off for Qingcheng.
It takes five hours to drive from Jicheng to Qingcheng.
Before 5:30 AM, as the sky was just beginning to lighten, the Qingcheng War Department received news of people from the Jicheng War Department entering Qingcheng.
The command center of the Qingcheng War Department was brightly lit.
"Commander, should we intercept them?" someone asked.
"The Jicheng War Department is too presumptuous. Without a war department order, they repeatedly bring troops into Qingcheng privately. They are simply lawless!"
Commander Cheng Da's face was filled with anger. "They simply don't regard our Qingcheng War Department in their eyes."
At the same time, he recalled the instructions given by Nalan Mingyue before she left, asking him to take care of Ye Kunlun.
Initially, Cheng Da had not taken Ye Kunlun seriously.
But when he learned that Ye Kunlun had killed Qi Xian and had forced back the people from the Jicheng War Department, his opinion changed.
Especially since Ye Kunlun resided in Zifeng Villa, the former residence of a certain prominent figure!
This struck a chord within him.
A moment later, Cheng Da made his decision.
He gave a command, "The army, march!"
"At all costs, stop the people from the Jicheng War Department!"