Ye Longlin's gaze, filled with chilling intent, sent a wave of cold through all three of them.
Yuan Gang and Xuan Niao felt a jolt of unease. Their leader was truly angry. Yet, they knew he had only stepped out for a stroll to clear his head, only to become even more agitated.
What was going on?
And what was the situation here?
"Little one, it's alright now. They won't hurt you anymore."
Ignoring the others, Ye Longlin crouched down and helped Xiaoxiao up. Sensing instability without being able to stand, he crouched lower.
"Big Brother!!"
Xiaoxiao was overjoyed, having never expected her Big Brother to be alright. In her young world, anyone who opposed Zhao Wuji had vanished. She truly hadn't imagined her Big Brother would still be here.
"Mm, let's go to the hospital to get Xiaoxiao's eyes checked. No one will bully Xiaoxiao anymore."
Ye Longlin stroked Xiaoxiao's head, his tone incredibly gentle, a stark contrast to the fury that had led him to kill everyone moments before. Zhao Wuji was the only one left alive, and barely clinging to life.
Xiaoxiao trembled, shaking her head vigorously. "Xiaoxiao won't go. Brother, Xiaoxiao will be taken back by them. Xiaoxiao is afraid of pain, Xiaoxiao won't run."
People eventually break under prolonged strain, let alone a child enduring such a den of wolves.
Ye Longlin sighed, a powerful killing intent flaring in his eyes.
Mu Hanqi seemed to grasp something as well. Suppressing her discomfort, she approached Xiaoxiao. "Your name is Xiaoxiao? Xiaoxiao, sister will tell you something. From now on, you can leave. Sister and Brother will help Xiaoxiao find her mom and dad. Don't you want to go back to your parents? Don't worry, your Brother Zhao will face legal consequences. The police will find him, okay? Xiaoxiao is very dirty, so you need a good bath, and then you wait obediently for Mom and Dad to pick you up, alright?"
Ye Longlin looked at Mu Hanqi with newfound admiration, clearly surprised by her ability to withstand the grim scene.
Hearing the stranger's voice, Xiaoxiao wasn't frightened. Instead, with childlike innocence, she asked, "Sister, will Mom and Dad really not dislike Xiaoxiao? Xiaoxiao can't see anymore..."
Mu Hanqi's heart ached. She gently pinched Xiaoxiao's cheek. "No, Mom and Dad will definitely come for you. Xiaoxiao, don't worry. But before you see them, Xiaoxiao needs to cooperate with the doctor for a check-up, okay?"
"Mmm, Xiaoxiao will be good. Xiaoxiao definitely won't run away."
Such understanding was more heart-wrenching than Fang Cunxin's.
Speaking of Fang Cunxin, he wondered how she was doing.
Xuan Niao had sent Fang Cunxin to the military, strictly adhering to its schedule.
"Yuan Gang, Xuan Niao, take Xiaoxiao to the hospital for a check-up. Also, regarding Zhao Wuji, Yuan Gang, you will personally contact the Dragon Guard Bureau and relevant departments, as well as the Association, to form a special task force. Tomorrow, I want to know everything Zhao Wuji knows."
Ye Longlin issued his orders directly, showing no leniency for such matters.
"Yes!"
Yuan Gang and Xuan Niao nodded, drove Xiaoxiao to the hospital, and then Yuan Gang immediately headed to the Dragon Guard Bureau, simultaneously notifying relevant departments and the Association for a meeting.
Meanwhile, Mu Hanqi waited with Ye Longlin for the Dragon Guard to arrive and clear the scene.
"Aren't you afraid?"
Ye Longlin turned to Mu Hanqi, lighting a cigarette.
The scene was bloody, the melting snow stained with crimson. The entire area resembled hell.
Mu Hanqi nodded honestly. "I am afraid. I might have nightmares tonight. But..."
She paused, her eyes gleaming as she continued, "I had already anticipated this scene. As you said, you are a soldier, a soldier with great power. This is your duty. Since I chose you, I knew the road ahead would be arduous. Perhaps I'll face a bloody disaster myself, perhaps I'll become someone's hostage to threaten you. But I was prepared for all of this. If that day ever comes, Ye Longlin, please rest assured, I will die before you. We protect the nation before our families, right?"
In that moment, Mu Hanqi shone like the brightest star in the night sky, deeply touching the most tender part of Ye Longlin's heart.
He opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Smoke enveloped him, obscuring his gaze.
Shortly after, the Dragon Guard arrived. Ye Longlin and Mu Hanqi then walked up the small path, continuing their journey home.
Perhaps even he hadn't expected to encounter such a situation while simply taking a stroll.
"Ye Longlin, are you even listening to me?"
Seeing Ye Longlin's silence, Mu Hanqi couldn't help but ask. She quickened her pace, walked ahead of him, turned her back to the path, faced Ye Longlin, and tilted her head, looking at him with clear dissatisfaction.
Ye Longlin sighed helplessly and gently ruffled Mu Hanqi's hair, saying nothing.
Mu Hanqi knew he was unhappy. She didn't press him further, instead interlocked her large hand with his, fingers intertwined, before contentedly heading home.
Upon returning to Cloudtop Palace, Ye Longlin looked at the incident report while opening another document.
"The captured war criminals this time amount to approximately fifty. According to the Dragon Pavilion's nationwide arrests of S-class war criminals, only five or ten remain at large. Exactly fifty individuals. After these fifty, there are only three hundred SS-class and ninety-nine SSS-class war criminals left. These individuals are difficult to deal with. The SSS-class criminals are particularly troublesome. These ninety-nine people are all extremely wicked and heinous. None are innocent, and none are pushovers. With our current strength, capturing them will be very difficult."
Ye Longlin frowned. He knew his own condition well. In his prime, he wouldn't fear a pack of war criminals; he could crush them with one foot. The trouble was that he was still recovering from the injuries sustained in a previous battle and couldn't exert his full strength.
Putting down the documents, Ye Longlin rubbed his temples. Returning to his room, he opened the door to find Mu Hanqi sprawled on the bed, skillfully juggling snacks and a tablet, engrossed in a drama.
Ye Longlin's expression darkened instantly. He looked at her exasperatedly. "What are you doing in my bed? Go back to your own room!"
Mu Hanqi pouted stubbornly. "I won't. I'm going to have nightmares. I told you, I only feel safe when I'm by your side!"
Ye Longlin: "......"