"Will that Wan Yunting go back to the Wuliang Taoist Temple again?" Qi Xiu guessed.
"It's possible," Senior Brother Wu, Qin Yuan, said.
"Master, should we go and check the Wuliang Taoist Temple?"
Qi Xiu asked his master, Zhong Yulong, who was sitting cross-legged on a futon in front of the coffee table.
"Forget it."
Xian Yun said, "Even if we go and find Wan Yunting, if he doesn't hand over the Snow Mountain Sect's martial arts secret manuals, we can't do anything to him."
Qi Xiu said, "Even if we don't make a move, other sects will!"
Xu Yuxin waved her hand and said, "We can't control other sects."
Zhong Yulong, who had been closing his eyes, opened them and said calmly, "Alright, all of you go back and rest."
Xian Yun, Qi Xiu, and the other disciples bowed and left Zhong Yulong's residence.
At this moment, an old mobile phone on the coffee table rang. Zhong Yulong picked it up and saw it was a call from Zhang Xuanliang, the sect leader of Longhu Mountain. He answered, "Brother Xuanliang, you're still not resting so late?"
Zhang Xuanliang from Longhu Mountain on the other end laughed, "No, Brother Yulong, you haven't rested either."
Zhong Yulong, who had stood up, walked out of the room and onto the balcony. He saw the night mist swirling around the mountains on Wudang Mountain. The hazy night scene looked beautiful, but Zhong Yulong had no mood to appreciate it. He sighed and said, "Because of Wan Yunting's matter, how can I sleep?"
Zhang Xuanliang paused and said, "Has your disciple made any progress?"
"She came back today," Zhong Yulong said.
Zhang Xuanliang nodded and said, "Brother Yulong, let's put Wan Yunting's matter aside for now. I need to tell you something important next!"
Sensing his serious tone, Zhong Yulong said, "Brother Xuanliang, please speak."
Zhang Xuanliang said, "Today, our Longhu Mountain disciples were out and discovered traces of the Demonic Sect in the Shu region!"
"The Demonic Sect?"
Zhong Yulong's expression changed, and he said in surprise, "How can people from the Demonic Sect appear? Wasn't the Demonic Sect eradicated during the crackdown on evil cults back then?"
Zhang Xuanliang said, "Perhaps there were some who escaped back then."
Zhong Yulong frowned slightly and asked, "Do you know their current strength?"
Zhang Xuanliang said, "We don't know for sure yet, but we still need to be careful. We should gather everyone to discuss it. After all, the Demonic Sect's demonic arts are special and reproduce very quickly. After so many years, I think their developed forces should not be weak. Now that they are hidden in various places discreetly, it will be very difficult for us to eliminate them."
Zhong Yulong nodded and said, "Then notify the people from other sects and convene a meeting to discuss it."
"Then that's it for now. We'll discuss it in detail at the meeting."
"Okay, Brother Xuanliang. Get some rest early, and I'll see you then..."
After finishing the call, the appearance of the Demonic Sect made Zhong Yulong raise his eyebrows. He couldn't believe that the Demonic Sect, which was eradicated last century, had actually revived.
"Could it be that the Demonic Pool of the Demonic Sect is about to appear?"
Suddenly, Zhong Yulong's old eyes flashed with two sharp beams as he muttered to himself...
Time went back to Wan Yunting's side. After more than ten hours, the plane finally landed at the capital airport of Mali.
A brief introduction to Mali: It is a landlocked country in West Africa, bordering Algeria to the north, Niger to the east, Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire to the south, Guinea to the southwest, and Mauritania and Senegal to the west. It is the second-largest country in West Africa by area.
Its northern border is in the center of the Sahara Desert, with most of the population concentrated in the south, where the Senegal River originates. 2% of Mali's land area is arable, and 80% of its labor force works in agriculture.
Mali is one of the least developed countries in the world, with almost no industry. Apart from a few enterprises such as sugar, cotton and textiles, beer and beverages, and brick and tile manufacturing, Mali has almost no decent industries.
More than a decade ago, Mali began to experience military unrest, followed by a military coup. Attacks by extremist organizations on Mali's armed forces caused serious civilian casualties. Later, there were many secessionist and terrorist activities, so China dispatched peacekeeping forces to Mali.
As of now, it is the seventh batch of Chinese troops to enter Mali. The peacekeeping force is stationed in the peacekeeping mission area, located in Gao, a major town in eastern Mali, which is also the eastern theater of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali.
This is a transportation hub in West Africa and a necessary route for terrorists to infiltrate the Malian capital, Bamako. The security situation is extremely severe.
"Phew, we're finally here."
Zhao Peng and Zhang Guoyuan looked at the plane slowly landing at the airport. Although they knew that coming to Mali this time was fraught with danger, they were still full of anticipation for the unknown.
"Bamako is safe. The Red Devil virus outbreak is in a northern Niger town a hundred kilometers away," they said while disembarking with the troops.
At the same time, at the airport, the Commander-in-Chief of the Chinese Peacekeeping Force, He Yongchang, personally came to greet them. Nie Xiaoyu and several other non-commissioned officers went up to report the number of troops that had arrived and introduced Huang Hongying and the others to He Yongchang.
"Director Huang, Deputy Director Lin, Professor Huang, you've had a long journey."
He Yongchang, with his dark skin, warmly shook hands with Huang Hongying and the others and said with a smile, "We have prepared accommodations for you. Let's head to headquarters first. We will discuss the specific matters at a meeting later."
"Yes, Commander," Huang Hongying nodded.
Long Xingyu and Zheng Xuelan behind them stepped forward to receive the military trucks that would transport them...
"Hey, you from logistics, help me with my luggage..."
Zhang Guoyuan looked back and directed Wan Yunting, who was following behind him, to help with his luggage. Wan Yunting was stunned for a moment. Zhang Guoyuan shouted, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up."
Wan Yunting, wearing a mask, forced a stiff smile, picked up the luggage bag, and threw it directly towards Zhang Guoyuan in the truck, hitting him and causing him to cry out.
"What's wrong?"
Everyone immediately looked back at Zhang Guoyuan, who had fallen onto the truck, and then at Wan Yunting. He hadn't expected Zhang Guoyuan to be unable to catch even a bag. He shrugged helplessly and smiled, "It seems his physical fitness is not up to par, and he still needs training."
"You clearly threw it at me with all your might," Zhang Guoyuan got up, saying angrily.
Wan Yunting shrugged indifferently, threw his own bag onto the truck, and climbed onto it...
"Stop arguing and get in the car."
Long Xingyu, unaware that this "logistics person" called Xiao Huang was Wan Yunting, told Zhang Guoyuan not to take it to heart. He helped Zheng Xuelan and the other girls load their luggage onto the truck, waiting for the main convoy to depart.
Nie Xiaoyu, Huang Hongying, Lin Dongxiang, and Huang Guoqi naturally rode in cars. As the convoy set off from the airport and headed back to their headquarters, several armored vehicles appeared in front and behind them for protection.
The peacekeeping force was stationed not far from the capital of Mali, about thirty kilometers away. After more than an hour, they arrived at the headquarters.
Nie Xiaoyu and two other non-commissioned officers first assembled the troops. Huang Hongying, Lin Dongxiang, and the others also gathered Wan Yunting, Long Xingyu, and the others to line up and listen to Commander He Yongchang's speech. The main purpose was to introduce the situation around the headquarters and the precautions, warning Huang Hongying and the research team not to leave the headquarters alone to avoid falling victim to those terrorists.
"You've all worked hard. Please return to your accommodations to settle in and then rest for a day. We will officially begin our mission tomorrow."
After He Yongchang finished speaking, he waved his hand, and Nie Xiaoyu and the others immediately instructed their respective teams to follow the arrangements of the veteran soldiers and head towards their accommodations...
"Director Huang, your accommodation is over there. I'll take you."
He Yongchang, along with the political commissar, personally led Huang Hongying and the others to several three-story buildings in that area. These buildings were constructed by the peacekeeping forces themselves.
"Commander, where is the research department?" Huang Hongying asked.
He Yongchang pointed to a building next door, "Your research department is in this building. All the equipment has been moved inside. If Director Huang needs any other equipment, please feel free to tell Political Commissar Ren."
The political commissar, named Ren Xinghuai, smiled and greeted Huang Hongying and the others.
Huang Hongying nodded and followed them into the accommodation building. Each room was for four people, so Zhao Peng and the others were assigned rooms.
"Oh, right, wasn't Wan Yunting with you? Where is he?" He Yongchang then asked Huang Hongying.
Long Xingyu said, "Commander, that Wan Yunting came by himself..."
However, Huang Hongying turned to Wan Yunting, who was wearing a mask, and said, "Doctor Wan, you can reveal yourself now!"
Upon hearing this, Long Xingyu, Zhao Peng, Zhou Luolin, and others showed surprised expressions...
Even Lin Dongxiang and Huang Guoqi turned to look at Wan Yunting. He tore off the fake skin mask and revealed his true face. He smiled at He Yongchang and the others, "Hello, Commander. I am Wan Yunting."
This time, Peng Yuxiang and Hou Haiyan looked at Wan Yunting with dumbfounded expressions, full of disbelief, and exclaimed, "What...what is going on?"
However, He Yongchang and Political Commissar Ren enthusiastically stepped forward, held Wan Yunting's hand, and said with a smile, "Doctor Wan, welcome, welcome! We have heard of your great reputation for a long time. Seeing you today, you truly have an extraordinary presence."
This kind of enthusiasm and praise left Wan Yunting a bit bewildered.
Let alone them, even Huang Hongying, Lin Xiangdong, Huang Guoqi, and Long Xingyu were even more bewildered. Why were Commanders He Yongchang and Ren Xinghuai so enthusiastic about this Wan Yunting?
"You know me, Commander?" Wan Yunting asked, somewhat confused.
"How could we not know you?"
Political Commissar Ren Xinghuai said with a smile, "We in the military region all know about your heroic feat of fighting the entire Mexico by yourself!"
Wan Yunting's expression froze, and he immediately waved his hands and smiled humbly...
But Long Xingyu and Zhao Peng exchanged glances, completely unaware of what Political Commissar Ren was talking about regarding Wan Yunting fighting Mexico alone...
"Doctor Wan, I have arranged a separate room for you. If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to ask."
As they spoke, He Yongchang and Political Commissar Ren personally took Wan Yunting to the separate room, making Long Xingyu and Zhou Luolin feel jealous on the spot.
Why did we have to share a room with four people, while this Wan Yunting had a separate room? This was too unfair.
Even Huang Hongying, Lin Dongxiang, and the others didn't know that He Yongchang had made this arrangement, but they didn't say anything.
After all, Wan Yunting was an invited special member. Even if He Yongchang hadn't made the arrangement, Huang Hongying would have arranged a separate room for Wan Yunting...