"Qin Xuan, Xiao Ya, I really owe you this time."
"Without your help, I would have been utterly defeated in this mutiny."
"Therefore, this drink is for you."
"From now on, as long as I, Pan Lin, am alive, you will always be friends of the Pan Shan Army."
After the Pan Shan Army was back on track, Pan Lin once again hosted Qin Xuan, Xiao Ya, and others.
However, the situation this time was different from before.
Besides Pan Lin still occupying the main seat, Qin Xuan was also moved by Pan Lin from his original side seat to the one right next to him.
The reason was simple.
This crisis was almost resolved by Qin Xuan single-handedly.
Therefore, in Pan Lin's heart, Qin Xuan had transformed from a frail appraisal expert into a formidable Dragon Country warrior.
If Qin Xuan hadn't explicitly stated that he wouldn't stay in Myanmar, Pan Lin would have certainly taken him under his wing and trained him to be his successor.
Facing Pan Lin's toast, Qin Xuan and Xiao Ya exchanged a glance, then raised their glasses and replied with a smile, "This mutiny was also one of Sheng Ming's targets.
"So, helping you is equivalent to helping ourselves. Commander Pan, you really don't need to be so concerned."
Pan Lin shook his head, "It's different.
"Sheng Ming's desire to hand you over to the Wu Mi Army was merely out of concern that the mutiny would be too short and his own grip on power would be unstable.
"He wanted to use you to buy himself a period of relative peace."
"His ultimate goal is still to replace me and gain complete control of the entire Pan Shan Army."
"So don't be modest. This time, I owe you."
Qin Xuan nodded and, following Pan Lin's lead, drained the clear wine in his cup.
He glanced at Pan Lin and hesitantly said, "By the way, Commander Pan, there's something I'm not sure if I should mention."
Pan Lin patted Qin Xuan's shoulder with satisfaction, "From now on, we are brothers until death. Speak your mind, Qin Xuan."
Qin Xuan hummed and then recounted his deductions from the dungeon to Pan Lin.
"When we came to the banquet, there were a total of six generals by your side.
"Besides the traitor Sheng Ming and the three generals you sent on official duty, two other generals left without reason at the start of the banquet."
"I suspect they knew about Sheng Ming's mutiny plan in advance and thus preemptively avoided it..."
Before Qin Xuan could finish, Pan Lin waved his hand to interrupt him.
"Qin Xuan, you're overthinking it."
"The entire Pan Shan Army was brought up by me.
"The generals in the branches are my most trusted confidants.
"I can guarantee that among them, there is absolutely no one with rebellious intentions like Sheng Ming!"
"So, let's not mention this matter again.
"If it accidentally gets out and other generals hear it, it might chill their hearts."
Pan Lin spoke earnestly, while Qin Xuan remained unconvinced.
Wasn't Sheng Ming also your most trusted confidant?
And what was the outcome?
He still rebelled, didn't he?
However, since Pan Lin himself vouched for his brothers, Qin Xuan naturally didn't argue further.
After several rounds of drinks, the banquet gradually drew to a close.
Just as everyone was bidding farewell to Pan Lin and preparing to return to their rest, a soldier from the Pan Shan Army rushed in from outside and whispered something into Pan Lin's ear.
Upon hearing this, Pan Lin immediately became furious, slamming his fist on the table, his slight intoxication vanishing by half.
"What's wrong?"
Qin Xuan looked at Pan Lin with confusion.
Pan Lin's face darkened, and he gritted his teeth as he said to Qin Xuan, "It's Sheng Ming!"
"I don't know which ungrateful wretch it was, but they secretly let him out of prison."
"According to the latest news from the border, Sheng Ming has now gone to the Wu Mi Army camp and has become a general under their new commander!"
Qin Xuan was taken aback, "Although Sheng Ming rebelled against you, it's not enough to earn the other party's trust."
"But he managed to defect successfully and even became an enemy general, which means he offered something that would entice them..."
"It's the Pan Shan Army!"
After a moment of thought, Xiao Ya and Qin Xuan said in unison.
Pan Lin deeply agreed.
His Pan Shan Army and the Wu Mi Army were not very far apart.
Friction between the two sides was common.
Recently, for some unknown reason, the Wu Mi side's activities had become increasingly frequent.
The conflicts with the Pan Shan Army had also escalated.
There was a clear intention to absorb the Pan Shan Army in one fell swoop.
At this sensitive moment, the Wu Mi Army accepted Sheng Ming. Pan Lin absolutely did not believe that Sheng Ming had not exchanged it for top-secret intelligence from the Pan Shan Army.
Moreover, this incident confirmed something that deeply pained Pan Lin: there was indeed a traitor within the Pan Shan Army!
And this traitor might become a time bomb planted by Sheng Ming within their ranks.
He had to identify him immediately!
"I apologize, everyone. I need to excuse myself for a moment."
"Please bear with me and return to your hotel to rest. Tomorrow morning, I will arrange for someone to escort you out via a safer land route."
After apologizing, Pan Lin hurried off to reassemble the generals.
Qin Xuan and the others were sent back to their hotel by Pan Lin's subordinates from the Pan Shan Army.
After taking a shower and reporting his safety to Qin Ling'er, Qin Xuan felt increasingly uneasy.
If Sheng Ming's primary target of hatred for initiating the mutiny was Pan Lin, who had been suppressing him, then after Qin Xuan intervened and disrupted his plan, the target would have to include himself.
After all, Sheng Ming had planned this rebellion for a long time before implementing it.
Because of Qin Xuan's appearance, all of Sheng Ming's previous efforts were ruined.
Even Sheng Ming himself, from a spirited aspiring commander, had been reduced to a stray dog.
The hatred between them was no less than a life-and-death feud.
Now, Pan Lin and the Pan Shan Army were dealing with the commander of the Wu Mi Army and the Wu Mi Army itself. So, what was Sheng Ming's purpose in acquiring an army?
"No!"
"This place is no longer safe!"
"If the Wu Mi Army is Sheng Ming's means to deal with Pan Lin, then the soldiers he gained by being appointed a general are his means to deal with me!"
Having figured it out, Qin Xuan rushed out and called Xiao Ya and the others to the hotel lobby.
Looking at the bewildered group, Qin Xuan said sternly, "After Sheng Ming defects to the Wu Mi Army, he will inevitably engage in a major conflict with the Pan Shan Army."
"When both sides engage in combat, Sheng Ming can use the chaos to his advantage."
"Therefore, we must leave here as soon as possible. If we delay, Sheng Ming's army might already be upon us!"
Qin Xuan's words sent a chill down the spines of everyone present.
Hu Zi'an, in particular, exclaimed dramatically.
"Old, boss."
"It might be too late to leave now..."
Qin Xuan frowned, "Why?"
Hu Zi'an: "Because before I came downstairs, I glanced out the window."
"The hotel is currently surrounded by many military vehicles!"