Shan Shui Squad?
Song Qiao pondered for a moment. He hadn't heard this name before.
Then, he thought that the name might originate from the "Tao Te Ching," where there's a line, "Water is good at benefiting all things and does not contend."
However, he still curled his lips and grumbled, "What a lousy name, who the heck came up with it! To give a combat team used for special missions like murder and arson such a name? Calling it 'Shan Shui' (good water), does that make it truly good?"
Mo Ling, however, smiled. "That's not necessarily true. Any weapon, no matter what it is, depends on who wields it. From ancient times to the present, what ruler hasn't proclaimed their righteousness? So, giving a name with a positive meaning is quite normal. Besides, my understanding differs from yours a little."
"Oh, how so?"
"Perhaps, the person who named it focused on 'water,' with 'good' being secondary!"
"What do you mean?" Song Qiao became interested.
"Didn't you forget? Laozi emphasized water's characteristics. Benefiting all things is just one aspect. More importantly, it says, 'It wields the utmost softness to master the utmost hardness of the world,' referring to its offensive capabilities."
"Heh, I didn't realize you had such a deep understanding of the 'Tao Te Ching'," Song Qiao complimented.
However, Mo Ling seemed a bit displeased. "Hmph, do you think I don't study hard? These are things that must be mastered during training! Besides, I'm better than you in any case, especially when it comes to matters of military strategy and combat."
"Miss Mo, must you be like this? I truly admire you. Look into my eyes, are they not sincere?" Song Qiao began to complain.
Mo Ling became flustered. "Stop moving around, and drive properly!"
She quickly exclaimed.
They were on a main road with heavy traffic. She was afraid Song Qiao would do something drastic and cause them to get into an accident here, which would be a truly embarrassing defeat.
Song Qiao was just joking and sat up straight.
He chuckled inwardly: Little brat, I can't handle you!
Mo Ling saw the smile in Song Qiao's eyes through the rearview mirror, knowing he was teasing her. "Pah, you tricked me again!"
"Not at all, you're just very focused on the mission!" Song Qiao quickly softened his tone. "Let's get back to the Shan Shui Squad, how much do we know about them?"
Hearing this, Mo Ling regained her composure, took a deep breath, and began to explain.
"They were cultivated by the Guo family's secret department, specifically to handle all sorts of difficult matters. Both in the past and present, they have achieved remarkable military feats. However, due to their extreme secrecy and their somewhat reckless methods, their reputation isn't good, so they have been actively concealed by the relevant authorities.
Therefore, most people genuinely don't know about them. Later, as their actions became increasingly difficult to conceal, and with the Guo family's constant maneuvering, the Security Department decided to divest them. Now, they are entirely controlled by the Guo family."
"What, something like that happened? How could the Security Bureau allow this? Didn't you say this squad is very powerful, and they just let them go?"
Song Qiao found it hard to believe. Were the higher-ups idiots?
"Heh, high-level power struggles. Besides, if they became too difficult to manage, it was better to hand them over, making them someone else's problem. The Guo family wanted them, so that was perfect..." Although Mo Ling spoke cryptically, her meaning was clear.
"Oh, so they were kicked out, like stray dogs!" Song Qiao murmured.
"Hey, don't get complacent. According to our information, after joining the Guo family, their training and recruitment have become even more extreme. The Guo family has brainwashed everyone, subjected them to even harsher training, even used banned substances, and even genetic modification technology!"
"Really? So they're turning them into soldier-men?" Song Qiao chuckled.
"Yes, there's a tendency towards that. But you need to be careful and not underestimate them," Mo Ling nodded.
The so-called soldier-men are a concept from a movie from the United States, similar to artificial humans, implanted with memories, specifically for combat, devoid of human emotions.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing!" Song Qiao assured her.
He genuinely meant it.
After being brainwashed and modified, they wouldn't be ordinary people, and their combat capabilities would be enhanced.
However, in terms of emotions and logical judgment, there would surely be irrationalities or inconsistencies, and these could be exploited.
Where they were stronger than ordinary people, their weaknesses would also be hidden.
Seeing that Song Qiao was taking it seriously, Mo Ling thought for a moment and then said, "They'll take a few more days to arrive. You must pass the assessment in the next two days."
Song Qiao was a little surprised when she mentioned the assessment again.
After thinking about it, he said, "The assessment, there's no rush. I can stall for a bit longer, or perhaps it wouldn't be too late to take it after we've dealt with the Shan Shui Squad."
Mo Ling immediately rejected this. "No! You should take the assessment first. This mission is complex, the timing is uncertain, and the intensity is unknown. If you postpone the assessment, you might fail due to injury or exhaustion."
Actually, what she didn't say was that these next few days were the best time to take the assessment.
Firstly, Song Qiao's uncle had just dealt with Guo Zhong of the Guo family, causing them some chaos. It would take them some time to adjust. If these days passed and they recovered, the window of opportunity would be gone. Secondly, there was the reason she just mentioned.
As the saying goes, the longer the night, the more dreams.
Seeing the determination in Mo Ling's eyes, Song Qiao smiled and said, "Alright, then I'll take the assessment the day after tomorrow!"
Mo Ling secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, this guy didn't stubbornly refuse again. If he insisted on his own way, she would truly have no good solution.
"However, I need to prepare," Song Qiao said after a moment of silence.
Mo Ling nodded. "Of course, prepare well! You need to be in your best condition."
Song Qiao solemnly guaranteed, "Please rest assured, leader!"
"Good, young comrade, you have the right attitude! Keep up the good work!" Mo Ling said, patting Song Qiao's arm. "Alright, I should get off here, stop in front!"
Mo Ling gestured to Song Qiao, asking him to stop the car in front of a large building.
She got out, turned around, bent over, waved goodbye to Song Qiao, and then gracefully walked away.
Song Qiao watched Mo Ling drive away before starting the car again and slowly pulling out.
In the car, he murmured to himself, "Shan Shui Squad? Hmm, interesting. If we can wipe them out, it would definitely be a heavy blow to the Guo family."
After all, they had invested so much effort and capital into them.
Eliminating the Shan Shui Squad would be at least a two-birds-one-stone move, and it would also disrupt the Guo family's involvement in South Ocean affairs. At the same time, it would be a good thing for the Security Department.
With these thoughts, Song Qiao called Chen Chen. "Arrange another assassin for me, a top-tier one. Money is no object. Have them come to Shanghai to meet me."
"Yes, I'll handle it!" Chen Chen loudly assured him.
A strong impulse surged within Song Qiao, a desire for battle, a thirst for victory.
Haha, it's time for a big fight.
Annihilate the Shan Shui Squad!