Chapter 433: Storm Brewing in Territory Two

Xu Pin immediately asked, “Who are the two people Yang Jin brought with him?”

Su Feng and Azure Dragon are bitter rivals, so Su Feng’s scouts know the main members of Azure Dragon Squad inside out. “It’s Wang Liang and Tang Zhou from Azure Dragon Squad.”

Wang Liang, a Level Four Speed Evolver, and Tang Zhou, a Level Six Elasticity Evolver, are both Yang Jin’s closest confidants. The three of them often take on missions together and their teamwork is seamless.

Xu Pin sensed something wrong. “Where are the two refugees Yang Jin took away?”

The scout controlling the surveillance bird replied, “We haven’t found any trace of them yet.”

Tang Zhengsu quickly gave the order. “Form a team and get ready to intercept Yang Jin. See how much he wants. As long as he’s not asking the impossible, just agree. We need that evidence in hand first.”

After Xu Pin left, Su Feng’s Level Four Vision Evolver, Bao Zhengchao, invited Tang Zhengsu into a soundproof room inside the territory. He got straight to the point: “Su Feng, I think Blazing Fire’s offer to cooperate with us is nothing but a ploy to weaken our side so Yang Jin can rise to power.”

Tang Zhengsu’s expression darkened. But after two decades together, Bao Zhengchao knew him well—if Tang Zhengsu didn’t immediately argue back, it meant he thought there was merit in what you said.

So Bao Zhengchao kept going. “Blazing Fire is playing a deep game here. Maybe when Fire Phoenix had us take in those refugees, this was their real plan all along.”

Tang Zhengsu wasn’t stupid. “That doesn’t add up. If Fire Phoenix wanted to set us up from the start, they wouldn’t have sent their own squad to hunt the bear.”

Bao Zhengchao pressed the point. “Yang Jin didn’t bring those refugees back. Who can prove they were from Blazing Fire Squad? Everyone will just say they were refugees taken in by Territory Two. I thought this whole idea was reckless from the beginning. It’s blatant defiance of the national ban—you’re practically handing Yang Jin a reason to hold something over us!”

Tang Zhengsu stared at the mountain map on the table, his face growing gloomier by the minute.

“Unless Blazing Fire Squad colluded with Yang Jin ahead of time, how did Yang Jin find the bear’s den so quickly? And why didn’t he bring back those two ‘refugees’ who could prove Blazing Fire’s involvement? He clearly has a close connection with Fire Phoenix, otherwise back in March, Fire Phoenix wouldn’t have risked giving Luo Pei pure spring water to save him.”

“From the moment Blazing Fire suggested working with us, something felt off. According to them, cultivating cordyceps fungus requires pure spring water, high evolution element green lantern vegetable seeds, professional tech staff, and Zhang San’s breeding and pharmaceutical skills. We don’t have the water or the seeds, our personnel can’t compare, and things are tense with Zhang San. So what exactly does Blazing Fire want out of this partnership?”

The more Bao Zhengchao said, the lower and slower his voice became. “I don’t want to doubt Xu Pin. He’s the one you trust most now. But honestly, I just don’t get what he’s thinking this time.”

Tang Zhengsu shook his head. “I know you and Xu Pin don’t see eye to eye, but he’s not the problem here. I agreed to work with Blazing Fire for my own reasons, not because of Xu Pin.”

Bao Zhengchao gave a bitter laugh. “I get it. Our plane getting blown up wasn’t Xu Pin’s fault—our night sentries were just slacking off. Shaojiang and Xu Li’s deaths and Fan Ming’s injury weren’t his fault either. They just weren’t strong enough. It’s really me—I’m jealous of talent, can’t stand having someone that capable around.”

Bao Zhengchao, Hu Shaojiang, Xu Li, and Kou Fanming had all been with Tang Zhengsu since over twenty years ago. They were the original Su Feng veterans. Now, only Bao Zhengchao remained at his side; the other three—two dead, one gravely injured.

Tang Zhengsu called out to Bao Zhengchao, who was already at the door. “Chaozi, we’ve been brothers for so many years. If you have something to say, just say it. No need to beat around the bush.”

“Alright.” Bao Zhengchao turned back. “Su Bro, a lot of the guys—including me—think Xu Pin isn’t fit for the position. The team just doesn’t respect him.”

Bao Zhengchao opened the door and saw Xu Pin standing outside. He let out a cold snort. “Deputy, you want me to intercept Yang Jin this time? Fine, I’ll get ready to head out right now!”

When Xu Pin entered and noticed Tang Zhengsu eyeing him sharply, he feigned ignorance and only asked, “Captain, the team’s assembled. Are we leaving now?”

Tang Zhengsu asked, “Who’s leading the unit?”

No matter who took charge, stopping a top-level Speed Evolver like Yang Jin was impossible. Whoever went would just get scolded for failing. Xu Pin originally planned to send Bao Zhengchao, but now that didn’t seem wise. “Haven’t decided yet. What do you think?”

“You lead the team.”

As Xu Pin’s face changed, Tang Zhengsu’s expression grew even colder. “What’s wrong, am I not in charge anymore?”

Xu Pin quickly shook his head. “No, nothing like that. It’s just—Territory Two is caught between Azure Dragon and Blazing Fire. It’s not safe. If I go, then who’ll watch your back…?”

Tang Zhengsu waved him off. “This is your chance to prove yourself. Resolve this, and once we’re back in the Safe Zone, I’ll arrange your marriage with Lulu. You’ll officially be part of the Tang family.”

With things at this point, Xu Pin had no choice but to grit his teeth and take on the task.

As Xu Pin led his team out, Bao Zhengchao leaned by the window and let out a thick cloud of Evolution Smoke, the haze masking his face.

In Section Three, Xia Qing immediately passed the news on to Yang Jin and Xin Yu.

Xin Yu set her phone down and stroked the dozing evolved crow perched on her shoulder. She stood, opened her safe, and pulled out high-grade explosives and a timer.

“Wow!” cheered the evolved crow, flapping onto the table. It used its sharp beak to groom its feathers, gearing up for battle.

On the animal trail of Hill Fifty-Five, Tang Zhou used the elasticity of a crooked old tree to leap high and fire at a crow circling in the sky.

“Bang.”

“Dammit!” Tang Zhou cursed under his breath as he landed.

Wang Liang couldn’t resist teasing, “What are you swearing for? You think you’re Luo or something?”

“That Su Feng surveillance bird isn’t half bad,” Tang Zhou said, catching up to Yang Jin. He suggested, “Boss, should we duck into the forest and lose the bird for a while?”

Beneath the trees, Yang Jin slid his phone into his pocket. “We’ll cut through the dense forest on Hill Fifty-Two. Stay in until nightfall, then we head out.”

Back in Territory Two, Su Feng’s scout promptly updated Xu Pin on Yang Jin’s movements. “Yang Jin’s squad spotted the surveillance bird and slipped into the Hill Fifty-Two woods. They’re wearing heat-resistant suits so we can’t track them for now.”

“Copy that. Keep monitoring and report in. ” Xu Pin replied, driving as he dialed Yang Jin’s number.

“Hello.”

To his surprise, the call connected this time. Xu Pin quickly signaled everyone in the car to keep quiet before speaking. “Yang Jin, where are you? Let’s talk.”

Yang Jin slowed his pace and asked, “What’s there to talk about?”

Xu Pin didn’t bother with small talk. “I’ll give you 800,000 credits for all the evidence you have. Every last piece.”

Yang Jin just upped the ante. “Eight million.”

Xu Pin’s face dropped. “With a price like that, you’re not really here to talk, are you?”

Yang Jin’s voice turned cold. “The moment you went after the evolved bear, you should’ve known this was never going to be settled at the bargaining table.”