Tang Fei’s gone missing?
Ye Qiu’s heart jolted. Before he could ask, War God continued, “Along with Tang Fei, fourteen members of Hades Hall have also vanished.”
Hmm?
Realising the gravity of the situation, Ye Qiu asked, “War God, what exactly happened?”
War God explained, “At the border between our southwest frontier and India, there’s a primeval forest. Recently, while Hades Hall was pursuing a drug lord, he escaped and fled into this forest. Tang Fei led a team to capture him, and they’ve been out of contact since.”
Ye Qiu found it odd. With Hades Hall’s advanced tech, how could they lose contact with Tang Fei?
As if reading his thoughts, War God clarified, “That forest is jointly managed by both countries but, being desolate, harsh, and full of wild beasts, neither side stations troops there. Frankly, it’s a no-man’s-land. I ordered Diaochan to track their signals, but so far, nothing’s been found. I’m worried something’s happened to them.”
Ye Qiu quickly asked, “How long have they been missing?”
“Exactly seventy-two hours,” War God replied. “Ye Qiu, I need you to head to the southwest.”
“I’m already in the southwest,” Ye Qiu said.
“Really? Perfect,” War God responded. “Send me your exact location, and I’ll arrange for someone to pick you up.”
“Alright.” Ye Qiu hung up and sent his coordinates to War God.
Then, turning to Xiao Zhan, he said, “I’m not heading back to Jiangzhou yet. Tang Fei’s in trouble, and I need to find him. Xiao Zhan, contact Suzaku later and have her send someone to collect the bodies of these Dragon Gate disciples. Once that’s done, return to Jiangzhou.”
Xiao Zhan asked, “Boss, what trouble’s Tang Fei in? Why not take me along? I might be useful.”
Ye Qiu shook his head, “No need. Once the bodies are handed over, go straight back to Jiangzhou. Also, tell Suzaku that these Dragon Gate disciples must be given a proper burial, with ample compensation. If their families have elderly or young children, Dragon Gate will cover their education, medical, and living expenses, ensuring the young are cared for and the old are provided for. Every member of Dragon Gate should have no worries about their kin.”
Xiao Zhan responded loudly, “Yes, sir!”
Half an hour later, an armed helicopter from the Southwest Military Region arrived, picking up Ye Qiu and heading straight for the border.
Two hours later, the helicopter landed at a camp in the southwest frontier.
As Ye Qiu stepped off, he saw Zhu Chengyu.
Dressed in military garb, Zhu Chengyu looked spirited, followed by several fully armed soldiers.
“Saint Doctor Ye!” Zhu Chengyu approached with a broad smile, shaking Ye Qiu’s hand.
“General Zhu, what brings you here?” Ye Qiu asked, puzzled.
Zhu Chengyu replied, “War God briefed me on Hades Hall’s situation and instructed me to fully support your operation.”
“I see, thank you, General Zhu,” Ye Qiu said gratefully.
“No need for formalities, Saint Doctor Ye. We’re all soldiers, and when a comrade’s in trouble, it’s our duty to act,” Zhu Chengyu said. “This place is about twenty kilometres from the forest where Tang Fei’s team went missing. I’ll have Eagle take you there. That forest is riddled with minefields, and Eagle’s been clearing them for years, so he knows the area well.”
At that, Zhu Xiong Ying stepped forward, bowed to Ye Qiu, and greeted respectfully, “Saint Doctor Ye.”
Ye Qiu glanced at him and asked, “Recovered fully?”
“Long since,” Zhu Xiong Ying replied. “You saved my life last time, and I’ve never had the chance to thank you. Thank you, Saint Doctor Ye.”
“No need for thanks,” Ye Qiu said, then turned to Zhu Chengyu. “General Zhu, time’s pressing, so I won’t stand on ceremony. I’ll set off now.”
Zhu Chengyu asked, “Saint Doctor Ye, any equipment you need? I’ll prepare it immediately.”
“Nothing required,” Ye Qiu declined without hesitation. With his current skills, he needed no gear.
“Saint Doctor Ye, a word in private,” Zhu Chengyu said, pulling him aside and lowering his voice. “That forest where Tang Fei’s team vanished is full of ferocious beasts and minefields. On top of that, there’s no signal reception, and the dense terrain makes drone surveillance impossible. You must be extremely cautious.”
Ye Qiu nodded, “Thank you for the warning, General Zhu. I’ll be careful.”
Zhu Chengyu lowered his voice further, “I don’t know what Tang Fei’s team encountered in that forest, but being missing this long likely means more danger than safety. Whether they’re alive or dead, once you find them, return immediately. I’ll have people waiting outside the forest to receive you.”
Ye Qiu nodded again, “Understood.”
Zhu Chengyu then instructed Zhu Xiong Ying, “Eagle, follow Saint Doctor Ye’s orders to the letter. Whatever he asks, you do, got it?”
Zhu Xiong Ying replied loudly, “Yes, Father, I understand.”
“Go!” Zhu Chengyu waved them off.
“Saint Doctor Ye, this way,” Zhu Xiong Ying said, leading Ye Qiu to a military jeep before driving off.
The mountain road was rugged.
The twenty-kilometre journey took over forty minutes.
En route, Zhu Xiong Ying briefed Ye Qiu on the southwest border’s conditions.
When the jeep stopped, Ye Qiu looked up to see a vast primeval forest before him.
Endless peaks stretched like ferocious beasts, exuding an intimidating aura.
“This is the forest?” Ye Qiu asked.
“Yes,” Zhu Xiong Ying confirmed, pulling a thick cotton coat from the boot and offering it to Ye Qiu. “Saint Doctor Ye, it’s cold in there. I prepared a warm coat for you.”
“No need,” Ye Qiu refused flatly.
Seeing Ye Qiu’s firm stance, Zhu Xiong Ying didn’t press, quickly shouldering his pack. “I entered this forest once a few years ago. Follow me, Saint Doctor Ye.”
With that, he led Ye Qiu into the forest.
As they stepped in, a chilling breeze hit them.
Such heavy cold!
Ye Qiu was surprised.
This was a subtropical region, hot year-round, yet this forest was anomalously frigid, with temperatures around minus twenty degrees.
Ye Qiu couldn’t help but worry about Tang Fei and the Hades Hall members. Could they survive such harsh conditions?
“Saint Doctor Ye, let’s go,” Zhu Xiong Ying said, leading the way, with Ye Qiu close behind.
After walking for about ten minutes, Zhu Xiong Ying suddenly halted, whispering, “Saint Doctor Ye, be careful—”
