Ye Qiu, upon hearing War God’s words, bolted upright.
“Chief, what exactly happened?”
Ye Qiu asked urgently.
War God replied, “Last night, the Dragon Gate Project attacked the headquarters of the Witch God Sect, but for some reason, Cao Yuan suddenly ordered a halt to the assault.”
“Then, Cao Yuan stormed into the Witch God Sect’s headquarters alone.”
“Just now, I received news that Cao Yuan died in battle.”
Ye Qiu, in disbelief, said, “That’s impossible!”
“You’ve said yourself, Chief, that Ninth Thousand Years is meticulous and strategic, how could he enter the Witch God Sect’s headquarters alone?”
“Could the information be wrong?”
War God sighed and said, “I wish it were false, but this news came directly from Zhuque.”
Ye Qiu’s face paled instantly upon hearing this.
Zhuque, named Cao Qingcheng, was Cao Yuan’s sister.
If this news came from Zhuque to War God, it couldn’t be mistaken.
For a moment, Ye Qiu was overwhelmed with grief, as if needles were piercing his heart.
Though he hadn’t known Cao Yuan for long, Ye Qiu deeply respected him.
In his eyes, Cao Yuan was not just the leader of Dragon Gate but also a mentor.
The last time Ye Qiu went to the capital, if Cao Yuan hadn’t mobilised ten thousand Dragon Gate disciples to escort him along the way, he wouldn’t have made it there safely.
“Ninth Thousand Years is gone, just like that?”
Ye Qiu’s eyes grew moist.
Suddenly, he thought of something else.
“Chief, if I heard correctly, did you just say Ninth Thousand Years died in battle?”
“Yes.”
“Everyone knows Ninth Thousand Years had no cultivation, so how could he have died in battle?” Ye Qiu said, “Where did Zhuque get this information? Could it be that Ninth Thousand Years isn’t dead, and Zhuque made a mistake?”
War God said, “Ye Qiu, I know it’s hard for you to accept, but it’s the truth. Just now, Diaochan also received news of Cao Yuan’s death in battle.”
“As for why Zhuque told me Cao Yuan died in battle, I don’t know. You’ll have to ask Zhuque yourself!”
“As one of the four Dragon Envoys of Dragon Gate, I’m sure you’ll soon receive news from them.”
War God paused briefly before continuing, “Dragon Gate is in turmoil, and morale is shaky. One misstep could lead to chaos.”
“Ye Qiu, if you don’t have any urgent matters, return to China immediately!”
“Dragon Gate needs you now.”
“I understand,” Ye Qiu said, hanging up the phone.
Then, Ye Qiu picked up his phone and dialled Qilin.
“Sorry, the number you have dialled is temporarily unavailable…”
Ye Qiu tried Qinglong’s number.
“Sorry, the number you have dialled is switched off.”
Damn it!
Ye Qiu cursed in anger, releasing a surge of murderous intent, and said coldly, “Witch God Sect, I will make you pay in blood.”
Then, he stood abruptly.
Grabbing the Qiankun Cauldron, he strode out of the room.
As Ye Qiu stepped out of the villa, he saw Xu Zhiming doing morning exercises in the courtyard.
“Ye Qiu, you’re up?”
Xu Zhiming greeted him with a smile.
“Yeah,” Ye Qiu nodded slightly and said, “Uncle Xu, last night I dealt with Zhang Zihao and his accomplices.”
“Jin Changxu is safe now.”
“As for the five million dollars Old Xu gave to Zhang Zihao yesterday, I’ve left it in your study.”
“Oh, and there’s a pair of blue-and-white porcelain vases, a gift for Old Xu.”
“Uncle Xu, I have urgent business and need to return to China immediately, so I won’t say goodbye to Old Xu. Please apologise to him and Changjin for me.”
Seeing Ye Qiu’s grim expression, Xu Zhiming asked with concern, “What happened? Is there anything I can help with?”
Ye Qiu shook his head, “A mentor of mine has passed away.”
Xu Zhiming was taken aback, then said, “In that case, I won’t keep you. Come back and stay a few days next time you’re free.”
“Alright,” Ye Qiu agreed readily.
“Have you booked your flight?” Xu Zhiming asked.
Ye Qiu said, “I was planning to buy a ticket at the airport.”
Xu Zhiming, seeing Ye Qiu’s urgency, said, “It takes at least forty minutes to get to the airport from here, and after buying a ticket, you’d have to wait for the flight, which would take at least two hours to depart. Let me arrange the company’s private jet to take you back to China.”
With that, Xu Zhiming made a phone call.
After hanging up, Xu Zhiming said, “The plane’s ready. I’ll drive you to the airport.”
“Thank you, Uncle Xu,” Ye Qiu said gratefully.
Xu Zhiming smiled, “It’s nothing, no need to be polite. Besides, we’ll be family sooner or later, no need for thanks.”
Unfortunately, Ye Qiu was too preoccupied with Cao Yuan and Dragon Gate to engage in this topic with Xu Zhiming.
Xu Zhiming drove Ye Qiu straight to the airport.
Forty minutes later.
They arrived at the airport.
Xu Zhiming led Ye Qiu directly to the tarmac, bypassing all obstacles.
Soon, they stood before a Boeing jet.
“Oh no!” Ye Qiu suddenly remembered something and said, “I forgot to bring the Tiansheng Bronze Man.”
“No big deal. When Changjin goes to China, I’ll have her bring it to you,” Xu Zhiming said.
“Then I’ll trouble you, Uncle Xu.”
“Didn’t I say? We’ll be family sooner or later, no need to be polite.”
Ye Qiu deliberately avoided the topic and said, “Uncle Xu, farewell.”
“Take care,” Xu Zhiming waved.
As Ye Qiu turned to board the plane, his phone rang with an unfamiliar number.
“Hello, this is…”
Before Ye Qiu could finish, a pleasant female voice came through, “Hello, Ye Qiu, this is Cao Qingcheng.”
Zhuque!
Ye Qiu paused and asked urgently, “Ninth Thousand Years, he…”
“My brother died in battle. Qinglong and Qilin have encountered enemies and are now unreachable. Han Long and Yangcheng’s boss, Zhao Hu, have already led teams to Miaojiang. War God has also sent Tang Fei to provide support,” Cao Qingcheng said, “Ye Qiu, I urgently need your help.”
“I’m in Korea now, preparing to return to China,” Ye Qiu said.
Cao Qingcheng said, “I’ll stay in the capital to provide you with intelligence. Contact me if you need anything.”
“Alright,” Ye Qiu paused, then asked, “Zhuque, is Ninth Thousand Years really dead?”
“The information is certain. Qilin and Qinglong told me over the phone,” Cao Qingcheng’s voice grew sorrowful, “Ye Qiu, please bring my brother’s body back, I beg you!”
“Alright!” Ye Qiu hung up and quickly boarded the plane.
As he sat down, a beautiful flight attendant approached and asked, “Sir, where in China should the plane land?”
Ye Qiu blurted out, “Miaojiang!”
“Alright,” the flight attendant turned to leave.
“Wait!” Ye Qiu suddenly called after her, “Tell the pilot I’m going to Jiangzhou, China!”
