Beginning with the Ubume Bird-Chapter 333 - 59 Interlude When the Map Is Unrolled the
Chapter 333: Chapter 59 Interlude: When the Map Is Unrolled, the Dagger Is Revealed
Chapter 333: Chapter 59 Interlude: When the Map Is Unrolled, the Dagger Is Revealed
“`
Kuang Zhuoma Headquarters.
The curfew whistles carried far and wide, and golden lighthouses swept through the stretches of tile-roofed houses, leaving the streets bleak and desolate.
The pickup carrying Li Yan crested the earthen mounds of the desert, passing by sentinel towers and heading inward.
The town had grown in size but had become markedly quieter, even carrying a hint of a tense, uneasy atmosphere.
“Please understand that recently there have been more and more extremists launching attacks. Black Star’s armored vehicles have issued orders to completely refuse the intake of refugees, but still, many with ulterior motives have infiltrated.”
A soldier pointed toward a stretch of charred rubble not far off.
“They carry petrol bombs for suicide attacks, injuring not only civilians but many of our soldiers as well.”
Behind the movable prefab houses, the occasional refugee could be seen peering out.
Unexpectedly, Qiao Xing was actually standing at the entrance of the barbed wire gate waiting for Li Yan.
Upon seeing Li Yan, Qiao Xing walked over, “You’ve come back much earlier than I expected.”
Li Yan looked around and suddenly laughed, “You haven’t arranged for dozens of machine gunners around here, have you?”
“Why would I harm you when you are Afafu’s friend?”
Qiao Xing spoke with earnest seriousness.
Li Yan became more solemn, “That’s good to hear.”
“Let’s talk while we walk.”
The two walked side by side, with Qiao Xing saying, “The machine you’re here to repair is at the former Danzuo Automobile Headquarters, now commanded by Commander Liang. It’s getting late, I’ll go with you tomorrow. I haven’t thanked you yet for saving my wife and child. Afafu will be there too; if you have no other plans, why don’t we have a drink or two?”
Li Yan nodded, “Sounds good.”
Qiao Xing laughed heartily and without further ado, led Li Yan forward.
The two entered a single-family courtyard, which was the residence of Qiao Xing and Afafu.
Inside the house, Afafu heard the sound of conversation and walked out. Seeing Li Yan and Qiao Xing come in together, she was a bit surprised, “You’ve picked up the person so quickly.”
“Yeah.”
Qiao Xing nodded his head.
A delicious aroma wafted through the house and little Luo Bu in the cradle propped his arms on the frame to look around.
“Sit down.”
Qiao Xing beckoned to Li Yan, who took out glasses from the cupboard; noticing Li Yan hadn’t moved yet, he chuckled, “What’s the matter?”
Li Yan blinked and shook his head with a smile, sitting opposite Qiao Xing, “Just making sure you won’t stand on ceremony when it comes to drinking with me.”
After all, Qiao Xing hadn’t said or done anything excessive, and Li Yan felt like he might have been overthinking.
Qiao Xing laughed, “I don’t usually drink much, but my tolerance isn’t bad.”
Afafu took off her apron, “By the way, did you talk with Qiao Xing about what happened at Great Demon Lake?”
“Talk about what?”
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Li Yan looked up.
Before Afafu could speak, Qiao Xing interjected without it feeling abrupt, “She means the research on Yak samples by people from Big Ben, asking for your help in fixing the machine. Black Star’s armored vehicle won’t shortchange a friend; whatever you need, just ask.”
“Alright then.”
Li Yan started, “Could I meet with the researchers from Big Ben ahead of time?”
Qiao Xing raised his hand to pour the liquor, only speaking after the convex surface of the liquid was formed, “I can’t decide that now. The security level at the researcher headquarters of Big Ben is very high. Normally it’s okay, but this research is highly valued by Commander Liang. If you want to meet those researchers, I can arrange it after the research work is done, but that would be in a few days.”
Li Yan agreed, “Okay, let’s settle on that.”
The two finalized the deal in a few words, which seemed flawless enough, but Afafu felt something was off.
With Li Yan still present, Afafu didn’t pry further, only bringing the dishes to the table. Wiping her hands, she said to the two men, “I’m going to check on the soup; you two chat.”
Qiao Xing picked up his glass to toast Li Yan, drinking cleanly in one gulp from the deep aluminum cup.
Afafu never joined the table, leaving only Li Yan and Qiao Xing there. Qiao Xing was a good talker, speaking logically without making others feel constrained.
As the wine flowed more freely, their conversation became more animated.
Qiao Xing shared his political ambitions, as well as the years he and Afafu met and fell in love.
Li Yan occasionally discussed the maintenance of cold weapons and combat techniques, with the two even debating the merits and demerits of weaponry crafted by modern methods versus ancient techniques.
Amidst the height of enthusiasm, Qiao Xing even retrieved a high-carbon steel kabar military knife from his car to show to Li Yan, who in turn took out the Azure Phoenix Sword.
Hours flew by, the table littered with empty bottles. A tipsy Qiao Xing said, “By the way, Afafu has the intention of making you Luo Bu’s godfather, and I have no objections. What do you think?”
Li Yan poured himself another drink, “I’m quite fond of the child. He didn’t cry or fuss during several dangerous moments on the road; he’s sure to be extraordinary in the future.”
“Then I’ll take it as your agreement,”
Qiao Xing said with a smile.
Li Yan didn’t respond but just scratched his eyebrow, “I’ve been tense lately and might be a bit paranoid; I was a bit abrupt earlier, don’t take offense.”
“Not at all.”
The two men exchanged a knowing smile.
Late at night, Li Yan left staggering, and the instant he stepped out of the courtyard, the flush on his face faded away.
“`
He looked back at the courtyard under the lights and licked his cracked lips.
“To live without a shred of warmth or trust in people is, indeed, a pitiful existence. I’ve come all this way, and I hope it’s not the outcome that neither of us wishes to see.”
He took a step away, waved his hand, and a Sudu bird wobbled as it landed on the windowsill.
Inside the house, Qiao Xing looked at the mess on the table while Afafu quietly picked up the dishes and chopsticks. She had been listening by his side all evening; she had a rough idea why Li Yan had come back this time.
“Are you hiding something from me?”
“…”
“The plan against Yak’s genes was a resounding success. Don’t say that there’s probably nothing on Li Yan; even if he really brought some Yak samples from Great Demon Lake, the Black Star war chariot could buy them directly. What is it that you can’t tell me about him?”
“…”
Afafu, seeing that Qiao Xing was not talking, put a stack of plates into the sink and turned to stare at Qiao Xing.
Filled with thoughts, Qiao Xing finally managed to speak after a long hesitation, “From a personal standpoint, Li Yan saved you, and he has done me a favor, but if he hurts the interests of the Black Star war chariot, I can’t let him get away with it.”
“Don’t bring that bureaucratic nonsense home. If it wasn’t for you, he wouldn’t have come back at all. How can he harm Black Star’s interests?”
Afafu’s voice carried anger.
At that moment, the voice of a soldier came from outside the courtyard: “Colonel, General Liang has something to ask you. He wants you to go to the communication room.”
Hearing this, Qiao Xing stood up, grabbed his coat, and shouted outside, “I’m coming right now.”
With that, he hurriedly walked out of the courtyard.
The Sudu bird on the windowsill seemed to want to follow, but it almost got noticed by Qiao Xing and simply wobbled back to Li Yan’s side.
…
Suddenly, a gunshot shattered the silence, followed by the hysterical screams of a woman.
As Qiao Xing rushed to the communication room, upon hearing the gunshot, he frowned and said, “Find out who fired a shot during the curfew.”
In a short while, his subordinate brought over a Black Star soldier, who was sweating profusely from his forehead.
“Colonel, this is a new recruit. He was scared by the recent suicide bombings by the fanatic believers. He just accidentally killed a refugee child.”
Qiao Xing glanced over at a small, lifeless body lying nearby, blood freely flowing across the damp ground. A woman in her thirties lay over the body, and countless refugees quietly peered from behind wooden planks and metal sheets.
Qiao Xing averted his gaze, merely glancing at the sweat-drenched recruit.
“Go back and write a self-criticism.”
After speaking, he hurried towards the communication room.
In the communication room, Liang Wei was also there, holding a telephone receiver, with Liang Zhengyong’s scolding clearly audible even to Qiao Xing who had just entered.
“What are you two up to? Who is this Li Yan? Why is he a second-level target in the purge plan?!”
“Don’t ask me, Dad. Qiao Xing added him, and I simply didn’t veto it. He wants to clear his name of being cuckolded, and as a brother, shouldn’t I help out?”
“Give me the phone.”
Qiao Xing reached out his hand.
Liang Wei handed over the receiver to Qiao Xing.
“General, I added this person to the plan not because of a personal vendetta. I firmly believe that he is…”
“Qiao Xing.”
Liang Zhengyong interrupted Qiao Xing, “You have a keen political sense, and you can guess many things without me telling you. Are you really prepared to placate me with the rationale you submitted? Whether it’s appropriate to include this Wilderness Hunter as a target, and whether it aligns with the interests of Black Star war chariot, you know the answer.”
“…”
“Since childhood, you have been clever and mature beyond your years, keeping your emotions from showing, and the elders always praised you for having a calm demeanor. However, at times, this makes you too reliant on political maneuvers and too accustomed to speaking behind a mask. Sometimes, after telling too many lies, even you start to think they are for the greater good.”
Qiao Xing’s fists clenched tighter as each of Liang Zhengyong’s words pierced his heart.
To Qiao Xing’s surprise, Liang Zhengyong then changed the subject: “Today, as your uncle, I want to teach you something different. I’m only going to ask you this once: what is your reason for listing this Wilderness Hunter as a target?”
Qiao Xing was at a loss for words for a long while. Eventually, as if drained of all strength, he barely said:
“I trust my wife, but that Wilderness Hunter, he doesn’t have the right to put me in such an embarrassing position.”
Qiao Xing’s tone began to fluctuate violently.
“…”
After a while, Liang Zhengyong finally spoke, “I can’t waste the committee’s resources to avenge your personal grudge. The target list can remain, but you’ll have to arrange the manpower to strike the target yourself.”
“General, you… ”
“Sometimes, you have to directly confront your negative emotions. You need an outlet. In politics, when you wish to strike an opponent, you must have a just cause. But is it always necessary to go through such trouble? If killing a wandering hunter in the wilderness helps you understand this, then it is definitely worth it.”
Qiao Xing swallowed hard, “Thank you, General.”
Liang Zhengyong hung up the phone.
Qiao Xing looked at Liang Wei: “You actually didn’t snitch on me.”
“Do I look that bored?”
Liang Wei laughed, “But you, don’t underestimate that young Wilderness Hunter. Maybe he is the one, you never know.”
Qiao Xing gave him a sidelong glance, his tone now openly icy, “Is Ramu Jue the only one who has killed them?”
