Because of the time difference between the two sides, it took Qingyi more time to share her stories, but they never tired of it. Even the most trivial matters brought them joy when shared together.
When she mentioned being kidnapped by Ye Zhongwen, only to break through mid-way and blind him in the process, Su Mo secretly cheered, finding it immensely satisfying.
His heart clenched upon learning his parents had been kidnapped, but fortunately, they were rescued in time by members of Beidou.
Qingyi told him everything, except for one thing—the fact that she could share senses with him. Even though both were acutely aware of it.
In her view, such a thing was completely unnecessary to say out loud… Hehe.
Su Mo didn’t press the matter, lost in his own thoughts about the current global situation.
Since the Elder Council’s downfall, Xuan Nan Gong had resumed power, placing his trust in individuals like Yang He and Li Guozhong. Although Beidou had lost many talents due to internal strife, the organization as a whole had become more cohesive and solid.
Coupled with the infusion of new blood, the present Beidou wasn’t much weaker than before.
As for Hongye Tang, an organization within the country that could rival Beidou, they had become much more low-key. For nine months, there hadn’t been even a whisper about them.
Regarding foreign powers, due to the arrests of a group of Class B and C powerhouses by Xuan Nan Gong and Qingyu Ye nine months ago, many forces had expressed dissatisfaction towards Xia Country.
Following the principle of reciprocity, Xuan Nan Gong paid them each a ‘courtesy visit’.
They didn’t dare to voice any complaints after that.
There were only a handful of countries and organizations in the world with Class A powerhouses backing them, all behemoths in their own right. Who would be foolish enough to provoke them?
Even when Xuan Nan Gong and Qingyu Ye proactively harassed them under the pretext of retaliation, they could only grit their teeth, not daring to utter a single word of grievance.
This was also thanks to Xia Country’s inherent strength and profound foundation. A single wave of its development could match the efforts of some smaller nations for several years.
These were somewhat tangential topics. Su Mo only had a general understanding. The only thing that truly piqued his interest was the Ye Family.
“They truly are a major clan of Jiangcheng. Even colluding with Elder Liu wasn’t enough to bring them down,” Su Mo sighed inwardly.
“Being large and established is one thing, but the main reason is the protection from Hongye Tang behind them. The Tang Leader, Wu Tian, is a peak Class B powerhouse. He, along with Elder Qin Xun and Elder Nan Gong before his breakthrough to Class A, were known as the three top experts in the country.”
Su Mo sighed, “Yes, and now only Elder Nan Gong remains from that trio.”
“Well, he also…” Qingyi’s words suddenly halted. “Oh, right, the two can’t be compared anymore. He’s too weak now.”
They talked late into the night until Qingyi’s phone suddenly received a message: A selection process would soon begin nationwide to choose a group of young individuals with top-tier talent and strength as ‘seeds’ for specialized training.
“Ah! It’s about to start, it’s about to start!” Qingyi exclaimed, her expression excited.
“What’s about to start?” This once again touched upon Su Mo’s blind spot of information. He was puzzled.
“The Prodigy Training Camp, organized by the ISO, is about to start recruiting. Beidou is pre-selecting candidates.”
“Prodigy Training Camp? What’s that?”
“It’s aimed at cultivating top-tier combat power for humanity, to deal with various uncontrollable factors in the future. It was proposed and is hosted by our Beidou’s representative at the ISO, Commissioner Long Tianyu.”
“Long Tianyu? Elder Tianji?”
“Correct.”
Su Mo mentally calculated the current combat strength of Xia Country.
Among the seven Elders of Beidou, aside from Tian Shu Xing and Yao Guang Xing whose whereabouts were unknown, the remaining five included four Class B and one Class A.
Qin Xun didn’t count as his foundation was ruined, but Yang Jie happened to also be Class B and could take his place.
Hongye Tang also had two: Wu Tian and Li Wenhui.
As for Qingyu Hui, aside from Qingyu Ye herself as the top combatant, there were temporarily no other powerhouses above Class B.
On the surface, Xia Country’s combat strength wasn’t weak, though it seemed slightly lacking compared to Mi Country – they had two Class A powerhouses and serums capable of mass-producing superhumans.
“What are you worried about?” Qingyi asked, concerned by his unhappy expression.
“The current situation for Xia Country is quite precarious. We’re surrounded by powerful enemies in the global landscape. Although there’s peace for now, if Mi Country turns against us, a host of other forces will follow suit and cause trouble,” Su Mo frowned.
“Therefore, Xia Country must produce another Class A powerhouse.”
Su Mo shook his head. “It’s not just that. We also need our own trump card, something others cannot replicate, like Mi Country’s artificial superhumans.”
Su Mo’s words held merit, but achieving even one of these goals was extremely difficult, let alone both.
“Our little Mo is truly a great hero, worrying about the nation and its people,” Qingyi teased, wrapping her arm around his shoulder.
Just then, the sound of a car stopping came from outside.
They exchanged a glance. Qingyi’s expression turned resigned. “Well, here we go again.”
“Who is it?”
“My… Ye Zhongwen.”
“What’s he doing here? Isn’t he blind?” Su Mo was confused.
Qingyi let out a long sigh. “Hongye Tang wants to recruit me. But since he kidnapped your parents just before that, as a gesture of sincerity, Hongye Tang makes him come here to apologize every month.”
“Ah?” Su Mo exclaimed in surprise. “Wait, they’re poaching right under Beidou’s nose?”
“Essentially, both belong to Xia Country’s official organizations. They just want me to hold a nominal position on their side. Precedents for this already exist.”
“And making him come to apologize, you…”
“It’s fine. Consider it him apologizing to Mom. I always make sure he gets thoroughly snubbed anyway,” Qingyi’s expression was cold. “Besides, after what he did to your parents, he must pay the price.”
Su Mo’s expression turned serious. He thought for a moment and said, “You go out first in a bit. I want to give him a little surprise.”
Qingyi hummed in agreement. Right on cue, the door was knocked. “Little Mo, your uncle is here to see you. I brought you a gift,” a voice called from outside.
From the sound, it wasn’t just one person; there were bodyguards too.
Qingyi went to open the door, while Su Mo retreated to the bedroom to hide.
Suddenly, she called out to him, her expression serious.
“What is it?”
She mimicked the maids in period dramas, placing her hands at her side and giving a slight curtsy. “This young lady is going to open the door now.”
Su Mo : “@#u0026$￥…” (speechless sputtering)
The door opened.
Ye Zhongwen wore sunglasses and a suit, looking presentable on the surface. Someone held an umbrella for him, and despite the increasing rain, not a single drop fell on his pristine suit.
“Long time no see, Little Mo . You’ve grown even more handsome. How could I have been so blind before, doing all those wicked things?” Ye Zhongwen’s expression was unlike any before. Towards this ‘youth’ before him, he set aside his pride, even displaying a hint of ingratiation.
Qingyi knew he was pretending. For his own benefit, he could be cruel to anyone, and he could also discard his arrogance and dignity for anyone.
“Just as you wished, you are blind now, aren’t you?” Qingyi only acted sweet and docile in front of Su Mo. Towards outsiders, she was consistently aloof and assertive.
Yes, Ye Zhongwen was now an outsider.
A bodyguard behind Ye Zhongwen flared up in anger. “Kid! Our family head is visiting you out of respect for the young lady! Don’t go too far!”
“Shut your mouth! How dare you speak to my future son-in-law like that? Punishment!” Ye Zhongwen glared darkly at his subordinate, then turned back to Qingyi with an ingratiating smile. “Just a subordinate speaking out of turn. Don’t mind it, don’t mind it, haha.”
At that moment, Uncle Hei, who had been standing by Ye Zhongwen’s side, moved. He pried open the mouth of the man who had spoken and, with practiced efficiency, cut out his tongue. It was clear he had done this sort of thing many times before.
Qingyi felt a chill of disgust, thinking the man before her had once again redefined her understanding of despicable.
The rain fell heavier, and a howling wind began to blow. Despite the umbrellas shifting left and right trying to protect him, Ye Zhongwen’s dry suit was ultimately dampened by the rain.
The bodyguard who had lost his tongue lay wailing in the rain. No one paid him any attention. He eventually passed out from the pain. Without Ye Zhongwen’s order, no one dared to move.