After a long time with the two elders, Yang Chen was pulled aside by Li Muyang.

"What is it?" Yang Chen stared at Li Muyang, sensing that he had something urgent to say.

Li Muyang said to Yang Chen, "The old chief asked me to bring you a message."

"A message for me?" Yang Chen raised an eyebrow, "What did he say?"

He had a bad premonition in his heart.

He didn't think the old chief would send a special message to him for no reason.

Judging by Li Muyang's appearance, it seemed urgent.

Li Muyang said in a solemn tone, "The old chief wants me to tell you that the people you captured were ambushed on the way to being transported back to Jin Chen. Out of twenty-five, only five survived!"

"What?" Yang Chen was incredulous.

This is Flame Country, an absolute power unity. How could anyone dare to rob these people?

To go against the old chief? That's courting death!

"What's the situation?" Yang Chen asked in a deep voice.

Li Muyang shook his head, "I don't know the specifics. The old chief wants you to contact him after you return."

Yang Chen's expression was grim as he frowned and pondered.

He really couldn't figure out who would dare to take action domestically!

This is not the work of an individual. If someone kidnapped or silenced the team, it must be supported by a powerful organization or people with resources.

And people with such resources should not be causing trouble domestically, much less dare to do such things.

Who was it that recklessly took such actions?

Yang Chen furrowed his brows.

Li Muyang spoke from the side, "Should I contact the old chief now?"

Yang Chen nodded and said in a deep voice, "Contact him!"

This matter was somewhat related to him, and he bore some responsibility, so it was better to contact the old chief.

Soon, Li Muyang made a call through an encrypted line, and after several transfers, finally got in touch with the old chief.

Li Muyang handed the phone to Yang Chen.

Yang Chen took the phone and spoke solemnly, "Old Chief!"

"Ah, Yang Chen, you're back." The old chief said kindly.

"Yes!"

"There's something I need to discuss with you, to hear your opinion."

"Please go ahead."

The old chief slowly said, "When I heard you captured those foreign individuals, I took it very seriously, ordering strict guarding and planning to bring them back for interrogation. However, on the way back, they were ambushed. In the emergency, nearby units immediately went for support, and only five were rescued, all others perished. Who do you think would have attacked these people?"

Yang Chen said, "I don't know."

"Who do you think has the power to infiltrate domestically?"

"I'm not sure."

"Surely you have a suspect in mind?" The old chief, like a devil wagging its tail, tried to lure Yang Chen into revealing some information.

"Sorry!" Yang Chen wouldn't be fooled, "I really have no idea, and I didn't expect anyone to act domestically."

"How do you think this matter should be handled?" the old chief asked.

Yang Chen smiled bitterly, "Old Chief, you shouldn't be asking me this, but let professional criminal investigators handle it."

Silence came from the old chief's side.

After a long while, the old chief said, "I've already organized a special criminal investigation team to look into the case, but we're still missing a leader."

Yang Chen understood the old chief's meaning and directly said, "Sorry, Old Chief, I'm quite busy lately, so I'm afraid I don't have the time..."

"I think you would be interested, as some of the findings from the investigation team are quite intriguing." The old chief chuckled lightly.

Yang Chen frowned and said in a deep voice, "I'm sorry, I really don't know anything about this from start to finish. I only did my part by handing over the people I captured to you. The rest is unrelated to me, my task is complete!"

"Alright! I hope so!" The old chief hung up the phone.

Yang Chen put down the phone, frowning deeply.

The old chief was speaking in riddles, constantly testing him. Yang Chen could tell that the old chief believed he knew something.

But Yang Chen really knew nothing, even the attack on the team was told to him by Li Muyang.

Yang Chen couldn't understand the meaning behind the old chief's last words, shook his head, and decided to leave it aside. After all, he had a lot to do, he had to save Ye Xin, and time was running out.

Li Muyang took the phone back from Yang Chen and frowned, "Yang Chen, are you sure you don't..."

Yang Chen shook his head, "This has nothing to do with me, I've already retired, I have my own matters to attend to!"

"Well... alright!" Li Muyang sighed.

Yang Chen walked out of the courtyard, feeling for his pocket, wanting to smoke.

Gao Hong handed him a cigarette, which Yang Chen accepted casually.

Just placing it on his lips, Yang Chen recalled what Ye Xin had once told him: If you want a baby, you have to quit smoking!

"Quit smoking..." Yang Chen hesitated for a moment, removing the cigarette from his lips, smelling the tempting tobacco aroma.

Gao Hong lit a lighter, offering to light Yang Chen's cigarette.

Yang Chen pushed Gao Hong's arm away with a light smile, "No need, I'll just take a sniff, I'm quitting smoking!"

"Quitting smoking?" Gao Hong widened his eyes, "Boss, are you joking? With your smoking habit, you're quitting?"

In Gao Hong's memory, Yang Chen used to smoke up to two packs a day!

With such a smoking habit, quitting seemed nearly impossible.

Yang Chen glanced at Gao Hong and said, "Forgot what I told you before?"

"Ah?" Gao Hong indeed couldn't remember anymore, it was too long ago.

Yang Chen said, "A man can quit smoking if he really wants to. If you don't even have that willpower, how will you accomplish big things in the future?"

Yang Chen smoked, but he was also very strict. During missions, no one was allowed to smoke, all scents had to be eliminated. Generally, as soon as they knew a mission was coming, everyone stopped smoking, enduring the withdrawal no matter how tough it was, for exposure could mean death!

Gao Hong nodded, looking at the lit cigarette in his hand, "Then... should I quit too?"

Yang Chen's words from back then indeed left an impression on him, and he felt they were right, struggling internally.

Yang Chen laughed, "Why are you quitting? I'm preparing to have children, and you aren't even married, what's the point of joining in?"

"Having children?" Gao Hong's eyes lit up with excitement, "Is sis-in-law pregnant?"

Yang Chen broke out in cold sweat, glaring at Gao Hong, "Not so fast!"

He was in a tight spot, let alone having deeper exchanges with Ye Xin, there wasn't even a child in sight!

Thinking about it, Yang Chen added, "The books say smokers must quit for a year, and also stop drinking. I think drinking is fine, when the time is right, quitting for two or three months will do."

"Oh, oh!" Gao Hong nodded repeatedly, excitedly saying, "Then hurry up, boss, I'm waiting to drink at your wedding!"

"Don't worry!" Yang Chen patted Gao Hong's shoulder with a smile.

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