Chapter 485 - Gaining the Initiative

“I have seen shamelessness, but never such shamelessness before.”

Xue Tian’s ridiculous taunting tone sounded slowly behind Qin Fen. Presumably, he made his shrill voice sound harsher.

Zuo Lin couldn’t help but feel a scalding sensation on his cheeks. As someone who had everything under his control, he was trying to trick his future subordinate, which indeed made his face hurt.

Zuo Lin’s face turned ashen but he didn’t pay heed to Xue Tian. He stared straight at Qin Fen and said, his voice growing colder, “Qin Fen, if you don’t want to help your friend, you can refuse my term straight away. There is no need to ask for someone to help you.”

Trying to turn the blame on others when you yourself are responsible, huh!? A sneer appeared on Qin Fen’s expressionless face. Now, Mourad was captured by his target before he could kill him. There was no point in talking with Zuo Lin, the most important thing was to get Mourad back.

“Speak!”

Qin Fen’s reply was as simple and straightforward as before. Zuo Lin’s heart was fiercely jolted on the other end of the screen when he heard this single-word reply. That lonesome word felt as if a rock weighing a thousand kilograms had given a heavy blow to his heart, even through various screens.

“Qin Fen, you replied promptly just like a man should.” Zuo Lin adjusted the rhythm of his finger tapping on the table. “However, if you find someone to intervene on your behalf to block my other request, that doesn’t seem justified. If you throw away your captive companion at such a moment, even if it’s only to find someone to help you refute this term, they would also say so before getting your advice. It would really chill my heart if you do this. Mourad for you…”

“State your terms.” Qin Fen forcefully interrupted Zuo Lin’s words. “Speak.”

At the sight of Zuo Lin’s expression when he was interrupted, a bit of gratification due to having achieved revenge appeared on Qin Fen’s face.

Zuo Lin, sensing the joyful look in Mourad’s eyes, knew that his attempt to provoke Mourad had failed once again. He covered his mouth and forced a cough to hide his embarrassment before continuing, “I want you to become my subordinate after you have withdrawn your quota. You won’t agree. I know that in your opinion, I am a person who has not even stepped into the realm of martial dao master, on what basis should I be the boss of a martial dao master like you, right? But let me tell you, a wise man can gain a victory from a thousand miles away. For example, your current condition: you are completely under my control all because of Mourad.”

Qin Fen stared calmly at Zuo Lin. No matter how quickly and sharply he refuted, it would be useless. Furthermore, what Zuo Lin said was also true. Since Mourad was captured and both sides were far apart from each other, he indeed had no choice but to be under his opponent’s control.

“How about we play a game instead?” Zuo Lin spread his palms to either side. “Of course, this game is also a bet. I will tell you where Mourad is detained and if you succeed in saving him within a limited period of time, you win. If you aren’t able to save him, then you have to be my subordinate if you want to guarantee his safety, working for me in the army after I have entered Saturn.”

“What do you think?” Zuo Lin stared at Qin Fen nervously. Logically, he still hadn’t completely subdued this wild horse but it would be a tremendous loss if he let go of this heaven-sent opportunity! I should receive him as my subordinate first and tame him later! I’m afraid he will refuse…

Qin Fen raised his eyelids a little and asked indifferently, staring at Zuo Lin on the screen with a deadpan look, “Are there any other conditions?”

Zuo Lin was delighted. Judging by Qin Fen’s choice of words, it seems that he dares to agree to this bet.

Despite feeling delighted, Zuo Lin was secretly surprised. Zuo Lin stared at the expressionless Qin Fen. He even dares to agree to such a bet. It seems that his courage is bigger than the rumors. It seems that the news about him taking the marriage proposal to Qilin Mountain is true.

Zuo Lin pursued the corner of his lips into a vague smile but in his heart, he was wild with joy. If I can gain Qin Fen as my foot soldier, it will mean that I am better than Qin Fen. At that time, Qilin will look down on Qin Fen even more so for acting as someone’s pawn. Wouldn’t that mean I, too, will have the chance to marry the granddaughter of a divine beast martial artist?

Right then, another figure flashed in Zuo Lin’s mind: Lin Jiaxuan. Thinking of the marriage contract with this woman, Zuo Lin was having another headache. That day, she just wanted to use her father’s power but who would have thought Snake King would wipe out all of Lieutenant General Lin’s forces because of this. Today, she is being investigated because of some things. Even if she is let go in the future, she won’t be of any use.

Zuo Lin wanted to get rid of Lin Jiaxuan, this young lady who used to be coquettish but God knows why she had suddenly become so resolute that she would keep on insisting no matter how hard she was hit.

I must get rid of Lin Jiaxuan! I have to! Zuo Lin made a ruthless decision. As long as he could receive Qin Fen as his pawn, he could prove to Qilin that he was better than Qin Fen.

“Are there any other requirements?” There was a hint of impatience in Qin Fen’s voice.

Zuo Lin hurriedly regained himself from his wild thoughts and shook his head non-stop. In order to become the grandson-in-law of a divine beast martial artist, I can no longer continue pushing Qin Fen anymore, or he might refuse the bet altogether. In that case, although I would be getting a young fifteen-star martial dao master, I would be still at an unimaginable loss.

“None.” Zuo Lin resolutely replied. “As long as you can rescue Mourad within twenty-four hours, it will be your win. As for his location, I will inform you about it later.”

Zuo Lin hung up in light of this, disappearing from the screen immediately.

A cold smile spread across Qin Fen’s face as he dialed another number right after.

Three seconds later, a new projection screen popped up before Qin Fen’s eyes. But this time, it was the face of a typical western beauty with the rank of colonel on her young shoulders instead of Zuo Lin’s handsome face. The loose military uniform still couldn’t hide her shapely and sexy figure.

Jessica Weier, the female colonel who had once cooperated with Qin Fen during a raid in the Sahara desert.

Qin Fen still remembered very well that the prominent forte of this colonel lied in computer networking according to the data Qin Fen was given. She was a super level hacker.

“Lieutenant Colonel Qin Fen, long time no see.” Jessica Weier pushed her red spectacle up her nose as a gleam of joy flickered in her pretty little eyes. After just one mission together, she fell in love with the powerful young colonel who was invincible on the battlefield. “Why did you suddenly think of contacting me? Do you want to invite me to dinner? I need to check my calendar.”

Qin Fen was stunned. During the last mission, this western beauty wasn’t as humorous and funny as she was today.

“I need your help.” Qin Fen played the video of his conversation with Zuo Lin that he had recorded using the video recording function on the mobile to Jessica Weier and said, “This is the call I received a while ago. I wonder whether you can help me find his exact location.”

“Piece of cake! This Colonel Zuo Lin is quite meticulous in his thinking but it’s a pity that he didn’t expect you to come to me.” Jessica Weier pushed her red spectacles up her nose using the red pencil as a charming smile appeared on her lips. “Lieutenant Colonel Qin Fen, you owe me a dinner.”

“No problem! Just don’t order too expensive things. My allowance is limited.”

Qin Fen finally put his heart to rest after having received Jessica Weier’s promise.

Through the projection screen, Jessica Weier could be seen working on different keyboards with her left and right hands individually. Her index finger was like the world’s first-class pianist, dancing on the keyboard non-stop, playing a special tune in which only God knows whether was music or not.

Data kept on changing at an astonishing speed on the projection screens around her. After just fifteen minutes, Jessica Weier stopped operating. A confident smile spread on her cherry red lips as she took the spectacles off her nose and flung her long and silky hair gently, exuding the charms of a mature woman.

“Found it.”

Two extra sets of data appeared on Qin Fen’s projection screen. One of which was obviously the location from the mobile phone network, while the other was a pure image with various comparison data and analysis beside it.

Qin Fen stared at the second data projection for a few seconds before realizing that Jessica Weier had just hacked into the mobile phone network system to find the location of Zuo Lin’s signal transmission and also the probable location derived after a variety of comparative analysis using the image of Zuo Lin’s room recorded during his last call, which was the same as the location of his mobile phone signal.

“Lieutenant Colonel Qin Fen, you owe me two dinners.”

Jessica Weier mischievously pouted her cherry red lips at Qin Fen and sent a flying kiss at him before turning off the projection screen.

Within a few seconds, Zuo Lin called again. “Qin Fen, Mourad is in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. When you get there, someone will contact you. I am looking forward to your surprising performance. Remember, you have to go alone.”

Zuo Lin raised his finger and pressed the button to end the call before resting his hands on the armrest of the revolving chair and then turned his chair happily. From the beginning to the end, there was a smile hanging on his lips that seemed to be saying he had prevailed in his scheme.

“Since I have made the bet, I will not lose for sure.” Zuo Lin put his legs on the desk which he rarely did, happy and free from worry. “With a complete defense system along with the joint defense of two martial dao master, Qin Fen will not be able to break through. Even if he somehow broke through the layers of defense, then…”

Zuo Lin clenched his palm tightly, completely deforming the armrest. A fierce and decisive gleam flickered in his eyes. “Then I will ask someone to kill Mourad and put the blame on Qin Fen. Sacrificing a martial dao master, I will draw the ire of a family onto Qin Fen, forcing him into desperation. Naturally, he would have no choice but to follow me.”

“Hohhot!?” Yang Lie raised his eyebrows. “He moved Mourad!? Qin Fen, you alone…”

“Let’s do it together.” Qin Fen turned back and looked at the team with a smile. “Originally, I had planned on completing the assessment in accordance with the rules of the game. But now that I have just promised Zuo Lin that I will withdraw, the rules of the game have no effect on me. From now on, I don’t want to be dragged by the nose. So, from now on, I will decide the rules! We are not going to Hohhot, let’s go to Shengjing! Jessica Weier gave this address. I think Zuo Lin should still be there.”

Xue Tian and the others looked at each other; a happy smile appeared on everyone’s face. They were also annoyed by Zuo Lin’s aggressive and opportunistic behavior on the phone, they hated to be led around by their noses. Now, Qin Fen was planning on taking back the initiative by going directly to Zuo Lin instead of falling into the trap set by him in Hohhot. At that time, they could exchange the captured Zuo Lin for Mourad. Also, they would not need to be afraid of Zuo Lin playing some tricks while rescuing Mourad.

“Go, go, go, hurry up! I can’t wait anymore.”

Xue Tian rubbed his palms back and forth as he trotted towards the airport. Everyone showed a pleased smile as they looked at each other. Most of the annoyance due to being suppressed by Zuo Lin had disappeared at this moment already.

A huge luxurious plane took off the airport. Today, Qin Fen and the others were all sitting in the first-class cabin. Although the expense was a lot higher, this money… Qin Fen had already decided that after they had abducted Zuo Lin, he would ask for medical expenses for his friend when exchanging him for Mourad. I think Zuo Lin wouldn’t mind the price of a few first-class tickets while he is paying all that, right?

As it was almost the most expensive ticket, it was naturally for the fastest flight. The huge civil aircraft flew across the sky, straight towards Shengjing at an astonishing speed.

Zuo Lin, sitting comfortably in the spacious office, was monitoring the ambush at Hohhot through the projection screen. In order to capture Qin Fen in one fell swoop, two sixteen-star martial artists, who were specially approved by his grandfather, had also been mobilized by him.

“Two fifteen-star martial dao masters with advanced-level biochemical beasts, plus two sixteen-star martial dao masters with advanced-level biochemical beasts. Such a lineup is already beyond extravagance!” Zuo Lin, watching the four martial dao masters bustling about, a smile overflowing with pride appeared on his face. So what if these martial dao masters are stronger than me? Aren’t they obeying my orders? As long as I can get Qin Fen and Mourad, then I can seize even more benefits on Saturn in the future before the divine beast is born.

“Elysium, Inferno!?” Zuo Lin looked at the virtual characters typed using the computer and smiled even more happily. “God treats me well! With such huge forces competing with each other on Saturn, I will not try to follow my predecessor’s course of action. I can strive to survive in the gap between these two forces.”

Zuo Lin snapped his finger as a disdainful smile appeared on his face. “The former commander was too stupid. Since it was futile to compete for the power of divine beast with them, he didn’t need to do so. Our military has its own strength. In the face of these two balanced forces, I just need to say to them that I will choose one side, I believe they will cede many benefits to me to draw me in. Instead of competing for the illusory title of the divine beast martial artist, it’s better to take advantage of this opportunity to get the most benefits. This is the real kingly way.”

“Saturn, wait for me!” Zuo Lin smashed his fist on the table. “Wait for me to come and turn the whole thing upside down.

“You won’t have that chance.”

A low and deep voice resounded from the adjacent room before the thick wall exploded. A cloud of dust and smoke filled the room as Qin Fen smashed the wall.