Ever since Yang Yi departed, the expressions on the faces of Nangong San and the other two had been somewhat off. It wasn't just them; even Shangguan Tengfei and Shangguan Yunmeng seemed slightly taken aback. Only Gongsun Ce, affecting an air of mystery, remarked to the pair, "This person’s depths are like a hidden pool, his nature as mysterious as the wind."

"Stop playing coy, just tell us what you know," Shangguan Tengfei demanded.

"I don't know much, really, and besides, you won't need me to tell you. Once the review ceremony begins, you'll see," Gongsun Ce said, glancing pointedly at Nangong San and his two companions, a smirk hinting at the spectacle about to unfold.

After walking for about two minutes, Yang Yi, led by Instructor Chen, arrived at an office door. Instructor Chen called out inside, "Report, the person has been brought."

"Mmm, come in."

"You go in."

"Right!" Yang Yi nodded and stepped inside. He saw a young man sitting in the office chair with his back to him, clad in a crisp, professional military uniform. As the figure slowly turned, Yang Yi couldn't help but laugh, "It really is you, fellow."

"Tsk, tsk, Boss, long time no see." Xu Ming strode forward, throwing his arms around Yang Yi in a massive, emotional embrace.

"Hell, kid, let go of me! Are you sick or something?" Yang Yi roughly pushed Xu Ming away, glaring at him.

"Uh, haha, don't misunderstand, just a misunderstanding. I actually prefer women," Xu Ming managed to suppress his excitement. Since joining the army, this moment had broken through the usual solemnity.

"Third Brother, you’re doing well, aren't you? Already a General?" Yang Yi sat down casually on a nearby chair.

He understood Xu Ming’s genuine feelings; as brothers, pretense was unnecessary. Hearing Yang Yi’s question, Xu Ming immediately rubbed his hands together, a wide smile spreading across his face. "Boss, actually..."

"Enough, since you chose this time to see me, it can't be for anything good. Spit it out..." Yang Yi shook his head with a wry smile. The moment he stepped in here, he thought Xu Ming had changed, but seeing that shameless grin confirmed it: Xu Ming had changed—become steadier and calmer than before, truly showing the potential to be the backbone of a nation.

"Boss, I won't waste time. I’ve achieved what you hoped for back then—I’m a General, even if it hasn't been officially announced. Whether it is or isn't announced, it's still the same old thing. The reason I sought you out now is the matter concerning the British Royal Family. If this current situation isn't handled well, I won't be able to take that long leave I’ve been hoping for," Xu Ming looked at Yang Yi with a slight plea in his eyes.

"What, you aren't confident about this one?" Yang Yi looked at Xu Ming in surprise.

Xu Ming knew that Yang Yi’s question meant he was already well-informed, so he dropped the pleasantries. A heavy expression settled on his face. "Boss, this matter is unusual. It doesn't just concern the grievances between the Eight Great Families and us; it's a plot by the British Royal Family against Huaxia. You must know about that virus they call 'Six Carat,' right?"

"Mmm, and what about that?" Yang Yi asked, staring at Xu Ming with interest.

Xu Ming seemed momentarily stunned, then let out a sigh that made him sound like an old man. "I never expected this. For the past six months, Boss, every waking moment has been spent trying not to disappoint your expectations, climbing higher and higher. Even if I can't surpass you, I should at least get a little closer. But I realize now, I'm still too far behind you."

Xu Ming knew and understood that no more words were needed. While a reunion of brothers should involve a long night of drinking, even this hurried meeting felt somewhat inadequate to his brother, but Xu Ming was helpless. The way things were developing now made this mission feel overwhelmingly heavy; the slightest mistake could lead to far greater trouble. That was why he chose this exact moment to meet Yang Yi, yet now he secretly regretted it, feeling worse than being shut out completely.

"Haha, you little rascal." Yang Yi shook his head and laughed heartily, "This fulfills the promise the other two made to beat you up."

"Ugh!" Xu Ming was stunned. Although he had guessed that Yang Yi had figured everything out and was merely enjoying the show, hearing those words made Xu Ming feel an urge to smash his head against a wall.

"Second Brother and Fourth Brother knew I set up this military training?"

"What did you think?" Yang Yi teased him.

"Damn it, you bunch of shameless guys! I really got the short end of the stick, playing the clown for so long."

"Alright, now tell me. Your real reason for coming to me—it isn't just about the review ceremony happening later, is it?" Yang Yi’s expression immediately became serious.

This sudden shift left Xu Ming confused, wondering if he was seeing things clearly. He replied, "Yes, those people are likely to make their move shortly. I’m currently vexed about how to deal with them. Since the Minister of Foreign Affairs will be personally reviewing the troops, I want to intercept the British conspiracy without alerting anyone."

"Isn't that simple?"

"Simple?" Xu Ming looked at Yang Yi, completely failing to grasp his meaning.

Yang Yi smiled faintly. "Won't there be new recruits at this review ceremony?"

"Yes!"

"Then do you know what 'making the best use of available resources' means?"

"Uh, I don't quite follow."

"But you know about 'ghost fighting ghost'?"

"'Ghost fighting ghost'?" Xu Ming frowned. To call him naive? He wasn't. To call him a fool? Then how could he be a General? Ghost fighting ghost, as the name implied, meant one's own people fighting each other. But the members of the British Royal Family were foreigners; there were no foreigners among the new recruits, surely? Yet, when Xu Ming thought of those three specific families, a light suddenly dawned, and he said excitedly, "Haha! As expected of the Boss, I understand now."

"Good that you understand. In that case, I'll head out now. If I stay too long, the people outside will suspect I have ties here, and that will ruin your reputation, kid." Yang Yi chuckled.

"Damn it, what son-of-a-bitch dares say our Boss ruins my reputation? I'll beat him to death," Xu Ming declared angrily upon hearing this.

"Alright, stop saying that. I'm leaving now."

"Wait, Boss!" Xu Ming pulled Yang Yi back, a sly smile on his face. "I want to introduce you to two people."

"Introduce me to two people?"

"Yep!" Xu Ming nodded, then called toward the door, "Li Sui, Guo Qing, come in."

"Coming, Boss."

Hearing this, Yang Yi’s heart skipped a beat. It seemed he understood Xu Ming’s intention, and he stared at Xu Ming with a touch of disdain.

"Come, this is our Boss, Yang Yi. Follow him, and you’ll eat well and drink fine."

"Damn it!" Yang Yi muttered.

Li Sui and Guo Qing, however, looked utterly thrilled. They suddenly dropped to their knees before Yang Yi with a thump, letting streams of snot and tears mix together.

"Uh, what are you doing? Get up quickly, I’m not dead yet." Yang Yi looked extremely uncomfortable. What kind of people were these? Hell, they were even more shameless than Xu Ming was back then, shamelessly wiping their snot and tears all over him.

"Great Boss..."

"Great Boss?" Yang Yi pushed the two men away, almost kicking them over, and looked at the smiling Xu Ming. "You bastard, what is the deal with these two?"

"Hey, Boss, don't be like that. They are my underlings, which makes them your underlings too. So calling you Great Boss isn't an overstatement. And their admiration for you is like the surging waters of a great river..."

"Bullshit..."

Before Yang Yi could finish, the two put on their crying faces. "Great Boss, we’ve heard all about your deeds from the Boss. The Boss said if we follow you, never mind eating well and drinking fine, you can even arrange for nuns from any country for us! Poor us little brothers are still bachelors."

"Scram, Xu Ming, you scoundrel!" Yang Yi felt utterly disgusted; the shamelessness of these two was beyond measure. Shaking them off, Yang Yi rushed toward the door.

"Hey, Great Boss, Great Boss...." Li Sui and Guo Qing called out. Seeing Yang Yi escape, they turned to Xu Ming with tearful expressions, "Boss!"

"Damn it, who told you to copy my old ways? Hell, now look at this—I don't know if the Boss will even accept you. Alright, focus on the main task. Go out and arrange a few things immediately." Xu Ming said something to the two men, which made them beam with extremely lewd smiles as they thumped their chests. "Don't worry, leave this to us."

"Go."

"Yes!"

Once Li Sui and Guo Qing had left, Xu Ming sighed softly. "British Royal Family, oh British Royal Family, you were fated to meet our Boss in your miserable state; your life is surely over."

"Mmm, mmm, mmm." Yang Yi shook his head, feeling that lingering sensation return from the previous incident—goosebumps crawling all over him. But he certainly wouldn't underestimate those two just now. "Where did Third Brother find such masters? Grandmaster level? Third Brother has broken through too. Damn it, who cares."