Special Forces Medic

Chapter 925 897: Internal Strife and External Threats

From Lao Long's terrified eyes, Xiao Lin felt a sense of despair, though he hadn't confirmed such a possibility, that kind of terror already spoke of many things.

"You can leave now! I don't want to know anymore."

"Xiao Lin, in fact..."

"Before I want to kill you, just go!" At this moment, he indeed had the impulse to kill, truly wanted to kill. What would he have become if Mu Rongyun hadn't failed?

——Did you leave peacefully?

——At the moment life withers, do you feel pain? Fear?

——Because your cold hands tightly gripped like a flower bud

——Because your crimson lips and long hair fluttering in the wind

——Make me doubt if this is a dream

——With your pain

——Let your last words end my life!

——Please take me with you!

On the radio, a new piece by Chopin was playing, vastly different from his previous style. Some said he was in love, some said he had broken up, some said his return after so long must be due to being immersed in a romance. Numerous rumors flurried outside, fueled by the sales of the new album, possibly a marketing tactic, as for those involved, rumors are the best publicity.

From the bright sunny sky to the setting dusk, Xiao Lin hadn't left his throne, maintaining the same posture. They say Chopin's voice is healing in itself, but he didn't think so. A mournful voice doesn't make one listen more comfortably; a song heals wounds because it fits your soul. Mismatched tunes will only make one more depressed or colder.

Turning off the radio, the cramped space fell silent. A lit cigarette butt flickered, forming an odd correspondence with the just-set evening sun.

The car window was knocked on insistently, and before the unexpected visitor could react, they were already inside the car. Xiao Lin gloomily thought, he must remember to lock the door in the future.

"Why is it you guys? Aren't you supposed to be watching over the old man?"

Flame Swallow leaned toward Xiao Lin, looking so dejected he almost didn't recognize him, as Consort Ling aptly blocked between them, stretching a hand from the back door to keep Flame Swallow from getting closer.

"I have good news and bad news, which one would you like to hear first?" Flame Swallow glared at Consort Ling; he didn't want any entanglements with the 'Black Crow' eliminator. Even if no one would lose, there would inevitably be casualties. This time he swapped for a non-granny mask, and the mutt that looks like no other wasn't seen either—did something happen?

"If you can announce both the good news and the bad simultaneously, I'll answer you. Where's your dog and mask?" Even the best good news from Flame Swallow is just a slightly better bad news.

"Such a boring guy." Flame Swallow rolled his eyes. "Let's start with the bad, shall we? Wing has confirmed to be missing in the United States, likely already meeting a mishap. 'Black Crow' faces a complete overhaul; it seems someone has secretly bought off the upper ranks of 'Black Crow.' Wing was set up with a conspiracy designed by the opposing side, someone wants to sweep the entire Assassin Realm. So the old man wants you to be mentally prepared, though he promises to bring back the body even if it's a corpse."

"And the good news?" Xiao Lin seemed indifferent, as if nothing could stir his emotions now.

"The old man plans to abdicate on the 15th of next month."

"Oh!"

"That's your reaction? Abdicating on the 15th also means you're taking over."

"I haven't planned on taking over, so he doesn't need to step down. If he thinks this can end the wicked outcomes sown over ten years ago, I think staying in his position would be safer for him." Xiao Lin's finger tapped the steering wheel; the old man was a bit impulsive. "Go back and tell him this won't make me give up, if he's got the guts, let him use me as his damn experiment!"

A hand gently encircled the back of Xiao Lin's neck, just enough to subdue his irritable mood. "Consort Ling, let go of me, I'm fine."

"No letting go!" Consort Ling replied blandly.

"Uh!" Flame Swallow raised an eyebrow; he would never relay these words to the old man—only a fool would be their scapegoat. "I don't have that kind of guts, but you can talk directly to the old man."

"Coward!"

"I'm just protecting myself, but I think you might have misunderstood. The old man never meant to use you as a test subject." Flame Swallow thought the words a bit off. "But before that, shouldn't you consider the matter of succession first—it's a big deal."

"As long as Mu Rongyun remains unended, I can't possibly succeed."

"Xiao Lin, don't be too stubborn!" Flame Swallow, not known for good temper, angrily shouted at him. "The old man has been busy lately, you should appreciate his efforts. Italy's side has already issued an ultimatum, giving us three days to hand over Arthur and Charles—do you know why the old man never acted?"

"Are you suggesting it's for me?"

"Isn't that the case? Until you resolve the Wang Family, he'll keep holding this matter—do you understand what that means?" Flame Swallow grabbed Xiao Lin's shirt, without Consort Ling stepping in this time. "Why hasn't the old man provoked the Italian side? It's not about being afraid, it's because the U.S. still needs time to stabilize and clean up. At least for now, interests can be used to placate Italy's anxiety, but the U.S. gangs have been infiltrated by another force. Are you going to continue with your young master tantrum here? If you could perfect this place, the old man wouldn't have to run back and forth; don't you understand the consequences of internal and external troubles?"

"What could change if I succeed? Even if I rise to power, the Mafia behind the Wang Family would still be the Mafia. When I eliminate the Wang Family, sparking another conflict actually helps the old man—you're truly self-contradictory. If he really cares for me, why not tell me the truth, why make me go to such great lengths to find the answer—what is it that I can't be privy to?"

"You're too stubborn!"

"It's not stubbornness; I want to know the truth. Why does Xia Ya resent the Xiao Family, and that Mu Rongyun, just like me, isn't he the old man's son? He wants to make amends for past wrongs, but it only fuels their hatred. Even placing me in charge, what's the outcome? There must be a reason for the old man's urgency, right? I think there's a lot I don't know the inside story about, right?"

Pitter-patter, raindrops began to fall on the car's windshield, creating a rhythmic patterning sound. During the day, it was blazing suns, but by nightfall, it became a drizzling rain. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to go to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)