However, in terms of results, the current situation was what Bai Ye had hoped for.
Bai Ye had wanted to accelerate the progress of the world battlefield, and now the progress of the world battlefield could be said to be infinitely accelerated.
"But..." Bai Ye murmured, lying on the back of the乘龙 (Cheng Long), "Can they really fight to occupy territory?"
Bai Ye felt that the logic was still the same. In his previous life, the destruction of safe zones and the establishment of territorial rule were due to the competition for resources.
Nowadays, resources were sufficient, and due to limited strength, not all safe zones could be encroached upon. The zones that could be easily captured were not very valuable in terms of resources; in fact, many were even useless.
In this situation, would it truly be better to fight to the death for a safe zone than to stably conquer forbidden zones and seize resources from dangerous areas?
Bai Ye felt it was hard to say, but it wasn't very important. Even without the issue of safe zones, Bai Ye's investment in the Evil Spirit Group was a very correct move.
Originally, due to Bai Ye, the Evil Spirit Group had developed rapidly. Now, with the Top War, the Hidden Dragon Society was greatly weakened, and the opportunity for the Evil Spirit Group had arrived.
As Bai Ye was thinking, the 乘龙 suddenly let out a cry, bringing Bai Ye back to his senses.
Bai Ye looked up and saw a faint mist on the sea. Through the mist, land could already be seen.
"Finally, we're back!"
As the 乘龙 docked, Bai Ye stretched and then patted its head.
"Let's go!" Bai Ye said with a smile, "I'm sick of eating fish every day. I'll take you to eat something good."
Bai Ye intended to reward the 乘龙 handsomely. This sea voyage, the 乘龙 had made invaluable contributions. Although it couldn't help much in fights, its hard work was definitely commendable.
But at this moment...
"Mr. Bai!"
"Hmm?"
Bai Ye heard the voice and turned around, finding the person somewhat familiar.
Bai Ye asked, "Who are you?"
"Chang Lin," the man in the suit said. "Chang as in frequent, Lin as in Qilin."
"Oh!" Bai Ye showed a look of realization. "The one who follows Gao Ming, right?"
Bai Ye thought to himself, no wonder he looked familiar. This guy should be Gao Ming's assistant, or secretary, someone who runs errands for Gao Ming. Every time Bai Ye met Gao Ming, he saw this person.
Chang Lin said, "After Mr. Bai contacted Commander Gao the day before yesterday, Commander Gao asked me to wait for you here."
Bai Ye asked, "Commander Gao?"
Chang Lin smiled and said, "Yes, Commander Stenson has appointed him as the Vice Commander."
Bai Ye glanced at Chang Lin. The young man was very good at handling things, directly omitting the "Vice" from Vice Commander.
However, that brat Gao Ming had finally made it. As far as Bai Ye knew, the Evil Spirit Group was a one-man show by Stenson, with no so-called Vice Commander.
Now, a Vice Commander was specially created for Gao Ming? It was evident that Stenson was very satisfied with Gao Ming.
Bai Ye asked, "What does he want with me?"
Chang Lin immediately became serious and said, "Commander Gao has something very important to discuss with Mr. Bai, which is why he asked me to wait here."
Bai Ye wondered, "Can't he say it over the communication device?"
Chang Lin replied, "Commander Gao is temporarily unable to use communication methods due to some reasons."
"Alright."
As Bai Ye spoke, he glanced at the 乘龙.
Chang Lin immediately stepped forward and said, "We have a beast-taming and breeding house run by our Evil Spirit Group here. Why don't we leave it with them for safekeeping for now?"
Bai Ye was amused. This kid was indeed very good at handling things.
Bai Ye said, "Then I'll trouble you."
Chang Lin smiled and said, "It's just a small matter."
As Chang Lin spoke, he made a gesture inviting Bai Ye.
Following Chang Lin, after settling the 乘龙, Bai Ye went with Chang Lin to one of the Evil Spirit Group's strongholds.
Bai Ye asked, "You said earlier that Gao Ming couldn't communicate. He must have been in a forbidden zone, or on a wish mission, right? Has he returned now?"
Chang Lin smiled and said, "Coincidentally, Commander Gao returned this morning, just before you."
Bai Ye nodded and followed Chang Lin into a tea room.
Chang Lin opened the tea room door to let Bai Ye in, but did not follow him inside.
Upon entering the tea room, Bai Ye saw Gao Ming sitting in front of the tea table, looking tired and dejected. When he saw Bai Ye, he didn't show his usual excitement but let out a long sigh and said, "You're here?"
Bai Ye looked at Gao Ming in confusion and asked, "What's going on?"
Gao Ming was silent for a moment, fiddling with his teacup. After a long while, he said, "The Commander is dead."
Bai Ye asked in confusion, "Who is dead?"
Gao Ming replied, "The Commander is dead, Stenson is dead."
Bai Ye leisurely picked up his teacup and took a sip. Upon hearing this, he immediately spat out the tea, spraying it all over the tea table and splashing Gao Ming's face.
Gao Ming looked indifferent, his entire being lifeless. He reached out and wiped away the tea.
Bai Ye asked, "What's the situation?"
"Things are a bit strange," Gao Ming said. "The Commander was assassinated."
"Assassinated?" Bai Ye asked. "Stenson doesn't explore forbidden zones, nor does he go to dangerous areas. Isn't he always holed up in the stronghold?"
Bai Ye had always found Stenson to be an interesting person.
From the rise of the Evil Spirit Group in his previous life, it was clear that Stenson was capable, but his capabilities were clearly not in combat.
Of course, Stenson had dreams of combat. As far as Bai Ye knew, at one point, Stenson led a large group of bodyguards wandering aimlessly in dangerous areas and even explored forbidden zones himself.
Then...
Stenson decisively retreated behind the scenes.
Experience had taught Stenson a lesson, making him realize that being a master wasn't easy, nor was it something everyone could do, and certainly not something one could claim with just a few good items.
However, Stenson was very rational. Although he had dreams, after recognizing reality, he honestly became a behind-the-scenes commander, responsible for grasping the overall development direction of the Evil Spirit Group. He no longer engaged in fighting and killing.
Therefore, Stenson hardly ever left the Evil Spirit Group's strongholds. How could he have been assassinated?
Gao Ming took a deep breath and said, "He was killed inside the stronghold."
Bai Ye was stunned. "Shouldn't there be a lot of experts in the stronghold?"
Gao Ming replied, "Firstly, the Top War caused many casualties in the Evil Spirit Group, so there was a shortage of personnel, and the guards stationed at the stronghold were reduced. Secondly, I don't know if I should say the opponent's skill level was high, or if the assassination method was so direct that I have nothing to say."
Bai Ye asked curiously, "How was he assassinated?"
Gao Ming hesitated for a moment, then said, "The assassin was a woman. The Commander was a regular customer of hers, but each time he called her to the stronghold. Well, do you understand what I'm saying?"
...