Chapter 123: Playing Pranks? Who Can't?

The power of the internet is immensely strong, especially in today’s society where reliance on the web grows ever greater. This medium is an unstoppable force that no one can ignore—not even the military or government officials. Despite their efforts to suppress all discussions about the War God Squad, the ingenuity of netizens is boundless. They always find special channels to bring these matters to light again and again.

Those imprisoned in the Black Prison paid little attention to this, except for Qin Yang.

Recently, a steady stream of people had come to plead on his behalf—anyone with the slightest connection to the Qin family showed up. But the answer was always the same: get lost. One arrogant youth even issued a threat, only to be beaten mercilessly by Qin Yang right in front of Wei Boyang. This time, Jiang Nanyan’s reputation was thoroughly tarnished, spreading nationwide. Her grand wedding was canceled in the blink of an eye. The invitations already sent out were like porcupines—neither could they be thrown away, nor returned, lest it be seen as shamelessly kicking someone when they were down. However, Huang Zequn had the audacity to sneak out one invitation that had fallen into his father’s hands, drew a big smiley face on it without hesitation, and sent it via courier to the National Security Bureau. This terrified every courier worker to their core, but when Huang Zequn got angry, they had no choice but to deliver it obediently.

According to some staff at the National Security Bureau, they faintly heard a continuous clatter coming from Jiang Nanyan’s office.

Above the Black Prison was a temporary conference room.

Several generals adorned with stars on their shoulders, Jiang Feng and his son, and even Huang Zequn with his father—who came willingly, for he had narrowly escaped death at his father’s hands after teasing Jiang Nanyan—were gathered there. If he didn’t come, he would surely meet a miserable end.

Jiang Feng looked at them solemnly and said in a low voice, “Those present here have varying degrees of connection with the Qin and Han families. I, Jiang Feng, have rarely asked for favors in my life, but today I sincerely implore your help. We have searched all over the country for the finest doctors, but none can save my father’s life. If it is truly fate, I will not defy it, but Qin Yang seems to have some insight into my father’s illness. I hope all of you will do your utmost to assist.”

“Mr. Jiang, rest assured. General Jiang is our former commander. Even if it costs us our lives, Qin Yang will be allowed to treat him,” a brigadier general wearing the General Staff Operations Department armband said calmly. “I, Zhao, give you my solemn guarantee.”

“Bullshit,” Huang Zequn muttered from a corner.

His father shot him a sharp glance, and Huang Zequn immediately shut up.

Brigadier General Zhao was straightforward. After his promise, he headed to the Black Prison. With Wei Boyang guiding him, they quickly found Qin Yang meditating quietly in his room. Wei Boyang, seemingly unwilling to witness Zhao’s humiliation or have him become a target, left at that moment.

Zhao looked at Qin Yang’s slightly darkened eyes and laughed heartily. “Qin kid, do you know who I am?”

“Get lost,” Qin Yang said lightly without even opening his eyes.

Zhao was stunned, his face darkening. “Qin kid, no matter what, I am your senior.”

“Is that so? Didn’t realize it,” Qin Yang replied, still eyes closed, “Your aura reeks of sleaziness—you don’t even need to open your eyes for me to feel it clearly. You’re a disgrace, utterly unlike my noble patriotism. Now go away before you embarrass yourself. I hate it when people cling to connections. When I was thrown into this Black Prison, everyone pointed fingers at me like idiots, acting as if they were elders. Get lost, or I’ll beat you out of here.”

“What did you say!” Zhao, as a brigadier general of the operations department, had never been insulted like this before. His face turned blue with rage as he shouted, “Do you believe I’ll shoot you right now?”

“Go ahead and shoot,” Qin Yang said calmly. “Who said I hit you? Let me tell you, I can easily cripple you before you fire a shot, then accuse you of threatening a civilian with a gun while being an officer. There are over a hundred inmates here plus more than two hundred staff who can testify for me. You can try if you dare.”

Zhao was taken aback. When he turned, he noticed a young girl holding a DV camera nearby, commenting, “This Black Prison’s environment isn’t bad, actually. I recorded this as a keepsake, but I didn’t expect to capture this scene. How did he get out before? Why didn’t I record that?”

“A threat, a shameless threat,” Zhao gritted his teeth in anger.

The girl was Wei Xiaoran, Wei Boyang’s beloved daughter. No one dared to confront her harshly. Even in the military district compound late at night, no one could be sure if there was a sniper hidden nearby aiming at their head. Wei Boyang had been immersed in his role for years, but who dared to underestimate this special operations brigadier general? Especially after offending his daughter, the entire special forces unit would go to any lengths. Zhao certainly couldn’t shoot Qin Yang.

“Good, very good.”

Zhao spat in frustration and left.

Qin Yang said calmly, “Remember, if you want to take this video back, it will cost you dearly.”

Zhao snapped to attention, left the Black Prison, and returned to the conference hall. His expression returned to normal at the doorway but bore a trace of regret. Everyone knew from his look that he had failed. Of course, no one saw the humiliating scene Zhao had endured. He had come to plead but ended up being sabotaged by Qin Yang, insulted shamelessly, and beaten. Damn it, so frustrating—losing both the lady and the soldiers. It was a classic case of “losing the battle and the war.”

Huang Zequn was cunning; he could easily guess that Qin Yang’s peaceful release was a lie. Knowing everyone present, he was the most familiar with Qin Yang. Of course, when Qin Yang was thrown into the Black Prison, all those people acted like they knew everything, pointing fingers and boasting. Now that it was time to plead and cozy up, they suddenly acted all friendly. That’s just being stubbornly self-destructive. If Qin Yang really let such scoundrels walk out unscathed, he wouldn’t be Qin Yang.

Next to volunteer was Major General Yang, deputy director of the General Staff Guard. He adjusted his sleeves while Zhao sat silently to one side, furious. Damn Jiang Nanyan’s bastard had ruined him. Damn Yang Guixin, you won’t get off easy either.

When Yang Guixin entered the room, Qin Yang had changed his approach to welcoming guests. Wei Boyang seized the opportunity to leave. From Zhao’s pitiful look, he knew Yang Guixin wouldn’t fare any better today. This was destined to be the most miserable day for the generals.

Qin Yang smoked a cigarette, playing with two fitness balls in one hand, while reading “The Code of Adult Morality” with the other. Yet his demeanor hardly suggested he observed any moral codes. Clearing his throat, he tried to catch Qin Yang’s attention, but Yang’s usual tactics were useless here.

Yang Guixin felt awkward but said, “Qin kid, long time no see.”

“Which school did you graduate from?” Qin Yang asked instead.

Yang didn’t quite catch his meaning but answered proudly, “Army Staff College.”

Qin nodded as if enlightened. “As a new-generation general, it’s not just about military skills. Literary cultivation is also important, right?”

“I have studied various schools of thought,” Yang said arrogantly.

“Then tell me, should we protect the giant panda?”

“Huh?” Yang was confused by Qin’s rapid-fire questions but managed, “Pandas are our national treasure, so they must be protected.”

“Oh, before I went into Black Prison, there were many like me. But after I went in, I’m the only Qin Yang left who can save people. Don’t you think I deserve protection?” Qin smiled brightly, spinning the fitness balls faster and faster.

Yang had a bad feeling. “Indeed.”

“Oh, I heard you’re the deputy director of the General Staff Guard. Could you assign a company to protect me from some scoundrels’ harassment?” Qin grinned. “Look, pandas even get military protection, and there are hundreds of them. I’m just one. Can you bear to refuse?”

“This brat is winding me up,” Yang thought bitterly. He cleared his throat and tried to sound serious. “Qin Yang, with national affairs at stake, do you still have to act like a child?”

“Bang!”

Yang was blasted aside without any warning. Only when he crashed into the corridor wall did he realize Qin had flopped back down, clutching his stomach, gasping. Furious, Yang drew his gun to teach him a lesson, but Wei Xiaoran passed by like a ghost with her DV camera, flashing a mysterious smile as she brushed past him.

“Ah, mercy! A general abusing his power and threatening with a gun—I did nothing!” Qin shouted.

Wei Xiaoran turned just in time. Yang was stunned. Even a fool could see he’d been played. Gritting his teeth, he holstered his gun and gave Qin a thumbs-up before leaving. His only thought now was: Damn Jiang Nanyan, you shameless liar—because of you I suffer too. Does your mother have no conscience?

Yang Guixin was no fool. Being kicked by Qin was shameful and couldn’t be spoken of. As he left, he heard Qin’s words: “This video is truly precious.”

Furious, Yang fled. Before returning to the conference room, he straightened his clothes and entered with a semblance of composure, tinged with regret.

Another failure.