Provocation [Please Keep Reading]

"He doesn't dare let you command the army. He fears you'll seize power, fears you'll become uncontrollable. He's using you!"

Georgia Mota's words were like icy steel spikes, stabbing into Bullet's heart.

Bullet was only young, not stupid. Even if he had not understood at first, he had gradually caught on later and noticed the signs.

Perhaps Mota was right. My adoptive father only wanted to use me, to have me charge into battle for him. He never intended to let me take over. He was wary of me!

"The more military achievements you earn, the more wary he'll become of you. Sooner or later, heh heh..."

Mota continued to press his point.

"What do you say? Instead of enduring this humiliation, why not come over to our side? I can promise that once you join us, all past grudges will be wiped clean. Your status will be no lower than mine—perhaps even higher!"

Mota finally revealed his true intentions, extending an olive branch to Bullet in an attempt to recruit him.

What a gifted genius. His talent was truly enviable. Since he was not valued on the other side, why not bring him over?

Besides, even if he failed to recruit him, he could still plant a thorn in his heart, then accidentally let Douglas know about it...

No matter the outcome, it was only a waste of a few words. There was absolutely no loss in it!

Bullet took a deep breath and slowly said, "Want me to betray Lord Hade? Never! Without him, I would have died when my mother abandoned me!"

Tch, did the recruitment fail?

Mota's expression remained unchanged. The chances of recruiting him had never been high, so failure was perfectly normal. It was not a big problem.

Once the seeds of suspicion and doubt were planted, they would take root and sprout sooner or later.

Besides, Bullet could guarantee that he would remain loyal, but could Douglas Hade really trust his adopted son?

After all, Bullet's reputation was not small now. Though he was merely a captain in the Young Suicide Squad, his outstanding performance on the battlefield had truly won over many people.

Seeing that Bullet remained unmoved, Mota said sarcastically, "Hehe, Hade is really lucky. If I'd known, I would've adopted some sons too. After all, all it takes is a tiny amount of food, yet you get a whole group of expendable loyal soldiers in return. What a bargain!"

"Bullet, you went to the battlefield when you were eight, didn't you? After all these years, how many of those adopted alongside you are still alive?"

"Loyalty is fine, but don't let someone sell you off while you help them count the money."

As he spoke, Mota quietly aimed the Recording Den Den Mushi he had hidden in his sleeve at Bullet, secretly recording the changes in Bullet's expression.

When he returned, he would have someone send the recording to Douglas Hade as a birthday gift. He truly wanted to know what expression Douglas would wear when he saw it.

A smile played on Mota's lips as he secretly savored his triumph, looking as though his scheme had succeeded.

"You sure talk a lot. Are you fighting or not? If not, get lost!" Bullet did not want to keep talking. If he let the other man continue, he feared he might truly waver.

"That's enough for today, Bullet." Mota gave Bullet a meaningful look, then shouted, "Withdraw!"

Wooo—

The horn signaling the retreat sounded. Both sides tacitly stopped fighting, then orderly cleared the battlefield and returned to their respective camps.

After decades of war, both sides had long formed an understanding. The scale of battle was usually kept small to avoid a large-scale outbreak, because neither side was confident it could defeat the other.

Or rather, the upper ranks on both sides did not share a unified goal. Maintaining the status quo was best. In a state of war, they could enforce military rule, concentrate wealth and supplies, and bring the power in their hands to its peak.

After all, the ones fighting desperately every day were the low-ranking soldiers. They were nothing more than expendable materials and did not affect the higher-ups' enjoyment in the rear at all.

In the distance, Xia Luo silently watched Bullet return to camp. He did not step forward to recruit him directly. It was not yet time.

He was waiting for an opportunity.

That night.

Douglas Hade received a Recording Den Den Mushi. It played the entire conversation between Mota and Bullet.

Watching Bullet's expression constantly change in the recording, Hade's face gradually darkened. Even though Bullet had ultimately rejected Mota's recruitment without hesitation, Hade's expression remained as cold as unmelting ice.

At the same time, he knew very well where this recording had come from, but... he still could not help becoming wary of Bullet.

Bullet was monstrously powerful, and his prestige within the Young Suicide Squad was at its height. At one point, it had even surpassed that of Hade, his adoptive father and nominal commander.

The Young Suicide Squad was Hade's trump card. Famous for their fearless ferocity and astonishing combat strength, they were an important foundation for his promotion and pay raise. Yet now, this unit showed signs of slipping out of his control. How could he not be wary?

What was Bullet trying to do?

Usurp him?!

Did he even see Hade as his adoptive father anymore?!

Since you are heartless, don't blame me for being ruthless!

In his fury, Hade smashed the Recording Den Den Mushi with a punch.

After venting, Hade calmed down and returned to his usual demeanor. Then he sent someone to summon Bullet.

Meanwhile, Bullet lay in a crude tent beneath a hole-riddled blanket, tossing and turning without being able to sleep.

The events of the day surfaced in his mind, and Mota's words kept echoing in his ears.

Bullet said angrily, "I should've torn his mouth apart back then!"

Just then, a voice came from outside the tent. "Bullet, Lord Hade wants you to come over. He has something to discuss with you."

Bullet suddenly froze, but he did not think much of it. "All right, I'll go right away."

The tall, muscular blond youth emerged from the tent, his body covered in scars of all sizes. A fierce aura rolled off him, carrying an overwhelming sense of pressure.

Soon, Bullet arrived at Hade's residence. Unlike Bullet's crude tent, Hade, as the commander of the unit, lived in an exquisite large villa with no fewer than ten maids.

Standing before the main gate, Bullet looked somewhat dazed. Before he had been promoted to captain, he had also lived in a tent, one crammed with ten or twenty people. Only after becoming a captain had he been able to rely on his own strength to occupy a tent by himself.

But compared to his adoptive father, the difference was still far too great. They seemed to belong to entirely different classes, yet their strength...

Suppressing the faint stirrings in his heart, Bullet held his head high and strode through the gate toward Hade's study.

Even now, Bullet remained very loyal to Hade, his adoptive father. He had never harbored any ill intentions. Even though he knew Hade was using him and was wary of him, at least so far, his adoptive father had never treated him badly.

Being used meant he had value. As long as I show even greater value, Lord Hade will sooner or later see me in a new light and entrust me with important duties!

I, Bullet, will live in a grand villa like this someday too!