Luo Chao glared at the men with contempt. They should be discussing how to stabilise Boss's power, especially since General Ling Xiao had died. No one could help Boss now. They needed to work even harder now to help Boss.

“Luo Chao is right. You shouldn't be lamenting in sadness. We should think about how we can help Boss control the Lingtian Independent Army and the 23rd division. We can't let anyone take away General Ling Xiao's hard work. The general of the 23rd division can only be Boss,” Han Xuya agreed with Luo Chao.

“Yes, you're right.”

“We mustn't shoot ourselves in our foot. During this time, when Boss is away, we must protect the Lingtian Independent Army.”

“And the 23rd division.”

“It'll be harder to protect the 23rd division. We don't have enough power. However, we must protect the Lingtian Independent Army.”

Everyone started speaking. The atmosphere soon became lively.

Actually, none of them believed that Boss, who was as powerful as a G.o.d to them, would die. But, they just couldn't find a reason to support their belief. Luo Chao's words finally gave them confidence. If Luo Lang was alive, Boss would definitely be alive too. Yang Mingzhi noticed that everyone had pulled themselves together so he opened his mouth and said, “Yes, this is what we need to do immediately. The reason why our commander sent us out is most probably because he doesn't want anyone to take over the Lingtian Independent Army.”

“But the whereabouts of our commander is unknown. The military won't let the position remain empty. Even if they don't appoint a new commander, they will probably send us a temporary commander,” Liu Furong said.

“We need to discuss how we should tackle this issue and help our commander retain his position.” Yang Mingzhi stared intently at the young heroes brought up by Ling Lan. They were all amazing talents. If they went out, every division would try and s.n.a.t.c.h them furiously. Yet, they were willing to stay beside Ling Lan and follow him. They were willing to contribute to the Lingtian Independent Army.

Ling Lan was lucky to have a bunch of loyal comrades. At the same time, these young people were fortunate enough to have such a caring leader. Yang Mingzhi clearly knew the amount of effort Ling Lan took to groom her comrades, maybe even more than these younglings could imagine.

This was the result of both sides opening their hearts to each other. For the first half of Yang Mingzhi's life, he had experienced a lot. He had a group of brothers-in-arms who went through thick and thin together. However, betrayal, politics, and schemes cost him his lifelong friends. He was disappointed and had almost given up on life. He just wanted to spend the rest of his life quietly without thinking too much. That way, his life would be easier.

However, life was interesting. He was sent to the 23rd division and entered the 250 Ace Mecha Clan. Then he met a powerful and ruthless young man, Ling Lan.

He could still remember the first time he saw Ling Lan. It was hard to forget him. His sharp gaze and his cold aura made him shudder in chill. He felt cold from head to toe.

He received the impression that this young man must be heartless and cold-blooded, maybe even a tyrant. Other people might not notice it but he could smell the devil blood aura hidden behind his chilling aura, an aura that could only be gotten by killing many people.

Just as he expected, Ling Lan used vicious and ruthless ways to control the 250 Ace Mecha Clan. The moment he acted, the more blood flowed. Yang Mingzhi hated his brutal methods but soon, he realised that all the seemingly tortures were actually good for their bodies.

Noticing this fact, Yang Mingzhi started to gain interest in Ling Lan. He observed him carefully and noticed that every time he hit someone, he would choose the spot that caused the least damage. Moreover, there would always be military doctors at the side so the situation was always under control.

Then, he saw the useless mecha operators standing up again. They basically turned into a totally different person. He began to understand that this cold-looking young man had a warm heart. The actions of Ling Lan confirmed his viewpoint.

Slowly, Ling Lan gained the respect of Yang Mingzhi. Yang Mingzhi saw Ling Lan training her comrade, protecting them from getting schemed by their enemies, preventing them from becoming a chess piece of the military, and making sure that they were safe until they became someone significant. He was jealous of them. If he met such good brothers, he wouldn't have to go through so many pains and torments. He might be stronger than he currently was.

Yang Mingzhi respected Ling Lan wholeheartedly. However, he belonged to the First Marshal faction. The battle for power between the two generations, the First Marshal and General Ling Xiao, meant that he couldn't support Ling Lan entirely. He was always worried that he would be discriminated by Ling Lan but instead, he didn't mind his ident.i.ty at all. He told him that as long as he didn't betray Lingtian, they could work together.

It was a calm statement but he was blown away by it. Ling Lan meant what he said. Ling Lan gave him power and authority. Yang Mingzhi knew that if Ling Lan wanted to give him a position without real power or take his power away, he could do it easily. There was nothing he could do to retaliate. Lingtian's soul was Ling Lan. Anyone could be missing but not Ling Lan.

Unknowingly, Yang Mingzhi's heart was already s.h.i.+fted towards Ling Lan, the Lingtian Independent Army, and this bunch of simple-minded young people who were filled with vigour and dreams. He didn't want this beautiful dream to be destroyed by the political war of the military headquarters. He wanted to protect these people, especially when Ling Lan wasn't around.

Yes, he wanted to repay the person who trusted him sincerely. The person who was young enough to be his son but yet won his respect. He wanted to repay Ling Lan.

“The military would definitely send someone,” Liu Furong continued. “There is only one thing we can do. Make this person into one of us. Make him into someone who wants to protect Lingtian and not s.n.a.t.c.h Lingtian from our commander.”

Everyone exchanged glances. No one knew what to say.

“Actually, besides sending someone, they might choose a person among us. In that case, there will be less resistance within Lingtian too,” Liu Furong added.

Yang Mingzhi nodded. “I'm one of the candidates. Vice Commander Liu will most probably be another candidate too.”

“However, we're not suitable for the position.” Liu Furong frowned. “Vice Commander Yang's ident.i.ty puts him in an awkward position. The Second Marshal and Third Marshal won't agree. I have past records of crimes so the three marshals won't put me in the position too.”

“We can push Leader Qi into the position.” Yang Mingzhi finally revealed his and Liu Furong's decision. While Qi Long and the others were feeling sad about what happened to Ling Lan, both of them had already started making preparations. They knew that they mustn't lose their composure and cause an even greater problem.