CHAPTER 246: CHAPTER 246: MILITARY ARRIVAL (2)_1

In the following days, Shangguan You suffered under Liu Dabao’s special training. She ran laps around the field every day with sandbags tied to her feet and raced to the top of the mountain within a set time limit. The sandbags grew heavier and heavier.

Days passed under Liu Dabao’s oppressive regime, and Shangguan You and her companions gradually grew accustomed to the spartan training in the military camp. Apart from Shangguan You, whose skin remained delicate, the other six had tanned significantly; even Yu Zijin’s complexion had darkened considerably.

The relationships among the group slowly shifted from rivals to friends, then to teammates. Yu Zifeng, Zhang Chenyu, and Yu Zijin gradually integrated into their circle.

That day, they were again running grueling laps on the field. Liu Dabao’s booming voice still echoed in their ears when several military Humvees drove towards the camp, stopping smoothly in front of them.

The car door opened; a pair of black leather shoes appeared before Shangguan You and the others. Then, a figure stepped out of the car and stood directly in front of them. Shangguan You and her companions couldn’t help but stop running.

"Why did you stop running? Do you want to run another ten laps?" Liu Dabao bellowed, prompting them to start running around the track again. Shangguan You had grown especially afraid of Liu Dabao’s loud voice; his roar made her body involuntarily stiffen.

Shangguan You casually glanced at the newcomer, then quickly averted her gaze. She had not expected the Li Family to come to the military base, much less drive in so conspicuously. It seemed the Li Family’s influence was not to be underestimated.

"Shangguan You, hurry up and run! If you don’t finish, no food for you!" Yang Dabao shouted, forcing Shangguan You to quicken her pace to catch up with the others ahead.

"Political Commissar Gui, this is an order from the higher-ups. I’m here to take Shangguan You and six others to the Military Commission for investigation. Have them come with me immediately." Li Junjie adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes scanning Shangguan You before he addressed Gui Yongjun indifferently and handed over the written order.

"Secretary Li, Shangguan You and the six others are not military personnel. They are only here for special training, so we don’t have the authority to decide their movements. If you wish to take them, you may call Commander Shangguan. You can take them only if he agrees and they themselves are willing." Gui Yongjun spoke indifferently after glancing at the written order, which was personally authorized by Vice Chairman Liu.

Gui Yongjun furrowed his brows and handed the order back to Li Junjie. These individuals are not military personnel, yet someone managed to obtain a high-level written order for them, and the influential Secretary Li has come in person to collect them. No matter what, he cannot let them take these people.

"Although they aren’t military personnel, since they are currently in a military camp, they must naturally follow arrangements from above. Are you planning to defy these arrangements? Don’t forget, even though this is a military unit, and even though Commander Shangguan is in charge here, he too must obey arrangements from above. Surely, any reasonable person understands this point?"

Li Junjie’s tone was unprecedentedly serious, and his gaze on Gui Yongjun was dangerous.

"Alright, training is over! Now, proceed to the back mountain for intensive training! If you don’t reach the summit by nightfall, no one eats!" Liu Dabao’s booming voice echoed.

"Yes, Regiment Commander!" the trainees responded.

"At ease! Attention! Right dress! Quick march! One-two-one, one-two-one..." Liu Dabao shouted cadences as he led the group quickly towards the back mountain.

By the time Li Junjie and his men tried to stop them, they had already vanished from sight.

"Secretary Li, as you can see, our military duties keep us very busy, so I’m afraid I can’t entertain you further. Please, make yourselves comfortable." Gui Yongjun suppressed the smile in his eyes. He hadn’t expected Liu Dabao, that rough fellow, to be so resourceful at a critical moment, directly leading the people away. Now Li Junjie and his men would have a hard time finding them.

"Political Commissar Gui, are you truly going to defy orders from above? This is a direct command from the higher-ups!" Li Junjie’s eyes narrowed dangerously. Are the Shangguan and Li families really planning to break ties completely this time?

"Obeying the orders of one’s superiors is the duty of a soldier. Our direct superior is Commander Shangguan. Therefore, Secretary Li, I apologize, but unless Commander Shangguan himself issues the order, no one can take anyone from our unit. I have other matters to attend to, so please excuse us." Gui Yongjun stated coldly, then rendered a military salute and left the training field.

In his office, Gui Yongjun wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. He tried dialing Shangguan Hao’s phone, but it was still turned off. Gui Yongjun paced anxiously. He could stall them for a while, but not for long. This matter still needed the Commander to resolve it.

While Gui Yongjun fretted, a vicious smile curled Li Junjie’s lips. Since you won’t hand them over, we’ll make you send them to us directly. With a decisive THUD, Li Junjie slammed the car door shut and drove away from the military base. No one will stop us.

On the back mountain, Liu Dabao led the group of seven, running quickly towards the summit. They reached the peak by sunset. It was already ten o’clock at night when the group descended. As they took in the sight of glaring lights, rows of guards, and the very real firearms in the guards’ hands, expressions of shock appeared on all their faces.

They truly hadn’t expected Li Junjie to have such capabilities—to dispatch personnel of this level to retrieve them, to mobilize such a large contingent. Were they being treated as dangerous elements?

"Shangguan You, Shangguan Qing, Yu Zijin, Yu Zifeng, Gui Jun, Gui Mo, Zhang Chenyu! This is a direct order from the high command! You seven are to report immediately for interrogation! This is the official notice from above!" An army colonel produced the notification. With a wave of his hand, fourteen soldiers stepped forward, preparing to forcibly take the seven away.

"What have they done? Why are you taking them? They aren’t military personnel! What right do you have to take them? Besides, they haven’t broken any laws! On what grounds are you taking them?" Liu Dabao bellowed, planting himself squarely in front of the seven, barring anyone from taking them.