A Dish Best Served Cold (The Man In Rage)
Chapter 1572

As the night grew darker, the wicked wind swirled and conjured up a sand storm that threatened to swallow everything in sight. The troops had them heavily surrounded.

The young man, however, gazed defiantly back at the thousands of rifles aimed at his direction.

"Stay where you are! We will open fire if you do not cooperate!"

Despite their threat, the soldiers shrank away as Ye Fan approached them. The rifles closest to him began to shake violently.

Suddenly, the reticent young man whipped his head back and faced the vastness of the night sky.

"I am General Green Dragon, Ye Fan! Scatter away, lesser beings!"

His powerful voice pierced the stillness of the night and reverberated throughout the area.

The soldiers stared at him wordlessly, the echoes of his voice ringing in their ears.

"What?" they stammered at last. "He is General Green Dragon? As in the legendary General Green Dragon?"

The soldiers gasped and looked at one another in bewilderment.

Many of them grew pale at the proclamation, their faces alight with terror.

"Captain, who is General Green Dragon?" asked several voices. "Is he a major general?"

As there were close to ten thousand men in charge of sealing off the area, some of them were new recruits and were undoubtedly hearing of the title for the first time in their lives.

"Major general?" repeated a rough-looking man as he surveyed Ye Fan with a wary eye. "If only it were that simple. When I was reassigned to Jiangdong military base back then, the title of General Green Dragon had already been the stuff of legend. As I was only a lowly corporal, I did not know much about his exploits. What I do know is that he is not somebody to be trifled with. Hurry up and send word to our brethren to lower our guns and make way for him."

"But Captain," protested a corporal. "We have orders to close this area off to everybody. If I may, I would like to suggest that we seek approval from the higher-ups before proceeding." The captain, Ding Kai, mulled it over and thought it was a prudent proposition.

As he pulled out his phone to dial his superior's number, a furious voice announced the arrival of actual authority.

"What is going on here? We have the kid outnumbered, so what are you all standing around for? Where the hell is Ding Kai! Have him come see me this instant!"

Ding Kai's face grew pale as he recognized the voice to be his commanding officer's.

"Commander Dai, I was just about to come to you," he reported smartly. "General Ye has been one of us in Jiangdong military base. Would it be possible to make an exception for him?"

To his surprise, Dai Muyang kicked Ding Kai's knees in response and caused the latter to fall to the ground in an undignified manner.

"I don't care if he's your brother-in-law," Dai Muyang snarled. "We have our orders! Even the airspace is off-limits to birds. Which part of the order do you not understand, captain? Men! Have him apprehended and brought for questioning. Those who refused will be deemed traitors to the nation!"

Dai Muyang's tone made it clear that there was little room for bargaining.

"But, sir," Ding Kai protested. "He used to be General Green Dragon!" Dai Muyang aimed another kick at him.

"Are you deaf or just plain insubordinate?" he roared. "What did I tell you? This is a special mission. The higher-ups are keeping a close eye on us. With an inspection imminent, there can be no room for errors. He's just a washed-up general from years ago. Now that he has broken a military decree, he is to be punished accordingly. What are you still standing there for? Do you wish to be stripped of your title, captain? Go!"

Not daring to say another word, Ding Kai trudged back to his men.

"Are we really going to arrest Instructor Chu?"

The men who had heard of Yen Fan's prestige crowded around Ding Kai with their eyes wide with terror.

"I've tried my best," Ding Kai sighed. "An order has been given. We have no choice but to obey. Send word to the men to arm themselves, we may resort to battle. Listen out for my signal and open fire when I give it. Be careful, General Green Dragon is no mere mortal."

Barely able to suppress his own heart from pounding with fear, Ding Kai gave some last-minute instructions and words of caution to his men.

The men obeyed his command swiftly as the clicks of thousands of rifles could be heard throughout the town.

Ding Kai, on the other hand, made his way toward Ye Fan for one last attempt at dissuasion.

"General Ye, my name is-"

Before he could complete his sentence, he felt an immense weight on his shoulders.

Thud!

Unable to withstand the pressure, he fell to his knees

on the floor.

Behind them, the soldiers panicked at the sight and raised their rifles.

"Drop your weapons!" A new voice roared.

The next instant, a convoy of military jeeps sped out from the darkness like a pack of wolves. Their orange headlights pierced the inky darkness like feral eyes.

At last, the jeeps grinded to a halt before the platoon.

The doors flung open and a row of stern-looking military officials with gold stars on their shoulders emerged.

"Commander Fang and Chief Instructor Lu?" Dai Muyang gasped, his harsh expression giving way to astonishment.

I did not expect them here today! I had only just received word yesterday morning that there would be an inspection. I was under the impression that they would get here tomorrow morning at the very least! Not only that, but the ones to come are the two highest-ranking officials I know!

Flustered, Dai Muyang sprinted toward the newcomers to greet them. Stopping several paces away, he snapped into customary military salute.

"Division Commander Dai Muyang of the twentyseventh division reporting for duty, sirs! We have run into a small mishap, but rest assured, we are working on it as we speak! Nobody else will be allowed to slip by these premises!"

His stentorian voice echoed into the night with authority.

To Dai Muyang's surprise, the newcomers did not even glance at him. Instead, they simply shoved him aside as their made their way toward Ye Fan.

"Chief Instructor Lu Tianhe of Jiangdong military base at your service, General Green Dragon!"

Dai Muyang and the entire platoon was flabbergasted.

Fang Shaohong snapped into a smart salute, not unlike the one he received from Dai Muyang seconds ago, followed by a deep bow. "Commander Fang Shaohong of Jiangdong military base, at your service! Welcome, General Green Dragon."

His loud voice echoed through the stillness of the platoon's confusion and awe.

"How is this possible?" Dai Muyang stammered, unable to believe his eyes that two of the most respected military commanders of the country were fawning over a boy.

With his mouth hanging wide open, he surveyed the scene with shock. Not even in his wildest dreams could he imagine the Chief Instructor and Commanderof the country's military bowing to so young a man.