Chu Erzhu prepared strong liquor and delicacies for Ye Fan and the others to celebrate their success. Naturally, he wouldn’t participate personally, as he couldn’t keep up with the young people and didn’t have much to talk about. To avoid putting pressure on the younger generation, he naturally withdrew behind the scenes.

Besides the seven individuals who participated in this mission, there were no additional people, only Fu Huixia and Qin Yi.

The task of the seven members of Ye Fan’s group wasn’t widely known, and at this moment, they naturally wouldn’t make a big public announcement.

Confidentiality was of utmost importance, so even the celebration was conducted in a very small circle.

A total of nine people gathered around a table, talking and laughing gaily.

"Instructor, we toast to you." Yang Shu and the others, full of excitement, poured and offered drinks.

Qin Yi and Fu Huixia also joined in jubilantly, integrating into the group to toast Ye Fan.

It was already afternoon, and Ye Fan didn’t need to rush back. It wouldn’t be too late to set out on the return journey the next morning after resting for a night.

The most important thing was that time didn’t permit it, otherwise, he would have eagerly rushed to Mengyao’s side long ago.

Ye Fan was magnanimous and welcoming, indulging freely in the company of Yang Shu and the others and their respectful attitude, greatly enjoying the food and drink.

"Commander, you have really brought us honor this time. Upon hearing about your actions, my heart was filled with fervor and excitement, thinking how wonderful it would have been to personally participate in this operation. It would have been a lifelong memorable occasion." Qin Yi said emotionally, looking at Ye Fan with deep affection.

He had gotten used to calling Ye Fan "Commander" after several encounters.

Besides, he really didn’t know what else to call him except "Commander," which also helped close the relationship a bit.

Although he deeply regretted not participating in the mission, he had no complaints and could only comply with orders.

Furthermore, as the captain of the Longyin Team, he couldn’t act on his own whims and naturally had to consider the bigger picture.

"We did what we had to do. You relieved us of our worries and successfully sent back the remains of the martyrs, which is also a great contribution." Ye Fan said, "So, you also deserve credit for ensuring we weren’t disturbed by trivial matters."

"Actually, we didn’t do much. You used unparalleled wit to drive back the Black Shark, and the trap set for us was effortlessly dismantled, giving us the opportunity to easily complete the task you entrusted us with." Qin Yi earnestly said, "Setting aside the great deeds you’ve done, your exceptional insight, keen judgment, and decisive action are beyond our ability to match. Ignoring the ability to stir up D Country and M Country, merely defeating and heavily damaging the Black Cat Team in your hands, which left them devastated, is something we can’t compare to. If the Longyin Team were to face off against the Black Cat, the outcome would be uncertain. But in your hands, the Black Cat turned into a sick cat, truly heartening and thrilling."

Qin Yi, full of admiration and awe, heartily said, "You accomplished what we couldn’t; I toast to you."

His toast was directed at Ye Fan, Zhang Lu, and the others.

"Miss Fu, I also toast to you." Ye Fan turned to Fu Huixia and said, "If it weren’t for the intelligence you provided, we couldn’t have accomplished things so beautifully."

"I just did my duty. Besides, my intelligence doesn’t have the effect of adding wings to a tiger for everyone. I only did a small task. You all accomplished great deeds." Fu Huixia smiled and said, "I should be the one to toast you."

"Let’s stop the back-and-forth toasting. Come, let’s all drink together," Zhang Lu interrupted the polite exchange.

After a few rounds, everyone’s tongues became loosened, and they were a bit dizzy.

Fu Huixia sternly said, "After you left, quite a few people were filled with hostility, starting with the Black Cat Team. M Country is probing for your whereabouts, presumably to wash away their previous disgrace and compete with you once more. Fortunately, you left early, or else it would have led to some trouble."

She shared the latest intelligence she had received and said, "When you encountered the Black Cat Team, you naturally managed to severely damage them. This victory was achieved by overwhelming personal combat power over the Black Cat. That encounter was beautifully executed. Fortunately, M Country hadn’t made other preparations and didn’t consider you so important. Otherwise, if they had prepared early, the situation could have been very different. Perhaps the Black Cat Team would have leveraged the forces of M Country’s army against you, and at that time, the situation would have been dire."

After Ye Fan’s group left, M Country indeed took such actions.

"I didn’t expect that we crippled the Black Cat, and they’re still not afraid." Zhang Lu sneered, "If we had known this sooner, we should have wiped out the Black Cat Team to prevent them from jumping around again."

"You can’t say that; destroying the Black Cat would definitely expand the impact, posing extreme risks to your own safety." Fu Huixia analyzed, "The Black Cat suffered heavily, and it’s natural they harbor murderous intent against you and want to avenge their humiliation. That was inevitable."

"If there’s another chance, we definitely have to teach the Black Cat a lesson," Yang Shu said fiercely.

"Don’t underestimate any enemy by boasting. Take the Black Cat, for instance. If I hadn’t pressured them, you would have fallen into their ambush, and the situation would have been dangerous. Don’t belittle an enemy because of one victory," Ye Fan cautioned.

"You’re right. We could only crush the Black Cat and other enemies thanks to the instructor. If we relied solely on ourselves, even exhausting all efforts wouldn’t have allowed us to achieve this," Shen Tingting replied honestly.

"There’s a piece of news you might not know," Fu Huixia chuckled, explaining, "The leader you have never met, ’Old Left,’ is also extremely dissatisfied with you. Old Left wants to meet you. Peng Bird didn’t get a chance to deliver this message to you. In Old Left’s view, you’re not acknowledging the proper timing, and he is extremely angered by you."

As she spoke, she glanced at Ye Fan and couldn’t help but laugh, "This is also because this Old Left doesn’t know your identity. If he knew, he might be scared stiff and wouldn’t be so arrogant."

"There were indeed quite a few unexpected incidents this time. Even we, posing as Peng Bird and others, appeared out of nowhere. It truly was quite a surprise." Zhang Lu laughed unexpectedly.

"You might not know, but Peng Bird and his group have a great relationship with Old Left. If it weren’t for the commotion you caused alerting Old Left and Peng Bird’s group, we wouldn’t have known about this situation," Fu Huixia said.

The group continued to chat and laugh, clinking glasses and reveling in their merriment.

Whether it was strong liquor or delicacies, there was plenty to go around, so they had a thoroughly enjoyable time.