A New Commission and a Test of Strength

Ignoring the playful banter between the girls, Yao Jing kept Wu Liyun firmly by his side, lest he wander over to Xiu Lan and become a third wheel.

Facing the senior and his employer, whom he had left waiting for quite some time, Yao Jing awkwardly broke the silence.

“Though I hesitate to mention it, I find myself in a situation where I require your assistance, Miss.”

“Ah, I see…”

Having learned the full story from Yao Jing, the brown-haired girl’s face once again settled into a composed smile. She leisurely took a sip of her tea before stating, “I can indeed assist you with the matters concerning the [Disaster Department], but…”

“Your request will be handled with the utmost expediency,”

Yao Jing replied, then, as if sensing his words lacked sufficient weight, added, “I say this not to boast, but so long as it doesn’t cross certain lines, I can manage the majority of incidents within this city on your behalf.”

“Regarding this Liu Yu you mentioned, I will commence my investigation this very evening.”

To ensure that particular little rascal remained quiet and caused no further mischief, Yao Jing felt as though he was practically selling his soul, fervently hoping this lady wouldn’t present any truly outrageous demands.

“Pfft.”

Xiu Lan, who had been playfully engaging in a battle of wits with Robin, suddenly heard her own name, causing a spray of scalding tea to erupt from her lips.

“Miss~ Xiu~ Lan~”

A boiling surge of murderous intent emanated from her drenched friend, prompting Xiu Lan to close her eyes in fright. She tremblingly raised her hands in surrender, indicating her readiness to accept whatever punishment awaited her.

“Did you hear what they were just discussing? Go and investigate immediately.”

Instead of the anticipated scolding, Xiu Lan merely received a gentle tap. Prompted by Robin, she found herself forcibly drawn into the conversation unfolding between the other two.

“Cough, cough, cough, cough, hello there!”

“What in the world are you doing? Are you having another one of your episodes?”

Yao Jing gazed with annoyance at Xiu Lan, who had suddenly bounded over, loudly proclaiming her presence. Despite his efforts to clean up her messes, he couldn’t discern even a sliver of gratitude from her. Truly, she was a cold-hearted, wicked imp.

Muttering inwardly, Yao Jing subtly waved his hand towards Robin, implicitly suggesting she retrieve the troublesome imp.

Alas, this time Xiu Lan was causing mischief with official sanction.

“I just overheard you mentioning someone named Liu Yu.”

“And why? Do you know him?”

“Of-of course I know him!”

Feeling the combined weight of their gazes upon her, Xiu Lan spoke with a touch of nervousness. “I’ve… I’ve met him a few times. He’s just an ordinary student. What business do you have with him?”

“Oh, and by the way… let me just say this upfront: he’s, for all intents and purposes, a friend of mine. If you intend to do anything untoward to him, then… then you’ll have to get through me first!”

“Pfft… hahahaha.”

As if she had just heard the funniest joke, the brown-haired girl couldn’t stifle her laughter. Under Xiu Lan’s utterly murderous glare, she slowly began to speak.

“From what I’ve gathered, this Liu Yu suddenly materialized in the city, his identity and origins entirely fabricated. I suspect he is a [Wastelander] (TL Note: A term for humans corrupted by black blood, often serving as pawns for ‘Black Bloodline’ entities.) lurking within our midst.”

“What is a [Wastelander]?”

Xiu Lan asked, utterly perplexed. Her innocent, clueless demeanor, far from being intimidated, instead left the brown-haired girl—who had intended to startle her—in the awkward predicament of a failed prank.

“Wastelanders are humans corrupted by black blood, typically found hiding in remote, seldom-trodden locations. However, there are also those deviant individuals who seamlessly blend into the populace.”

“According to the Supervisory Bureau’s archives, while they retain their humanity and capacity for communication, their thought processes have been irrevocably warped by some insidious force, effectively reducing them to mere pawns of the [Black Bloodline] (TL Note: Powerful entities often associated with corruption and supernatural phenomena.). They have consistently appeared in a number of significant incidents.”

Yao Jing clarified.

“So… human traitors, then,” Xiu Lan mused, a sudden realization dawning upon her.

“Precisely. Which is why I suspect this Liu Yu is indeed one such traitor,” the brown-haired girl stated, seizing the conversational advantage.

‘You’re the traitor. Your whole family are traitors!’

Having cursed this woman countless times in her mind for spreading baseless rumors, Xiu Lan managed to rein in her explosive temper. With a venomous glint in her eyes, she demanded, “Do you have any proof?”

“Proof? Naturally, I possess it, though I cannot reveal it to you at this moment.”

“If this falls under your commission, I will proceed to investigate whether Liu Yu is indeed a Wastelander.”

“Absolutely not!”

Xiu Lan exclaimed, but Yao Jing was hardly inclined to follow her directives.

‘Must I truly reveal everything to Old Yao?’

‘No, absolutely not.’

‘It would be utterly humiliating for a grown man like me to be known in this current state.’

Observing the black-clad figure, who was restlessly scratching at their head, the brown-haired girl suddenly conceived a new idea. She slowly articulated, “No, that won’t be necessary. What I wish to commission you for now is… the protection of my family.”

“Oh?”

Fixing her gaze upon the easily startled Xiu Lan, the brown-haired girl continued.

“Mr. Yao Jing, you must be aware of the recent [assassination incidents] that have plagued Dongchuan, correct?”

“I am somewhat informed. The majority of the deceased were members of government institutions, and even a councilor was implicated.”

His entanglement with vampires, however, had prevented him from delving too deeply into the specifics of these events.

“For a myriad of reasons, I hypothesize that the killer may very well be targeting me. While I have Uncle Mo providing protection here, alleviating my personal concerns, I fear for my younger brother’s safety.”

Despite being under a clear death threat, the brown-haired girl’s complexion betrayed not a hint of panic. Her placid, unbothered demeanor made Xiu Lan suspect she was fabricating the entire story.

“I understand. In that case, I shall accept this commission…”

“Wait, allow me to take on this task.”

Xiu Lan cut off Yao Jing, her voice brimming with such confidence that it was palpable even through the swirling black mist obscuring her.

“Are you… truly capable?”

Yao Jing eyed the black-clad girl with profound suspicion. Ever since he had discovered that she was, in essence, the fount of all their troubles, his trust in Xiu Lan had plummeted to an absolute low.

Heaven alone knew the exasperation he had endured, painstakingly rewinding time in search of clues, only to witness Xiu Lan being instantly annihilated by Irina, precipitating a catastrophic chain of events.

That such an overwhelmingly powerful configuration, capable of decimating foes even with eyes closed, could be played into such a pathetic state, truly redefined Yao Jing’s understanding of incompetence.

And now, this very “expert” was voluntarily offering her services as a bodyguard…

A wave of panic washed over Yao Jing. Should this child falter, everyone would be dragged down with her, a calamity for all involved.

It would be far better for her to simply enjoy tea and pleasant conversation with the other young ladies; that outcome would undoubtedly serve everyone’s best interests.

Annoyed by Yao Jing’s skeptical gaze, Xiu Lan felt a surge of indignation.

‘You, a mere support personnel who relies entirely on my prowess, dare to lecture me? How utterly inflated your ego has become!’

“Oh, so you doubt my capabilities, do you? How about we step outside for a little spar? I could bind both my hands and feet, and still beat you so thoroughly you’d be spitting teeth.”

As she spoke, she punctuated her challenge by brandishing her small, delicate fists, exuding an air of utter arrogance.

‘This is preposterous! How dare a person confined to a wheelchair utter such audacious words!’

While others remained oblivious to Xiu Lan’s true capabilities, Yao Jing, having rewound time on countless occasions, had come to understand her powers intimately.

Leaving aside all else, the black mist coiling around the girl possessed a defense so formidable it was practically impregnable. It was no exaggeration to claim that, so long as Xiu Lan refrained from elaborate schemes and, ideally, minimized her intellectual engagement…

…then even if Irina could halt time for a full ten thousand years, she would remain utterly incapable of piercing Xiu Lan’s defenses.

Yet, she consistently insisted on blundering straight into traps laid by others, leading to a complete collapse of the situation, spiraling irrevocably out of control. That such an ultimate ‘wheelchair’ could be wielded to such catastrophic effect was, quite frankly, utterly laughable.

When such an arrogant, stat-laden monster challenged him to a spar, Yao Jing righteously retorted.

“Denied! I have no interest in bullying children!”

“Who are you calling a child? I am an adult!”

“Oh? And who was it just now claiming to be underage?”

“Heh heh, I’m underage in front of others, but an adult in front of *you*. What’s the matter, don’t like it? Come on, hit me!”

“You wretched girl, are you actively seeking a beating? I wouldn’t mind giving you a proper lesson on your mother’s behalf.”

“Pfft, a weakling who can only call for their parents when they can’t win. Useless, utterly worthless.”

****

“Perhaps we could try this,”

The brown-haired girl interjected, cutting short their incessant bickering. “Since this… Mr. Xiu Lan wishes to undertake this commission, might I be permitted to test your abilities?”

“The test will be administered by Uncle Mo, a former Hunter.”

The burly man rose to his feet, having grown thoroughly bored while waiting. He now evinced a considerable interest in the impending spar.

“No problem at all.”

Facing the imposing presence of a man who clearly possessed extraordinary capabilities, Xiu Lan displayed not a hint of fear. She called out to Wu Liyun, who had been idly standing by, “Old Wu, open a training ground for me!”

“Huh?”

Wu Liyun, startled by being suddenly addressed, looked utterly bewildered. Only under Xiu Lan’s insistent urging did he recall that he was meant to use his gemstone.

Thus, a crimson light shot forth from his hand—and the living room instantly transformed into a vast training arena.

Xiu Lan and Mo Zhixing stood at opposite ends of the field.

“Truly astounding. I never imagined you possessed such an ability.”

Wu Liyun listened to the brown-haired girl’s praise with an impassive face, his inner thoughts utterly undisturbed.

No one could ever sway his unwavering loyalty to Vanguard.

“Go easy on each other. No heavy blows.”

Robin, clinging to Xiu Lan’s back, poked her in the waist with a finger as a warning.

Senior Yao Jing was still somewhat sulking from their earlier conflict, and to prevent any fatalities, she felt compelled to offer a preemptive caution.

“Alright, alright, nothing’s going to happen.”

Peeling the girl off her back, Xiu Lan strode towards the center of the arena, where the robust and burly uncle had long been waiting.

“Well, well, kid.”

A teasing voice emanated from Mo Zhixing. He held not the slightest doubt regarding his victory in this contest.

With a single motion, he shed his jacket, revealing bracelets on both arms that pulsed with a faint blue light.

‘Two armaments…?’

“My name is Mo Zhixing, a retired Hunter. While it may seem like an adult bullying a child, to properly assess your abilities…”

As his words faded, a blue light enveloped his entire body, and a warrior clad in black armor silently materialized.

“I will not hold back.”

Granting Xiu Lan no time to react, he propelled himself forward, closing the distance between them in an instant, and delivered a heavy punch accompanied by a faint, resonant roar.