The decision wasn’t surprising—after all, the Clown Gang had lost too much at the Trade Plaza. Anyone who’s played strategy games knows: if the enemy sends a hundred units to their deaths in one wave, you rush their base and finish the job.
“Great!”
“That’s awesome, leader!”
“Captain Xu, what’s our plan?”
Everyone in the group was excited about the new mission, especially the fifth-year boys. With less than half a year until graduation, they’d thought the Trade Plaza was their peak—who would’ve guessed they’d get another chance to rack up major credit?
“It’s simple. First, we find them.”
As the supreme commander, Xu Chuyao explained that while the enemy was in shambles, even a cunning rabbit has three burrows. The Clown Gang had deep roots in the city, with tangled connections, and they were excellent at hiding. However, now that they were short on manpower, they’d have to recruit—which created an opening. They needed to watch out for that process.
In plain terms: The Clown Gang had lost too many people and needed new blood. They’d target people with low talent—those who were already older but still stuck at Tier 1 or 2. Everyone should keep an eye out for that type.
But that was easier said than done, because—
“We don’t usually leave campus.”
Ascension Academy was a full-time, no-vacation institution.
Xu Chuyao paused—she hadn’t considered that. After thinking for a moment, she said:
“No problem. We’ll start by listening for leads, then I’ll take you out to investigate.”
Enough talk. Chuyao will personally lead the charge.
Then Zhong Ming raised a question: “Why not let the Central City security department handle the investigation?”
The fifth-years all turned to look—good question. After all, that department was their top post-graduation choice.
“Great question. The problem is, this isn’t a priority for higher-level security officials. The ones available to do the legwork are mostly Tier 1 or 2—and there may be Clown Gang moles among them. Let them investigate for a year and they’d still find nothing.”
Xu Chuyao then gave them a brief on the Clown Gang’s ideology—the appeal of “spirit purity” to low-talent awakeners.
“So that’s the reason behind the Clown Gang,” You Jia asked cautiously. “But… the promises from the organization behind them, are those real?”
Even a dumpling could figure out that Tier 1 or 2 members couldn’t fulfill the so-called spirit purity goals—only the big shots behind the scenes had the means.
“Of course it’s fake. You’ll understand why eventually,” Xu Chuyao clapped her hands. “Alright, that’s all for today. One last thing—the academy’s holding a victory banquet in three days. Don’t miss it. You’re all getting awards.”
Today was full of good news—one thing after another. The task force members left in high spirits.
Shen Ning had arrived last and was also the last to leave. She straightened her skirt, slowly stood up, and walked to the door—only to be startled by a sweet, soft voice.
“What’s up with you today? Moving so slow—your body’s weak now?”
Xu Chuyao had long noticed something was off. Usually, Shen Ning came and went like a whirlwind. Today she was all slow and refined, like a noble lady.
But Xu Chuyao didn’t recall having a classy noble girlfriend—only a bloodthirsty murder queen.
“I just… stayed at the training grounds a bit longer,” Shen Ning’s gaze was a bit evasive. “And I didn’t sleep well last night.”
Her steps were clearly wobbly.
“You knew we had a meeting today, and you still overtrained?” Xu Chuyao wasn’t buying it. “Didn’t sleep well—what, stayed up on your phone?”
What’s so addictive on her phone? Just some—
Oh~!
Chuyao’s lips curled into a wicked grin. “Shen Ning~ getting hooked on those spicy little ebooks, huh? It’s hard to admit, I know. But as your girlfriend, my advice is: don’t lose sleep over it. You’ve got a lot of room to improve—it’s no use rushing~”
[Villain Points +300]
Shen Ning’s fists clenched!
“I’m heading off~”
Sensing Shen Ning’s rising fury, Xu Chuyao bolted—leaving only her light, fluttery skirt in view.
This is payback from last time. Chuyao won’t let you off so easily.
In the empty hallway, Shen Ning clenched her teeth as she approached the stairs, her temples pounding.
“I’ll just say it straight,” the Repressed Shadow snarled. “Forget the mission requirements—just pin her down already.”
Why the hell would you still care about her comfort when punishing that smug gremlin?
“What do you think, Ruin Shadow? Still feel like we should hold back?”
The Ruin Shadow was quiet for a long while, then sighed faintly: “…Chuyao really ought to keep her mouth shut sometimes.”
A rare moment of agreement between the two shadows. Time to plan the operation.
“The night of the victory banquet!” suggested the Repressed Shadow. “We don’t have classes the next day.”
No classes ≠ vacation. After finals, there were still restrictions on campus comings and goings, but regular lessons were suspended for two months.
With a date chosen, the next step was clear—
“Let’s go, let’s get back to the dorm and study hard!”
Meanwhile, back at the dorm, Xu Chuyao had returned early and was already recounting the scene to her roommate, laughing at her girlfriend.
“She got a phone, stayed up late—understandable. But she spent the whole night reading some spicy app! Total noob behavior, right?”
Mi Xiaolu shrugged: “I wouldn’t dare say.”
Honestly, even Xiaolu didn’t fully understand how Chuyao could mock her so shamelessly: “Aren’t you afraid she’ll… y’know, ‘love you to death’ one day?”
Once, Chuyao had told her, “We’re pure girls—don’t go throwing the f-word around.” So Xiaolu switched to something more innocent.
“Please. With her?” Xu Chuyao scoffed. “Love me to death? She doesn’t have the skills.”
Why was Chuyao so confident? Because in the original story, Shen Ning never had a girlfriend. She’d been repressing herself the whole time—and when she couldn’t take it anymore, she didn’t even know how to self-love.
But Xiaolu didn’t buy it. That kind of thing wasn’t about talent—it’s instinct. Do it a few times and you figure it out. Besides, Shen Ning was a “miner girl.” Xiaolu believed in miner girls’ natural talent for digging… deep.
But now wasn’t the time for that. Finals were coming—it was time to hit the books.
“Xu Chuyao, what do you think they’ll test us on tomorrow?”
“What else? Chinese: cloze passage and a 200-character essay. Math: single-variable linear equations.”
That’s it. Asking Chuyao to study this was an insult. Her goal in culture exams wasn’t to pass or ace them—it was to find mistakes in the exam questions.
“Can’t wait for the exams to be over,” Mi Xiaolu sighed, eyes closed in anticipation. “I heard there’ll be fancy desserts at the banquet, and no bed checks that night.”