“You?”
Han Nuo sized Wu Xiaomi up and down.
“Do you think this is just kids playing house? Once we leave this district, every step could meet ten desperados. You’re just a weaned little girl—do you want to lead us straight to hell?”
[I’m weaned!]
Wu Xiaomi protested angrily.
“Alright then, tell me, how exactly are you planning to lead us out—through seventy kilometers of the Crime District—and bring our delivery target back safely?”
[I plan to…]
Before Wu Xiaomi could finish writing, Bai Xiaozhi spoke up: “I’ll help her. If she can’t handle it, there’s still me.”
Right~ and there’s Xiaozhi too~ wait…
Xiaozhi, you doubt me as well!
So angry!
This time, I’m definitely in command!
“Since none of you trusts the other, let’s settle it with rock-paper-scissors,” Nurse An awkwardly suggested.
“No, when lives are at stake, this is no game,” Han Nuo firmly rejected. “We have to follow my orders, or let Arche complete the mission independently.”
“If I may be frank, although Arche’s combat experience is excellent, it lacks the strength for high-level confrontations,” Nurse An shrugged. “Without Xiaomi and Xiaozhi, you’d have been taken down just like last time by Sequence 79.”
“…”
Can we not mention that again?
“Last time was just carelessness…”
Before he could finish, a flash of lightning appeared.
Bai Xiaozhi’s sword hilt was already pressed against Han Nuo’s back of the head.
Han Nuo was left completely speechless.
[I want to be in command! I want to be in command!]
To emphasize her tone, Wu Xiaomi wrote it twice.
[I have Spirit Hunting Instinct. It enhances my thinking and perception. It’s like X-ray vision; even if the enemy hides, I can still detect them.]
“Then you’re suited to be a scout, not the brain.”
[Actually, the battle changes in an instant. We must make decisions based on enemy movements immediately. If you wait for me to report the intel and then decide, it’ll be too late.]
“Indeed, I agree with that,” Han Nuo finally relented. “Then you’ll command for now. But if your tactical decisions are unreasonable, Arche reserves the right to refuse. By the way… stop writing. Writing is too slow; use gestures to communicate.”
…
With the wartime brain decided, the operation no longer delayed.
“Remember that magical puppet mission? It’s when you, Xiaomi, obtained Sequence 117 Blooming Flowers.”
Before departure, Jifeng’s people brought over a dozen horses.
[I remember.]
“With the help of the shaman Nanalia in Fengshou Village and the village chief Mu Xi, we successfully sold those magical puppets. We used the money to buy the horses and signed the contracts—this is how the horses came to be.”
Oh~~
“Unfortunately, it still wasn’t enough. There are sixteen of you, but only fifteen horses.”
“I can ride with Xiaomi,” Bai Xiaozhi offered.
“No need. When we bought the horses, there was actually a little bonus.”
Bonus?
“Hey~?”
From the herd stepped out a small four-legged ‘horse’ with pure white fur, fluffy all over, an arrogant expression, and a chin that wriggled as it chewed the grass in its mouth.
“This little alpaca is perfect for petite girls to ride. Its speed matches that of a horse.”
“…”
Petite.
Without even opening her eyes, Bird Xiaomi knew fifteen pairs of eyes were now staring at her.
“The specially made saddle is already fitted. Decide who’s going to ride this one.”
Decide my foot, stop pretending.
“Don’t pretend—you just want to see Xiaomi ride the alpaca,” Kang Jie said disdainfully to Ah Lei.
“Don’t pretend, you want to too—I know,” Ah Lei responded with a raised middle finger.
…
Perched on the little ‘horse’s’ back.
Bird Xiaomi heard the clicking of cameras.
Tsk.
Activating Spirit Hunting Instinct, Bird Xiaomi gave a domineering little wave with her tender hand.
Her scarf fluttered behind her shoulders.
Announcing departure!
“Good luck with the mission. Come back early.”
Standing at the entrance to the Salvation District, everyone waved.
It was as if Bird Xiaomi and the others were generals embarking on an expedition.
Bye-bye!
…
Not far to the southeast, the air began to fill with the scent of embers.
Sparse houses sat scattered among white streets; most of these houses were already empty.
Walls had been blackened by fire.
They had become ruins.
“More tragic than what the video showed,” Bai Xiaozhi looked around warily.
“Still not bad,” Han Nuo said calmly. “Scenes like this are common in warlord-controlled Third World countries. Africa, the Middle East… religious wars and ethnic massacres persist until the very end.”
“One Earth, but feels like two different worlds.”
“Always has been.”
…
“You seem to have been through a lot?”
“Right,” Han Nuo didn’t bother with modesty. “As a mercenary, I’ve taken part in warlord wars to overthrow regimes and smuggled dangerous goods. I’ve been to more places than you know names for.”
“…Impressive.”
“Not really,” Han Nuo shook his head. “If you, like me, had seen real people—without masks or pretense—you’d make the same choices I have.”
“Maybe.”
“Kang Jie won’t last long,” Han Nuo sighed. “Bai Xiaozhi, you’re strong and smart. You can see the reality, unlike Kang Jie, who’s unrealistic.”
What does he mean by that?
Han Nuo continued, “Take Wu Xiaomi with us. I have contacts southeast who are doing well; they’ll last longer than Kang Jie.”
Bai Xiaozhi said nothing.
“Trust me, Kang Jie won’t last half a month. Once he dies, the Ancient Burial District will fall apart. Those peaceful appearances will soon become—” Han Nuo gestured around, “just like this place.”
[Heh—Tsk!]
Wu Xiaomi raised her notepad.
At the same time, the alpaca licked its lips and spat a precise blob of saliva onto Han Nuo’s face.
“…So disgusting!” Han Nuo gagged violently.
Alpacas don’t spit saliva—they spit stomach acid, green and phlegmy, naturally foul-smelling.
[Well done! Little Alpaca!]
Wu Xiaomi held the notepad in front of the alpaca as praise.
“Childish.” Han Nuo wiped his face.
Tsk—
No sooner had he cleaned it than another spit landed.
“…”
Han Nuo gave up and didn’t bother wiping anymore.
[Why do you hate Kang Jie so much?]
She raised the notepad again.
[Isn’t peace better?]
“Hate? No,” Han Nuo’s face remained expressionless. “I’ve seen many Kang Jies.”
[Kang Jie is a clone???]
“What are you talking about…” Han Nuo laughed bitterly. “I mean people like Kang Jie only end up one way.”
Oh, not a clone…
“Like moths to a flame isn’t something to be praised. It’s foolishness—not knowing the difference between fire and light.”
“If this foolishness continues, it’ll drag everyone into the fire pit.”
[I don’t care!]
[｡゜(´Д`)゜｡]
[I really like this kind of life now!]
“Everyone likes it, but how long can it last?”
[Until we get home!]
“Is that so? I hope so.”
…
Han Nuo looked ahead.
A line of text floated before him.
It was a private chat message that only he could see.
Wu Xiaomi and Bai Xiaozhi were completely unaware.
Han Nuo’s fingers moved slightly, replying to the message.
[Already departed. Get ready to receive the cargo.]
[The cargo is riding an alpaca.]