Chapter 40: First Foray

During the day, Haidu’s temperatures soared above thirty degrees Celsius, but come nightfall, they plummeted sharply below ten. Tonight, the weather was even harsher. Sparse, icy raindrops fell steadily from the pitch-dark sky, while thick clouds shrouded the heavens and the rain seemed to filter away the city’s restless energy. A single gust of wind could instantly remind one of the biting chill in the air.

Yet such conditions did nothing to dampen Wang Ben’s excitement.

It was only his second day with the Celestial Sword Bureau, and he was already taking part in an official mission. Even though he had no idea who their enemy truly was, he was more than ready for a fierce and satisfying battle.

“Stay hidden. You’re exposing yourself,” Wu Tianyuan’s cold voice cut through his exhilaration like a bucket of ice water.

“Yes, Captain. How much longer do we need to stay on watch?”

“Stop whining. Even if it takes until tomorrow morning, you’ll keep your head down and stay put. If you’re not up for the mission, you can turn around and get lost right now. If you mess things up for the whole squad, you’ll answer to me.”

This “endearing declaration” finally subdued Wang Ben a little—he’d already lost count of how many times he’d been warned. The journey so far had been a litany of reminders and rebukes, and he was starting to wonder if he really was some kind of idiot.

In stark contrast was Chen Longshi, who had joined the action team at the same time. No matter what Chen Longshi did, Wu Tianyuan would never scold him. Right now, for instance, Chen Longshi was leaning leisurely against the back of a building, sheltering from the cold wind, seeming utterly unconcerned with keeping watch on the distant target.

Wang Ben’s face was full of dissatisfaction, his eyes darting between Wu Tianyuan and Chen Longshi, itching to complain: “Captain, look, he’s slacking off.”

Wu Tianyuan couldn’t be bothered to pay him any mind, simply shoving him aside with a wave.

At that moment, Chen Longshi was dressed in a black trench coat over a tight-fitting, scale-patterned combat suit, paired with black military boots and a tactical belt. A longsword hung at his waist, and multi-functional night-vision glasses completed the look. He could have been the hero in a stylish action film. Nearby, several other team members were busy with their own preparations, equally unconcerned about the surveillance at hand.

Chen Longshi pulled his collar up against the wind and cast a mocking glance at the chagrined “General Wang”—for Wang Ben had just confided his dream of one day commanding an army.

He beckoned Wang Ben over. Wang Ben strode over readily, finally voicing the question that had been bothering him, “Chen, how come when you slack off, the Captain never says a word to you?”

Chen Longshi replied, “Am I slacking off?”

“Aren’t you?” Wang Ben pointed at his relaxed posture.

Chen Longshi chuckled, “It’s our first mission. We’re not expected to make some grand contribution. Just observe what the others are doing and focus on your own responsibilities. Don’t try to show off, or you might cause more harm than good.”

“Is that so?” Wang Ben was doubtful.

“Exactly so.”

Just then, Huo Tianze’s voice chimed in from behind. “When I first joined the action team, I was always looking to impress, but the more I did, the more mistakes I made. I was going to give you both this advice, but it seems Chen Longshi picked it up on his own. Wang Ben, are you really a genius? Why is there such a gap between you and Chen Longshi?”

Huo Tianze had also been promoted straight from the army. He was young, but his combat experience far outstripped theirs. Good-natured as he was, Wu Tianyuan had asked him to brief the newcomers about the team’s operations, and he’d taken it upon himself to give them a crash course.

Along the way, he’d passed on plenty of survival tips to the two rookies.

They were all young, and before long, camaraderie grew between them.

Though Wang Ben appeared brash and careless, being top of his military academy class was no easy feat—he was no fool. He could tell Huo Tianze meant no harm. With a scoff, he replied, “I’m good at fighting. Not just anyone can be first at the academy. When the battle starts, you’ll see if I’m a genius or not.”

“Full of yourself, aren’t you?” Huo Tianze retorted with a sneer.

Bored, he quickly changed the subject, “Wang, tell me about the academy days?”

“What’s there to say? Just a bunch of losers I beat.”

“…Tell me about the female cadets. I joined the army before finishing high school and have never had a girlfriend. Are the girls at Xuanyuan Military Academy all handpicked geniuses and goddesses?”

Wang Ben shot back disdainfully, “Didn’t expect you to be like this, Huo Tianze. Give up your daydreams—I’m not interested in women.”

This drew a sidelong glance from even Chen Longshi, who edged a little farther away. “Wang, are you alright?”

“Tch,” Wang Ben sniffed. “Women are nothing compared to the thrill of fighting monsters.”

“Attention, the targets have appeared.”

At that moment, a warning came through their earpieces from the surveillance team.

The previously nonchalant group instantly snapped to combat readiness.

Chen Longshi’s demeanor shifted as well, and he followed the others’ example, moving into position—leaving Wang Ben lagging behind.

Despite the high-tech night-vision glasses that made long-distance surveillance easy, the details at such a distance remained unclear. Chen Longshi hesitated, choosing not to probe with his spiritual sense—if their opponents were of a higher level, they could easily detect such a search.

Wu Tianyuan glanced up at the sky. At some point, the thick clouds above had begun to disperse, and a full moon hung faintly in the heavens.

He gave the two a measured look. “Tonight’s targets are members of the Half-Demon Alliance. They usually blend in among humans and are hard to spot, but with the full moon tonight, there’s a high risk of a monster outbreak.”

“You two—though it’s probably pointless to warn you—remember this: real life-and-death combat is nothing like the friendly sparring at the academy. No one’s going to look out for you in the thick of the fight, so don’t get yourselves killed.”

Chen Longshi was surprised. Half-demons—had they really formed an alliance already?

Wang Ben, however, was moved. “Don’t worry, Captain. My blade is itching for action.”

Wu Tianyuan’s tone was icy, devoid of all warmth. “You misunderstood me. I mean, don’t drag everyone else down and get someone killed.”

“…”

Wang Ben’s face fell and he dared not say another word.

The surveillance team quickly relayed new information. “Targets are on the move, possibly with a hostage… The moonlight is coming through, targets may be losing control, heading into the subway station… Someone is meeting them, possibly a new accomplice… Targets are about to enter the station, should we act now?”

“Team Five, secure the contact.”

Team Five was Chen Longshi’s group.

“Move in—now!”

Even as the cold, decisive command sounded, five figures sprang into action.

Chen Longshi glanced at the rooftop a dozen meters away, pressed lightly off the building’s edge, and, using his “Instant Step,” shot forward. In a heartbeat, it was as if he’d traversed a river of light, the streetlamps blurring beneath him. With a series of leaps, he landed atop a row of low buildings several kilometers away.

The target was right beneath his feet.

He didn’t rush to be first, hanging back by a few steps. He saw his team leader, like a bat slicing through the night sky, leap from the rooftop and, with a cold slash, strike at a man standing under the streetlight in a business suit, briefcase in hand, as if waiting for someone.

A guttural growl tore the night—much more alert than expected, the enemy reacted the instant the leader attacked.

An astonishing transformation followed: the suited office worker’s body swelled to several times its size, turning into a hulking brute in a suit. His upper body became that of a leopard, limbs sprouting razor-sharp claws. In a flash, he counterattacked with blinding speed.

Steel claws flashed coldly through the air, colliding with the leader’s sword in a shower of sparks—one claw deflected the blade, while the other ripped across the leader’s chest, sending sparks and blood flying as his armor was breached.

Another figure, hiding in the shadows, dropped the pretense as well, rolling forward and transforming into a massive, big-eared giant with limbs like elephant legs. He thundered forward, shattering the ground with each step.

“Move in—finish this quickly!”

Chen Longshi’s expression was strange. In the instant the enemies transformed, he felt… a sense of kinship.

But he hesitated only a moment before joining the fray.

And not just joining, but aiming to overwhelm the enemy.

A sword’s clear ring sliced through the night as the Zhijiang Sword unleashed an arc of brilliant energy, scattering a constellation of runes through the darkness.