Chapter 19: Squad Gathering, Self-Introductions!
Today's First Update: Chapter 019!
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The process was not easy, but Yu Le finally took that crucial first step. What had initially been a personal mission to save Yu An’an had now become known to the entire squad.
“I’m sure you have a lot to tell us, but don’t rush. Today is the day the Burning Sky Squad welcomes new members. We should celebrate first, then sit down and talk!” Geng Xiao patted Yu Le on the shoulder and led the way forward.
Han Yuesu followed closely behind.
“Hey, where are we going?” Su Rui asked.
Xiao Yuan bounced excitedly, “Yay~ a feast again!”
Ling Xiao draped an arm over Yu Le’s shoulder. “Come on, no matter what’s important, let’s eat first and then talk!”
Naturally, they went along with the hosts and stepped outside together.
At the entrance to the Burning Sky Guildhall stood two vehicles. Yu Le didn’t recognize them, but Su Rui was already drooling.
Pointing to one, a sleek, streamlined supercar, Su Rui said, “That’s the Xuanying supercar, worth tens of millions. Its speed rivals that of the legendary bone-sharp realm land beasts!”
In this world, vehicles were powered by magical cores!
“And the other one?” Yu Le looked at the red armored vehicle.
“That’s the Burning Sky Squad’s custom-made Burning Sky armored war vehicle, equipped with powerful weaponry. Rumor has it, its cost is—” Su Rui held up three fingers.
“Thirty million?” Yu Le asked.
Su Rui rolled his eyes. “Thirty million won’t even get you a chassis. With the car and weapons together, it’s three hundred million!”
Wow—
How many phoenix-tail red carp would you have to catch to afford one of those?
Han Yuesu strode forward with long legs toward the Xuanying supercar, saying, “Xiao Yuan and I will take one car, you five big men can take the other.”
“Han, can I come with you?” Meng Huai rubbed his hands eagerly.
Han Yuesu sized him up and down. “Alright, but hang under the car.”
Meng Huai: …
After giving Meng Huai a playful jab, Han Yuesu glanced at Yu Le. “What about you? Want to come with me?”
Hearing this, Ling Xiao’s eyes widened, and Meng Huai whistled.
Yu Le knew they were teasing him, so he shook his head and climbed into the imposing Burning Sky armored vehicle with Ling Xiao and the others.
Geng Xiao took the wheel, Ling Xiao sat shotgun, and the other three occupied the spacious back seats.
The so-called back seats were more like a mobile command center straight out of a war film, filled with various precision instruments and mounted weapons, which made Yu Le keenly observe his surroundings.
“Where are we headed?” Su Rui asked eagerly.
“Burning City Number Seven,” Meng Huai replied.
“Wow, the captain is generous!” Su Rui’s eyes sparkled.
Yu Le was also somewhat surprised. The place Meng Huai mentioned was called “Burning City Number Seven Bar,” a name he had heard from some fishermen.
Of course, those fishermen had never been there themselves—it was all hearsay.
Much like men in a previous life would chat about which clubs were the most upscale.
Burning City Number Seven was reputed to be a money pit; ordinary people didn’t even have the qualifications to enter. The minimum spend was said to be tens of thousands per person per night!
That was enough to feed a family for two or three years.
Yu Le pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered some around. The three veteran members of the Burning Sky Squad readily accepted, and even Su Rui, the newbie, caught the mood, puffing away despite coughing.
A man’s camaraderie was often forged over a cigarette and a bottle of wine.
Yu Le struck up a conversation, and naturally, the topic turned to their destination.
“Hey, don’t believe the wild rumors out there. It’s just a high-end place. Sure, some rich folks go there for thrills, but for us hunters, when not on a mission, it’s a place to satisfy hunger, relax, and recover from the rigors of battle. It’s also a gathering spot for all walks of life, where news and rumors often originate,” Meng Huai said, exhaling smoke as he spoke.
Before long, the vehicle arrived at the famed “Burning City Number Seven.”
The greeter at the door immediately came forward to welcome the Burning Sky vehicle with utmost respect, his smile stretching wide like a blooming flower.
Ling Xiao whispered, “See that? He only respects the uniform, not the person. Don’t be fooled by his politeness here—normally, if a stranger dares to look at him twice, he’ll scowl and show disdain.”
Having lived on society’s bottom rungs, Yu Le was well aware of such sycophants who bullied those beneath them while fawning on those above.
Without a word, he followed them into the bustling, upscale venue. The grand hall was filled with handsome men and beautiful women venting excess energy, but the Burning Sky Squad wasn’t interested in such frivolities and headed straight to their private room.
Before they even sat down, Xiao Yuan was expertly ordering dishes.
“Hey, are you all drinking?” After ordering plenty of her favorite foods, Xiao Yuan didn’t forget the others.
“Something to drink?” Geng Xiao asked. Ling Xiao and Meng Huai nodded, and Su Rui and Yu Le naturally had no objections.
“Just a glass of water for me,” Han Yuesu said, always the odd one out, though the others were clearly used to it.
“And I want a glass of orange juice!” Xiao Yuan reminded.
As everyone settled in, Geng Xiao’s gaze landed on Yu Le and the others. “Make yourselves at home. From now on, we’re all comrades.”
“While we wait for the food, let’s introduce ourselves so our two new friends can get to know us better.”
With that, Geng Xiao ignited a flame in his hand. “I’m Geng Xiao, 32 years old, Xuan-level Fate Weapon: Explosive Flame, codename ‘Burning Fist,’ Bone-Sharp Realm, Third Stage. A type of supernatural Fate Weapon focused on heavy offense!”
Next was Han Yuesu: “Han Yuesu, 28 years old, Xuan-level Fate Weapon: Spirit Melody Ice Chain, codename ‘Ice Seal,’ Bone-Sharp Realm, Second Stage. A mutated soul that’s both a tool and supernatural Fate Weapon, capable of offense and control!”
“Um, Han…” Su Rui raised his hand.
“When not on missions, just call me Sister Han,” Han Yuesu interrupted.
“Oh, okay, Sister Han. Are you part of the Han family?”
“Yes,” Han Yuesu replied briefly, offering no further explanation.
“Uh…” Su Rui looked a bit awkward. “I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”
Han Yuesu lifted her delicate chin. “How many people from the Han family have you actually met?”
“None, none.”
“I don’t deny I’m from the Han family, but here, I’m just the deputy captain of the Burning Sky Squad. My family ties don’t matter, so no need to connect the two.”
“All right~” Su Rui breathed a sigh of relief.
“Can I ask— is the Han family very powerful?” Yu Le couldn’t help but inquire.
At this, everyone looked at him with a strange expression.
Meng Huai said oddly, “No way, Yu Le, you’ve never even heard of the Han family?”
Yu Le shook his head. “I only heard about it from Su Rui, so I was curious.”
“You know about the big fire in Burning City three years ago, right?”
Yu Le nodded; of course he knew. That was when he first arrived in this world and found his wife.
“That massive fire that threatened the whole city was put out by the Han family coming to the rescue. Because of that, the Han family settled in Burning City, and their current head, Han Qingsong, successfully became the city’s lord. That event shook the entire city; everyone here knows about it. Aren’t you from Burning City?” Meng Huai asked curiously.
When Han Qingsong’s name was mentioned, Han Yuesu’s eyebrows twitched slightly, betraying a flicker of emotion beneath her calm exterior.
Yu Le shook his head. “Maybe I just don’t pay much attention to these things.”
Han Yuesu said, “Although the Han family is seated in Burning City, not everyone needs to remember them. They did save the city from the fire, but they also gained rewards accordingly.”
Um…
From the tone, Han Yuesu didn’t seem all that enthusiastic about her family—perhaps even a bit hostile.
Su Rui leaned close to Yu Le’s ear. “The Han family has an inheritance of frost bloodline. Those with talent awaken ice-type Fate Weapons. Our Sister Han would be considered a prodigy in the family, but in such a large clan, competition is fierce. If she’s from a branch family, she wouldn’t receive preferential treatment.”
Yu Le nodded in understanding.
Han Yuesu glanced over. “Got something to whisper?”
“Uh… no, no. I’m just helping Uncle Yu with some basic knowledge.”
“Am I that old?” Yu Le made a strange face.
Su Rui’s eyes said: What do you think?
Geng Xiao smiled. “Don’t be fooled by Han’s usual coldness. Once you get to know her, you’ll see she treats people very well!”
“Yeah, I’m all for that. Sister Han’s the kindest woman I’ve ever met. Whoever marries her is blessed for three lifetimes,” Meng Huai added.
“If you keep talking nonsense, I won’t mind sewing your mouth shut. Now introduce yourself.”
“All right~” Meng Huai quickly admitted defeat and stood up to introduce himself.
“I’m Meng Huai, 20 years old, Xuan-level Fate Weapon: Wind-Raising Spear, Rock Realm, Ninth Stage. A tool-type Fate Weapon, specializing in swift attacks. Usually, I team up with Sister Han. I handle the chaos, she handles the slaughter!”
“Meng’s a chatterbox—get used to it,” Ling Xiao stood up.
“I’m Ling Xiao, 25 years old, Non-Heaven’s Chosen, Rock Realm, Ninth Stage. Skilled in various ranged weapons, responsible for squad reconnaissance and long-range fire support.”
“Xiao Yuan, you’re next~”
The girl with the twitchy hair, eagerly bouncing her leg awaiting the feast, immediately raised her hand.
“I’m Gu Xiaoyuan, 19 years old, Xuan-level Fate Weapon: Healing Spirit, life-type Fate Weapon, specializing in auxiliary healing. If you get hurt, find me. Minor wounds don’t require treatment; severe wounds, I can’t fix~”
Gu Xiaoyuan was about to joke around, but Han Yuesu shot her a stern look that shut her up.
Geng Xiao looked fondly at her. “Xiao Yuan is a treasure we found. Her parents died in the fire three years ago. Han and I rescued her. Unexpectedly, she awakened a powerful healing spirit Fate Weapon. You two were badly injured in previous battles, and it was Xiao Yuan who healed you.”
This cheerful girl was actually a survivor of that devastating fire three years ago.
“Stop. Don’t look at me with pity. I consider myself lucky to have been saved by Uncle Geng and Sister Su. Many children suffered the same fate as me three years ago. Even now, many still lie in welfare homes, unable to walk,” Gu Xiaoyuan said with resolute optimism, refusing to dwell on the past sorrow.
She raised her arm and declared, “My dream is—”
“World peace!”
Her smile touched everyone present.