Chapter 25: A Cooperative Hunt? I Want One Person!
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Today’s first update: Chapter 025!
……
Su Rui’s brother?
Su Chi of the Thunderclap Squad?
Several members of the Heaven-Burning Squad sat on the sofa, staring coldly at the uninvited guests.
Geng Xiao remained silent. Han Yue Su spoke in an icy tone. “Su Chi, the Heaven-Burning Squad is holding a gathering here. What do you want, barging in with your people?”
Unlike Su Rui in every respect, Su Chi was tall and handsome, with long legs and a striking face. His hands tucked into his pockets, he said, “I heard that the Heaven-Burning Squad recruited a new member after Mu Chao’s death, so I came on behalf of the Thunderclap Squad to offer my congratulations.”
“Though I originally thought the Heaven-Burning Squad had recruited some remarkable talent. I never expected you to take in my good-for-nothing little brother. Looks like the Heaven-Burning Squad is going downhill with every passing day!”
Yu Le noticed that the moment Su Chi mentioned the name Mu Chao, even the usually lively Gu Xiaoyuan and the sharp-tongued Meng Huai fell silent.
The chill on Han Yue Su’s face seemed capable of freezing the air itself.
Who was Mu Chao? A former member of the Heaven-Burning Squad?
Was Su Chi deliberately rubbing salt into their wounds?
Seeing everyone’s silence, Su Chi strode forward on his long legs and stopped before Su Rui, who had shrunk into a frightened ball. “My good little brother, didn’t the family ever teach you proper manners? Why aren’t you speaking when you see your elder brother?”
“I…” Su Rui stammered, unable to get the words out.
“Looks like you’re in need of discipline!”
A cold smile curled across Su Chi’s lips. He raised his right leg and kicked directly toward Su Rui’s face!
The sight jolted everyone from their silence. They sprang to their feet, intending to stop Su Chi—but his kick had already descended.
Bang!
Just as Su Rui froze in terror, the foot aimed at his face was blocked by an arm.
Hmm?
Su Chi gave a nasal grunt and looked at Yu Le, who had intercepted the blow on Su Rui’s behalf.
Seeing Yu Le’s calm expression, Su Chi became somewhat interested. Still maintaining his arrogant stance with both hands in his pockets, he increased the force in his leg.
Yu Le’s brows knitted together. He was just about to gather all his Realm-Shaking power and strike back when an icy chain lashed toward Su Chi.
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Su Chi had no choice but to retreat a step, then shattered the incoming ice chain with a whip kick.
Yu Le shook his somewhat numb arm and looked toward Su Rui, whose expression remained blank. “Are you all right?”
Light returned to Su Rui’s eyes. He seized Yu Le’s hand tightly and rose to his feet. “Su Chi, don’t look down on people! I joined the Heaven-Burning Squad to prove myself. The Su family doesn’t belong to you alone, Su Chi. I, Su Rui…”
Hmm?
Su Chi cast him a single glance. Su Rui, who had only just gathered his courage, flinched and hid behind Yu Le.
By then, the members of the Heaven-Burning Squad had already moved in front of the two of them protectively, while the members of the Thunderclap Squad behind Su Chi surged forward as well.
The atmosphere grew taut, as though a fight might erupt at any moment.
Geng Xiao finally spoke. Sparks danced above his lowered fists. “Su Chi, did you come here looking for trouble?”
Everyone had expected Su Chi to stand his ground to the end, but instead, he broke into a smile.
“Not at all. I’m entrusting this good-for-nothing little brother of mine to Captain Geng’s discipline.”
As he spoke, Su Chi’s gaze fell on Yu Le. “Not bad physical strength. You must be the new recruit as well. Care to introduce yourself?”
“Yu Le,” Yu Le replied flatly.
For a moment, no one could figure out what Su Chi was planning.
Su Chi nodded, then turned his attention back to Geng Xiao. “Don’t misunderstand. I simply wanted to see whether the Heaven-Burning Squad still qualified as an opponent for my Thunderclap Squad. Now that I’ve seen you, I’d say you barely qualify.”
“I’m here on behalf of our captain to extend an invitation. We’d like to invite the Heaven-Burning Squad to jointly complete a demon-hunting mission. Captain Geng, are you interested?”
Geng Xiao exchanged a glance with Han Yue Su before replying calmly, “What kind of demon-hunting mission requires Fang Wensheng to seek our assistance?”
“A five-bone demonic beast that has been roaming through our territory. What do you say, Captain Geng? Interested?”
At that, Geng Xiao’s expression shifted slightly. “You people are certainly bold.”
“Of course. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come to invite the Heaven-Burning Squad. This is a mission assigned by the higher-ups. The bounty isn’t much, but the squad points are substantial. If you have any conditions, Captain Geng, feel free to name them.”
Demon-hunting missions were divided into two categories. One consisted of bounty missions, which came from private commissions. The other consisted of point missions, issued by the higher-ups of the Demon-Hunting Association and even by the authorities.
Private commissions offered generous bounties but relatively few points for advancing a squad’s rank.
Point missions were the opposite.
Every demon-hunting squad accepted both kinds of missions. Bounty missions provided money to equip and train squad members, while point missions raised the squad’s level, allowing it to take on higher-grade missions and earn even more money and points.
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“Whether we cooperate or not can wait. I’m curious—where did Fang Wensheng get such a high-level mission?”
“Heh heh. Naturally, it’s because the higher-ups value him. Besides, our captain has already broken through to the Four-Bone Realm. That’s the key reason the leaders were willing to entrust this mission to him.”
Hearing that, Geng Xiao frowned. “No wonder even you’ve become so arrogant. I have a strong suspicion that you want to use this mission to turn the Heaven-Burning Squad into cannon fodder!”
Su Chi waved a hand. “Captain Geng, just tell me whether you’re cooperating or not. Don’t tell me the Heaven-Burning Squad lost its nerve after Mu Chao died?”
Han Yue Su could no longer contain herself. “Su Chi, say that again. Do you believe I’ll kill you?”
“Miss Han, I wasn’t the one who killed Mu Chao. You should take it up with that demonic beast instead.” Su Chi spread his hands and continued provoking her shamelessly.
“Fine. I agree to the cooperation, but I have one condition.” Geng Xiao stopped the enraged Han Yue Su and answered in her place.
“Please, Captain Geng.”
“We want neither the bounty nor the points. Apart from the corpses of the demonic beasts we kill, I want one person from you.”
“Who?” Su Chi asked, frowning.
“Living Pearl!”
After Geng Xiao spoke that name, everyone except Yu Le and Su Rui exchanged knowing glances and looked toward him.
Su Chi’s brows drew together even more tightly. “Why do you want him? He’s a good friend of the Thunderclap Squad…”
“Then forget it. See them out.”
“Wait.” Su Chi raised a hand. “I can agree to hand Living Pearl over to you, but once you’ve finished investigating whatever information you want, you must let him go.”
“Of course. The Heaven-Burning Squad has no place for him at our table.”
“Then it’s settled. I’ll have someone send the battle plan to Xiaoyuan later.” Su Chi grinned and extended his hand.
Geng Xiao shook it briefly. “Take care.”
Having accomplished what he came for, Su Chi led his people out of the private room. Before leaving, he cast Yu Le a meaningful smile, clearly holding a grudge over Yu Le’s interference when he had tried to discipline his younger brother.
Once they had departed, Yu Le was filled with questions, but he felt too awkward to ask.
Geng Xiao and the others sat down, while Xiaoyuan began operating the computer.
A short while later, Xiaoyuan said, “The Thunderclap Squad’s battle plan has arrived.”