Wang Zhi and Ying returned to the dormitory. When the three of them saw the pair chatting and laughing, they stared at them with confused faces.
"Why are you all looking at me?" Wang Zhi asked.
"Ah? Ha, we just didn't expect you two to finish eating so quickly. Hahaha," Fatty chuckled, turning his head and falling asleep.
As Wang Zhi spoke, he first went to fetch a bucket of hot water for Ying to wash her feet, and only after giving her a half-hour massage did he go to the bathroom to clean up.
Wang Zhi lay down and turned off the bedside lamp but did not fall asleep; instead, he was thinking about the day's events.
Unexpectedly, that Zhao Yang from the Scarlet Flame Team was Zhao Yan's younger brother?
He had been seen by Zhao Yan in Jie Xi's room today, and he had lost face in front of him. Coupled with the conflict he already had with Zhao Yang, Zhao Yan would definitely join forces with Zhao Yang to deal with him.
It seemed he needed to guard against those people. Even though the Guard Team managed the order, Jie Xi couldn't be there all the time; she had to rest eventually.
Thinking of this gave him a headache. With the strength of Old He and Ying, they weren't afraid of retaliation from the Scarlet Flame Team, but that Zhao Yan was someone who appeared on the conference stage—not so easy to deal with.
Wait! Jie Xi knew Zhao Yan would seek revenge! When Zhao Yan and Zhao Yang retaliated against him, they would violate the rules of the Dawn Tower! At that moment, he would naturally destroy the pendant Jie Xi gave him, and then Jie Xi would appear!
This way, she could both help him and use the established order to eliminate Zhao Yan and his brother. Was all of this Jie Xi's meticulous planning?
"Brilliant!!" Wang Zhi couldn't help but exclaim.
"What's so brilliant that you're not sleeping?" Ying, who was nearby, heard Wang Zhi muttering to himself and asked with some confusion.
"Nothing, I just think things are getting more and more interesting here."
"I think you've gone crazy," Ying said irritably, then turned over and went back to sleep.
....
After one night passed.
The room lights came on. Possibly due to the intensity of their training, Jia Liuli and Fatty hadn't woken up yet, while Old He and Ying were already up early, stretching in the open space.
"You two are certainly diligent, not resting even in the dorm." Wang Zhi woke up, sat up, and checked the time; eight hours had passed.
"Move around while you're alive; once you're dead, you won't be able to move at all," Old He said while stretching.
"Uncle, I agree with your point this time," Ying chimed in.
"Alright, Sister Ying, shall we go buy breakfast?" Wang Zhi asked.
After the two left the door, Ying asked, "Why did you suddenly decide to bring me along this time?"
"Bringing a beauty along for breakfast looks good," Wang Zhi laughed, naturally omitting the irritating truth that he was bringing her as a bodyguard.
"Oh? Is that so? Then wouldn't it look even better if you threw your arm around me?" Ying teased, looking at Wang Zhi playfully.
Wang Zhi chuckled sheepishly, not actually moving to embrace her.
After spending time together these past few days, he knew that if he really did what Ying suggested, he probably wouldn't even make it to the dining hall.
Breakfast was the usual steamed buns and millet porridge. The two returned with the food, and Fatty and Jia Liuli were also roused.
"For today's training, the five of us will operate in the same area. That Scarlet Flame Team might make a move these next few days, so everyone keep alert. Report anything directly over the radio."
Wang Zhi reminded them during the meal.
"Ling Lingyao, what happens if someone is killed inside the Dawn Tower?" Ying asked.
[Murder will be judged based on the severity of the circumstances. The penalty ranges from expulsion from the Dawn Tower for minor cases to immediate execution for severe ones. Self-defense resulting in death will not be prosecuted.]
"Ling Lingyao, how is self-defense judged?" Wang Zhi continued to ask.
[When one's own or a teammate's life is threatened, it is considered self-defense.]
"Does everyone understand? If your life is threatened, kill who you need to kill; don't worry. We also have a good relationship with Captain Jie Xi, so you won't suffer too much later on." Wang Zhi spread his hands.
...
After the meal, the group returned to the training hall and resumed their tedious training.
Wang Zhi did not wander off today; he stayed close to the others, training diligently.
After training concluded, the Ling Lingyao in their residence received a message: a notification that the Ye Linglong purchased for Liu Li had left storage and was ready for collection at the equipment hall.
"Liu Li, your weapon is ready. Come with me to collect it." After several days together, Wang Zhi—who had been hearing Fatty call her 'Sister Liu Li'—also began calling her Liu Li.
"Mm."
The two arrived at the hall, presented their Magnetic Cards, and the weapon was handed over to Wang Zhi. The weapon case was a long tin box. Liu Li, having received the weapon, immediately wanted to unbox it, but Wang Zhi stopped her. There were too many eyes outside; it was best to wait until they were back in the dormitory.
Once back at their quarters, Liu Li immediately opened the tin box with barely concealed impatience and drew out the blade within.
The scabbard was a very low-key ink black, and the hilt was wrapped in black leather material.
The overall appearance of the blade looked quite ordinary.
"Sister Liu Li, is this your new weapon?" At this moment, Fatty leaned over and looked at the blade in Liu Li's hand.
"Mhm," Liu Li nodded, drawing the blade out of its scabbard.
The crimson blade flashed a red light before everyone's eyes; black markings were etched onto the red edge, making the blade look even more menacing!
"What a terrifying blade!" Old He couldn't help but comment from behind.
"My goodness, Sister Liu Li, you're going to be invincible now!" Fatty flattered from the side.
"It is a fine blade, but I wonder what its destructive power is like," Wang Zhi observed the Ye Linglong as he spoke.
"Since it can cut iron like mud, let's try cutting a bullet head," Ying suggested.
Wang Zhi thought this suggestion was good, so he took a pistol bullet, dismantled the ammunition inside, and placed only the bullet head on the table.
"Liu Li, come and try cutting this bullet head to test its power." As soon as Wang Zhi finished speaking, Liu Li brought the blade down with a chop.
Clang... Clang, clang, clang...
The bullet head was split in two and bounced onto the floor, making a clanging sound.
Furthermore, a deep score mark was left on the metal table.
"Hiss~" Wang Zhi could tell Liu Li had held back her strength; otherwise, that table wouldn't just have a single score mark.
Fatty on the side was completely stunned; if that strike had hit a person, wouldn't it slice them in half instantly?
"Thank you, Captain. I will take good care of it," Liu Li said happily, sheathing the Ye Linglong blade.