Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Andrew turned around with his rather stiff neck, unable to believe it. Was it a dream?
The atmosphere in the cave was a little too quiet to the point that it felt uncomfortable.
Orston’s breath sped up as his already pink drunken face flushed all of a sudden.
Yu could not help but rub his eyes. He stepped forward and pinched himself.
Christina started at the entrance of the cave for quite a while before she blinked multiple times. After she got a clearer look to confirm, she covered her mouth and tears that were as big as peas rolled down her face.
Stunned, there was a complicated look on Amir’s face, but in the end, his expression became relieved as if he was released from a massive burden.
Andy still seemed a little dull, but his eyes were no longer blank. They were filled with tears instead.
Vian’s tears that she had held back for a very, very long time finally rolled down. She broke free from Andrew’s grip in the absolute silence and ran towards the figure that had appeared in front of everyone. She ran into his arms and clutched his uniform tightly.
Tang Ling came back. He was still in his carefree mode though there was an empty nutrition paste bottle at his mouth as he leaned against the entrance. The nonchalant expression on his face hid his suppressed anger deep in his heart.
“Tang Ling, Tang Ling…” Vian had a lot to say, but she ultimately uttered his name repeatedly.
Tang Ling was stunned for a second before he finally relaxed. He patted Vian’s back and carefully moved her aside. He was not familiar with a girl getting so close to himself since his hugs had only been reserved for San San.
He suddenly recalled the familiar scent of dried pogostemon stellatus leaves and the warmth from that soft petite body of hers.
As though she felt the resistance from Tang Ling, Vian was a little dejected, but in the next second, his hand landed firmly on her shoulder.
“Yo, Vian, how could you lose the opportunity to make some credits?”
What? Vian was stunned.
Tang Ling looked up at everyone else in the cave. “Are you guys lost or what? This gentleman, Andrew, the prestigious descendant of the Agnes family is hitting a lady! How rare is this? Such an opportunity is hard to come by! There are still many people outside. No, it’s very crowded to be precise. Everyone is happily drinking their alcohol, and I bet they won’t mind a little entertainment. Call them over. Charge them Hope credits to watch.”
Tang Ling then puckered his lips as he grumbled, “Ahh…Didn’t I show you guys before? Why don’t you learn, you dumb pigs?”
“You piece of sh*t! No one is as shameless as you!” Orston seemed ridiculous when he shouted at Tang Ling. He wanted to scold him for being a rascal, but he sounded like he was crying as a snot bubble even popped from his nose.
Yu helplessly tapped his forehead, but he then looked at Tang Ling and smiled. Despite the smile, his gaze at Tang Ling seemed a little terrified.
Christina could not hold back her laughter. How could this guy be such an unreasonable rascal, yet it felt surprisingly relaxing?
Andy finally bolted to his feet and shouted loudly as if he had lost his mind, “Tang Ling is back! Did you guys see? Tang Ling is back!”
Tang Ling looked askance at Andy and unintentionally glanced over Amir who somehow looked a little sad and depressed. There were even bruises on his face.
Looking at Orston and Yu, Tang Ling managed to grasp the big picture.
However, before he could say anything, Vian announced loudly outside the cave, “Everyone, gather up! Andrew of the First Reserved Camp, the gentleman of the Agnes family is going to hit a lady! Yes, he is going to hit me…”
What?! Everyone was shocked. Was the quiet and cute Vian going to be a rascal like Tang Ling?
Even Tang Ling himself was dumbfounded. Did Vian receive an electric shock?
Christina quickly went over and pulled Vian back, but the girl was giggling happily. She thought, ‘Why is everyone like this? This feels very good! At least, it’s a lot better than being bullied last time and enduring it silently.’
“How resilient! I thought you were dead on the battlefield.” Andrew finally came back to his senses. He freed himself from the Purple Moon Warrior’s grip, rotated his wrist a little, and walked over to Tang Ling.
Even though he had many questions in his mind and was filled with disappointment, unwillingness, and grievance, he held it together and controlled his manners. All in all, he remained a gentleman when it came to his actions.
Tang Ling turned around and looked at Andrew with a tilted head. He removed the bottle that he held in his mouth without saying anything and smashed it at his face.
The two of them were so close to each other that no one expected Tang Ling to smash a bottle at Andrew’s face all of a sudden. With his Precise Instinct, there was no doubt in his accuracy.
The bottle was inches away from hitting Andrew’s face when Hank, who was beside Andrew, stepped in. Even all Hank could do at that moment was slightly push the bottle away, deviating it from its original trajectory.
Due to Hank’s powerful intervention, the bottle shattered into pieces in mid-air. One of the glass shards grazed Andrew’s face suddenly, leaving a faint cut on his face.
Andrew felt a slight sting and a burning sensation on his face. He wiped the blood from the cut with his finger, leaving a faint bloodstain on the tip of his middle finger.
“Tang Ling, do you even consider the consequences of your actions?” Andrew looked at Tang Ling with a neutral look. It was difficult to tell whether he was angry or sad, but his tone was very cold.
“Compared to the consequences, I think smashing your pretentious face is a happier option, you prick.” Tang Ling was not bothered by Andrew’s words.
Andrew scoffed.
Hank already made his move when he saw the cut on Andrew’s face.
How dare this little rascal hurt Andrew? Fine, even if my reputation dies today with everyone watching me bully the weak, I’ll make him pay for what he has done!
However, the Purple Moon Warrior who escorted Tang Ling back intervened and stopped Hank.
“Oh, I’m sorry. The castellan declared that he’ll guarantee my safety,” Tang Ling said as he looked at Hank arrogantly, “and on top of that, Fei Long watches over me from now on.”
Everyone knew how to fake it and frighten others, but Tang Ling planned to aggrandize himself.
All Fei Long did was speak thoughtlessly, but Tang Ling decided to use the promise to his advantage and utilize its value to its fullest.
As for the castellan’s original words, he did not exactly say that he would guarantee Tang Ling’s safety. Instead, he told the Purple Moon Warrior to escort Tang Ling back and ensure that he would be safe in the First Reserved Camp. It was not a long-term promise either because Worf purposely told the Purple Moon Warrior to only solve minor squabbles.
Tang Ling exchanged the privilege for his teary eyes and snotty nose right before he left the castellan’s office. The change in his character all of a sudden shocked even Worf himself.
Was this kid not a serious and reliable one? He even showed reverence to my presence, yet how did he transform into a rascal in the blink of an eye? Does he have a personality disorder?
Fei Long regretted his decision to bring Tang Ling to meet the castellan. This kid was a rascal inside out. Being such a shameless rascal, how reliable could he be?
Therefore, while Tang Ling was crying a river, Worf had to send a Purple Moon Warrior to escort him back. Tang Ling even shamelessly asked for a medium nutrition paste since he was hungry after all. Although he would never reveal the truth, keeping it vague and profound would be the most effective way to scare people.
As expected, right after he said that, everyone else in the Fierce Dragon Squad was shocked. Even Andrew showed a doubtful expression.
“Hank, come on. We should be going.” Regardless of his skepticism, Andrew recovered his calmness and decided to stay put before he got to the bottom of this. He was even speculating that since the castellan was obviously protecting Tang Ling, had he even heard about the latter being on a certain list?
“Hey, did I say you could leave?” Tang Ling was being persistent and obnoxious as if the tail wagged the dog now.
Andrew looked at Tang Ling condescendingly and said, “You are stupid, do you know that?”
At the same time, the Purple Moon Warrior beside them raised a confused brow. The castellan had ordered him to settle some minor squabbles which should involve some scolding or lecturing, yet this little rascal did not show signs of stopping at all.
“Tang Ling, tha’s enough.” The Purple Moon Warrior finally spoke with the thought in mind, and at the same time, he studied Andrew. “You are a gentleman. As expected of the Agnes family, I hope that you can remain a gentleman since everyone in the First Reserved Camp should be on the same side.”
The hints from the Purple Moon Warrior were subtle but firm, so Andrew did not have a reason to reject the suggestion.
As for Tang Ling, he shouted at the people outside the cave, “Did everybody hear that? Andrew is a gentleman and he’d better remain as one. Otherwise, if I, Tang Ling, fall down, choke on my food or run into whatsoever accident, I’ll settle it with Andrew the gentleman. Oh, and not only me, but everyone in the Fierce Dragon Squad can go find him as well. A gentleman shouldn’t be afraid of trouble and is passionate about helping people.”
“Hmph.” Andrew did not comment. He coldly scoffed and left the Fierce Dragon Squad’s cave with Hank.
With a curt nod, the Purple Moon Warrior also left.
Tang Ling looked at the Purple Moon Warrior’s back and called out loudly, “Thank you, Brother. Don’t forget that I’m Fei Long’s good brother and the person the castellan protects!”
The Purple Moon Warrior paused for a moment in silence before he strode away even quicker.
After the others left, Orston ran up to Tang Ling and gave him a big hug. “You bastard!”
“Oooooh!” Andy cheered and hugged Tang Ling too.
“Let’s toss him into the air!” Yu, who was rarely excited, suggested. Together with Orston and Andy, he grabbed Tang Ling and tossed him into the air.
Vian and Christina were overjoyed. Now that Tang Ling had returned, no one in the Fierce Dragon Squad was lost in the mission. That was beyond great!
Even Amir faintly smiled, but his complicated gaze remained.
As for Tang Ling, he was brazen with his laughter but not his gaze. Tang Ling watched Andrew’s leaving figure as his gaze turned a little heavier.
‘The Agnes family again? Back at the castellan’s office, Fei Long kept telling the castellan what kind of person I am and how I’ve always behaved well in the Hope Barrier. Whether the castellan believes it or not, let’s hope that the goodwill that he hinted to me is something unique to me and that I’m not wrong about it.’
That was all Tang Ling could do.
He expected the Summit Squad to appear after the mission to further oppress them. If not for the rare opportunity to meet the castellan who coincidentally showed him goodwill, he might not have a valid solution to the situation and earn himself and the rest of the squad some precious and quiet days to cultivate in the future.
He might have had to use Fei Long had he not met the castellan.
Similar to his carefree, arrogant but sneaky, unambitious mask that he wore since he stepped into the First Reserved Camp, it was the best cover that he could think of after he heard what Su Yao said in the past.
He had to lay low and seize resources in between the lines. Besides that, he could not expose himself and reveal his secrets, yet he could not endure grievance blindly. He did not want to be weak or stupid, but he could not be too strong or too smart. Achieving a balance between all those was as hard as walking a wire with heavy weights. Every step forward was crucial. Despite the difficulties, Tang Ling must persist forward.
He did not realize that he had somehow accepted the company of his friends and enjoyed being a teenager with them. On the surface, he thought the happiness that he displayed was simply a cover.
Due to the annihilation of the settlement, he had forgotten the depressing facts of life such as having to bear responsibility at a young age and acting maturely to survive. In his memories, life in the settlement was nothing but warm.
Bang!
Tang Ling dropped to the ground after the toss. Vian ran up to him with a worried look, assuming that he was heavily injured and was barely holding it together.
Yu, Orston, and Andy were guilty and confused at the same time for throwing him on the ground. They thought that with Tang Ling’s reflexes, he should not have fallen on the ground, yet he did.
“Ouch, it’s so painful! I think my liver ruptured.” Tang Ling covered his back and pretended that it hurt.
Actually, he got too carried away with his thoughts and accidentally picked on the shadow of conspiracy, resulting in his fall.
“You guys, stop being so rude! What should we do now?” Frightened, Vian’s face turned pale.
“H-Help! I think my heart is going to stop. Come, Orston, give me your hand. Touch my heart. Is it beating faster now? It’s going to explode.” Tang Ling held his breath with his face flushed as his hand shakingly reached out to Orston.
“What now!? What now!?” Orston was also frightened.
“Let’s bring him to the military doctor. We have Hope credits to use cell drugs on him.” Amir came over nervously.
“Let’s go! Hurry! He must be seriously injured,” Yu said immediately.
“No, no, don’t waste your Hope credits on that.” Tang Ling stopped everyone in a heavy tone before he continued, “Use your Hope credits to get me more food and let me die with a full stomach.”
Everyone was stunned. They glanced at each other and finally realized what was going on.
Yu then delivered a punch to Tang Ling’s stomach. “Why don’t I punch your stomach so hard that it swells? You won’t feel hungry after that!”
“Ouch, it really hurts!” Tang Ling laughed with his hands clutching his stomach as his laughter quickly infected everyone in the cave.
Tang Ling had made it back alive, and the conflict with the Summit Squad had been put aside, so there should be some peaceful days ahead and they could finally start their cultivation.
Life seemed to be free of worries from now on.
Or was it?
