“Jin, you better add me to your roster for the next fight!” Lynn insisted with a pouty face when she heard about his take on the fight against King Baal.
There were System playback streams exclusive for the few to watch, and the Penguin Cultivator was envious. She knew that she had her very own battlefield at the kitchen, serving the hungry cultivators before and after the fight. However, she too yearned to fight alongside Jin to become someone equal.
“Haha, you should not request for him too much. He might ignore you and get another girl to accompany him. Speaking of which, how’s that Tiger Princess? Hu Yang Ling.” Qiu Yue asked teasingly, and Jin’s face went blank as his hand with the chopsticks stopped moving.
“I …haven’t kept in touch with her recently. Too many things for me to deal with.” Jin stated bluntly. He tried to recall if made any promises until he remembered about the issue where the Royal Snakes would go after this particular war. He was still unhappy about having been strong-armed into the Joint Exercise which should have merely been a cover-up for the portals.
“The Royal Snake Soldiers are helping to clean the battlefield and doing sweeps around the Pandapolis Islands even though the System had informed Panda Remnant Hou Fei that there were no more monsters around.” The System reported the status out of nowhere, and it startled the group for a moment.
“It’s just standard procedure. Got to make those buggers work a bit more before allowing them to relax for the entire day, right?” Hou Fei entered and greeted the young adults. Lynn created another chair and offered him a seat which he denied politely.
“Let me have a smoke first.” Hou Fei said as he stood further away from them and lit his cigarette.
“How are the soldiers’ reactions to the fight? I hope they weren’t too bored waiting for their turns.” Qiu Yue asked, and Hou Fei shook his head vehemently.
“That mass teleportation did a number on the soldiers. But most of them performed within expectations. We have discovered a few kinks that we will sort out, especially communication and group orders. My Colonels and Majors generally liked the experience and will convene tomorrow to express their thoughts out. Care to join, Mr Dungeon Supplier?” Hou Fei asked, and Jin pondered for a moment.
“I guess so. As long as I am being respected as a civilian and not treated as military personnel.” Jin demanded, and Hou Fei laughed.
“I will make sure to emphasise on that. Though I’d like to know, any problems with military-related criticism?” The Royal Snake General queried.
“I’ve watched enough shows and read books to know that quite a number of civilians were being pressured to suit the military. If, we were in martial law… Sure, I will do as you ask. However, if they ask me to produce weapons or to hand over my minion’s research for your own use, I will reject wholeheartedly and even disappear from this world if needed. The portal thing has already given me enough problems as it is.”
“I thought you sent a few of your Demon Exorcists to the northern border?” Hou Fei asked, and Jin squinted his eyes at the general. He did not remember telling him any specifics, and Hou Fei realised that he made a mistake. (Or did he?)
“There is no need to lie since we are all part of the System. Since you already have some info… Yes, I sent them to take a look at the situation. The System informed me that their situation was not very favourable. Even Milk had to do some legwork to protect them.” Jin disclosed and sent the information report to Hou Fei by asking the System to open it on his display.
“Hmm…those Demon Exorcists might be young, but they are talented warriors. To be able to have their special training done with Grandma Yuan had already proved that they were the cream of the crop.” Hou Fei explanation made Jin realised once more that Grandma Yuan was no simple instructor.
“If those exorcists had problems fending off the attacks, I can’t imagine how bad the situation might be if the Monster Horde breaks through the border walls.” Hou Fei looked at the video clips that the System had caught with Milk’s help, but he too did not recognise the monsters.
“Previous System User Yuan had been notified of the monsters, and she too had never seen such a variant before.”
“You have a way to contact her? Wait, why am I not surprised…” Jin rubbed his temples as he shook his milkshake and sipped slowly.
“Are we going to fight against these bone spirit demons?” Lynn could already feel the chills going down her spine when she saw the Demon Exorcists desperately trying to fight against them. Even though one could say that they were only lightly armed, for an elite team to come barely alive was a cautionary tale.
“No, we will not!” Jin stated decidedly.
The tone of his voice left no room for arguments. “We already have enough on our plate. As long as we deliver the Portal Gates to that area and ensure they are in working condition, our job is done. The Military, Police and Border Guards will have to take care of them. And Hou Fei. I ask that you keep this to yourself. If JODE knows that I sent provisional demon exorcists to such a battlefield, they might have my head on a chopping board.”
“But if your reports are right…that means the private contractors are not going to be able to subdue them entirely. We will need to depart as soon as possible and reinforce the borders.” Hou Fei said, ignoring Jin’s request as the Pandapolis Victory celebration for him was short-lived like the cigarette on his hand.
“I shall liaise Ke Loong to get it done, first thing in the morning,” Jin replied.
“It’s already morning though.” Qiu Yue pointed as she looked at her watch.
“Let me get some sleep in… The previous battle was really tough.” Jin complained with a sour face.
“Haha, just kidding. If you want, I can help you get in touch with Ke Loong after my shower. Besides, I am your store’s assistant, right?” Qiu Yue offered as she stood up and stretched a little.
“A shower sounds like a lovely thing right now… Anyways, if you really do not mind, ask the System for more details. Most of the stuff should be ready by now.” Jin thanked Qiu Yue, and she winked at him.
“Why are you winking?” Lynn caught her red-handed.
“Jin said he wanted a shower. He could use a backrub…you know.” Qiu Yue answered as she made a towel appear instantly.
“I am going to keep putting barriers up against any intrusion, including the System!”
“Ouch, that’s harsh Master. You should know I am right here, jealous that there are two young sprightful girls wanting to give you a comfortable shower. And yet you are rejecting them outright. System, I think you should start looking for a new master. This one isn’t gonna give you any babies any time soon.” Hou Fei teased, and suddenly he heard a particular device activating.
Jin had his System Driver nearby, ready to throw them out the door.
