Chapter 314 - 32: Superpower Team Leader, Lu Chao

"The moon is so full tonight."

That night.

A black jeep was parked outside the Storm Club. Fang Xu, dressed in black combat gear, stood by the front of the vehicle, looking up at the sky with a sigh.

"Feeling homesick?"

Chen Xiao grabbed two bottles of soda from the car and asked with a smile.

Fang Xu took one, falling silent for a moment before nodding lightly.

Before they knew it, they had been in Red Maple City for over half a year.

"You should call your family more often when you have time. Don’t keep it all bottled up."

Patting his shoulder, Chen Xiao smiled. "If it gets really bad, you can always take some leave and go back for a visit."

Fang Xu seemed tempted by the idea, but then he shook his head gently.

"No rush. Let’s wait until the captain’s affairs are settled."

Chen Xiao froze for a second, then quickly understood what he meant.

He turned his head to look at the Storm Club, its bright lights visible through the glass windows.

Lu Chao, dressed in casual clothes, was surrounded by Song Yan and others. Amid a chorus of respectful voices, he walked into a quiet room.

Team Five was about to be formed, and they were in desperate need of people.

The turmoil with the Tan family had only barely subsided. As his old subordinates, they should be doing more to share the burden.

"You know, kid..."

"...you’re getting more and more reliable."

....

"Senior Brother."

"Junior Brother Lu!"

「Inside the Storm Club’s training room.」

The incandescent lights cast a bright glow. Lu Chao and Zheng Wu met each other’s gaze, seeing the excitement in the other’s eyes, along with the shock and pride upon confirming his breakthrough to the Superpower Level.

Master Ge, Senior Brother Zheng, and the others had tried to see him several times before. Now that he finally had some free time, it was only right to pay them a visit and give them a response.

"Master would be so happy if he knew you broke through... Oh, right, are you okay?"

As he spoke, Zheng Wu quickly asked another question, the pride and excitement in his eyes turning to worry.

He clearly knew about the trouble with the Tan family and was worried Lu Chao had gotten the short end of the stick.

"Don’t worry, Senior Brother."

"After all, I’m in the Superpower Bureau now."

Gently patting his shoulder, Lu Chao offered a subtle reminder, indicating that everything was fine.

He then looked past him to Ge Hongfeng, who was standing behind a tea table dressed in a silver, wind-styled Martial Arts uniform. A gratified expression was on his face as he sized Lu Chao up and nodded repeatedly.

"Xiaolu, congratulations."

He stroked his beard, his face full of wonder and smiles. "A Limit-Breaking Superpower, clearing the hurdle in a single leap."

"You’ve already surpassed us old geezers."

Only those who had attempted the breakthrough knew how difficult it was to reach the Superpower Level.

Moreover, he was so young, which naturally represented limitless potential.

"You’re too kind, Master Ge."

"This junior was only able to break through thanks to Master Ge’s usual guidance. I’ll have to rely on your wisdom much more in the future."

Lu Chao said humbly, a small smile on his face.

He could sense the man’s sincere happiness for him, and he had always respected elders like that.

"Heh, you... even after breaking through, you’re still so easy to talk to."

"Seriously, your master really struck gold with you."

Ge Hongfeng clicked his tongue, a hint of envy in his tone.

As Superpower Level experts, they all naturally hoped to train a disciple who could become a Martial Artist.

Clearly, his old friend had already gotten a step ahead of them all.

Then, after some congratulations and small talk,

Lu Chao walked across the pale gray floor of the quiet room and took a seat in a wooden chair by the tea table.

Song Yan took the initiative to brew hot tea, pouring it for the two of them.

"Regarding the Tan family, don’t you worry."

Ge Hongfeng’s expression suddenly turned serious as he said, "Though we may be old, we still have some power, after all."

"If you need help with anything, just say the word."

He promised in a deep voice, representing the Storm Club’s official stance.

Lu Chao could sense his sincerity and could also guess at a few key things.

’The other two hadn’t shown up, seemingly to avoid suspicion, but in reality, they still remembered the favor he had done for them.’

"Thank you, Master Ge."

A warmth spread through his heart. Although he wasn’t worried about the Tan family, Lu Chao still thanked him solemnly, not taking the kind gesture for granted.

Besides, having three Superpower Level experts backing him up gave him a bit more confidence.

"Heh, don’t be so formal."

The fragrance of tea filled the air as Ge Hongfeng took a sip with a smile.

As he spoke, he gave Song Yan a meaningful look, who quickly retrieved a small metal box and handed it to Lu Chao.

"This is..."

"It’s from the Hunter Guild."

Ge Hongfeng set down his teacup and explained softly, "Little Sister You heard you broke through to the Superpower Level and asked me to pass along this congratulatory gift on her behalf."

"She’s an old acquaintance of your master’s. She had planned to come in person, but..."

Shaking his head, Ge Hongfeng lowered his voice. "The Tan family’s influence in Red Maple is deeply entrenched. They have eyes and ears not just in the inspection teams, but even in the City Guard Army. The Hunter Guild can’t afford to offend them so easily."

"Don’t take it personally. She’s often caught in the middle and in a difficult position," he reminded him tactfully.

Lu Chao knew he was referring to Manager You.

His confusion dispelled, he thought of her past financial support and nodded lightly. "I’m very grateful that Manager You would congratulate me like this."

"I’ve always kept the favor she did for me back then in mind..."

’Although their previous interactions had been somewhat transactional, without her financial support back then, he would have taken much longer to achieve his breakthrough.’

’Besides, the fact that she was willing to risk offending the Tan family to have someone deliver a gift spoke volumes about her sincerity, not to mention her connection to his master.’

"That’s good to hear. I’ll pass your words along to Little Sister You exactly as you said them."

Nodding, Ge Hongfeng let out a sigh of relief.

Taking this opportunity, he brought up a few more key points, mostly in the form of warnings.

"The Tan family has always been obsessed with saving face. They won’t let this go easily. You must be extra careful when you’re on missions."

"Also, a Biotechnology Company was recently attacked by an unknown Superpower Level individual. Don’t be careless about this matter. There have been a lot of new faces in Red Maple lately. It might be related to the Rebels..."