Chapter 769: Journey to the Mountains and Seas

“Huh? Me?”

Duan Wuhu couldn’t believe it himself. For a moment, he wondered if it was because he accidentally discovered the secret of Program One that Zhang Su sent him out on this mission. But then he thought again, it couldn’t be right; everyone in the Yama Corps knew about it…

He chuckled awkwardly, “Brother Zhang, first of all, I’m not trying to decline this task. It’s just that I’m about to leave here, and what about Weijun? He still has six days before he can be released. Experiments can wait, but he needs someone to take care of him in terms of daily life.”

There are several disabled people in the Satellite Village who have no one to take care of them, but Fu Weijun has made his contributions, so his treatment is naturally different.

“No worries, didn’t a new young lady join the lab recently? Zuo Fengjuan, you’ve met her, she’s in the same line as you, used to be a biology teacher in high school. Let her take over for a few days, wouldn’t Fu Weijun be thrilled to hear about that?”

Zhang Su conveniently arranged for Zuo Fengjuan to be by Fu Weijun’s side and also decided that Duan Wuhu would lead the group. He might not have the combat power of Zhao Dezhu and Lu Yubo, but he is definitely not lacking. He is brave and wise.

The most crucial aspect is that he maintains a certain baseline in many aspects. When he’s not around, someone with principles is needed to control the situation; otherwise, things might go out of hand.

Duan Wuhu had an interesting expression, putting on a joker’s face and said, “Alright, I have no problem. I haven’t really moved around since arriving at Celestial Horse Island, it would be nice to go out and explore.”

The team members were confirmed: Duan Wuhu, Zhao Dezhu, Lu Yubo, and the tech guy Wu Lue.

“OK!”

Zhang Su clapped his hands, gathering the members assigned to the task in the middle of the crowd and said, “This mission isn’t too difficult, but it’s not that easy either. It’s definitely not a sightseeing tour. Bozai, Zhuzi, Luezi, you must listen to Teacher Duan while you’re out there, no fooling around, understood?”

“Understood!”

The three knew this wasn’t a joke and responded very seriously. With someone willing to take the lead and make decisions, they were happy to follow orders.

A soldier is just a soldier, no matter how strong. A general is a general, having the mindset and foresight is what makes a general.

“Old Duan, you’ve led a team before, give yourself some confidence. Plus, Shen Linrui and his team aren’t pushovers. I’m offering them the olive branch, and it’s clear they are interested. Work well together, good luck!”

Zhang Su advised Duan Wuhu.

Duan Wuhu rubbed his cheeks, “Brother Zhang, I’m a bit lacking in confidence, but since you’ve entrusted this mission to me, I won’t let you down!”

With that, he patted his chest, looking determined.

“That’s all I need to hear!”

Zhang Su patted Duan Wuhu’s arm.

“Hey, there’s something, heh heh, can you accommodate it a bit?”

Duan Wuhu’s expression shifted unexpectedly.

Zhang Su looked at Duan Wuhu with amusement and shook his head, “Old Duan, you were just waiting for this, weren’t you? Go on, what do you need me to accommodate?”

“It’s like this… that Tian Fan, um, his situation is a bit unique. He didn’t pass a single test yesterday. I talked to him, and he really wants to become a combatant. Can he be placed in the Reserve Corps?”

Duan Wuhu and Tian Fan shared hardships and had lived together for a considerable time during the apocalypse. It was an unavoidable accident that separated them, and there was no animosity between them. Seeing Tian Fan missing an arm and blind hurt his heart.

Zhang Su pursed his lips, surprised it was such a small matter but realized through this that Duan Wuhu is a person of deep emotions. He nodded and said, “The results were supposed to be announced today, but with the camp in this state, at least wait three days. I’ll take care of Tian Fan’s situation, don’t worry.”

Some people would be exceptionally placed into the Reserve Corps for various reasons, like Tian Fan, who someone pleaded for, or Wang Zhetao, who was staying idle in the camp.

“Alright, then I’m relieved!”

Duan Wuhu sighed in relief.

“Damn, it’s like you’re leaving behind your last words; cheer up a bit!”

“No, no, I’m really happy…”

“OK, that’s it for today. It’s getting late, if anyone wants to rest, go rest. If not, find something to do. There’s no outdoor task today, training in the afternoon as usual. Everyone else is dismissed, except for the four of them. Teacher Xiaoyu, please bring over four small remote-controlled bombs.”

“Got it!”

Yu Qing left with the group and soon returned with the bombs.

Zhang Su gave the task group special instructions, adding 0.1 milliliters of Ascension Original Liquid into each of the artifacts.

“This stuff should have about one percent the power of ‘grape.’ It’s enough to handle emergencies, make sure not to use it recklessly. Keep it safe!”

“One percent? Is that small?”

“Gosh, what are you thinking? This stuff still packs a punch! It’s enough to blow up this entire lodge!”

“Yeah, it’s not small for sure…”

The group took the bombs, their responses varied due to different perceptions.

Afterward, Zhang Su took them to Cui Leng Pavilion, where Xie Yanshan specially prepared “Strength Pills” for them, two each. Their effects were mild, with the primary goal of not harming their bodies.

“Heh, bro, do you think if I take this stuff, I can beat that lady?”

Zhao Dezhu chuckled, holding the small pills.

Zhang Su naturally knew who that lady was, patted Zhao Dezhu on the shoulder, encouraging him, “You can try, just don’t complain if you get beaten up.”

“Just saying, just saying, haha…”

Zhao Dezhu waved his hand repeatedly. As long as there’s no fight, there’s no loss!

“Brother Su, I think our team needs a striking name. Is that okay?”

As they left the courtyard of Cui Leng Pavilion, Wu Lue tucked away the “Strength Pills” and proposed an idea.

“Sure, go ahead and name it yourselves.”

Such a harmless request, Zhang Su had no objections and left the naming to the group of four.

“Fierce Tiger! I think this name is powerful, what do you all think?”

Lu Yubo was the first to respond enthusiastically.

Zhao Dezhu shook his head vigorously, “Fierce Tigers are awesome, but in the Mountain and Sea District by the sea, tigers don’t run to the seaside. I say we should be called Killer Whale! Killer Whale Squad, that’s badass.”

As a professional fish slaughterer, Zhao Dezhu was knowledgeable about marine life. Using the killer whale, a top ocean predator, as the team name matched the sense of the mission.

“Why is everything an animal? Let’s go with something a bit romantic!”

Despite looking big and rugged, Duan Wuhu was deeply emotional and quite romantic. After a bit of thought, he said, “Venturing to the Mountains and Seas, fits the theme of this mission. How’s that for a name?”

“But… Brother Duan, we’re four big brutes here, that name isn’t quite fierce enough.” Lu Yubo wasn’t in agreement.

Zhao Dezhu picked his nose theatrically, shaking his head, showing his dissatisfaction.

“Xiaowu, you suggested we name our team, you give it a shot.” Duan Wuhu looked at Wu Lue.

Wu Lue smiled and shook his head, “No need to think further, Teacher Duan, I think your ‘Venturing to the Mountains and Seas’ is nice, I vote for it!”

“Alright then…”

“Lol.”

Four people, one to one to two…

Duan Wuhu paused briefly, then clapped with a laugh, “Haha, thanks for the precious vote, Brother Wu. Venturing to the Mountains and Seas, Brother Zhang, how about this name?”

Zhang Su shrugged, “I told you all to decide it yourselves.”

“Good, then that’s the name! Haha, we’re now the Yama Corps’ Venturing to the Mountains and Seas Task Force!”

“OK, Venturing to the Mountains and Seas Squad, move out!”

Zhang Su saw they were in high spirits and smiled.