Chapter 342: Braving Danger

Chapter 342: Chapter 342: Braving Danger

After this, Yan Huoshui cautiously spent a few more days observing Wang Ahsan. He discovered that the man’s life was incredibly disciplined. He would show up at the mess hall ten minutes before the base’s morning bell, return to the training room right after breakfast, and never lingered in the base corridors—let alone anywhere near the medical station.

However, not every part of the military base was under surveillance, which was why even after Shi Lan had sensed a strange gaze on her, checking the security footage yielded no useful information.

The same went for lunch; he would continue training without a break after eating. In the evenings, after the recruits’ training session was over, he would stay for an extra hour before heading home, only pausing for a sip of water.

In short, Yan Huoshui concluded that he was genuinely hardworking. It seemed his goal was exactly what his file stated: he wanted to become a full-fledged soldier.

After his observation, he told He Hanshi and the others what he’d found. He Hanshi mused, "You new recruits are here for two months this time. We’ll check on his progress then. If he’s truly this promising, I’ll keep him on."

After that, Yan Huoshui stopped focusing his attention on Wang Ahsan and turned his observations to the other recruits.

Another half a month passed with little progress. Shi Lan, however, could still feel that gaze on her, only now it was even more covert.

But since no one else had found anything after so long, she started to wonder, ’Am I just imagining things?’

Still, all this time treating the males in the army meant Shi Lan had absorbed a good deal of Spiritual Poison. She could feel that her own spiritual power had grown much stronger, and she had even awakened a new ability.

It was a skill similar to how Xiao Du had once sowed its seeds, only this time it was for growing grass. In other words, it was a Plant Control ability, which seemed to be related to Xiao Hei.

Shi Lan could now make a blade of grass sprout in any of the military base’s surveillance blind spots. This grass could then act as a sort of monitor, though it could only sense a person’s presence—akin to detecting movement when the wind rustles—and couldn’t retrieve specific visual images for her like Xiao Du could.

Xiao Du said it could also sow seeds, but the appearance of a green mushroom was too conspicuous, especially inside a military base. It felt that grass was far more discreet.

Furthermore, there were other differences between the two abilities. The mushrooms were useful for observation in a static and safe environment, allowing her to expend spiritual power to view the surrounding images. The grass, however, was better for situations on the move and consumed less spiritual power.

For now, Shi Lan preferred the second option. She had to ensure she was always in peak condition, just in case.

On the day she awakened her new ability, Shi Lan walked out of the medical station alone.

She had been very cautious lately, always staying with Vina and the others or having He Hanshi come pick her up. But now, she intended to act as bait to lure the snake from its hole. It was a chance to verify her senses. ’Is there really someone watching me, or am I wrong?’

Of course, for extra safety, she told Vina and the others that if she wasn’t back at the medical station in fifteen minutes, they should go find He Hanshi.

Shi Lan deliberately chose the new recruits’ break time to walk through the long corridors of the military base again. As she passed each area, she’d locate the surveillance blind spots, and with a subtle twitch of her finger, leave a blade of grass to grow in a hidden corner.

Shi Lan wandered around the military base for a while. For the first ten minutes, nothing happened. Just when she thought she wouldn’t get any results this time, she felt a slight tremor from a blade of grass she had just planted behind her. Shi Lan spun around without hesitation.

It happened at a corner. She sprinted toward it, but the person, sensing they had been discovered, moved even faster to get away.

Shi Lan noticed that the person was indeed wearing a new recruit’s uniform and had a tall build.

Unfortunately, he used the blind spot of the corner to vanish from her sight in an instant. There was no way she could catch him.

Shi Lan felt several of her blades of grass tremble. Even while fleeing, the person was cautious enough to stick to the surveillance blind spots, clearly familiar with every inch of the military base.

At noon, when He Hanshi and the others came to pick her up for lunch, Shi Lan immediately told them what had happened.

He Hanshi’s gaze was filled with worry, and his eyes showed a hint of disapproval. "Lanlan, next time you do something like this, you must discuss it with us first. It’s too risky."

"What if that person hadn’t run? What if they’d tried to hurt you? What would we do then?"

It wasn’t just He Hanshi. Even Jiang Xia and Mu Tangfeng, who usually seemed so carefree and devil-may-care, were visibly shaken with retrospective fear.

Yan Huoshui added, "Lanlan, He Hanshi is right. In the future, if you have a plan, please let us know beforehand. Don’t put yourself in harm’s way like this again, okay?"

"We believe you have the ability to protect yourself, and we know you wanted to prove that this person really exists. But even if you don’t prove it, we will always believe what you say."

That was why, even though all they had to go on was Shi Lan’s suspicion of a malicious gaze they themselves couldn’t detect, they had still taken it to heart as a matter of great importance.

Because they would unconditionally trust their wife.

Shi Lan had initially thought her plan was a success, having definitively confirmed that the culprit was one of the new recruits. But seeing the worried looks in their eyes, she belatedly realized she had been too impulsive.

In this world, Beastmen possessed all kinds of Talent Skills. Even though she had Immunity and Plant Control, if she encountered an overwhelmingly powerful Talent Skill, she might not even get a chance to use her own.

It was just like with Donald’s Domain back then. Trapped in his space, she had been unable to use any of her abilities. He clearly had the chance to kill her within his Domain but had instead chosen what he considered a more cruel method of death. It was precisely that thinking that allowed her to escape.

But not every villain would be so talkative.

Shi Lan pressed her lips together and lowered her head. "I’m sorry. I won’t do it again."

Seeing her like this, He Hanshi’s heart couldn’t help but soften. He pulled her into his arms and soothed her in a gentle voice, "Lanlan, we’re not blaming you. You’re smart and brave, and we’re proud to have a wife like you. It’s just that, as your Beast Husbands, we hope you can rely on us more, and think of us more."

The other three watched, feeling a bit jealous. It seemed He Hanshi had said all the right things.

Not to be outdone, Jiang Xia quickly grabbed one of Shi Lan’s hands. "That’s right, Lanlan! I’m really strong, too. If there’s danger, let me go first."

Mu Tangfeng, with a reserved touch, stroked her soft hair and lifted his chin. "Yes, Lanlan, me too. I’ll always be your rock."

He had learned to be much more mature. Before his wife, he had to take on the responsibilities expected of a Beast Husband. More importantly, protecting their loved one was a mission etched into the very instincts of a Bird of Paradise.

Yan Huoshui narrowed his eyes slightly, scanning the three men around Shi Lan. ’He Hanshi is impressive,’ he thought, ’hugging their wife directly.’

On the left, Jiang Xia held Lanlan’s hand. On the right, Mu Tangfeng’s hand rested on top of her head.

He snorted inwardly. His red eyes swept over Shi Lan’s face before he leaned in close, his lips barely grazing her pink-tinged ear as he whispered in a husky voice, "Lanlan, you were brilliant. We’re not against your methods, we just hope you’ll discuss things with us more. Perhaps we could come up with an even better plan together."

"No matter what, wife, if you call for me, I will cross mountains of blades and seas of fire to appear by your side."

"Lanlan, you are my life."