Chapter 121 : Chapter 121
Chapter 121
After listening to Miao Miaonian's explanation, Ji Qing sorted out several major difficulties in the escort mission:
First was daytime security. Some nimble or flying Aberrants might interfere with the convoy's movement, so the hunters would have to clear them out.
Second was the convoy's security at night. Because the ore trucks were too large to enter a Safe Point, while the convoy members still needed rest, the hunters would have to stand watch in the wilderness. If any Aberrants discovered the trucks' hiding place, they would have to be dealt with as discreetly as possible, and the hunters would have to stop them from making any noise.
Third was the possibility of vehicle breakdowns along the route. The mechanics would repair the ore trucks as quickly as possible, but any Aberrants that appeared during that time would still have to be handled by the hunters.
...
After hearing Miao Miaonian's explanation, Ji Qing patiently went through everything once more in his mind.
A trace of complicated emotion flashed through his eyes.
Ji Qing had originally thought things would be easier. He had not expected the situation to be this far from optimistic. Any one of those problems would have been easy enough to deal with on its own, but the real issue was the cumulative drain on everyone's energy throughout the escort. If luck turned against them, they might even have to fight without pause the entire way.
Seeing Ji Qing's expression grow heavier, Miao Miaonian hurriedly said, “My father and I will help too along the way. Both of our Abilities are B-Rank Earth Abilities. At night, we can help conceal the vehicles, and during the day, we can help shake off pursuing Aberrants, except...”
He gave an awkward smile. “Except when bird-type Aberrants attack, we might not be able to help much.”
“No need to worry about that.” Ji Qing looked back at Miao Miaonian calmly and said softly, “My Ability is Gravity Control, so it is more useful against Aberrants in the air.”
Though I would rather not run into them, Ji Qing silently added in his heart.
After hearing that, Jiang Cuo raised his hand with playful enthusiasm. “Me, me, me! I can be useful too. I'm a really good shot, but against some higher-level Aberrants, I probably won't be able to do much!”
Xie Chang’an hurriedly said awkwardly, “My shooting is pretty decent too, I think.”
“That sounds great.” Miao Miaonian's eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands. “Since firearms will be involved, then we'll reimburse all the ammunition used during the escort.”
“Alright.” Ji Qing nodded at once.
Since the other side had already offered exactly what he needed, there was no reason for him to refuse. Since they were already on the subject, Ji Qing turned and reminded his two teammates, “This afternoon and tomorrow, remember to check your equipment and buy whatever supplies you need.
“If you have any questions about the commission, raise them now if possible.”
Ji Qing's words were official and thorough, exactly like the image of a Team Leader Xie Chang’an had imagined.
A dazed look flashed across Xie Chang’an's face.
Ji Qing had been unwilling at first to become the leader of their four-person team, but wasn't he a little too good at it? Xie Chang’an thought in astonishment. He was practically like someone who had already led others countless times before, someone completely used to giving orders...
Xie Chang’an instinctively recalled Ji Qing's behavior during team operations.
Ji Qing was the Valedictorian. Wasn't it only natural for the Valedictorian to be impressive? You're only overthinking again, and that's why Ji Qing dislikes you... No, no, something still feels off. Could Ji Qing really be some heir from a great family who had come out to gain experience?
The way he gave orders was simply too natural. Could an ordinary person really be like that?
Xie Chang’an's thoughts instantly tied themselves into knots. He felt as if he had split into two selves. One part of him was trying to convince himself this was normal, while the other part was wondering whether a normal person could really behave like this.
But he quickly stopped himself from letting his imagination run wild.
Xie Chang’an silently warned himself: even if Ji Qing really did have some hidden identity, as long as he was still the Ji Qing he knew, that was enough. After all, wasn't it true that he himself had never told others that he had ties to the Infected?
Seeing that the two of them had no questions, Ji Qing turned and asked directly, “In that case... may I ask something from my side? Why do we need to stay in Ding’an City for four days? From your description, it feels like loading and unloading the ore trucks should take at most one day.”
“Oh.” Jiang Cuo blinked at once.
That really was something worth asking, even though Jiang Cuo himself had not planned to ask it at all. After all, he was familiar with plenty of Shady Ways, and not every employer liked temporary workers poking around and asking questions. However, he had forgotten that what they were doing now was a legitimate hunter commission.
But since Ji Qing had asked, he might as well listen too.
Miao Miaonian said seriously, “Actually, it's because my grandfather is going to attend a meeting with some prominent figures our family knew back in Central City.”
“Your family still has ties to Central City?” Jiang Cuo frowned.
“Strictly speaking, not our whole family. My grandfather,” Miao Miaonian corrected carefully. “My father and I both have mediocre Abilities, so even if we wanted to return to Central City, we couldn't. But back then, my grandfather was still considered someone important in Central City.
“And my family didn't decline overnight. The connections our ancestors left behind are still there.”
“That does sound a little unfortunate.” Leaning half his body against the door, Jiang Cuo spoke in a calm tone. “It feels like if your family could produce another A-Rank or S-Rank Ability User, you'd be able to go back to Central City. Huangtie City is still too remote, in the end.”
“Ah...” Miao Miaonian let out a long sigh, but soon shot Jiang Cuo an unhappy glance. “Hunter, you're very blunt. But honestly, I envy all of you.”
He looked around at everyone present, his mood full of melancholy. “The awakening of an Ability is like the only drawing of lots in your entire life. You only get to draw once, and once you draw a bad lot, there's no changing it ever again. I drew a middling lot, while all of you drew a supremely fortunate lot that almost no one else could ever get.”
“But I'm F-Rank...” Xie Chang’an muttered softly in protest.
“A fortunate lot...” Jiang Cuo let out a mocking laugh. His expression darkened as he said, “I actually envy you. Your father is still by your side. He hasn't put any pressure on you, and he even seems pretty proud of you. How nice. Have your parents never told you that they regretted giving birth to you? That your Ability was complete garbage, and that you would never achieve anything in the future?”
“...Jiang Cuo?” Xie Chang’an stared at him in shock.
This was completely different from the Jiang Cuo he knew. It was as if he had suddenly turned into another person.
Sensing everyone's gaze gathering on him, Jiang Cuo clicked his tongue in frustration. “Tch.”
“Sorry, Valedictorian.” Jiang Cuo immediately forced out a strained smile. “I'll head out first. If there's anything I need to pay attention to later, just notify me through the Terminal. Or tomorrow is fine too.”
He spoke quickly and urgently, clearly wanting to leave as soon as possible.
Ji Qing simply nodded. “Alright.”
The moment he heard that, Jiang Cuo turned and walked away.
As Ji Qing watched Jiang Cuo's figure recede into the distance, he could not help sighing inwardly. If the forum had not tipped him off beforehand, he would probably have been utterly bewildered right now. Ji Qing suddenly felt that none of his three teammates was mentally healthy.
Oh, wait—
Ji Qing's gaze quietly swept toward Xie Chang’an. He thought, Xie Chang’an was at most just starved for affection. The other two had more serious problems.
Miao Miaonian frowned tightly at the sight. “Did I say something I shouldn't have...?”
“It's fine.” Ji Qing shook his head calmly. “Your thinking wasn't wrong either. It's just that the two of you are standing in different positions. This won't affect the commission. I still have confidence in my teammates. He just suddenly remembered some unpleasant things.”
At the end of that, Ji Qing let out another long sigh.
This position of Team Leader was far harder than he had imagined. Still, Ji Qing had gained some useful information.
Feigning casualness, Ji Qing asked, “By the way—are the only members of the Miao Family in Huangtie City you, your father, and your grandfather?”
“Ah... yes.”
Ji Qing continued in confusion, “But that sounds a little strange. Since your family is already in Huangtie City, why would your grandfather suddenly need to go all the way to Ding’an City to hold a meeting with prominent figures from Central City? Sorry, I'm just curious.”
“The answer is a bit complicated...”
“Then just give me the simple version so I can understand the current situation.” As if he had suddenly recalled something unpleasant, Ji Qing's attitude abruptly changed. “This isn't for my personal curiosity. You also know that many hunters have died because clients hid things on their own. I have to ensure my teammates' safety.”
“Then... should I just explain it simply?”
Ji Qing curved his eyes slightly and said in a light tone, “Thank you very much for your cooperation.”
...
The two of them continued talking, but Xie Chang’an had already lost all desire to keep listening. Distracted, he looked in the direction Jiang Cuo had left, and inexplicable confusion welled up inside him. They had all been fine when they came out, so why was someone suddenly leaving now?
Should he slip away too? But if he left Ji Qing here alone, would Ji Qing get angry?
Xie Chang’an's thoughts knotted themselves together yet again.
So after a long while, Xie Chang’an left the processing plant together with Ji Qing. Compared to Xie Chang’an's confusion, Ji Qing was in an exceptionally good mood. Turning to him with a gentle expression, Ji Qing said, “Go back to the hotel by yourself later. I'm going to take a look around Huangtie City.”
“Huh? But what is there to look around in Huangtie City?” Xie Chang’an grew even more confused after hearing that.
On the first day they arrived in Huangtie City, the group had already used their Terminals in a private room at a Chinese restaurant to look up what there was to eat and do in the city. The result proved one thing: Huangtie City simply had no entertainment to speak of. It was not even as lively as Yancheng, where their school was located.
That was exactly why Zhou Que had complained a little about Huangtie City when they first met the client.
So—
Why did Ji Qing want to stroll around Huangtie City?
Xie Chang’an suddenly felt that he and his three classmates were not on the same wavelength at all. Was it because he really was a genuine fool?
The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he became.
But before he could figure it out, Ji Qing revealed a standard fake smile and said, “That isn't any of your business.”
“Then take me with you?” Xie Chang’an asked tentatively.
Even though he did not understand why, at that moment he desperately wanted to fit in a little better.
“No.” Ji Qing smiled.
“If I find any useful information, I'll post it in the group chat for all of you. Also...” Ji Qing's expression returned to the cold indifference Xie Chang’an knew all too well. “Don't be too curious about other people's daily lives.
“You and I aren't that close.”
“Ugh.”
With those words, Xie Chang’an's heart shattered all over again.