Chapter Nine: The Dangerous Individual—Yun

Chapter Nine: The Dangerous Element, Yun

It was time once again to set up camp for the day. Xiao Yi still hadn’t returned to Yun Yang’s hands but had instead ended up with the logistics team, and the person responsible for this decision was, unsurprisingly, that red-haired girl. Yun Yang was at his wit’s end—this little minx acted as if she were right at home, not caring what he thought. Poor Xiao Yi, you’re really out of luck.

Even wanting to retrieve Xiao Yi was impossible; he couldn’t even find her. Qiangwei, Kangkang, and the others had a brief discussion and decided to head into Giant Gorge City for reconnaissance. They promptly kicked Yun Yang—the dedicated driver—out of the car and sped off, leaving him behind.

Unlike yesterday, when he’d arrived late and had nothing to do, today was far busier. First, he fetched two truckloads of water from the nearby creek, then helped pitch tents and distribute food, among other tasks. Not that he did all the work himself; everyone young in camp was busy, so he didn’t feel any resentment.

After everything was done, he sat on a rock, gazing speechlessly at the sky. He wanted to play games—especially King of Glory. After all, he reached the top rank every season; his hands itched to play. He was just considering whether to ask Li Kangkang for his phone back when the system, silent all day, suddenly made itself known:

Ding! A new random mission has been updated. Please check.

He opened the system, and the mission bar read: Random Mission: Bed Defense Battle.

Description: Someone is eyeing your bed. Resist! This is your chance to live with a beautiful woman.

Success reward: 1 Life Point.

Failure penalty: -1 upgraded item (selectable).

Accept?

Yun Yang figured that, relying on his modest connection to Xiao Yi, he could at least defend his bed. Worst case, he’d just call for help.

With that thought, he accepted the mission in his heart. The notification popped up: Random mission accepted. Please proceed within your capabilities.

Who did the system think he was? Did it see him as someone who couldn’t even protect his own bed? In Yun Yang’s view, this was a freebie—who would really try to steal his bed anyway?

Today, he didn’t have instant noodles but, instead, had a bowl of freshly boiled noodles. Honestly, boiled noodles really did taste better than instant ones.

He was sitting with two young fellows, chatting and joking over his noodles, when a vehicle carrying two people stopped in front of him. On it were Qiangwei and a beautiful woman.

He recognized the woman immediately; based on the storyline and her weapon, she was none other than Morgana, the Demon Queen.

Qiangwei patted the motorcycle’s back seat and said, “The vehicle’s yours now. Don’t forget to refuel!”

Yun Yang, in the mood for mischief, replied, “No problem, I’m the best. It’s not as if I can’t drive.”

“I meant refuel the bike, not yourself,” she retorted, rolling her eyes with practiced elegance.

Just as he was playing around, Yun Yang noticed the Demon Queen shooting him a look as if he were some kind of simpleton. He felt a wave of awkwardness—he wanted to disappear into the ground. Mounting the bike, he sped off to the logistics post, yelling, “Fill it up, full tank! Money’s no object!”

“Well, isn’t it Brother Yun? Here to fill up your wife’s tank?” one of the logistics soldiers teased, having heard Yun Yang’s shout.

Here’s what happened: earlier, when Yun Yang and Qiangwei emerged from the tent after washing up, this very logistics chief caught sight of them. He shouted, “Well, well, kid! In just one day, you’ve managed to win over our little Qiangwei. I’m telling you—don’t you dare let her down, or you’ll have our whole company to answer to. Isn’t that right, brothers?”

“That’s right! If this punk dares to play with her heart, the hundred-plus men from our company will show him what despair really means,” the surrounding soldiers chimed in, drawn by Old Zhang’s words.

Qiangwei couldn’t lose her temper at the soldiers, so she shot Yun Yang a sidelong glance—a clear message: you’d better explain yourself.

Yun Yang caught the meaning immediately and didn’t hesitate. “Hold on, hold on! It’s not what you think, we’re just—”

He didn’t get to finish; a chorus of exaggerated “Oohs” rose up, and the soldiers gave them looks that said, “Say whatever you want, we don’t believe you.”

Yun Yang shot Qiangwei a helpless look, silently telling her there was nothing he could do.

She glanced back at him, snorted coldly, and went off to eat.

At that moment, the surrounding soldiers clustered around Yun Yang, all talking at once.

“Nicely done, brother—one day!”

“Big bro, you’re my idol! How did you do it, teach me…”

“Master, do you need an apprentice? Comes with a ready-made missus…”

Some were more upright, unlike these shameless show-offs.

“Kid, Qiangwei is our company’s flower—the apple of over a hundred men’s eyes. You’d better take care of her.”

“Kid, I’m the eighth-generation heir of a family of demon-slaying Taoists. Want me to name your future daughter?”

Yun Yang was stunned by that. “What are you talking about? Big brother, you’re a soldier, and yet you talk like this? Eighth-generation Taoist, really?”

“You just don’t understand. There are different branches: Quanzhen and Zhengyi. I’m a Zhengyi disciple—we’re allowed to marry. My kid’s already four.”

He gave Yun Yang a look that said, “I just love ignorant types like you.”

How could Yun Yang let that slide? He retorted, “Demon-slaying? I think you’re just a fraud—where are the demons?”

“Didn’t our great founder say no demons allowed after the founding of the country? That’s why there aren’t any now.”

His tone was natural and steady, his face calm—clearly not the first time he’d handled this question. K.O.—Yun Yang was utterly defeated.

Seeing he couldn’t win, Yun Yang had no desire to endure the soldiers’ teasing any longer. He hurried after Qiangwei, slipping away.

The crowd didn’t stop him. Once he was gone, they exchanged glances—sharing an unspoken understanding only men could grasp.

End of memory. Hearing Old Zhang’s words, Yun Yang’s face turned sheepish. He muttered, “Brother Zhang, don’t joke around. You’ll be the death of me.”

The busy soldiers nearby also looked over. They’d heard the rumors about the company’s only rose being plucked by someone, and although the truth was muddled by gossip, they wanted to see which lucky guy it was. After all, Qiangwei was friendly to everyone but always maintained a frosty aura.

As Yun Yang approached, they watched him with scrutinizing, almost predatory eyes. Feeling uneasy under their gaze, he grumbled inwardly, “These guys wouldn’t be interested in me just because I’m good-looking, would they? Three years in the army and even a sow starts to look like Diao Chan.”

He dared not follow that train of thought any further—the mental image was too much.

Despite the teasing, Old Zhang’s hands never stopped working. Soon enough, the tank was full. Seeing the mission complete, and fearing these men might actually try something, Yun Yang hopped on his bike and rode off without a backward glance.

He could hear the whispers behind him and shivered. Thank goodness he’d run—otherwise, he might have been in real trouble. Who would have thought Old Zhang, who looked so upright, had such eccentric friends? Next time, let someone else come—he was done.

He’d just returned to the tent when he overheard Qiangwei and the woman deep in conversation. As he got closer, he realized they were discussing something extraordinary.

“Do you know how old I am?” one asked.

“Do you know how old I am?” the other retorted.

“I’m three thousand years old!”

“I’m thirty thousand!”

“Damn,” Qiangwei swore.

“Humph, little girl,” the other replied with a proud snort.

Yun Yang entered just then, catching their exchange. He studied both women, feigning astonishment, and said, “Seriously? I can’t believe it. Don’t tell me you’re making this up. By your standards, at eighteen, I’m just a baby! I can’t compete. So, Qiangwei, who’s this?”

Before she could answer, the woman spoke up. “Liang Bing, daughter of an angel, a devil.”

“A devil? And such a beautiful one? More like a succubus,” Yun Yang joked, exchanging a glance with Wei Qi.

“You could say that. After all, a devil’s allure is innate,” Liang Bing replied blandly, though her mind was occupied elsewhere. Holy Kaisa had spent the entire universe searching for consorts for her angels. Now that Holy Kaisa was gone and the greatest threat to demons had vanished, perhaps it was time to find consorts for demons as well. With more capable men aligned with demon interests, they’d stand a better chance against ultimate threats. Perhaps that Denor medical officer she’d just captured could be repurposed for this role? Yes, that was the plan—just do it.

With her mind made up, she set the thought aside; for now, Qiangwei was the priority.

“Yes, definitely a succubus,” Qiangwei interjected. “And a shameless one at that. This lady’s profession? Senior public relations.”

Yun Yang and Wei Qi exchanged another meaningful look.

“Tonight, I’m staying with you,” Liang Bing told Qiangwei flatly, repeating what she’d already told her.

Inwardly, she cursed the little demon who’d arranged her identity—couldn’t they do anything right?

“Sorry, no space left. Find your own,” Qiangwei replied, clearly annoyed.

“No problem, we’ll just find a new tent together,” Liang Bing replied, unfazed, as if she’d expected this.

“That won’t do. I have a mission; I need to keep someone under surveillance.”

“There are plenty of soldiers. Can’t someone else do it?”

“That person is dangerous. I wouldn’t trust anyone else to watch him.”

Qiangwei was determined to use Yun Yang as her shield to the very end, answering without hesitation.

At this, Yun Yang objected. How had he become a dangerous element? And besides, wasn’t it obviously she who wanted to keep an eye on him?