Gu Yan's side.
Martial Arts Department.
Restroom sink.
Gu Yan hung up the phone. Alice was a mixed-blood of the Western Nation and the Eastern Nation.
She happened to be one of the death warriors under his command, skilled in disguise, espionage, and infiltration. She was the perfect candidate to plant next to a small fry like Gu Zihua.
So, you want to be all lovey-dovey with your little maid, huh? Well, let me see just how deep your bond with Xuehua really is.
Looking at his reflection in the mirror, Gu Yan slightly curled his lips: "Tsk tsk, a pure love warrior really has to be as handsome as me."
As soon as the words left his mouth.
"Heh heh."
A mocking laugh rang out.
A petite figure walked up beside Gu Yan.
She tossed her white hair, washing her hands while giving Gu Yan a look of disdain: "I didn't see any handsome guy. All I saw was a narcissist."
?
Gu Yan slowly drew a question mark in his mind.
Then he turned to look at the girl next to him, who had...
——————been on the brink of death, only to be saved and unexpectedly awakened her martial qi, which led to her being exceptionally recruited by the Martial Arts Department.
Tsk, don’t think I won’t do anything just because you’re here on Qingqiu’s mission.
So, Gu Yan smiled amiably: "Miss Bai, I still prefer the way you used to cling to that little boy and cry."
"By the way, didn’t your little boyfriend die not too long ago? Why don’t you seem sad at all?"
"Also, the records show you’re only 15. So how did I see you at a tea house called 'Night' the other day? Do they hire child laborers there? And you didn’t look as petite back then as you do now."
Bai Lian: "........!!!"
Child... child labor?!
Damn this dog of a man.
Bai Lian’s lips twitched. The reason she had acted that way in front of that small fry was to charm him, wasn’t it?
Now that the goal was achieved, of course, she didn’t need to keep up the act.
But... this was indeed a loophole. How could she explain it away...
Hmm?
Bai Lian suddenly sensed someone approaching.
So she immediately put on a pitiful expression, batting her eyes: "Ah... Brother Gu Yan, what are you talking about? Of course, Lian Lian is very sad."
"It’s just that I’ve been too heartbroken to think about Brother Deng Feng."
"You’re so mean... boo hoo..."
Bai Lian, being a seasoned veteran, could cry on command.
Gu Yan was momentarily stunned.
Just then.
Bai Jun’s slightly exasperated voice came through: "Gu Yan, why did you make the girl cry again?"
Since today was the routine meeting day for the "Night Operation Special Investigation Team," Bai Jun had notified all members to attend the strategy meeting.
He happened to pass by and saw Gu Yan making the new teammate, Bai Lian, cry.
She was the youngest, and her parents had died in an incident a month ago. Her boyfriend, the heir of the Black Tortoise Gate, had also died a month ago.
She had to undergo psychological counseling every day, and Bai Lian had practically become the team’s darling.
And now Gu Yan had made her cry.
Gu Yan looked at Bai Jun, who was carrying a stack of documents, clearly preparing for the meeting.
He shrugged: "What if I told you she started crying on her own? Would you believe me?"
Bai Jun glanced at Gu Yan, who looked like the typical villain, then at Bai Lian, who was crying like a delicate flower.
Then he shook his head: "No."
Hearing this, Bai Lian cried even harder. She moved closer to Bai Jun, hugging his arm, and looked up with tearful eyes, sniffling: "It’s okay, Brother Bai Jun."
"It’s Lian Lian’s fault. I just thought of my parents again."
Bai Jun sighed, feeling the unpredictability of life.
He comforted her: "Lian Lian, your surname is Bai, and so is mine. If you’re willing, let me be your sworn brother."
As soon as he said this.
Bai Lian looked up, her face lighting up with joy: "Really?"
"Mm."
"Yay (＾－＾)V, Lian Lian has a brother now!"
Gu Yan, on the other hand.
Watching Bai Lian go from crying to laughing, and getting Bai Jun to accept her as his sworn sister.
He suddenly wondered what was wrong with the world.
Is infiltrating the righteous side’s organization really this simple?
Isn’t it a bit too easy?
No wonder the Night Organization is full of talented people. He gave Bai Jun, who was still oblivious to Bai Lian’s true nature, a pitying look and shook his head helplessly: "Alright, enough with the sibling bonding act."
"Let’s head to the meeting room, Junzi."
Junzi?
"What kind of nickname is that?"
Bai Jun was slightly confused.
"Because..."
Gu Yan walked over, patted Bai Jun’s shoulder, and glanced at Bai Lian, who was now wearing a smug expression: "This sworn sister of yours is more than you can handle."
Bai Lian: "......?"
Bai Jun: "......."
........
.....
Arriving at the meeting room.
Most of the team was already waiting.
After a quick glance, Gu Yan realized they were all familiar faces.
Shangguan Miaoyin and Ning Qian from Dragon King Mountain sat together.
You Xingxue and Mei Xue sat together.
Murong Ci sat alone on one side of the conference table.
There were also a few minor members from the Martial Arts Department.
"Gu Yan, over here!"
Liu Jianxing waved at Gu Yan, signaling him to sit beside him.
"Everyone’s here so early. Brother Liu, you’re really eager."
Gu Yan chuckled and walked over.
This action caused Murong Ci, sitting to the side, to glance slightly at Liu Jianxing.
Liu Jianxing, unaware of any danger, grinned at Gu Yan’s comment. "I heard today’s meeting is about the ancient qi that’s been causing quite a stir in Jianghai recently."
"Ancient qi? You actually believe in that stuff?"
Gu Yan scoffed as he sat down, pretending to be uninterested.
"It’s real! Apparently, someone has even discovered a site that might be an ancient ruin!"
Liu Jianxing spoke in a hushed, mysterious tone. "Anyway, Captain Bai will definitely explain everything later."
"Maybe they’re sending us to investigate the ruins!"
Gu Yan nodded. "Let’s hope so~"
At that moment, Bai Jun walked in with some documents, followed closely by Bai Lian, who sat down next to Ning Qian. Bai Lian’s eyes were slightly red, as if she had been crying.
Shangguan Miaoyin glanced at her briefly before looking away.
Here we go again, she thought.
Ning Qian, however, frowned and whispered, "Have you been crying?"
"N-no... It’s not Gu Yan’s fault. Please don’t blame him."
Bai Lian softly explained the reason.
Gu Yan...
Ning Qian glanced at Gu Yan, the brother-in-law of Sister Ling.
Well... that explains it.
Bai Lian, noticing that Ning Qian suddenly stopped paying attention to her, was puzzled.
Huh? What’s going on? Shouldn’t you be sympathizing with me?
Tch, whatever. Little girls are just little girls—useless for manipulation.
Meanwhile, Bai Jun cleared his throat after seeing that everyone had arrived. "Now that everyone’s here, let’s begin today’s meeting."
Click, click.
The lights dimmed.
Buzz, buzz!!
A high-definition holographic projection appeared on the table.
It showed a large, square formation.
Bai Jun spoke with a serious expression. "This... is the location of the ancient ruins."
Watching as the secret base of the Peach Blossom Society was mistaken for an ancient ruin, Gu Yan smiled inwardly.
Brother Bai, with you in Jianghai, I’m at ease.