Chapter 134 : Chapter 134
Chapter 134
The next chapter shifted its focus back to Xie Chang’an and the others, likewise beginning with a sharp, urgent noise. But unlike Ji Qing and the others at the front of the convoy, Xie Chang’an’s viewpoint allowed him to clearly see the yellow sand flying in all directions.
The two of them instantly realized that something had gone wrong.
Based on the emergency training they had received before departure, Xie Chang’an immediately urged the driver to turn the vehicle around while warily scanning the surroundings. Jiang Cuo reacted even faster than he did. He instantly realized that the attack had come from underground and had been caused by the Aberrants beneath the earth.
【Jiang Cuo is amazing too.】
【By comparison, the protagonist really cannot measure up, sigh.】
【That is perfectly normal.
Earlier commissions rarely involved going outside the city, and on top of that, this is Chang’an’s first real field operation. Since he could not react in time, there was no way for him to identify the source immediately.】
【Everyone is amazing.】
【Exactly. That is why the school was willing to let Class S leave campus for field training.】
【Come to think of it… I feel like Ji Qing is basically no different from a god. In the last chapter, he guessed that even if Xie Chang’an could not make the right judgment, Jiang Cuo would. Ji Qing has only spent a short time with Jiang Cuo, yet he has already figured out Jiang Cuo’s personality so thoroughly.】
【True.】
【Ji Qing is such a perceptive person. From what I can see, he is always paying attention to what is happening around him and recognizes the essence of things earlier than everyone else. By the way, I feel like the protagonist still might not have fully figured out Jiang Cuo’s personality even now.】
【Hahaha, that really is very protagonist-like.】
In the manga, Jiang Cuo told Xie Chang’an what he had deduced.
Even though the current situation had come out of nowhere, the two of them could only grit their teeth and deal with it. Jiang Cuo said, “Let’s make sure the people are safe first. We can talk about the cargo afterward. Before the Aberrants fully react, we need to withdraw from here as quickly as possible.”
“You go bring the survivors back. I’ll keep watch.”
【Tsk, it really did turn out exactly as the Valedictorian judged.】
【That is a little terrifying.】
【Come to think of it, even though we’ve been mocking the two of them as a Partners-in-Crime Duo, the two of them feel incredibly reliable right now. Why did they seem so shaky before?】
【Because Ji Qing is even more reliable than the two of them. （soft tone）】
“Not more reliable, exactly?” Ji Qing said hesitantly after reading that.
He felt that it was simply a matter of personality. Jiang Cuo’s behavior was rather flamboyant, while Xie Chang’an was relatively taciturn… When those two were present at the same time, if there happened to be a third person who spoke clearly and smoothly, it became very easy for that person to overshadow them.
But was that sort of personality really bad? Ji Qing did not think so.
As long as they did not fail at a critical moment, why should anyone care whether their everyday behavior seemed reliable or not? Everyone’s personality was different to begin with. There was no need to force everyone into the same mold.
Ji Qing merely skimmed through the rest of the chapter.
Since this was a danger Xie Chang’an and the others had already survived, and because Ji Qing had already made enough mental preparations beforehand and learned enough about it afterward, he had no intention of wasting more time on it. Thus, the manga quickly moved on to the next chapter.
The opening of the next chapter was still from Ji Qing’s perspective. In Ding’an City, Ji Qing finally received a response from the two of them. After listening to a burst of Jiang Cuo and Xie Chang’an’s careless horseplay, he coldly opened his mouth, startling Jiang Cuo so badly that everyone could not help laughing.
【“This is a gift from someone important to me. Some software can only be downloaded onto this Terminal.”】
【Tsk tsk, I am shipping it.】
【The two of them lost signal on their Terminals one moment, then had them crash the next. The whole time, they were fiddling with the walkie-talkie, and after that, even the walkie-talkie kept working only intermittently. After hearing all that, Ji Qing was practically speechless, hovering somewhere between relief and speechlessness. （laughing through tears）】
【It has been so long since we last saw Li Yuan, sigh.】
【They absolutely have to fix it. Otherwise Li Yuan will not be able to contact us, and it will be hard for us to contact Li Yuan in the future too, QAQ.】
That was not really a problem, was it? Ji Qing tilted his head.
After all, from the very beginning, he had already been prepared never to contact Xie Chang’an again. But Xie Chang’an had actually not deleted his contact information and had even kept that Terminal afterward? Before, “I do not have the money” could still have been used as an answer, but now it felt a little strange.
Could it be that he was trying to save money? Ji Qing thought belatedly.
Oh, right—
Running the orphanage required an enormous sum of money. As an orphan who had been sheltered by that orphanage, it really was about time for Xie Chang’an to give something back.
In the manga, after hearing the two men’s deductions, Father Miao slapped the table briskly and said, “Then let’s go take a look in a few days… Please do not take the losses to heart. Your wages and remuneration will be paid as normal, and on top of that, there will be an additional compensation payment!”
On the other side, Zhou Que suddenly said, “Ji Qing, your face looks so pale.”
The two of them then spoke about the matter of “why they had not immediately turned back to rescue them.” After listening to Zhou Que’s confusion, Ji Qing sighed softly. “That is why I am the captain.”
【Ji Qing is carrying an enormous amount of pressure too.】
【When one stands in that position, one has to bear the responsibilities of that position. Because he is the leader, he must consider the safety of the entire team. Zhou Que’s way of thinking is normal too, but it is not the way a leader can think.】
【Maybe it is because the education they received was different?】
【We have been hearing all this talk about Noble Houses and commoners, but after reading this volume, I feel like there is not much difference between Ji Qing and Shao Huayu. Could it be because Ji Qing is special?】
【Yes, Ji Qing is special.】
【The more this goes on, the more I feel that Ji Qing’s background is anything but simple.】
In the manga, Ji Qing sighed softly. “It is just that… I really am not very suited to being the captain after all.”
Zhou Que retorted unhappily, “You did an excellent job. Although there is a lot I do not understand about the way you people think, if it were Brother Huayu, he would make the same choice. Brother Huayu is excellent, so if you came to the same judgment as him, then you are definitely excellent too.”
Hearing that, Ji Qing could not help but smile. “You did very well too, Zhou Que.”
【Waaahhhhhhh—】
【Both of them are such unbelievably good babies.】
【Zhou Que has completely won me over.】
【Damn it, I take back every negative thing I ever said about Zhou Que. He may not understand many things, but he is genuinely so good. He did not directly say that the Valedictorian was amazing. Instead, he said that Shao Huayu would have done the same thing. That was such an excellent way to comfort him!】
【As a teammate, there is truly nothing to criticize.】
【Zhou Que did not cause any trouble the whole way. Meanwhile, those two over there were still bickering and fooling around, while these two were actually getting things done. The only time he acted willfully was before the attack. After that, he stayed completely quiet. So great!】
【Zhou Que, you are an unbelievably adorable little baby bird.】
A gratified smile curved Ji Qing’s lips. He had known that Zhou Que’s words would move the readers. Because even Ji Qing himself felt moved all over again when he saw them.
“If it is like this… their impression of him should finally improve, right?” Ji Qing murmured to himself.
Even though the Manga Forum was something only Ji Qing could see, he still hoped that his classmates’ reputations would improve a little.
The content of the next chapter was that Xie Chang’an and the others successfully reunited with the rest of the convoy. Miao Weiyong was supporting the driver, preparing to go to the hospital after the results of the Infection Screening came out. He waved toward the others. “You should all hurry up and get some rest.”
So Ji Qing turned toward the group and said, “Once you finish the Infection Screening, I’ll take you to the rest point.”
Hearing that, everyone let out cheers in unison.
【Hooray, it is finally over!】
【Even though that old thief skipped over a lot of things, for some reason… it still felt so long to me.】
【Everyone worked hard.】
【I feel like Ji Qing has gradually adapted to his new identity. Even though, deep down, he feels that he is not suited to being the captain, he is still doing his best to fulfill his responsibilities. He really is such an incredibly good baby~】
The plot then shifted to the inn in Ding’an City.
After chatting for a while in the inn lobby, the four of them split into pairs and headed to their respective rooms. Even though he was already exhausted, Jiang Cuo still did not forget to tease Xie Chang’an over his strange tastes, and while he was at it, he also learned a bit about Xie Chang’an’s family background.
Although Xie Chang’an was tired, he still answered him. In the end, he also deliberately asked about Jiang Cuo’s family situation.
“It is about what you would expect.” Jiang Cuo shrugged indifferently. “A mother who hated me, a father who looked down on me, a barren and miserable childhood, and then… Still, even though my father despised me, he fulfilled his duty as a father.”
“If he had lived a few more years, then maybe what you would have heard from me would have been a completely positive image of a father.”
At that point, Jiang Cuo cursed under his breath. “Hah. Damn old man.”
【Even though he resented him, he still loved his father a lot, right?】
【An absent mother, an outrageous but reformed father, and a barren but peaceful life… I can more or less piece together what Jiang Cuo’s later life was like. Even though he resents his father deeply, what he hates most is probably still his father’s suicide…】
【So the mother really was the one from a Noble House?】
【I feel like that must be it—
She fell for the father’s ability and character, then eloped with him. After leaving with him, she discovered that the outside world was nothing like what she had imagined, so she directly washed her hands of everything and abandoned both husband and child before returning home.】
【And then the father gave up on himself?】
【What a miserable child. No wonder Jiang Cuo could never let it go.】
“Tsk…” Ji Qing sucked in a breath when he saw that.
Although he had long had a premonition, he had not expected the actual situation to be this melodramatic. Now it really did match what the readers had guessed a few chapters earlier: all three of those children lacked complete family relationships. Every single one of them was a little bitter gourd.
The manga then switched to Ji Qing and Zhou Que’s side. Zhou Que noticed that Ji Qing was in a bad mood and asked him the reason, but Ji Qing did not answer directly. Instead, he deliberately steered the topic toward “how to judge the motives of Aberrants.”
【I feel like Ji Qing is also the type who hates to show weakness.】
【My only thought is this—
In Ji Qing’s heart, Xie Chang’an and Zhou Que really are different after all. If Chang’an had asked that question, Ji Qing probably would have cut him off with a cold face, wuuu.】
【???】
【Now that you mention it, yes.】
【Isn’t that a good thing? It proves that the protagonist really is number one in Ji Qing’s heart—it is just that he is number one from the bottom in terms of favorability. （bitter smile）】
【Do not say that!】
【Why is it that, on the one hand, I feel like there is nothing wrong with the way the two of them interact, but on the other hand, I also feel like that makes an alarming amount of sense?】
【It is mainly because the protagonist does not understand social distance, right? Zhou Que has never had any accidents in social situations, and on top of that, not long ago something happened that greatly boosted Ji Qing’s favorability toward Zhou Que… Fine, Xie Chang’an really cannot compare to Zhou Que. （gives up on life）】
【Xie Chang’an, how did you become the losing side???】
【No losing side! I have never been the losing side in my life! I am the center of the world, and I refuse to allow the appearance of a losing side!!! （This is absolutely not something the losing side would say.）】
The manga comments continued discussing that topic for quite some time, and Ji Qing simply skipped past them.
“Honestly, I really do not understand why all of you suddenly got so worked up.” Ji Qing shook his head helplessly. “By the way—what does Xie Chang’an being the ‘losing side’ even have to do with you? Do not project yourselves onto the protagonist so sincerely.”
The next chapter’s imagery abruptly turned dark and oppressive.
A wrinkled right hand turned off the dripping faucet, and then an elderly man appeared in the frame. The top-right corner of the manga introduced his identity. He was none other than the grandfather Miao Miaonian had mentioned, the one who was holding meetings in Ding’an City.
What followed was a segment of Grandpa Miao’s recollections of the past.
【What is that old thief trying to do now?】
【Ah… so something really did happen on the younger uncle’s side after all. But what is the point of that old thief drawing this? Does the escort commission really need to involve the Miao Family’s past?】
【This family’s way of getting along feels so awkward.】
【I feel like that old thief put more care into depicting the Miao Family than the main cast. Even now, I still do not know Ji Qing’s past.】
Ji Qing briefly skimmed over it.
Although a small number of readers felt regret over the Miao Family’s past, most of them only expressed confusion. Since their viewpoint had always followed Xie Chang’an, the moment the manga suddenly cut into the Miao Family’s past, the readers were left completely at sea.
But that confusion did not last long.
A meaningful smile curved Ji Qing’s lips.
When Grandpa Miao in the manga walked to the door of the living room and was just about to push it open, he suddenly sensed that there was a “visitor” inside. Cold sweat broke out on Grandpa Miao’s back. What had he done that was worth someone specifically coming to silence him?
A low, elegant male voice rang out. “Since you have already noticed me, why not come in directly?”
At that moment, the atmosphere in the comments changed abruptly.
【Damn, damn, damn—】
【So this is why that old thief hurriedly wrapped up the escort commission? Wait, are we about to look for the murderer who killed Grandpa Miao next? Is it really going to get this intense?】
【Probably not… （hesitates）（glances at the current chapter count）】
【Could it be someone he knows?】
【That familiar way of speaking! It is definitely Li Yuan! I would bet on it with absolute certainty—it can only be Li Yuan! Only Li Yuan would be idle enough to sit around chatting with people!!!】
【?!!】
【I am looking forward to it, I am looking forward to it! I am so excited right now!】
“What do you mean, ‘idle enough’?” Ji Qing raised a brow with a smile and complained, “If I did not say something, how else was the manga supposed to move the plot forward? It is not as if I could kill the man and pry open the truth out of a corpse.”
The door to the living room was quickly pushed open, and the visitor’s face was revealed to the readers.
Grandpa Miao put on a show of bravado, but the visitor saw through him immediately. After carefully examining the visitor’s appearance, Grandpa Miao said bluntly, “I do not recall having any dispute with the Infected. Who sent you?”
Li Yuan smiled. “...Am I not qualified to represent myself?”
【It really is Li Yuan!!!】
【Ahhh, it has been a full year! He has finally appeared again for me!!!】
【Can Chang’an meet Li Yuan? Can Chang’an meet him here? （excited）（jumping up and down）（spinning in excitement）】
【It has been so long, my favorite, TAT.】
【To run into him like this, what a delight.】
This kind of reaction from the readers had been within Ji Qing’s expectations.
It had already been a very long time since Li Yuan’s last appearance. During that period, Xie Chang’an had gone through quite a lot and had met quite a few people. Several months had already passed in the manga world, and even more time had passed in the real world.
After a round of verbal sparring sharp as clashing blades, the conversation finally entered the main point. Miao Hongyuan’s eyes widened. “Twenty-one years ago? You are from the Li Family? No, that is impossible! There could not possibly have been any survivors in Licheng. The Federal Council specifically sent the Cleanup Department—”
“The Li Family… Heh, what a familiar phrase.” Li Yuan’s crimson eyes were cold. “So now you understand why I have come, do you not?”
【Twenty-one years ago? The Black Tide? Licheng?】
【That is an absurd amount of information.
This is the first time that old thief Yuexia has been this generous. It almost does not feel like the Yuexia I know.】
【To summarize—
Twenty-one years ago, Licheng encountered a Black Tide and fell. Afterward, the Federal Council sent out the Cleanup Department （uncertain）. As a survivor of the Black Tide in Licheng back then, Li Yuan resolved to find the culprit behind Licheng’s destruction and chose to begin his revenge today, twenty-one years later （uncertain）.】
【So was Li Yuan infected twenty-one years ago?】
【Can the Infected live that long?】
【It looks to me like Li Yuan does not have an Ability… Could it be that, for the sake of revenge, he chose to become infected in order to gain power?】
【Is his background really that tragic?】
【No, do not do that. Just let him remain the effortlessly composed big-shot figure he is. Do not give Li Yuan such a tragic background setting. Isn’t his current sharp-tongued, cold, superior image already good enough?!】
“The readers really do know how to speculate,” Ji Qing could not help remarking.
But from the perspective of the manga readers, it really was easy for them to let their thoughts branch in that direction. Ji Qing murmured thoughtfully to himself, “The problem should lie in the time span. Only long-lived species can afford such a drawn-out stretch of time. A short-lived species would act much faster.”
That counted as foreshadowing in another sense as well, did it not?
In the manga, Grandpa Miao laughed at himself and said in a low voice, “I can tell you. If it were not for this matter, I might rather die than speak, but this matter is the one exception… because my child died for it.”
The child he loved most had originally only wanted to help the Federation avoid a Black Tide, yet he had ended up uncovering the truth behind Licheng’s fall and was ultimately murdered because of it.
His son had refused to avenge his younger brother, but as a father—
He had to do it.
【Holy shit, holy shit… so that is how it was!】
【Suddenly, this feels incredible.】
【So all the earlier setup was for this moment? That old thief is a god.】
【The hatred of losing a son cannot be borne under the same heaven.
Since I can no longer set things right, then I leave it to you.】
【How should I put it… Grandpa Miao was not a good father, yet he was also a good father. This kind of complicated family relationship is still pretty rare in manga, but that old thief actually wrote it, and wrote it with remarkable clarity too…】
【A person’s heart is ultimately biased. I suddenly understand Father Miao’s concerns now.】
【However—
More than all that, I want to know Li Yuan’s situation. Please, old thief, let Li Yuan and Chang’an meet at least once. Please let Li Yuan appear more often, QAQ.】
【+1】
【Dream on. In dreams, you can have anything.】