“For you, the danger of this operation might not just be the anomalies within the mine or the threat of aberrations.”
Wan Qianhong chose her words carefully, glancing occasionally toward the Inner City Special Action Team.
“The situation inside is complex. You only just became a Scavenger, and what you did yesterday was enough.”
“How about you stay outside? I can leave some people behind to protect you.”
Bai Feifei looked at Wan Qianhong and shook her head firmly.
“No thank you, Senior Wan. This is a Scavenger’s duty. I can't shrink back when the time comes.”
Besides... considering the Evil God inside her, her presence might actually be the only thing keeping the others safe.
Wan Qianhong looked at Bai Feifei and nodded, pressing the matter no further.
Yang Shuo had reported earlier that Bai Feifei’s temperament seemed much milder today than it had been yesterday.
Seeing her now, it indeed seemed to be the case. She wouldn't push it; she didn't want the girl to suddenly flip her lid again...
“Everyone.” Wan Qianhong turned back to face the Scavengers behind her. “Except for Bai Feifei, everyone here is a Rank 3 Scavenger or higher. I won't lecture you on combat discipline.”
“Remember our objective: investigate the anomalies and the corruption beneath the coal mine, and clear out any potential aberrations.”
“Gather information. Do not get bogged down in combat, but absolutely do not allow the disaster to expand because of us. Is that understood?”
All the Scavengers nodded and shouted in unison, “Understood!”
“Understood,” Bai Feifei followed along from the side.
But this time, Xu Mo’s somewhat impatient voice rang out in her mind.
“Understand? You don't understand a damn thing.”
“This woman is stubborn as a mule. She looks mature, but she’s the type who’ll walk straight into her own death without realizing it.”
“You don't need to understand what she’s saying. Just listen to me, got it?”
Bai Feifei asked in her mind, “Then, what do you mean?”
“Once we go down, remember one basic principle.”
“If there’s a monster, kill it. If there’s good loot, grab it. If there’s danger, bolt.”
“Also, you must follow my commands at all times. You greenhorns don't know the first thing about being here for the first time.”
“...Oh,” Bai Feifei replied, thinking to herself that he sounded as if he had been here many times before.
She could only attribute it to the unfathomable power of an Evil God.
As the earthquake slowly subsided, Wan Qianhong’s expression turned serious. She gave a hand signal, and the East District group began to advance slowly. On the other side, the Inner City Special Action Team led by Wu Jinyi also began to move.
The Black Smoke Coal Mine area was massive, with numerous shafts leading underground. There were no fewer than ten entrances on this side of the mountain alone.
However, after a day and night of earthquakes, many of the tunnels had already collapsed.
The two teams marched in silence, but they clearly weren't the only ones near the coal mine!
Suddenly, a flash of fire lit up the darkening sky as a fireball streaked through the air.
Aries Hong Jiu’s boisterous voice echoed from above.
“Haha! Stop dilly-dallying! I suggest you all go home and let us Rangers handle this!”
“Little brother, I’m heading in first. See you if fate allows!”
The Scavengers beside Wan Qianhong all turned their heads in unison to look at Bai Feifei in the middle.
It took a moment for Bai Feifei to realize that the “little brother” he mentioned was actually her!
Huh? Me?
In the sky, the fireball slammed toward the mine like a missile.
The mine entrance Aries had chosen was actually one that had collapsed!
But it didn't matter; with his method of entry, even a perfectly good tunnel would have ended up collapsed anyway.
Boom!
Amidst a violent roar, black smoke billowed from where Hong Jiu had charged in. The mountain trembled as if another earthquake had struck.
The Rangers were the first to enter!
On the other side, Li Gui’s expression shifted abruptly. He whipped his head around to look at Wan Qianhong.
He spoke in a raspy voice, “Little Wan, it’s still not too late to retreat. This isn't something you should be meddling in.”
“Look out for yourself.”
After saying that, he swept his sunken eyes over Bai Feifei before his body vanished on the spot.
The dirt on the ground rippled for a moment. Clearly, this Level 61 Edgerunner had used his Escape Art to enter.
Wu Jinyi reacted quickly as well, shouting to the Special Action Team members behind him.
“Academy members stay outside! Everyone else, disperse and enter quickly!”
With that, a team of well-equipped Inner City Scavengers rushed into one of the mine shafts.
Wan Qianhong’s face changed, and she immediately issued orders.
“Third Outpost, provide support.”
“Everyone else, follow me. Fast!”
Following her command, their side also surged forward.
The two groups became two torrents of people, seemingly engaged in a bizarre race to enter the mine.
However, at that moment, Xu Mo’s cold voice echoed in Bai Feifei’s mind.
“Wait. Don't go in yet. Let them clear the mines first.”
Hearing his voice, Bai Feifei broke into a cold sweat. she slammed on the brakes and quickly blocked Wan Qianhong’s path.
“No! Wait... wait a second!”
The East District Scavengers stopped in their tracks. Due to the reputation Xu Mo had established while controlling Bai Feifei earlier, no one ignored her words. They all looked at her with confusion.
“What’s wrong? What mines? What’s the situation?” Bai Feifei hurriedly asked Xu Mo in her mind.
But Xu Mo didn't answer her. He simply began a wicked countdown.
“5... 4...”
Wan Qianhong looked at Bai Feifei and said anxiously, “What is it? Their people have already started going in. We can't afford to delay now.”
The situation beneath the coal mine was complicated. The corruption hidden here was certainly linked to certain factions in the Inner City.
It was hard to say if there were people in that temporary Inner City action team with hidden agendas, like destroying evidence!
Neither side had stated it openly, but it was an unspoken understanding.
That was why Wan Qianhong was in a hurry.
But Bai Feifei was just as bewildered. She didn't know how to explain, so she could only whisper the countdown along with Xu Mo.
“...3... 2... 1!”
Everyone held their breath. As Bai Feifei finished the countdown, their hearts seemed to skip a beat. They watched their surroundings with extreme vigilance, their nerves stretched to the limit.
And then... nothing happened.
“Huh?!” Xu Mo’s voice popped up with a hint of playfulness. “Did I get the time wrong? Or did the event get canceled?”
Bai Feifei: ?
She was reaching her limit!
Wan Qianhong and the others beside her were reaching theirs even faster. Seeing Wu Jinyi’s team disappear into the shaft, Wan Qianhong gritted her teeth and prepared to move again.
Right then.
Rumble—
The earth shook and the mountains swayed. An earthquake suddenly erupted, just minutes after the previous one had stopped!
Rate on N.U.
