Chapter Forty-Three: The Mercenary Squad

Chapter Forty-Three

"Establishing a mercenary team recognized by the base, taking on missions to earn contribution points and other rewards—that's how most people survive these days. Naturally, we’re no exception. We can’t just keep relying on your Ye family to support us, can we? Besides, I doubt things are going well for your family either," An Ziyou spoke calmly, hoping to prevent another argument between the other two.

"The Ye family’s situation is indeed precarious, but it won’t affect you all!" Ye Jingxuan assured them.

"That's hard to say. When we entered the base with you and joined the Ye family, plenty of people took notice. Who would believe we're not connected?" Mo Chen immediately retorted, seemingly determined to oppose him at every turn.

Ye Jingxuan’s face darkened, but he couldn’t refute the point. After all, many had witnessed him leading Mei by the hand into the Ye family home, and the other three families had likely received the news that very day. At this stage, trying to sever their association was far too late.

Ye Jingxuan fell silent, and seeing he had nothing to say, Mo Chen refrained from further sarcasm. The atmosphere in the room grew tense.

"Form a mercenary team, then? Let's do it! Who should be the captain, have you any ideas? What about a name for the team? Any rules?" Mei, who had been somewhat out of the loop, finally came to herself and decisively settled the matter, immediately asking after the details.

Prompted by her questions, everyone bowed their heads in thought, and Ye Jingxuan and Mo Chen finally ceased their bickering.

"As for the captain, why not let Mei take the role?" An Ziyou suggested after some consideration.

"Me?" Mei was momentarily stunned, her face full of surprise.

"Absolutely, there's no one more suited than little Mei," Mo Chen agreed enthusiastically.

Ye Jingxuan nodded silently, but his expression made his approval plain to all.

Lin Shaojie was not captain material, and though Qu Wenyuan had changed a great deal, the others were still observing her, and neither her temperament nor her abilities suited the role. As for Mo Chen, Ye Jingxuan, and An Ziyou, none could command the unanimous trust of the group. Moreover, if Ye Jingxuan were made captain, outsiders would only see it as yet another extension of the Ye family.

In the end, Mei was the only suitable candidate. Not only for her strength, but because it was she who had brought them all together—no one could be more appropriate.

After seeing the other three nod their agreement, Lin Shaojie and Qu Wenyuan also voiced their support.

"Then I’ll take it. But let’s be clear: don’t bother me with tedious matters—I’ll be captain in name only!" Mei accepted the title with indifference.

"As for the team name, if no one has any suggestions, why not call it 'Reversal'? What do you think?" With the captain decided, the matter of naming the team naturally arose, and Mei offered her proposal.

"'Reversal'? Sounds a bit odd—just one word?" Lin Shaojie scratched his head. He’d have preferred something fiercer, like 'War God' or 'Godslayer', or perhaps 'Tiger' or 'Soaring Dragon'. But he suspected any suggestion of his would be shot down, so he kept quiet.

"'Reversal'? The Reversal Squad? Not bad—it certainly sounds better than 'War God' or the like," An Ziyou commented, and at his words, Lin Shaojie wore a resigned expression and slumped to one side.

"We are, after all, struggling to survive against adversity, moving against the fate of human extinction, and as ability users, we defy the very heavens. So I think 'Reversal Squad' is perfect," Mo Chen chimed in support.

Ye Jingxuan had no particular attachment to any name; as long as it was Mei’s suggestion, he would agree without hesitation.

As for Qu Wenyuan, she felt the name didn’t matter—so long as these people were with her, that was enough.

As for rules, for now, there was only one: the team would not tolerate betrayal under any circumstances. Anyone who dared to betray another would find the rest of their life a fate worse than death.

With the basics settled, all that remained was to register at the base’s official office. But as there were so few of them, they could go at any time.

"Ah Ye, is there a mission you’re hoping to take?" Mei asked. Otherwise, why would he suddenly bring up forming a mercenary team?

"Yes, the Ye family needs supplies, and I need your help," Ye Jingxuan replied without hesitation to her inquiry.

"So that's it. You want us to form a team and take missions, so the Ye family can openly receive supplies, and we can also collect the mission rewards—is that right?" Mei quickly grasped his intention.

"Exactly." Seeing that she understood, Ye Jingxuan’s dark eyes glimmered with a rare light.

Mo Chen was immediately displeased at the sight, and was about to speak, when Qu Wenyuan hesitantly interjected.

"Is it about a place overgrown with climbing vines, impassable, but rumored to hold a great store of food inside?"

Given her sporadic prophetic abilities, Ye Jingxuan was not surprised. He nodded, confirming that there was indeed such a mission among his selected options.

"Don’t bother with that one. Whatever was inside has long since been cleared out by someone. Those climbing vines may seem harmless now, but soon they’ll evolve. When that happens, not only will they be impervious to blade or flame, but they’ll be able to drain a person dry in moments," Qu Wenyuan warned, her tone tinged with relief.

In the story, that had been their first target; Ye Jingxuan had led Xiao Keren and her brother, several other ability users, and quite a few ordinary Ye family members there. Unfortunately, the vines completed their evolution just as they arrived, and after an arduous battle that left most of their group dead or wounded, they found the place empty.

That battle plunged the Ye family into an even more dire state, their position in the base hanging by a thread. If not for Xiao Keren’s timely contribution of supplies from her spatial ability, the Ye family might have been carved up by the other three families.

It was because of this incident that the Xiao family, to which Xiao Keren belonged, became irrevocably tied to the Ye family. In the future, after the Ye family’s rise, the Xiao family would become the base’s second most powerful clan.

Ye Jingxuan and Xiao Keren’s true bond, however, was not forged in that event, but rather because of the Ye family’s steward, Uncle Yu. Though only a steward, Uncle Yu held a high status in the Ye family, and Ye Jingxuan respected him greatly. When Uncle Yu suddenly fell ill, Ye Jingxuan tried every remedy to no avail. In the end, it was Xiao Keren, returning from a mission, who healed him with her abilities and water from her spatial storage.

From that day, Ye Jingxuan truly placed Xiao Keren in his heart, caring for her in all things.

Remembering this, Qu Wenyuan hesitated over whether to tell Ye Jingxuan about Uncle Yu. If she did, would he still end up with Xiao Keren as in the story? But if she kept silent…

"What else did you see?" Seeing her uncertain, Ye Jingxuan assumed there was another mission with hidden dangers and asked.

"There is one more thing—but it concerns your family…" Qu Wenyuan trailed off, deciding against speaking further. After all, it was a private Ye family matter, irrelevant to the others, and best discussed in private.

Ye Jingxuan did not press her, planning to speak with Qu Wenyuan alone later.

Turning back to Mei, Ye Jingxuan asked, "Mei, can you help me?"

"I have no problem with it. We have to take missions anyway, and if we can help you at the same time, all the better," Mei replied, untroubled.

With her agreement, Ye Jingxuan relaxed noticeably. Glancing at the others, his expression was warmer than usual, though still restrained.

Lin Shaojie was naturally willing to help. After all, they had escaped from the city together, and Ye Jingxuan had once saved his life. Although Ye Jingxuan seemed indifferent to him, Lin Shaojie still felt a certain kinship.

Qu Wenyuan had no objection—if the number one person she wanted to rely on agreed, who was she to oppose?

As for An Ziyou, with Mei’s approval, he had no reason to object.

Only Mo Chen remained. When Ye Jingxuan looked at him, his brow creased ever so slightly.

"This time, since the Ye family is the main beneficiary, double the reward—no problem, right?" Mo Chen crossed his arms and unceremoniously demanded twice the usual payment.

But Ye Jingxuan had already intended to pay them that much, so he had no objection when it was voiced.

With everything resolved, Ye Jingxuan saw that Mei seemed a little better, though still tired, and decided not to linger, so she could rest.

The others left in turn, except for Mo Chen, who stayed behind.

"Mei, are you alright?" Mo Chen sat by the bed, wrapping her in his arms and gently patting her back, his concern evident.

They had spoken of that place before; seeing no reaction from her, he had thought she’d forgotten it. Now he realized that it was not forgotten, merely buried deep within her heart.

"I’m fine, just not in a great mood," Mei replied listlessly, leaning into Mo Chen.

"Don’t dwell on it. Didn’t we already decide to take revenge? We’ll make them pay for everything they owe us. The commotion we caused at the Moonlight Base wasn’t small. Once we stir things up here in Changyang, I’m sure they’ll come looking for us," Mo Chen comforted her, running his hand through her hair.

After their escape, that place had quickly relocated, leaving them no way to strike back—so all they could do was wait for their enemies to come to them.

"Yes, that place should have been destroyed long ago! So many children died at their hands. No matter what their research was for, their crimes are unforgivable!"

That so-called Ultimate Human Cultivation Center, the place that scoured the land for talented children to steal away—it would be best if it were completely wiped out.