Start By Parsing The Sun

Chapter 168: [167] Don't Even Want My Face, Gua Gua's Performance

Heishan Camp.

Ordinary dormitory area.

Senior team leader "Aofeng" walked up to the residence where Cheng Han lived and knocked on the door a few times, confirming that there was no one inside. He patiently waited.

Only two minutes passed.

The sound of footsteps crunching on the snow suddenly came from another direction.

"Squeak! Squeak!"

Aofeng's gaze focused.

This frequency of footsteps was too familiar. Could it be his old rival with the surname Ling?

Sure enough.

A figure bypassed the intersection and appeared within his line of sight.

It was the other senior team leader who had participated in the competition for Cheng Han earlier - Ling Handong.

Aofeng's cheek twitched, unable to help but curse inwardly, "Damn persistent ghost."

Ling Handong walked up to the door, smiling and saying, "Old Aofeng, what a coincidence!"

Aofeng remained silent, not wanting to bother with the other party.

He looked at his old rival's smiling face, feeling a strong urge to punch him so hard that peach blossoms would bloom all over his face.

What a coincidence, my ass!

Ling Handong continued to babble, "Old Aofeng..."

Aofeng now had a headache whenever he heard the words "Old Aofeng." He simply turned his head away, too lazy to look at this annoying face.

The annoying voice continued to sound, "I heard a saying, 'Got up early but arrived late for the gathering.'"

"Even if you were the first to come here and wait, it doesn't necessarily mean you can impress Cheng Han and invite him to join your team for your current mission."

Aofeng endured the annoyance in his heart and didn't want to respond.

Five minutes later.

The third competitor arrived.

This person was actually holding a beautifully wrapped gift in each hand.

Both senior team leaders' expressions changed slightly, feeling disdain and annoyance in their hearts.

They felt disdain because this person, as a team leader, actually took the initiative to give gifts to a third-level warrior. It was truly shameless.

They felt annoyed because the competitor brought gifts, but they didn't, making them appear insincere.

Soon after.

The fourth team leader also arrived.

And he also brought a gift.

Both senior team leaders cursed in their hearts at the same time: These two have no shame!

At this point.

The previous competition lineup once again gathered, perfectly demonstrating what it means to "meet everywhere in life."

The four people looked at each other, all with forced smiles.

Quiet in front of the door.

But there was an undercurrent surging.

*

Not long after.

Cheng Han returned riding a feathered beast and saw the four "wooden stakes" propped up at the door from a distance.

He paused for a moment, quickly deduced the situation, and couldn't help but sigh.

These people!

They really don't let people have peace and quiet!

Gua Gua was a polite feathered beast. It knew that these four people were guests, so it greeted them:

"Ang!"

Ao Feng, known for his impatience, said directly, "Cheng Han, one of my soldiers in my team got injured and can't go on missions recently. I received a mission to investigate the 'waterborne supernatural creature cannibalism incidents' yesterday. I don't know if you're interested in participating?"

This guy immediately started introducing the details: "In the western part of Tai'an's Xiaoling Realm, there have been frequent cases of civilians going missing. The local patrol office found many human body parts in a city ditch, and it is highly likely that the culprit is a waterborne supernatural creature."

Cheng Han pondered for a moment and shook his head politely, "Sorry! Anhua City is too far."

Upon hearing this ridiculous reason, Ao Feng's face twitched.

Naturally, this was just an excuse.

The real reason was that it didn't fit the script of "Revenge Prologue."

All three cities in Xiaoling Realm had powerful Xuan Masters stationed there, and they had also set up powerful Xuan Formations. The Destruction Corps wanted to retaliate against the Black Armor Army, so it was unlikely for them to cause trouble within the cities.

Otherwise, once the Xuan Masters took action, a beam of light would descend from the sky, and those involved in the operation would undoubtedly suffer heavy casualties.

These people were crazy, yes, but that didn't mean they lacked intelligence. They wouldn't plan such a retaliatory action that would result in mutual destruction.

Ling Handong followed up with an invitation, "Cheng Han, there's a 'mysterious beast' that appeared in the northern suburbs of Beiteng City. Are you interested in participating in the hunt?"

The so-called "mysterious beast" refers to a wild beast that is possessed by something mysterious.

This guy deliberately added, "Beiteng City is closer to Heishan Camp, and you can come back earlier after completing the mission."

Cheng Han still politely declined, "Sorry, it's still too far!"

Most mysterious beasts naturally harbor ill intentions towards humans and enjoy slaughtering them. They usually don't stray far from cities, so it still didn't fit the script.

Ling Handong looked regretful and smacked his lips, "Alright! I hope we can cooperate in the future."

The third team leader raised the gift slightly and smiled, "Cheng Han, I specially prepared this for you..."

Before he could finish speaking, the fourth team leader interrupted him.

"I received a regional patrol mission. The location is only forty kilometers away from Qinglin City. Are you interested in participating?"

Cheng Han quickly responded, "I'm very interested!"

The mission area was outside the city, which fit the requirements of the script.

It can be confirmed that the Destruction Corps had a considerable number of personnel in Qinglin City, and the mission area was relatively close to Qinglin City, making it convenient for them to send people for retaliation. This fit the requirements even more.

The third team leader looked frustrated.

Because this person's mission was also a regional patrol, but he was just a step too slow in speaking up.

The fourth team leader smiled happily, "Cheng Han, let me introduce myself. I'm 'Cao Hongyi,' pleased to meet you!"

Cheng Han's heart stirred, and he asked, "Cao Ruifeng, the captain of the Ninth Outpost in Qinglin City, could it be..."

Cao Hongyi smirked, "He's my cousin! Ruifeng has told me all about your achievements in the patrol office."

The emphasis on "all" in his words was deliberate.

Cheng Han suddenly understood.

The jurisdiction of the Ninth Outpost was one of the busiest areas in Qinglin City. No wonder Cao Ruifeng could become the captain of the Ninth Outpost. It turned out there was such a relationship.

"Clap!"

Cao Hongyi patted his chest, "I know better than anyone how amazing you are. As long as you join my team, you will be the real team leader, and I'll just have the title."

Cheng Han politely replied, "You're exaggerating."

The other three people seemed to be deep in thought.

This guy named Cao had so much confidence in Cheng Han. It seemed that this genius youth's abilities were even greater than expected!

*

After entering Heishan Camp, Cheng Han learned that the Black Armor Army was not only responsible for eliminating the anomalies within the city but also for clearing anomalies throughout the Xiaoling Realm.

Due to some unknown reason, the anomalies that appeared in the wilderness were significantly fewer than those in human gathering places. Therefore, although the Xiaoling Realm was large, the Black Armor Army could handle it.

In addition...

It was said that the Xuan Pavilion relied on the "Tianling Leaf Vein" to establish a special Xuan Formation, which was equivalent to a monitoring system covering the entire Xiaoling Realm.

Once signs of anomalies were detected in a certain area, the Xuan Pavilion would order the Black Armor Army to send personnel for cleanup. That's how the regional patrol missions came about.

And this was also the most frequent task for the Black Armor Army.

No exceptions.

Fifteen minutes later, Cheng Han met with the rest of the team and saw the other four members.

The way these four people looked at the genius youth revealed a hint of admiration.

Cheng Han could tell at a glance that Cao Team Leader had been boasting about his own achievements. Otherwise, even though they were all soldiers, these people wouldn't have such expressions, even if he was a genius.

Cao Hongyi fulfilled his promise and introduced to his subordinates, "The real team leader is here. You don't need to listen to me, a fake anymore."

The other four people greeted cooperatively, "Captain Cheng is here!"

Cheng Han's mouth twitched, "Just kidding!"

Cao Hongyi didn't argue about the title and assumed the role of a subordinate, "Captain Cheng..."

Cheng Han corrected, "Call me Cheng Han!"

Cao Hongyi pretended not to hear, "Do you need anything else? I'll prepare it right away. I'm more familiar with this than you, so let me do it faster."

Cheng Han politely said, "Please help me prepare some food for the feathered beasts."

Cao Hongyi was taken aback, "You want to bring feathered beasts on the mission?"

Cheng Han nodded, "Exactly."

Cao Hongyi couldn't help but say, "The combat power of feathered beasts is too weak. They might attract strange attention during patrols, and taking care of them in the wild is also troublesome."

Cheng Han casually replied, "My feathered beasts are different."

Cao Hongyi was half skeptical but didn't insist, "Alright."

In fact...

Cheng Han did this for two reasons. First, Gua Gua's abilities were extraordinary and could indeed be helpful in the wilderness. Second, this was the first scene written in the script.

As a playwright, since he personally took on the role of the protagonist, he naturally had to perform according to the script.

He watched Cao Hongyi's figure receding into the distance, his mind turning with thoughts.

"Previously, the female team leader was coerced by a vice lieutenant named 'Qiu Jian' and faced a life-threatening crisis. I resolved the matter in the name of the Netherworld, and Qiu Jian was ordered to be executed.

"Afterwards, Qu Xiaoying learned about this through secret channels, which proves that there is a hidden underground intelligence network in Black Mountain Camp.

"A genius youth participating in patrol missions with feathered beasts is a highly topical piece of news that will surely spread widely.

"As I expected, the Destroyer Sect most likely has undercover agents in Black Mountain Camp, and this news will definitely reach their ears.

"For these followers of the Dark Gods, this is an excellent opportunity to please the deities. How could they miss it?"

Cheng Han's mouth slightly curved upwards, "The target for revenge has already appeared. Dark Avengers, come quickly!"

This time's plan was very simple - to use himself as bait.

But the simpler the plan, the more effective it often was.

*

Not long after...

Outside the gate of Black Mountain Camp...

The whole team was ready to go.

Gua Gua carried a pile of heavy objects and excitedly kept calling out.

In today's mission, it played the role of a pack animal carrying logistical supplies, not a mount.

Cheng Han finally explained the reason for bringing the feathered beasts, "Gua Gua has received special training. It can read maps and has a strong sense of direction, so it can serve as a guide."

The mention of "sense of direction" in this statement was not just empty talk.

Feathered beasts have a special area in their brains that is naturally sensitive to the environment and direction, so they never get lost.

"Ang!"

Gua Gua responded.

Cao Hongyi still had some doubts but didn't question, "I understand."

The other four soldiers looked at Gua Gua with astonishment in their eyes.

Cao Hongyi took out a high-precision map, unfolded it, and placed it in front of the feathered beast, "The red line is the route I marked."

Gua Gua stared at the map without blinking, extremely focused.

After a few seconds...

Gua Gua flapped its wings and called out, "Ang!"

It extended its long beak and lightly touched the map, then quickly ran out.

Cheng Han ordered, "Follow!"

He stepped on his skis, kicked the ground with his right foot, and swiftly glided over the snow, chasing after Gua Gua.

The others followed suit.

In winter...

Traveling on skis was a compulsory course for every soldier.

Half an hour later...

Cao Hongyi and the others were convinced.

Because Guagua's route has no deviation.

A soldier exclaimed, "If it were me leading the way, it definitely wouldn't be as accurate as Guagua. I might even lead everyone into a ditch."

Another soldier laughed, "It's not 'might,' it's 'definitely.' You've done it several times before."

After a while, the soldiers experienced another advantage of Guagua.

"Guagua, water!"

"Got it!"

Guagua continued walking, twisting its neck backwards, and its beak skillfully opened the package, taking out a thermos bottle and tossing it backwards with a shake of its head.

"Snap!"

A hand caught the water bottle.

The soldier took a few sips of water and threw the bottle back.

Guagua accurately caught it and put it back in the package.

During this process, no one stopped for even a second.

The benefits were undeniable. The team could travel at full speed without stopping for various trivial matters, greatly increasing their speed.

Cao Hongyi was even more impressed, "Guagua, you're the most awesome feathered beast I've ever seen!"

"Got it!"

The cry was full of pride.

*

Two hours later.

Cheng Han shouted, "It's almost time for lunch, let's stop and eat."

The group immediately stopped.

Then, the group experienced Guagua's third advantage.

It led the way to find a sheltered spot, unloaded its package, found a tree with more branches and leaves, pecked at it randomly, and gathered a pile of branches, carrying them back.

Guagua quickly brought a few stones and built a makeshift stove, quickly putting the branches inside. It called out to its master, "Got it!"

Cheng Han activated his fire elemental magic ability, lightly brushing his right hand, and flames immediately rose up.

Guagua quickly took out cooking utensils and placed them above the stove, then took out pre-packaged convenience food, tore open the packaging, and put it in the pot.

The group watched the performance of the man and the beast, each with a look of astonishment.

Cheng Han smiled, "I've said it before, Guagua is very useful!"

This feathered beast had received multiple imprints of the Spirit Control Seal, greatly increasing its intelligence and learning many life skills, cooking being just one of them.

Of course, it was limited to simple meals.

Cao Hongyi expressed his envy with a single sentence, "Where can I buy such an awesome feathered beast? I'm willing to spend five hundred gold to buy one."

Others chimed in.

"I want to buy one too."

"I'm willing to spend six hundred gold."

But Guagua was not pleased.

"Got it!"

The cry clearly expressed its displeasure.

Ten minutes later.

The food was cooked.

Guagua thoughtfully took out utensils and handed them to everyone.

Cao Hongyi served the food and his old face blossomed with a smile, "Everyone, isn't it a very wise decision for me to invite Cheng Han as the team leader?"

The group nodded repeatedly.

Just for this extremely hassle-free lunch, it was worth it.

"Got it!"

This was Guagua's cry.

It meant: What about me?