There were fewer regular orders today, nowhere near enough to go around. Exusiai got her wish and partnered with him for regular deliveries, but nothing unexpected happened throughout the trip, and they finished everything by three.
After returning to the company, Shi Lei had nothing to do and didn't feel like playing video games, so he went to the public library to read.
He had specifically asked the system and learned that reading also granted a Roleplay Value bonus. Finishing one book each day earned 2 Roleplay Value, limited to once per day.
Combined with being broke, that meant he could earn a guaranteed 5 Roleplay Value every day. He currently had 42 points. Once it settled at midnight, he would have 45, still 155 points away from advancing.
By that calculation, he would need 31 days to advance.
With the year-end approaching, Penguin Logistics had been doing poorly lately, as though it had entered an off-season. If he gained no additional Roleplay Value during this period, he could advance to the Immortal Realm by January 3 at the latest.
What a pity he could only gain it once a day. Otherwise, he could spend all day soaking in the library, become the Sword God of Ten Miles Slope, and only emerge after reaching max level.
When he returned to the company at five, Shi Lei spotted that Beast girl from yesterday who called herself Waai Fu from afar. She stood at the intersection, looking around as if she were waiting for him.
There was no need to think about what she was planning.
Why were women these days always so eager to repay favors?
That time with Chen and Jiu had truly been an emergency. He had originally refused, but because
she got into an argument with Lin Yuxia, he had no choice but to make the dinner happen.
Shi Lei only learned later that Lin Yuxia herself possessed powerful Originium Arts. If he hadn't stepped in that day, she might have been fully capable of defeating the Infected. Still, he couldn't simply ignore what he had encountered. Since he had seen it, he saved her.
After thinking for a moment, he decided to take a detour and avoid her. By the time he returned to the company, it was already five fifteen.
Texas was still in the office area. Only after seeing Shi Lei return did she clock out and leave. Exusiai had gone several days without throwing a party and felt uncomfortable all over. She called Croissant, who had already gotten off work, back to the Safe House for a pizza party.
Amid the clinking of glasses, all three of their phones chimed at once. Exusiai let out a burp, read the message, then stood up and said:
"Let's go. We've got work, and it's a big one!"
Shi Lei had never handled a major order before. Seeing all of them stand up, he asked in confusion:
"What mission is it? Can I come too?"
"Hahaha, of course you can. You're on the list too. This time, the boss personally gave the order to mobilize all of our Messengers. We're assisting the Lungmen Guard Department in arresting illegal organizations in Upper City Districts 18 through 21."
As she spoke, she took a bite of pizza.
"For missions like this, they won't use real names for confidentiality. How about picking yourself a codename?"
PS: What codename do you think would be best? You can vote in the comments.
A: Zhongli
B: Rex Lapis
C: Other
My Name Is Zhongli (Part 1)
"A codename? What's that, a nickname?"
Seeing that he only half understood, Exusiai explained:
"More or less. You can think of it as a second name. Your codename can be the same as your real name or different; it all depends on your personal preference. My real name is Remuella, while my codename is Exusiai. It means the same thing no matter which name people use."
"I see. Then I'll have to think about it."
Shi Lei pinched his chin with one hand, considering what sort of nickname he should give himself.
The current system was the Rex Lapis Retirement Edition, not the Rex Lapis Youth Edition. Titles like Rex Lapis with an 'Emperor,' or Martial God with a 'God,' were far too conspicuous. He immediately ruled them out.
Morax wasn't bad, but this wasn't Teyvat. There was no currency called Mora here. It would probably be a bit awkward for outsiders to pronounce, so it wasn't the best choice.
"If you really can't think of one, you can use your surname. For example, Officer Chen Hui Jie's codename is Chen, while Celinea Texas's codename is Texas."
"No need. I've decided. My codename will be Zhongli."
Croissant took out her hammer and shield for maintenance, seriously preparing for battle. Hearing that, she looked up and asked:
"Zhongli? It sounds like a person's name. Is he someone important to you?"
"More or less. These abilities of mine can be considered an inheritance of his teachings. Since he isn't in this world, I'll use this codename as I walk the mortal realm."
Shi Lei wasn't wrong at all. Zhongli himself truly had not appeared in the world of Terra.
However, based on his description of inheriting Zhongli's teachings, they all understood Zhongli to be Shi Lei's deceased master.
Like the custom among some Sarkaz, where the living repeatedly reused the codename of someone dead. In a sense, it was an expression of carrying on the deceased's will.
Exusiai glanced at her phone and urged them:
"We're a little short on time. Let's get moving. This is the first joint operation involving all of our Messengers. Just thinking about it gets me excited. So hyped, so hyped—I'm hyped out of my mind!"
Croissant finished packing her equipment, her expression relaxed. She looked less like she was going on a mission and more like she was heading out for a party.
"Exusiai, make sure you brought enough rubber bullets. Tonight, let's have some fun!"
"Got it, got it. Don't worry."
Texas traveled light, carrying only a light sword. Dealing with thugs wasn't worth her going all out.
Shi Lei came empty-handed and didn't need to bring any equipment. He followed the three of them into the vehicle and set off.
December 3, 6:50 p.m.
Lungmen, in front of the Lungmen Guard Department headquarters.
Dark night blanketed the city. The stars glittered tonight, and a crescent moon hung high overhead.
Hundreds of fully armed Lungmen Guard Department officers stood in the plaza before the headquarters. Jiu, whom Chen was protecting, stood on the raised platform and delivered the final pre-battle mobilization speech:
"For the safety of the people, these cancers lurking in Upper City must all be eradicated overnight! If they have no weapons, just knock them down and cuff them. If they insist on resisting, live ammunition is authorized. Let them witness the might of the Lungmen Guard Department!"
As outside hires, the four Messengers stood in a corner of the plaza. Officer Hoshiguma, carrying a triangular shield, took the initiative to approach and explain the details of the operation to Shi Lei and the others.
Because they needed to simultaneously surround and suppress illegal organizations in several areas, the Lungmen Guard Department was severely short-handed. Therefore, they contacted Penguin Logistics and paid them to clear out gangs at three hideouts, easing the strain caused by insufficient manpower.
"That's the situation. Each gang has between thirty and one hundred members. With your abilities, knocking them all unconscious won't be a problem. Take this Walkie-Talkie for now. The operation begins at exactly seven thirty."
Seeing that none of the three women reached out, Shi Lei accepted the Walkie-Talkie and hideout map, thanking her.
After Hoshiguma left, Exusiai raised her brows and smiled.
"So, what do you think? One person takes one gang, or do we all attack the same one together? No matter what you choose, I'm teaming up with Zhongli."
Shi Lei currently only possessed the strength implemented in the Genshin Impact game. Even though he could summon Rock Spines from afar, their range was only fifty meters, making him unsuitable for stretching the front line. Therefore, he suggested:
"Let's move together. We can look out for one another. Otherwise, if one person faces many and gets pinned down by gunfire, it'll only take more time."
Texas folded her arms and cast her vote in favor.
"I agree."
Croissant raised her right hand and echoed:
"Me too."
With three votes, the majority had decided.
Exusiai didn't really mind. She only wanted to personally experience how effective the shield was in actual combat.
Before they departed, Chen appeared nearby. Shi Lei met her gaze from afar and knew she wanted to remind him to keep a low profile. He nodded to show that he understood.
"For Lungmen!"
"For Lungmen!"
"For Lungmen!"
The Lungmen Guard Department officers raised their right hands and shouted the slogan.
Like a dark-blue torrent, they headed toward the vehicles parked near the plaza.
Shi Lei and the others also returned to their vehicle, driving for more than twenty minutes to scout District 19. They only had to wait until seven thirty to strike at the same time as the other Lungmen Guard Department officers.
Hoshiguma had only provided the gang addresses, not exact personnel numbers. These illegal organizations weren't registered, so it was difficult to verify their numbers.
They hadn't brought binoculars, so Exusiai climbed to a high place alone to scout. After observing through her scope for a while, she came down and told them there were fifty or sixty people.
Time was tight. The full assault would begin in only a few minutes. There was no time to inspect the other two hideouts, so they could only eliminate one before moving on to the next.
The three women had long been regular partners and divided the work clearly. Croissant and Exusiai had originally been responsible for breaking in through the front, while Texas guarded the back door. Now that Shi Lei was here, he and Exusiai would push through the front while the other two blocked the rear exit.
"Let me make this clear beforehand—don't expect me to fight."
Exusiai had been waiting for exactly those words. Wearing the air of a big brother, she patted her chest and promised:
"Don't worry. I've got you covered."
Not long after the four took their positions, the clock hand pointed to seven thirty.
When Exusiai saw the light-brown Jade Shield appear around her body, she kicked open the iron door.
"Surprise!"
The eight gang members playing cards inside immediately howled in agony as she swept them with gunfire. Every rubber bullet struck a temple with impeccable precision.
"Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat..."
The screams drew more people out to investigate. Without exception, every one of them was struck unconscious by rubber bullets.
Holding two compact submachine guns, Exusiai fired in crossing streams to either side, like she had aim assist turned on.
"Thunk, thunk, thunk!"
In the cramped terrain, someone launched a sneak attack at her from behind. But after the crossbow bolts struck the Jade Shield, they simply fell to the ground, causing no damage whatsoever.
As Exusiai changed magazines, she tilted her head to check and found that the shield did not even have the slightest crack.
"Cool!"
At the same time, the rear door of the hideout was smashed open.
Croissant and Texas forcefully broke in, blocking the gang members trying to flee. Together with Exusiai, they formed a Pincer Attack and successfully knocked out everyone in the hideout.
Shi Lei used the Walkie-Talkie to notify the Lungmen Guard Department's logistics division and have them come over to cuff the suspects. That way, no one would wake up midway and run into a crowded district to slaughter people.
"Next one, next one!"
Exusiai wasn't satisfied. This many people only counted as a warm-up for her. Once the Lungmen Guard Department logistics team arrived to take over the scene, the four hurried to the next hideout.
Perhaps the gunfire in the area had alerted the gang leader. When Exusiai entered the second hideout, she unexpectedly saw a group of children armed with bows and crossbows.
Doll Soldiers?
Daily hanging image: Virus Nemesis.jpg
My Name Is Zhongli (Part 2)
They couldn't let their guard down against Doll Soldiers in their teens. Because they had no scruples and no sense of fear, they might be even more vicious than adults.
Their speed, abundant stamina, and ability to quickly shift positions were all advantages of Doll Soldiers.
But their weaknesses were equally obvious. Put nicely, they lacked experience. Put bluntly, they didn't have much brains.
Fortunately, there were only a dozen or so Doll Soldiers, not enough to amount to much. Even so, they made the normally cheerful and lively Exusiai frown. She was truly angry.
Using children as cannon fodder was disgusting!
"Zhongli, give me a shield. I'm going to teach them a proper lesson!"
"I already put one on you."
Glancing down at the Jade Shield around her, Exusiai rushed forward with her guns and engaged the Doll Soldiers head-on.
"Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat..."
Rubber bullets exchanged fire with bows and crossbows, putting her at a severe disadvantage in terms of power. But Exusiai made up for it with her superb marksmanship, landing headshots every time and teaching them a lesson!
Some Doll Soldiers completely disregarded morality and tactics, circling around to ambush Shi Lei from behind. Yet the crossbow bolts capable of piercing Wooden Boards couldn't even puncture his clothes.
"Exusiai, two slipped through over here."
Before you continue