When Qi Wu emerged from the Virtual Battlefield, the light of five laws slowly receded into his palm, like a tide retreating into the deep sea.
He walked down the corridor toward the General Bureau's lobby, his steps unhurried, his white hair gleaming coldly under the pallid lights.
In the lobby, the three girls of the Salvation Squad had been waiting for some time.
Lilith sat on the arm of a sofa, swinging her legs and clutching the cushion she never went anywhere without.
Gale stood by the window, a long saber resting across her knees, her gaze piercing the glass to reach the distant night sky.
Jiang Qingyue held a cup of tea. The leaves had already been steeped three times, but she had not taken a single sip. She simply waited.
Clearly, they were anxious about tonight's operation as well.
Qi Wu pushed the door open and entered. All three girls rose at once, their eyes settling on him.
Their captain had finally arrived.
"Captain," Gale spoke first.
Qi Wu approached them without greetings or wasted words. He raised his right hand and spread his fingers, unfurling a golden screen of light above his palm.
It was a floor plan of the Human Emperor Hall, with every entrance, passage, and hidden door marked.
"Tonight, we have three objectives." His voice was calm and clear. "First, protect the Human Emperor. Second, protect the foreign delegations. Third, don't die."
"I'll explain your assignments one by one."
Qi Wu used spiritual power to transmit his voice, explaining the plan to each of the three girls.
All three nodded. Qi Wu dismissed the screen of light, turned, and headed for the door.
The three girls exchanged glances and followed in silence.
No one asked why. No one asked how.
They only needed