Blade of Gale's voice was quiet, but it reached Qi Wu and Jiang Qingyue clearly, instantly silencing the crowd around them who had been straining to eavesdrop.
Let him join?
Everyone froze.
An opponent who had fought him tooth and nail yesterday was asking to team up today? What was going on?
Qi Wu raised his eyebrows in mild surprise as he studied the lone wolf before him, whose serious expression suggested he was not joking.
"Give me a reason. I remember you preferring to work alone."
Blade of Gale took a deep breath, his eyes burning beneath his hood as he stared at Qi Wu. His tone carried a warrior's frankness and determination.
"I lost yesterday's fight fair and square. But more than anything, I want to know how you became so strong."
He paused, seemingly finding it difficult to admit, but continued anyway.
"Just watching you fight isn't enough... I want to observe how you use your power up close, your combat rhythm, even your thought process. Even if all I do is clear out small fry and stand watch, I want to see it for myself! How a true powerhouse handles danger and missions!"
There was not a trace of flattery in his words, only a pure hunger for strength and respect and curiosity toward someone stronger.
For a proud peak tier-seven fighter to willingly take a supporting role just to learn required immense courage and an open mind.
The hall fell silent. Everyone was stunned by Blade of Gale's blunt declaration that he wanted to join.
Jiang Qingyue covered her mouth in surprise, looking from Blade of Gale to Qi Wu.
So, would Qi Wu let Blade of Gale join?
Qi Wu looked into Blade of Gale's earnest, eager eyes. After a few seconds of silence, he suddenly smiled.
"Want to be a temporary member of our team? Sure."
He agreed readily.
"But let's get this straight first. Loot gets divided according to contribution. Look after yourself if things get dangerous. I don't have time to babysit. And whatever you see or learn is up to you. I won't go out of my way to teach you."
"That's enough!"
Seeing Qi Wu agree, Blade of Gale visibly relaxed and nodded solemnly.
"Thank you! I can take less loot, or none at all. I'll be responsible for my own safety! All I ask for is a chance to observe!"
Qi Wu said no more and simply gave Blade of Gale a chance to join the team.
And just like that, their team gained a temporary member.
"Let's go. We're short on time."
Qi Wu wasted no more time, turning and striding toward the city outskirts.
Jiang Qingyue hurried to keep up with him.
Blade of Gale followed silently half a step behind Qi Wu, his gaze steady, already settling into observation and learning.
With a peculiar atmosphere hanging over them, the trio quickly left the bustling mission hall and headed toward Sector C-12 in the southern outskirts.
Behind them, the mission hall erupted with chatter.
"Did you see that?! Blade of Gale teamed up with Qi Wu!"
"And they're going to clear out a pack of beasts. That's an emergency mission!"
"The strongest fighter below tier eight and a peak tier-seven fighter... How terrifyingly efficient will they be?"
"Two peak tier-seven fighters teaming up? Holy crap! Qi Wu's Salvation Team can seriously threaten A-rank teams now!"
Under countless gazes filled with shock, confusion, and envy, the makeshift squad disappeared toward the base exit.
Everyone realized that this otherwise ordinary clearing mission had become especially exciting thanks to Blade of Gale joining and his unusual reason for doing so.
They were curious not only about how quickly the trio could clear out the wolves, but also about what this lone wolf could learn from the strongest fighter below tier eight.
Meanwhile, all Qi Wu was thinking was:
With another high-level bruiser, clearing out small fry should be a lot faster... Nice. I came out ahead on this one.
Soon, they left the mission hall and stood in the branch office's plaza.
"The southern outskirts, huh? Should be that way."
Qi Wu flexed his fingers and looked south.
"No time to waste. Let's head over now."
Qi Wu stepped closer to Jiang Qingyue.
"Off we go~"
Seeing Qi Wu suddenly approach, Jiang Qingyue blushed and asked in a sweet, trembling voice:
"Mr. Wu, you're not going to travel the same way as last time, are you?!"
During their last mission to subdue Yellow Weasel,
Qi Wu had swept her into a bridal carry and flown off with her.
Even thinking about it now made her feel embarrassed.
And this time, Blade of Gale was standing right there.
If Qi Wu carried her like that again, wouldn't she just die of embarrassment?
Qi Wu brushed his silver-white hair helplessly.
"But neither of us can drive."
"That's pretty much our only option, isn't it?"
Blade of Gale looked somewhat puzzled as well.
"Mr. Wu, you can't drive...?"
Like Jiang Qingyue, he addressed Qi Wu as Mr. Wu.
For some reason,
when he spoke to Qi Wu now,
his voice no longer had the cold, mechanical quality it had possessed during their fight.
Instead, he spoke in an androgynous voice.
In other words, a young boy's voice.
Qi Wu spread his hands.
He confirmed that he really could not drive.
Blade of Gale was surprised to learn that Qi Wu could not drive.
"How did you get to your missions before?"
"Before, huh..."
Qi Wu was just about to answer.
Suddenly-
With a whoosh, Jiang Qingyue flashed in front of Qi Wu like lightning, rose onto her toes, and covered his mouth.
"Mr. Wu, don't you dare tell him!"
"It's too embarrassing~~!!!"
If anyone found out that Qi Wu carried her bridal-style to missions, what would happen to her image?!
"Mmph, mmph..."
With his mouth covered, Qi Wu could not speak. He waved helplessly to show that he understood.
Only then did Jiang Qingyue lower the little hand covering his mouth.
Qi Wu finally breathed a sigh of relief and cleared his throat.
"Ahem..."
"Our old mode of transportation doesn't matter."
"If you don't want to do it the old way, how about we... take a taxi?"
"I'm just not sure any driver would be willing to go somewhere that dangerous."
Qi Wu said.
Jiang Qingyue felt that he had a point.
Could they really have no choice but to travel in that undignified way again?!
No!
Qi Wu and Jiang Qingyue found themselves at a loss.
Just then, Blade of Gale spoke.
"If all you need is transportation... I can handle that."
Qi Wu and Jiang Qingyue exchanged a glance, then looked at Blade of Gale with shining eyes.
If they had known Blade of Gale could drive, why would they have worried at all?!
"Well, Brother Gale..."
Qi Wu rubbed his hands together like a fly and hurried over to Blade of Gale, his face full of anticipation.
"Please, just call me Gale!"
Caught off guard by Qi Wu's sudden approach, Blade of Gale kept backing away.
Qi Wu laughed and patted Blade of Gale on the shoulder.
"Then show us your driving skills, Gale."
Under Qi Wu's expectant gaze, Gale nodded.
"Follow me."
Gale led them to the ground-level parking lot beside the plaza.
As Qi Wu and Jiang Qingyue watched curiously, Blade of Gale approached an inconspicuous corner by the road, where a vehicle sat beneath a dust cover.
He pulled off the cover-
Revealing a black heavy-duty off-road vehicle with sleek lines, rugged styling, and a distinctly metallic look.
A clearly painted logo on its side read "Night Owl."
The vehicle looked expensive at first glance.
If they could use it for every trip,
they would certainly be traveling in style!
Qi Wu and Jiang Qingyue exchanged a glance.
The two unlicensed drivers swallowed, then gave Gale a thumbs-up.
At that moment, Qi Wu felt that having a teammate like Gale was pretty nice.
"Hehe."
"Gale, I think you've got a bright future."
"Interested in becoming a permanent member of our team?"
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