Everyone, Take Care

The atmosphere in the meeting room instantly grew solemn.

Everyone's eyes fell on Pavilion Master Lin as they silently waited for an answer.

Pavilion Master Lin swept his gaze around the room and quietly rose, his back ramrod straight. "Since its founding in year one of the New Calendar, the Ink Pavilion has never abandoned a single member of the human race in all its 149 years!"

"Nor has it ever sacrificed any member of the human race for its own benefit!"

Pavilion Master Lin's words were serious and solemn.

Everyone unconsciously straightened in their seats.

"Strictly speaking, all of you belong to the Ink Pavilion as well. I hope you will..."

"Have a little more trust in the Ink Pavilion."

"There are indeed other arrangements behind this operation, but... I, Lin Feng, deputy director of the Ink Pavilion's Jiangbei Province branch, swear on my life that this additional plan will cause you no harm!"

Pavilion Master Lin's voice echoed through the meeting room.

An Xin remained silent. After a long while, her sweet smile returned. "Sorry, Uncle Lin. I was only asking. Honestly."

"You're being way too serious."

As she spoke, An Xin unwrapped a lollipop and popped it into her mouth, her mood brightening.

Farther away...

Zhao Qingyi had lowered her head at some point.

She still wore a pure white dress that set off her figure to perfection, making her stand out.

Unlike An Xin's little-girl style, Zhao Qingyi only had to sit there to give people the illusion that they were unworthy...

A goddess, not to be desecrated.

Not even in their minds.

Even with her head lowered and her long hair hiding her cheeks, her bearing alone was enough to set hearts fluttering.

But what they could not see was...

Zhao Qingyi's face was slightly flushed. Her delicate hands were clenched tightly into fists, trembling faintly, and she was muttering under her breath...

"That was so stirring..."

"What a stirring speech."

"For the Ink Pavilion, for the human race, I would die ten thousand deaths without regret."

"Kill, kill!"

Sitting beside her, Wang Wenxuan seemed to vaguely notice something was off with Zhao Qingyi. He cast a puzzled glance her way and tilted his ear slightly, hoping to hear what this filthy-rich woman from the Dark Pavilion was muttering.

Unfortunately, by the time he leaned closer, Zhao Qingyi had raised her head again, her face cold as she looked at Wang Wenxuan.

He could not help shivering.

Wang Wenxuan decisively withdrew his gaze and looked straight ahead.

This woman was ruthless.

She had that "keep away" air down pat.

Wasn't she afraid she'd never get married, being such a block of ice? More importantly... the boss said big hips were good for bearing children. This woman... tsk, tsk...

Not quite up to par.

With a sigh, Wang Wenxuan gradually lost interest.

Better to wait for the big-hipped goddess of his dreams.

"If there are no objections, hand over your phones."

"For the next three days, the Ink Pavilion will provide you with accommodations and meals."

"Lastly..."

Pavilion Master Lin took a deep breath, pulled his chair aside, and stepped back twice. Looking at everyone present, he bowed deeply. "May I drink my fill with you all after this operation."

"May the flame be passed on."

"Everyone... take care."

With that, Pavilion Master Lin turned and left, his expression solemn.

As though a mountain had been lifted off him, Wang Wenxuan let out a long breath once Pavilion Master Lin left. Returning to his lazy posture, he propped one foot on the table and gently rocked it. "Why make it so sentimental?"

"Really something."

"The same routine before every operation. Doesn't it get old?"

He yawned, looking distinctly bored, his eyes wandering around.

Zhao Qingyi's small hands, which had been clenched beneath the table, suddenly froze. For some reason, the flame Pavilion Master Lin had just lit in her heart had been extinguished by a few casual remarks from Wang Wenxuan.

She wanted to get fired up again, but no matter what she tried, she could not.

She felt chilled to the core.

Now she really was... an ice goddess.

Inexplicably, Zhao Qingyi turned a whole series of looks toward Wang Wenxuan-cold, piercing, contemptuous, and more. There was even a faint killing intent hanging in the air.

Her stare made Wang Wenxuan's scalp prickle. After a little thought, he silently took his leg off the table.

But the killing intent did not recede in the slightest. A layer of ice crystals gradually formed on the water in the cup in front of him.

In an instant, pressure even greater than Pavilion Master Lin's bore down on Wang Wenxuan. He sat ramrod straight, like a model student listening attentively in class.

Who did not know that Zhao Qingyi of the Dark Pavilion...

Killed without blinking?

Her eyes did not even get dry.

Even among the Evil Cult, she was a true demoness.

The people from the Demon-Slaughtering Pavilion, on the other hand, grew excited, whispering among themselves.

"The Ink Pavilion's feeding us? Holy shit!"

"If I'd known, I wouldn't have brought steamed buns when I left today. What a waste, what a waste."

It seemed that everything Pavilion Master Lin had said felt less tangible to them than his final promise of meals.

Luo Yun's face darkened as he scolded them in exasperation. "Can't you lot show a little ambition? Do you have to embarrass me?"

"Boss, I noticed you didn't bring any rations."

"Did you already know about this?"

"And you didn't even tell us? Doesn't your conscience hurt?"

Rather than behaving themselves, the team members turned around and began condemning Luo Yun.

Luo Yun's expression stiffened.

"Ahem. What do you lot know?"

"Once the plan gets underway, won't we have to prepare our own food?"

"Then I could just mooch off your..."

"You little brats! Why so many questions?"

Luo Yun cursed under his breath, his embarrassment turning to anger.

But soon, the atmosphere gradually grew somewhat heavy.

"Say, have you spent that two hundred thousand you got for putting your lives on the line?"

One of the teammates seemed to remember something and asked in a slightly subdued voice.

The man on the left nodded. "I did. Bought a tier-three Demon Crystal. If I don't die this time, I'll have a shot at my fourth awakening."

The teammate on the right shook his head. "I... decided against it. At my current pace, a fourth awakening isn't realistic. I might as well keep the money. If... if I really don't come back, that much money might make life a little more comfortable for my younger brother."

He let out a long breath.

Luo Yun looked at them and launched into a tirade. "What goes through your heads all day? With me looking out for you, how could you die?"

"Look at An Xin. See how calm she is!"

"That's why every team needs someone with brains, unlike Wang Wenxuan and his Reserve Corps bunch. A pack of blockheads."

"With An Xin in command, this operation will definitely go smoothly."

Luo Yun thumped his chest hard as he spoke, brimming with confidence.

Because Luo Yun's voice was so loud, Wang Wenxuan, sitting opposite him, braved the pressure from Zhao Qingyi and quietly interjected, "Luo Datou, weren't you... one of those blockheads in the Reserve Corps yourself?"

An Xin grinned and chimed in afterward, "I can vouch for that. Uncle Luo really is a blockhead."

"Just like Zhao Qingyi."

As she spoke, her gaze drifted over, meeting Zhao Qingyi's across the room.

Fighting spirit flared.