Chapter 29: Go and Meet the Wind of Destiny

This hesitation, however, quickly vanished.

"Are you talking about the suppressants? No need. I’ve almost saved up enough money, and I can get my hands on them just fine without you providing them."

Ren Jie understood the principle that one who eats another’s food or accepts their gifts becomes beholden to them. If you want to gain something, you must always be prepared to lose something else.

Now that he was a genetic warrior, his channels for making money would grow as his strength increased. He could even head to the Constellation Guild to register as a hunter or explorer and take on commission tasks for payment.

Ye Yue felt a bit frustrated. Was even that not enough to sway him?

Ren Jie shifted the tone of the conversation: "Tell me, why are you so insistent on pulling me into the Demon Suppression Bureau? Is this job as a Demon Suppression Officer really worth risking your life for?"

Ye Yue smiled at the question. "Me? I love being a Demon Suppression Officer. I was born in Jin City, and this... this is my home."

"I love the bustling, vibrant atmosphere of Jin City, but the existence of the Demon Calamity has cast a shadow over this city’s sky."

"Many of my elementary school classmates, middle school classmates, and even neighbors I knew well died in the Demon Calamity. It’s that surreal feeling—people who were once alive, people who were so close to you, simply vanish from your life forever..."

"Yet... people seem to have grown accustomed to this life, hoping only that such misfortune doesn't befall them. Back then, I used to think: wouldn't it be wonderful if there were no Demon Calamity in this world?"

As she spoke, Ye Yue’s eyes turned melancholy, and she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"You know? What’s truly terrifying isn't how many lives the Demon Calamity takes, but how many people have become numb to the loss of life. This world was never meant to be like this..."

"And I, I’ve always felt that I was special. I just have that feeling! At fifteen, I awakened as a God-Chosen."

"With that came a sense of responsibility. Since I was chosen by the gods, shouldn't I do something with that power?"

At this point, Ye Yue pointed toward the faint, pale moon in the sky.

"My name is Ye Yue—the bright moon in the night sky. But sadly, from the moment I was born until today, I have never been touched by moonlight..."

"I want to take back the moon that once belonged to humanity. One day, moonlight will spill over the fertile soil of the Great Xia once again!"

"The path is indeed difficult, and I've experienced many partings and losses. But whenever I think that by suppressing a calamity or slaying a demon, someone might live on, a family might stay whole, and loved ones won't have to shed tears... then it’s all worth it."

Ye Yue gazed into the night sky over Jin City, the light in her eyes flickering.

"I, Ye Yue, am willing to fight for these thousands of hearths, for every beautiful thing in this world!"

"Ren Jie, join the Demon Suppression Bureau with me!"

In that moment, looking at the burning gaze of Ye Yue, Ren Jie’s heart seemed to be stirred. He truly admired Ye Yue from the bottom of his heart; anyone willing to fight for an ideal and take action for it was worthy of respect.

But he... he didn't have such lofty ideals. He just wanted to live his life well for now.

"Still not interested!"

Ye Yue felt like she might cough up blood. Was there really no moving him?

"What if... what if the Demon Suppression Bureau didn't just provide suppressants, but also spiritual medicine capable of actually eradicating some of the Demon Marks?"

Ren Jie’s eyes narrowed instantly. "Is that true? You aren't lying to me? Such medicine really exists?"

Demon Marks cannot be removed, nor do they shrink; they only spread. That suppressants could only slow their growth was common knowledge.

Ye Yue said solemnly, "Do you think I would lie to you about something like this? Some cutting-edge research and military experimental data are never disclosed to the public."

"I’ve heard of a spiritual medicine called the Lantern Spirit Herb. It can have an eradicating effect on Demon Marks and alleviate the symptoms of the Demon Mark disease."

Ren Jie said seriously, "If you can provide me with the Lantern Spirit Herb, I think I can join the Demon Suppression Bureau."

Ye Yue’s eyes lit up. Had she finally succeeded?

She smiled brilliantly and stood directly on the railing! "Haha! Really?"

A gust of night wind swept by, ruffling her black hair. She laughed and spread her arms wide. Acting as playful as a child, she balanced on the railing and tucked her hair back with a slender hand.

"Let’s go, young man! Let’s go meet the winds of fate!"

"You have something special in you. I believe your future will be exceptionally brilliant..."

In that moment, the night and Ye Yue merged perfectly, a breathtaking sight.

Ren Jie rolled his eyes. "Meet the wind? Your skirt is blowing up, and you’re still laughing there? Though you’re honest—black silk? Much better than that dog-headed woman."

"And 'special'? Especially handsome?"

Ye Yue’s face turned bright red. She quickly covered her skirt, jumped down from the railing, and glared at Ren Jie fiercely. "Didn't you already agree to join the Demon Suppression Bureau?"

Ren Jie grinned. "Did you really think I’m some hot-blooded, adolescent fool who can be swindled so easily?"

"Get me the Lantern Spirit Herb first, then I’ll join. You can’t make me budge with just empty promises!"

Ye Yue’s face darkened. "A massive organization like the Demon Suppression Bureau wouldn't trick you, would they?"

Ren Jie shrugged. "You don't represent the whole Bureau, do you?"

Ye Yue flashed forward, blocking the tower’s exit. "No way! I’ll get the Lantern Spirit Herb into your hands, but you have to join first."

"Otherwise... you aren't leaving today. There’s only one door on this tower."

With that, she looked at Ren Jie with a mischievous glint in her eyes!

Ren Jie’s expression turned teasing. "Oh? Is that so?"

Before she could react, he vaulted over the railing, waved at her, and shouted, "See ya!"

Then, he leaped!

Ye Yue: !!!

"Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing?"

The tower was over a thousand meters high. Even she wouldn't dare jump without any protective gear. Was he insane?

Ye Yue rushed over to the edge, looking down.

Ren Jie plummeted from the top of the tower, the wind whistling in his ears. Even the guards below let out cries of alarm. His speed increased rapidly.

Suddenly, raging flames erupted from the soles of Ren Jie’s feet. He unleashed two bursts of 'Incineration,' the immense thrust slowing his descent violently.

Immediately after, he fired his mechanical arm at the tower wall. His palm slapped against the structure, engaging the climbing-adhesion mode.

He slid down the tower, sparks flying like lightning, and landed safely on the ground.

In the stunned gaze of the defensive soldiers, he ran off barefoot.

Watching this, Ye Yue’s mouth twitched.

Are all the first-tier rookies this reckless nowadays? He actually pulled that off?

Regardless, she had achieved her goal of recruiting him. She had better report to the Bureau Chief.

"Chief Shen? The mission is accomplished. Ren Jie has agreed to join the Demon Suppression Bureau."

"Really? That’s great! Ye Yue, you truly are my right-hand woman!"

"But he has a condition. He needs the Bureau to provide him with suppressants and the Lantern Spirit Herb to treat his sister’s Demon Mark disease. Our Bureau can manage that, right?"

On the other end of the line, there was a sudden clatter. In her office, Shen Ci jumped up from the floor.

"What? The Lantern Spirit Herb? Suppressants are one thing, but the Lantern Spirit Herb? You... how could you dare promise that?"

Ye Yue scratched her head. "What’s wrong?"

Shen Ci gritted her teeth. "Your squad’s budget for the next quarter is halved!"

Ye Yue: "Huh? Chief! I’m your right-hand woman!"

"Pah! I don't need this arm anymore!"

Shen Ci clutched her forehead. The Lantern Spirit Herb? Its rarity was no joke. She would have to call in favors, or she’d have to sell herself to get it. Looking at her meticulously built 'Sweetheart Castle' model scattered across the floor, her face grew even darker.

"Hello? Chief Commander?"