Chapter 152: The Military's Bounty

"Xiao Yu! Xiao Yu!" Zhao Zhen's voice echoed throughout the villa, clear enough for everyone inside to hear.

Nangong Yao emerged from his room, let out a yawn, and rolled his eyes at Zhao Zhen. "Zhao Zhen, what is it now?"

"Little Yaozi, have you seen Xiao Yu?" Zhao Zhen asked immediately upon spotting him.

Nangong Yao shook his head. "She's been busy all day; who knows where she went? Do you need her for something?"

Zhao Zhen rolled her eyes at him. "Of course I have something important! Why else would I be looking for her? Ugh! Since you haven't seen her, I won't waste my breath. I'm going to find her myself."

Nangong Yao’s curiosity was piqued. Zhao Zhen actually had serious business with Qin Yu! Hehe, this was interesting. With that thought, he said to her, "Really? Come on, tell me about it!"

Zhao Zhen waved him off. "No way! I'm telling Xiao Yu first."

Seeing that she wouldn't budge, Nangong Yao looked bored. He leaned against the wall, watching as Zhao Zhen scurried around the villa in search of Qin Yu.

Qin Yu was feeding Qing Li porridge when she heard Zhao Zhen. Her hand paused, but she finished feeding him before saying, "Brother Li, Zhao Zhen must have something to talk to me about. I'll go check."

Qing Li nodded with a faint smile. "Yes, go ahead."

After setting down the bowl and telling him to get some rest, Qin Yu left the room.

Downstairs, Zhao Zhen’s eyes lit up when she saw Qin Yu. "Xiao Yu! I've been looking for you for ages!"

Qin Yu smiled as she reached the bottom of the stairs. "I know. What’s the matter?"

Zhao Zhen walked over, linked her arm with Qin Yu’s, and whispered, "Xiao Yu, I went to the mission center to post a bounty, but I saw another one! Guess what it is?"

Looking at the excited Zhao Zhen, Qin Yu asked curiously, "What is it?"

"It’s a mission issued by the military! The reward is a military rank! If we complete it, we can become part of the military! Then we could—hehe!" Zhao Zhen said excitedly.

"A military rank?" Qin Yu paused, then asked, "What level?"

Zhao Zhen blinked, scratched her head, and said sheepishly, "The mission board didn't actually say."

"Well, tell me what the mission is first," Qin Yu said.

"The mission is to go to City S to complete an assignment. It didn't specify what it was, just that details would be provided once the mission is accepted," Zhao Zhen replied.

*A mission to City S?* Qin Yu thought to herself.

"Oh, right! Xiao Yu, there was one strange requirement for the mission," Zhao Zhen added, suddenly remembering.

"What is it?"

"It requires the entire mission team to consist of ability users, and they must all be at least Tier 3," Zhao Zhen answered.

*All ability users? At least Tier 3?* That was a bizarre requirement, almost as if they were picking an elite squad. What exactly was this mission? Qin Yu wondered.

"So, Xiao Yu, do you think we should take it?" Zhao Zhen asked.

"Take it," Qin Yu answered without hesitation.

"Great! I think so too! Xia Cheng and I are both Tier 3, and Xue Qi and the others are too," Zhao Zhen replied.

"That’s true, but I’m only Tier 1," Qin Yu said with a sigh.

"Uh, well... maybe you shouldn't go?" Zhao Zhen suggested.

"No, I have to go to City S." Qin Yu thought of Wang Li, who was still there. She didn't know if he was alright, but she prayed he was safe.

"Uh, then how are you going to go?" Zhao Zhen asked.

Qin Yu gave her a look that clearly said, *Are you stupid?* "By driving there, of course."

Zhao Zhen twitched her lip. "I know we're driving, but I meant that since you aren't Tier 3, you can't officially accept the mission."

"Just because I can't register doesn't mean you can't. I won't join the team on paper. You guys accept the mission, and we’ll all head out together," Qin Yu explained.

"But will the military people say anything?" Zhao Zhen asked.

"They shouldn't check every single person," Qin Yu said. "We'll play it by ear."

Zhao Zhen nodded. "I'll go find Xue Qi and the others and see where they stand."

"Good. And you can ask Murong Yi and Ouyang Jue. Their strength should be above Tier 3. See if they’re interested in going to City S," Qin Yu added.

"You got it!" Zhao Zhen exclaimed, then skipped away.

Qin Yu smiled at her retreating back. At that moment, Nangong Yao, who had been listening from the side, spoke up.

"Qin Yu, do you need me to go?"

Qin Yu glanced at him. "Do you want to?"

"Not really. I finally found a comfortable place to stay," Nangong Yao replied.

"Then don't go. How about you help take care of Brother Li instead?" Qin Yu asked.

"You don't want Qing Li to go?" Nangong Yao asked in surprise.

Qin Yu nodded. "His injuries have only just healed; I don't want him to overexert himself." Besides, his ability fluctuations had vanished, which was the real reason she didn't want him to come along.

Nangong Yao raised an eyebrow. "Will he agree to that?"

"That’s not something you need to worry about, okay?" Qin Yu said with a smile.

Nangong Yao shrugged, acting aloof. "Fine, it's not like I wanted to know anyway."

"I'll make sure to take good care of your Brother Li," Nangong Yao added.

Qin Yu nodded. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it. I'm counting on you to find that guy, after all," Nangong Yao said, waving a hand. "By the way, how long will you be gone?"

"From here to City S takes about three days by car. With the mission time—since I don't know what it is—let's estimate a month," Qin Yu calculated.

"Alright, I'll be waiting," Nangong Yao said.

"Yes, see you then." Qin Yu smiled. Nangong Yao nodded and retreated into his room.

Qin Yu sat in the living room, rubbing her left thumb with her right hand, deep in thought.

"Qin Yu, can we talk?" Qian Xiao said, walking slowly toward her.

Qin Yu was startled but nodded. "Sure."

"It's not convenient here. Let's go to my room," Qian Xiao suggested.

Qin Yu followed her. On the short walk, she heard Qian Xiao murmur, "Xia Cheng..."

Qin Yu looked at Qian Xiao’s back, her brow furrowing slightly. She lowered her eyes, a sharp glint flashing through them.