The city-wide selection was complete, and with less than an hour left until school dismissal, the school generously decided to let the students out early.
Shitanji is a nationally renowned barbecue chain, beloved by Star Martial Warriors with big appetites for its genuine ingredients and generous portions.
There were seventeen or eighteen Shitanji franchises in Suzhou City, but the one in Han Ding Square in the Ancient City District was the most famous. The sun still hung in the sky. anwhile, Wang Lan and the rest of the ten-mber team had already gathered early in a private room at Han Ding Square.
"Want so alcohol?" Xu Xiangwen, who was treating everyone, asked hospitably.
"Aren’t we all underage? Drinking isn’t good." Zhuang Haotian had always been an obedient child. Living under the watchful eye of his uncle, the dean of discipline, he never touched cigarettes or alcohol.
"I don’t mind. I don’t reject alcohol, but I don’t particularly like it either," Mu Shaoyun said indifferently.
"Let’s not drink. Wait until we’re eighteen," soone suggested.
"Lanzi, if you can’t drink, just say so; there’s no need to make excuses. Jade Country’s legal age of adulthood is sixteen. I’m puzzled why you keep pushing the age of adulthood back by two years. Since ancient tis, hasn’t sixteen been the age of maturity?"
"Then how do you explain the saying about reaching adulthood at twenty?"
"Let’s just not drink and go for so juice instead," Jiang Xinyu suggested.
Shitanji was known for serving quickly and providing top-notch service. Three waiters were responsible for grilling the at, while Wang Lan’s ten-person team focused on eating. Evidently, the waiters had underestimated their eating speed. If the ten hadn’t slowed down and cracked jokes to lighten the mood, the three waiters would have been overwheld.
"Waiter, bring the nu. I want to order more food," Xu Xiangwen stood up and suddenly said.
"Of course, sir. Please wait a mont."
Suddenly, Xu Xiangwen frowned. Star Power surged through his body, and his Heavenly Eye opened on his forehead.
A waitress, who was about to refill their tea, was startled by a vertical pupil that suddenly appeared on Xu Xiangwen’s forehead, causing her to tremble and drop the teapot.
CLANG.
A hand shot out suddenly and easily caught the falling teapot. With a smile, Mu Shaoyun handed the teapot back to the waitress. "Miss, don’t be afraid. We’re Star Martial Warriors, not monsters."
"Under... understood... Thank you!"
The service industry staff were not unaccustod to Star Martial Warriors. It was just that the sudden opening of Xu Xiangwen’s Heavenly Eye had given her a scare, but she quickly recovered and was no longer afraid.
"Xiangwen, what are you doing, opening your Heavenly Eye all of a sudden?" Wang Lan asked, slightly reproachful.
"I saw Duan Ziqi. He’s in the alley behind us, surrounded by a lot of people. It looks like they’re from the mafia?"
"Him? Never mind, those mafia guys are out of luck... Wait, soone dares to ss with Duan Ziqi in the Ancient City District?" Wang Lan asked curiously.
"Should we go check it out?"
"Why bother watching him? He can handle it. Let’s keep eating," Xu Xiangwen said nonchalantly.
Suddenly, Wang Lan stood up, pulled back the curtains, and said, "I’m going to take a look. Save so for ; I’ll be right back."
No sooner had he spoken than Wang Lan’s figure vanished.
"That guy, when did he beco so enthusiastic?" Xu Xiangwen asked, bewildered.
Behind Han Ding Square lay a section of ancient architecture preserved by the governnt. They wouldn’t tear it down, no matter how much the developers offered. Otherwise, Han Ding Square would definitely be more than three tis its current size.
In an alley of the ancient town, Duan Ziqi leaned against a wall and slowly lit a cigarette. He took a deep drag and exhaled a plu of smoke.
"Kid, who the hell are you? What did you call us here for?"
"You used to hang around with Li?" Duan Ziqi asked, glancing sideways.
"That’s right. Li’s been taken down, and we have to watch his territory for him. Who are you? Don’t beat around the bush; my patience is limited. Don’t wait until I run out of it, or it’ll be too late for you."
"It’s nothing much... Today... I’m just in a bad mood and really feel like hitting soone. I called you all here hoping to beat you up a bit."
"Damn!"
In an instant, Duan Ziqi moved, his form swift as the wind, darting among dozens of thugs wielding steel pipes and machetes. Even without using Star Martial Skills, Duan Ziqi was incredibly fast. Not just fast, but brutally efficient.
One punch broke a rib, a twist snapped an arm, an easy grab dislocated a shoulder, a slight turn misaligned ridians. In less than three minutes, nearly twenty thugs were sprawled on the ground.
Duan Ziqi casually dusted off his hands. "Feels better now," he said, then straightened his jacket and walked past the groaning thugs toward the end of the alley.
After Duan Ziqi had left, a figure appeared beside Wang Lan, who didn’t turn but asked softly, "Not planning to arrest him?"
"Director Wang said to keep him under surveillance for a while longer. There’s a risk he’ll be silenced if we move now."
"If that’s what Director Wang said, then so be it. By the way, what’s he up to? Cleaning up Li’s ss?"
"No! From my observations, he was just in a foul mood today. This is already the third batch."
"How many of you are on watch?"
"Just . Another brother will take over at eight tonight."
"You’ve had it rough. After this is all done, I’ll treat you to a al."
"Hehehe... How about the barbecue at Shitanji?"
"No problem."
Wang Lan bid farewell to the operative from the intelligence departnt and returned to Shitanji. He didn’t know how much they had eaten during the ten or so minutes he was gone, but the number of waiters in the room had increased by seven, with three barbecue grills operating simultaneously.
The al lasted until eight in the evening before they dispersed. Afterward, Wang Lan sat in Xu Xiangwen’s car, deep in thought.
"Lanzi, what’s on your mind?" Xu Xiangwen asked softly, turning off the music.
I was thinking, your abilities are well-suited for surveillance.
"That’s true. Within a hundred ters, my unobstructed clairvoyance can penetrate anything, and within five hundred ters, no movent can escape my Heavenly Eye search. I’ve already figured out my path: a team scout. If you guys enlist in the future, I’ll enlist with you. If you go to pioneer new territories, I’ll be right there pioneering with you."
"Damn, why do I feel so moved by what you said? Do you have to be so sentintal?"
"Sentintal my ass. Where else could I find partners as complentary, in sync, and completely trustworthy as us? Our four-person group has a compatibility rate of over ninety percent. We’re destined to be a team, get it?"
"Now it’s five of us."
"Sisi is indeed great. I’m just speaking factually. In terms of complentarity, Sisi isn’t essential, but she is completely trustworthy. Once she matures, she can be a team controller. Then, with Sisi and Feiyu also on team control, on recon and quick battle, and you on dical and team fighting, our team will be invincible."
"Heh... Since you’re so sincere about wanting to roll with your big brother, how about I give you a task?"
"Have so dignity. What do you an, ’roll with you’? We cooperate for mutual benefit; it’s a win-win."
"I’m serious."
"Huh?" Xu Xiangwen’s smile froze. "What task? Whatever you want to do, I’ll do it without hesitation."
"Using your clone for surveillance at night won’t affect your rest, will it?"
"A clone can’t use the Heavenly Eye, okay?" Xu Xiangwen rolled his eyes. "The Heavenly Eye is my Talented Skill. Have you ever seen a clone able to use Talented Skills?"
"Alright then, forget it."
"Who do you want to surveil?"
"Never mind, it’s too dangerous. Forget I said anything."
"Are you not treating like a brother?"
"You can’t use a clone for surveillance. If you’re discovered, you might not even have a chance to escape. Do you think I’d dare tell you?"
"It’s Duan Ziqi you want to surveil, isn’t it?" Xu Xiangwen suddenly asked, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"How do you know?"
"I saw Duan Ziqi being attacked by the mafia today, and you were so concerned that you followed. You, Lanzi, are usually as cool as an old dog and never ddle in others’ business. Apart from us brothers, when have you ever genuinely cared about anyone else? To be this concerned about Duan Ziqi, either there’s an illicit affair, or you have ulterior motives."
"Why does everything sound so twisted when it cos out of your mouth? Let put it this way: there’s a Demon Clan spy behind Duan Ziqi. We are currently surveilling him, but your abilities would allow for more thorough surveillance. By the way, what level is your Heavenly Eye talent?"
"Talent level, A; potential, S. If it weren’t for this potential, do you think I could have been taught the Pure Yang Skill, such a powerful Star Martial Skill? Speaking of ’we,’ ever since we first discovered the Demon Clan base at the trial grounds, I’ve felt that you’ve suddenly beco mysterious. Tell the truth, have you joined so special departnt?"
"The Tianjian Bureau."
"I knew it! Ever since your aunt’s incident, I felt your state of mind was off. I thought about it, and the only thing that would keep you so calm is if you had solid backing. The Tianjian Bureau... I’ve considered it too, but I hear it’s hard to get into. We’re still in school, and you’re already contributing to the country."
"Not at all, I’m just a reserve mber."
"So, am I considered your subordinate?"
"No."
"Tch! Not even an unofficial position?"
"You’re my brother!" Wang Lan said earnestly.
"Actually, surveilling Duan Ziqi is quite simple for . Where does he live? Wouldn’t buying a house nearby take care of it?"
The atmosphere suddenly turned very quiet.
Sotis, people naively fall into misconceptions. The mont surveillance ca to mind, why did I only think about hiding in concealed alleys or stealthily crouching in so corner, then keeping an eye on the target?
That kind of surveillance, if discovered, could very likely lead one into a trap. Xu Xiangwen’s concept of surveillance was much more advanced: buy a nearby house for direct observation, or, to be even more audacious, buy the one next door.
Duan Ziqi’s place wasn’t so standalone villa; there were plenty of neighbors upstairs, downstairs, and on either side. Additionally, behind Duan Ziqi’s building was a small plaza. The Han Ding Speed Eight Express, for instance, was there and lacked nothing. Getting a room and monitoring through the wall indeed posed little risk.
"What do you think?"
"It’s possible! But you have to be careful. You absolutely must not et Duan Ziqi face to face. The mont he sees you, you risk exposure."
"Understood."
"If you discover anything, you must not act on your own. You have to inform . Don’t take chances; there are Demon Clan spies behind him."
"Although I like to boast, I’m definitely not arrogant, okay? You know what kind of person I am; I never joke with my life. By the way, if I do this well, is there a chance to join the Tianjian Bureau?"
"Are you sure?"
"The Tianjian Bureau! Heavenly Sword Special Duties! How prestigious would that be?"
"I should have one recomndation slot. Plus, with your abilities, the chances are pretty good." Wang Lan was now a Crimson Captain in the Tianjian Bureau. As an elite mber of the bureau, a referral spot wasn’t too much to ask for.
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