56: Chapter 56 Hunting Mission, Accept!

The next morning.

The atmosphere in the Ninth Squad Martial Arts Arena was extremely oppressive.

"Damn it! Where the hell did those two bastards, Zhang Tietou and Zhao Ertong, disappear to?!"

Captain Luo Kun, bare-chested and wielding his massive zanmadao, roared in the courtyard like an enraged black bear, "Tomorrow is the day we are supposed to go to the Luanzang Mountain Range to carry out a hunting mission, and these two pups actually pulled a disappearing act on me?!"

The guards in the courtyard were terrified into silence; no one dared to cross the captain at this moment.

"Captain, we searched the entire jurisdiction and didn't see them. They probably got drunk in some widow's bed last night and died in some ditch somewhere," a veteran guard reported cautiously.

"Trash, you're all just a bunch of trash!"

Captain Luo Kun was so angry he shattered the weapon rack next to him with a single slash of his blade and said, "Hunting the Golden-Eyed White Tiger requires ten people to form the Beast-Subduing Formation. Now that we are short by two, how are we supposed to do this mission?!"

Just then, Qin Feng walked into the Martial Arts Arena, dressed in crisp black robes, his steps calm and measured.

"Captain Luo Kun, since you are short on people, count me in," Qin Feng said indifferently. His voice was not loud, but it carried clearly across the entire arena.

Captain Luo Kun turned his head sharply, his eyes like copper bells staring intently at Qin Feng. He looked him up and down before snorting unceremoniously, "You? You are just a Mortal Rank 6 who just joined the squad; what are you trying to do by joining in at the Luanzang Mountain Range? The Golden-Eyed White Tiger is a half-step Second-Rank Vicious Beast; it could swat you into a pulp with a single claw! You would just be dead weight if you went!"

"Captain, everything has a first time. Although my cultivation is not high, I still have the ability to protect myself. Furthermore, there is no one else in the squad to fill the spot, is there?" Qin Feng looked directly into the other man's furious gaze without the slightest hesitation.

Captain Luo Kun gritted his teeth and looked at the sky.

They were set to depart tomorrow morning. If the mission were cancelled due to insufficient numbers, his superiors would blame him, and he, as the captain, would be in serious trouble.

"Damn it, consider yourself lucky, kid!" Captain Luo Kun spat viciously, "I'll say this plainly beforehand: once we reach the Luanzang Mountain Range, keep your eyes peeled! If you encounter danger, no one will have the time to save you!"

"Understood," Qin Feng nodded slightly.

"Since everyone is here, then get ready..."

"Luo, wait a moment."

Just as Captain Luo Kun was about to order their departure, a gentle, water-like voice came from the inner courtyard.

Lin Yuxi walked out with light steps, wearing a simple green shirt and holding a stack of yellowed parchment rolls.

"Wife, why did you come out? Didn't I tell you to rest in the room?" As soon as Captain Luo Kun saw Lin Yuxi, the manic expression on his face instantly softened, and he hurriedly went to greet her.

"You are going to the Luanzang Mountain Range this time; how can I be at ease?"

Lin Yuxi shot Captain Luo Kun a reproachful look, then turned her head, her clear gaze falling on Qin Feng.

Recalling the indescribable tingling sensation when their fingertips touched, her heart skipped a beat involuntarily, and a barely perceptible blush flew across her fair cheeks.

She suppressed the strange feeling in her heart, walked up to Qin Feng, pulled a sheet from the stack of parchment rolls, and handed it over.

"Brother Qin, this is a rough map of the outer perimeter of the Luanzang Mountain Range. It marks some dangerous areas where Vicious Beasts appear. Take it," Lin Yuxi's voice was soft, like a spring breeze.

Qin Feng reached out to take the map, his fingertips once again grazing her tender palm, whether intentionally or not.

Lin Yuxi's delicate body trembled slightly, as if she had been scalded, and she quickly pulled her hand back, her eyes darting away, not daring to look at him.

"Your strength is weak, and it is your first time going to such a dangerous place, so remember not to push yourself."

Lin Yuxi took a deep breath and instructed with feigned composure, "Once you reach the mountain range, just follow me and be responsible for long-range attacks from the rear; whatever you do, don't rush to the front line."

As Captain Luo Kun's wife, although Lin Yuxi was not skilled in close-quarters combat, she was proficient in an extremely rare archery Martial Skill and provided support from the rear during every mission.

"Thank you for your concern, Sister-in-law."

Qin Feng bowed slightly with clasped hands, his deep gaze sweeping over Lin Yuxi's reddened earlobes, a meaningful arc curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Alright, alright, it's getting late. Once you've received the map, go back and get some good rest. We depart tomorrow morning."

Captain Luo Kun waved his large hand, and the members of the Ninth Squad immediately began organizing their equipment...

...

The sun set, and night fell once again.

Qin Feng finally returned to Ding-zi District Courtyard No. 77.

He pushed open the courtyard gate, and the main room was brightly lit.

Su Yourong, Yu Jingxiang, Wu Mengmeng, Bai Yuhe, and Su Aili—the five women had already prepared an extremely sumptuous dinner feast.

Braised Scarlet Flame Pork, steamed Snow Spirit Fish, and milky-white stewed Hundred Beast Bone Soup... the aroma was overflowing.

"Master, you're back!"

Seeing Qin Feng enter, the women immediately came up to greet him, helping him remove his coat, serving tea, and attending to him with meticulous care.

Qin Feng sat in the main seat with a commanding posture and downed a cup of warm Spiritual Wine in one gulp.

"I am going deep into the Luanzang Mountain Range tomorrow to carry out a mission; it will take at least three days, or at most five, before I return."

Qin Feng put down his wine cup, his gaze sweeping over the five women present like lightning, and instructed, "During the days I am away, the rules of the courtyard remain the same. Yu Jingxiang, you are now a Mortal Rank 6; if anyone blind enough comes looking for trouble, you are responsible for dealing with them. Su Yourong, you manage the household chores."

"This servant obeys. Master, please go with peace of mind; even if this servant has to risk her life, she will protect the courtyard!" Yu Jingxiang immediately knelt to express her loyalty.

"Master, the Luanzang Mountain Range is exceptionally dangerous; you must be careful..." Su Yourong's eyes were slightly red, her face full of worry.

Qin Feng nodded, said nothing more, picked up his chopsticks, and began to feast.

After he had his fill of food and wine, the night was already very deep.

He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes slightly to rest, and thought about his plan to find the ice spirit grass tomorrow.

Just then, a sound of light footsteps came from his side.

A faint fragrance, mixed with the fresh scent of a young girl and a light touch of powder, drifted into his nostrils.

Qin Feng opened his eyes and saw that Su Aili had somehow changed into a pink, thin-as-cicada-wings silk camisole dress.

The hem of the dress barely covered her thighs, and as she walked, her two straight, slender, snow-white legs were faintly visible.

Her little face was flushed, and her eyes revealed an extreme, desperate allure.

"Master, you are going to take risks tomorrow; you must need a good rest tonight..."

Su Aili said coquettishly, having lost her former aloofness and shyness. She walked naturally to his side, reached out with her fair, tender little hands to support Qin Feng's arm, and practically hung on his body.

"Master, it is late. Let this servant help you back to your room to rest..."

Su Aili's breath was orchid-sweet, and her watery eyes were full of longing and sycophancy.

Watching this once-proud little swan completely turn into a delicate flower, a wicked smile curled at the corner of Qin Feng's mouth.

"Since you are so sensible, then let's go."

He stood up with her support, wrapped his arm around Su Aili's slender, willow-like waist, and strode toward the main room.

Watching their retreating backs, Wu Mengmeng, who was sitting at the dining table, pursed her lips in dissatisfaction.

She slammed the rag in her hand onto the table, rolled her eyes, and muttered sourly, "Pah! What a piece of work! She was the one acting all aloof before, and now she's the one hogging everything? She's truly a vixen Reincarnation, shameless!"

Bai Yuhe covered her mouth and giggled from the side, "Sister Mengmeng, why are you so jealous..."