Chapter 265 A Kindness Should Be Repaid

"Luck is a skill too, you know. Look at our Team C. This time, besides Brother Chen, who else got a Grade C-Superior? No one! Just the two of you! Xiao Ning, you've really made something of yourself. From now on, in Team C, you'll be second only to Brother Chen!"

Ling Xiaoning was so dizzy from the praise that, even though he was being modest with his words, his tail was already wagging in the clouds.

"Oh, Brother Lu, don't say that. I just... I just..."

He couldn't find the right words, so he stopped showing off and turned to run outside. "I'm going to practice! Brother Lu, take good care of your injuries!"

Lu Dachuan watched his retreating figure as he zipped away and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

In the courtyard, Zhuifeng was lying in the corner soaking up the sun. Seeing Ling Xiaoning run out, it lifted its little head to glance at him, then lazily laid back down.

Ling Xiaoning hopped over and scooped Zhuifeng up from the ground. "Zhuifeng! Come on, come on, keep me company while I practice Wind Chasing Steps!"

Caught off guard, Zhuifeng was lifted up, its four little legs kicking wildly in the air as it let out a dissatisfied whimper.

Ling Xiaoning didn't care about that. He ran around the courtyard holding Zhuifeng, his Wind Chasing Steps fast and slow, shifting left and right, his movements quite agile.

"Watch closely, this is Wind Chasing Steps, just like your name! Once I've mastered it, I'll take you to catch demons!"

Zhuifeng was jostled back and forth in his arms, its little head swaying like a rattle-drum. At first, it struggled a bit, but later it simply gave up resisting and let him do as he pleased.

Ling Xiaoning only put it down once he had played enough.

As soon as its four legs touched the ground, Zhuifeng wobbled, then wobbled again, before landing on its bottom with a "plop." Its eyes were dazed, and it started staggering as it tried to walk.

Ling Xiaoning paused for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Zhuifeng, you're not up to scratch, are you? Getting dizzy from just this?"

Zhuifeng gave him a wronged look, wobbled as it stood up, took two steps, wobbled again, and simply lay down on the ground, refusing to move.

Ling Xiaoning squatted down and poked its little head. "Get up, let's practice a bit more?"

Zhuifeng buried its head between its two front paws and ignored him.

Ling Xiaoning stood up awkwardly, looking for someone else to show off to, when he looked up and saw two people walking into the courtyard gate: Wan Chongshan and Liu Quan.

Wan Chongshan had changed into clean clothes. The exhaustion on his face hadn't completely faded, but he looked much better than he had when he first returned from Kaoshan Village.

Liu Quan was still carrying his chest on his back, a smile on his face. As soon as he entered, he greeted them, "Oh? The brothers of Team C are all here?"

Lu Dachuan's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly hopped over on one leg to meet them. "Old Wan, Big Liu, why are you here? Come in and sit!"

Wan Chongshan cupped his fists in a salute. "You're too kind, Brother Lu. I've come specifically today to thank Brother Chen."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the courtyard, but he didn't see Chen Mu. "Is Brother Chen not here?"

Lu Dachuan gestured toward the room with his chin. "He's inside."

Wan Chongshan nodded and was about to head inside when Chen Mu pushed the door open and walked out.

As soon as Wan Chongshan saw Chen Mu, he stood still, cupped his fists deeply, and bowed all the way to the ground in a grand salute. "Brother Chen, I will never forget your great kindness this time."

Chen Mu reached out to help him up. "Brother Wan, there is no need for this."

Wan Chongshan shook his head and straightened up, his eyes slightly red. "My sister... being able to return home and be laid to rest is all thanks to Brother Chen. If you hadn't led the team into the mountains, if you hadn't slain that beast, Xiao Yuan... I fear she would have been left lying alone in that cold, dark cave for the rest of eternity."

His Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice choked up. "My parents passed away early, leaving just the two of us siblings. I swore from a young age that I would protect her, let her grow up safe and sound, marry into a good family, and live a peaceful life."

"But I failed. I didn't protect her."

He lowered his head, his hands clenched tight, veins bulging. Chen Mu watched him quietly without speaking.

Wan Chongshan took a deep breath, composed himself, and looked up. "Brother Chen, I, Wan Chongshan, am a rough man. I don't know how to say flowery words, but from now on, if you have any orders, I will go through fire and water without hesitation."

Chen Mu patted his shoulder. "Brother Wan, you are too serious. As colleagues in the same division, this is only right."

Wan Chongshan nodded, said nothing more, and simply gripped Chen Mu's hand firmly.

Liu Quan also crowded over, chuckling. "Brother Chen, Head Wan hasn't stopped talking about you on the way here. He says you are highly skilled and very meticulous, much better than those brutes who only know how to use brute force that he's seen before."

Chen Mu shook his head slightly. "Brother Liu, you flatter me. If not for everyone's cooperation, I wouldn't have been able to take down that beast on my own."

Liu Quan chuckled. "By the way, Brother Chen, how exactly did you practice that movement technique? I've seen plenty of people practicing light-foot skills, but none like you, being able to turn and accelerate in mid-air. It's like flying."

Chen Mu replied indifferently, "Just practice more."

Liu Quan paused, then burst into laughter. "Practice more? Alright, alright, Brother Chen, you sure are direct."

Just as they were talking, Shen Suning walked in from outside.

She was wearing a moon-white casual outfit today, her hair tied up simply, and she was carrying a medicine chest. Seeing the lively scene in the courtyard, she was slightly taken aback.

"Miss Shen is here?" Lu Dachuan greeted her hurriedly. Shen Suning only nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over Wan Chongshan and Liu Quan before landing on Lu Dachuan as she walked closer.

"Brother Lu, stretch out your leg. Let me check your injury again."

Lu Dachuan stretched out his leg with a chuckle, still muttering. "Miss Shen, look at my energy levels, what could possibly be wrong? I'm already healed. Medical Officer Duan is just cautious; he insisted I rest for a few more days."

Shen Suning ignored him, took his pulse, and focused for a moment. Then she unwrapped the bandages around his chest, examined how the wound was healing, and nodded.

"The external wounds are indeed mostly healed, but the internal injuries still need a few more days of rest. However, these bandages of yours need to be changed. You're wrapped up like a rice dumpling; it's not breathable and could easily cause other problems."

When Lu Dachuan heard they had to go to the Medicine Demon Division, his face fell. "Why go there? That old man Duan has a gloomy face all day long. I feel completely uncomfortable talking to him."

Shen Suning glanced at him. "Although Medical Officer Duan is strict, his medical skills are the best in the entire Demon Suppression Division. If you don't want any lasting issues from this injury, you must go see him. Otherwise, if you have trouble walking in the future, don't blame me for not warning you."

Lu Dachuan opened his mouth, unable to find any words to argue, and could only nod gloomily.

Chen Mu, who had been listening from the side, spoke up. "As it happens, I also want to go see Ji Xiang, so let's go together."

Lu Dachuan's eyes lit up, and he nodded hurriedly. "That works. If Brother Chen comes with me, I won't be afraid of that old man Duan anymore."

Chen Mu said nothing, nodded, turned to grab a few things, and left with Lu Dachuan.

Ling Xiaoning stood in the courtyard holding Zhuifeng, shouting at their retreating backs. "Brother Lu, get your medicine changed properly! Don't go hopping around when you get back!"

Lu Dachuan waved his hand without looking back and limped away.