52: Section 52

"Uh... it's nothing!" 4277's answer seemed a bit strange.

Jing Yuan noticed bedding in a corner of the Workshop and asked in confusion, "Did you stay in the Workshop yesterday?"

4277 smiled. "Yes."

"Actually, there's no need for you to work overtime like this."

"It's not entirely for the overtime; I just didn't want to go back!"

"Didn't want to go back?" Jing Yuan associated this with the previous incident. "Is it because of that friend of yours?"

4277 nodded.

"Anyone would be angry in this situation," Jing Yuan sighed. "But if you really can't let go of that friend, why not make peace with him?"

"Who wants to make peace with him!"

Jing Yuan smiled. He had previously worried that 4068 would influence 4277, but he hadn't expected to influence her first himself.

So, there was no longer any need to drive a wedge between them.

"Suit yourself! But remember one thing: never let someone else make you unhappy."

4277 took the words to heart and turned with a smile. "You're right!"

Jing Yuan gave a gratified smile and then said, "Can you help me make something?"

"What?"

"A device that can send a distress signal and provide a location. Ideally, it should be small and portable."

"Don't the Wasteland Hunters already have devices like that?"

Jing Yuan said, "The Wasteland Hunters' devices are integrated into the individual soldier systems. I need an independent, portable, and simple device. The range doesn't need to be too large—just within the Lighthouse."

4277 thought for a moment and then nodded. "I can do that. When do you need it?"

"The sooner the better!"

"Alright!" 4277 looked at the work in her hands and said, "The flying daggers and shield you wanted are all finished. I thought I could finally rest, but I didn't expect you to give me more work."

Jing Yuan gave an embarrassed smile and said, "Thanks for the hard work. I'll add some more contribution points!"

"Talking about contribution points hurts our feelings," 4277 asked with a laugh. "How many do you need?"

"Make two first." Jing Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Can you make one today?"

4277 considered it and said, "I'll go back and gather some materials; I can get one done today."

"That's good..." Jing Yuan looked around the Workshop. Finding a hidden corner, he said, "After you make the first one, carry the transmitter on you and hide the receiver here."

4277 pointed at herself. "Me? Why should I carry a locator on me?"

Jing Yuan didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "If you're in danger, use the locator to call for help immediately, and I'll be able to find you as quickly as possible."

4277 was moved upon hearing this. "Why are you so good to me!"

Jing Yuan felt awkward; it was only because he was worried Charles would move against her.

"It's just a precaution!" Jing Yuan pointed to the corner of the Workshop and said, "Did you get that?"

"Yes, I got it."

Jing Yuan immediately changed the subject. "By the way, how are the flying daggers and shield?"

"Just one last step left." 4277 asked curiously, "Do you need them for today's mission?"

Jing Yuan nodded and said, "Yes."

"Okay, just give me one more hour."

For the next hour, Jing Yuan waited nearby.

4277 finished the final touches and placed the ten flying daggers one by one into the shield's scabbards.

With ten flying daggers plus the shield, the weight was something 4277 couldn't even lift.

Seeing this, Jing Yuan stood up to take the shield and lifted it easily.

"It's a bit heavy, but manageable!"

4277 cast an admiring gaze. She knew the weight of this thing; the fact that Jing Yuan could lift it so easily was enough to show how strong he was.

Jing Yuan checked the time and said, "It's almost time for the assembly. I'll head over first. Remember the locator thing!"

"Okay! I'll remember!"

4277 left first to gather materials for making the locator.

Jing Yuan also left and headed for the Armament Preparation Depot.

With the shield as a disguise, no one could tell there were flying daggers hidden inside. Moreover, this shield could actually be used as a shield, though it was a bit heavy.

In the Armament Preparation Depot, the Wasteland Hunters Team Members were preparing for the mission to The Surface.

Mark saw Jing Yuan and beckoned him over.

At the same time, Snow Peak, Kun Jie, Gao Ge, and the others also walked over.

"Kun Jie, Gao Ge, this is Jing Yuan; I believe you've already met him. For this mission to The Surface, Jing Yuan will be leading a team for the first time. I hope you two can assist him well!"

"Don't worry!"

Mark looked at Jing Yuan again. "Kun Jie and Gao Ge are veteran members with quite a lot of experience. Listen to them when there are problems, but as the captain, you must also make your own decisions!"

"Okay, I understand."

Mark's words were spoken as if he were grooming Jing Yuan as a successor.

"Seniors, please give me your guidance!" Jing Yuan said politely to the two.

"We're all working for the Lighthouse, don't be so formal."

Jing Yuan nodded, then pulled Mark aside and whispered, "Charles wants me to take a team down to The Surface."

"To The Surface? For what reason?" Mark was a bit puzzled as to why Charles's people would go down there.

"He didn't say."

"You agreed to it?"

Jing Yuan nodded.

Mark understood Jing Yuan's desire not to offend Charles, just as he himself had always been yielding to Charles.

"You are the captain of this team; you make the decision. But you must remember, no matter what, bring back the supplies and your teammates!"

"I will definitely bring them all back!"

Mark nodded and was about to leave when Jing Yuan pulled him back and added, "I suspect Charles will try to sabotage you this time. Be extra careful."

"I know. You take care, too."

After parting with Mark, Jing Yuan went to his team to organize their equipment.

Jing Yuan saw Penny nearby organizing firearms and asked in surprise, "Penny, are you in our group too?"

Penny nodded and said, "Captain Mark said I'm more familiar with you, so he arranged for me to be in your team. Erica is here too!"

Jing Yuan realized that Mark was indeed very thoughtful.

"Then thanks for your hard work this time as well."

"You're welcome, Vice-Captain Jing Yuan!"

Once everything was ready, Jing Yuan's team began preparing to descend to The Surface.

Just then, Charles arrived with a group of people.

Besides Vandy and Fan Lü, there was also Sharif.

There were also three other men. One was tall and sturdy, nearly identical in build to Sharif. The other two were of average build and appeared to be in their forties.

"Vice-Captain Jing Yuan!" Charles walked toward Jing Yuan and said, "This mission is of great importance, and the lord of light and shadow places great value on it. He has specifically dispatched Inspectors from the Light and Shadow Society to descend to The Surface with you."

Jing Yuan looked at the two middle-aged men behind Charles and asked, "Is it those two?"

"It's the three of them. Fann, Locke, and Loriv."

Fann was a rugged-looking middle-aged man.

Locke had a thin face, and his narrow eyes made him look like a shady character.

As for Loriv, he was the man as tall and sturdy as the 'Big Dog' Sharif.

He and Sharif stood on either side of Charles like two walls.

Kun Jie and Gao Ge, having been asked by Mark to help Jing Yuan, naturally came over to see what was happening when they noticed the situation.

Upon meeting, Gao Ge said in surprise, "Fann, Locke, it's actually you!"

Chapter 54: Private Wasteland Hunters

"You know them?" Jing Yuan looked at Gao Ge with curiosity.

"The two of them used to be Wasteland Hunters, but now they're with the Light and Shadow Society." Gao Ge looked at Fann and asked, "Fann, you guys are going down to The Surface too?"