Chapter 115: Forming a Team to Head to Qingcheng Town

“Count me in?”

Zhang Chu was hesitating about whether to accept this mission.

Just then, the office door was pushed open.

Zhang Xueying appeared in the doorway.

“Teacher Xueying, what are you doing here?”

Seeing Zhang Xueying enter, Hu Sanyi was dumbfounded.

This practically exposed Zhang Chu’s identity.

“Big Zhang, how about considering bringing me into the Swift Wind Squad as well? According to the personnel regulations for this mission, at least one Level 6 martial artist must participate for approval.”

“Perfect, Level 6,” Zhang Xueying volunteered.

“Has my identity been exposed?”

Hearing Zhang Xueying call him “Big Zhang,” Zhang Chu looked at Zhou Chuanxiong in surprise.

“I swear on my professional ethics, I didn’t leak your identity,” Zhou Chuanxiong raised his hand.

“When joining the Martial Arts Research Institute, certain identities had to be investigated and registered,” Zhang Xueying explained.

“Teacher Xueying, you’re interested in such a small reward now?” Hu Sanyi scratched his head awkwardly.

Yesterday, a post about Zhang Xueying’s identity appeared on the forum.

As the only daughter of the Lord of Binzhou City, Zhang Xueying lacked no money.

This mission paid five million, which was just pocket change for her.

“I’m representing the Martial Arts Research Institute this time,” Zhang Xueying said without elaborating.

The Martial Arts Center was a subordinate unit of the Martial Management Bureau, two levels below the Research Institute.

Zhou Chuanxiong wasn’t yet qualified to know about the Institute’s missions.

“Brother Zhou, let’s handle the procedures,” Zhang Chu didn’t ask further.

Zhou Chuanxiong quickly helped Zhang Xueying register as a mercenary for the Swift Wind Squad, then assigned the mission to the team.

“Brother Zhou, I’ll treat you to a meal another day.”

As the three of them left the Martial Arts Center, the mercenary hall on the 13th floor exploded with chatter.

Even Fan Chengcheng and the others, known as the “Five Tiger Generals” of the Martial Arts Research Institute, were baffled.

“Damn, does the Swift Wind Squad have someone inside the Martial Arts Center? Why do they get all the good missions?”

After leaving the center, the trio headed to a café.

Upon reaching their reserved booth, they spotted two familiar faces.

One was Chen Long, the other Huang Lili.

“Brother Zhang Chu, surprised?” Huang Lili smiled playfully.

“What’s going on? How did these two end up together?” Zhang Chu glanced at Zhang Xueying for help.

“This time, the disappearances of martial artists in Qingcheng Town have drawn the attention of the Martial God Academy. They’ve instructed the Martial Management Bureau and your Research Institute to take joint action.”

“The Martial Management Bureau sent me and Huang Lili,” Chen Long explained.

As the son of the Bureau’s director, he wasn’t about to miss a mission that could boost his credentials.

As for Huang Lili, after her last mission she reported to the Bureau, where Chen Long immediately took a liking to her.

For this mercenary mission, Chen Long specifically requested Huang Lili to join, mainly to have more chances alone with her.

Zhang Xueying added a few details, and Zhang Chu understood.

To avoid alerting anyone, the Martial Management Bureau and the Research Institute didn’t officially acknowledge the disappearances in Qingcheng Town.

Instead, they issued mercenary missions through the Martial Arts Center.

Zhang Xueying, Chen Long, and Huang Lili joined the Swift Wind Squad to operate covertly—and for their own safety.

After all, to dare hunt martial artists right under Binzhou City’s nose, these people must be lunatics who hate the Bureau with a passion.

Of course, this was still speculation; the possibility of spirit-beast-level monsters couldn’t be ruled out.

Having these two join increased the team’s combat power somewhat.

Especially Huang Lili’s “Formation Construction” spiritual technique, which could detect formations.

The five of them briefly planned the mission.

They decided to meet at the North City Demon-Repelling Gate early the next morning, then head to Qingcheng Town.

That night, after returning home, Zhang Chu studied some strategies.

Lying in bed, he flipped through information about spirit beasts.

“If it really is spirit beasts hunting martial artists, killing one might even push me directly to seven stars!”

Before sleep, he sent a message to Wang Peng:

“Wang Peng, something’s happened in Qingcheng Town. I’ve taken a mercenary mission. Want to come along?”

The next morning, Zhang Chu changed into a windbreaker, ready to set out.

As he stepped out of his bedroom, he saw Guan Zifang shaving, looking quite dashing, somewhat like a trendy young man.

“Old Guan, you’re up so early? Did the sun rise from the west? Going on a blind date?”

“Get lost and head to Qingcheng Town! Mind your own business,” Guan Zifang snapped.

Wearing shiny leather shoes, Guan Zifang reminded him before leaving:

“Qingcheng Town is a bit eerie. Stay alert and don’t lose any of my people.”

“...”

Watching Guan Zifang get into a rideshare and leave, Zhang Chu stepped out as well.

Soon, the six of them assembled at the North City Demon-Repelling Gate.

Showing their Double Strength Warrior ID cards, the guards saluted respectfully.

Hu Sanyi drove, while the other five chatted boisterously in the car.

Qingcheng Town was three hundred kilometers from Binzhou City.

By midday, the team arrived.

The town’s architecture was quaint and classical, with small bridges and flowing streams winding through.

Following Zhang Xueying’s directions, they stopped at the entrance of a guesthouse.

They planned to stay here to gather information.

This guesthouse had the highest occupancy rate among martial artists in Qingcheng Town, making it easier to pick up news.

“Did we take a wrong turn? There aren’t many people here,”

The six entered the lobby and glanced around.

Only seven or eight people were in the rest area and dining hall, far fewer than usual.

“Handsome gentlemen, beautiful ladies, do you have a reservation?”

The front desk attendant stood up.

“Yes,” Zhang Xueying showed a QR code and quickly booked three rooms.

After dropping off their luggage, the six gathered in the first-floor dining area and ordered food.

“I feel like there are eyes watching us from the shadows,” Zhang Xueying whispered.

“Be careful,” Zhang Chu said, pulling out a food detector from his storage ring.

When traveling, especially in places where martial artists go missing, one must be cautious about what they eat.

Soon, the front desk attendant personally served the dishes.

Chen Long tilted his head, propping his chin with his right hand, staring mesmerized at the stunning attendant.

“Miss, why is your place so quiet? Whenever I pass by, it’s usually fully booked, and I have to reserve two days in advance.”

“Bro, you must be travelers from another city,”

Just then, a drunk, hefty man at the next table slurred an interruption.

“Yeah.”

“Did something happen in Qingcheng Town recently?”

Huang Lili smiled brightly.

When a beauty speaks, it’s far more efficient than a group of men asking questions.

“Little missy, I’m kindly warning you all—if nothing’s wrong, stay only one night and leave quickly. Qingcheng Town’s been restless lately. There’s a spirit beast said to be devouring practicing martial artists up on Qingcheng Mountain.”

“It’s a shame to have worked so hard to reach this level, only to be fed to some beast,” the fat man said, taking a swig before slumping over the table and falling fast asleep.

“Spirit beast?”

Zhang Chu furrowed his brow slightly.

Looking at the attendant bringing more dishes, he smiled and asked, “Miss, we heard rumors of someone hunting martial artists to make some kind of spirit energy pill. Is that true?”

Clatter!

The moment Zhang Chu finished speaking, the attendant’s expression changed drastically, and the plate she held crashed to the floor.

Damn!

Could it really be black martial artists?