172. Fulfilling the Promise

After Yang Zaixing and the others departed, Nie Zheng's faction, during their training times, would frequently approach Zhang Xuan to ask when they would go on a mission and when the right time would arrive. Not long after Zhang Xuan dismissed Nie Zheng by claiming the timing was not yet right, Nie Rong would show up. Once Zhang Xuan sent Nie Rong away, Shi Qian would come to inquire. It went on in a constant loop, revolving around this single question day in and day out.

Having endured this repetitive cycle for ten days, Zhang Xuan finally reached his breaking point and gathered the nine individuals, including Nie Zheng and Nie Rong. "I've called you all together for one reason!"

"Squad leader, is the time finally ripe?" "Squad leader, we are fully prepared and ready to move out at any moment!" "Squad leader, I'm sorry, I thought you were just tricking us and would never take us out on a mission. I wronged you." "Squad leader, when are we leaving? My great blade is already thirsting for battle!" "Squad leader..." The nine of them each eagerly voiced their thoughts.

"Hold on. Shi Qian, where on earth did you learn that line about your great blade thirsting for battle?" Zhang Xuan felt as though he had just heard a term that shattered his perception. He was quite certain he had never uttered those words!

"Squad leader, you said it. As for when, I don't remember, but I thought it sounded quite interesting, so I memorized it and made it my catchphrase," Shi Qian said, looking straight at Zhang Xuan, while the others nodded in agreement.

"Did I say that? How do I have zero recollection of it?" Zhang Xuan genuinely could not remember. It was entirely possible he had said it; after all, he often made remarks that he considered completely normal, but which Yang Zaixing and the others found astonishingly dramatic. "Never mind, I'm not going to dwell on it. That's right, tomorrow we head out on a mission. Go back and pack your things! We depart promptly after breakfast tomorrow. Dismissed!"

"Yippee!" A cheer erupted, startling Zhang Xuan so badly that by the time he recovered his wits, he could only see the retreating backs of Nie Zheng and the others.

Uncle Tong silently materialized by Zhang Xuan's side. "Little Xuan, you should go pack your things too and get ready to head out on a mission!"

"Whoa!" Zhang Xuan was startled yet again. "Uncle Tong, can you make some noise when you walk? Don't you know you can scare people half to death?" Zhang Xuan patted his chest in protest.

"I recall you training them on how to approach an enemy without making a sound. Based on your current reaction, your own training is far from passing grade! And you call yourself a squad leader!" Just as Zhang Xuan was about to retort, Uncle Tong continued, "Don't rush to make excuses. Failing is failing!"

Zhang Xuan could only curl his lip and scratch his head. He had indeed been careless. This was a training module he had dreamed up himself, and he frequently tested his squad members on it, yet the outcome proved he had left his own flank exposed. It seemed he had been living far too comfortably in the camp lately.

"Well, calling it a mission is a stretch; I'm just taking them out for a stroll. They've been driving me crazy with their nagging these past few days. Might as well go out and see the world. Walking around, we'll eventually find something to do. Staying in the camp too long makes one dull; I need to re-engage with society before I completely lose touch with the outside world."

"Little Xuan, you're heading out with people without a single plan? At least Zaixing and the others had a clear objective, but you have zero goals whatsoever. You certainly have a lot of nerve!" Uncle Tong's jaw dropped in disbelief upon hearing Zhang Xuan's words. He had assumed Zhang Xuan had a concrete target in mind before taking his crew out, but to have no plan at all and just wing it wherever his feet took him—how remarkably carefree was that?

"If I had known, I would have sent them off with the others back then. And why on earth did I tell them there were other missions waiting for them? I even called it a promise—this is purely reaping what I sow!" Zhang Xuan deeply regretted his past words.

"Little Xuan, don't you often say that whatever seeds one plants, the resulting harvest—no matter how bitter, even if one has to swallow it on bended knee—must be accepted? So were those just empty words after all?" Uncle Tong did not miss the opportunity to rub salt into Zhang Xuan's wound. After all, chances to mock Zhang Xuan were rare indeed! He had to pile it on heavily while he had the chance, without any politeness, because once Zhang Xuan bounced back, the window would close.

"I'm just venting. If we really can't find anything to do, the absolute baseline for this outing will be taking them to raid some human traffickers' stronghold. As for the upper limit, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. After all, we've been cut off from the outside world for a year; who knows what's happened out there during that time?" Zhang Xuan turned to look at the camp's exit, only to see mountains upon mountains. He truly had no idea how the founding masters had ever stumbled upon this secluded paradise.

"Do as you see fit. Relatively speaking, I trust you the most since you're full of crafty ideas. Just stay safe out there; don't stubbornly push forward when you know something is impossible. Your own safety is the most important thing. I won't come to see you off tomorrow."

"Uncle Tong, you know me! When it comes to danger or potential danger, I always stay as far away as possible. My philosophy is: if we can beat them, we fight to the death; if we can't beat them, we run; and if we can't outrun them, begging for mercy is entirely acceptable! After all, a moment of patience brings calm, and a step back opens up a vast ocean. Besides, a gentleman taking revenge ten years later is not too late. I'll just write all these grudges and grievances down in my little notebook and settle the scores properly later, without a shred of mercy. Hey! Uncle Tong, I haven't finished speaking yet. Where are you walking off to?"

In the end, only Zhang Xuan was left standing there calling out into the empty air.