Chapter 135: Insider

Chapter 135: Insider

War Tiger stood up and cast the cigarette butt at the wall, sending a sputter of sparks.

“From now on, the competition between organizations for talents, resources, and influence will gradually reach a plateau, and it’s only a matter of time before the civil war breaks out. All three of you are new blood with great potential, and you know quite a lot of secrets about our organization. I cannot allow you to join the Qilin Guild, or you’ll become a great risk for us.”

“Is the Prophecy of Seven really true?” Officer Huang asked, unable to accept it. “We’re all awakeners, and we’re after the same goal. Why can’t we overcome the difficulties together?”

“And who told you that we shared a goal?” War Tiger asked.

Officer Huang was silent.

“You’re a cop, Yellow Ox. How can you know less about human nature and desires than Wu Dahai?”

Officer Huang smiled wryly in the dark. “How can I not know? I know it all too well.”

He simply didn’t want to face reality. He was going to be a father. Even though the world was already a hellish place, he hoped for it to be a little less harsh for his child.

“Pull your head out of the sand and discard your wishful thinking. Be ready to fight.” War Tiger raised his voice. “The Twelve Zodiac Signs will not be the first to open fire, but we will not be the first to get hit. Since you’ve chosen where your allegiance lies, you will stay true and steadfast. Got it?”

The three of them nodded.

War Tiger then said, “There’s another reason I asked you to come.” The debut release of this chapter happened at Ñòv€l-B1n.

“What is it?” asked Gao Yang.

“Among the three of you,” War Tiger said in a low voice. “At least one will join the Qilin Guild.”

“What?” Officer Huang was caught off guard, but it didn’t take long for him to figure out what the man was suggesting. “Do you want one of us to be...”

“A spy,” Gao Yang spelled it out for him.

“Yes,” War Tiger said. “We’ll seize this chance to plant someone in the Qilin Guild.”

Officer Huang sucked in a breath. “You’re asking us to go on a suicide mission, Teacher War Tiger! It’s the Qilin Guild we’re talking about!”

It hadn’t been long since the matter with Ghost Horse was settled.

Although he was an enemy, he served as a good example for them. He had been laying low with great caution for so many years, yet he still ended up exposed.

It would only be more difficult to be a spy in the Qilin Guild. Rather than walking on highwire, it would be akin to walking on a strand of hair.

“I’m not going. If you want me to go, I’d rather you kill me now.” Officer Huang didn’t even bother to think of an excuse.

“I’m not going either.” Qing Ling was also determined. “I want to get stronger.”

“How about you, Yang Yang?”

...

With awakening came a boost in stamina. It wasn’t a big problem to skip sleep for a night.

Gao Yang, Qing Ling, and Officer Huang were in no mood to go home and retire to bed.

When the dawn was going to break, they went to the Sixth Deafman Beef Noodle.

They each ordered a bowl of beef rice noodle with fried egg and dug in. Halfway through the meal, Officer Huang put away his chopsticks and said disapprovingly, “I still think you’re being too rash, Gao Yang. If all three of us stood our ground earlier, War Tiger wouldn’t have forced us.”

Qing Ling didn’t say anything, but it was clear from the little change in her expression that she agreed with Officer Huang.

“Maybe so.”

Gao Yang laid down his chopsticks as well. He couldn’t tell them about the secret mission from Dragon, so he opted to give them an awkward smile. “Do you remember what you said before, Officer Huang?”

“What?”

“You said that I was dangerous, and that staying near me would bring an early death.”

Officer Huang smiled wryly. “I didn’t mean it seriously. Why would you take it to heart?”

“Because you may be right.” Gao Yang thought of Li Weiwei, Wan Sisi, and Old Wang.

A wave of sadness crept up to him. “I’m afraid we won’t get to eat rice noodles together after this.”

“Nonsense!” Officer Huang cheered him up. “The support of an organization is temporary, while companions are for forever. Remember, we are on the same boat no matter where you are.”

Touched, Gao Yang nodded in response.

Then for the first time since he knew them, he advised them like an adult would a child, “Keep close to War Tiger, Qing Ling, Officer Huang. Take care of yourselves and stay alert.”

Qing Ling’s hands stopped for a moment with noodles between her chopsticks, and she said with steel in her voice, “Worry about yourself.”

Gao Yang said self-deprecatingly, “Don’t worry. As War Tiger said, I’m a grade A lurker.”

Qing Ling dropped her chopsticks suddenly and looked up to meet his eyes.

“What?” Gao Yang felt self-conscious under her scrutiny. He wondered if he had gotten something on his face.

Then Qing Ling quickly took off the Twin Bracelet on her wrist and handed it to him. “Take it.”

Gao Yang asked after a pause, “What?”

“It’s useless to me,” Qing Ling said. “I don’t have the money to pay you back, so I’ll give you this for the debt.”

“Ah, right.” Gao Yang took the bracelet. He could still feel the lingering warmth from Qing Ling.

“Don’t die.” That was all Qing Ling said before going back to her rice noodles.

“Roger that.” Gao Yang nodded with a smile and put on the bracelet.