Many years later, Xia Lingguo once again came to the lecture square in Star Engraving County and could still clearly remember that afternoon when he first met Qian Yuya.
It was the graduation ceremony of the Star Engraving Military Academy. Xia Lingguo stood as a first-year student below the stage. At that time, he viewed everyone around him as mere radishes—in fact, he still sees them this way now. He had no interest in the pomp and ceremony of the graduation, though he didn't dislike it; it just felt meaningless and dull to him.
But when the representative of the graduates took the stage, Xia Lingguo's gaze was instantly drawn to that young man.
"Esteemed teachers, dear classmates, hello everyone. It is an honor to speak here as the representative of the graduates. I am Qian Yuya from the Department of Reconnaissance and Special Operations Command."
From the first word that came out of this person's mouth, Xia Lingguo knew he was the same type of creature as himself. Even if he spoke grandiosely, there was no emotion in his words, no respect in his eyes, and his voice was as cold as cast iron—this person had no humanity at all.
People like them are born without knowing why they were born and die without fearing the reason for their death.
They are like the rain falling from the sky, born only to plunge into the earth, aimlessly drifting with the wind.
Thus, Xia Lingguo inquired about Qian Yuya's actions and learned that Qian Yuya had joined White Night through Lin Jinyao, so he approached Lin Jinyao himself, retracing Qian Yuya's old path. In this world, the only thing that could spark Xia Lingguo's curiosity was his kind, like Qian Yuya.
However, he did not entirely copy Qian Yuya's approach. Qian Yuya liked to wear an exterior mask of coldness with an inner warmth to navigate interpersonal relationships, but Xia Lingguo was not interested in this, so his mask was 'transparent.'
If Qian Yuya was an idol who played along, then Xia Lingguo was a bystander watching with his arms crossed.
When Qian Yuya joined the Statistical Department, Xia Lingguo did not follow suit—because he hadn't graduated yet. Moreover, he had no need to join because Qian Yuya and he stood on the same front.
Indeed, Xia Lingguo didn't believe the rumors outside at all. He concluded that Qian Yuya must be an internal agent sent by Lin Jinyao to the Statistical Department, as Qian Yuya had no reason to be attracted to the Statistical Department: Future, honor, power—these things meant nothing to them.
Only interest was the sole sustenance in their lives, just as Qian Yuya was to Xia Lingguo, just as... Qian Yuya was to Qian Yuya.
Xia Lingguo quietly followed Lin Jinyao, always observing Qian Yuya in the dark, whether Qian Yuya was promoted to team captain of the Statistical Department or as his reputation gradually turned foul, Xia Lingguo kept watching.
The change happened on that rainy night a few days ago.
When Qian Yuya walked into Lin Jinyao's residence, Xia Lingguo keenly sensed that this person was not Qian Yuya—at least, not the Qian Yuya he knew. Especially when Qian Yuya shot Lin Jinyao, the trembling finger on the trigger and the unreadable compassion in his eyes filled Xia Lingguo with immense confusion.
How to put it, even if Qian Yuya had undergone a gender transformation, it wouldn't have been more impactful than this.
People change, Xia Lingguo knew this, but that was for ordinary people. For those cold-blooded individuals like them, what changes is only the mask, like the patterns on a blade, no matter how intricate or simple, it cannot alter the fact it is a killing device.
But now... Qian Yuya, this high and cold sword suddenly had a sheath.
And because of this unresolved confusion, when Lin Jinyao's comrade, Star Engraving Military Academy's principal Zuo Shiwen, secretly conveyed White Night's 'request' at Lin Jinyao's memorial, Xia Lingguo stepped forward to participate in this act of vengeance.
During the journey, there were some twists and turns. After all, there were quite a few people who wanted to participate and beat Qian Yuya, and Xia Lingguo was merely an unremarkable figure with nothing shocking to say, naturally leading to competition. Therefore, Xia Lingguo gave a beating to a few of them and finally secured a spot.
Joining White Night to avenge Lin Jinyao had nothing to do with Xia Lingguo. He only wanted to use this opportunity to engage in some deeper physical exchange with Qian Yuya.
For people like them who wear masks, language is the weakest form of communication. Every word and punctuation mark spoken by Qian Yuya can't be trusted; only the collision of fists and flesh can let Xia Lingguo pursue the secret of Qian Yuya's changes.
Moreover, Xia Lingguo truly believed he could defeat the current Qian Yuya; a sword with a sheath, who can it cut?
The result...
"Cough!"
Xia Lingguo was helped up by other students, coughing a couple of times, feeling pain and numbness in both hands and feet—the Biting Battle Technique of Qian Yuya wasn't just for show. Although Xia Lingguo had won a few moves, the real world isn't where guard blocks all damage; the force is reciprocal.
So when Xia Lingguo saw Qian Yuya turn away and demand immediately to proceed to the next duel, he suddenly understood.
This was nowhere near having a sword sheath.
He just used the blade as a club.
Otherwise, it simply couldn't explain why he could continue fighting energetically—Qian Yuya's injuries would only be more severe than Xia Lingguo's. Xia Lingguo, the moment he disengaged from the fight, was so affected by pain that he couldn't stand, yet Qian Yuya could still fight on!
What does this show?
This shows Qian Yuya had reached a higher realm, a non-human level Xia Lingguo couldn't comprehend!
The mask he wore could even deceive senses and block pain!
Others only saw the first layer of Qian Yuya's aberrant actions; Xia Lingguo saw the second layer of Qian Yuya's drastic shift in mindset, yet never thought Qian Yuya was at the fifth layer—he had not only avoided becoming as shallow as ordinary people but had become even more unfathomable!
Qian Yuya, had already become an existence even more inhuman than him!
"Qian Yuya, until we fall into the earth, I will always watch you," Xia Lingguo said breathlessly.
Upon hearing this, Le Yu paused.
What does this mean, is this a death sentence, wanting to find an opportunity to jump to our deaths together?
Ugh, anyway, there aren't many tall buildings in Star Engraving County. Best to avoid going to tall buildings in the future.
Sigh, Qian Yuya, you're truly a man laden with sins...Le Yu sighed, looking at the last Vengeful Breaker.
He now only wished to quickly conclude matters here and then find a strong old Medical Officer at the Medical Bureau for a massage. Although he wasn't in pain now, he felt achy and weak, very uncomfortable, as if he had been beaten up—though, in reality, he indeed had been beaten up.
But obviously, the world would not bend to Le Yu's wishes, and he had to be immensely alert to face the last Vengeful Breaker.
Lin Jinyao's daughter, Lin Xue.
"After this battle, the Lin family and you will sever all ties and enmities without further disputes," Lin Xue said with a composed expression, "If I win, I ask Captain Qian to bow to the north, nothing more; if I lose, the Lin family ancestral home is yours."
Upon hearing this, the crowd erupted.
"Xue'er!" Gao Jin, who had just regained consciousness, was shocked by these words, "That was the teacher's—"
"My mind is made up, please do not disrupt my duel," Lin Xue gazed calmly at Le Yu: "With the Patrol Execution Guard bearing witness, my oral promise is valid. Uncle, please forgive Xue'er for her willfulness."
With a furrowed brow, Lin Xue'en, a middle-aged man, sighed, drew his longsword from his waist, and gently wiped his palm, allowing blood to drip.
"Since elder brother left everything to you, I, Lin Xue'en, have no objection to how you deal with the Lin family ancestral home. If I go back on my word, let this sword pierce my heart."
Le Yu raised an eyebrow slightly. A problematic aspect of the Vengeful Breaker policy is: Although the Avenger has to expend a legitimate revenge opportunity, they essentially have no cost, losing suffers no loss; however, if the Vengeful Breaker loses, they must at least apologize or in severe cases, compensate, invariably at a loss.
Therefore, some of the more gentlemanly Avengers, in addition to proposing what punishments the Vengeful Breaker must endure upon losing, also offer what consequences they must bear if they lose. However, these types are rarely seen, since few maintain etiquette and composure after losing parents and kin.
Of course, there are also Avengers who continuously flaunt high stakes to deceive Vengeful Breakers into not surrendering, a kind of fishing behavior recognized by law—acting on mutual consent.
However, there remains another scenario, where the Avenger stakes far exceed the Vengeful Breaker's compensation, often indicating one thing: A nobler vow.
I pledge what will happen if I lose, but I absolutely will not lose!
As the sole legitimate daughter of Lin Jinyao, Lin Xue naturally had the authority to dispose of the Lin family ancestry, whose value far exceeded Qian Yuya kowtowing once.
Actually, if it weren't for the mission, Le Yu would have loved to kneel down immediately and kowtow to con a house out of it. Anyway, it was just a bow to Lin Jinyao, just like observing a vigil over his seventh day.
Looking at Lin Xue, Le Yu briefly lost focus.
According to his and Yin Ying's plan, if there truly were a mole among Lin's disciples, they would inevitably participate in the vendetta to seize the creation qualification of a White Night division.
Among the three Avengers now, Gao Jin was utterly useless, and while Xia Lingguo was strong, he was just a devout admirer of Qian Yuya, unrelated to the mole.
And now, Lin Xue offering the Lin family ancestral home clearly implied she did not expect to lose!
Could it be, the real mole is actually... Lin Xue?