Shangjing City.
The Night Watchmen Training Office.
"What? This recruit training is scheduled for Cangnan? Where is Cangnan?" Yuan Gang looked at the document in his hand and asked in astonishment.In front of him, the man who had been lounging in a recliner behind his desk stretched, yawned, and sat up with his eyes half-closed. There was a cross-shaped scar on his forehead.
He is Shao Pingge, the captain of the Night Watch squad stationed in Shangjing City, squad number 006.
"A small city in the southeast region, next to Huaihai City," Shao Pingge thought for a moment and replied.
"But... weren't the training camps always held in Beijing in previous years? Why were they suddenly moved to Cangnan this year?" Yuan Gang frowned.
"Who knows what the higher-ups are thinking." Shao Pingge stood up, filled a cup with water from the kettle, and slowly lay back down. "We... oh no, you just need to follow orders."
"You're the deputy captain of our 006 squad, and also the chief instructor for every year's recruit training. You've led so many batches of soldiers; can't you handle a different environment?"
"Of course not." Yuan Gang shook his head repeatedly. "I just don't understand why we suddenly have to change locations. The equipment, facilities, and machinery here are all readily available. Why go through all this trouble to transport them to Cangnan? Isn't this just creating problems for ourselves?"
"There must be a reason why the higher-ups are doing this. We just need to follow orders. We shouldn't ask questions about things we shouldn't know."
"...Alright then." Yuan Gang sighed.
"With the Logistics Department's efficiency, a complete training base should be set up in Cangnan before dawn tomorrow. You should also take your people and get ready to depart." Shao Pingge took a sip of tea.
"Yes." Yuan Gang thought for a moment, then continued, "While I'm away from the capital, Captain, can you keep the capital under control and prevent any trouble?"
Whoosh!
A slipper sole was thrown out from behind the desk. Yuan Gang dodged it with a slight sidestep, and then Shao Pingge's cursing came from behind the desk.
"Hey, Yuan Gang, who do you think you are? I'm the captain of the squad stationed in Shangjing, do you think I'm just a nobody?"
Yuan Gang chuckled, tossed Shao Pingge's slippers out the window, and then swaggered out the door.
Shao Pingge launched into a tirade of curses!
...
Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
A luxury club.
"Cangnan? What kind of place is Cangnan?" In the extremely luxurious VIP massage room, a chubby little man wearing a bathrobe lay on the sofa, looking at the notice in his hand with surprise, and turned his head to ask.
Behind the VIP room door stood five burly bodyguards, their faces expressionless. Before them, a butler wearing a monocle bowed slightly and spoke gently:
"Young Master, Cangnan is a small city in the southeast."
"Weren't they always in Beijing before?"
"It seems the policy has changed this year, so your schedule will also need to be adjusted. I'll send someone to make arrangements right away."
The chubby boy thought for a moment, put the grapes back into the bowl, and waved his hand.
"I'm booking a flight for tomorrow, and I'm leaving tomorrow!"
The butler was taken aback. "Young master, isn't going tomorrow too hasty? Don't worry about the dormitory; we've already arranged the best room for you with the night watchmen. They'll give us face."
"Guangzhou and Shenzhen are too boring, I want to go out and meet some new friends!"
"...Young Master, once we get there, please try to speak Mandarin as much as possible, otherwise they might not understand."
"Mandarin?" The chubby boy thought for a moment, "That makes sense. If there are language barriers... you really can't make true friends!"
After saying that, he patted the young woman who was massaging his feet, "Alright, go and rest. I've had enough of enjoying myself these past ten years, it's time for a change of pace..."
He stood up, stretched, and his fat trembled slightly.
"Cangnan, is it? Young Master is coming!"
...
On Mount Jiuhua.
The air was filled with the sounds of Buddhist chants and the fragrance of sandalwood.
An old monk wearing a kasaya strolled through the wooden corridor, the prayer beads in his hand turning slightly, his eyes calm as still water.
Finally, he stopped in front of a meditation room.He reached out and knocked lightly on the door twice before pushing it open and entering.
Inside the meditation room, there was only a bed, a table, and a futon. On the largest wall, the two large characters "Quiet Mind" were written in black ink. The strokes were elegant and seemingly gentle, yet they seemed to conceal a terrifying killing intent.
The black-haired boy on the futon slightly opened his eyes.
"Benefactor Cao Yuan, your letter has arrived." The old monk performed a Buddhist salute, then took an envelope from his sleeve.
The black-haired boy slowly stood up, took the envelope, opened it, and looked at it for a long time.
"Cangnan..." he murmured to himself, then looked up at the old monk and respectfully asked, "Master, do you think... I should go?"
"Benefactor, you have been meditating in this Buddhist temple for five years, and the demonic nature within you has been suppressed. I believe... you should go."
Hesitation flickered in the boy's eyes, "But, the sins I bear..."
"Killing is a sin, saving the world is a merit; only when merit and demerit balance each other can one attain true freedom." The old monk's eyes were incredibly deep; he clasped his hands together and spoke calmly.
"Staying in this temple for decades, even if you sit idly by, will still be a sin... Benefactor, it's time to let go."
The boy remained silent for a long time, then clasped his hands together and bowed deeply.
"Thank you for your guidance, Master."
"Benefactor Cao Yuan, there is one more thing I must remind you of."
"Please speak, Master."
"On your journey to Cangnan, you may encounter two benefactors. If you can seize this opportunity, you will not only be able to cleanse yourself of your sins but may also achieve enlightenment."
"A distinguished person?" Cao Yuan frowned slightly. "This distinguished person... what are their characteristics?"
"Two trees stand tall, one of the eight gods departs, kindness over pride, ten years have passed since nightfall, guiding the world's people." The old monk closed his eyes, clasped his hands together, and his voice tolled like an ancient bell.
"--Amitabha."
Cao Yuan's eyes were full of doubt, but he still carefully wrote down these words and bowed in return.
"Since that's the case..." Cao Yuan looked up at the sea of clouds atop the mountain outside the meditation room, clasped his hands together, and spoke calmly:
"I'm off..."
...
Inside the van.
Lin Qiye glanced at the silent crowd and silently shrank back.
The atmosphere was somewhat awkward.
"Ahem..." Wen Qimo coughed twice, breaking the silence first, "Um, Qi Ye, Xiao Chen the train tickets can't be refunded... That's not your problem, don't worry about it."
Chen Muye, sitting in the passenger seat, had a somewhat greenish face.
"Um...we should think of something positive, right? Like...we're training in Cangnan City, which is so close, we can come see you anytime!"
"The training camp is closed; we can't get in," driver Wu Xiangnan said quietly.
"..." Wen Qimo paused, "Well, at least we've bought everything we need, like down jackets, thick blankets, hand warmers, big scarves..."
"Qi Mo... these are unnecessary in Cangnan's winter," Hong Ying whispered a reminder. "At least Xiao Chen bought enough summer clothes!"
"Shut up!" Chen Muye glared at Wen Qimo, feeling as if his heart was bleeding.
After hesitating for a moment, he turned around and looked at Lin Qiye expectantly.
"Qiye,"
"Why don't you go take a look later..."
"Can these be returned?"