Outside the entrance of the temporary military camp
Bonanus and Yanfei were peeking over the wooden fence. It wasn't very tall, so they could easily prop themselves up and quietly watch the show. Though they'd expected the soldiers to get chewed out, they still wanted to listen.
For some reason, it felt strangely entertaining.
The two soldiers standing guard at the entrance exchanged bewildered glances. They'd spotted the adeptus arriving and initially wanted to report to Yan Ning. But the two women stopped them.
Something about wanting to watch the show first? So adepti enjoy watching dramas too! Just like us!
But that wasn't the most surprising part. What really stunned them was—hadn't their captain commissioned just one half-adeptus? Now another adeptus showed up?
Maybe the captain worried one wasn't enough and found another? If so, their captain had quite the connections. This one was a true adeptus.
These soldiers knew about recent events. Two adepti returning had spread through every street and alley in Liyue. Hard not to know.
They'd assumed adepti maintained a serious, aloof demeanor around mortals. But this one seemed rather... amusing.
Most importantly, Bonanus was easy on the eyes. Not that these soldiers dared entertain inappropriate thoughts—but they couldn't help noticing. She was beautiful.
They knew staring was a bit rude, but it wasn't illegal. Looking a little longer wasn't harassment, right? Everyone had the right to appreciate beauty.
Glancing at the young adeptus perched on the fence, then recalling their own wives at home, both soldiers sighed inwardly. Almost every man fears his wife—no lie there.
Ignoring the soldiers' stares, Bonanus turned to Yanfei with a doubtful expression.
"Little Yanfei, do you think these guys can handle this mission?"
Bonanus frowned deeply. These types... can they really fight? She couldn't help wondering. If these soldiers were dropped into the Archon War, they'd probably wet themselves.
"I'm not sure. But judging by that squad leader's tone, these seem to be recent recruits—only a few months in." Yanfei shook her head lightly. She wasn't certain either.
"Sending rookies on such a dangerous mission..." Bonanus muttered under her breath. This operation is risky. Why send new recruits?
"They probably want these newcomers to gain real combat experience. People only grow by experiencing true battle." Yanfei rubbed her chin. Though she said this, she had her reservations.
"Hope nothing goes wrong." Bonanus shook her head worriedly. Not discriminating against rookies—they're just sometimes... unreliable.
"Haha, with Sister and me here, nothing too serious should happen. We're both adepti!" Yanfei planted her hands on her hips confidently.
Patting Bonanus's back gently, Yanfei smiled and reminded him, "Let's head in!"
Bonanus nodded, pulled her large hand back from the crude wooden fence, and followed Yanfei inside. Work is work. Though I volunteered, earning karmic debt never hurts.
The moment they entered, Yan Ning spotted them. Seeing Yanfei arrive, his eyes lit up instantly.
After watching his incompetent subordinates all morning, seeing someone reliable suddenly appear lifted his spirits.
"Legal Consultant Yanfei! You're finally here." Yan Ning greeted warmly.
"Hello, Squad Leader Yan Ning." Yanfei smiled back.
"Sorry to trouble you with this messy business—you're a lawyer, after all. I feel guilty." Yan Ning's previous, stern demeanor vanished. Now he resembled an awkward, simple-minded giant—not unlike Bosacius.
"No problem. We have an employment relationship, and I'm honored to help." Yanfei waved dismissively. No need for such expressions.
"Right, right. But this one beside you..." Yan Ning's gaze shifted to Bonanus.
He'd noticed her earlier but couldn't quite place her.
"Oh, this is Sister Bonanus. She returned just a few days ago. She's here mainly to supervise me and offer assistance." Yanfei explained.
Yan Ning's heart leapt with joy. This was unexpected! A true adeptus! With an adeptus present, dealing with this problem would be effortless!
But they couldn't rely too heavily on an adeptus. A single adeptus could wipe out half the enemies easily. Would their presence here even matter?
"We're deeply honored by your arrival. Originally, we only planned to have Consultant Yanfei hold off three or four Abyss Mages while we handled the rest."
"But with you here, we can focus entirely on the Hilichurls."
Yan Ning relaxed visibly. Hilichurls weren't easy opponents either. Forget the small ones—those bulky Mitachurls were truly problematic.
Those brutes stood heads taller than them, with strength beyond ordinary people.
Carrying massive shields and axes, their power was predictably immense. Add Abyss Mages harassing them, and things could go south fast.
But now, with a half-adeptus and a true adeptus present, they could ignore the Abyss Mage threat and concentrate on the Hilichurls.
Undeniably good news.
"Before we depart, I have a question. Squad Leader Yan Ning, why send only rookies on such a dangerous mission?" Yanfei narrowed her eyes.
Regardless, a suppression operation against an unknown number of Hilichurls and over five Abyss Mages couldn't be entrusted solely to newcomers.
They'd commissioned her, yes, but that still seemed risky.
"Ah... well..." Yan Ning rubbed his hands awkwardly.
"Probably just wanted these rookies to see blood... and I have some of my men on the eastern side." Yan Ning spoke hesitantly.
"Is that so?" Yanfei's eyes narrowed to slits, her gaze as if piercing holes through him.
Yan Ning sighed softly. When applying to his superiors, he'd claimed these rookies were fully trained.
If this suppression succeeded, his abilities would catch certain higher-ups' attention. Promotion, wealth—possible. Of course, giving rookies real combat experience was genuine too.
When making this decision, Yan Ning had been deeply conflicted. Part of him wanted promotion; part didn't want his two hundred men to face danger.
A contradictory man. Hard to understand his thoughts. He knew what he shouldn't do, yet forced himself to do it anyway.
Yanfei crossed her arms and shook her head lightly.
"Let's handle the mission first. I'll speak with you afterward."
"Right, right. Time to move out." Yan Ning smiled awkwardly.
"Also, prepare the payment. And for this one beside me—she didn't come for nothing." Yanfei reminded.
Yan Ning nodded without objection. He returned to the soldiers and began delivering rousing words.
Behind him, Bonanus was full of question marks. What just happened? Why did that big guy look so troubled?
Was there something off about what Yanfei said? Maybe. But not knowing the situation, I'm completely confused.
So curious!
Sensing Bonanus's confusion, Yanfei turned and smiled.
"After this is done, Sister will understand."
"The troops are moving out. Let's follow."