After the two of them left, Zhao Mu turned to Liu Xu and asked,
"If we go out on a mission, are we allowed to rob, injure, or even kill our teammates?"
Liu Xu was taken aback by the question. She stared at him for a long moment before replying seriously,
"Injuring your teammates is absolutely forbidden in the military. Anyone caught doing so will face severe punishment."
A strange expression flashed across Zhao Mu's face.
"So... does that mean robbery is allowed?"
Liu Xu couldn't help but laugh.
"In principle, looting your teammates' spoils is also forbidden. However, the battlefield is chaotic, and situations aren't always so clear-cut."
Only then did Zhao Mu feel somewhat reassured.
In other words, Tian Lizhen and Sun Jiliang, as his teammates, were not supposed to rob him. Even so, caution was still necessary. He barely knew them, and the large amount of Ember Remains he carried was no secret. It was only natural that someone might become greedy.
After returning to his room, Zhao Mu carefully reviewed the intelligence on the criminal, Zhang Yu, through the System.
Reason for the crime: Spent his entire family fortune trying to treat his daughter's illness...
His finger paused briefly over that line.
But he quickly lowered his gaze.
"No matter the reason, it doesn't justify committing crimes or hurting innocent people."
---
At nine o'clock that night, Zhao Mu packed his equipment, put on his combat suit, and arrived at the South Gate.
The standard combat suit was a special piece of equipment, second only to defensive Ember Remains. It was durable, resistant to extreme temperatures, and difficult to damage.
Zhao Mu had once considered crafting a combat suit from Ember Remains himself. However, flexible, form-fitting armor required extremely specialized materials, and achieving a proper fit was another major challenge.
Liang Gongchi had once mentioned that creating Ember Remains battle suits was an exceptionally rare profession, with very few true experts in the field.
When Zhao Mu reached the school gate, Tian Lizhen and Sun Jiliang were already waiting beside the vehicle in full combat gear.
Seeing him arrive, Sun Jiliang waved.
"Yo!"
Zhao Mu nodded apologetically.
"Sorry, I'm late."
Sun Jiliang grinned.
"Actually, you're ten minutes early."
He climbed into the driver's seat while Zhao Mu took the passenger seat. Tian Lizhen quietly sat in the back.
"Are we heading straight for the target?" Zhao Mu asked.
Sun Jiliang nodded.
"The Lujiang City Public Security Bureau has had people watching him the entire time. He thinks he's hiding well, but nobody escapes the Sky Net."
"When we arrive, we'll decide on our battle plan based on the terrain."
Zhao Mu simply nodded.
The vehicle drove toward downtown Lujiang City.
The city was vibrant at night. Neon lights illuminated the streets, while entertainment districts buzzed with activity, making the entire city seem dazzling and alive.
Eventually, they entered Jinhe District, the wealthiest neighborhood in Lujiang City.
Following instructions received through his communication headset, Sun Jiliang drove through a maze of roads before finally stopping.
Several plainclothes Public Security officers approached.
After confirming everyone's identities using the electronic wristbands issued to Qingfeng Camp trainees, one officer reported,
"He's been here for two days. It looks like he's targeting one of the wealthy families nearby. Please capture him as quickly as possible. We're worried innocent civilians could get caught up if this continues."
Sun Jiliang's usual smile disappeared.
"Leave it to us."
The officers nodded, unable to hide the admiration in their eyes.
If they possessed Spirit Power themselves, they too would have wanted to personally hunt down criminals like Zhang Yu.
---
Zhang Yu's location had already been confirmed.
Every night, he disguised himself as an old scavenger, wandering the streets while secretly scouting potential targets.
Sun Jiliang, Tian Lizhen, and Zhao Mu left the vehicle together.
As they walked, Tian Lizhen reminded Zhao Mu,
"When you act, don't hesitate. If he escapes, innocent people may suffer."
"If necessary, kill him. Don't let sympathy cloud your judgment."
She glanced at him.
"Today, your only job is to stall him for a moment if he escapes. You don't need to fight him head-on. With your Ember Remains, that shouldn't be difficult."
Zhao Mu smiled.
"Understood."
The three quickly finalized their strategy.
Sun Jiliang and Tian Lizhen would launch the main assault, attacking from opposite directions.
Zhao Mu would remain at a distance, using his Tough Silk to interfere whenever necessary. If Zhang Yu managed to break through their encirclement, Zhao Mu would step in to stop him.
With the plan settled, they moved toward the target's location.
---
Near the garbage collection station in the wealthy district, an old man dressed in ragged clothing was rummaging through trash with a woven sack slung over his shoulder.
Although his disguise was convincing, anyone paying close attention would notice his sharp eyes constantly scanning the surroundings, especially the high walls surrounding the nearby mansions.
A strange gleam occasionally flashed in his eyes.
The night was quiet.
Only swarms of insects buzzed beneath the streetlights.
In the distance, Sun Jiliang and Tian Lizhen approached arm in arm, chatting and laughing like an ordinary couple taking an evening stroll.
The moment they walked past the old scavenger—
They struck.
Their Jinhai Rings flashed brilliantly as their weapons materialized.
Sun Jiliang wielded a long blade.
Tian Lizhen summoned a heavy shield edged with razor-sharp spikes.
Without hesitation, they attacked from behind with lethal intent.
Yet Zhang Yu reacted even faster than they had expected.
The black walking cane he had been using to sift through garbage suddenly swept backward.
A surge of Spiritual Power erupted.
Ignoring Tian Lizhen completely, Zhang Yu focused entirely on Sun Jiliang, thrusting the cane straight toward his eye.
It was a desperate move—one willing to trade life for life.
Sun Jiliang's expression changed dramatically.
He instantly abandoned his attack and shifted into defense.
Clang!
The cane slammed into his blade.
Though made from high-quality alloy, it was no match for an Ember Remains weapon. The tip of the cane was sliced clean off during the collision.
Using the impact to his advantage, Zhang Yu rolled across the ground, narrowly avoiding Tian Lizhen's shield strike.
Without wasting even a second, he smashed his fist into the nearby garbage station.
Bang!
Seven or eight large trash bins exploded apart.
Garbage scattered in every direction, completely obscuring everyone's vision.
Taking advantage of the confusion, Zhang Yu sprinted away without looking back.
Sun Jiliang immediately shouted,
"Zhao Mu! Stop him!"
Although both Sun Jiliang and Tian Lizhen possessed higher Combat Levels and superior equipment, Zhang Yu was an experienced veteran with exceptional battlefield instincts.
If he focused solely on escaping, capturing him would be extremely difficult.
That was precisely why Qingfeng Camp missions were almost always carried out by teams rather than individuals.
________________________________________
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