Chapter 217: Chapter 216: You’re Comparing Me to Dog Shit

"It’s actually quite simple."

As Fang looked toward her, Sun Yuting took the cue and began to explain:

"According to the reports from the Demon Suppression Bureau captains besieging Hidden Wind Valley, the Elder who broke through our lines did so at a position guarded by one of those good-for-nothing aristocratic disciples."

"Although the Elder’s assault was repelled, it led to heavy casualties among the Demon Suppression Guards, which is why this transfer order was issued."

Wu Chen nodded in understanding. ’So it’s these aristocratic disciples, trying to coast their way to glory again...’

He finally understood why Fang, a Silver Wolf Captain, hadn’t dared to offer any commentary and had simply stated the facts to him.

After all, even if he were to one day leave the Demon Suppression Bureau, Sun Yuting would eventually tire of playing around and return to the powerful faction backing her.

If word got back to that good-for-nothing that he, a mere Silver Wolf Captain, had been badmouthing him, his life would become very difficult.

When you were part of the Demon Suppression Bureau, you had to deal with all sorts of factions. You had no choice but to tread carefully.

Still, the corner of Wu Chen’s mouth twitched. He recalled hearing that during the last mission to hunt down the barbarians, many Linwei Guards had died because of these young masters.

And now, many more had died for the same reason.

’Do these young masters never learn, or does the Demon Suppression Bureau never learn?’

Wu Chen shook his head, not bothering to dwell on the cause.

A moment’s thought was all it took to realize the reason: these young masters were rich enough to make their problems disappear.

Even when people died, the factions backing them could pay off the families of the deceased with enough money to hush everything up.

As for the expendable Linwei Guards, you could find them by the dozen in the martial world.

Loosen the recruitment requirements slightly, and countless people would line up to become Linwei Guards, like a river teeming with fish.

The Demon Suppression Bureau had plenty of ways to control these people.

Fame, money, status—with these, they could tie these people to the position of a Linwei Guard, making them serve the Demon Suppression Bureau for a lifetime.

’One side is willing to exploit, and the other is willing to be exploited. It’s hard to judge whether it’s right or wrong.’

Inside the carriage.

Sun Yuting spoke a little more about matters concerning Hidden Wind Valley, and then the carriage fell silent.

The tedious journey resumed.

After three days and nights of relentless travel along the main road, the group of seven finally reached the territory of Hidden Wind Valley.

The Silver Wolf Captains reined in their horses and dismounted with practiced ease.

As the carriage stopped, Wu Chen knew they had arrived. He stepped out of the carriage and stretched his wrists, which had grown a bit stiff from holding the same position for several days.

Once his Qi and Blood were circulating freely again, his fingers instinctively came to rest on the hilt of his saber.

He then raised his eyes to the mountain ahead, listening intently for any sounds from within.

There were no sounds of battle.

’It seems the final showdown between the Demon Suppression Bureau and Hidden Wind Valley hasn’t started yet.’

Sun Yuting also stepped out of the carriage, stood beside Wu Chen, and stretched lazily.

Seeing Wu Chen’s solemn expression and his fingers already resting on the hilt of his blade, she assumed he was nervous.

Sun Yuting circulated her own Qi and Blood and said with a smile:

"Capturing that barbarian last time was just a Level B mission. This is a low-tier Level A mission, and it’s only your second one."

"Catching barbarians, in the end, is just about catching a few people. But this time, Hidden Wind Valley has at least two thousand members, and their elites probably number around two hundred."

"It might only be one level higher, but the difficulty has more than doubled!"

She looked at Wu Chen with a charming smile. "So, are you scared?"

"If you’re scared, why don’t you call me ’Big Sister’? I want to hear it. When the fighting really breaks out, I’ve got ways to protect you."

Without looking away, Wu Chen said, "How childish."

Rebuffed, Sun Yuting rolled her eyes and fell silent.

"My Lord, My Lady, that mountain ahead is Hidden Wind Valley. We’ll have to proceed on foot from here. I’ll go find our guide and see where we’re needed to fill the gap in the lines."

Seeing the two of them bickering, Fang tactfully decided not to be a third wheel and went over to the uniformed Demon Suppression Bureau guards waiting at the foot of the mountain.

He soon returned with a captain who had been on guard duty.

"This way, please."

The mission was urgent, so there were no tedious pleasantries. The on-duty captain led the way, with Wu Chen, Sun Yuting, and the Silver Wolf Captains following quietly behind.

They couldn’t choose their post. Even a Golden Eagle Captain like Sun Yuting couldn’t afford to be picky. Of course, given her strength, she had no need to be.

Besides, the teammates she had brought this time were far from weak.

The group followed the on-duty captain in silence for four hours straight.

As they continued to advance, several tents made of grayish-brown animal hides appeared in their field of vision.

The thick stench of blood drifted toward them from a distance. It was clear a brutal battle had occurred here—the very place they were sent to reinforce.

’Damn it, why is it this guy...’

As they drew closer, Sun Yuting’s lips trembled into a silent curse. Her brow furrowed, creasing the skin of her fair, slightly chubby-cheeked face.

Though she said nothing aloud and her look of disgust was fleeting, Wu Chen noticed the change in the Golden Eagle Captain’s expression.

"What’s wrong?" he asked.

"It’s nothing major."

Sun Yuting tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said with some helplessness, "Just bad luck. We’ve run into the number one good-for-nothing among the aristocratic disciples, Zhao Deyi."

Wu Chen nodded. "The same Zhao Deyi who got a number of Linwei Guards killed during the spy hunt in Cangwu City?"

He remembered Zhou Hu, who had joined him on the mission to hunt the barbarians, mentioning a young master with the surname Zhao. Furthermore, Li Youtao had been demoted to the Linwei Garrison for the sole reason that he had punched this very man.

"That’s the one. Even you’ve heard of him? Looks like his reputation is as bad as they say," Sun Yuting said, exasperated.

For someone who had only been with the Demon Suppression Bureau for two missions to already know of Zhao Deyi’s exploits, it was a testament to just how rotten the man was.

He was considered a piece of dog shit within the Bureau, someone everyone went out of their way to avoid.

"Captain Sun, long time no see!"

As the group approached, Zhao Deyi, who had been resting inside a tent, heard them and poked his shifty-looking head out.

Upon seeing Sun Yuting among the arrivals, his beady, rat-like eyes lit up, and he brazenly raked his gaze over her figure.

Sun Yuting didn’t bother responding to the lecherous fiend. His gaze was utterly repulsive; it made her skin crawl.

’Compared to his leering eyes, I’d rather...’

Sun Yuting’s gaze subconsciously fell upon the figure two paces ahead of her—specifically, on his dangling hand.

’Ahem, well, on second thought, maybe not...’

"You must be the young man who captured the barbarian spy alive—Brother Wu Chen, I presume."

Getting no response from Sun Yuting didn’t faze Zhao Deyi in the slightest. His gaze shifted to a figure in the group dressed in plain clothes.

Plain clothes, an unfamiliar face, and young.

It only took Zhao Deyi a moment of thought to deduce that this must be the person currently making waves in the Demon Suppression Bureau, the one who captured the barbarian.

Zhao Deyi swaggered out of the tent, nursing an injured left arm wrapped in bandages. He strode up to Wu Chen with an air of unearned familiarity and blocked his path with his uninjured arm.

He smiled.

"A young talent like you, Brother Wu, earns my deepest admiration."

"We should get together more often when we have the time!"

As if he hadn’t seen anyone there at all, Wu Chen’s form seemed to shift subtly, and he walked straight past without ever touching the outstretched arm.

The others behind him also scurried to get around Zhao Deyi, hurrying to keep pace with Wu Chen.

"Heh. It seems this kid prefers doing things the hard way," Zhao Deyi muttered.

Staring at Wu Chen’s back, his beady eyes glinted with cold light. He had just been publicly humiliated.

’When I get back to the Bureau,’ he plotted, ’I’ll pull some strings, get some transfer orders, and set up a mission to get that bastard Wu Chen killed. I’ll even earn some merit for myself in the process and get that promotion to Golden Eagle Captain.’

...

After bypassing Zhao Deyi, Wu Chen and his group quickened their pace.

Sun Yuting took a few quick steps to catch up to Wu Chen’s side and laughed.

"I thought you were going to exchange a few pleasantries with that guy!"

"There was no need. He was just putting on a show."

Wu Chen explained calmly, "The moment he saw me in the same party as you, he was probably already plotting how to make my life difficult."

"That’s true."

Sun Yuting nodded in deep agreement, then said with a mischievous look, "So, from what you’re saying, does this mean you’ve chosen to join my faction?"

"Mm, you could say that."

Wu Chen gave a noncommittal nod, not quite giving a clear answer.

But he had to admit, as far as the various factions went, Sun Yuting was the cream of the crop.

At least when trouble started, she was always on the front lines and would never sacrifice her subordinates’ lives for her own glory.

On that point alone, she was better than countless others.

"Hey! You look so reluctant, like you’re being forced into it! Maybe I should reconsider whether I even want you!"

Sun Yuting’s lips curled into a grin. "Come on, say something nice. Tell me why you chose me. If you make me happy, you can work for me from now on! I’ll have plenty of Level A missions for you!"

Wu Chen pondered for a moment. For the sake of Level A missions, it was probably worth saying something nice.

He then said flatly, "I chose you because... you’re better looking than Zhao Deyi."

"Well, I didn’t know you had such a sweet tongue. If you’re going to compliment me, don’t hold back... Huh? Wait! What did you just say?"

Being called pretty naturally pleased Sun Yuting. What girl didn’t like hearing that? She was no exception.

It was a bit blunt and unembellished, but not entirely unforgivable.

But after mulling it over for a second, she suddenly realized something was very wrong.

Her brow furrowed in anger.

"Are you comparing me to a piece of dog shit?!"

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