Chapter 428: It Seems Like You’re In Trouble

If nothing unexpected happened, the one from the Tan family who intervened was likely his lady. She had refined her bloodline and mastered the Corpse Whisper technique, which was specifically effective against the zombie clans. However, Li Xiaofei hadn’t expected her to form connections with the Dragon Group so soon.

“So, what do you want me to do?” Li Xiaofei asked.

Xuan Huang replied, “I want you to protect someone.”

“Su Wanqing?” Li Xiaofei guessed.

Xuan Huang laughed and said, “As expected from someone bold enough to take on the codename Jade Emperor. How did you figure it out?”

Li Xiaofei replied coolly, “It wasn’t hard. When the corpse energy storm broke out, there were three students from White Deer Academy who went missing: me, Lin Wan, and Su Wanqing. Lin Wan certainly isn’t the Dragon Group’s undercover agent, and neither am I, so who else could it be?”

Xuan Huang asked, “Then, will you agree?”

Li Xiaofei nodded and replied, “It’s my duty as a member of the Dragon Group.”

Xuan Huang was overjoyed. She had witnessed how Li Xiaofei had slain Mei Fusu firsthand . That dazzling strike had been unparalleled. Having such a powerful ally by her side was an incredibly reassuring feeling.

“The forces surrounding White Deer Academy are the Mechanical Guards, the most elite troops of the Mechanical Eternity faction. They’re also one of the six garrison units of Xiajing City. Not only are they numerous, but each soldier is individually powerful, exceptionally well-equipped, and backed by strong official support. They aren’t an opponent that individual strength alone can counter.”

“However, due to the constraints of military regulations, the Mechanical Guards cannot take direct action within the city; they are only responsible for the blockade. The ones we need to deal with are the Mechanical Special Forces, Mechanical Eternity’s most fearsome special operations team. I have an electronic file on the Mechanical Special Forces here. Take it and review it; it’ll give you some insight.”

“Also, your sole responsibility is to protect Su Wanqing. I’ll handle the rest. Our people are currently working on infiltrating the Mechanical Guards’ blockade. Oh, and I didn’t reveal your identity to Su Wanqing. That might make it easier for you to operate. All we need to do is hold out until reinforcements arrive.”

Xuan Huang laid out her plan and the current situation in detail.

“I understand.” Li Xiaofei took the electronic file and turned to leave.

Xuan Huang also returned to her temporary quarters within White Deer Academy.

Inside, a lifeless Ruo Shuang stood motionless, as silent as a true machine, as if her soul had been stripped away. A glimmer of sorrow flickered in Xuan Huang’s eyes. She had already examined Ruo Shuang ’s condition.

She had been implanted with a non-metallic neural control system and the latest brain-machine interface from Eternal Precision. The complexity of the surgery was unimaginable. It was impossible for someone of Xuan Huang’s abilities to remove it. In fact, there were barely any within the entire Dragon Group who could accomplish such a feat.

Knowing that her closest partner, who had braved countless life-and-death battles by her side, had suffered such a cruel fate left Xuan Huang’s heart aching.

“Once this mission is complete, I’ll find a way to heal you,” Xuan Huang murmured, gently stroking Ruo Shuang’s cheek.

Tap Tap Tap.

Then, suddenly, she raised her hand and swiftly tapped various points on Ruo Shuang’s body.

Divine Phoenix Meridian-Sealing Technique!

She used the secret technique to seal Ruo Shuang’s major acupoints and joint meridians, ensuring that even if Mechanical Eternity operatives attempted to activate her brain-machine interface, she wouldn’t be able to move.

Once she finished her preparations, Xuan Huang turned and left. As the door closed behind her, a fleeting glimmer of mechanical red light flashed in the depths of Ruo Shuang’s eyes.

***

After brewing the traditional Chinese medicine provided by the academy, Su Wanqing took a bath. She changed into a loose, comfortable robe and finally allowed herself to fully relax as she lay down on her dormitory bed, closing her eyes for a brief nap.

As an undercover agent for the Dragon Group, today had marked her first mission. Fortunately, everything had gone smoothly. However, her handler had already informed her that the danger was far from over. So, Su Wanqing remained vigilant.

After resting for a short while, she donned her nightgown as was her custom, grabbed her sword, and stepped out into the courtyard outside her dorm, where she began practicing her swordsmanship.

Her sword practice was focused on the spirit, not speed. Her movements were graceful and fluid. Suddenly, Su Wanqing halted as she sensed something. Her gaze turned sharp as she looked toward the large tree nearby.

There, she spotted a young man dressed in green lazily lounging on a branch, his right hand propping up his head. A faint smile played on his lips as he watched her.

“Li Xiaofei?” Su Wanqing spoke cautiously, “When did you get here?”

“I’ve been here for a while.” Li Xiaofei stretched, sitting up straight on the branch, his legs dangling like he was on a swing. “You had the door shut the whole time before you took your bath, so I had no choice but to wait up here.”

"What... What are you here for?" asked Su Wanqing with a tone that was far from friendly.

Li Xiaofei tilted his head and replied, “If I said I’m here to protect you, would you believe me?”

Su Wanqing’s response was blunt. “Ha.”

“Alright, then.” Li Xiaofei shrugged. “Honestly, when I saw you on the way back to campus, I was struck by your beauty. So, I came here to pursue you, Senior Su.”

Su Wanqing replied coolly, “You think you're worthy?”

Li Xiaofei grinned. “In love, worthiness doesn’t matter. It’s about whether there’s mutual interest and whether we’re compatible. And often, you only find out by giving it a try.”

Su Wanqing didn’t hold back and replied, “Leave. I have no interest in you.”

Li Xiaofei’s expression remained unchanged. “And what does that have to do with me? As long as I’m interested in you, that’s enough.”

Disgust flashed across Su Wanqing’s face. “There have been many who tried to pursue me, but you’re by far the most shameless of them all. Get lost. If you don’t, I won’t be polite.”

Li Xiaofei smirked. “If I’m not mistaken, this tree isn’t within the bounds of your residence, is it?”

A trace of anger flickered across Su Wanqing’s face as she stepped closer.

Li Xiaofei added with a casual tone, “And, by the way, a reminder. Li Junjie happens to be one of my lackeys.”

Su Wanqing halted mid-step.

“You’d better know what you’re doing,” she said before turning back and heading into her dorm.

Li Xiaofei chuckled as he lay back on the tree.

Half an hour later, Su Wanqing emerged from her dorm, having changed her clothes, only to find Li Xiaofei still lying on the tree with arms crossed behind his head.

"Stay away from me, or you might end up dead." Su Wanqing warned through gritted teeth.

She knew all too well how dangerous her situation was. Anyone who came close to her risked losing their life. So, despite her disdain for the smooth-talking boy in front of her, she wanted him gone quickly to avoid unnecessary harm. He was just an annoying pest, not someone who deserved to die.

To her frustration, Li Xiaofei jumped down from the tree, grinning as he said, “To die under the peony flower is to die in style, right?”

It was a fitting response from a former gang leader of a small border town.

Su Wanqing scoffed and said no more. She walked ahead and Li Xiaofei followed. To the classroom, the dining hall, the training grounds... He followed her everywhere.

Soon enough, word spread across White Deer Academy: Li Xiaofei, that reckless first year underachiever from Eastern Blue-Robe House was shamelessly and persistently pursuing Senior Su Wanqing.

Students saw Li Xiaofei trailing Su Wanqing like an unshakable shadow. It was pitiful. Many sighed to themselves, feeling like the academy had acquired a new pest.

But this pest was none other than the boss of the academy’s top talent, Li Junjie. This connection discouraged many who had been eager to give Li Xiaofei a lesson.

Two hours later.

“How long are you planning to keep following me?” Su Wanqing finally snapped, turning around and glaring at Li Xiaofei as they made their way down the secluded forest path leading back to her dorm.

“I’m planning to follow you until... hmm?” Li Xiaofei stopped mid-sentence, his eyes narrowing. “Senior Su, it seems like you’re in trouble.”