Offending

Sure enough, the Golden Eraser had made an open, official move to poach their recruit. Behind the second-floor windowsill of the instructors' building, Regimental Commander Li, Lao Jian, and the others—who hadn't even had the chance to go down and greet them yet—unconsciously pulled their gazes back, then exchanged glances. "Stop looking. Looking won't do any good. On one side you have the Golden Eraser, on the other you have the strongest recruit in a decade... Two powerhouses joining hands, a match made in heaven. Who are we to object?" The Regimental Chief of Staff spoke with a rueful look, his feelings painfully genuine. The logic was clear, and they all understood it in their hearts, but Li Wangqiang was simply still unwilling to accept it. He muttered, "If this were the past and we invited Captain Wang Liuzheng over to stand right there, what chance would they have?" "You said it yourself—the past... In the past, would they have nothing better to do than come poach from our Regiment 425? They'd be lucky if we didn't poach from them." The Regimental Chief of Staff looked so much like a sulking, resentful wife that it practically broke one's heart. "The wheel of fortune turns..." Lao Jian echoed in lamentation. "But this time it clearly turned right to my house," Regimental Commander Li rejoined with an aggrieved pout. "Come to think of it, you're right." The Regimental Chief of Staff paused. "Thinking back now, it would've been better if he'd tested as a Grade B from the start. Even as a Grade B, the kid definitely would have become top-tier combat power." Regimental Commander Li nodded. "Yeah, exactly. And if we'd known earlier, we should have kept him suppressed for a while." "How could you suppress him? His brilliance is too dazzling; there's no holding it back... Whatever. It's too late to say anything now anyway... In any case, I'm not watching anymore." "Fine, I won't watch either. It hurts too much to look." The group from Regiment 425 turned around to discuss how to keep He Tangtang instead. *** Downstairs, around the nearby corner. Han Qingyu naturally had no idea he had already wounded the hearts of so many grown men, officers, and instructors in Regiment 425. He, Wen Jifei, and the others had just been called to a halt together. Turning around, they saw a man who looked about twenty-six or twenty-seven standing by the roadside with an amiable smile. Standard officer's uniform, captain's epaulets, a golden chest badge... "That's... the Golden Eraser." An exclamation with an unconsciously lowered voice came from behind him. At this moment, not only Han Qingyu, but also Wen Jifei, Liu Shiheng, and He Tangtang, who had stopped with him, saw it clearly. In the military, admiration for the strong and veteran heroes was innate, while in the Ninth Army, respect and yearning for the color Erasers was entirely natural. "Sir!" Reflexively, the three snapped to attention and saluted right away, enthusiastic yet nervous and excited. "Sir!" Han Qingyu also saluted promptly. "At ease. Hello, everyone." The captain smiled and returned the salute. Lowering his hand, he extended it and said, "Let's get acquainted. Golden Eraser, Qin Guowen." Still not quite used to shaking hands, Han Qingyu stepped forward and took it, introducing himself: "Regiment 425 recruit, Han Qingyu." "Silver Medal Han Qingyu? Flying-slash Great Spike Han Qingyu? The Eraser's strongest recruit in a decade... Han Qingyu?" Qin Guowen smiled as he spoke, seeming like someone exceptionally skilled at making conversation. Having delivered his praises, he smoothly smoothed over any potential awkwardness and asked with concern, "I heard you were injured on a recent mission?" With this, Han Qingyu could respond. He disguised the truth with a wry smile and said, "Yes, there was an unexpected mishap. We couldn't beat them, so we could only run. In the end, we got covered in injuries and spent over ten days at a medical station." "Couldn't beat them? Your 'running when you can't win' is a bit too modest, isn't it?" Qin Guowen was still smiling as he continued, "I heard human-monkeys appeared on the scene, right? And more than one." Han Qingyu nodded. "Then that makes it all the more remarkable. In fact, our squad has discussed this several times over the past few days. We all found it rather unbelievable that you managed to bring all your teammates out alive under those circumstances," Qin Guowen said with a smile. Han Qingyu smiled as well, then said bluntly, "Someone helped us." That was the simple truth. Without Shen Yixiu back then, Han Qingyu might have escaped on his own, but successfully bringing Liu Shiheng, He Tangtang, and Wen Jifei out safely all together would have been unrealistic. "I see." Qin Guowen nodded. In truth, within the Golden Eraser squad, they had reached that conclusion long ago. Even though they hadn't been to the site, every one of them was seasoned in live combat and an expert in their own right. Simply by piecing together the available information and deducing what transpired, they were certain there had to be details left out. Seeming very satisfied with Han Qingyu's candor and lack of pretension, Qin Guowen left it at that and did not press further. He continued, "So, how about it? Any interest in coming over to be brothers with us?" An invitation from the Golden Eraser had arrived just like that, seemingly offhanded yet direct. "Qingzi..." Though no reminder was needed, the prompting voice came from behind him anyway, only to trail off into silence. They had actually anticipated this long ago: Qingzi was practically certain to receive an invitation from a color Eraser squad. But when the invitation truly presented itself, Wen Jifei, Liu Shiheng, and He Tangtang still couldn't help feeling a surge of excitement. Every single color Eraser was destined to be remembered and extolled. And as things stood, as long as Han Qingyu nodded, his name would be added to that roster of legends and their stories. Selfishly speaking, they certainly wanted to keep him in the same squad, but that was the Golden Eraser—who could possibly refuse? *Qingzi ought to go,* they thought. And so, they held their tongues. As for Shen Yixiu, the Golden Eraser would undoubtedly want her as well. *Clack-clack, clack-clack...* The sound of combat boots running across the concrete pavement came their way. "Han Qingyu." It was one of Qi Shantong's men. "Here, sir!" Han Qingyu turned around and snapped to attention. "Head Instructor Qi orders you to report to his office immediately for a mission debrief." "...Yes, sir." After acknowledging the order, Han Qingyu turned back to look at Qin Guowen. "My apologies, Captain Qin." "No problem, attend to your duties first." Qin Guowen smiled, glanced at Qi Shantong's subordinate, and turned back to continue, "Still, let's set something up first... If you're free tomorrow morning, how about having some fun on the live-combat field?" "All right," Han Qingyu nodded. "Then it's settled." As he spoke, Qin Guowen pulled a blue crystal source energy block from his pocket, grinned, and tossed it to Han Qingyu. Han Qingyu reached out and caught it. Gauging it, it was full. "Now, this isn't candy to tempt little kids, nor is it meant to show off how rich our Golden Eraser is..." Qin Guowen said the words, but a smile lurked beneath his expression, seeming to say: *Like it? Our Golden Eraser really is rich, you know.* "It's for you to use on the live-combat field tomorrow." He gave a final wave of his hand and said, "See you tomorrow." *** "Reporting." "Enter." Han Qingyu pushed open the door, once again standing before Qi Shantong. There was someone else on the sofa in the office—a lieutenant. "Allow me to introduce you. White Eraser, Liang Ge." Qi Shantong gestured with his hand. "Sir!" Han Qingyu saluted according to protocol. The other returned the salute. "Well? Have you considered my previous recommendation? Joining the White Eraser." Qi Shantong looked at Han Qingyu and asked, his gaze still somewhat twisted, laced with an unspoken threat between them. "I haven't considered it yet," Han Qingyu said. "Then consider it now." "I've considered it. I refuse." Qi Shantong was slightly taken aback. "Are you not afraid of offending me in the slightest?" "I'd be more than glad to offend you."