At this moment, Zhou Fang found himself in a brand-new prison filled with a clean and fresh scent. This prison was far more comfortable compared to small motels in major cities. The setup was simple, with bunk beds. However, each room housed four people. Each person had their own set of desks, chairs, and cabinets, and the room included a private bathroom for their use. Cleaning supplies were even provided for each individual.
Zhou Fang thought this place was completely beyond the realm of his imagination. A prison built above ground with such well-designed facilities was clearly constructed with significant effort. Since arriving, every meal had been exceptionally delicious, so much so that it surpassed the meals they had spent a fortune buying in mobile cities.
The lifestyle here was truly like living in a dream, almost like being in heaven. Yet, the better things were, the harder it was for Zhou Fang to comprehend.
Why would a prison be like this?
On the day they first arrived, a general meeting was held. The meeting’s purpose was for everyone to share their experiences in different cities and their impressions of those places. If they revealed details or more concealed information about the cities, they could make a request that was not unreasonable.
This was an overly obvious attempt to gain favor—mercenaries were supposed to have dignity, after all—yet Zhou Fang watched one mercenary after another step forward, eager to reveal everything they knew.
The method of gaining favor wasn’t particularly clever. Watching these people, Zhou Fang couldn’t help but suspect that perhaps their prolonged stay here had caused them to lose their ability to judge, such as…
Maybe these so-called “wish fulfillment” promises were nothing more than an enticing illusion.
Zhou Fang was highly alert; everything here was far too unusual. Despite being a prison, it had large windows that allowed sunlight to pour in. He had once tried to break the glass to escape, but he discovered that his strength was utterly ineffective against it. The glass was even sturdier than the walls.
This place was like an Eden specifically built for mercenaries, and they were the pets being kept here. Sooner or later, their claws would be removed, and they would be at the mercy of others.
At this moment, Zhou Fang anxiously tried to piece together some information, but he had nothing.
His younger brother, Zhou Yan, had been taken away.
The ones who came to take him were a pair of brothers who looked alike. Although they were not very old, Zhou Fang felt an overwhelming sense of powerlessness when he saw them.
There was no way they could contend with these two.
The four people in the room clearly shared the same feeling. Even Zhou Yan had obediently allowed himself to be taken away.
An hour had passed, and the atmosphere in the room was suffocatingly oppressive. They were mercenaries, comrades who supported each other, but when the tall, dark-skinned man stood there coldly, his intense aura made it almost impossible for them to breathe, let alone think of resisting.
Zhou Fang’s hands were tightly clenched together, and his heart felt constricted with worry over his brother’s uncertain situation.
Suddenly, Zhou Fang heard footsteps coming from outside. Each step produced a heavy, muffled sound on the ground. And… amidst the sound of the footsteps, it seemed as though something heavy was being dragged along the floor.
The sound of footsteps instantly alerted Zhou Fang, prompting him to stand up. These were the footsteps of the dark-skinned man who had taken his younger brother.
The door in front of him opened.
He saw his brother, Zhou Yan.
At this moment, Zhou Yan was being held by the dark-skinned man, as if he had completely lost all his strength. He wasn’t unconscious, but his expression was vacant, his eyes hollow. The dark-skinned man then tossed Zhou Yan into the room. Zhou Fang immediately rushed forward to hold his brother.
He raised his eyes; even though he knew he was no match for the man in front of him, the intense hatred in his heart was uncontrollable, driving him to want to kill this man.
The dark-skinned man’s expression was icy, his eyes pitch black, as though he didn’t take Zhou Fang’s hatred seriously at all.
When the door closed before them, Zhou Fang felt a chill spread through his heart. During outdoor time, he had ventured outside and had seen many familiar faces from before.
Yet, the atmosphere of the entire prison was unexpectedly friendly. The guards patrolling around weren’t even carrying weapons, and not a single person had organized a plan to overpower the soldiers and escape.
Zhou Fang held his brother close with a heavy heart. He realized Zhou Yan’s clothes were soaked with sweat, his body cold and drenched, and he had already collapsed, unable to move at all. It was as if, in this short hour, all the life and energy had been drained from him.
“It seems like there are no injuries.” At that moment, other members of the Black Flag Squad beside Zhou Fang opened Zhou Yuan’s clothes to check him over thoroughly but found no abnormalities.
Feeling heartbroken, Zhou Fang held his younger brother close and whispered softly in Zhou Yan’s ear, “Ah Yan, Ah Yan, are you okay? If there’s anything uncomfortable, tell your brother.”
He repeated this over and over for a long time until a faint light gradually appeared in Zhou Yan’s eyes. Zhou Fang suddenly sensed that his brother was showing signs of reaction and quickly leaned down. “Ah Yan.”
“Brother…” Zhou Yan tried to say something, but his throat was so hoarse that he could barely produce a sound. Zhou Fang immediately asked someone nearby to fetch a cup of water and carefully began feeding Zhou Yan small sips.
“I’m here, Ah Yan. Your brother is here.” Zhou Fang deliberately lowered his voice, afraid of startling his brother.
The expressions of the two people nearby were complex. Although there were no visible injuries on Zhou Yan, it was clear his spirit was on the verge of collapse.
“Brother, I’m sorry.” After a long pause, Zhou Yan finally spoke slowly. “I… I told them.”
Zhou Fang froze. “Told them what?”
“I told them about the city we came from, Angel City,” Zhou Yan murmured, lowering his eyes. His face was void of emotion, and the overwhelming sadness in his expression pierced Zhou Fang’s heart.
“It’s okay, Ah Yan. It’s fine if you said it,” Zhou Fang reassured. He knew how proud Zhou Yan was of being a mercenary. Despite their nomadic lifestyle, they enjoyed wealth and luxury far beyond what residents of mobile cities could imagine. The money they earned through risking their lives was a source of immense pride for them.
“Yes, Ah Yan. Angel City wasn’t anything great anyway. Back then, they forced us to take on this mission. Looking at it now, it’s obvious they just wanted us dead.”
“Exactly, Ah Yan. It’s okay. Just let them tear each other apart.”
Zhou Yan remained silent, appearing either withdrawn or perhaps sluggish. Zhou Fang desperately wanted to know what had been done to his brother, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask.
During outdoor time, Zhou Fang’s gaze was fixed on a prison guard lounging in a corner chair. The guard was incredibly strong. Though unarmed, simply standing there exuded an intimidating and dangerous aura.
Zhou Fang couldn’t understand why the mercenaries around him could still interact so casually with the prison guards. Had the people here been completely numbed by their current lives, forgetting that they were once mercenaries?
Suddenly, during their outdoor time, the main prison door opened. Someone walked in, followed by another uniformed guard.
“A new companion,” Zhou Fang heard someone beside him say. “There’s no space left—where will the new companion be housed?”
Zhou Fang looked at the newcomer, his eyes darkening slightly. By now, the others in the prison had become completely numb to their current way of life. When Zhou Fang mentioned that his brother might have suffered inhumane treatment, the others merely gave him a disdainful glance, clearly uninterested in his plight.
Zhou Fang wanted to escape. He couldn’t reconcile himself to staying in a place where his brother had been made to suffer.
But he needed allies—not just his own people, but more help. For example, the newcomer: the slightly unkempt, silver-haired, muscular middle-aged man who had just arrived.
What he didn’t expect, however, was that after their outdoor time, when they returned, they discovered an extra bed had been added to their room of four.
The silver-haired man was now sitting on the bed, dressed in the standard prison uniform, his eyes closed, seemingly dozing.
“How are you here?” Zhou Fang asked in surprise, immediately questioning him.
The silver-haired man opened his eyes. Even as a man himself, Zhou Fang couldn’t deny the silver-haired man’s striking good looks. His sharp, defined features left a lasting impression—it was a face with a certain roguish charm.
The man sat up lazily, one foot casually resting on the ground while the other leg remained on the bed. His posture was relaxed, and his voice was deep, not intentionally lowered, but naturally so.
“Hello, cellmate,” the man greeted with a faint smile. “The guards said space needs to be saved now. Too many mercenaries have been coming in, so the temporary prison decided to pack all the troublemakers into one area. Hence, an extra bed squeezed in here.” Although the man’s face was undeniably handsome, for some reason, he still gave off an air of disheveled carelessness.
“Are you here to investigate Hope City?” Zhou Fang asked. Hearing the man’s explanation, he found it somewhat believable. After all, he had heard about the overcrowding situation in the prison, so he trusted it a little.
“No,” the silver-haired man shrugged. “I didn’t even know there was a Hope City.”
“Then how did you end up here?” Zhou Fang began to probe, testing the waters with his questions.
“Just passing through,” the man replied slowly.
“How could you get caught just for passing through?” Zhou Fang found the man’s presence rather strange. His instincts told him this man was very powerful. But why would someone like him suddenly be placed in their prison, complete with an extra bed? Could he be a spy sent in by those people? But after what had happened with Zhou Yan, was there still anything left that they wanted to know?
“Apparently, it’s because a mercenary squad recently drove in with three vehicles. The underside of the vehicles was loaded with some strange substance that leaked information from inside the city. Now, the external searches are extremely strict, and, well… I somehow got caught up in it,” the man said, rubbing his head, looking genuinely annoyed about being captured.
Zhou Fang froze. “Substance?”
Three vehicles. Mercenaries wealthy enough to afford such a display were rare. And a few days ago? That matched the time they had arrived.
In other words, those mercenaries, who would have otherwise been safe, had been caught because of their own actions?
For a moment, Zhou Fang’s feelings became unexpectedly complicated.
“What kind of substance?” Zhou Yan, sitting nearby, finally asked.
“How would I know? The only information I’ve heard is just that much,” the man shrugged, his indifferent attitude clearly conveyed.
At that moment, Zhou Yan paused slightly. He lifted his head and said to Zhou Fang, “During… that time, they also said it was because something had been exposed. They claimed… we were sent in as targets to relay information to other cities.”
Zhou Fang’s heart tightened. Piecing together these scattered bits of information, he had already come up with a possibility in his mind.
Angel City!
Angel City had used them as sacrificial pawns, directly sending them to Hope City, and tampering with the vehicles from the very start. Angel City likely never intended for them to return. What Angel City truly wanted was just the information.
For a moment, Zhou Fang felt icy cold. The blood flowing to his heart seemed to freeze, and his face turned pale.
“So, are you saying that the reason I was suddenly captured is entirely your fault?” Suddenly, the silver-haired man’s deep voice took on an icy tone, sounding almost threatening.
Zhou Fang was taken aback and found himself unable to refute the claim. His body tensed, fearful that the man might retaliate against them.
“Well, it doesn’t matter. Looking at things now, it’s not so bad.” The silver-haired man chuckled, pulling something out from the cabinet beneath his bed. “There’s even a prison welcome kit.”
The so-called “prison welcome kit” was a nickname. In reality, it contained two sets of prison uniforms and some basic toiletries. In this place where everything was expensive, these items held undeniable value.
“If you want to take a shower, you’d better go to the communal bathroom where there’s hot water and partitions. If you try bathing here, you’ll likely have to make do with cold water from the faucet,” Zhou Yan said. Seeing his elder brother’s troubled expression, as a younger sibling, he naturally felt the need to protect him.
After all, they were going to be roommates for some time. It wouldn’t do to let things get too tense between them.
At that moment, someone beside them asked, “What about your squad? Have they all been scattered?”
“I’m a solo mercenary. The mobile city I was in hadn’t seen mercenaries for quite a while, so I decided to try my luck in other cities,” the silver-haired man explained slowly. His voice was captivating, almost compelling everyone to listen intently to his every word, unwilling to interrupt.
Solo mercenaries, by definition, are individuals of extraordinary skill who can join any mercenary group and make meaningful contributions. Such mercenaries are rare, and those who achieve this status are often quite remarkable.
“I noticed you weren’t wearing armor when you came in. Don’t you have any?” Zhou Fang asked.
“I do, but I was sunbathing at the time,” the silver-haired man said, his deep voice carrying a subtle hint of amusement. “Ah, I wasn’t wearing clothes then either—got caught while I was enjoying the sunshine. For now, I just threw on something casual.”
Zhou Fang froze, his expression stiffening. So, it really was their fault that this unfortunate man got captured without even having time to put on proper clothes?
Zhou Fang’s expression shifted from awkwardness to gloom.
Damn… Angel City.
Mercenaries, in truth, are individuals who seek to live freely and fearlessly, unafraid of death, rather than being willing to die in humiliation under others’ manipulation.
“You have a very frightening expression, sir,” the silver-haired man teased with a faint smile in his voice.
“My name is Zhou Fang. Fang as in ‘magnanimous’,” Zhou Fang introduced himself to his new roommate.
The silver-haired man leaned casually against the head of the bed. In the dim light, his silver hair seemed to glow with an almost illusionary pale blue hue. “Hello, I’m Sai Gu. Gu as in ‘archaeology’,” he replied.
—
Angel City was a renowned eco-city, true to the name they had given themselves, as they narcissistically regarded themselves as angels.
The city cultivated a wide variety of rare plants and animals, preserving these nearly extinct species of the world as “sparks” of life, symbols of protection for the future.
In an era where even affording food was a struggle, environmental conservation might have seemed absurd, yet Angel City succeeded. To achieve the perfect balance of environmental protection and to fund the safeguarding of flora and fauna, they opened these precious species to the public as a zoo. This turned Angel City into a famous destination for tourism and romantic outings—a mobile city unlike any other.
Perhaps it was because people still held onto a sense of nostalgia and hope for the beauty of the past. These creatures, once native to Earth, were cherished. This affinity often translated into more favorable terms during trade with Angel City. It was a way to preserve a glimmer of hope for the future amidst this apocalyptic world.
Angel City was starkly different from the constant clamor of Scorching Sun City. It was serene, always moving forward at a gentle pace, with its perfect white wings, much like those of an angel. Just by looking at it, one can feel its unique sanctity.
He Fang reviewed the compiled information, but it was undeniable that this understanding of Angel City remained superficial. No matter how much he analyzed it, he couldn’t pinpoint anything truly distinctive.
“So that’s why they use such peculiar biological detection methods, huh? An eco-friendly mobile city?” He Fang frowned. If this was the nature of the city, he really didn’t want to antagonize it.
After all, the “sparks” they preserved were indeed crucial to the world. Thinking about it carefully, it would be a shame if some fascinating and rare species of flora and fauna disappeared from the world entirely.
Contemplating this, He Fang sought out Min Zhizhou.
“Another investigation?” Min Zhizhou’s expression was one of exasperation. After finally enjoying a comfortable year of life, why did he have to embark on this grueling journey again?
He Fang looked at Min Zhizhou standing before him, his emotions notably conflicted. Glancing at Min Zhizhou’s attribute panel, He Fang found that this guy’s happiness levels hadn’t changed, regardless of whether He Fang was present or not. It seemed that without him constantly assigning missions to Min Zhizhou, the man’s happiness had skyrocketed to absurd levels.
The word “complicated” was practically written across He Fang’s face. “Min Zhizhou, have you gained weight?”
Min Zhizhou froze, his expression stiffening, before giving an awkward cough. Then, with a surprising air of pride, he patted his belly. “Yes, I have. Life’s been so good recently that I’ve lost my abs. If I go on another mission now, I might hold everyone back. My armor probably won’t even fit anymore.”
He Fang lowered his gaze to Min Zhizhou’s belly.
Min Zhizhou, ever cooperative, even lifted his shirt to reveal his soft, squishy stomach.
He Fang: “…Flex your muscles for me.”
Min Zhizhou tried, but unfortunately, it was still just a lump of fat.
“How can you let yourself go like this?!” He Fang was practically heartbroken. He had always been fond of this information NPC, but how could this person be so unmotivated?
“I left the city and became a mercenary precisely because I didn’t want to endure the grind of high-intensity labor day after day. I chose a dangerous but flexible job where I could decide my own rest schedule. What’s wrong with that?” Min Zhizhou replied, sounding entirely justified.
“I’m going to replace your main city resident ID card with a Hope City resident ID card,” He Fang said, his face expressionless.
Min Zhizhou froze, then immediately tried his best to tense his abs, managing to form a faint outline. Smiling at He Fang, he said, “I think it’s fine. I’ll go investigate. Anyway, with armor that thick, no one will recognize me once I put it on.”
He Fang’s expression was filled with disdain.
“So, which city are you investigating?” Min Zhizhou asked.
“Angel City,” He Fang replied. He had already tasked Sai Gu with interacting with the mercenaries from Angel City. Once it was confirmed that they would confront Angel City, he planned to release these mercenaries back into the field.
As a form of provocation.
“Angel City?” Min Zhizhou froze for a moment.
“What’s wrong?” He Fang noticed that Min Zhizhou’s expression seemed unusual.
Min Zhizhou frowned. “Why would you confront Angel City? Angel City has always stayed out of conflicts—even Scorching Sun City doesn’t randomly pick a fight with Angel City.”
“Is it strong?” He Fang hadn’t expected to gain more detailed information from Min Zhizhou.
“It’s not about being strong—it’s that you can’t take action against them,” Min Zhizhou sat down, pondering as he spoke. “They preserve countless ‘sparks’ and have become a symbol of hope. With support from various cities, Angel City is now a super-sized mobile city.”
The scale of a super-sized mobile city far surpasses that of a mid-sized city like Hope City. Angel City boasts abundant resources and economic strength. Even the currently popular plant-based armor originates from their research. Angel City holds a unique significance in this world.
“Do they truly have valuable things?” He Fang suddenly felt tempted by the idea of Angel City.
“Yes, they’re a city unmatched in biodiversity—even your city can’t compare,” Min Zhizhou reflected before suggesting, “If you want to explore Angel City, my advice is not to go as a mercenary but as a tourist.”
Unlike Scorching Sun City, which is highly exclusive, Angel City, as a renowned tourist destination, welcomes everyone. It even upholds faith in divinity, perhaps inspired by its angelic theme. Its design resembles an imagined heaven, reflecting the human ideal of paradise.
“People can’t even afford food, yet they’d go sightseeing?” He Fang found the city’s concept somewhat unreal.
“That’s not the case. Unlike other mobile cities that aim to seek resources, Angel City actively approaches other cities. Residents of nearby cities can pay an entrance fee to visit and explore,” Min Zhizhou explained, revealing his substantial knowledge of this tourist city. “Additionally, many influential figures travel there. Even in a post-apocalyptic world, wealthy people still exist.”
A place for romantic dates?
Dates.
He Fang pondered.
“If it’s for a date, I’d rather not go with you,” He Fang mumbled.
Min Zhizhou: “…” Honestly, there was no need to specifically say that to him.
“I’ll go find Lu Hu,” He Fang declared.
But after consulting Lu Hu, Lu Hu simply shook her head.
“You don’t want to go?” If it was about a date, of course, he would ask Lu Hu, a woman who was beautiful, elegant, wealthy, and knowledgeable. He Fang couldn’t think of a more suitable candidate.
“I’m not really interested in traveling. Traveling just gets in the way of my time to make money,” Lu Hu replied, unusually rejecting He Fang outright. He Fang, upon hearing this, found it understandable. After all, Lu Hu didn’t seem like someone who would force herself to do something she didn’t want to.
“That’s truly a shame,” He Fang mused. “Then, who do you think would be a good fit for the investigation?”
“Anyone could go, right?” Lu Hu replied disinterestedly, focusing on filing her nails. “If it’s just for sightseeing, why not let anyone go? Consider it a break for someone who’s been working hard.”
Suddenly, He Fang’s eyes lit up.
Employee benefits!
Why hadn’t he thought of this before? This was the perfect example of a standard employee perk!
Watching He Fang run off with an excited expression, Lu Hu sighed helplessly. Their adorable little city lord spent all day coming up with one idea after another, never considering that, as a young woman, she wouldn’t want her first date to be with someone she wasn’t particularly close to. That would be far too tragic.
If it were a date with their charming city lord, she’d be more than willing to go, even if it was for an investigation. After all, love often happens in the most unexpected moments, doesn’t it? Like accidental physical contact during the mission, facing a crisis together, or sharing a mutual understanding in the face of danger.
Sigh.
It’s easy to imagine how difficult this would be.
—
He Fang organized an employee benefit trip with exploration as the primary goal and relaxation as a secondary purpose—tourism.
He Fang thought that perhaps everyone should take a breather. While he was aware that NPCs likely didn’t need rest, even prisoners get weekends off. So why shouldn’t the key NPCs have some downtime?
Before finalizing the participants for this employee trip, He Fang had a very serious issue to address.
Where exactly was Angel City?
Although it had been revealed that Angel City was the mastermind behind the scenes, there was still no clue on how to actually locate it. He asked Zhu Yan to study the vehicles driven by the Black Flag mercenary squad, but He Fang found no traces of anything resembling a map or navigation device.
“We could ask the Black Flag mercenary squad again.” This time, however, He Fang chose not to send the Chong brothers to investigate. Instead, he summoned Sai Gu.
Although he didn’t know exactly what the Chong brothers had done in the interrogation room, he was aware that those who came out of it didn’t even have the strength to stand. Just imagining it gave He Fang the sense that it might have been something cruel.
As a “mercenary” from another city, Sai Gu had always avoided appearing in public. This was to prevent any suspicions, or perhaps to avoid Zhou Fang suspecting that someone might still be monitoring their movements. Everything needed to be done thoroughly. Sai Gu’s capture had been genuine, unexpected, and meticulously executed.
Thus, He Fang hadn’t seen Sai Gu until now. When he finally did, he felt a wave of relief.
“Why do you look so thankful? Did my face really worry our young city lord?” Sai Gu touched the corner of his eye and added with a wry smile, “It’s true—getting to that age. Perhaps it’s time to grow old.”
“Not at all, Uncle Gu!” He Fang couldn’t help but laugh at Sai Gu’s odd comment, delivered in a serious, deep voice. “Did you manage to get any information during your time with them?”
Sai Gu chuckled. “Of course I did. Otherwise, what reason would there be for the young city lord to call me back?”
He Fang’s eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, “What kind of information?”
Sai Gu, as always, excelled at extracting details from others through their actions, words, and even their clothing. He was a master observer. He began speaking slowly, “The Black Flag mercenaries hadn’t intended to take the job when Angel City approached them. The rumors about Hope City circulating outside are still incomplete and imprecise. They weren’t keen to get involved.”
From Sai Gu’s measured tone, He Fang detected the mercenary squad’s resentment toward Angel City, as well as their lack of goodwill toward his own Hope City. However, it was clear that Zhou Fang was the only one with genuine grievances.
He Fang rubbed his temples, suspecting that the Chong brothers’ treatment of Zhou Yan had angered him.
Still, that wasn’t the main issue.
“So, does this mean the Black Flag mercenary squad and Angel City aren’t on good terms?” He Fang asked, somewhat surprised.
“Yes, which is why if the young city lord wants to extract information about Angel City from them, it wouldn’t be too difficult,” Sai Gu replied, narrowing his eyes slightly. His silver hair partially obscured his face, giving him an unexpectedly striking appearance.
“You even know that?” He Fang asked in amazement.
“I’ve been watching the young city lord all along. Of course, I know what’s on your mind.”
Sai Gu’s comment made He Fang marvel at how terrifying the big data in “Ruins Without Restart” truly was.
“But right now, Zhou Fang really dislikes me.” He Fang couldn’t help but think about the time when Zhou Yan had been tortured to near collapse.
“Zhou Fang isn’t the only person you can question, is he?” Sai Gu’s voice was like a devil’s whisper. He smiled as he delivered his ruthless observation: “In the face of absolute interests, no one can remain unshaken.”
He Fang’s heart skipped a beat, and he lowered his head. He couldn’t deny that there were many members in the Black Flag mercenary squad. Based on what he had learned about them, they were likely united under the pressures of the post-apocalyptic world.
But what about now, in the comfort of Hope City?
Things they could only dream of in the desolation of the apocalypse—yet could never attain—might just be within reach in Hope City.
“Uncle Gu, you’re right.” He Fang reflected that perhaps Sai Gu was born with the ability to manipulate people’s hearts. After some thought, He Fang added, “Uncle Gu, if I dissolve the ten-man Black Flag squad and let you inherit the Black Flag name, what do you think?”
Sai Gu laughed—a hearty, carefree laugh that matched his scruffy outward appearance, making him seem like a roguish drifter.
“That might not be a bad idea,” Sai Gu said as he poured himself a cup of tea. “The Black Flag name has always carried weight. While lying low as a weaker presence has its advantages, having the Black Flag reputation could make many things much more efficient.”
He Fang couldn’t help but feel a little guilty. Not only had he forcibly scattered the Black Flag mercenary squad, but now he was even considering taking their name. He truly felt like a ruthless city lord.
Following Sai Gu’s guidance, He Fang ultimately selected a rather unassuming member of the Black Flag mercenary squad. He couldn’t help but marvel at Sai Gu’s uncanny ability to read people—the chosen member barely resisted and spilled everything willingly.
As He Fang listened to the man’s lengthy explanations, the man finally looked up and said his last words: “Please take care of my family.”
It was then that He Fang noticed the man’s attribute panel—he was only nineteen years old. Watching the panel, He Fang saw a detailed backstory emerge in real time. The young man’s relentless efforts were all for his family, in hopes of providing them with better living conditions. His hometown was a harsh and terrifying city, and his dream was to bring his family to a happier place to live.
He Fang’s decision to use the man’s “family” as leverage to extract information was entirely based on Sai Gu’s instructions.
He Fang had to admit, Sai Gu’s ability to read and manipulate people was terrifyingly effective.
In the end, He Fang obtained the information he sought, pinpointed Angel City’s location, and finalized the team for this mission: Yuan Zhiran, Chong Ying, Ye Sheng, and Zhu Yan.
Chong Ying was dumbfounded when he heard the news. “What about my brother? Isn’t my brother going? He’s the strongest fighter! Absolutely unbeatable.”
“No,” He Fang shook his head. “Chong Xiao’s appearance is too conspicuous. If we don’t even make it into the city and end up getting kicked out, wouldn’t that be a disaster?”
“But… I’m going, and my brother isn’t…” Chong Ying’s expression was full of concern, but he couldn’t suppress the smirk tugging at his lips. “My brother will be so jealous…”
However, Chong Ying slowly lowered his head, feigning a look of disappointment. In truth, he was reveling in his brother’s misfortune. That blockheaded brother of his didn’t know how to seize opportunities. Now, he’d get a taste of what it felt like to let a chance slip through his fingers. Let’s see if he dares to stand before the Creator again and fail to say a single word!
As for Yuan Zhiran, he was chosen because of his potential. After all, he was striving for a position in the military, and his stats were already impressive. Not to mention… that exceptionally beautiful face.
Considering that Angel City was a destination for dates and tourism, He Fang thought an all-male team might raise suspicion. But what if Yuan Zhiran dressed as a woman?
Yuan Zhiran, already strikingly androgynous, would likely look flawless in women’s clothing. While his broader frame might be a challenge, with some adjustments, he could transform into a stunning and regal queen.
Yuan Zhiran had no objections to this.
He Fang even overheard Yuan Zhiran casually mention that he was quite skilled at cross-dressing.
He Fang was utterly stunned. He checked Yuan Zhiran’s attribute panel multiple times but couldn’t find anything that mentioned “cross-dressing enthusiast”.
“It’s for the mission,” Yuan Zhiran explained, meeting He Fang’s puzzled gaze. “Missions vary—they involve different identities and scenarios. I only learned skills I thought might be useful in the future. Besides, the fact that I’ve prepared in advance proves I was right.”
Once again, He Fang was astonished by Yuan Zhiran’s meticulousness.
However, Yuan Zhiran suddenly said, “City Lord, I understand why you’re bringing Zhu Yan—after all, Angel City’s ecology needs to be studied. But why are you bringing Ye Sheng?”
“Min Zhizhou has grown accustomed to a comfortable life, and sending him on a mission might be too harsh,” He Fang explained. Though he found Min Zhizhou’s sudden weight gain a bit much, he could understand how someone who had enjoyed a peaceful life might no longer crave danger. He respected his NPC’s choices. “Ye Sheng has extensive knowledge about mobile cities. Having Ye Sheng lead us could help us avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble.”
“Is that so?” Chong Ying, leaning against his older brother Chong Xiao, who had remained silent the entire time, flashed a mischievous grin. “But I don’t fully trust Ye Sheng. Yuan Zhiran, you should keep a close eye on Ye Sheng.”
Yuan Zhiran responded, “Understood.”
![Dissatisfied [e-sports]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/4997572.jpg "Dissatisfied [e-sports]")
