Chapter 114: I Want to Leave the Guardians Squad

"Um, Little Yuan Lady?" The sharp tongue that Zhuang Xiaoyuan unleashed left Du Qiying wide-eyed, her expression one of utter bewilderment. This was the second time Du Qiying had been stunned into silence by Zhuang Xiaoyuan’s words.

“You’re such a disobedient person. Do you know why I don’t personally make you disappear? Because, even for an instant, I don’t want to come into contact with you. So, could you kindly stay thirty thousand kilometers away from me?”

The exquisite and intense emotion of Linli, the spirit of the dating world, forcibly suppressed by Zhuang Xiaoyuan, was powerful and each spirit commanded certain rules. Although Zhuang Xiaoyuan’s abilities had been rapidly advancing, she was still far from fully controlling the spirits’ personalities in their transformed states. During this difficult period of control, forcibly repressing emotions could easily lead to a violent rebound later on.

“Xiaoyuan, what’s wrong? Even if Senior Qiying is a perverted scoundrel, what you said is just too rude... to the ground thirty thousand kilometers away.” Zhuang Xiaoyuan’s sudden sharp retort left not only Du Qiying dumbfounded, but also Wen Hui standing nearby, who was so surprised she forgot her earlier shyness and embarrassment.

“Hey, I’m not trash! I won’t pollute the ground thirty thousand kilometers away! Why would I run that far just to pollute the ground? Pah! I wouldn’t do that.” Du Qiying’s expression, initially relieved when Wen Hui held back Zhuang Xiaoyuan, was dealt an even heavier blow by Wen Hui’s words.

“Uh, um, sorry, I lost control just now. It’s probably a side effect of my ability. Please forget what I said earlier, although some of it was sincere. My deepest apologies.” After Wen Hui’s gentle tug, Zhuang Xiaoyuan returned to her usual self. Recalling her earlier outburst, she blushed with embarrassment and bowed deeply to the guardians, apologizing.

“Hey, you’re the one who was hurt the most, and targeted too, right? Why did you deliberately avoid apologizing to me?” Du Qiying was dumbfounded as she watched Zhuang Xiaoyuan bypass her to apologize to the others behind her. So some of what you said was sincere, huh? So all your sharp remarks were true? I was actually despised by my junior... despised... despised... despised. Du Qiying was petrified...

“Beep beep beep. Beep beep beep.” As the guardian team eliminated the burrowing-level demon and sealed the crack with demons controlled by Zhuang Xiaoyuan, the South Gate was temporarily safe. The few who relaxed a little began teasing each other to ease their sorrow, when Huajing’s communicator suddenly rang.

“All civilians, please pay attention. All civilians, please pay attention. Please evacuate to the urban center command evacuation zone through the connection channel opened by the shelter. Please evacuate to the urban center command evacuation zone through the connection channel opened by the shelter. Repeating once more, please through—” As Huajing pulled out the communicator, the remaining intact loudspeaker at the South Gate broadcast the announcement.

Hearing this warning, everyone present fell silent. Huajing gently opened the communicator, which displayed a shocking notice: burrowing-level demons had appeared at both the East and West Gates, and both gates had been breached...

“Beep beep beep. Beep beep beep.” The communicator rang again. This time, it was a direct call. Taking a deep breath, Huajing raised a trembling finger and tapped the accept button.

“Guardian Huajing? This is Staff Officer Chu Yan of the Command.” A clear male voice came from the other end. The voice was somewhat familiar. Due to the loudspeaker’s announcement, Zhuang Xiaoyuan’s stunned mind slowly recovered and recalled—it was the major who had come with the research team a few days ago. Unexpectedly, he was a staff officer at the Command.

“Staff Officer Chu, is there a mission order?” Huajing asked calmly, biting her lip to suppress her turbulent emotions.

“Transmitting Command orders...” Chu Yan’s voice paused slightly, as if he hadn’t fully accepted it yet. One could hear him take a deep breath on the other end. “Abandon Maple City. Execute the retreat plan. All guardians proceed to the teleportation zone for priority evacuation.”

“...Understood.” After the order was given, silence fell over both ends of the communication. After a long pause, Huajing clenched her teeth and said two words, then the line was disconnected.

“Captain!” came the simultaneous calls of Wang Mingyue, Man Yutong, Du Qiying, and Wen Hui.

“That’s the order.” Huajing said nothing more, nor did she explain to the team. She suppressed her wildly beating heart and gritted her teeth.

“I will not leave just like that.” A cold voice cut through the heavy atmosphere. From Zhuang Xiaoyuan came a chilling resolve. Uncle Feng, you were right—this day has truly come: abandoning everyone and letting the guardians leave first. The very title of ‘Guardian’ was bestowed to protect humanity, yet now ordinary people must be sacrificed so the guardians can escape. What a joke.

“That’s the order.” Huajing’s eyes narrowed slightly, a dangerous and stern light flickering within. She repeated her previous words.

“I have not joined you guardians, so I do not have to obey orders given to the guardians.” Looking up without a trace of weakness, Zhuang Xiaoyuan met Huajing’s gaze with unwavering conviction.

With great power comes great responsibility—this was the most important lesson Zhuang Xiaoyuan had inherited from her parents in her past life. The existence of soldiers was to protect and serve the people; this belief was deeply rooted in her heart this lifetime. Neither past nor present, neither morality nor principle could allow Zhuang Xiaoyuan to give up now. She would act according to her conviction.

“Captain, I want to leave the guardian team.” Wen Hui stepped forward resolutely, standing beside Zhuang Xiaoyuan. Her eyes locked on Huajing’s as she spoke firmly, her intentions clear.

“Captain!” “Captain!” “Captain!” Without further words, the silent Wang Mingyue, the quiet Man Yutong, and the free-spirited Du Qiying also walked to Zhuang Xiaoyuan’s side, making their own choice.

“Good, one by one, very good. Well done.” Huajing’s expression suddenly shifted from serious to proud smile. “What is a guardian? Those who exist to protect humanity—that is what a guardian truly is. I am proud of your choice.”