Chapter 37: Dawn Organization

Su Changfeng waved his hand: “That’s not really your concern—this mission is indeed tied to the Cult of the Evil God, but they’re just a minor issue.”

“Now, humanity has an opportunity to change its fate—and it needs Itachi…”

Su Changfeng paused, then turned again to Jiang Xia: “Mainly Itachi, Jiang Xia!”

Wang Teng groaned, “Director Su, just tell us outright—it concerns all three of us, so knowing early gives us time to prepare.”

Su Changfeng still refused without hesitation: “I’ll tell Itachi when the time is right. For now, take on some small missions to gain experience—there’ll be a tough fight coming.”

After a long silence—

Seeing their gloomy expressions, Su Changfeng sighed: “The Night Watchers have strict team limits—three of Itachi can’t fit in one squad.”

“So I’m forming a temporary three-person squad for Itachi, with the same pay and missions as any other squad.”

Hearing this, their expressions eased; Jiang Xia asked, “Can we recruit teammates? What’s our team name?”

Su Changfeng nodded: “Itachi can find your own teammates, but Itachi must register them at the branch.”

“Itachi may choose your own name, but your official designation will be Night Watchers Fourth Squad, Linjiang City.”

Wang Teng’s gloom vanished, replaced by excitement: “We get to pick our own name? How about ‘Ye Xia Teng Squad’? That way, everyone instantly knows who the veterans are.”

“No.”

Jiang Xia and Ye Lingxi spoke in unison: “Ye Xia Teng? Underarm pain? What kind of name is that?”

“Then how about ‘Emperor Squad’? All emperors—how majestic!”

Jiang Xia and the other ignored Wang Teng; Ye Lingxi turned to Jiang Xia: “What do Itachi think we should call it?”

Jiang Xia thought for a moment, then gazed out the window at the sunset and said, “Akatsuki Zuzhi—how about just ‘Akatsuki’?”

“Akatsuki… sounds cool, but it’s not as imposing as Emperor Squad,” Wang Teng persisted. “Emperor Squad is the name.”

Jiang Xia explained: “‘Akatsuki’ means dawn, sunrise—it symbolizes hope and the future.”

“We name ourselves ‘Akatsuki’ because we hope our squad can bring peace to humanity and light to the world.”

“More specifically, I want us to create a world where people understand each other and everyone is equal.”

Su Changfeng murmured: “Peace for humanity, light for the world—good! Excellent!”

Ye Lingxi nodded: “This name works—hope, future—it has depth.”

Wang Teng muttered under his breath: “Still, Emperor Squad sounds more imposing.”

Su Changfeng stood, pulled three black leather credentials from his drawer, and placed one before each of them.

“These are your temporary squad member IDs—Itachi can use them to claim missions and supplies at the branch.”

“Starting tomorrow, Itachi are the Night Watchers’ Fourth Squad, Linjiang City, codename: [Akatsuki].”

Even after leaving the Night Watchers branch, Wang Teng’s excitement hadn’t faded.

“Damn, Old Xia, Lingxi—we’re actually Night Watchers now! If we run into classmates, we’ll be total legends.”

He kept babbling to them while clutching his squad ID.

At the familiar intersection, Jiang Xia waved goodbye and turned toward his home.

As he opened the door, a smell of dust and old wood hit him, making him instinctively frown.

A spiderweb hanging on the doorframe broke apart in the airflow and drifted gently onto his shoulder.

In the living room, the sofa and coffee table were covered in light gray dust cloths, each dusted thick enough to leave a clear fingerprint with a single press.

He dug out a broom and mop from the bathroom; the dust stirred by the broom made him pause often, rubbing his itchy nose with the back of his hand.

Finally done cleaning, Jiang Xia washed up, lay on his bed, and felt drained: “I’m already a Great Martial Master—why is cleaning so exhausting? I should’ve called Fatty over to help.”

At home, Wang Teng, enjoying his parents’ care, rubbed his nose: “Achoo—who’s thinking of me?”

His mother brought out cut fruit and asked worriedly: “What’s wrong, Tengteng? Caught a cold? I’ll get Itachi medicine.”

She set down the fruit plate and moved to fetch the first-aid kit, but Wang Teng waved her off: “No need, Mom—I’m sure someone’s just thinking about me.”

Wang Teng’s parents sat beside him, eager: “Tell us what’s been happening! Itachi’re a Night Watcher now—so proud of Itachi!”

Wang Teng lounged on the sofa, legs crossed smugly: “The Night Watchers director personally invited me—I didn’t even want to join…”

The next morning, sunlight had just spilled over Linjiang City.

Jiang Xia saw Wang Teng bouncing on the stone steps outside the branch.

His black squad ID hung from a silver chain around his neck, swinging back and forth.

“Old Xia! Lingxi! Over here!” Wang Teng waved loudly—so loudly even the guards at the entrance turned to look.

Ye Lingxi stood beside Jiang Xia, dressed in a neat black sportswear outfit.

As they entered the mission room, they met a young receptionist in gray uniform who spotted their IDs and immediately smiled and approached.

“Itachi’re the Fourth Squad, right?”

“Director Su specifically told us—Itachi can pick any mission from the board.”

He pointed to the electronic screen behind him, where mission notices scrolled continuously.

Wang Teng glanced and immediately locked onto the bottom one: “Eliminate a cultist stronghold in the abandoned warehouse on the city outskirts?”

“Perfect! Let’s just charge in—so satisfying!”

Jiang Xia placed a hand on his shoulder and focused on the middle mission: “Investigate anomalous energy fluctuations in the abandoned factory in Hongguang Alley—risk level D.”

“Choose this,” Jiang Xia tapped the screen. “Director Su said we need to build experience—we don’t need to go all-out right away.”

“A D-rank mission is perfect for us to learn to coordinate as a team.”

Ye Lingxi nodded, pulling out a notebook: “I remember Hongguang Alley—it was sealed off three years ago. Now only vagrants go there occasionally, good for hiding.”

Wang Teng looked disappointed: “We finally become Night Watchers, and I wanted to earn some glory!”

Jiang Xia patted his shoulder: “Don’t worry, Fatty—we’ll be here a while. Once we’re more skilled, we’ll take on harder missions.”

The receptionist printed the mission file and handed it over; the paper included a simple floor plan of the factory, with a red circle marking the area of strongest energy response.

“Oh, one more thing,” the receptionist added suddenly, “If Itachi see anyone in black cloaks with a token at their waist, avoid direct confrontation—immediately send a distress signal.”

As the three turned to leave, they heard Su Changfeng’s voice behind them.

He walked over slowly, holding a porcelain mug: “The mission isn’t hard, but remember—Night Watchers aren’t lone heroes. We’re each other’s backs.”

His gaze swept over them, then settled on Jiang Xia: “Never grow careless—even on the simplest mission.”