Chapter 188

Saying this, Captain Shan changed his cold demeanor, breathing heavily, cheeks flushed with excitement.

Fang Yue:???

When I type question marks, it's not me who's confused—it's you who's messed up!

Fang Yue instinctively stepped back two paces.

"Wait, wait! Captain Shan, it's not what you think—I didn't mean it like that!"

"Don't explain. Hitting means affection, scolding means love. Now I know you're secretly in love with me. Come on! Hit me! Don't pity me because I'm a delicate flower—hit hard! I can take it!"

Who the hell can take that!

Fang Yue was stunned.

Captain Shan, how could you be this kind of person!

Watching Captain Shan sprawled flat on the ground, eyes closed, face flushed, seemingly eagerly awaiting what was to come, Fang Yue felt like a black question mark.

So this… this is Captain Shan's true nature? It's just too… too…

Fang Yue couldn't think of a good word to describe it—only silently retreated from the sprawled figure.

"Come on! Punch me! Slap me! Whip me! I want to feel the force of your love! I want to feel your affection!"

As she spoke, Captain Shan couldn't help but smile sweetly: "If your love isn't strong enough, I might just decide not to let you hit me next time."

Who the hell wants to hit a pervert like you!!

And what's with that saccharine tone? Do you really think anyone enjoys doing this?!

Fang Yue covered his forehead and walked out without looking back.

"Still not acting?! Do you think I enjoy this waiting game… just a little while, my patience has limits!"

"Deputy Captain Ye? That's enough—your little waiting game is over."

"Deputy Captain Ye, where are your little fists, your little knives? Still not striking? Hurry up, I can't hold on anymore! I want it—right now! Ugh, I said it out loud—you're so naughty!"

"... Deputy Captain Ye? Deputy Captain Ye?"

Long after Fang Yue had left, Captain Shan quietly cracked open one eye.

"I'll just take one peek—after all, seeing the attack means sensing its strength, and that's not exciting. Unknown attacks are the most thrilling…"

As she spoke, Captain Shan suddenly froze.

Because she realized Fang Yue was gone.

She stared blankly, then shot upright, scanning the surroundings—her sweet smile slowly stiffened, hardened, and vanished.

"YE! DEPUTY! CAPTAIN!!"

Her face darkened, her body trembling with rage: "Traitor! Heartless scumbag! All of you… are the same!!"

…

Fang Yue fled back to the temporary quarters in Chaoyue Village.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Fang Yue glanced out the window—thankfully, Captain Shan hadn't followed.

This woman is too intense… not my type at all!

Good thing we're parting ways tomorrow—if she stays in the team, I have no idea what else she'll pull.

As Fang Yue was thinking this, a voice suddenly came from the corner of the room.

"Deputy Captain Ye?"

"Who?!"

His heart jolted—he instantly drew his blade and pointed it at the dark corner.

He'd been lost in thoughts about Captain Shan and hadn't noticed someone had been hiding in the room.

"I-it's me."

A woman with muscular, hyper-masculine build stepped out—more manly than any man.

"…Ma Ling'er'er?"

"Deputy Captain Ye!"

Ma Ling'er'er suddenly lunged forward—Fang Yue jolted awake and firmly gripped her wrists.

"W-what's wrong?"

Ma Ling'er'er tried to wriggle free and keep rushing at him, but Fang Yue held her down tightly.

She lowered her head, then lifted it, eyes glistening with tears.

"Ling'er… Ling'er is scared!"

Fang Yue: …

You say you're scared with this muscular body? That's not convincing at all…

Forcing himself, Fang Yue asked: "Scared? Of what?"

"Everything!"

Ma Ling'er'er blinked, her massive frame posing as a fragile, delicate flower.

"Even that flower earlier, and now this weirdness—I'm so scared! They're terrifying, so terrifying!"

"Uh… didn't I already handle all that? So it's fine—go back and rest."

Saying this, Fang Yue released his grip and pushed her gently toward the door.

Ma Ling'er'er seemed stunned—her expression said: I'm this gorgeous woman visiting you late at night, showing you my vulnerability, and you're pushing me out?

Fang Yue thought he understood the fleeting expression.

But… this girl—does she have zero awareness of her appearance? No, of her physique?

You're a Jingang Babi—you're supposed to protect the little guys, not beg them to protect you!

It should be me collapsing into your arms crying for help!

"Let's go, let's go, head back to bed early—I'm sleepy too. Everyone get some rest; we've got a long journey tomorrow."

Pushing Ma Ling'er'er out the door, Fang Yue slammed it shut and went right back inside… went right back inside!

Ma Ling'er'er was stunned.

Even though she'd adjusted her body to become more muscular, weren't men all about looks? Others said that as long as your face was pretty, it didn't matter who you were!

Isn't my face, beautiful enough to captivate anyone? Why did he push me out?

Ma Ling'er'er clenched her teeth and stomped her foot in anger.

She'd thought it was a perfect opportunity—Fang Yue had just survived a life-or-death battle and trained with the fiery Captain Shan; he must have been utterly exhausted. She believed a little maneuvering would be enough to take his life.

And yet… she'd been thrown out?

Ma Ling'er'er glared fiercely at Fang Yue's house before turning and striding away—there was none of her earlier frailty left.

Fang Yue paid no attention to Ma Ling'er'er leaving outside the door.

Because Chaoyue Village was so small, it didn't even need many night patrol personnel to cover the entire village.

If anything happened, he could reach the scene quickly to rescue anyone.

With the Starfire Heart Method fully leveled, his nightly fixed cultivation session couldn't proceed.

As for Blade Technique, Fang Yue didn't want to spar with Captain Shan again anytime soon. He could practice alone, sure—but progress was definitely faster with a training partner.

Martial Techniques like Blade Technique improve fastest through actual combat.

After thinking it over, Fang Yue sat cross-legged on the bed and logged out of the game.

Back in reality, he looked at the familiar ceiling and got up.

It was deep night, and outside was unusually quiet—his neighborhood's security was still quite good.

Leaving his room, Fang Yue went to the kitchen to see if there was anything to eat.

It was late; the only delivery options left were fried foods, and Fang Yue didn't want anything so spicy or greasy.

Unfortunately, the kitchen was spotless—nothing at all, except for a small thoughtful note stuck on the inside of the door.

"If Mr. Fang wants a midnight snack, please check the fridge. —Bai Xiaoya."

How did she know I have a habit of eating midnight snacks…

Fang Yue scratched his head, opened the fridge, and froze.

(End of Chapter)