Chapter 24: The Promise
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Shen Xing was somewhat worried, but he could not rush out recklessly. He could only edge a little closer, hoping that Yang Qing had not made her decision on impulse.
On the field, Song Yuanqing was already facing Xiao Fang.
Yang Qing and the red-clad woman waited for the outcome of the match, neither daring to act rashly.
Ouyang Lin seemed to have considerable faith in Song Yuanqing. At that moment, she did not even look at him, but instead asked Yang Qing, “Why did you escape?”
Yang Qing sighed. “Because I did not want to see something happen that I could not bear.”
Ouyang Lin frowned. “Are you being overly sensitive? I was never going to do anything to you. Even if you were investigated, it would only have been a formality.”
“What about him?”
Yang Qing neither agreed nor disagreed with her words. She merely changed the subject.
“Who?”
“You know who I mean.”
Ouyang Lin fell silent.
After a long moment, her eyes widened as realization dawned on her. In disbelief, she said, “You did not… do this for that boy, did you? Have you gone mad? You have known him for only a few hours. Do you realize that this could ruin your entire life?”
Yang Qing still paid her no heed. She persisted, “You only need to tell me what you originally intended to do to him.”
“…”
Ouyang Lin’s brows drew together into a deep furrow, but she answered honestly enough. “What else would I do? Naturally, I would have him arrested and investigate him thoroughly. If he proved to be a valuable talent, I would recruit him. If he turned out to be useless, then… that would depend on how much classified information he possessed. In theory, the fact that he knows I have a double is already enough to earn him a life sentence.”
Yang Qing nodded. “In that case, I did nothing wrong. He saved me, after all. No matter how you look at it, I could not stand by and watch him suffer such a tragic fate.”
Ouyang Lin looked deeply shocked. “What did you say? Yang Qing, have you forgotten your identity and your duty? You should not have so many personal inclinations. Your instructors must have repeated that to you countless times during training.”
For the first time, Yang Qing turned to look at her. She revealed a strange smile, one Ouyang Lin had never seen before.
“Of course I have not forgotten. I simply… no longer wish to obey. I risked my life to keep you safe, but how did you treat me in return, Ouyang Lin? You sent people to monitor me. Do you admit it?”
A flicker passed through Ouyang Lin’s eyes. She instinctively opened her mouth to deny it, but in the end, she offered an explanation instead.
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“You are experiencing a stress reaction, Yang Qing. That was not surveillance; it was protection. It is not easy for the organization to cultivate a shadow as exceptional as you. I could not calmly watch you fall into danger time and again while being powerless to do anything. That is why I secretly arranged for people to protect you.”
Yang Qing raised an eyebrow, apparently surprised that Ouyang Lin could twist the truth so skillfully.
Unfortunately for her, Yang Qing was no longer the foolish girl who knew only how to throw herself into danger for a cause.
“I may not be as clever as you, but I am of perfectly normal intelligence. Do you really think I would believe something so naïve? Let it end here, Ouyang Lin. A shattered mirror cannot be made whole again. Once trust is lost, it never returns. Consider this my final favor to you. If you still value what we once had, then let me leave afterward. I do not want to remain in that soulless military district any longer.”
Yang Qing spoke with complete seriousness, and there was even a hint of pleading in her voice.
Ouyang Lin gritted her teeth. After a moment’s hesitation, she agreed.
“Fine. If we complete this mission, I will make an exception and alter your records, listing you among the dead. From then on, you may assume a new identity. As long as you do not turn against the nation, you may live whatever kind of life you wish.”
Yang Qing smiled in relief. “The kind of freedom that does not involve being watched for the rest of my life?”
Ouyang Lin nodded. “Absolutely.”
“Good. Then it is a deal.”
As their agreement was reached, the battle between Song Yuanqing and Xiao Fang in the distance also came to a conclusion.
After each unleashed a full-powered strike, the two passed one another. Blood flowed from Song Yuanqing’s nose and mouth as he collapsed to the ground.
Xiao Fang, meanwhile, stood steadily with her back to him.
At the sight of this, the members of Dawn immediately erupted in cheers.
With that point secured, there was no need to fight the remaining match. They could return safely, wait for their bonuses, and enjoy the simple comforts of home.
When one ventured out to accomplish a task, success was certainly worth celebrating. But coming back alive would always come first.
That was the consensus shared by more than ninety percent of the ordinary members.
At that moment, however, they soon realized that they had celebrated too early.
In the very next instant, Xiao Fang crumpled limply to the ground and lost consciousness.
Song Yuanqing, on the other hand, rose to his feet in the distance. He took out a handkerchief and wiped the blood from his face, then dusted off his clothes.
“One to one. It is a draw.”
Song Yuanqing let out a breath of relief.
He slowly walked over to Ouyang Lin and instructed Yang Qing, “The next match is yours. This matter is of immense importance, so seize every opportunity to win. In the face of this mission, everything else you possess is irrelevant. So act boldly. The two of us will protect you from behind.”
Yang Qing said nothing. She merely nodded lightly before walking toward the red-haired woman.
After receiving a few words of advice from Ashura, the red-haired woman likewise walked toward Yang Qing.
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Before long, the two women reached the spot where Song Yuanqing and Xiao Fang had fought earlier. They adjusted themselves into combat stances at the same time, and neither made the first reckless move.
“What is your name?” the red-haired woman asked first.
Yang Qing narrowed her eyes and replied coldly, “Ask me after you lose.”
“Hmph! You are three levels below me, yet you are still this arrogant. Very well. Since you are determined to die, I will grant your wish!”
Feeling insulted, the red-haired woman gave a cold laugh. Her body suddenly vanished from the spot like a cannonball, unleashing a brutal assault of speed against Yang Qing.
Aren’t you arrogant? Then I will let you experience despair!
As expected, before Yang Qing could react, a heavy punch was already hurtling toward her stomach.
If it landed cleanly, Yang Qing would very likely be defeated in a single blow.
The attack was simple, but there was truly no good way to counter it.
That was the stark helplessness of being completely outclassed in speed.
The sight made Song Yuanqing and Ouyang Lin instinctively close their eyes. Neither wanted to witness the miserable fate awaiting Yang Qing.
Yet in the next instant, they heard the red-haired woman cry out in alarm.
They hurriedly opened their eyes, only to find the red-haired woman’s body flying backward through the air.
Yang Qing had not retreated even half a step, nor had she suffered any injury.
Soon, the red-haired woman landed on the ground. After barely steadying herself, she stared at Yang Qing in bewilderment and suspicion.
“You have awakened mental power?!”
Yang Qing’s face remained expressionless. She neither admitted nor denied it.
She drew the short blade from her waist and charged toward the red-haired woman.
Still uncertain whether her guess was correct, the red-haired woman rushed forward to meet her.
In the blink of an eye, the two were locked in combat.
“Mental power? That cannot be possible. Yang Qing is really that formidable?”
Song Yuanqing muttered blankly to himself.
“I had no idea at all. There is no record of anything like that in her file, and in all the time I have spent with her, I have never seen her use it. Even when Dawn ambushed her the day before yesterday, when she was on the verge of death, she still did not use it. I think that woman simply made a mistake.”
Ouyang Lin shook her head as she spoke.
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