Chapter 152: The Rising Smoke of War

Xie Liu took a shower in the motorhome’s bathroom, then slouched against the sofa, feeling the vehicle’s gentle bumps as it moved along. Soon, he drifted off into a drowsy sleep.

The atmosphere inside the vehicle grew awkward. Ye Ling and A2 exchanged wary glances, their eyes locked in silent challenge. The Wu couple sensed the tension and, cradling Meng’er, retreated to the upper deck. With the noisy presence gone, Xie Liu's quiet slumber made the space feel oddly empty.

A few minutes later, Wendy entered. After setting the route, she engaged the autopilot. Entering through the side door, she found Ye Ling and A2 glaring at each other.

“Are you two trying to strangle each other already? Don’t forget, we’re supposed to be on the same side,” Wendy said, shaking her head in exasperation. She casually picked up a coat from a nearby hanger and gently covered Xie Liu, who was fast asleep.

In his dreams, Xie Liu seemed to sense something and furrowed his brow. Wendy smiled softly and whispered, “I never noticed before, but up close like this, this restless, always bouncing around guy... he does have a bit of a girl’s delicate look about him.”

Curious, A2 turned her gaze toward the sleeping figure beside her. Indeed, as Wendy observed, in repose he appeared refined and delicate, barely more than seventeen or eighteen, resembling an innocent, naive youth.

“Are you serious?” Ye Ling retorted skeptically. “He’s just a sleazy old man, no way does he look like a girl. If anyone resembles one, it’s Lin…”

Ye Ling trailed off, casting a cautious glance at A2 before adding, “But that’s a privilege only the Flash Sword has.”

“Alright, alright, you’re just jealous. Do you really think no one can tell?” Wendy laughed, smoothing the coat over Xie Liu before settling beside Ye Ling, who looked bewildered. “Wendy, what are you implying?”

“Your feelings for Flash Sword? We see right through them,” Wendy teased with a knowing smile.

Ye Ling flushed and turned away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Wendy grinned broadly, choosing not to expose her. Instead, she turned to A2, her smile fading. “Enough of this. What exactly are you special forces operatives up to this time?”

A2, who had been watching Wendy and Ye Ling with interest, darkened at the shift in focus.

“What else can I do? I just find this amusing, that’s all,” A2 said, reclining casually with arms resting on the sofa’s back. She showed little interest in Wendy’s inquiry.

Wendy propped her chin on her hand. “If I were a B-level special forces operative, you’d already be a corpse for speaking to me like that.”

A2 scoffed, “If the one speaking to me like that was an ordinary psychic, you’d be dead already.”

Silence fell abruptly, chilling the air. Even Ye Ling sensed the shift and quickly intervened, “Can you two not fight now?”

“Hmph!” Wendy snorted, unwilling to relent. “Tell me your purpose. I can’t just trust you blindly.”

“Purpose?” A2 pondered briefly. “I usually act on impulse, no real purpose. But since you ask, I might as well tell you.” She pointed at the sleeping Xie Liu. “I want him.”

“Do you think I’d just hand him over?” Wendy sneered after recovering from her initial shock. “He’s one of ours. Forget it.”

“Oh?” A2 teased. “Why so nervous? Have you taken a fancy to this kid?”

“Cough, cough!” Wendy hurriedly coughed. “You’re overthinking. It’s about our princess.”

A2’s expression clearly showed disbelief, but Wendy clenched her teeth, unwilling to argue further. “Why do you want this idiot anyway?”

“For someone,” A2 replied, “but don’t worry, we won’t harm him. Maybe coming with us is a good thing for him.”

“What’s so good about hanging out with your special forces alliance?” Wendy couldn’t understand.

A2 shook her head. “Maybe it really is good for him. Who knows, it might even be a blessing in disguise.”

“No matter what, we won’t hand him over. He’s our comrade. No matter what happens, we won’t abandon him.”

A2 shrugged helplessly and turned to look out the window. Quietly, she asked, “Where are we now?”

“Almost in the suburbs,” Ye Ling replied, pressing against the window to watch the green hills emerging ahead. Leaving the city would greatly reduce their chances of being discovered.

“What will they do once they leave the city?” Ye Ling thought of the Wang couple, their prospects bleak. “Will the city and the alliance just let them go?”

“We can’t think that far ahead. The world changes too fast; no one knows what tomorrow holds. One step at a time. Things will work out eventually,” Wendy said, tapping the Star of Radiance at her waist.

“When there’s no other way, I still have my sword.”

A2 sat opposite Wendy, hearing her words. Though agreeing in spirit, A2 snorted softly.

“Once we’re out of the city, we’ll head to a nearby village, gather supplies, then move south,” A2 suggested.

The southern regions, whether the fantasy city or the special forces alliance, had much smaller spheres of influence, especially in the southern hemisphere where neither faction had much presence.

“That’s our only option,” Wendy nodded. Outside, the scenery shifted from urban to rural, houses thinning as they followed the Yangtze River westward, soon spotting a stretch of suburban hills.

“This is flatland with few places to hide. I need to leave quickly, follow the river west into the mountains.”

As they spoke, the motorhome passed a toll station. Wendy took charge, swiping the transport card and merging onto the highway. At their current speed, they’d be far from the city within hours.

For the moment, even A2 relaxed, seemingly believing the fight was temporarily behind them. The three women sat facing each other, sizing one another up.

“What exactly are you thinking?” Wendy didn’t understand A2’s motives. “You don’t need to help us.”

A2 shrugged. “It’s for my girl. If she found out I let someone die, she’d be furious. Besides, the orders from your city’s leadership probably include killing this kid. You don’t have to help them either.”

Wendy shrugged. “It’s because someone meddled. Plus, our princess is overly sympathetic. If I let him die, she wouldn’t be angry so much as heartbroken for a long time.”

“I see.” The two exchanged a glance filled with newfound understanding.

The motorhome pressed onward. Wendy’s gaze returned from the window just as Xie Liu suddenly opened his eyes and stood.

“You’re awake!” Wendy exclaimed joyfully. Time without him had been unbearably dull.

But Xie Liu ignored her, his expression serious. Rising, he tossed the coat aside, then drew the pistol at his waist and fired toward the rear of the vehicle.

Bang! A loud explosion shattered the rear window, glass scattering under the force. Amid the shards, a dark figure was propelled backward.

“Ah!” Ye Ling gasped. “What just happened?”

“Everyone, prepare for combat,” Xie Liu said, holstering his pistol with a furrowed brow. “How did they find us so fast?”

Wendy and A2 were surprised; Xie Liu had spotted the enemy before they could. Wendy’s hand glowed with violet sword light, while A2 stepped forward, two blades materializing in midair. She drew them and placed the black and white swords on her back.

“These blades each weigh over ten tons. The motorhome couldn’t possibly bear that weight. The only explanation is her micro-gravity system canceling out their mass,” Xie Liu noted, recalling from A2’s presence.

A2 moved to the rear and saw the black figure roll off the vehicle and land on the road behind. The figure vanished the next moment.

“‘Damage Avoidance.’ That ability is troublesome,” A2 said. Having fought countless psychics, she recognized the power immediately.

“Who was it?” Wendy appeared beside A2, scanning the surroundings for any sign of the attacker.

“You should know better than I do,” A2 replied with a mocking edge, even now unable to resist a barb.

Wendy frowned and shook her head. “The defense that person showed requires at least an eighth-level ability. Xie Liu, did you use level-three bullets?”

Xie Liu nodded. “Yes. At this range, hitting with level-three bullets that are completely deflected means the target is at least an eighth-level psychic, maybe higher. It’s not the Calamity Legion; only their captain has that kind of power.”

“So the city has sent unknown operatives against us?” Wendy’s face darkened. She knew the fantasy city had numerous small factions serving the upper echelons secretly, complicating their battles without official intel.

“No time to hesitate.” Xie Liu drew the knife at his waist. “Fighting inside the vehicle is disadvantageous. Wendy, how far to the next exit?”

“At least twenty kilometers. At our current speed, about ten minutes,” Wendy replied calmly. Xie Liu nodded, glancing quickly at the nearby terrain.

“Damn it. This place is deserted—a perfect spot for an ambush.”

Xie Liu had suspected they were being followed but hadn’t expected an attack now.

“Stay alert. Wendy, you go to the front. A2, watch here. I’ll check upstairs.” He issued orders swiftly. Neither Wendy nor A2 objected; this was no time for arguments. Wendy trusted Xie Liu’s leadership; A2, unfamiliar with his command style, had no choice—if roles were reversed, Wendy wouldn’t obey her either.

With tasks assigned, the three prepared in the speeding motorhome, bracing for the enemy’s next strike.

Killing intent thickened the air. Everyone tensed, unaware of several sparrows circling overhead twice before turning toward the city of W. They soon vanished into the distance.