After the commotion ended, the children laughed along with the adults, but only A Jun seemed different… He sat there blankly, staring at the mother and daughter—until the Saintess and the cat interrupted the still-giggling Xiao Xi and asked A Jun what was wrong. Only then did he come back to himself.
Perhaps it was the mother's care for her child that reminded him of something. Or maybe it was some connection to his fragmented memories. But after watching the little drama, A Jun began to understand why the strategist and the president had been so calm and amused.
Though it seemed the strategist and the others were constantly under surveillance, and the spies were doing their best, everything was easily defused—and even turned into daily entertainment. Quite amusing indeed. The strategist even joked that this was only in Wulin Town—at least here the spies could act so freely. If it were back home…
At that moment, the strategist stopped talking and exchanged a glance with A Jun. They both understood. If it had been A Jun's elder sister Qing facing those spies, would they have had it so easy? Most likely, they'd be rolling on the ground crying, or too terrified to even weep. Of course, there had been a few stubborn ones who held out for a while—but in the end, they were beaten so badly they couldn't even recognize their own families. Easy to imagine.
The strategist added another point: no matter how clever the spies were, no matter how well they hid, they basically couldn't catch any key words—because of the bodyguard. He had another special skill: ventriloquism, producing resonant sound waves from within his body to interfere with outside listening.
After the gathering, everyone slowly left the cafeteria—except the strategist, who lagged behind. Sneakily, he dropped a paper ball, which A Jun happened to notice. The boy carefully pointed it out, but the strategist just smiled, put an arm around his shoulder, and whispered as they walked away.
It turned out the strategist and the president had secretly devised a counter-intelligence plan, with the strategist in charge. That explained why he always seemed so sly—habit, perhaps. He regularly fed the spies bits of information. But the content was always the same: just five words—"Exotic Beast Management Bureau."
The strategist confidently said that the cafeteria auntie would come pick up the paper ball. A Jun turned to look, half-doubting—huh! The paper ball was gone? He looked up—sure enough, a huge figure was whistling lightly as it moved away, leaving a trail of dust…
The boy turned back, puzzled, wondering why the Exotic Beast Management Bureau was being targeted. The strategist smiled and explained his view.
After years of secret investigation, they had found that the surge in abnormal evolutions was inseparable from the Bureau. Could it be the new director?
But the strategist quickly corrected him. In their eyes, the true source lay elsewhere. The director had nothing to do with it—he was just a scapegoat. Though he looked like a villain, a strange workaholic, few knew his love for exotic beasts was genuine. Such people were rare now. That was why the former director had named him the sole successor.
Instead, the strategist suspected the real villain—the hidden hand—was the deputy director in charge of beast training and management. His family had worked in the Bureau for generations. Year after year he was nominated, yet he remained content as deputy. Now he controlled all of Exotic Beast Town's operations…
Hearing this, A Jun recalled what his elder sister had said in Exotic Beast Town—the one at the top of their center. It matched. He remembered clearly how, when she mentioned him, her fists clenched, and when she spoke of "reform," her expression burned into his memory.
At the time, A Jun had wondered: hadn't the reformer already been executed? Wasn't the so-called reform already ended? Why bring it up again? Did it mean continuing?
Leaving the homelike Wulin Town, the boy remained lost in thought. Clearly, his elder sister was not the same as the reformer. She was not his follower, nor were they on the same path.
So what did she, a righteous figure, mean by reform? What exactly was it?
Thus, the small team moved forward at A Jun's pace. This time, Xiao Xi and Ning'er walked in front. They often looked back at A Jun, each with their own thoughts—the Saintess worried about his health, since the last trial had been so dangerous and she herself hadn't fully recovered. Xiao Xi, on the other hand, was simply puzzled. His usually quick and leading brother seemed like a different person today. Maybe he hadn't eaten enough at lunch.
But Xiao Xi didn't dwell on it. He glanced at the girl beside him and prepared to show off his skills.
After all, Xiao Xi had known A Jun since childhood. He knew his brother's habits better than anyone. Once A Jun had something on his mind, the whole world seemed to vanish. He could sit in a daze for ages, until he solved the puzzle or set it aside.
Ning'er, though she had learned much about A Jun's past during the last trial, still couldn't see deeper. She worried. But thanks to Xiao Xi's chatter, she gradually calmed down. Listening carefully, she occasionally smiled faintly at his jokes—just a tiny curve of the lips, nothing like the smiles she had once given A Jun.
As for the cat, she was always by A Jun's side. Before, she had kept pace with him. Now she didn't rush—Xiao Jiuwuo stayed perched on his shoulder, content to accompany him. She was happy to do so. After all, they had known each other for quite some time.
The journey to Qinglong County was longer than before, so the team had to camp outdoors for a night. Xiao Xi was thrilled—another chance to show off his cooking. He was now a star-level chef, though still far from the master level his parents dreamed of.
But food always brought people closer, no matter the level. It could heal the heart. With loving meals and travel gear, the children spent a comfortable night in the highland forest.
The next morning, just as Xiao Xi predicted, A Jun had finished his inner research and seemed back to normal. They continued their journey.
Since leaving Xuanwu County, far from the beast zones, the children had been safe. With the Saintess traveling with them, what was there to fear?
Of course, not entirely without threats. Near the border, enemy troops sometimes appeared in the distance, and small skirmishes broke out. But aside from natural dangers, patrols kept the people safe.
These patrols came from Qinglong County's border garrisons. Soon, A Jun and his friends would pass by one—the Xunfeng Camp of the Huangfu clan, famed as the strongest military force in the Guardian world.
And so, the children hadn't yet noticed—something unusual was about to happen!
As the team entered a forest, A Jun pondering his trial, Xiao Xi boasting to the Saintess, suddenly the cat poked out from under A Jun's cap. Xiao Jiuwuo's eyes widened, ears pricked, sensing danger. At the same moment, the Saintess too raised the alarm.
Then, with a sudden commotion, several strangers burst from the trees. Before A Jun and Xiao Xi could react, they were surrounded. A Jun instantly cast aside his thoughts, calmed himself, and began observing the situation.
The opposing group was fully armed, cloaked much like A Jun, but with hoods and a special insignia. There were many of them, most radiating killing intent.
Coincidentally, no patrols were passing through this area at the moment—it might be a long time before any came. Not even a passerby was around. While that meant no innocents would be caught up, it also meant no help could be found.
A Jun quickly surveyed the terrain. Tall grass and dense forest lined both sides of the road, with towering mountains not far away. Indeed, a perfect place for an ambush. If the enemy added tactics to the mix, the situation could become very difficult to control.
But for now, their methods, intentions, and origins were unclear. They were all masked, each wearing a different face covering. Could it be…
—No time to study further. What to do now?
A Jun began brainstorming strategies. But suddenly, all those masked eyes fixed on him. Among them, one figure—small in stature but with the sharpest gaze—was the first to lock eyes with him. Their stares clashed.
—What, do you actually know me?
At that moment, A Jun thought again, his heart jolting, and he understood. He immediately patted Xiao Jiuwuo's head, signaling her to hide inside his cap. Meanwhile, Xiao Xi and Ning'er had already stepped to his side, ready to fight together. But perhaps, A Jun himself didn't think that was the best idea.
The enemy gave them no ti*.-+
me to discuss tactics. With a shouted slogan, they moved. The masked group split into three teams—two to pin down A Jun's companions, while the small figure led two hulking brutes straight at him.
Though A Jun had passed two trials, his innate gift still gave no response—no abilities to call upon. He had to rely on his solid basic training: dodging left and right, striking back with hidden weapons. The two big men, under the small one's command, launched powerful blows. Luckily, A Jun's agility let him evade perfectly—otherwise, a single hit would have been disastrous.
After a while, the small commander grew impatient. Eyes flashing with hostility, lips bitten in frustration, the figure shoved the brutes aside and charged at A Jun personally.
For several minutes, the two agile fighters clashed evenly. But the small one grew angrier, eyes filled with irritation.
Gradually, A Jun's stamina waned—his body still weakened from trials. He chose to fight while retreating, drawing the enemy away from his companions and into the woods. The small figure pursued relentlessly. The cat, hidden in his cap, could only meow encouragement.
Elsewhere, Xiao Xi and Ning'er fought side by side—Xiao Xi defending, the Saintess striking back. But her body hadn't fully recovered; she couldn't finish the fight quickly. Her heart worried for A Jun. Xiao Xi sensed it, and while battling, cheerfully reassured her. He knew—even without powers, A Jun wouldn't be easily caught.
Hearing this, the Saintess's eyes hardened. She shifted her plan, focusing with Xiao Xi to finish their foes quickly—so they could rush to A Jun's side.
Meanwhile, A Jun, aided by Lingbo Step, dodged skillfully—though not by choice. Still only at the three-step stage, he managed to keep the small figure at bay. The enemy couldn't close in, but wouldn't give up.
As his stamina hit its limit, A Jun reluctantly pulled out a snack to restore energy. The small figure saw and stomped in fury—this brat still had the mood to eat! But unable to catch him, frustration only grew.
The small one turned sharply, glaring at the two brutes waiting in place, as if to vent. The big men looked pitiful—hadn't they been ordered to stand down?
At that moment, with the small one distracted, A Jun seized the chance. He launched hidden weapons. The enemy dodged, but not all was over. Enraged, the small figure stomped hard, shooting forward like an arrow. A Jun, midair after throwing, had no time to evade.
—What now?
They closed rapidly. Just as the small one thought victory was certain, Xiao Jiuwuo cried out from the cap, startling the enemy. A Jun slipped away, then summoned his Golden Leaves back into his hand, aiming at the foe.
Guardian weapons had a trait: once infused with inner force, they not only gained power and effects, but could also be recalled. A Jun used this to create a double strike. The small one sensed danger—but too late. The weapon was already upon them…
Just as the plan was about to succeed, another volley of silver-glinting weapons flew in from another direction, knocking down several of A Jun's Golden Leaves.
—Who?