Chapter 158 Can’t Catch the Wolf Without Sacrificing the Child

Chapter 158: You Can't Catch a Wolf Without Risking the Kid

Wu Yue stepped forward with a bright smile, "Professor Yan Wei, welcome to Blaze along with your team. This is our captain, Shen Que."

Before Yan Wei's team could recover from the shock of Blaze's entire squad’s welcome, they immediately laid eyes on the captain himself.

Shen Que stood there with a natural, commanding aura, the golden trident behind him reflecting an intimidating glare under the sunlight.

Someone from Yan Wei's team gulped and couldn't resist pulling out paper and pen.

A teammate quickly pressed his hand down, "He decapitates foes and devours organs."

The fan brushed this off, "If Falcon's members can be his fans, why can't I? Let him eat me—I’d be willing!"

...Good grief, there’s actually a die-hard Shen Que fan in the team!

Shen Que extended his hand, "Mr. Yan, hello. Thank you for your hard work on this mountain-opening project. If you encounter any issues, feel free to coordinate with Blaze’s vice-captain, Jian Suiyu.

For manpower needs, you may tap any Blaze operative as required."

Yan Wei shook Shen Que's hand and didn’t let go, lingering awkwardly.

Shen Que looked puzzled until Yan Wei pulled out his phone.

"Captain Shen, could we take a photo together?"

Shen Que froze, "A photo?"

Yan Wei nodded, "Y-yes, I want to put it on my socials."

From the sidelines, Yan Wei's team, who had been secretly watching, suddenly stampeded over.

"Captain, you sneak! Taking a solo photo in secret!"

"Hogging him for yourself?!"

"I want to post it too!!"

In an instant, Shen Que was swarmed by Yan Wei's team like groupies. Now, none of them feared being "eaten"—they all clambered over each other to get near him, practically trying to climb into Shen Que’s arms.

Wu Yue quickly pulled out her phone, "I’ll take the photo for you! Everyone, get closer!

Captain! Don’t look so stiff—give us a smile!"

Shen Que awkwardly raised his hand and made a peace sign.

*Click, click, click!* Wu Yue spammed the shutter, snapping a rapid series of shots.

The moment she finished, Yan Wei's team mobbed her like rabid fans.

"Miss Wu Yue, send it to me first! I have a friend who needs to see this photo before they croak!"

"Me! Me! When I said I was coming to Blaze for the project, my family didn’t believe me—thought I was bragging.

Bragging? More like they’re seething with jealousy!!"

"I was actually leaning against Shen Que’s shoulder just now... hehe, hehe, giggling uncontrollably."

Shen Que's unsettling grin made even himself shudder as he shot a sidelong glance over.

The man immediately dropped the smile, looking tense.

Shen Que gave a resigned chuckle, "I saw you brought paper and pen. Let me see them."

Even with the stationery already in Shen Que's hands, Yan Zhaohua couldn't believe this was real.

Shen Que asked, "Anything else you'd like me to write?"

Yan Zhaohua, "Could you... do a personalized autograph?"

A... personalized autograph?

Shen Que glanced at the name embroidered on Yan Zhaohua's work uniform, then swiftly penned bold, sweeping strokes across the page:

"To Yan Zhaohua,

May your future shine bright with joy and good health.

— Blaze, Shen Que"

Gazing at Shen Que's handwriting, Yan Zhaohua was walking on air.

Heh heh, heh heh—sliding the paper inside his shirt for safekeeping, right against his skin.

Shen Que, "..." silently averted his eyes, the pen suddenly burning in his hand.

With permission granted, Yan Wei's team embarked on a 360-degree tour of Blaze's public areas, eagerly taking pictures at every turn.

Their amazed reactions came in waves wherever they went:

"That reconnaissance vessel performing earlier is the Alliance's most advanced model—currently used only by the Alliance Guard and Blaze."

"Wow!"

"This is Blaze's combat training zone, now equipped with full holographic combat training. Delivers maximum results while ensuring personnel safety."

"Wow!"

Everywhere they went brought a chorus of "Wow!"

Wu Yue pointed toward Blaze's back mountain area. "This is the section we plan to clear—we'll level the entire peak for cultivation."

Yan Wei nodded emphatically. "All major factions are cultivating Purified Crops now. Starting early secures our food supply. The front slope here is soft; modern excavators can handle it in a week. The lower rear is solid rock, requiring precision blasting—adding about ten days. Total timeline: 17 days, perfectly aligned with my team's dungeon cooldown."

A 14-day dungeon cooldown requires planning.

Wu Yue inquired, "Would Yan Wei's team consider teaming up with Blaze for a dungeon?"

Every member of Yan Wei's crew turned as one, eyes shining with excitement.

No way! This is Blaze, the top-ranked guild in the alliance!

The Blaze whose high-ranking members never take private dungeon runs!!

Who wouldn’t want to dungeon dive with Blaze’s top brass?!

Yan Wei forcibly suppressed his grin—harder to control than an AK's recoil—and nodded with a stern, stone-faced expression. "Fine."

Yes!

God! We're the champions!!

Hell yeah! Captain's a legend!!

Faced with his team’s adulation, Yan Wei remained unshaken, giving them a look that said, *Read between the lines.*

Calm down! Everyone, calm down!

Yan Wei drafted the project proposal and prepared the budget.

Yan Wei, "The project timeline is 17 days. Our team has 12 members, and we’ll provide the professional equipment. The total cost for the excavation work is 50 billion points.

As part of the deal, you’ll take our team on one dungeon run as compensation..."

Yan Wei glanced uncertainly at Wu Yue. "I’m not sure how Blaze usually charges for this?"

Would running one dungeon mean this whole trip ends up being free labor—or worse, costing them money?

Wu Yue smiled warmly. "Blaze never charges to take people into dungeons, and we certainly wouldn’t let friends who’ve worked so hard to help us pay for anything.

50 billion points, plus 100 pieces of Starfall Ore—consider it our way of saying thanks."

Yan Wei was moved. "Miss Wu Yue, to be honest, my team and I had our doubts before coming here.

We’re truly ashamed. The way you’ve treated us with such sincerity...

Rest assured, we’ll give our all to this mountain excavation job!"

Wu Chong, who had been observing quietly from the side, muttered under his breath,

"I heard last time Yue Yue went bargaining with the captain in World City, she nearly bargained the shop owner out of his pants.

This time, she’s going way too easy—agreeing to Yan Wei’s price without haggling and even tossing in bonuses!"

Shen Que pricked up his ears, eavesdropping from the sidelines.

Jian Suiyu watched Wu Yue’s knowing smile and said gently,

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained."

Wu Chong gasped. "What does that mean? Are you saying Yue Yue is into this Yan Wei?"

Shen Que snapped his head around, eyes wide.

Jian Suiyu, "...There's just no talking with people of low intelligence."