Chapter 32 Impossible

Chapter 32: Impossible

“Really not seeing me off?”

The Sentinel leisurely adjusted his combat suit, clearly in high spirits.

Fang Ran sat with his back to him on the grass, gazing at the slowly rising sun in the distance, utterly disinclined to speak.

The grass was covered in morning dew, and the April breeze was refreshing. The sky was streaked with dawn’s colors; everything was so peaceful.

But seeing Fu Zhangzhou looking so radiant just irritated him.

Due to the tight mission schedule, Fang Liyu had required them to complete a Purification the day before.

So he used that as an excuse, even trying to follow him into the same tent.

Fang Ran refused—the commotion from before was already enough.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that people were giving them meaningful looks.

He insisted on not entering the tent, so they ended up spending the entire night out on the grass, facing off while performing the Purification.

Fu Zhangzhou didn’t mind; the lengthy Purification left the Sentinel looking refreshed and energized.

Those unreadable eyes glistened with moisture. “Fang Ran, I’ve never felt this light before.”

It left Fang Ran utterly speechless.

Seeing him off?

It’s just leaving the camp, not some life-or-death farewell.

Besides, he and Fu Zhangzhou weren’t *that* kind of relationship.

But if he went with him... maybe he could see which team Shen Ke was on.

That would save him the trouble of asking around.

In the end, Fang Ran still stood up.

“Changed your mind?”

That familiar low chuckle came from behind again.

Fang Ran didn’t even need to think to imagine the expression on the Sentinel’s face. He silently took two steps forward.

“Let’s go.”

......

When they reached the assembly point, Fang Ran realized he might have been tricked.

Aside from him and Zhong Wan, all the other Guides who came to see them off were marked.

Zhong Wan and Lu Wenchuan were already in that flirtatious phase, acting like a couple even on normal days.

But somehow, everyone seemed to take Fang Ran’s presence for granted, as if he and Fu Zhangzhou were also in that kind of relationship.

“Ah, youth!”

“They’re even sweeter than us marked pairs.”

Hearing the whispered comments, Fang Ran felt a sense of helplessness—there was no way to explain himself.

No!

He and Fu Zhangzhou weren’t like that at all!

He was just here to see him off; how did it end up reinforcing everyone’s assumptions?

“What’s wrong?”

Noticing Fang Ran’s furrowed brow, the Sentinel naturally took his hand.

“Already starting to miss me?” His tone was gentle, as if soothing his emotions.

“You…” Your nerve!

Fang Ran shook off his hand, glaring at him speechlessly.

The people around them were amused by their interaction, and Zhong Wan even gave him a knowing wink.

Whatever…

Fang Ran gave up struggling and simply waited until Fang Liyu and the healer team arrived.

“Looks like everyone’s here.”

Ten healers followed behind her. Fang Ran scanned the group twice but didn’t spot Shen Ke.

Shen Ke didn’t show up?

After assigning the healers to the two teams, Fang Liyu walked over to him and Fu Zhangzhou.

“You two are here early.”

She couldn’t help but feel that Fu Zhangzhou seemed different from usual.

In her memory, this 3S-class Sentinel had always been gloomy and aloof, as if nothing mattered to him.

But ever since being paired with Fang Ran, he’d gradually started acting more… human?

Her gaze shifted to Fang Ran. “Have you changed your mind?”

Fang Ran knew what she was asking. On the hovercraft ride over, Fang Liyu had asked if he’d considered staying at headquarters.

Back then, he could deny it without hesitation, but now…

He glanced at the tall figure beside him. Whatever the answer was, he couldn’t let him know.

“Yeah, I didn’t want to see him off originally.”

Fang Liyu noticed his evasive eyes and non-answer and understood immediately.

“I’ll go prepare first.” With that, she left the two of them alone.

Fu Zhangzhou, who had been silent until then, suddenly placed a hand on his shoulder.

With a slight push, Fang Ran fell against him, instantly enveloped in a scorching embrace.

“Fu Zhangzhou?”

Would he find out something?

Amid his confusion, Fang Ran found himself half-lifted off the ground by Fu Zhangzhou.

Just as they rose four or five meters into the air, the patch of ground where they had been standing exploded instantly.

A monster resembling a bull, with two long tentacles on its head, burst through the cracked earth, half of its body already emerging.

Someone in the crowd screamed: "A-grade Minotaur!"

Not far away, Lu Wenchuan swiftly shot an ice arrow, severing one of the monster's tentacles.

Enraged, the Minotaur—its eyes glowing red—kicked off with its front legs, freeing its entire body from the ground, and charged madly toward the crowd.

Its target was actually the unarmed healers!

Nearby sentinels sprang into action. One power-type sentinel blocked the monster's path, grabbed its remaining tentacle, and flipped it onto its back.

The Minotaur howled, its energy erupting and its body instantly doubling in size.

Ignoring its injuries completely, it thrashed around and began rampaging fiercely again.

Watching from mid-air, Fang Ran was terrified, his hands gripping the sentinel's arm tightly.

Suddenly, he felt Fu Zhangzhou exerting force.

With a sweep of his right hand, a wind blade wreathed in flames slashed out. At the same time, Lu Wenchuan shot another ice arrow from the other side.

Both moved with incredible speed. Almost instantly, Fang Ran heard the monster's agonized cry.

After a wave of shocked exclamations, the massive Minotaur was split in two, its blood splattering across the ground.

The thick smell of blood washed over Fang Ran, making him nauseous.

"If you're scared, don't look."

Fu Zhangzhou turned him around and pressed him against his chest.

Listening to the sentinel's strong heartbeat, Fang Ran felt them slowly descend to the ground.

"Why did the monster appear?" Fu Zhangzhou’s voice came from above.

Fang Ran heard Fang Liyu reply, "The exact cause still needs investigation. It might be an issue with the barrier's depth."

"If the camp isn't safe, I can't leave the Guide here."

"The camp has sentinels on duty."

Fang Liyu sounded hesitant. "Only two healers sprained their ankles. We can replace them and set out as planned."

Fu Zhangzhou did not respond, just staring at Fang Liyu.

The atmosphere grew tense.

Fang Ran gently nudged the sentinel's arm and looked up into those deep eyes.

"You promised to complete this mission as soon as possible."

......

In the end, this small interruption didn't delay the sentinels' departure.

Fang Ran had originally planned to grab something to eat after seeing Fu Zhangzhou off, but now he'd lost his appetite.

It was already May, and the weather was pleasantly mild. Zhong Wan dragged him out for a walk.

As they strolled along the camp's perimeter fence, Fang Ran kept thinking about what Fang Liyu had said earlier.

Replacing the healers?

Could it be Shen Ke?

"Fang Ran, Fang Ran!" Zhong Wan patted his shoulder. "What are you thinking about?"

"Huh?" Fang Ran snapped out of his daze and quickly made an excuse. "It's just... that scene was pretty gruesome. I'm still a bit shaken."

"True," Zhong Wan seemed to buy it. "It scared me too."

"But Fu Zhangzhou was really impressive! I just heard some seniors saying he used to just walk away without caring about anyone else."

"Who knew he'd actually step up to save people this time?"

Zhong Wan grinned suggestively at Fang Ran. "Hehe, seems like the impressive one is actually our Guide, Fang Ran."

Fang Ran gave him a light shove. This guy really had no filter.

While they were messing around, a team of sentinels in black uniforms with blue stripes approached.

Fang Ran and Zhong Wan stopped simultaneously, exchanging a look.

The Guardians?

Had they accidentally crossed the boundary?

They turned to leave in unspoken agreement, but then heard a sentinel call out from behind.

"Guide Fang Ran."

It was Zheng Mingyu's voice!

Fang Ran grabbed Zhong Wan and quickened his pace.

But a sentinel's speed was no match for a Guide's. A figure soon blocked their path.

"Don't want to see me?"

Zheng Mingyu stood in the sunlight, with a warm, spring-like smile.

"No," Fang Ran avoided his gaze. "According to regulations, we're not supposed to cross boundaries."

"This is your camp."

Zheng Mingyu took a step forward. "Your Supervisor Fang asked us to come assist with the investigation."

They were too close. Fang Ran seemed shrouded by the sentinel's shadow.

He hastily took half a step back.

"Fang Ran," Zhong Wan abruptly said beside him, "I'm hungry."

"Oh!" Fang Ran snapped out of it, nodded at Zheng Mingyu, and then ran off with Zhong Wan.

They only slowed their pace after putting some distance between them.

"Fang Ran, that Zheng Mingyu is kind of weird."

"Yeah." He thought so too—what was that guy always coming up to him for?

"He and Fu Zhangzhou are clearly two completely different people, but..."

Fang Ran looked at him, wondering why he suddenly trailed off.

"Fang Ran, you..." Zhong Wan laughed as he looked at him. "You're so smart sometimes, and yet so clueless at others."

"The way Zheng Mingyu looks at you is exactly the same as Fu Zhangzhou."

What?

No way! I'm not the main character!

Fang Ran blurted out, immediately rejecting Zhong Wan’s claim.

"Impossible!"