Chapter 126 Remember Your Words

Chapter 126: Remember Your Words

The rendezvous point for Guides was a wooden cabin nestled at the foot of the mountain.

This cabin was quite spacious, two stories high, and typically served as a breakroom for Hua Yan employees, in addition to storing tools.

By the time Fang Ran and the others arrived, numerous staff members in Central Office uniforms were already bustling in and out.

"Seems like quite a crowd," Zhong Wan remarked. "Looks like Zone 5 has almost deployed their entire force this time."

"I'll go coordinate with their team first," Fang Liyu said, pausing. "Sentinels, wait here for a moment. Don't wander off yet." With that, she entered the cabin.

Everyone stood in a corner outside the cabin.

An unsettling scent of burning permeated the air.

The cabin was a considerable distance from the mountainside where thick smoke billowed.

The surrounding trees were sparse, offering little cover and clear sightlines, suggesting it was relatively safe.

However, the wind was quite strong today, bending the grass and plants low to the ground.

Fang Ran surveyed the area, noticing numerous guardian sentinels patrolling around the cabin.

Fu Zhangzhou held his hand firmly. "Don't be nervous."

He looked down at Fang Ran, his voice deep. "I'll come back to check on you every so often."

"Just wait for me here."

Fu Zhangzhou knew Fang Ran's current state was somewhat unusual.

Though his understanding of Omegas was limited, he could sense Fang Ran's profound need for him right now.

Even to an incredible degree of dependence.

Naturally, this realization thrilled the Sentinel. His inner joy was inexpressible, and he yearned to be by Fang Ran's side 24/7.

To be honest, he was now regretting his eagerness to volunteer for this mission.

With this thought, the Sentinel leaned closer to the Guide's ear, his voice hoarse:

"Fang Ran, if only I'd known, we would have..."

Fang Ran shot him a glare. Known what?

For an emergency mission of this magnitude, how could a top-ranked Sentinel of the Federation possibly not come?

Even if he hadn't actively volunteered, the Central Office likely had a hundred ways to compel him. It was better to volunteer and earn some extra compensation.

Yet, a newly marked Omega indeed requires their marker significantly, often feeling uneasy the moment they are out of sight.

Fang Ran knew he was experiencing this tendency himself.

Though he stood ramrod straight in front of others, he was actually pressed close to Fu Zhangzhou, even subtly squeezing the Sentinel's hand.

Just then, several Sentinels in Guardian uniforms approached from another direction.

The guard Sentinel was very tall, with short, green-dyed hair and a flamboyant demeanor.

His appearance immediately drew many gazes.

"Wow~ Who's that?" Zhong Wan's eyes widened. "Someone actually dyes their hair green?"

"That person is S-class," Lu Wenchuan, standing beside him, stated.

"An S-class Sentinel?" Zhong Wan paused. "And he's wearing a Guardian uniform..."

"He's with the Guardians?"

"Captain of Guardians Team C, Cui Ming," Lu Wenshan interjected coolly. "His ability is quite unique."

"He can control plants."

Cui Ming?

Hearing Lu Wenshan mention that name made Fang Ran's heart skip a beat.

This person was the third male lead in the book!

But... he glanced at Cui Ming's green hair, feeling perplexed.

Although the third male lead in the book also had a flamboyant personality, he was characterized by distinctive red hair and was a Fire Sentinel, just like Fu Zhangzhou. How had he now become a green-haired, plant-controlling psychic?

However, with the plot deviating so much, Fang Ran decided not to dwell on it.

Instead... all the major characters from the book had now appeared.

Shen Ke, Zheng Mingyu, Lu Wenchuan, Cui Ming, and now possibly an additional character, Wen Qi.

Fang Ran subtly glanced at Shen Ke.

He stood at the back of the group, head lowered. Even with the considerable chatter around them, he didn't look up at Cui Ming. Instead, his right hand gripped the hem of his uniform, seemingly with slight force.

Was this nervousness? Or fear?

That didn't make sense.

If Fang Ran were to say who treated Shen Ke the best in the book, he believed it wasn't the steady and gentle male lead, nor the icy second male lead, but the third male lead, Cui Ming, who was like a little sun—a younger, loyal "wolfdog" type.

The two were depicted as sweethearts in the book. Cui Ming was unconditionally supportive of Shen Ke, and despite his rebellious nature, he would avoid conflict with the male lead and second male lead to spare Shen Ke any difficulty, choosing instead to remain by Shen Ke's side.

Shen Ke now... was reacting like this?

Lost in thought, he couldn't help but look at Shen Ke twice more.

"Fang Ran." Warm breath brushed his ear again as Fu Zhangzhou suddenly leaned in. "Why do you always stare at Shen Ke whenever he appears?"

"......"

Fang Ran gently pushed him away. "Fu Zhangzhou, be serious."

"Can't you see he's not looking well?"

Chen Yang, standing behind them, also noticed Shen Ke's discomfort.

"Guide Shen Ke, why do you look so pale?"

"It's nothing," Shen Ke waved his hand. "Perhaps I've been standing for too long."

Just then, Fang Liyu emerged from the cabin.

"I've already coordinated with Zone 5. Come inside with me now."

"Sister Fang, why did you have to negotiate with them first?" Zhong Wan asked curiously.

Fang Liyu smiled. "Isn't it for you all? Those of you without exclusive contracts aren't technically allowed to choose your purification targets for a mission of this level."

As she spoke, she glanced at Fu Zhangzhou and Lu Wenchuan. "I was worried the Sentinels from Zone 5 might be reckless, and if they accidentally provoked these two, I feared this cabin might be torn down."

Everyone chuckled softly at her words.

"Oh," Zhong Wan said, feeling a bit foolish, and quickly hid behind Lu Wenchuan.

"Sentinel Lu Wenshan," Fang Liyu continued, "for safety, let's have one person stay here."

"Mm." Lu Wenshan agreed with her suggestion and turned to look at Lu Wenbai behind him.

Lu Wenbai pointed at himself in surprise. "Me again?"

Seeing Lu Wenshan's unwavering gaze, Lu Wenbai swallowed hard. "G-got it, Big Cousin. I'll keep a close eye on the Guides."

With arrangements made, Fang Liyu nodded. "Then let's go inside."

"Zone 4 Sentinels' support point is halfway up the mountain. Be very careful and stay safe."

At this moment, Fang Ran squeezed Fu Zhangzhou's hand firmly and whispered to him:

"Fu Zhangzhou, remember your words."

"Every so often, you must..."

"Return safely."

......

The cabin's interior was simply furnished but impeccably clean, with a faint scent of pine wood wafting through the air.

Upon entering, there was a large living room, and the space behind was divided into various compartments, both large and small.

"This is where Hua Yan staff usually rest. There are both shared rooms and single rooms. If needed later, you can use a private room for the Purification process."

After explaining, she added, "But while waiting, for safety reasons, let's all stick together."

"Sister Fang, don't we need to purify people from other zones?" Fang Ran asked.

"That's right. It's already been negotiated. After all, we came with few people, and Wen Qi was abducted in their zone, so they couldn't really refuse."

Just then, a voice came from around the corner.

"Everyone, are you Guides from the Center?"

Fang Ran turned to look and was surprised to see that the speaker was none other than Cui Ming, the one with green hair.

He was walking toward them, accompanied by several Guard sentinels.