Chapter Eleven: The Alluring Temptation

“Well then, my apologies, Xia Yan. Watermark advertisement test, watermark advertisement test,” Captain Feng Qiang expressed his regret.

“It’s nothing,” Xia Yan replied, unbothered.

“Wait, Captain,” Qing Xia suddenly interjected. “According to the rules, if three members agree, Xia Yan can stay in the team, correct?”

“That’s indeed the case,” Feng Qiang nodded.

“Ma Wu, why do you refuse to let Xia Yan join our squad?” Qing Xia turned to Ma Wu.

“This... this...” Ma Wu’s expression was odd.

“Are you really unable to agree?” Qing Xia pressed.

Ma Wu hesitated for a moment, then nodded, “Alright, I’ll change my mind. I also agree to Xia Yan joining our squad.”

The atmosphere grew heavy; Captain Feng Qiang finally sighed. With three members consenting, even if he and He Changlou disagreed, Xia Yan would still become a member of the squad.

Minority yields to majority—he had no other choice.

“I understand. From today onward, Xia Yan is a member of Squad Three,” Captain Feng Qiang could only acquiesce.

Afterward, he explained the procedures: typically, a Level 3 mutant hunt required only one or two people—one combat specialist, one support type. Only Level 4 mutants required the entire team. Some particularly difficult missions also demanded all members to gather.

The task was now complete. After clarifying the relevant matters, everyone dispersed. Xia Yan and Lan Xin returned together to the Lan family estate in Baihui City.

Qing Xia was the last to leave. In her eyes glimmered cruelty and bloodlust.

“Xia Yan, as a prodigy among humans, I could never let you go. Very soon, I will kill you—or worse, do something even more terrifying than death.”

From the moment Xia Yan joined Squad Three, the battle had already begun. Yet the most frightening thing was that Xia Yan had no idea of the true situation, and would not be on guard against the four squad members.

One in the open, one in the shadows—this was nearly a certain death, with no escape.

Yet, Xia Yan’s future contained no escape to begin with. If he wished to survive, he would have to carve out a sliver of hope amid despair—this was the very reason Gong Kui acted as she did.

Nightfall. In a bedroom adorned in pink, a man and a woman entwined, their bodies slick with fragrant sweat, low growls like beasts escaping their lips. They seemed insatiable, continuing for quite some time before finally stopping. Both faces still flushed, the woman’s body radiated a captivating charm.

It was an encounter from ten days ago that led them to share a bed. They handled the delicate relationship well—colleagues and lovers.

During missions, they maintained a professional distance as before. But at night, they clung to each other, unable to find satisfaction.

A strange kind of love, born of a chance meeting.

Or was it truly by chance?

Qing Xia nestled in He Changlou’s arms, her smile seductive beyond measure.

Love, she mused, was the most poisonous murder weapon. Yet some men could never resist such temptation—not even those with exceptional abilities.

Qing Xia was confident that no one could resist her—not even that sixteen-year-old boy. Her body always exuded that intoxicating allure, prompting men to lose themselves and become beasts of desire.

Midway, Xia Yan received a message from Gong Kui, prompting him to part ways with Lan Xin. He set out for the institution in Fuxiang City, aiming to meet with Lan Xin.

Arriving at the tranquil, tidy office, the layout unchanged from before—clean, uncluttered.

Gong Kui appeared unchanged, still smiling, amiable as ever. When she saw Xia Yan, she looked up, her eyes flickering with a subtle light, as though she could see through him.

“Miss Gong Kui, may I ask why you called me here?” Xia Yan, slightly nervous, quickly took a seat.

“Congratulations, Xia Yan,” Gong Kui smiled. “Not only have you become a disciple of the Qian Sect, but you’ve also gained the approval of Squad Three—you are now officially a Guardian.”

“I owe much of that to your help,” Xia Yan laughed. “But Miss Gong Kui, your status is hardly simple! I’ve never heard of the top member of the institution having the authority to command Guardian squads.”

“My identity is somewhat special; it’s not necessary to explain in detail,” Gong Kui said lightly. “Xia Yan, I invited you here mainly to entrust you with a task.”

“What kind of task?” Xia Yan asked.

“Let’s discuss the reward first! Over the past six months, you’ve hardly completed any tasks; your contribution points are only twenty-seven,” Gong Kui said with amusement. “But now that you’re a Guardian, even if your weapon is barely adequate, your firearms don’t meet the standard.”

Yes, without full strength, how could one fight for their life? Gong Kui was thinking of Xia Yan, not wanting him to perish just because his equipment lagged behind the enemy’s.

“That’s true,” Xia Yan smiled wryly. If he had a high-grade firearm, his combat ability would increase considerably.

“That’s why I’ve considered letting you acquire a high-grade firearm,” Gong Kui smiled.

“Are you planning to give me one?” Xia Yan’s eyes lit up.

“Wishful thinking!” Gong Kui rolled her eyes. “I have a rather special task. If you agree to take it, you should earn enough for a high-grade firearm—though don’t hope for anything too expensive.”

Gong Kui had a miserly air. “But this task is quite special, hard to explain in detail, and requires approval from above. It’ll be a few days before it’s officially issued.”

“A task? What exactly?” Xia Yan was curious.

“Don’t worry, it’s not too dangerous. But overall, few people are qualified to take it. Lan Xin is one, and you are another!” Gong Kui grinned. “To put it simply, it’s to dampen the confidence of the top-ranked human in a certain institution.”

“Dampen?” Xia Yan was puzzled.

“I’ll apply for the task as soon as possible, and explain it in detail afterwards,” Gong Kui smiled. “Alright, Xia Yan, if there’s nothing else, you can return to the Qian Sect estate and continue your training. If there are any tasks, I’ll send them to your neural terminal.”

“Farewell, then, Miss Gong Kui.” Xia Yan took his leave, heading back to Baihui City. On the way, he received another message.

It was Qing Xia, inviting him to meet at a city hotel. Although Xia Yan didn’t understand her intentions, he had no reason to refuse.

The silent war had already begun. Perhaps, on this day, humanity’s genius would fall. And the woman lurking in the shadows remained as arrogant as ever.

Qing Xia believed Xia Yan could not escape her allure—he would surely submit to her in the end.

After all, even heroes have trouble resisting beauty!

Twenty-seventh floor, hotel suite.

Xia Yan knocked on the door—it was slightly ajar. He hesitated, then pushed it open.

“Miss Qing Xia, are you here?” Xia Yan called.

A seductive scent wafted through the suite; the outline of a graceful figure was visible through the mist of the bathroom. Clearly, Qing Xia was bathing.

“Xia Yan, you’ve come!” Qing Xia’s voice was coy. “Take a seat and wait a moment, I’ll be done soon.”

“Alright.” Xia Yan’s expression was a little awkward, but he sat down nonetheless.

Perhaps Qing Xia thought Xia Yan was just a naive sixteen-year-old, inexperienced and clueless.

But she didn’t know—Xia Yan was hardly human. From childhood, he had been a criminal, enduring countless hardships and sorrows.

He always remembered the survival rules of the condemned. Even his relationship with Su Zhu was just an accident—had he not been struck by a splitting headache and collapsed, nothing else would have happened.

How could Xia Yan possibly be tempted by a woman?

He also believed that he lacked the charm to attract a beautiful woman.

Unprompted hospitality always has ulterior motives!

Were it not for the debt he owed her, Xia Yan would never accept such a random invitation. After all, anything that could be said over a communicator shouldn’t require a personal visit.

Soon, the bathroom door opened. Qing Xia, wrapped only in a thin towel, her alluring figure even more enticing under its cover, approached Xia Yan, her eyes brimming with seduction and desire.

“Xia Yan, you’ve arrived.” Qing Xia took the red wine from the table, poured two glasses, and handed one to Xia Yan.

Xia Yan’s expression remained odd, but he accepted the glass.

They clinked glasses. Qing Xia sipped lightly; Xia Yan only touched his lips to the wine.

Qing Xia’s breathing grew rapid as she leaned closer, almost close enough that they could feel each other’s breath.

At that moment, her towel seemed to slip accidentally, exposing her voluptuous body to Xia Yan.

The atmosphere turned debauched.

Her fragrant skin trembled, cheeks flushed.

But too much time passed in this frozen moment; Qing Xia’s trembling pose lingered awkwardly.

Something was off—very off!

By rights, Xia Yan should have pounced like a starving tiger, desperate to fuse with her. Yet he did nothing—not even a flicker in his eyes—standing motionless.

The awkwardness grew. Xia Yan finally spoke, “Miss Qing Xia, please put on some clothes or you’ll catch a chill.”

It was impossible for Qing Xia not to feel strange; she couldn’t fathom how Xia Yan could remain unmoved in the face of such temptation.

Or perhaps Xia Yan’s preferences were questionable?

She refused to accept defeat, convinced that her allure could make Xia Yan submit.

“Xia Yan,” Qing Xia called softly, moving closer, her ample body about to press against him.

She didn’t believe that Xia Yan could stay indifferent to her in this state.

As long as he showed the slightest desire, she would win this battle.

Xia Yan—how could you possibly escape my charm?