Chapter Sixteen: Gong Kui’s Peculiar Behavior

On his way back to the organization, Xia Yan received a notification on his neural interface that the contribution points had been credited. He guessed Gong Kui must have watched the live broadcast by some means. Now, his total contribution points amounted to 140. Before meeting Gong Kui, Xia Yan decided to head to the organization's exchange tower to trade for a suitable grade firearm.

On the 32nd floor of the exchange tower, grade firearms were available. Xia Yan browsed through the options; grade pistols were roughly divided into three types. The first was the projectile-type weapon—grade was the highest level achievable for such firearms. Though less powerful than the other types, their flexibility was unmatched and should not be underestimated.

The second type was the laser pistol, which utilized specialized laser rounds. It could fire only one shot at a time and would overheat, but its destructive power was immense, the highest among grade firearms.

The third type was the plasma pistol, like the one Tao Lu used. These weapons were less flexible than projectile pistols and not as powerful as laser pistols, but they struck a balance, combining aspects of both.

He decided to check out the laser firearms first.

The 707 Scythe, requiring 160 contribution points, was a laser pistol utilizing specially engineered laser rounds, capable of breaching most defenses and easily penetrating grade defense shields.

Xia Yan examined the uniquely designed laser weapon, its technological flair evident—slightly longer than standard pistols, resembling a bolt of thunder.

He shook his head; while the laser pistol was impressive, he lacked sufficient contribution points and couldn’t afford it. Overall, laser pistols were significantly pricier than the other two categories.

523 Furious Blaze, requiring 130 contribution points, was a plasma pistol needing energy cells to operate. Its power was moderate, capable of ten rapid shots or a charged attack that required time.

Xia Yan considered this plasma pistol, similar to Tao Lu’s 102 Fervor, though more potent. Tao Lu’s was manufactured by a top civilian company, but this was military-grade.

He continued to weigh his options, pondering which type suited him best.

Laser firearms offered formidable power and seemed appealing, but Xia Yan ultimately decided against them. Their high price made them less cost-effective. Even with his points, he could only afford the most basic model and would still need to procure specialized laser rounds.

He kept browsing.

401 Judgement, requiring 120 contribution points, was a projectile pistol using specialized armor-piercing rounds. Its power was impressive, with a magazine holding ten bullets and excellent flexibility.

Xia Yan nodded approvingly, but continued to review other projectile pistols.

402 Verdict, requiring 140 contribution points, was an evolved version of the 401, featuring a series of modifications to the frame, easier magazine changes, and an overall more comfortable feel.

"This one," Xia Yan decided, selecting the 402 Verdict.

Grade represented the highest attainable level for projectile weapons, but their potency was beyond doubt. Energy weapons might have greater firepower, but in terms of flexibility, projectile pistols stood unrivaled.

All his contribution points were just enough to exchange for the 402 Verdict, leaving him penniless afterward. Holding the sleek 402 Verdict, even Xia Yan, usually composed, felt a surge of excitement, twirling the grade pistol with practiced ease as if performing a trick.

Though he had learned the ancient martial arts of the Thousand Schools, it didn’t mean he no longer needed firearms. Quite the contrary—combining ancient martial techniques with his marksmanship would elevate his abilities to a new level.

By coincidence, Lan Xin arrived at Gong Kui’s office while she was still watching the video of Xia Yan’s battle, which had already ended. She was watching it for the umpteenth time, perhaps out of mischief or boredom.

Lan Xin stood quietly by, watching the video without comment, though Gong Kui had plenty to say.

"Miss Lan Xin, take a look," Gong Kui pursed her lips. "That Xia Yan fellow really loves to show off, doesn’t he?"

She laughed, "He defeats someone silently, leaving them sobbing. That was the organization’s top recruit—what if he’s left with psychological scars!"

After learning the details, Lan Xin’s expression grew strange. "Wasn’t this your idea? How is that showing off?"

"I didn’t ask him to make such a spectacle. He should have been more discreet!" Gong Kui complained.

"You just said he should defeat Luo Gang in front of everyone, and now you’ve changed your tune." Lan Xin defended Xia Yan.

"But he shouldn’t have made the guy cry," Gong Kui said sympathetically, glancing at Luo Gang. "This might haunt him for life."

"I think it’s good to humble these privileged youngsters, so they learn their place," Lan Xin was unconcerned.

"And Xia Yan’s attitude when leaving was so arrogant. Did you see the looks from the mentors and members? Like they’d seen a ghost," Gong Kui criticized.

"Should they ask for his autograph, then?" Lan Xin retorted, unimpressed.

By the time Xia Yan returned, the two girls had been waiting for some time, having watched the video several more times and made countless comments.

"Xia Yan," Gong Kui greeted him, extending her hand, "Hand over the two hundred thousand. It’s confiscated."

"What on earth?" Xia Yan was speechless.

"I sent you on a mission, not to extort him," Gong Kui scolded. "Are you planning to pocket the two hundred thousand?"

"It’s not your money, why hand it over?" Xia Yan ignored her. "If you want me to return it, go ask Luo Gang. If he wants it back, I’ll consider it."

"You—" Gong Kui glared at him.

"Xia Yan, do you have something to tell Miss Gong Kui? Say it now," Lan Xin said, bored. "If it’s a confession or a date, I’ll take my leave."

Gong Kui’s heart skipped a beat, about to leap into her throat. Her face flushed crimson, ears burning, eyes wary.

She looked like a frightened rabbit.

Could it be—was the important matter he mentioned one of those things?

Gong Kui felt her mind scatter, plunging into extreme bewilderment. Though she was rational to the core in managing affairs, in other respects she was more inexperienced than most girls.

"Miss Lan Xin, please don’t say such things," Xia Yan shook his head quickly. "I wanted to talk about the matter concerning Ma Wu."

"Oh, that matter!" Gong Kui breathed a sigh of relief, but her face changed instantly. "What, Ma Wu’s case? Did you discover something? Speak up!"

Once immersed in serious work, her demeanor became meticulous.

"Let’s start from the beginning. That day, Miss Lan Xin took me to meet the members of the Third Squad—"

Xia Yan recounted everything.

But he hadn’t gotten halfway—just mentioning that Qing Xia invited him to her hotel room—and Gong Kui’s expression changed, her ears reddening.

When Xia Yan described the moment Qing Xia’s towel accidentally slipped—

He heard a shriek.

Yes, a genuine shriek. Xia Yan paused, looking over curiously. Gong Kui had retreated to the corner, trembling like a frightened rabbit.

The mature, composed Gong Kui was now so shy she couldn’t even raise her head.

Lan Xin, by contrast, managed to remain fairly composed, though her cheeks were slightly flushed.

"Miss Gong Kui, what are you doing?" Xia Yan asked in confusion.

"You’re asking me?" Gong Kui replied, mortified and angry. "You brought us here just to talk about these sordid things, you scoundrel!"

Xia Yan rubbed his nose, smiling wryly. He’d thought such feminine shyness was exclusive to Gu Yue’er. Gong Kui always seemed so composed and worldly—who’d have guessed she’d be so sensitive to these topics.

"Let me finish," Xia Yan said, exasperated.

"Finish? You still want to?" Gong Kui covered her eyes. "You rogue, why are you telling me this? Get out, leave!"

Her voice faltered, clearly overwhelmed by embarrassment.

"Let me finish. Don’t interrupt," Xia Yan said, feeling somewhat frustrated.

"You—get out!" Gong Kui, flustered, snatched a cup of tea from the table and hurled it at Xia Yan.

With his reflexes, Xia Yan easily avoided the cup, but the office floor was left in disarray, just as someone knocked at the door.

"Is everything all right? Do you need assistance?"

Xia Yan broke out in a cold sweat. If someone entered now and saw Gong Kui in this state, he’d be sentenced to death by morning.

"Is anyone in there? I’m coming in," the person outside called.

"No problem, just a broken teacup. We’ll clean it up ourselves," Lan Xin responded quickly, brushing off the intruder.

"Miss Gong Kui, let him finish." Lan Xin sided with Xia Yan. "There might be something suspicious here, right?"

"What suspicion?" Gong Kui muttered, covering her eyes, clearly in denial.

"For example," Lan Xin looked Xia Yan over, "he’s really quite ordinary, nothing remarkable. Why would a Guardian member be interested in him?"

"That’s true," Gong Kui nodded gently, then caught herself. "Wait, not true! Qing Xia invited him to her hotel, that doesn’t make sense—ah!"

"So what happened next?" Lan Xin, tired of Gong Kui, simply ignored her.

Xia Yan nodded and continued, glossing over his incident with Qing Xia and omitting any details, especially the part about using Lan Xin as a shield—no need to stir up trouble.

But Gong Kui interrupted again.

"You—you really turned her down?" Gong Kui asked skeptically.

"Yes," Xia Yan replied, resigned.

"Really?"

"Yes," Xia Yan answered patiently.

"Really?"

Xia Yan rolled his eyes and stopped responding.

After recounting everything, Gong Kui’s composure returned, though a faint blush lingered on her cheeks. No one would have guessed that this beautiful, dignified, and composed girl would be so averse to such topics.

She’d sensed something amiss with Qing Xia, Ma Wu, and He Changlou, but hadn’t considered that it might be related to such matters, so her reaction was understandable.

"Xia Yan, you’re saying—?" Lan Xin asked, puzzled.

"I suspect that Miss Qing Xia is a spy sent by a certain race. Can you check her records—her life history, her primary and secondary abilities?" Xia Yan said carefully.

"I can access basic information, but her full life history will take time," Gong Kui replied.

Gong Kui found it hard to believe that Xia Yan had picked up on something with so little detail. He was astoundingly perceptive. It was hardly surprising, though—a criminal like Xia Yan couldn’t have survived without caution.

Still, Gong Kui wouldn’t openly say that Qing Xia’s identity was suspect. She simply nodded, agreeing to investigate. But in truth, she felt that Xia Yan’s crises were diminishing—

Especially now that Lan Xin was by his side.

"That’s fine. We’ll wait here," Lan Xin said, also intrigued.