Why Members of the Night Prefer to Act Alone...

Jianghai High School.

The usually noisy classroom was unusually quiet today.

Everyone was whispering, quietly discussing someone who had been absent for a long time.

Deng Feng, who was once considered good at nothing but studying, had actually returned.

And his appearance and demeanor had changed drastically, surpassing his former self.

"Hey, hey, look at Deng Feng. Doesn't it seem like he's gotten a bit more muscular?"

"How did he change so much after just taking some time off?"

"And don’t you think he’s gotten more handsome? He seems so much more radiant now."

"Yeah, yeah... How come we never noticed Deng Feng was kind of good-looking before?"

Deng Feng sat in his seat, eavesdropping on the comments around him. He pretended not to care, but deep down, he was thoroughly pleased.

Yes, this was the feeling. He was different now.

He was no longer the same person as before.

What would Leng Ling'er think of me?

He secretly glanced in Leng Ling'er's direction.

To his disappointment, Leng Ling'er was just chatting with Bai Qionglan.

She didn’t even glance his way. Moreover, if one looked closely, they could see the gold bracelet on Leng Ling'er's wrist that she had bought at the jewelry store last time.

Why? Doesn’t my transformation make Ling'er curious at all?

Deng Feng felt a mix of disappointment and frustration.

It seemed he hadn’t done enough to stand out.

No matter. As long as he did something remarkable, he could surely catch Leng Ling'er's attention!

Deng Feng was absolutely certain of this in his heart.

Meanwhile, Leng Ling'er was still chatting with Bai Qionglan about games.

Seemingly noticing Deng Feng's gaze, Bai Qionglan whispered, "Ling'er, that Deng Feng seems to be sneaking glances at you."

Leng Ling'er, who was in the middle of an excited story, paused for a moment. "Deng Feng?"

"Oh, who’s that? Never mind him, Qionglan, let me tell you, that boss was at full health, you know?"

"I threw a monster ball at it, and with just a 1% catch rate, I actually caught it!"

"Isn’t that way more fun than those gacha games with their 50% guaranteed rates?"

Seeing that Leng Ling'er didn’t care about Deng Feng at all, Bai Qionglan smiled and said, "Yeah, yeah, totally!"

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to everyone, on the school rooftop, three figures stood.

Murong Ci closed his eyes, and a vast sensing power instantly enveloped the entire campus.

In just a breath’s time, he opened his eyes and said calmly, "There are only two martial artists here."

"They have traces of the Black Tortoise Gate’s internal energy in their bodies."

"One of them, with pitifully weak cultivation, must be Deng Feng, the heir of the Black Tortoise Gate that the master mentioned."

"The target has been located. Let’s move now..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Bai Lian grabbed Murong Ci, who was about to act, and shouted, "Hey! Are you an idiot? Deng Feng is in the same classroom as Ling'er. If you act recklessly, you might hurt her!"

"She’s the master’s sister. If anything happens to her, neither of us can bear the consequences!"

Murong Ci shook his head, looking confident. "It won’t happen. It’ll only take a breath’s time, and there won’t even be a sound."

Bai Lian twitched her lips. Ugh! This is why I hate teaming up with muscle-brained guys like him!

She snapped angrily, "Idiot! What if something goes wrong? As the heir of the Black Tortoise Gate and a chosen one with the Black Tortoise’s energy, anything could happen!"

"What if he suddenly awakens and summons the Black Tortoise True Form? Haven’t you watched any dramas?"

Hearing the words "chosen one," Murong Ci pondered for a moment, then nodded and apologized expressionlessly, "You’re right. I didn’t consider that."

After that, he stood silently to the side.

Bai Lian sighed. Honestly, I’d rather team up with Liao Ya. At least he listens to me.

Jun Zilan, who had been standing nearby, chuckled softly, exuding confidence. "I think this mission should be left to me."

"Why do we need so many people to deal with a broken-down sect like the Black Tortoise Gate?"

"It’s inconvenient to act within the school, so I’ll wait until after school."

Hehe, I’ve already used my technique to summon a dream butterfly to locate the hiding place of the Black Tortoise Gate remnants.

A former grandmaster whose cultivation has fallen from the peak of the innate realm, a mid-level innate practitioner, and an heir who’s just stepped into the second-rate martial artist level.

I alone am enough to handle them.

As for awakening and summoning the Black Tortoise True Form? Hah, don’t be ridiculous. Do you think this is some novel world, and Deng Feng is the protagonist or something?

Let’s not get carried away with such fantastical ideas.

Once I finish the job, I’ll go claim my reward from the master.

Hehe!

Bai Lian seemed to see through Jun Zilan’s intentions and warned, "Pretty boy, I’d advise you not to try to take down the Black Tortoise Gate before us."

"Don’t forget, the master assigned you to protect Ling'er."

"If something happens to her, do you think the master will let you off the hook?"

Hearing this, Jun Zilan’s expression stiffened slightly. He awkwardly opened his folding fan, hiding the twitching corner of his mouth as he imagined the master’s wrath. "Haha, little Bai Lian, always saying things that disrupt unity."

"Of course, I’ll prioritize protecting Ling'er~"

Bai Lian rolled her eyes. Aside from her and the master, it seemed like there wasn’t a single normal person left in the Night Organization!

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Jun Zilan asked, "Then what do you suggest we do?"

Hearing this, Bai Lian, who had already thought everything through, smiled lightly. "My plan is simple~"

"After all, no man in this world can resist my charm."

"So..."

She flicked her flowing white hair and let out a proud hum. "This mission will be handled by me alone."

"After school today, I’ll go extract some information about the Black Tortoise Gate from that Deng Feng guy."

"Once I find the location of the remaining members, we’ll wipe them out immediately!"

Hehe, once I take down the Black Tortoise Gate all by myself, the master will definitely praise me lavishly!

As for awakening and summoning the Black Tortoise True Form?

Haha, what kind of weakling could possibly do that? That was just something I made up to scare Murong Ci and the others~

By then, no matter what wish I make, the master will surely grant it!

Murong Ci and Jun Zilan exchanged glances.

After a moment of silence, Murong Ci said slowly, "Then let’s do this. You lure the Black Tortoise Gate members to a place far from Ling'er, and I’ll handle the rest."

Hmm, once I complete the mission alone, I’ll ask the master to let me meet Gu Yan...

Murong Ci thought expressionlessly, though the tips of his ears turned slightly red.

Huh?

Bai Lian was immediately displeased. She punched Murong Ci repeatedly. "Hey! Hey!! What do you mean by 'lure'? Can’t you use a better word?"

"I have a natural charm. Any man who can’t resist me is just a pathetic weakling!"

"It’s their own fault for being so pathetic, got it?"

Murong Ci remained unmoved and said calmly, "In any case, when the time comes, I’ll act."

Bai Lian, fuming, stopped talking and started kicking the rooftop railing furiously.

So annoying! So infuriating! Why is it so hard for me to have the master’s love all to myself?

Ah~ Master~ If only you could hold me in your arms, pat my head, and say, 'Little Bai Lian, you’re my favorite~' That would be so wonderful~~