Chapter 341: The Place You Think Is Most Foolproof Is Actually the Most Prone to Accidents
Chapter 341: Chapter 341: The Place You Think Is Most Foolproof Is Actually the Most Prone to Accidents
The next day marked Yun Sheng’s official entry into the Tower as a registered exclusive guide.
A black hovercar came to a steady halt in the exclusive parking area in front of the Tower building. The two got out one after another. The cool morning breeze ruffled the corners of their clothes. Si Jin, once again disguised as Lin Mo, stood by Yun Sheng’s side. He reached out to grasp her wrist, then slid his hand down to clasp her palm, gently rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb.
"I won’t go far. I’ll be at the cafe right across the street, always on standby. Yun Sheng, keep a close eye on the people around you inside the Tower. If you notice anything unusual, no matter how small, text or call me immediately, okay?"
Yun Sheng squeezed his hand and gently swung it. Seeing how unusually tense he was, she offered a reassuring smile. "Don’t be so nervous. The Tower’s security level is the highest there is. Coming and going requires multiple identity verifications. No one would be arrogant enough to make a move inside the Tower."
Hearing this, Si Jin frowned slightly, his tone turning even more grave.
"No place is absolutely safe! Don’t forget the intel Lin Yueyao revealed earlier. The mastermind plotting to attack the research institute in a week is the adjutant of a certain Admiral.
"A person who can climb to such a position deeply understands human nature and excels at exploiting the blind spots in everyone’s thinking. Often, the places people subconsciously feel are the safest and most foolproof are exactly where accidents are most likely to breed."
Yun Sheng understood his concerns and knew he was afraid the Dark Nest would resort to any means and exploit loopholes to target her. She stopped arguing and nodded obediently, her expression gentle.
"I know. I’ll keep a close eye on the people and things around me at all times. I definitely won’t let my guard down, and I will protect myself."
Seeing her compliance, the worry in Si Jin’s heart dissipated slightly. He leaned in and gently rubbed the top of her head. "Go on. I’ll come pick you up for lunch."
"Okay."
Yun Sheng let go of his hand and smoothed out her neat guide uniform. She turned and was about to head toward the grand main entrance of the Tower. Just as she reached the door, a crisp, familiar voice rang out.
"Yun Sheng!"
Li Wen had been waiting at the entrance. She had clearly arrived early as well, eager to clock in for her first day together. Leaning casually against the wall, her gaze first landed on Yun Sheng before a thick hint of amusement flashed in her eyes. She looked past Yun Sheng, staring openly at Si Jin, who was still standing by the hovercar in the distance, and flashed a deeply suggestive smile.
The teasing was blunt and obvious, needing no words. Yun Sheng instantly read her mind. The tips of her ears flushed with a faint heat. Chuckling helplessly, she hurried over and lightly punched Li Wen’s arm.
"Stop making fun of me."
Li Wen wasn’t afraid of her in the slightest. Her eyes curved into crescents as she smiled, blunt and teasing. "How am I making fun of you? I’m genuinely envious. You’re too lucky! Your boyfriend is so careful and considerate; he looks like he wants to orbit around you twenty-four seven."
"You? Envious?" Yun Sheng raised an eyebrow, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "Then hurry up and find one yourself."
"I’ll leave it to fate."
Li Wen spread her hands and slung an arm around Yun Sheng’s shoulders. The two walked shoulder-to-shoulder into the building, chatting idly as they strolled through the lobby and took the elevator straight to the fifth floor.
The fifth floor was the office and assembly area for the Tower’s exclusive guides. Unlike the noisy duty area downstairs, it was much quieter here. Many newly promoted official guides were standing scattered in the corridor, almost all of whom were officially joining today.
As soon as the elevator doors opened, a cold, capable female voice called out.
"Everyone, assemble."
Yun Sheng and Li Wen looked toward the voice and saw a short-haired woman standing at the front of the corridor. She wore a standard guide uniform, exuding a cold, composed, and professional aura. It was Tang Xin, who was in charge of assigning this batch of rookies. She was also a veteran High-level Guide at the Tower, personally overseeing the dispatching of all field guides.
The two stopped chatting and fell into line with the other rookie guides. Tang Xin swept her gaze over the group and announced concisely.
"I will briefly explain the arrangements. Starting today, all of you are officially assigned to field squads and will begin your respective duties immediately.
"The Tower’s current field squad structure is fixed: five Sentinels paired with one exclusive guide. A guide’s duties are simple: provide daily spiritual channeling for the Sentinels in your squad to suppress their spiritual agitation; and accompany them throughout missions to soothe their emotions in real-time, preventing spiritual rampages."
At these words, a few faint gasps echoed through the ranks.
Everyone present understood the sheer pressure of this job. Guides were already extremely scarce; the total number of registered guides in the entire district couldn’t even match one-tenth of the active field Sentinels. This severe shortage of resources meant that every field guide had to single-handedly bear the channeling workload for an entire squad of five Sentinels.
On a daily basis, they had to constantly monitor five different spiritual states and perform high-intensity channeling. During missions, they also had to face various dangers while remaining on guard against the Sentinels losing control in high-pressure environments. The stress was immense. However, given the current manpower shortage, the Tower had no better solution. Everyone simply had to follow the established system.
Tang Xin was long accustomed to such reactions, her expression remaining placid.
"I know you all have concerns. This job is grueling and highly stressful. But those are the rules. Since you chose to join the Tower and become official guides, this is a process you must go through.
"Only when a field guide completes three full years of service, or if your Level is promoted to A-level or above, will alternative arrangements be made. Therefore, you must adapt to this responsibility as quickly as possible.
"I will now read the roster. When your name is called, report directly to your squad."
She picked up the roster and spoke rapidly, assigning the squads one by one. It wasn’t long before Yun Sheng and Li Wen’s names were called.
"Li Wen, assigned to the Seventh Field Squad."
"Yun Sheng, assigned to the Ninth Field Squad."
Li Wen pouted slightly, leaning close to Yun Sheng’s ear and lowering her voice. "We can’t do fieldwork in the same squad. We might not even bump into each other at work anymore."
Yun Sheng nodded. "It can’t be helped. There’s only one guide per squad, so we definitely wouldn’t be grouped together. We can just meet up with Cheng Nian on our days off."
Tang Xin noticed their little exchange but didn’t reprimand them. She simply announced the assembly locations for the two squads and dismissed them to report in. The crowd gradually dispersed, leaving the corridor mostly empty.
Before parting ways, Li Wen patted Yun Sheng’s shoulder. "I’ll get going then. Take care of yourself. The tempers of the field squad Sentinels are a mixed bag—don’t let yourself get bullied."
"Don’t worry," Yun Sheng smiled. "You too."
With that, the two said their goodbyes, turned, and headed toward their respective squads’ assembly areas.
The Ninth Field Squad’s office area was located in the innermost independent cubicle on the west side of the third floor. Yun Sheng took the elevator down and walked along the corridor. She passed several offices along the way, occasionally hearing the sounds of Sentinels chatting or arguing inside.
Soon, she stopped in front of the very last office, which bore a plaque reading "Ninth Field Squad." She raised her hand to knock, but before she even touched the door panel, an irrepressible, angry shout erupted from inside.
"I really don’t understand how the hell they assign guides! Why did they give our squad a useless guide who doesn’t even have a spiritual body?!"