Chapter 133: Next Stop, District 27
Chapter 133: Chapter 133: Next Stop, District 27
A hint of joy sparked within Xu Qingsui at Lu Jingyu’s words, and she nodded immediately.
"However, since Zone 9 has just been purified, it needs to be rezoned. The Alliance also needs to prepare in advance for the move, so it might take some time."
The light in Xu Qingsui’s eyes dimmed, but she quickly rallied her spirits. "In that case, I’ll have to set out first. But we might see each other again after the Alliance relocates."
Lu Jingyu was at a loss for words. He opened his mouth several times, but couldn’t bring himself to ask her to stay.
He and Xu Qingsui had made an agreement about her departure long ago. He couldn’t go back on his word to keep her here.
He couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret. ’If only I’d known my feelings for Xu Qingsui would change, I never would have been so casual about making that promise back then.’
Finding no other reason to persuade her, Lu Jingyu could only take out the handgun again. Then, from his Storage Space, he retrieved a magazine engraved with a unique pattern.
"Since you’re set on leaving, I won’t try to stop you. But you have to take these. Keep them safe."
Xu Qingsui didn’t reach for them. ’I already have Crimson Chain. There’s no reason for me to accept another weapon from Lu Jingyu.’
Seeing that she wouldn’t take them, Lu Jingyu grabbed her hand and pressed the handgun and magazine into her palm.
"You have to keep these safe. It’s the only way I’ll have any peace of mind about you leaving."
A warmth spread through Xu Qingsui’s heart, and she finally stored the weapon away carefully.
"For most situations, regular bullets will do. If you run into real danger, switch to the magazine I just gave you. It might save your life. But I hope you’ll never have to use it."
Lu Jingyu’s mood was somber, so Xu Qingsui didn’t feel it was her place to ask him why.
She nodded. Seeing that Lu Jingyu was still glum, she couldn’t help but try to lighten the mood with a joke. "So, let me ask you... what grade of weapon is this handgun, anyway?"
"With regular bullets, it’s a fine grade weapon. But if you switch to that magazine, you could call it Top Grade."
When she heard "fine," Xu Qingsui was truly amazed. ’Lu Jingyu really is on another level,’ she thought, ’casually handing out a fine grade weapon.’
After all, most weapons among Alliance members were either substandard or No Grade, with only a small fraction considered authentic.
Shen Ling’an might have a fine grade weapon, but he only got that after latching onto Qiu Fang, who gave it to him to bolster his image.
In Zone 9, a fine grade weapon was already a rare sight.
But when she heard "Top Grade," Xu Qingsui was so shocked her hand trembled. She immediately tried to take the items out again to return them to Lu Jingyu.
A Top Grade weapon! ’Even if Lu Jingyu is willing to part with it, how could I possibly accept it?’
"Don’t give it back. Just hold onto it. It’s best if you never have to use it. When we see each other again, you can return it to me then. It won’t be too late."
Lu Jingyu saw right through her and nipped that idea in the bud.
Still feeling uneasy, Xu Qingsui mulled it over before taking out the magazine with the unique pattern again.
’The change in the handgun’s grade comes from this magazine. That means the magazine is the truly rare part.’
"I’ll take the handgun, but you’re taking this magazine back."
Lu Jingyu pushed her hand away. "Stop haggling with me. Just keep it safe for me. I’ll ask for it when I need it."
They were both stubborn and wouldn’t back down once their minds were made up. Xu Qingsui sighed, left with no choice but to meticulously place the magazine into her Storage Space.
Only when he saw her store it away safely did Lu Jingyu breathe a sigh of relief. "So," he asked, "which zone are you planning to head to next?"
Lu Jingyu hadn’t decided where the Alliance would relocate to next, but now his mind was made up. ’Wherever Xu Qingsui goes, the Alliance will follow.’
Xu Qingsui thought about the locations on her Spiritual Map. "The 27th District."
Lu Jingyu nodded. "And when do you plan on leaving?"
This time when he spoke, his voice was tinged with melancholy.
If any other members had been present, they would have been astonished to see this side of their Captain Lu.
Seeing his expression, Xu Qingsui smiled. "There’s a bonfire party tonight, how could I miss that! I’ll leave tomorrow or the day after."
Lu Jingyu visibly relaxed and immediately invited Xu Qingsui to the bonfire party.
By the time the two of them arrived, the party was already in full swing with music and dancing. As soon as people noticed them, they were swarmed and pulled into the jubilant crowd.
Neither of them were dancers, but swept up by the crowd, they started swaying along with everyone else.
As they danced, their eyes met time and again, reigniting the hope in Lu Jingyu’s restless heart.
’I have to confess,’ he decided. ’Maybe that will be enough to make her stay.’
But just as he was about to speak, a figure suddenly cut in between him and Xu Qingsui.
"Qing Sui, for the sake of what we once had, please put in a good word for me! Let me stay in Zone 9!"
"Qing Sui, I was completely fooled by Xu Ruming back then! I see her for who she really is now, and I’ll never let her manipulate me again. Please forgive me, just give me one more chance!"
"I’ll treat you so well from now on. I’ll make up for everything, I’ll repay you a hundredfold for all the ways I’ve wronged you..."
Ever since being kicked out of Zone 9, Shen Ling’an had been lurking around the perimeter of the safe zone.
When he noticed the changes in Zone 9 earlier, he had secretly snuck back in.
Learning that Zone 9 had been purified and was now an absolutely safe area, he couldn’t contain himself any longer.
He immediately zeroed in on Xu Qingsui and rushed out to apologize and beg, hoping to be allowed to stay in Zone 9.
The sudden scene left Xu Qingsui stunned. Before she could even process what was happening, a large hand shot out, grabbed Shen Ling’an by the collar, and yanked him away from her.
Ruining his confession and having the gall to confess first—every single thing Shen Ling’an said and did was pushing all of Lu Jingyu’s buttons.
Lu Jingyu’s face darkened. With a casual toss, he sent Shen Ling’an flying backward.
He crashed heavily to the ground, and before he could even try to get up, he coughed up a mouthful of blood.
When Shen Ling’an saw that his attacker was Lu Jingyu, his lips trembled, but no sound came out.
Xu Qingsui finally snapped out of her daze. As she replayed the encounter and his words in her mind, her brows knitted together.
’This man is both disgusting and vile.’ Every one of his actions made her question the original owner of this body’s taste in men even more.
As much as Lu Jingyu loathed Shen Ling’an, a sliver of worry crept into his heart.
He was afraid Xu Qingsui might actually take pity on this disgusting man and speak up for him.
The moment Lu Jingyu saw the expression on Xu Qingsui’s face, all his worries vanished.
At that, he stopped holding back, channeling all his displeasure with Shen Ling’an into his fists and unleashing it upon him.
The onlookers, long aware of Shen Ling’an’s history, did nothing to stop the beating. In fact, they wished they could land a few kicks themselves.
After the thorough lesson, Lu Jingyu had him thrown out of Zone 9 again.