Chapter 165: Antiquated Thinking
Chapter 165: Chapter 165: Antiquated Thinking
After briefly describing the current situation, Chu Tian took the lead. Shen Yan and Xu Qingsui followed close behind, guiding the rest of the team deeper into the underground district.
This area had been surveyed by staff beforehand, so the team didn’t need to be on guard and could advance at a brisk pace.
They reached the location marked on the map. Any farther, and they would be entering unknown territory.
Chu Tian stopped and exchanged a look with Shen Yan before addressing the team. "We’re about to enter an unknown region. Danger could appear at any moment, so everyone must remain on high alert."
"To prevent anyone from getting separated, stick close together. Keep an eye on the teammates in front of, behind, and beside you. If you notice anyone falling behind, report it immediately."
"Most importantly, this is a team mission. There’s no room for individualism. Everyone must strictly follow orders. Report any discoveries immediately, follow instructions, and do not act on your own."
"If anyone tries to hog the glory and gets into trouble because of it, you’ll face punishment from the team, even if you’re seriously injured and half-dead. In severe cases, you’ll be expelled from the team entirely."
Before they entered the dangerous area, Chu Tian emphasized discipline. His cold, imposing gaze swept over each person, his authority undeniable.
This seemed to be a necessary ritual for their team before any operation. After Chu Tian finished, the members responded in unison. Only then did he lead the team forward.
The moment they stepped into the unknown region, Xu Qingsui focused, slowly releasing her spiritual power to try and locate the Mutants more quickly.
Shen Yan silently followed Chu Tian, but his gaze kept stealing glances at Xu Qingsui.
When he noticed a change in Xu Qingsui’s expression, he guessed she was beginning to use her abilities.
He remained silent, observing her quietly. He hoped to use this opportunity to see what other astounding abilities she possessed.
He was eager to see how she would perform this time.
After advancing another hundred meters or so, there was still no end in sight.
Murmurs began to ripple through the team as members quietly remarked on the sheer size of the underground district.
Some began to wonder aloud if this underground city had always been right beneath their feet. They speculated that while they were surviving on the surface, a large number of Mutants might have been down here, living out their own lives much like them.
At first, Chu Tian ignored the team members, but as their speculation grew more and more outlandish, he shot them a cold glare. The chatter instantly died, replaced once again by the echo of their footsteps.
Just as silence fell again, a series of branching paths appeared before the team.
Chu Tian’s expression changed at the sight of the branching paths. He immediately raised a hand, signaling a halt, then turned back to Shen Yan. "Boss, there are so many paths. What’s our next move?"
Chu Tian had passed the difficult decision to Shen Yan, but Shen Yan didn’t even hesitate before turning to Xu Qingsui.
Xu Qingsui hadn’t spoken the entire way, and he hadn’t disturbed her.
Now that a choice had to be made, Shen Yan felt it was time for Xu Qingsui to step in.
Seeing Shen Yan look to Xu Qingsui, Chu Tian guessed his intention, and a look of alarm flashed across his face.
He’d heard the rumors about Shen Yan and Xu Qingsui. Romantic feelings were only natural, and if Shen Yan was genuinely interested, he would of course offer his blessing.
As for Xu Qingsui, he’d heard that she had successfully soothed Shen Yan. He was happy about that, relieved that his boss no longer had to worry about going into a frenzy.
But aside from that, in his mind, Xu Qingsui was ultimately just a woman—a guide.
He didn’t deny that guides possessed powerful Spiritual Power, but in his eyes, it was only useful for soothing Sentinels. Nothing more.
When it came to important matters, he felt a man should have the final say. The decision should be Shen Yan’s.
In any case, he couldn’t accept taking orders from a woman.
Desperate to prevent what he feared was coming, Chu Tian was about to cut Shen Yan off.
But before he could get a word out, Shen Yan said exactly what he had expected.
"Guide Xu, which way do you think we should go?"
The appearance of the branching paths had also caught Xu Qingsui’s attention.
Even as the team halted, she was already studying each path, trying to probe them with her spiritual power to find any trace of Mutants.
She was so focused that she hadn’t noticed Chu Tian’s expression.
Hearing Shen Yan’s question, Xu Qingsui glanced around once more. "I... Boss..."
Chu Tian’s heart hammered in his chest, seeing he was a step too slow.
He threw courtesy to the wind and cut Xu Qingsui off. "The situation is critical, and this mission is too important for games! This is a decision you need to make yourself, Boss!"
As he spoke, Chu Tian subconsciously flicked a glance at Xu Qingsui, revealing his true feelings.
Having been so abruptly cut off, Xu Qingsui was now watching Chu Tian, and she caught the look in his eyes.
With her sharp mind, Xu Qingsui immediately understood what he was implying.
Realizing she was being slighted, Xu Qingsui couldn’t help a scornful expression from crossing her face.
’What era are we in? Still pulling this male chauvinist crap?’
’Never mind that people stopped putting up with this years ago, that the mantra has been gender equality.’
’And that’s not even mentioning how since the Apocalypse began, the lines between men and women have blurred.’
’After all, everyone has to fight desperately to survive. In the face of life and death, men and women are on perfectly equal footing.’
’Whether you live or die isn’t decided by your gender.’
’It’s decided by whether you have the ability to survive.’
’In the Apocalypse of her past life, there were countless female survivors whose names were far more renowned than many men’s.’
’This world was no different. After all, high-level guides were sought after by every safe zone, all because of their own abilities.’
’To still be clinging to male chauvinism in a world like this... such an antiquated way of thinking was just pathetic.’
Xu Qingsui didn’t bother to hide her disdain, and Chu Tian, of course, noticed.
Scorned by a woman he looked down upon, Chu Tian felt a flash of displeasure. Any sense of embarrassment vanished, and he looked at Xu Qingsui with open defiance.
"Guide Xu, I hope you won’t take this the wrong way. I’m just thinking of the team. If someone were to go into a frenzy, I’m sure you’d be more than capable of handling it. But right now, we’re facing a decision that concerns the safety of our squad, and by extension, the entire safe zone. It’s better for the Boss to make the call."
"This is a serious matter, after all. If something were to go wrong, you couldn’t bear the responsibility. I’m sure you can understand the gravity of the situation."