Chapter 1 Distrust

"I say, Number Three, do we need to be so cautious?" In the dense forest, a girl wearing a baseball cap and carrying a black bag pouted, looking very unwilling.

Her black bag looked very heavy, with half of a serrated saw and the handle of an unknown tool sticking out, with what appeared to be dark red stains on it, like blood.

Luo He walked about 2 meters ahead of her, not even turning his head, and said in his usual calm voice, "This is a task specifically instructed by the Master; we must do it well." He had an unquestionable aura about him.

"What specifically instructed? It's all that little brat Number Thirteen spouting nonsense, acting important with a chicken feather." Fu Fu's eyes were fierce as she clenched her fists and said, "Just wait until I get back and deal with him. This time, even calling for Daddy won't save him!"

"Don't talk nonsense. Since the Master said so, there must be her reasons. We..."

"Okay, okay, I can't win against you, but you didn't have to drag me through over ten *li* of mountain road, did you? Look at me, my legs are getting thinner. It's not like you're carrying anything." Fu Fu walked along, gently pounding her waist with her small fists, and said angrily, "You really don't know how to cherish women. No wonder no one is chasing after you."

Suddenly, Luo He stopped. Not long after, the bushes in front of them rustled, and several people in camouflage uniforms emerged, each with a gun in hand.

"Dawn!" the leader said to the two, the others raising their guns slightly, ready to fire at the slightest disagreement.

"Sentinel," Luo He replied calmly. This was the pre-arranged password.

Hearing the correct password, the leader's expression relaxed slightly. "Mr. Luo, I am here to pick you up on the orders of Commander Wu."

"Thank you for your trouble."

Soon, Luo He and Fu Fu were taken to a very hidden camp, located deep in the dense forest and heavily guarded.

In addition to the armed guards, there were also some subtle gazes coming from different locations.

"Mr. Luo, please come in." The man leading the way guided them to a large tent covered with camouflage netting. After handing them over to the guards on duty, he opened the tent flap.

The tent was larger than expected. Inside, there were several people, men and women, seemingly arguing about something. The leader was a woman in her thirties, with short hair and a heroic spirit between her brows.

Luo He had received information about the woman, but no photos. All he knew was that her surname was Wu, and she was the commander of this joint operation.

"Hey, hey, Number Three, what's with you staring at her like that? Let me tell you, big-chested women are the biggest liars." Fu Fu immediately corrected him nervously, noticing Luo He's strange look.

The arguing stopped when they noticed someone entering the tent. The leading woman saw Luo He, and her slightly furrowed brows instantly smoothed out, revealing a considerate smile. "Mr. Luo, you're here."

Fu Fu immediately became vigilant.

Luo He didn't speak, but judging from his expression, he also had some impression of the woman, though not a deep one. He was still trying to recall where he had met her.

The woman quickly gathered her short hair with her hand and tied it into a neat ponytail behind her head. Luo He's gaze immediately fixed on her.

He remembered now. Many years ago, there was a mission where the Master sent him to protect a girl. The situation was very urgent; the assassin who came had abilities that greatly countered his own. Although the mission was eventually completed, he was also seriously injured.

"It's you," Luo He nodded slightly.

Without much reminiscing, the woman gestured for Luo He and Fu Fu to sit down. This was a joint operation involving multiple forces: the military, Crimson, an army unit belonging to the country, and several major families such as the Xia family.

The woman represented the military force and was the nominal leader, but clearly, many people here were not convinced.

"Commander Wu," a slightly dissatisfied voice rang out. It was an old man with white hair. The old man's surname was Huang, and he came from a major family. He was of high seniority and had a lot of say here. "I have no objection to the military leading the operation, but as for your saying that you will be in unified command, I don't think that's necessary."

"You are not a disciple of the Night Watchers and don't understand our methods. To put it bluntly, it will be a disaster to have an amateur directing a professional." The old man Huang seemed amiable, but in reality, his eyes showed no sign of backing down.

The Night Watcher's stronghold at the Hanjiang Ferry had been operating for a long time. If there wasn't something good inside, no one would believe it. He believed that many people here had the same thought.

The Night Watchers had to be wiped out, but the benefits had to be fought for.

After all, when everything calmed down, there would be new "Night Watchers" appearing.

Sure enough, after the old man Huang finished speaking, similar voices rose and fell. A burly man with a smiling face advised, "Everyone, say a few less words, a few less words."

Judging from the man's position, he was from the Xia family, but his face was unfamiliar. Everyone feared the Xia family because of Gong Zhe, that living Yama. Since he wasn't here, no one else had that kind of influence.

The old man Huang glanced at the burly man and muttered a few nasty words under his breath. The burly man seemed to be aware that his words carried little weight, so he just kept smiling, looking a little embarrassed.

"Commander Wu, the Hanjiang Ferry stronghold is a tough nut to crack. The Night Watchers have been operating here for many years. According to the information I received, the people hidden inside are all assassins secretly cultivated by the Night Watchers, all disciples. If you let your men rush in, not to mention how many casualties there will be, it's also unknown whether you can even take it down," an older woman said. She was wearing a gray cloth robe and seemed out of place among the group.

Commander Wu took a deep breath and looked at the people below. "It's normal for everyone not to trust me, but I will prove to you that it is the most correct choice for the army I represent to lead this operation."

Fu Fu wasn't interested in these matters. She just couldn't understand how Luo He and this woman had gotten together, and she had no idea about it at all.

"That's all I have to say. Everyone, prepare separately," Commander Wu waved her hand and said. "We will gather in half an hour and head to the target location."

Everyone dispersed unhappily. However, Commander Wu, who remained in the tent, didn't seem to be affected much. After most people had left, she even walked over with a smile and greeted Luo He, not paying much attention to Fu Fu, who was clearly unhappy next to Luo He.

"Thank you for your help back then," Commander Wu smiled sweetly. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to live until now, let alone have the opportunity to join the army and avenge my family." Saying this, a faint sorrow appeared between her brows.

"It was all the Master's strategy; I was just following orders," Luo He said.