Organizations collect money from employers and distribute it to soldiers in the form of cash and Star Beads.

Xia Yan and Han Jiangxue were regulars here, so of course they knew the rules. Helpless, they could only give up.

Han Jiangxue didn't forget her purpose. Since the mission objective had been achieved, she wanted to go back and rest.

Not to the human stronghold in the snowfields, but home.

Pi Keqiu wanted to go in and look for the team in distress, as his comrades might be among them. Of course, he couldn't go in alone, mainly because Han Jiangxue and Xia Yan were in the team.

But as the employer, Xia Yan listened to Han Jiangxue's suggestion and prepared to go home. Pi Keqiu had no choice but to fire a flare on the spot, asking the awakened guardian team in the snowfields to investigate.

In this small act, Jiang Xiao saw another side of Han Jiangxue. She had no intention of risking her life for those who were unrelated.

Or perhaps, Han Jiangxue was just this kind of person, and it was only because of family that she cared so much about Jiang Xiao.

Han Jiangxue's "Shattered Space" held four corpses, and the four of them each dragged two corpses, beginning their journey home.

Xia Yan didn't lack the pocket money, but she knew Han Jiangxue's family situation. So, as a young lady from a wealthy family, she had no complaints and helped drag two corpses.

The soldier Pi Keqiu, of course, fulfilled the employer's request. Strong and sturdy, he dragged a full four White Ghost corpses back to the town.

The group worked together, and Han Jiangxue used several Wild Winds to hurl the corpses far away, saving everyone a lot of effort.

The return journey was relatively joyful for Jiang Xiao. This time, he had indeed opened his eyes, come into contact with strange worlds and creatures, and obtained two new Bronze Star Techniques. He had truly returned with a full load.

After passing the human stronghold with the red star flag flying high, the four of them breathed a sigh of relief. There were basically no other-dimensional creatures around here. Even if there were, the awakened ones in the stronghold would arrive at the first opportunity.

Pi Keqiu was a little worried. This burly man was very careful, and he specially asked Xia Yan for leave to quickly rush to the human stronghold. After reporting the situation discovered at the edge of the snow forest, he quickly returned to the team.

The journey here had been filled with wind and snow, but the return was uneventful.

Ahead, Xia Yan gently bumped Han Jiangxue's shoulder and said, "I think he's alright. You could see from that bump that he really cares about you. He's very brave."

"Mm," Han Jiangxue responded softly.

"Even we would find that kind of situation tricky. He's just a newbie who just got his Azure Glow Star Technique." No matter what Han Jiangxue thought, Xia Yan was very satisfied and continued, "It's just that this kid is a little mischievous. Leave him to me, and I'll help you discipline him."

"I don't need you to," Han Jiangxue replied.

"Tch, your methods are wrong. I've never wanted to say this to you, but you're quite stubborn," Xia Yan pouted and said, "He's only been awakened for two months, and he only got his Star Technique a few days ago. What can he do? Come to the snowfields for training? He's just a tourist, and he's risking his life. If I didn't like you, I wouldn't accompany you to go crazy."

Han Jiangxue said, "You know what he used to be like. He's changed a bit these past few days. I hope this trip will encourage him to continue. He's too young, he's seen too little, he knows too little. He lacks a sense of awe for this world."

Xia Yan: "Uh-huh?"

"He's too frivolous and doesn't take anyone seriously. I hope he can be dealt with by these lowest-level White Ghosts, get hurt a little, and suffer some setbacks," Han Jiangxue shook her head.

Xia Yan looked bewildered, "So you knew he was useless here, and you just wanted him to suffer?"

Han Jiangxue nodded, "It's not about strength, it's just about character."

Xia Yan chuckled, "So what happened? As soon as he was in a little danger, you couldn't wait to blow him back to the Garden District."

Han Jiangxue: "Shut up."

......

Half an hour later, in the town government building.

"Goodness, a white fur coat like this can be processed and sold for thousands, even tens of thousands, but a White Ghost is only worth 100 yuan?" Jiang Xiao counted the 1,500 yuan he received, looking troubled. "Their claws are very sharp, and they have a lot of meat on them. It might be delicious. Their whole bodies are treasures..."

Han Jiangxue stretched out a hand and held it out in front of Jiang Xiao.

Jiang Xiao helplessly put the red money into Han Jiangxue's hand.

"This is simply a black..." Jiang Xiao saw the unfriendly look in the soldier's eyes beside him and changed his tone, "...a conscientious enterprise! Not only do they give us opportunities to train and grow, send bodyguards to escort us, but they also let us earn some extra money. It's really great!"

"Pfft... hahaha," Xia Yan couldn't help but laugh, her ample chest trembling slightly, making Jiang Xiao a little dizzy.

Han Jiangxue held her forehead with one hand and pushed Jiang Xiao hard, telling him to leave quickly.

It wasn't until he had changed his clothes and returned the military backpack that Jiang Xiao realized that he hadn't touched the military food and water in the backpack at all. Alas, he really gave these black merchants a bargain!

He didn't know if this place was directly affiliated with the government.

However, considering the importance of this location and the posture of these regular soldiers, it shouldn't be wrong.

If that were the case, Jiang Xiao would feel a little more at peace. The country would earn more military funds, cultivate more powerful awakened ones, and make China stronger, with a straighter back. In the end, it would be Jiang Xiao, an ordinary citizen, who would benefit.

But then again, was this 1,500 yuan enough to hire Pi Keqiu?

After getting into Xia Yan's Land Rover, Jiang Xiao asked about it, but before Xia Yan could speak, Han Jiangxue told Jiang Xiao to shut up, saying it was their business.

Jiang Xiao was snubbed, so he changed the subject, "Where's your knife?"

"It's over there," Xia Yan replied as she drove away from the town.

"Aren't you afraid it'll get stolen?" Jiang Xiao asked casually, chatting to pass the time.

Unexpectedly, this chat actually led to something.

"It won't get stolen. I have a separate dressing room there." Xia Yan said casually, suddenly remembering something, "Oh, right, I just discussed it with your sister. I'll send your sister back to the Garden District later, and you'll come home with me, okay?"

"Ah?" Jiang Xiao scratched his head, "What am I going to do with you?"

"Take you home to warm my feet," Xia Yan raised her eyes and saw Jiang Xiao's stunned look in the rearview mirror.

The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, and she tilted her head, her slightly curled chestnut short hair gently swaying, matching her bright eyes, making her appear wild and charming.

"Han Jiangxue, did you sell me?" Jiang Xiao looked at Han Jiangxue with a depressed expression.

"Hehe, just kidding." Xia Yan explained with a smile, "Your sister's martial arts are not good enough, so I have to train you."

Jiang Xiao blinked, "Aren't I a support? Standing in the safest place in the team, being supported?"

"That's right," Xia Yan nodded with a serious expression, "But think about it, if you want to be supported, you have to become a Buddha, become a god. You're just a stone now. If you want to be carved into a Buddha, you have to go through thousands of cuts."

Jiang Xiao: ???

Thousands of cuts!?

This girl is even more mischievous than me?

Xia Yan raised her eyes again and looked at the rearview mirror, saying, "What do you think of my swordsmanship?"

With that two-meter-long sword, even a thick-skinned White Ghost would be cut in half with one strike. How could the fragile Jiang Xiao be any better?

Seeing Jiang Xiao's apprehensive look, Xia Yan said with a smile, "So I'm the most suitable sculptor."

But then again, let's talk about something serious.

Why did Jiang Xiao limit himself to bare hands? Should he ask Xia Yan for advice on swordsmanship?

Jiang Xiao pondered for a moment and opened this topic, "Your big sword is really cool, with amazing lethality. Can I learn it?"

"Oh?" Xia Yan raised her eyebrows, with a hint of teasing in her voice, "This is my family's swordsmanship, not passed on to outsiders."

Jiang Xiao followed up, saying, "What if we're family? Then it can be passed on, right?"

Xia Yan was stunned for a moment and turned to look at Han Jiangxue, "This kid is really mischievous!"

Han Jiangxue snorted coldly in her heart: He even dares to tease me, what else wouldn't he dare do?

Jiang Xiao: "That..."

Han Jiangxue, in the passenger seat, directly interrupted Jiang Xiao, saying, "China has many martial arts secrets. Before the advent of Star Power, these martial arts were not as powerful as in martial arts novels. Many have become performance routines, and their practical combat is relatively weak."

Jiang Xiao put away his joking thoughts and said, "But?"

Han Jiangxue said, "But with the emergence of Star Power and Star Techniques, some martial arts techniques in China have a lot of room to survive. So, Xia Yan wasn't joking. Some things are indeed not passed on to outsiders. It's very impolite for you to ask like that."

"Eh," Xia Yan said with a smile, "It's not that serious. Our family isn't a martial arts family. It's just that my dad got a swordsmanship manual from somewhere. It's not as exaggerated as you said. Before reading it, I thought it was mysterious, but after reading it, it's just a few moves that can be found online."

So casual?

Find it online?

Self-taught?
Chapter 1 The Beginning
Chapter 1 The Beginning