Death Squad Member No. 10:

Wang Zhan: Registered student at the four Federal Academies

Overall strength: Around five-star Martial King

Marking degree: C-class

Hidden strength: Unknown

Subordinates: One at the Martial King Realm, two at the Grandmaster Realm, and eighteen at the Grandmaster Realm

Mission: To eliminate key strongholds and threats of the Beast Clan (below King-level strength) from within the Federal Human Race of the Earth Federation...

If Wang Zhan could see this report, he would undoubtedly have a deeper understanding of his own strength. Because those ranked ahead of him were all formidable individuals at the eighth or ninth level of Martial King and above, with an average age of only forty. Most of them were hidden figures from the Federation's Four Great Academies.

Clearly, these were the true seeds of the Federation!

As for Wang Zhan, he was, at best, just a weed growing rampantly among the Federation's common flora. Its branches and leaves had begun to flourish, but it couldn't be considered anything special.

But he didn't see the report. The only ones who could, aside from the internal operations planning personnel, were Qin Ying, the Federation's President, and a few other authorized individuals with sufficient clearance.

Qin Ying made no move; she simply submitted the report.

But she knew in her heart...

The Military Department has taken notice of Wang Zhan...

This time, the Military Department represented the will of the Federation, not the will of Li Chengyuan, who had previously attempted to control Wang Zhan. Although Li Chengyuan was not an insignificant figure, he didn't amount to much in Qin Ying's eyes.

But even knowing the truth, what could she do?

At this thought, Qin Ying's gaze deepened. She gazed, entranced, at a candid photo of Wang Zhan on her phone.

Then, she murmured softly, "Wang Zhan, my man, you have to give it your all! Come back alive to see me..."

She even wondered if perhaps she shouldn't continue to be so reserved.

She wanted to leave behind a seed, one that would sprout vigorously before spring arrived next year…

Wang Zhan never knew. After he called Qin Ying to ask if it was true, Qin Ying received the application for his participation in this operation almost immediately afterward. He also didn't know that this wasn't a privately contracted mission, but an actual assignment from the Federation's military.

Of course, to Wang Zhan, it made no difference. Just like the brilliant smile he wore as he faced those remaining death-row inmates, the option of retreating without a fight didn't exist in his vocabulary.

Therefore, his preparations had to be even more thorough.

"From today onwards, you all report to my team," Wang Zhan said with a smile, oblivious to how chilling his expression seemed to the others.

That day, it had also started with such an eerie smile, and then they had bid farewell to nearly ten of their comrades, whose souls Wang Zhan harvested right before their eyes. So now, even though Wang Zhan smiled quite naturally, with no trace of sinister intent on his face, no one dared to make a sound.

This just went to show the importance of a first impression.

But Wang Zhan was satisfied with this atmosphere. Only then could he be better prepared to complete his mission without wasting his time.

So, Wang Zhan continued, "However, since you were death-row inmates and have already been stripped of your Federation citizenship, you no longer have names. So, from this moment on, each of you will choose a codename to identify yourselves. Any problems with that?"

"N-No... None!"

The responses were disorganized and sparse. If actual military personnel had heard them, they would probably have died of anger. To expect such a team to complete a combat mission was pure wishful thinking.

But the corners of Wang Zhan's mouth lifted into a grin as he said, "Very good. Decide on them after this meeting and report them back to me! Remember, this mission is your first operation. If you don't satisfy me, then I'm sorry, but you may have already lost your right to be considered human from this point forward. Blame yourselves for being born in the Federation but lacking the awareness expected of Federation citizens. So, tell me loudly, are you ready?"

This time, although their voices still rose and fell unevenly, they were far more synchronized.

"Understood!"

"Very good."

Wang Zhan beckoned, bringing the middle-aged Martial King, who looked a little pale, to his side.

The middle-aged man was somewhat apprehensive, but Wang Zhan said, "From now on, you're in charge of coaching them. The other two Grandmasters will be your deputies. How about it?"

"Ah! Young Master Wang Zhan, I... I..." The middle-aged man looked somewhat terrified.

Wang Zhan didn't care if his fear was genuine or if he had ulterior motives. He just said meaningfully, "Do well, and those unmotivated troublemakers will be your experimental subjects. Do poorly, and you can go back to your cell. There's no room for you here. Also, regarding the two deputies I assigned you, apart from the team members, neither of them can cause any problems. If there are problems, you'll be the first one I hold accountable!"

This was the first step of Wang Zhan's assessment. Next, he would see if this middle-aged man had what it took.

Actually, it was fine even if he didn't. As long as he performed adequately, could control himself, and didn't let the entire team get wiped out without at least finding some useful individuals from it, Wang Zhan still valued talent.

If he couldn't control them... Heh heh.

Like that mad man in his domain—though extraordinarily talented and arrogant, Wang Zhan only kept him around because he could control himself somewhat and be of some use; otherwise, it would have been a dead end for him.

Wang Zhan then left the place where he had claimed nearly ten lives that night.

I don't know what Shi Zhongming was thinking, wanting me to bring these people back here for a trial.

Well, nevermind.

This has nothing to do with me. Time to go home and enjoy some bone soup!

The bone soup simmered from the bones of leader-level beasts, combined with Mom's and Yao Yao's cooking, should be pretty good.

After spending two more intimate, practically inseparable days with Yao Yao, Wang Zhan had consumed several pots of bone soup. He drank it from morning till night, until the very smell of it began to seem cloying.

He was finally ready to set off.

Yao Yao looked at him worriedly. "Do you really not need me to go with you?"

Wang Zhan consoled her, "This is my mission; it has nothing to do with you. Besides, I feel this matter is quite involved. It's best if you don't get mixed up in it. Worst case, once I'm settled, I'll find a little convenience store for you, you can be the proprietress, and I'll go complete my missions."

Hearing his comforting words, Yao Yao finally smiled. "Alright, I'll wait for you. Will you be back tomorrow?"

Ah!

Wang Zhan was stunned. Chuckling bitterly, he hugged Yao Yao and gave her a loving kiss on her blushing cheek, which managed to quell her playful teasing.

Then, Wang Zhan said solemnly, "I'm leaving!"

Beneath the dormitory building, only Wang Zhan's somewhat solitary and proud figure could be seen, gradually receding down the road. In front of the dormitory, Yao Yao watched him go with great reluctance; upstairs in the dormitory, Yang Cui's eyes were brimming with tears.

But at one moment, no one noticed a faint, detached smile touch the corners of Wang Zhan's mouth, his eyes unintentionally glancing behind him.

Interesting. Whose pawn is this, placed by my side?

Regardless of who it was, with Mom at the Federal Martial Arts Academy, her safety was guaranteed.

Wang Zhan couldn't be bothered; less trouble was better.

But at that very instant, the heart of the woman with the curvaceous and well-rounded figure trembled slightly. She sensed something wasn't quite right, causing her to frown and mumble to herself.

He's discovered me? How is that possible?

Why is Wang Zhan's progress so rapid?

Throughout the entire Federation, it seemed no one understood Wang Zhan's talent better than she did.

A mere Martial Artist, once insignificant in her eyes, had now developed to the point where he could see through her true depths. How could this not be shocking!

Her heart tightened.

I can't continue to make contact like this; it will alert him sooner or later. I must find a suitable opportunity to get close to him and lower his guard...

But this thought gave her another headache.

What kind of student never attends classes or even rarely shows their face after enrolling in a Martial Arts Academy?

Yet, Wang Zhan was precisely that unique case.

However, Li Chengyuan wasn't the only one who had seen Wang Zhan's potential. Or perhaps, Li Chengyuan hadn't grasped the true depth of that potential, the kind that had brought Wang Zhan into the line of sight of the four major Martial Arts Academies, from which he had seemingly vanished, never to return!

Therefore, no matter what method she considered to get close to Wang Zhan, there was simply no viable way to implement it.

After all, one can't make bricks without straw, and moreover, Wang Zhan was like an unpredictable wind, blowing here and there!

「Three days later.」

Inside the Quan State Underground City, a new young man had appeared, peddling his wares in the bustling Underground Black Market.

"Selling medicinal herbs, selling elixirs! Selling medicinal herbs, selling elixirs!... Cheap prices, fair to young and old! Cheap prices, fair to young and old!…"

No one knew where he came from, nor where he was going. They only knew that the small basket hanging from this young man contained only inferior medicinal herbs and various counterfeit elixirs.

Nevertheless, for these people, even this much was of considerable use.

So, seeing that this young man didn't act like a regular merchant and carried himself like a ruffian, yet as he walked down the street, he made one sale after another, familiar shopkeepers would greet him, asking, "Hey, you're here again. How much did you make today?"

The young man quickly gestured for silence, whispering, "Shh, didn't make any money, didn't make any money. Got caught selling fake medicine yesterday and had to pay a hefty compensation!"

Someone immediately jeered, "Hah! Who else would they beat up if not a seller of fake medicine like you? You should be grateful you haven't been beaten to death yet. But I reckon if you keep this up, you won't be in this business for long!"

The young man looked thoroughly dejected.

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