As the armored off-road vehicle entered the Hunter Guild B3 floor's dedicated passage for the Panshi District, the low roar of the engine sounded particularly harsh in the silent corridor.
Su Qing, Chen Mo, and Wang Yuan's faces were pale, their eyes hollow, clearly not yet fully recovered from the sudden and terrifying encounter in the mine.
Tang Yinmeng sat beside Ling Chen, a hint of imperceptible worry in the depths of her molten-gold pupils. Her lips were tightly pressed, and her gaze frequently fell on Ling Chen's dust-covered face, stained with dark red blood.
Ling Chen leaned back in his seat, his eyes closed, his chest rising and falling slightly, and his breathing seemed a little heavy.
His face was pale, his lips tightly pressed, his brows deeply furrowed, as if he was enduring immense pain. His hands hung limply at his sides, fingertips trembling slightly.
The Soul Jade Physique's cold will, like the most precise instrument, perfectly controlled every subtle reaction of his body, simulating a state of both mental and physical exhaustion, immersed in profound grief.
After the car came to a stop, Ling Chen slowly opened his eyes. His deep black eyes were now bloodshot, his gaze dim and lifeless, carrying a deep fatigue and an indescribable sense of emptiness.
He took a deep breath, as if using all his strength, to barely support himself as he stood up.
"Let's go, to report."
His voice was hoarse and low, with a tremor that was hard to detect.
The team members silently followed him, like silent ghosts, through the quiet passage, walking towards Associate Chairman Tieshan's office.
Guild members they encountered along the way, seeing their disheveled appearance and Ling Chen's distraught look, cast gazes of sympathy, astonishment, or inquiry.
Associate Chairman Tieshan's office door was closed.
Ling Chen stood in front of the door, taking a few deep breaths, seemingly trying to calm his emotions, and then raised his hand to knock on the door.
"Come in."
Associate Chairman Tieshan's steady voice came from inside the door.
Ling Chen pushed open the door and led his team members inside.
The light in the office was soft, but at this moment, it seemed particularly oppressive.
Associate Chairman Tieshan sat behind a large desk, a hint of solemnity on his vigorous face, his deep gaze sweeping over everyone who entered like a hawk, finally settling on Ling Chen!
His gaze was sharp, scrutinizing, and carried a subtle pressure!
"Associate Chairman,"
Ling Chen's voice was still hoarse. He lowered his head slightly, avoiding Tieshan's sharp gaze, his posture filled with self-blame and deep sorrow. "The mission failed."
"Report the situation!"
Associate Chairman Tieshan's voice was calm and unwavering, yet it carried an undeniable authority!
Ling Chen took a deep breath and began to recount the mission process with difficulty.
His pace was slow, his voice low, with obvious pain and a hint of a choke!
He described in detail the environment inside the mine, the mole rats and Rock Armor Scorpion swarm they encountered, the location where the energy core was found, and the decision to have Gray Claw (Han Feng) risk entering the ventilation shaft to quickly seize the core.
"It was my command error,"
Ling Chen's voice was filled with deep self-blame!
"I underestimated the danger of the mine, thinking they were just Bone Eater Realm early-stage mutated creatures, but I didn't expect a Bone Eater Stage Peak Bloodfang Tarantula to be hidden near the ventilation shaft."
His body trembled slightly!
"It suddenly broke through the wall, and Gray Claw didn't even have time to react before he was..."
Ling Chen's voice caught in his throat! He clenched his fists abruptly! His knuckles turned white from the force! A layer of moisture instantly welled up in his eyes! But he forcibly held it back! He didn't let the tears fall! It was just that the suppressed grief was even more heart-wrenching!
"Gray Rock, to cover our retreat, he, he..."
Ling Chen's voice completely choked! He suddenly turned around! His back to Associate Chairman Tieshan! His shoulders shook violently! As if he could no longer control the grief in his heart!
The office was dead silent! Only Ling Chen's suppressed, low gasps, like a wounded beast!
Su Qing, Chen Mo, and Wang Yuan all lowered their heads! Tang Yinmeng also tightly pressed her lips together! A heavy sadness permeated the air!
Associate Chairman Tieshan's deep gaze was fixed on Ling Chen's violently shaking back!
A flicker of extremely complex light flashed in the depths of his sharp eyes!
There was scrutiny, doubt, but more than that, a subtle sigh and a deep sense of pity!
He slowly stood up! Walked around the desk! And came to Ling Chen's side! The metal staff embedded with a huge crystal core made a steady tapping sound on the floor!
"Lin Chen!"
Associate Chairman Tieshan's voice was no longer cold! It carried a heavy gentleness!
"Look up!"
Ling Chen's body stiffened abruptly! He slowly turned around! His face still stained with tears! His eyes bloodshot.
"Look at me!"
Associate Chairman Tieshan's voice carried an undeniable power!
"Tell me! What happened! In detail!"
Ling Chen struggled to lift his head! Meeting Tieshan's deep gaze! The Soul Jade Physique's cold will operated frantically! Simulating the state of mental disorientation after being hit by immense grief, yet forcibly pulled back to reality!
He haltingly described the terror of the Bloodfang Tarantula, the tragic scene of Han Feng being instantly bitten and devoured, and the process of Shi Lei sacrificing himself to protect his teammates by using his life to knock away the Bloodfang Tarantula, ultimately dying heroically!
"I, I tried my best to save him, but that monster was too strong, my Mud Swamp Domain couldn't trap it at all,"
Ling Chen's voice was filled with helplessness and deep self-blame!
"I watched helplessly as Gray Rock, to push me away, was, was..."
He choked again! Unable to continue!
Associate Chairman Tieshan listened quietly! Without interrupting! His deep eyes were like the most precise probes!
Capturing every subtle change in Ling Chen's expression! Every rise and fall of his tone! Every tremor of his body!
"I have received the mission report,"
Associate Chairman Tieshan was silent for a moment! Then slowly spoke! His voice low and solemn! "The Security Department also conducted an initial on-site investigation, and indeed, powerful energy fluctuations and battle traces remain deep within the mine, largely consistent with your description."
He paused! His gaze became even sharper! "However! Lin Chen! As the captain! You are largely to blame!"
The reprimand! It had come!
Ling Chen's body trembled violently! His eyes filled with fear and a sense of resigned despair!
"It, it's my fault,"
Ling Chen's voice dropped.
"I am willing to accept any punishment."
"Punishment?"
Associate Chairman Tieshan snorted coldly!
"Can punishment bring back Han Feng and Shi Lei's lives?!"
His voice suddenly rose! Carrying an intimidating aura without anger!
"Your biggest mistake! Was underestimating the enemy! Was being reckless! Was underestimating the danger of an Outland mission! As the captain! Every decision you make! Affects the lives of your team members! Letting Han Feng enter the ventilation shaft alone! That was your greatest dereliction of duty!"
Ling Chen's head drooped even lower! His body trembled slightly! As if struck hard by an invisible heavy hammer!
"However."
Associate Chairman Tieshan's tone suddenly softened! With a hint of complex weariness!
"Your final act of covering your teammates' retreat still shows that you haven't completely lost the responsibility of a captain!"
He walked in front of Ling Chen! Extended his broad, thick palm! And heavily patted Ling Chen's shoulder! The force made Ling Chen's body sway!
"The deceased are gone! The living must carry on!"
Associate Chairman Tieshan's voice carried a heavy power!
"Han Feng and Shi Lei were excellent! They sacrificed themselves for the mission! For their teammates! They are heroes of the Ashes Squad! The Guild will provide them with the highest level of compensation! The Guild will take care of their families!"
He looked directly into Ling Chen's eyes!
"And you! Lin Chen! As the acting captain! Your responsibility! Is not to wallow in grief and self-blame! But to carry their will! To lead the remaining team members! To continue forward! To become stronger! To make the Ashes Squad rise again! This is the best way to honor them!"
"Associate Chairman," Ling Chen looked up! His eyes glistening with tears! With a hint of unbelievable gratitude and a faint, rekindled light! "I, I..."
"Wipe away your tears!"
Associate Chairman Tieshan's voice was stern!
"The Ashes Squad now only has five people left! You are the captain! You are their backbone! You must pull yourself together! The Guild will not give up on you because of one failure! But you must prove your worth!"
"Yes! Associate Chairman!"
Ling Chen suddenly straightened his back! But deep down, there seemed to be a newfound determination, as if he had been awakened!
Of course... it was all an act.
"I understand! I will not let you down! I will not let our fallen brothers down!"
"Good!" Associate Chairman Tieshan nodded slightly! "Go back and rest! Adjust your state well! I will have someone handle the compensation and subsequent arrangements! Remember! Learn from your mistakes! You must not make the same mistake in the next mission!"
"Yes!" Ling Chen and the team members responded in unison!
Leaving the Associate Chairman's office! Ling Chen's steps were still a bit unsteady! He refused Su Qing and Chen Mo's support! Stumbling alone towards his residence in the Panshi District! His back desolate and forlorn!
Back at his residence! He closed the heavy alloy door! Shutting out everything from the outside world!
The expression of utter grief on Ling Chen's face instantly vanished! Replaced by a cold calmness!
He walked to the bathroom! Turned on the faucet! And used cold water to wash away the lingering tear stains and blood from his face! In the mirror!
His deep black eyes were clear and sharp! Without a trace of superfluous emotion! Only the unchanging coldness of the Soul Jade Physique!
"Not a bad performance,"
Ling Chen's lips curved into a cold arc! Tieshan's reaction was entirely within his expectations! Reprimand! Comfort! Motivation!
A combination punch! It both gave an explanation to the Guild! And stabilized him, this "potential stock"! It also conveniently helped him consolidate his position in the hearts of the remaining team members!
Perfect!
Just then!
Ding dong!
The doorbell rang!
Ling Chen's brow furrowed slightly! The Soul Jade Physique's cold will instantly swept over the outside of the door!
A petite figure! Carrying a pure and vast aura of life!
Bai Zhi!
A hint of imperceptible brilliance flashed in Ling Chen's eyes! She came so quickly!