Otherworldly Affairs Office

"Wow, Pei Yan's ability enhancement speed has already surpassed us, almost catching up with your brother!" Wang Wenze pushed Ye Jiumu and said with a smile.

Seeing the discontent rising on Ye Jiumu's face, Pei Yan quickly shifted the topic, "Stop talking about me, let's talk about this mission – if I'm not mistaken, it has something to do with the armed esper trafficking you mentioned before, right? What's going on?"

"That's right, it's that case. After the event, the investigation bureau discovered that the mastermind named Han Lihu is a subordinate of the Divine Desire Organization. Recently, his criminal group has been laying low under a joint raid by the investigation bureau and the police until an undercover agent got intel a week ago about Han Lihu planning to cross borders with his men for cover, but the specific time and place are undetermined. We're just waiting for any news; as soon as we receive the order, we must stop them before they cross the border. The higher-ups insist not a single murderer gets away." Shangxing, sitting in the corner and peeling an apple, introduced the situation.

Hearing this, Jiang Feiyang, who was playing darts with Peng Lang, disdainfully pulled the dart from the target and said, "Huh, now any riffraff is worth our effort. Just a bunch of low-level guys, and it takes our whole squad to deal with them? Back in the day, just a team leader could handle them!"

Qi Weidong, lying in a hammock and playing with his phone, yawned and retorted, "Come on, why so many complaints? Aren't we at a special time now! I'm honestly scared." Then he put down his phone and cursed angrily, "I don't know if it's my bad luck or what. Even during usual rift repair missions back then, I'd stumble upon a whole team of Minotaur bastards crossing over. This investigation gig is getting harder to swallow. Who knows what it'll be like if this continues — maybe even an interdimensional war could happen! Anyway, I've bought extra insurance for myself!"

"Saying I complain a lot, you're the one talking nonsense. If there's really an interdimensional war, what insurance would work? Stop undermining the team's morale!" Jiang Feiyang eyed his dart aimlessly before tossing it at the target, then turned and said to Pei Yan, "Actually, we're just here to see your performance this time; we're merely sidekicks."

"What do you mean?" asked Pei Yan, surprised, as he helped clear the dishes after dinner.

Ye Jiumu took the dishes from Pei Yan and explained, "We just received the notification before you arrived. This mission's main focus is to showcase your capabilities while we assist. The higher-ups want to see how your strength has developed after training. We were puzzled before, but now we understand they want to see how much the fusion ability enhances strength!"

"Exactly! They even sent two high-definition cameras just for you. At that time, Jiumu and I will be in charge of recording, so Pei Yan, don't embarrass our squad!" Wang Wenze patted his storage ring, and a professional camera appeared on the table, which he gently caressed with a smile.

"No problem! Remember to play 'A Man Should Strengthen Himself' as the background music. I'm going to take on ten of them!"

When Pei Yan passionately made his bold declaration, he thought he'd jump straight into battle. But who knew he'd end up stuck in this small hut for another week. There's just no way around it; even the nearest Teleportation Array takes almost three hours to drive to, and border escape attempts might happen anytime. Any sudden teleport would be too late, so they can only stay here and guard closely.

Just as this room of people was about to grow mold in the unbearable heat of the southern country, the undercover intel finally came in!

Half a day later, the Upper Star Squad, all dressed in combat gear, lay hidden in the dense tropical jungle at the border. The nanomechanical surveillance devices Pei Yan deployed covered a two-kilometer radius, keeping a tight watch on this secret forest path leading out of the country.

"Why haven't they come yet? Could the intel be wrong? Or have they already passed?" Xue Buli, standing by a tree and checking his watch, asked anxiously. They had changed into combat gear and set out as soon as they got the task, arriving here four hours ago based on the intel.

Squatting on the other side, Wang Wenze was drawing in the dirt with a stick and casually explained, "Impossible. This is a must-pass spot for Han Lihu's group. It's been four hours, and there's no police alert, which means nobody has crossed the border yet. The intel doesn't specify a precise time, just says within the next couple of days at any time. We just have to stick it out here!"

"Damn it, I thought anything would be better than that bamboo house, but this is even more stifling! I'll never come to this hellhole again, no matter what! Pei Yan, when those bastards finally show, leave a couple for me!" The slightly chubby Jiang Feiyang was undoubtedly the most uncomfortable in the team. The tight combat gear and clammy heat were making him more irritable, and even the wind from his military cap couldn't quench his fiery temper. He just wanted a good fight to release the frustration of the past half month.

"Sure thing, no problem!" Leaning against a tree, Pei Yan replied with his eyes almost shut, turning to catch some more shut-eye.

Jiang Feiyang couldn't stand Pei Yan's calmness; he stepped forward deliberately to wake him and said irritably, "Wow, kid, you've improved a lot, staying so calm."

"I already said, I've been training here for over two months and am used to it. Come on, Old Jiang, just be patient. I've got the whole place monitored. I'll notify you at the first sign of any movement, okay? If you mess with me again, I'll withdraw the nanomechanical insects around you, then don't come crying to me if the mosquitoes bite you!"

Upon hearing Pei Yan's threat, Jiang Feiyang snorted and obediently sat back. Before Pei Yan arrived, he had suffered plenty from those massive mosquitoes. He'd never seen mosquitoes so big in his life!

Another six hours passed by in such a wait, during which the team only nibbled on some field rations. As time dragged into late night, even the typically hyper Jiang Feiyang nodded off against Peng Lang.

"They're here!" At that moment, Pei Yan's mosquito-like whisper exploded like thunder among the crowd, instantly alerting the entire squad.

Woken by his partner, Jiang Feiyang shook his head before grinning darkly and eagerly asked, "Those bastards finally here?"

"They just entered the surveillance range. It'll take them at least ten minutes to reach us." As Pei Yan spoke, he opened his mechanical hand, revealing an electronic screen in his palm. On the screen, a small group of people hurried through the forest under the cloak of night.