Free Web NovelChapter 154: Chapter 137: First Come, First Served
’The guy was clearly a mad dog, ready to bite anyone in sight. But I’m a good dog. I can’t be learning from a mad dog.’
Yu Bao pondered for a moment, then looked up at Su Zhi. Seeing his owner’s composed expression, a small lightbulb went DING above his head.
’A man who can hide a raging storm behind a calm face is fit to be a great general.’
’Su Zhi’s wisdom is truly timeless!’
And so, he puffed out his chest, raised his head, sat up straight, and revealed a smile that was both graceful and dignified:
⌓‿⌓
’Your insults are useless. I bounce them right back!’
"Fuck..." Xu Jianzhi’s fists clenched.
In all his life, this was the first time he’d ever been looked at like that by a dog.
"Wow! What a cute Yu Dian Dog!"
"That dog’s a master of funny faces! Ahahahaha!"
The campers watching had never seen such an amusing Yu Dian Dog. They all started taking photos and videos to commemorate the moment, while the challenger himself was completely ignored.
"Xu Jianzhi, please don’t mistake arrogance for strength."
Su Zhi picked up Yu Bao and looked leisurely at Xu Jianzhi. "Have you ever heard the saying? Empty vessels make the most sound."
"Cut the crap! Are you accepting this Pet Beast Battle or not?"
Now that it had come to this, Xu Jianzhi dropped all pretense, his gaze filled with open hostility.
"I’ll be honest with you. Xu Mingzhi, the one you humiliated at the city tournament, is my younger brother. As his older brother, I have to get revenge for him."
Su Zhi glanced at Yu Bao. "So they’re from the same litter. No wonder the stench is so strong."
Yu Bao tucked his paws in and nodded, adding with deep meaning, "Woof, woof."
’It can’t be helped. We’re the protagonists; we’re naturally magnets for villains in a state of impotent rage. This guy’s just a minor lackey at best, right?’
"Fine. You two are just great..."
Just as they were at a stalemate, Xu Jianzhi’s eyes lit up.
Walking quickly toward them from a distance was a Cold and Refined Beauty with long, ice-blue hair, wearing a beige trench coat. Beneath the coat was a light-gray Alliance Member uniform, and a dark gold Alliance Member medal glinted in the sun.
’The beige trench coat is the signature attire of the Flying Shadow Alliance. The Flying Shadow Alliance’s headquarters is far from here, so this woman appearing must be their guide Alliance Member.’
Xu Jianzhi immediately walked up and bowed.
"Hello, Senior. My name is Xu Jianzhi, and I’m a camper in this session of the Flying Shadow Alliance’s summer camp. This camper, Su Zhi, and I would like to have a Pet Beast Battle!"
As he spoke, Xu Jianzhi shot a sidelong glance at Su Zhi, a flicker of triumph in his eyes.
’The summer camp encourages active Pet Beast sparring among campers. It’s common practice to ask a guide Alliance Member to witness a Pet Beast Battle.’
’As long as he asked, the guide Alliance Member would almost certainly agree. That way, even if Su Zhi didn’t want to, he would have no choice but to accept the battle!’
Selena quickly sized him up and nodded. "Hm, not bad."
And then...
...without a second glance, she walked straight toward Su Zhi.
Xu Jianzhi: "?"
Afraid she hadn’t heard clearly, he hurried after Selena, repeating in a low voice, "Senior, I said I want to have a match with the camper named Su Zhi..."
"’I know you’re anxious, but hold your horses.’"
Selena patted Xu Jianzhi’s shoulder, her face devoid of expression.
"Su Zhi and I have a Pet Beast Battle to get to as well. Everything has to be first come, first served."
Xu Jianzhi’s jaw dropped. He was completely dumbfounded.
’What kind of plot twist is this?’
’Why does this guide Alliance Member know Su Zhi, and why would she want a Pet Beast Battle with him? Who does he think he is, some kind of big shot?!’
’Besides, speaking of ’first come, first served,’ wasn’t I here first...?’
Seeing the "little kid" didn’t seem to get the hint, Selena’s voice turned a few degrees colder. "Is there a problem? Classmate?"
"...No." Xu Jianzhi meekly lowered his head.
At that moment, the bus for the campers pulled up to the waiting area.
Selena scanned the area, put on a serious expression, and cleared her throat.
"All campers participating in the Flying Shadow Alliance summer camp, please board the bus in an orderly fashion."
After watching all the "little kids" get on the bus, Selena dropped her serious expression, plucked Su Zhi out of the crowd, and stuffed him into the passenger seat of a small car.
Then, she pulled open the driver’s door and slid into the seat with her long legs.
The car started—
Su Zhi nervously hugged Yu Bao, watching the Cold and Refined Beauty beside him drive with intense focus. For some reason, he felt like a pampered young wife.
After a moment of silence, he ventured, "Are you our guide Alliance Member?"
"’Mm.’" Selena’s lips curled into a slight smile. "’It seems we’re quite fated to meet.’"
"’Oh, right. Sorry about last time. The mission was urgent, I didn’t mean to stand you up.’"
"It’s okay!" Su Zhi paused. "You’ve worked hard."
Selena nodded, the road flashing by in the reflection of her cool, ice-blue eyes.
The bus up ahead took the left fork in the road, while Selena’s car took the right.
Su Zhi couldn’t help but ask again, "So... where are you taking us?"
"What are you panicking about? It’s not like I’m going to sell you."
Selena glanced at Yu Bao, her lips curling into a smirk. "Although, selling you two to the Divine Strategy Alliance isn’t out of the question. Those weirdos would probably be very interested in your body structures. They’d offer a high price."
"Whimper..." Yu Bao shivered and looked tremblingly at Su Zhi.
’Did we stand out too much? Are we going to be sent off for dissection and research?’
Su Zhi pressed his lips together. He finally understood why the protagonists in his old man’s books always tried so hard to avoid official attention...
Seeing the human and pet huddled together like a pair of cowards, Selena chuckled lightly. "Relax. I just want to have a Pet Beast Battle with you."
"Last time, after Xue Ao was defeated by you, its pride took a bit of a hit. It’s been putting itself through hellish training ever since it got back."
"When Xue Ao heard you two were in this summer camp, it got extremely excited and insisted on having a friendly match."
"*Gasp!*" Yu Bao’s eyes lit up.
’We’re not getting dissected! And we can even leech some Points from a powerful senior!’
’Yay!’
’It seems I can’t avoid a battle no matter where I go. Could it be true what Yu Bao said, that I have a protagonist’s Constitution...?’ Su Zhi couldn’t help but laugh.
Before long, the car pulled up in front of a magnificent, ring-shaped building.
Structurally, it was similar to the Huai City Municipal Battle Hall, but it was far, far larger. A huge plaque above the main entrance bore the four words ’Flying Shadow Alliance Hall’ written in elegant, flowing script.
Two metallic statues of Thunderbolt War Falcons stood guard at the entrance. They stood with their chests puffed out, their eyes bright and piercing—just like the ever-ready Flying Shadow Alliance itself!
"The total capacity of our Flying Shadow Alliance’s Battle Hall is the second largest. The Cui Feng Alliance is number one; their Battle Hall has a capacity equal to the other eight alliances combined."
Selena explained unhurriedly as she stepped out of the car with her long legs, her ice-blue hair and beige trench coat whipping in the strong wind.
"Let’s go. We’ll pick an arena inside."
·
Inside the Battle Hall, in the spectator stands—
A man with thick eyebrows and large eyes, also wearing a beige trench coat, sat in the front row, SLURP, SLURP-ing his bubble tea. His gaze was fixed listlessly on the Alliance Members sparring in the arena below.
A dark gold Alliance Member medal reflected the hall’s lights:
Name: Chopper
Alliance Member ID; 000000213
"Alliance Leader? What are you doing here!"
A sharp-eyed Alliance Member, whose match on a nearby stage had just ended, recognized him.
Chopper waved his hand, signaling for them to continue, and went back to drinking his bubble tea.
"Yo, Old Qiao!"
Just then, a massive, boisterous man strode over from nearby and plopped down next to him, taking up two seats.
Chopper rolled his eyes and scooted over one seat.
The giant of a man wore only a thin short-sleeved shirt on his upper body, his steel-like muscles clearly visible underneath. His Alliance Member uniform was tied casually around his waist, the medal dangling to one side:
Name: Shang Duantie
Alliance Member ID: 000000212
The hulking man was blunt. "Why are you so obsessed with that damn bubble tea? The real business is you and me having a match, and quick."
"’Real business, my ass. We’re both Alliance Leaders now. Can’t you be a little more mature, like me?’"
Chopper rolled his eyes helplessly.
"Instead of managing your Cui Feng Alliance properly, you’re over here every day looking for a fight with me. Aren’t you basically cheating on your own Alliance?"
"’Manage my ass. If I’d known being an Alliance Leader was this much damn trouble, I never would’ve taken the job.’"
Shang Duantie pursed his lips and looked at him. "Speaking of which, I heard Uncle Shao is getting ready to step down as Vice Alliance Leader, too? Planning to retire completely?"
"Yeah."
Chopper nodded.
"Uncle Shao’s getting old, after all. And Xiaosai has been groomed very well. When Uncle Shao retires, there shouldn’t be any problem with her taking over as Vice Alliance Leader..."
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