"That's right. Since you already know, I'll tell you frankly. After all, our paths are different, and our positions are different, so we should keep our distance.
Besides, we aren't close to begin with."
Nian Jiaojiao followed along with the other person's words.
Qin Binbin's gaze dimmed slightly.
"...Alright, I understand."
With that, he lowered his head and turned to leave.
Nian Jiaojiao watched his retreating back and shook her head in her heart.
If she hadn't known his true character, she might have felt a pang of pity.
Thinking this, she also turned and headed in the opposite direction.
Not long after Nian Jiaojiao turned, Qin Binbin stopped. His face showed none of the previous pitiful appearance; instead, he seemed full of spirit.
His eyes flickered, filled with excitement.
The women he had met before had all quickly fallen for him. It was only then that he felt a spark of interest.
Moreover, the other party's appearance and demeanor suited his taste...
He lowered his head and looked at his own attire.
Could it be that he approached her while posing as a woman...
...
Nian Residence.
"...So that's the general situation. I plan to take on a mission in a couple of days and set off."
At this moment, the Nian family members wore solemn expressions.
The rift that isolated the demons from beyond the heavens was widening. Even with human experts guarding it, there were bound to be some who slipped through.
In fact, just half a month ago, strange occurrences of varying scales had begun to happen across the dynasty. The first to bear the responsibility of demon extermination were these cultivators from established sects.
And the female disciples from sects studying in the Royal Academy's Imperial College accepted missions to exterminate demons in various locations.
Of course, accepting missions, or the number of missions accepted, was not mandatory.
Nian Jiaojiao had pondered for a long time after receiving this news.
Currently, there weren't many demons from beyond the heavens appearing. Engaging with them earlier would allow her to gain experience in advance.
"You all stay home and don't wander off. Although there are many experts in the Royal City, it's hard to guarantee that demons from beyond the heavens won't appear."
Nian Jiaojiao instructed.
At this moment, Nan Qing suddenly spoke, "Take me with you."
Nian Jiaojiao was startled, "Take you?"
Nan Qing stared at her, offering a compelling reason.
"To gain experience, and, I can help."
Nian Jiaojiao frowned.
She had never seen Nan Qing fight before, and his "Go Dao" offensive abilities...
Did he intend to smash the demons from beyond the heavens to death with chess pieces?
At this moment, Xuan Yi also said,
"I'll go too."
Yu Chuan, Xing Yun, and Tong Zi Yao quickly followed, saying,
"We'll go too."
Nian Jiaojiao felt a headache coming on.
If too many people went, she wouldn't be able to look after them all.
However, Nan Qing's words made sense. In times of chaos, even with great skill, one should know how to use it.
Therefore, Nian Jiaojiao said,
"It's about time I took you all out for some training. However, this is also my first time exterminating demons, and if I bring too many people, I might not be able to manage them all..."
The implication was clear.
Before Nian Jiaojiao could finish speaking, the five men instinctively puffed out their chests.
After a moment of thought, Nian Jiaojiao finally said,
"Xuan Yi and Nan Qing, you two come with me first."
The ones who were named looked relieved.
Those who were not named looked disappointed.
"Everyone, don't worry, there will be opportunities in the future. Later, I'll tell you about the mission I'm taking, and perhaps you won't be so eager anymore..."
Nian Jiaojiao thought about the sinister nature of the mission and felt it was better to let Nan Qing and Xuan Yi gain experience first.
Once these two could stand on their own, she would bring the others out, and the two of them could look after them.
Xuan Yi was skilled in martial arts and had a steady temperament.
As for Nan Qing... Nian Jiaojiao recalled the scene of him attacking Tong Xiao Ye that day... He should be able to adapt quickly...
Having decided on the candidates, Nian Jiaojiao began to tell the men about the mission.
"The missions currently issued by the Imperial College are tentatively set at level seven, increasing in difficulty from level one to level seven."
"As for how you are graded... it is said that this is information collected by a specialized intelligence system. The intelligence on demons throughout the dynasty is gathered at our Imperial College."
"This time, I've accepted a level two difficulty mission. It states that female disciples who have reached the 'Expelling Objects' realm are recommended to take this mission. So, you two must stick closely to me."
Xuan Yi and Nan Qing nodded solemnly.
Xuan Yi asked, "What do these demons from beyond the heavens look like?"
Nian Jiaojiao shook her head.
"I don't know. But this time, there have been over 30 victims. The faces of each victim have been taken. We're temporarily calling it the 'Face-Stealing Demon'."
"Faces?"
"Faces!"
Xing Yun moved closer to Xuan Yi, wrapping his arms around his strong, muscular arms.
"That's right. According to the intelligence, the faces of those who were taken had all their features removed, leaving only a blurred patch of skin.
The disturbing thing is that they lost their noses and mouths, which logically means they shouldn't be able to breathe, but the victims can. Not only are they alive, but they can also speak, with voices that seem to emanate from their stomachs."
Nan Qing said,
"Since wife master calls them victims, it means these people all died in the end."
Nian Jiaojiao nodded.
"That's right. These people can live for about three days. Although they are still alive, their behavior is extremely strange, unlike normal humans. They shout at anyone they see: 'Give me back my skin!' Once they grab someone, they will tightly grip their neck. If the person cannot break free, they will suffocate to death.
So, in addition to these over 30 victims whose faces were stolen by the demons from beyond the heavens, there are also several civilians who were choked to death by the faceless people."
The five husbands felt their hair stand on end after hearing this.
Xing Yun, in particular, shrank entirely into Xuan Yi's embrace.
Seeing this, Nian Jiaojiao looked at Xuan Yi and Nan Qing and said,
"It's not too late for you two to back out now. This time, you can let me go first..."
"I want to go!"
"No regrets!"
Before Nian Jiaojiao could finish speaking, Xuan Yi and Nan Qing immediately responded.
"Alright then, everyone take tomorrow to rest, and we'll depart the day after tomorrow."
Nian Jiaojiao prepared to go to her room to make preparations, but then remembered something. She took a few steps back, turning her face to the group and said,
"Oh, right, I forgot to mention, in order to take this mission, I informed the academy that I am at the 'Expelling Objects' realm. So, you mustn't let it slip out."
"Therefore, I am the team leader, and the academy will assign three classmates at the 'Unworldly' realm to accompany me."
Xuan Yi nodded.
Nan Qing, however, narrowed his eyes and smiled.
It seemed as if he was saying: Playing the pig to eat the tiger again?
Nian Jiaojiao: ...
...
Night.
After Nian Jiaojiao had washed up and was about to get into bed, she discovered a large lump of "unknown object" wrapped on the bed?
She frowned.
What is this thing?
The lump of object moved.
It's alive?
Nian Jiaojiao tentatively asked, "Xing Yun?"
Xing Yun slowly poked a small head out from under the quilt, looking wronged.
"Wife master, I'm scared..."
Nian Jiaojiao smiled helplessly.
"Just hearing about it makes you scared? Who was it that said they wanted to go demon exterminating with me?"
Xing Yun pouted, his pair of delicate cat-like eyes fixed on her.