Chapter 132: I Refuse!

“Any other discoveries?”

Youji thought for a moment. Being most sensitive to sounds, she carefully recalled and then spoke again.

“I’m not sure if it’s just my imagination, but from the sound, I seem to have heard a warning.”

Hearing Youji’s words, Lin Xiao’s eyes lit up.

“Tell me, could the appearance of the Gold-Eating Rat swarm be related to that sound?”

Lin Xiao’s remark was like a sudden awakening. It was indeed possible.

The source of that roaring sound must be very powerful. Since the Gold-Eating Rats were low-level creatures, they were likely frightened and began to flee.

That explanation made perfect sense.

“Forget it for now. Let’s rest a bit more and check the situation again tomorrow.”

With the sound’s owner not nearby, everyone relaxed their nerves and resumed their tasks.

Since it was still early, no one hurried to rest; instead, they sat together chatting.

Zishu called Lin Xiao aside, wanting to discuss something privately.

Lin Xiao didn’t know why Zishu wanted to speak alone but didn’t overthink it and followed him.

Zishu looked at Lin Xiao with genuine admiration. Initially, the team only wanted a cook when they invited Lin Xiao.

But after these two days, their understanding of Lin Xiao’s abilities had deepened.

Lin Xiao’s role in their group was no longer just a cook.

Zishu called him over but said nothing, only looking at him with a lecherous gaze, making Lin Xiao’s hairs stand on end.

“Brother Zishu, why did you call me here? If you have something to say, just say it. Don’t look at me like that; it scares me!”

Zishu finally reacted.

“Hai Zhu, don’t overthink it. I called you to ask you some questions.”

“Go ahead, Brother Zishu. I’ll tell you everything I know.”

“You’re a freshman at Lingwu University this year, right?”

Lin Xiao wasn’t surprised Zishu guessed that; it was an easy deduction.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I thought it was military training season now. Why aren’t you training?”

“The instructors felt I didn’t need it, so they exempted me.”

Zishu: o(′^｀)o

That made perfect sense. Given Lin Xiao’s current strength, military training seemed unnecessary.

“We’ve spent some time together. What’s your impression of us?”

“Pretty good. Everyone’s been very considerate.”

“I don’t mean that. You’ve learned about our situation. Aren’t you at all curious about our identities? Or don’t you have any guesses about who we really are?”

Lin Xiao frowned slightly, unsure why Zishu suddenly brought this up.

He indeed had some thoughts about the identities of the Wolfpack Mercenary Group.

He hadn’t expected Zishu to ask directly.

He didn’t know if he should answer, but since Zishu asked, he clearly wanted to know.

So there was no point in feigning ignorance.

“You mean your identities as soldiers?”

Zishu narrowed his eyes. He had just wanted to see if Lin Xiao had figured something out, not expecting such a confident answer.

“How did you find out? Were we not good at disguising ourselves?”

Lin Xiao rolled his eyes.

“Come on, your levels and abilities are the biggest giveaway. Given your conditions, there’s no need for you to be mercenaries.”

“That’s not necessarily true. Mercenaries make good money, and you became one too, didn’t you?”

Lin Xiao was speechless. That was a tough point to refute.

“Okay, many of your unconscious habits come from military training. These aren’t easy to hide.”

Zishu admitted that military habits were hard to change.

“Didn’t expect you to notice all this. Do you have relatives who served in the military?”

“Yes, someone in my family served.”

Lin Xiao didn’t lie. He considered the elderly at the nursing home his family.

Many had military backgrounds, though in high ranks.

Hearing this, Zishu’s gaze became more earnest.

No wonder Lin Xiao was so skilled with guns; he must have been taught by his elders.

“In that case, I won’t hide it. I want to ask if you’ve considered joining our forces?”

Lin Xiao shook his head without hesitation.

“No, I don’t want to!”

Zishu: ∑(°口°?)

Was he really that stubborn?

Was he going to refuse so quickly?

Even pretending to think it over would be better!

“Why not?”

“I like freedom and don’t like being constrained. The army’s management is too strict for me. Even if I joined, I’d probably get kicked out soon.”

Zishu hadn’t expected such a reason and didn’t know how to argue.

“Come on, think about it. You can join us. We have few restrictions. As long as you don’t go too far, no one would kick you out.”

“But there are still restrictions, and I’m still studying. So no!”

“Don’t be so absolute. Give me a chance, and give yourself a chance. Studying and joining the army don’t conflict. You can prioritize your studies.”

“No!”

Zishu was truly helpless. The reason he was so eager to recruit Lin Xiao was that he saw great potential in him. Such talent wasted outside the military was a shame!

He wanted to persuade him further but seeing Lin Xiao’s serious expression, he knew it was impossible to convince him soon.

Besides, many matters still required his superiors’ approval.

He decided to wait until they exited the secret realm and report to his leaders.

No matter what, he was determined to bring Lin Xiao on board.

“Alright then, since that’s how you feel, I won’t force you. Just think it over.”

Lin Xiao remained noncommittal. For now, he had no intention of joining the army; he just wanted to lie low.

As they were about to continue talking, another roar came from the core area of the secret realm.

Perhaps it was because of Youji’s earlier warning.

This time, both Lin Xiao and Zishu heard the warning tone clearly in the roar.

This made things more intriguing. What exactly was the owner of the sound warning against?

Who was being warned?

Could it be other spirit beasts in the core area?

Too many questions remained unanswered. Lin Xiao couldn’t figure it out.

They would have to wait until tomorrow to explore the core area thoroughly.