At a loss for words, Lam Minh could only manage a helpless smile.
Mr. Quoc walked over and looked at Lam Minh with an expression that was neither happy nor sad.
Facing his gaze, Lam Minh felt a little flustered, but he knew that his master's personality rarely revealed emotions.
In reality, he had witnessed all of Lam Minh's actions that night.
He had secretly followed and observed how this 10th disciple of his would handle situations that were practically life-or-death.
Then, he signaled for everyone to leave.
Before leaving, Quynh Nhu didn't forget to throw a line at Lam Minh, "You're the luckiest, kid!"
Now, in the special hospital room, only Lam Minh, lying motionless, and his master remained. The two looked at each other.
"How do you feel?" Mr. Quoc spoke first.
Lam Minh's face contorted as he looked at his master and replied, "Besides my limbs being numb, everything else seems fine, Master."
"You were in a coma for a month. It might be fine for you, but this mission was not." Mr. Quoc finished speaking, paused for a few seconds to let Lam Minh process the information, and then continued, "Do you know that your actions were against a military order, and the consequences are very serious?"
Lam Minh's jaw dropped. "But, Master..."
Before he could finish, Mr. Quoc cut him off. "Shut up! A military order is as absolute as a mountain. A piddling Body Tempering cultivator like you dared to disobey a military order and engage a Foundation Establishment realm powerhouse on your own. On what basis did you have that confidence?"
Lam Minh felt a discomfort in his heart. Was what he did wrong?
Was it wrong to see an insider from the Cultivation World about to strike a human official?
Thinking of this, Lam Minh replied, "So I should have just let that thing kill our leader?"
"Then do you know that both old Ahmad and To Chien were under suspicion by the Reconnaissance Unit? If one of them had survived the assassination, it would have been evidence for the Reconnaissance Unit to clean up the suspects." Mr. Quoc said in a tone that was both stern and educational.
Mr. Quoc's words made Lam Minh's eyes widen in disbelief. "So, what if both of them had been killed?"
"We are not short of talented people to promote to that position. An old man who has been in the system for too long, but the risk is too high. The Reconnaissance Unit cannot trust him. The key is that his relationships are extensive, as complicated as a spider's web, and many people are backing him. I cannot act rashly. So do you know what mistake you have made?" Mr. Quoc said calmly, turning towards the window, watching the white clouds outside.
"This disciple knows. I disobeyed a military order, acted on my own, and disrupted the Reconnaissance Unit's plan. I am willing to accept the punishment," Lam Minh said, bowing his head dejectedly.
Who could he blame now? He could only blame himself for being too emotional.
To others, it might just be a single life.
But to Lam Minh, if he had been a few seconds slower, the family of the person he liked might have already gone to see King Yama.
But it was clear that he couldn't reveal that he had let his feelings interfere with the mission.
If Mr. Quoc found out, it would surely result in a loud scolding.
Foolish! An elite reconnaissance agent is not allowed to have personal feelings, at least not while on a mission.
"Your crime is not heavy, but not light either. A punishment is still necessary," Mr. Quoc said, staring at the sky, his eyes locked on the clouds as if trying to see through them to explore the vast universe beyond.
Lam Minh took a deep breath and let out a long sigh. "This disciple is ready to accept the punishment."
Mr. Quoc slowly turned around, his eyes narrowed, his voice indifferent. "Your punishment is protection. A noble young lady is preparing to enter the South China Sea to search for ancient ruins. The trip is expected to last 3 months. As soon as you recover and finish your final exams, you must accompany and protect her, and you are not allowed to participate in any Reconnaissance Unit affairs during that time. And you should know, if she loses even a single strand of hair, you can imagine how miserable the consequences will be for a protector like you."
Hearing this, Lam Minh could only let out an "Ah."
Protection? Another princess from a noble house. What was an idle rich girl doing going out to sea?
And if he was on protection duty, how would his cultivation grow?
A myriad of questions ran through Lam Minh's mind.
But ultimately, they boiled down to a single question: "So, Master, will I still get paid?"
Mr. Quoc burst out laughing. This disciple of his was obsessed with money.
Everyone who stepped onto the immortal path had their hearts set on the celestial realm, but this one's heart was set on money.
"You will. But you are not to cause any trouble. You will go as a protector and servant, which frankly is no different from a servant. Don't think you're a powerhouse and act high and mighty with anyone in the expedition team. Be careful not to kick an iron plate. Anyone in that team can shake the entire city with their power. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Master," Lam Minh replied.
He didn't care about that. He had always lived a minimalist life, not wanting to cause trouble unless he needed to act to secure his rights.
"Good. Now, rest until you're fully recovered, then return to school to take the supplementary final exams. You've been unconscious for a month." Mr. Quoc said, then clasped his hands behind his back and left the hospital room.
Now, only Lam Minh was left in the room, sitting dazedly, looking out the window.
It was as if the distant clouds were like his upcoming journey—a gust of wind, and they would scatter.
…
Three hours later.
Lam Minh was lying on the bed. He wasn't looking at the clouds, but at the ceiling.
Three hours had passed. The Dragon Blood did not respond.
The system did not answer.
He himself was numb.
He didn't know what was happening. A sleep. A dream. Everything seemed to have disappeared.
Lam Minh's eyes were filled with panic. Tears rolled down his cheeks.
Suddenly, at this very moment, his arms and legs gradually regained sensation. A stream of Dragon Blood quietly circulated from his limbs to his organs.
This made Lam Minh as happy as if he had found gold. My foundation is not lost!
After all, the Hong Hoang physique was still there. Without the system, he could still cultivate at a superior rate.
A cold voice rang out in his mind.
[Ding! The system has finished updating new features. Wishing the host a satisfying experience!]
Ah!
Joy after joy.
So it was a system upgrade, and it had just finished.
My comrade, and here I thought you were gone for good.
Without much thought, Lam Minh hurriedly checked the system panel.
[Name]: Lam Minh
[Age]: 16
[Cultivation]: Body Tempering Layer Five (2/14,000 points), the host can use points to quickly temper the body.
[Physique]: Hong Hoang Dragon God Body
[Spirit]: True Awareness Stage (0/4,000 Spirit Points)
[Spiritual Root]: Hoang-Grade Spiritual Root (10/100,000 Spiritual Root Points)
[Martial Arts]:
Crippling Wind Fist (Initiate) 20/1,000
Wind Walking (Completion) 0/7,200
Primordial Chaos Sword Art (Great Achievement) 0/20,000
[Accumulated Attribute Points]: 283
[Lucky Spin]: (Reach Body Tempering Layer 9 to spin again)
[Battlefield Simulation]: (Participate in combat to bring back rewards) [ - Log in - ]
"Mmm, it seems there's nothing different after the upgrade," Lam Minh muttered.
But wait, the last line.
What's this? Battlefield Simulation?
Lam Minh read the words, along with the flashing "Log in" button.
He had a feeling that if his consciousness touched it, he would be tricked by the system.
A new function. He didn't know if it was a blessing or a curse.
If he participated in this simulation and really brought back rewards...
Then, if he died there, would he also die in the real world?
Lam Minh began to feel scared. He didn't know if he should bet on the system's new function.
What if he really died? That would be too unlucky.
But what if he could return even if he died there?
The more he thought, the more his breathing quickened.
Just then, Quynh Nhu appeared at the door of the hospital room.
In her hands was a bowl of hot chicken soup that she had just cooked with the intention of nourishing Lam Minh.
Seeing Lam Minh lying on the bed, his eyes wide open, his breathing ragged, Quynh Nhu was immediately alarmed. The bowl of chicken soup fell to the ground with a clatter.
She didn't have time to think, only to run, shouting as she ran, "Doctor! Doctor! Emergency!"
Lam Minh was jolted from his thoughts by the sound of the shattering bowl.
He looked up and saw Quynh Nhu running like the wind. He only had time to reach out and call, "Wait! I'm fine! Don't call the doctor!"
But it was too late. Her figure had already disappeared.
He didn't have to wait long. A group of people in white coats appeared.
A series of checks were performed.
A stretcher was brought in by the nurses, just waiting for a signal to carry Lam Minh to the emergency room.
A blinding light was shone directly into Lam Minh's eyes to check the reaction of his pupils.
After a while, the old doctor, about 50 years old, stood with his hands clasped.
In his palm, he was clutching the flashlight he had just used. If it weren't for the fact that she was a cultivator, he would have "lodged" this flashlight in her head.
But a doctor must have medical ethics. Do not act rashly.
"Young lady, he's completely fine. What were you shouting about?" the old doctor said in a helpless tone.
Quynh Nhu was also stunned. "Ah? But just now, his expression looked like he was about to die."
Quynh Nhu: +1 confusion.
Nurses: +1 confusion.
Doctors: +1 confusion.
"I was just practicing a breathing exercise for health. I didn't expect you to not ask anything and just go and call for an emergency," Lam Minh said, criticizing Quynh Nhu to escape his own guilt.
Hearing Lam Minh, Quynh Nhu was furious. "You motherf*cker! I was worried about you, and you say something like that! You're a real ingrate!"
Lam Minh laughed awkwardly to regain her favor. "Hey, senior sister, I was joking. The way I looked then was really scary. I apologize to the doctors and nurses on your behalf."
Only then did Quynh Nhu's anger subside. She turned to the doctor and said, "It was just a misunderstanding. I'm sorry for bothering you..."
She used a series of flowery words.
Afterward, the doctors and nurses left with smiles on their faces.
They all gave her a thumbs-up and said, "This little girl really knows how to talk."
…
"So, while I was unconscious, did anything strange happen?" Lam Minh asked, holding his chopsticks and putting a piece of black silkie chicken into his mouth.
The smell of goji berries, Chinese herbs, and the sweet taste of the chicken broth assaulted him, making him wince slightly. But thinking that it was nutritious, he gritted his teeth and swallowed.
"Well, yes, a lot of things happened. I'm too lazy to explain them to you. But specifically, a little girl named To Quyen came to the dojo looking for you, which made your Fourth Senior Brother declare that he would win her over, haha," Quynh Nhu said.
Her eyes looked at Lam Minh with deep meaning.
Not bad, kid. Are you flirting all over the place? Surrounded by beautiful girls.
Quynh Nhu's answer startled Lam Minh. Why did To Quyen come to the dojo looking for him?
Could it be that she had found out that he was 'Z'?
But that was impossible. That night, he had only said a few words in a rush.
The chance of being discovered was very low.
So, there was only one possibility: To Quyen had come looking for him because he had been absent from school for too long.
But there was a more important issue: Quynh Nhu's gaze...
"What's that supposed to mean? Are you jealous?" Lam Minh asked, seeing that Quynh Nhu didn't seem comfortable talking about what just happened.