Jing Shu squinted at the Capital team leader, Zhen Nantian. The interior of the private jet was quiet, save for the steady hum of the engines as they cruised through the dark, high-altitude air. She instantly realized the long-tongued man's words hadn't been finished; they had been forcibly held back. She was even more curious about what else Zhen Nantian might be hiding. Unfortunately, nothing had been revealed. Everyone obviously had their own secret cards. They wouldn't just lay everything out on the table at the first meeting.
And that name, Zhen Nantian, sounded imposing and commanding. He might be small in stature, but the energy he radiated was enormous, a stillness that felt like the eye of a storm.
After Zhen Nantian's introduction, Yang Yang, also a team leader, began his own. "My code name for this mission is Mountain Goat. I'm also the Wu City team leader; my role is special operative and intelligence, currently rated A+."
That "special operative" part was worth pondering. Jing Shu stroked her chin for a moment, realizing Yang Yang basically said nothing of substance. So his ability was A+? What kind of "special" made him reach A+? Monkey's arrogant gaze showed he wasn't impressed either. Why did this weakling Yang Yang get such a high rating?
"Call me Snake Spirit from now on. My mission role is killer. My ability is using poison I have developed myself, currently rated A. Also, I have a mutated little Thai striped snake rated B+, so my overall rating is A+." As he spoke, something wriggled around his neck, the scales glistening under the warm cabin lights. Jing Shu initially thought it was just a tie or a patterned scarf, but it moved. It turned out it was a snake.
She knew the Thai striped snake ranked seventh among the world's top ten poisons. One bite could release enough venom to kill 150 people, and it was a fairly large snake. This little snake was mutated? One thing was certain; the venom was far stronger than the five-step snake she kept herself.
The muscle man scoffed, the metal chains on his iron balls rattling. "Stop exaggerating. Your so-called self-made poison is just your saliva."
Monkey's face went pale. He dashed to the bathroom and washed his face several times with a frantic splashing, making Snake Spirit laugh out loud. Even his own teammates kept a cautious distance from the man in the dung-colored jumpsuit.
Jing Shu, however, squinted at the snake around Snake Spirit's neck. She thought about how snake meat tasted similar to eel. It was lean, firm, and chewy with no off-flavors. Unlike fishy or ducky smells, snake meat was best in a clear soup hotpot where the white flesh could absorb the broth. Snake skin and bones made a flavorful, savory base. She had eaten plenty of five-step snakes, and now she wanted to try Thai striped snake. She wondered if Snake Spirit had developed this species further, and whether she should try to befriend him to taste some of its other qualities.
But seeing Snake Spirit caress the little snake like a treasure, she hesitated. If she mentioned stewing or braising it, would she get bitten? She sighed, feeling a bit hesitant to speak.
Next was the bald man, the team's luggage handler. He grinned, patting his smooth head. "Just call me Monk. I'm a monk expelled from my temple, and thanks to a discerning patron, I get to go on this mission to the U.S. for both duty and personal matters. My mission role is front-line muscle and infiltrating a solemn U.S. temple. Rating: A." He had thick, calloused hands that looked like they could crush bone.
Then it was the shy girl's turn. Jing Shu noticed her legs were bare despite the high-altitude chill. She was wearing a super short skirt, elegantly munching on small cookies. Her fluffy, cute bob and cropped down jacket gave her an adorable and shy vibe.
Judging from the outfits, the two women from the teams were instantly distinguishable. Jing Shu had to admit she didn't measure up in the fashion department. She feared the cold, feared danger, and had a huge appetite. One meal could easily be a mountain of rice. How could two women be so different?
"I-I'm Ling Ling. My role is sniper and fire support, currently rated A-. This is my partner, Parrot, capable of reconnaissance, rated C+. Overall rating: A." Ling Ling opened the wire cage and released her parrot. The bird immediately started flying around the cabin, its wings flapping near the luxury fittings as it squawked loudly.
"Silly bird, silly bird, come chase me!"
"Found a silly dog, found a silly dog, silly dog, come chase me!"
"Found a bunch of idiots, reporting, found a bunch of idiots!" The parrot perched on Ling Ling's shoulder, ruffling its feathers and repeating, "Found a bunch of idiots."
Everyone: "…"
Xiao Dou opened one eye, nudged Jing Shu's foot, and laid an egg with a soft clack against the floor. Then she went back to sleep. Snake Spirit let out a strangled cry, pointing at Jing Shu's hen. "W-what is this thing?"
Everyone turned their attention to her. Jing Shu felt her face warm as she looked at the bird. "It's a chicken."
"Ah!" Snake Spirit backed into the corner of his seat, looking terrified. "Why are you bringing this? Is it your battle pet?"
Snakes were afraid of chickens.
Yang Yang said from the side, his tone level, "It lays eggs to help her maintain her health."
Everyone exchanged weird looks, their eyes darting from the egg to the armored hen. Even Zhen Nantian, who was always expressionless, was curiously studying Jing Shu.
Jing Shu hurried to clarify. "Actually, this chicken is a battle chicken. Its combat power is strong." She tried to save face, but judging by everyone's skeptical expression, no one believed her. Fine, various pets had uses, but in this apocalypse, who cared about a chicken? It laid twenty eggs a day, though. That was worth something.
Still, she relaxed a little. No one cared about her hen, which meant she could keep her abilities hidden safely.
Finally, it was the big guy's turn. He dragged a heavy leather chair and sat, looking like he was in a child's seat.
"Call me Tank. My mission role is front-line tank and human-powered crusher. Strength is explosive, but I'm slow and dull-witted. Rating: A. I was supposed to pilot the exoskeleton mech this mission, but I heard the mech goes to the Wu City team leader, so that's your decision. I want to challenge whoever you assign to see who is truly fit to wear this seventy-kilogram mech. Of course, it's your mech, so you have the final say on who bears the responsibility."
His words carried a clear challenge that hung in the air. Even if he lost, the mech could still go to the assigned person, but now everyone was watching.
Jing Shu raised an eyebrow. So this was how it felt when opportunities just fell from the sky. The mech was in high demand. She liked it too, but honestly, if danger came, she would rather let someone else wear it up front.
Yang Yang smiled. "Honestly, she is the strongest I have seen. Even without training or proper techniques, she can handle the mech effortlessly. Now, let me introduce our team member, code name Mirror. She specializes in medicinal treatment and is the mech operator for this mission, serving as doctor and support. Rating: B."
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镇 (Zhèn): This character is a verb meaning "to suppress," "to guard," "to pacify," or "to keep down." It carries a sense of immense, stabilizing power and military might. Think of a town garrison or a powerful talisman that suppresses evil. It implies using force to maintain order and dominance.
南 (Nán): This means "south." In Chinese culture, the south is one of the four cardinal directions, but it's more than just geography.
天 (Tiān): This means "heaven," "sky," or "the heavens." It represents the ultimate power, the cosmos, destiny, and the natural order. It is the highest and most profound force in the universe.
So, his name have meaning like: "The One Who Suppresses/Pacifies the Southern Heavens."