Chapter 18: Qin Yuke’s Profession, Pugilist

With the disinfectant and wound medicine provided by Su Bai, Qin Yuke immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Holding the medicine, she quickly treated the wounded, her movements skilled and professional. The disinfectant was applied to the corrosive injuries; although it made the injured gasp at the cold sting, the effect was remarkable. The wounds’ decay gradually came under control, and the pain was significantly alleviated.

When Qin Yuke was bandaging Shen Huaichuan, he finally regained consciousness. Su Ning stood at the doorway, watching them busy at work.

“Where did you get these injuries?” Su Bai asked softly, feigning ignorance. Her gaze swept over the corroded wounds, especially when she saw the abandoned Shen Huaichuan, and she already guessed most of the truth. These soldiers had clearly encountered the Mist White Moth in the Mist Forest, and the corrosive wounds were caused by the moth’s phosphoric powder.

“This lady...?” Zhang Yunqi hesitated, uncertain how to address Su Bai.

“My surname is Su. Su Bai,” she introduced herself calmly.

Zhang Yunqi nodded. Perhaps relieved that the companions’ injuries were now under control, his expression relaxed considerably. Hearing Su Bai’s inquiry, he felt no need for secrecy and said, “We just came out of the Mist Forest. My teammates were injured by the creatures inside.”

Mentioning “creatures” brought a trace of undeniable fear to Zhang Yunqi’s voice; the terror of the Mist White Moth still haunted him. His eyes flickered as he recalled the harrowing experiences in the forest.

But he quickly snapped out of it and curiously looked at Su Bai. “Su Bai, don’t you know that Wuhe City has already been data-gamed? And the mist in the Mist Forest is still spreading. Before long, Linghai City will be shrouded in mist too. I remember the evacuation order for Linghai City was issued a long time ago. This place is becoming very unsafe. Why haven’t you moved toward the nearby safe zone yet?”

Su Bai, of course, knew all this. She had learned about Wuhe City’s data gamification from news and the internet and had personally witnessed the mist in the Mist Forest slowly extending outward. Yet, she chose not to evacuate immediately; instead, she stayed, aiming to grow stronger by leveling up within the Mist Forest, hoping to gain enough strength to protect herself.

She simply hadn’t expected to encounter them today.

“I know the situation in Wuhe City and the dangers of the Mist Forest,” Su Bai replied.

Zhang Yunqi frowned slightly, surprised by her answer. He opened his mouth to speak.

“Then why are you still here in Chali? Wouldn’t it be better to head to the safe zone?”

At that moment, Qin Yuke approached, interrupting the conversation. Her hands still bore traces of medicine, but her expression was far more relaxed than before. She looked at Su Bai with a hint of gratitude.

“Su Bai, thank you for the medicine. Without it, my teammates might have been in grave danger.”

Su Bai shook her head lightly, her tone indifferent. “No need to thank me. I’m glad to be of help. Some of these medicines I prepared myself, and some were left behind by Granny Cheng.”

Qin Yuke nodded, her gaze lingering on Su Bai for a moment, a subtle, unreadable glint in her eyes. Noticing an unusual aura around Su Bai, Qin Yuke was somewhat surprised. No wonder a girl could live here alone.

But thinking it over, since Su Bai was a woman, it wouldn’t be right for these men to linger at her doorstep for long. Qin Yuke gently pulled Zhang Yunqi away, who was still trying to ask more questions.

As they left, Su Bai exhaled deeply, the tension in her nerves finally easing. Leaning against the doorpost, she replayed the recent events in her mind, a mixture of complex emotions swelling within her. The arrival of these soldiers undoubtedly introduced new variables into her life but also revealed more possibilities.

Elsewhere, Zhang Yunqi grumbled in displeasure, “Hey, Captain Qin, why are you dragging me away? I haven’t finished asking!”

Qin Yuke shot him a glance, her tone tinged with helplessness. “What kind of man blocks a girl’s door like that? Besides, if you ask like that, she might not even tell you.”

Zhang Yunqi only then realized and scratched his head, embarrassed. “I’m just anxious! I wanted to get some information and persuade her to leave quickly. After all, this place is about to be swallowed by mist. It’s too dangerous for her to stay alone.”

Qin Yuke shook her head calmly but with a hint of meaning. “Do you think she doesn’t know? She’s far smarter and more capable than you imagine.”

Zhang Yunqi was stunned, looking at Qin Yuke in confusion. “Captain Qin, what do you mean?”

Qin Yuke didn’t answer directly but lowered her voice. “I just used ‘Qi Observation’ on her. Her aura is very unusual—just like mine. In other words, she’s also a player.”

Zhang Yunqi’s eyes widened in shock. “What? She’s a player too? No wonder she dared to stay here all alone!”

Qin Yuke nodded. “So, we need to befriend capable people like her instead of disturbing her recklessly.”

Zhang Yunqi finally understood and nodded. “I see now. I was too rash.”

Qin Yuke patted his shoulder, softening her tone. “Alright, don’t overthink it. Let’s go back and take care of the wounded. We can discuss the rest later.”

Meanwhile, Su Bai leaned against the doorpost, pondering the earlier encounter. As Qin Yuke and the others left, she quietly used her “Appraisal Eye” to check Qin Yuke’s profile, which surprised her.

[Player: Qin Yuke]
Profession: Fistmaster
Level: 3
Talent:
[Qi Observation]: Scans the target’s aura, with a high chance to identify their weaknesses!
Skills:
1. Crashing Fist: Strikes the enemy with explosive force, dealing massive damage.
2. Charging Punch: Quickly rushes forward to attack, with a knockback effect.
3. Qi Cultivation Technique: Enhances one’s aura, temporarily boosting combat power.
4. Consecutive Punches: Rapidly strikes the enemy multiple times, dealing successive damage.

“I didn’t expect Qin Yuke to have a profession—and as a fistmaster, no less,” Su Bai murmured, a touch of admiration in her heart. She hadn’t realized there was a professional among these soldiers.

But she soon shook her head, pushing those thoughts aside. She didn’t want to get tangled up in these complicated matters.

“Forget it. These soldiers’ missions have nothing to do with me. I’ll focus on my own affairs,” Su Bai muttered to herself.

Turning toward the kitchen, she prepared to make some food for Baiyu and Zhenzhu. Just as she opened the pantry, a faint noise from behind made her tense and whirl around.

There, perched on the pantry shelf, was a familiar figure—a sleek black cat with a scarred face, holding her favorite Mai Mai brand ham sausage in its mouth. One-eyed, it stared coldly at her.

“Thief Cat! You’re stealing my food again!” Su Bai ground her teeth, clenching her fists in frustration.

She never expected this cunning black cat to return so brazenly, shamelessly stealing her ham sausage once more.

The Thief Cat seemed utterly indifferent to Su Bai’s anger, its proud demeanor saying plainly, “I’m just stealing yours.”

It flicked its tail gently, then in a flash vanished into thin air, leaving only a faint breeze behind.

Stomping her foot in anger, Su Bai shouted into the empty room, “Just you wait! Once I tame you, you’ll work for me for life!”

But the only response was the emptiness of the room and the disordered supplies on the shelves.

Su Bai sighed helplessly, yet her interest in the Thief Cat deepened.

“This little rascal really is a formidable character...” she murmured.

She understood that taming the Thief Cat wouldn’t be easy, but she was resolute.

No matter the effort required, Su Bai was determined to turn this proud black cat into her companion.