# 1112
Chapter 1113: Reunion and Parting
Zhou Ping has been missing in the Mist for half a year?
The faces of the Night Watch squad immediately grew solemn.
After Lin Qiye and the others returned to the country, they had inquired about Zhou Ping's whereabouts. They only knew he was overseas, but they didn't know he had gone looking for them, let alone that he had been missing overseas.
Lin Qiye and the others knew very well what kind of place the Mist was. Compared to a hundred years ago, the Mist's lethality had weakened too much, and just as the God War began, there were who knows how many foreign gods walking within it—it was extremely dangerous.
"Don't worry too much." Zuo Qing saw their expressions and added, "Before Zhou Ping left, he left behind a sword. Inside the sword was a thread of his sword law. If he had truly suffered some accident, this sword would have automatically shattered. Now that the sword remains intact, it means he's not in any life-threatening danger.
As I just said, he should have just encountered some trouble or gotten lost."
Hearing these words, everyone finally relaxed.
"I understand."
Lin Qiye nodded without hesitation, "I will definitely find Senior Sword Saint and bring him back."
Zhou Ping held extraordinary significance for the Night Watch squad. Now the Mist was in chaos, and Zhou Ping happened to be missing. Even without Zuo Qing's order, they should have proactively gone into the Mist to search for Zhou Ping.
Zuo Qing nodded and took out a world map from a drawer, spreading it on the desktop. He used a red pen to sketch out a route:
"Before Zhou Ping left last year, he gave me a brief description of the route he planned to take. One section of that journey overlaps with the route for your mission this time. You should pay special attention to it."
Lin Qiye and An Qingyu leaned in, staring seriously at the map, memorizing this route completely.
"The area outside the Mist isn't peaceful right now. Gods from various nations occasionally walk through it. Although there's a Seraph accompanying you, since the mission involves the Ark of the Covenant and none of you have reached divine realm yet, you should act discreetly."
"The ships for departure have been parked at Sunken Dragon Pass. They've been equipped with some basic supplies. If you need anything else, just ask the person in charge at Sunken Dragon Pass. They'll do their best to meet your needs."
"There's one more thing." Zuo Qing raised his head, looking into their eyes, speaking seriously, "Your primary objective this mission is to find the Ark of the Covenant and bring it back. If you really can't find Zhou Ping, don't force it. You can send the Ark back first, then set out again to search for him.
This matter is of great importance. No matter what, you must ensure the safety of the Ark of the Covenant."
"Yes!"
Leaving the Night Watch headquarters, Lin Qiye and the others headed to the nearby military airport, preparing to fly to Sunken Dragon Pass.
Vroom vroom vroom—!
Just as they stepped onto the aircraft, several planes in succession roared across the clear sky with a buzzing sound, then vanished on the horizon.
"Are there really too many planes today?"
Lin Qiye looked through the porthole at the white trails overhead, speaking in surprise.
"It does seem like more," Shen Qingzhu added, "And they're basically all military aircraft."
Jiang Er stared at the sky for a while. Seeing An Qingyu lost in thought beside her, she couldn't help but ask, "What are you thinking about?"
"How many days have we been at Heavenly Court?"
"Six days?"
"Then that explains it."
An Qingyu nodded. The others all turned to look at him, their expressions somewhat puzzled.
"The group of new recruits should have finished their paperwork and received their capes, Straight Blades, and Coats of Arms by now. Today is the day they report to Night Watch squads across the country." An Qingyu paused,
"At the same time... it's also the day when veteran soldiers leave their teams and head to the front lines."
...
Shangjing City.
006 Squad Station.
Li Zhenzhen dragged her suitcase, one hand clutching documents, hurrying through the alleyways at full speed. The wheels of her suitcase scraped against the uneven ground, producing a low rumbling sound.
She glanced at the time, furrowing her brow, and turned around to shout at Fang Mo, who was also dragging a suitcase behind her:
"Hey! Hurry up!!"
"Coming, coming."
Fang Mo smiled helplessly and followed closely.
Before long, the two arrived in front of a vermillion-red courtyard gate.
Li Zhenzhen placed her hand on the suitcase, her chest heaving剧烈地. She stared at that gate. In the silent alleyway, only the sounds of their heavy breathing echoed.
"Hope we made it in time..."
Li Zhenzhen steadied her breath, about to push open the courtyard gate when it automatically swung inward.
Creak—!
An ancient, muffled sound emerged. Zhang Zhengting and the others from the 006 squad, also draped in capes and dragging suitcases, stood behind the gate. Seeing Li Zhenzhen and Fang Mo on the steps, they all froze in place.
The winter sun fell upon the gray-white brick tiles, withered leaves scattered across the ground. Before this courtyard that had witnessed countless years, two generations of Night Watch gazed at each other. The air briefly fell into silence.
Zhang Zhengting came back to his senses after a long while, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Welcome back?"
Li Zhenzhen opened her mouth, instinctively wanting to say something. But after hesitating for a moment, she still didn't speak.
She took a deep breath, standing up straight. Her right hand released the suitcase handle, and she raised a firm military salute toward the 006 squad members on the steps, her voice ringing out:
"New recruit Li Zhenzhen! Reporting for duty!"
Seeing this, Fang Mo was slightly stunned, then quickly followed with his own salute: "New recruit Fang Mo! Reporting for duty!"
They were both newly assigned recruits to Shangjing City, taking over the responsibilities of most of the 006 squad members, standing guard over the capital as Night Watch in their place.
Hearing these words, the 006 squad members standing behind the gate exchanged glances and broke into smiles.
"Good!" Zhang Zhengting dragged his suitcase, walking down the steps. Those eyes full of warmth looked at the two of them as he returned their salute with his own hand, "Little rookies, Shangjing City is now in your hands. When we return triumphant, we'll have a proper gathering...
We're leaving now."
As his words fell, the 006 squad members draped in their capes walked past Li Zhenzhen and Fang Mo. They reached out and patted the two's shoulders, like encouragement, like welcome... and also like farewell.
Leaves danced in the air. Before this courtyard gate that had witnessed countless reunions and partings, the will of two generations of Night Watch was passed down through this simple gesture.
Li Zhenzhen watched one familiar face after another depart with her own eyes, standing呆呆地 in place. Only when their figures nearly vanished at the end of the alley did she suddenly snap back to reality. Tears gushed from her reddened eyes. She turned around and shouted with all her might:
"I'm waiting for you to come back!!
Her echoing voice lingered in the silent alleyway. Faintly, Li Zhenzhen could see those figures wave their hands before disappearing beyond the horizon.
Rustle rustle rustle—!
Light footsteps came from behind the gate.
Li Zhenzhen and Fang Mo turned their heads simultaneously. A young man in a military coat was standing at the threshold, gazing at those departing backs with complex emotions.
He was the new king of this city, and also the captain of this brand-new 006 squad.
He lowered his head to look at the two of them, smiling faintly:
"I'm Chen Han. From now on... please take care of me."