# 144
Chapter 144 – Return
“So that means…”
“Of course, it’s not that simple,” Chen Muye went on. “A contract that can bind directly at the soul level and influence thoughts is priceless; even the Church of the Ancient Gods doesn’t have many. Each one is reserved for people they consider truly valuable and promising.
Besides, the main reason the Church cultivates Believers is to make up for their lack of numbers. If they turn a Believer into a mole inside the Night Watch, it’s actually a waste of resources.
Moreover, the contract isn’t absolute control. Under certain conditions the controlled person can still drop hints to others. Han Shaoyun’s remark about ‘solving the root problem’ is an example. So letting a Believer stay undercover in the Night Watch carries real risks.”
Hongying finally exhaled in relief.
Lin Qiye also nodded inwardly; analyzed like this, planting Believers inside the Night Watch really did cost more than it was worth.
Unless the controlled person occupied a very high position—then the calculation changed…
It wasn’t that Lin Qiye loved conspiracy theories; he simply habitually considered the worst-case scenario. “Not worth the cost” didn’t mean “they won’t do it,” and “extremely rare” didn’t mean “nonexistent.”
It never hurt to stay cautious.
“Anyway, the first battle of the new year is over,” Wen Qimo said, stretching. “This Believer, Thirteenth Seat, plus the Sea Realm Yuan Gang took care of, should be the entire elite force behind the assassination attempt. The storm has passed.”
“Speaking of which, little Qiye goes back to camp tomorrow night,” Hongying sighed. “Next time we see you will be half a year from now.”
“By then he’ll be a real Night Watchman,” Wu Xiangnan said with a smile.
Lin Qiye smiled. “Actually… half a year passes pretty quickly.”
Life in the training camp felt slow, yet in the blink of an eye it was gone. He could still picture himself lugging that pink suitcase and being the first to arrive at the gate.
“Oh, right.” Chen Muye stopped walking as something occurred to him. “Tomorrow, invite those friends of yours over for dinner.”
Lin Qiye was taken aback.
“Before now, you two were each other’s targets, so gathering wasn’t safe. Now that things have calmed down, you’re still the host here in Cangnan; a meal at home is only proper.”
“But the office is a Night Watch outpost—people outside Team 136 can’t easily enter…” Wu Xiangnan mused.
“Come to my place!” Hongying patted her chest. “My house is big enough!”
Lin Qiye hesitated, then nodded. “I’ll ask them…”
……
The next afternoon.
Lin Qiye stood in front of the villa with Baili Pangpang, Cao Yuan, and a reluctant Shen Qingzhu.
Baili Pangpang looked at the villa, then at Lin Qiye, and exclaimed, “Damn, Qiye, sweet digs!”
“It’s a friend’s place; I’m just crashing,” Lin Qiye shrugged.
Cao Yuan sniffed and swallowed. “I smell meat…”
He’d been holed up in a love hotel with Baili Pangpang and Shen Qingzhu, surviving on take-out and instant noodles. After six months of camp food, he was starving.
“Aren’t you a monk?”
“No, I just keep Buddha in my heart.”
“……”
Shen Qingzhu frowned at the villa. “You said you were inviting friends. Why drag me along?”
The other three turned and stared.
Baili Pangpang slapped his forehead, threw an arm over Shen Qingzhu’s shoulder, and said, “Even tsunderes have limits, man. We asked you because… you’ve been a great tool these past two days!”
Shen Qingzhu’s mouth twitched; he knocked Baili Pangpang’s hand away. “Fatso, who’re you calling ‘tool’?”
“Huh?” Baili Pangpang rolled up his sleeves, revealing two pale arms strapped with countless watches. “Oh, nice! Pay day just finished and you get cocky, huh?”
Lin Qiye sighed. “Done fooling around? Then let’s eat.”
The two glared at each other, snorted in unison, and followed Lin Qiye inside.
“This is Captain Chen Muye…”
“Vice-captain Wu Xiangnan…”
“Sister Hongying—this is her house…”
“Wen Qimo…”
“Si Xiaonan…”
“Leng Xuan…”
Lin Qiye introduced them one by one. After each name, Baili Pangpang unstrapped a watch and cheerfully presented it.
“Captain Chen, only this Rolex can match your aura—please accept it…”
“Brother Xiangnan, I didn’t bring much; this Submariner is yours…”
“Wow, Sister Hongying, you’re gorgeous! Your wrist looks empty—this Van Cleef fits you perfectly…”
“……”
As Baili Pangpang showered everyone with timepieces, Cao Yuan and Shen Qingzhu—empty-handed—wished the earth would swallow them.
Wen Qimo, holding a Rolex, leaned to Lin Qiye and whispered, “Is this… the landlord’s fool son?”
Lin Qiye pondered. “Yep.”
“Seems a nice kid, just a bit… off in the head.”
“……”
With Baili Pangpang the clown, dinner turned lively. Cao Yuan became a eating machine, head down, demolishing plates. Shen Qingzhu sat stiffly, answering politely when spoken to; the camp bully had vanished, replaced by a shy boy.
After the feast, Lin Qiye fetched his luggage, bade Team 136 farewell, and left with the other three for the pickup point.
Several familiar black coaches waited.
He handed in the standard star-forged blade issued at camp and boarded, taking the last row.
Gazing out the window, he saw the city’s silhouette against the night. On a distant rooftop, a lone figure cradling a sniper rifle sat watching his departure…
Soon the coach started, carrying starlight and darkness back toward the training camp…