# 254
**Chapter 254: I’m Very Happy**
*Whoosh—!*
A flaming spear pierced through the head of a frost giant. Covered in blood, Hongying yanked the spear free, barely steadying herself as she gasped for breath.
In front of the toll station, the corpses of frost giants littered the ground, their blood flowing like a river into the sewers.
Fortunately, the [Phoenix] Squad had successfully destroyed the frost giants’ portal. Aside from the dozen or so remaining, all the giants had perished here.
*Moo—!!*
A low cry came from not far away. Wu Xiangnan looked up and saw a skyscraper-sized giant squid rapidly approaching beneath the overpass.
“Captain, the sea monster is here.”
Chen Muye slashed down a frost giant, his sword hand trembling slightly from exhaustion. He silently stared at the squid in the distance, and after a moment, a bitter smile tugged at his lips.
“It’s coming for me.”
His voice was calm. Everyone froze and turned to look at him.
“Captain, what are you saying?” Wen Qimo couldn’t help but ask.
“It’s locked onto me. I can feel it.” Chen Muye gently rubbed his chest. “There’s something on me that it wants.”
Hongying was stunned for a moment and asked weakly, “What is it? Can’t we just give it to it…?”
“No. This thing is too important. It absolutely cannot be handed over.” Chen Muye took a deep breath, his expression oddly relaxed. “This works out. As long as I stay away from the city, the people inside will be safe.”
“We’re coming with you,” Leng Xuan suddenly said.
Chen Muye shook his head. “That’s a Klein-level mystery. If you come with me, you’ll just be throwing your lives away.”
“Still better than you dying alone.” Hongying slung her spear over her shoulder, her gaze more serious than ever. “We’re family. We stick together.”
Wen Qimo’s mouth twitched. “Though I find Hongying’s wording a bit odd… I agree. We should act together. Maybe we can buy more time.”
Chen Muye’s body trembled. His gaze slowly swept across the others’ faces, filled with complexity.
“You… are all willing to die with me?”
Everyone except An Qingyu nodded.
Chen Muye sighed. With a flick of his twin blades, several black chains extended from the Yama Hall behind him, instantly binding everyone in place—except An Qingyu.
“Thank you… but the task of dying alone is mine.” Chen Muye fell silent for a moment. “After all, I should’ve died ten years ago…”
Wu Xiangnan struggled against the chains, frowning at Chen Muye. “What are you talking about?! Let us go! You think you can be a hero alone? Not happening!”
Hongying clenched her teeth, rose-colored flames igniting around her body. The blazing fire scorched the chains, but to no effect.
“Don’t bother. Even if all of you fought me together, you still wouldn’t win.” A smile appeared on Chen Muye’s face.
He walked up to An Qingyu and said slowly, “They’re in your hands now.”
An Qingyu hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
*Moo—!!*
The Kraken’s low hum grew closer. Its tentacles writhed like seductive serpents beneath the dark clouds, its shadow covering the earth.
Chen Muye took a deep breath, glanced back at the team one last time, and smiled.
“Being your captain… I’m very happy.”
Then, without looking back, he sprinted away from the city!
But before he could take more than a few steps, the space in front of him suddenly twisted. A white portal outlined itself in the void, and a familiar figure stepped out.
A dense magical aura filled the air. A white-haired youth in a deep-blue mage robe emerged, a blade in his right hand. His eyes were as deep as the abyss, as if they could see the threads of fate.
He was like the brightest star in the darkest night, illuminating everyone’s uncertain destiny.
“Qiye…?” Chen Muye stared at the strange yet familiar figure, stunned.
Everyone else from Team 136 was equally stunned. This Lin Qiye looked and felt completely different from the one they knew.
An Qingyu looked at Lin Qiye, his eyes filled with unprecedented interest. A gray light flashed in his pupils.
The next moment, his eyes trembled, and he snapped them shut.
Two lines of blood tears streamed down his face.
Lin Qiye meant no harm, but he carried the soul of a god. When An Qingyu tried to analyze it, he suffered backlash.
Lin Qiye’s gaze locked onto Chen Muye, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
“Captain, being your teammate also makes me very happy… So, go back and rest with them.”
With a light tap of his finger, red sealing magic instantly immobilized Chen Muye. At the same time, the chains binding the others shattered.
Before they could react, the same sealing magic bound them again—this time even stronger.
“Lin Qiye, what are you doing?” Chen Muye couldn’t help but shout. “I’m the captain of Team 136! Luring the Kraken is my mission!”
“I know, Captain. But so what?” Lin Qiye smiled.
“Anyway… you all combined still can’t beat me.”
Chen Muye: “…”
“Leave the rest to me.” Lin Qiye pointed into the void, and a massive white group teleportation array opened beneath their feet!
*Whoosh!*
A flash of white light, and everyone vanished.
Lin Qiye’s smile faded. He turned to the giant sea monster now looming close, his eyes cold with killing intent.
“I won’t let you pass…”
…
**Cangnan City.**
**Peace Agency, Underground.**
A white teleportation array flared, and Team 136 appeared. At the same time, the sealing magic on them dissolved.
Chen Muye sprang to his feet, only to be met by several unfriendly stares.
“…” Chen Muye’s mouth twitched. “Let me explain…”
“Comrade Chen Muye.” Wu Xiangnan stood up slowly, voice serious. “We’ll deal with your actions later. Right now, I’m more worried about Qiye.”
The others nodded in agreement.
They rushed to the rooftop of the agency and looked into the distance.
At the edge of the city, a deep-blue figure floated in the sky. Three massive black magic arrays hovered above his head, arcane and mysterious.