# 807
Chapter 807: "Mask" and "Night Watch"
Thanks to the [Night Watch] team, [Mask] was currently on full vacation leave.
Originally, [Mask] Squad's plan for the first day of their vacation was to sleep in until they woke naturally, after all, over the past two years, they hadn't gotten a single good night's sleep... But upon hearing that this morning was [Night Watch]'s medal ceremony, they rushed over early.
As the first ceremony in Night Watch's history to award two "Starry Sea" medals, they didn't want to miss it. Besides, the ones about to receive these two medals were their former juniors.
Regardless, they had come to show support, and to see how far these juniors had grown.
Wang Mian sat in his chair, casually plucking out a silver strand from his temple. As if sensing something, he turned to look toward the entrance of the venue.
"They're here." Wang Mian said with a smile.
Everyone turned their heads in unison.
Behind the doors, seven figures draped in crimson cloaks walked slowly out of the shadows. They carried their respective Straight Blades or black cases, heads held high, eyes glittering like stars.
An indescribable aura radiated outward.
The moment they appeared, the crowd began whispering amongst themselves.
For many of them, this was the first time seeing the true faces of [Night Watch] Squad.
Watching Lin Qiye and the others walk onto the stage, the members of [Mask] Squad also whispered to each other.
"Hey, Lin Qiye has really grown taller over these years, hasn't he?"
"Yeah, his temperament is completely different."
"That little fatty is still just as fat, quite cute though... But why does he have such a deep scar on his face?"
"Seems like little Pangpang hasn't had it easy either."
"Shouldn't Shen Qingzhu be the one who's changed the most? Look at him—where's the rebellious punk from back then?"
"True, that presence is so steady... Back when he was crazy like a rabid dog trying to drag me to suffocation together, he wasn't like this at all?"
"Tch, Cao Yuan still looks the same, not like a good person..."
"..."
Memories of those four from years ago surfaced in the minds of [Mask] Squad's members, prompting sighs and emotions.
"...[Night Watch] Squad entered Takamagahara's 'Human Enclosure' alone, overthrew a century-old theocratic regime within the world's largest 'Human Enclosure,' slew the Eight-span Mirror spirit beast Raiju, destroyed the 'Human Enclosure's invasion plan against Great Xia, and saved hundreds of millions of innocent souls...
Here, on behalf of all members of Great Xia Night Watch, I award [Night Watch] Squad, the first 'Starry Sea' medal."
"...When Sunken Dragon Pass was attacked and went dark, and the second disaster-level beast tide swept across the region, [Night Watch] Squad, on their return journey, seven of them held Sunken Dragon Pass to the death, buying time until reinforcements arrived, shielding numerous coastal cities and lives of Great Xia from a catastrophic calamity...
Here, on behalf of all members of Great Xia Night Watch, I award [Night Watch] Squad, the second 'Starry Sea' medal."
Two gleaming medals containing the vastness of starry seas were presented before Lin Qiye. He lowered his gaze to study them for a moment before accepting them.
The audience erupted in thunderous applause.
Among them, clapping the most enthusiastically were those seven figures in the corner.
Lin Qiye held the medals, his gaze instinctively drawn to their applause. Seeing seven familiar faces, his eyes narrowed slightly.
Back at the training camp, Lin Qiye had been fortunate enough to share meals with [Mask] Squad. He had seen their faces without the masks. Though [Mask] Squad's members had aged and grown haggard over the years, he recognized them instantly at a glance.
They had come to this medal ceremony too?
A faint smile curved Lin Qiye's lips.
Some of the other [Night Watch] members also recognized [Mask]'s presence. Standing on stage, holding the two gleaming "Starry Sea" medals, they smiled at the plainclothes [Mask] Squad members below, exchanging distant glances.
This was the first formal meeting between Great Xia Night Watch's Special Squads 004 and 005 in several years.
Lin Qiye's gaze lingered briefly on the intermingled black and silver strands of hair atop Wang Mian's head. His brow furrowed slightly before locking eyes with Wang Mian.
Wang Mian looked into Lin Qiye's eyes, a smile playing at the corner of his lips. He opened his mouth and, using only lip movements, silently said:
"—Good luck."
...
The medal ceremony concluded.
"Qiyè, weren't those the [Mask] Squad sitting in the corner just now?" Baili Pangpang兴奋地说道，"之前给我们拜早年的那个憨憨，我一眼就认出来了！" Baili Pangpang exclaimed excitedly, "I recognized that goofy guy who wished us Happy New Year earlier at a glance!"
"..." Cao Yuan couldn't help but speak up, "I think you're more like a goofy guy than he is."
Shen Qingzhu stepped out of the ceremony venue and scanned the surroundings, confused. "Where did they go?"
"They left." Lin Qiye said calmly, "While I was giving my acceptance speech on stage, they slipped away..."
"All I can say is that your closing remarks at the end were absolutely cringeworthy."
"...Were they? Jialan wrote the speech for me."
"You know what, I actually thought that speech had great depth and was thought-provoking." Baili Pangpang answered seriously.
An Qingyu adjusted her glasses. "Didn't Instructor Yuan say yesterday? After we go as special guest instructors, [Mask] will have a chance to take leave. They should have left Shangjing by now to enjoy their vacation, right?"
"I'd love to go on vacation too..."
"Huh? Didn't you just get back from vacationing in Japan?"
"..."
...
Shangjing City.
Airport.
Seven figures in floral shirts and sunglasses boarded the plane, settling into consecutive seats in economy class and relaxing with a long exhale.
"Got to say, Lin Qiye's closing remarks at the end were absolutely cringeworthy—I literally curled my toes hard enough to carve out a three-bedroom apartment." Xuanwo pushed his sunglasses up onto his forehead and couldn't resist complaining.
"Forget about it. When Wang Mian went up to give his speech, he wasn't much better." Rose chuckled lightly.
"By the way, aren't we going on vacation? Why can't we take our squad's private jet?"
Tianping glanced at him. "The private jet is squad property and can only be used for emergency missions. We're on vacation now—the headquarters报销. They'd only reimburse us for economy class fares at best...
Besides, do you want to land at a military base for a vacation? Then walk out in a floral shirt dragging a suitcase?"
"...Yeah, that would be a bit inappropriate."
"Be grateful you get to spend a quiet vacation in Hainan!" Rose opened the window shade, beginning to bask in the sunlight.
"Dear passengers, the plane is about to take off. Please turn off your phones or switch them to airplane mode..."
"Ding ding ling——!"
A crisp ringtone sounded. Lying in his seat, all six members of [Mask] Squad turned simultaneously to look at Wang Mian.
After a moment of silence, Wang Mian took out his phone from his pocket. Upon seeing the caller ID, his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Hello? Commander Zuo..."