The Frail Guide Who Devoured an Entire Pollution Zone

Chapter 74: Chapter 74: Hello, Companion

”We have met a few times before. I didn’t expect to see you here again,” a cool and sophisticated female voice chimed in.

This S Level guide was none other than Xie Qingling, the one who had appeared at Xu Qingsui’s door not long ago and was acquainted with Lu Jingyu.

Seeing that Xie Qingling didn’t state things plainly, Lu Jingyu didn’t spell it out either.

His expression just grew more inscrutable as he watched Xie Qingling, completely unable to fathom her intentions.

Qi Qin didn’t think much of it and nodded. ”So you two have met before. That must be fate. From now on, you’ll be comrades. I hope you can work well together.”

”I’m afraid the Heiyu Alliance might be too humble a place for a person of Guide Xie’s stature.”

’Even though he didn’t know what Xie Qingling was truly after, her desire to join the Heiyu Alliance couldn’t possibly be a good thing.’

Lu Jingyu didn’t want to get too involved with her, so he immediately made his refusal clear.

Qi Qin’s brow furrowed, thoroughly displeased with Lu Jingyu’s reaction.

Every zone was currently scrambling for high-level sentinels and guides. Zone 9’s sphere of influence wasn’t large, so it didn’t have much of a competitive edge to begin with.

Now that an S Level guide was willing to join, although he had his own suspicions, he was more concerned with strengthening their power.

He found Lu Jingyu’s blunt refusal unacceptable.

He was about to scold him, but Xie Qingling spoke up first.

”Captain Lu, what are you saying? As an SSS level sentinel, you’ve deigned to be a part of the Heiyu Alliance, which must mean it has its own extraordinary qualities. If an S Level guide like me is able to join, perhaps the honor is all mine.”

Lu Jingyu’s expression soured. Just as he was about to speak, Xie Qingling suddenly opened her palm. With a flash of light, a locked case appeared in it.

”To show my sincerity in wanting to join the Heiyu Alliance, this is the membership gift I prepared in advance.”

”Since I wasn’t sure what would catch Captain Lu’s eye, I just prepared a few things on my own.”

As she spoke, Xie Qingling opened the security case, revealing rows upon rows of potions.

The moment he saw the potions, Qi Qin’s eyes went wide.

Setting aside Xie Qingling’s motives for a moment, even he couldn’t get his hands on a case full of potions like this.

Lu Jingyu’s pupils contracted as well. He looked at Xie Qingling, his expression growing even more complicated.

”Captain Lu, there are five anti-infection potions inside, along with a few other types. I’m sure the Heiyu Alliance will have use for them. Please accept this.”

Xie Qingling pushed the security case toward Lu Jingyu, but before he could speak, Qi Qin rushed forward.

”Guide Xie, how can we accept this? Logically, since you’re willing to join the Heiyu Alliance, the Alliance should be the one preparing a welcome gift for you. Instead, we’ve troubled you to prepare such a lavish present.”

”I won’t waste time on pleasantries. I’ll accept this gift on behalf of the Alliance for now. The Alliance will prepare a gift in return later. I hope you won’t find it lacking.”

It was too late for Lu Jingyu to stop him. Once that case of potions was in hand, it would be very difficult to give it back.

Seeing Xie Qingling watching him with a smile, Lu Jingyu could only shoot a cold glare at Qi Qin.

’It’s too late to say anything now. As for Xie Qingling’s motives, I’ll just have to take it one step at a time.’

”Since Elder Qi has already accepted Guide Xie’s membership gift, it’s not my place to say anything more. However, I will consider this case of medicine a loan from Guide Xie. I will return it in full later.”

”And I must also offer Guide Xie a word of advice. Zone 9 has little land and little power. The Heiyu Alliance is just a minor faction in this area. It’s truly not a suitable place for a prominent figure like you to develop. I wouldn’t want to hold back your future, so please, find a more suitable place.”

To think Lu Jingyu was still trying to get rid of her, even now.

Qi Qin’s eyes widened. For the first time, he wanted to openly turn on Lu Jingyu.

But the two people involved acted as if they didn’t even see him, ignoring him completely.

Xie Qingling was even less affected by Lu Jingyu, still smiling radiantly.

”I believe that any place with Captain Lu is bound to be extraordinary. By joining the Heiyu Alliance, I’m certain I’ll achieve even greater things by riding your coattails.”

”Captain Lu, hello. We’re partners from now on!” Xie Qingling said, walking up to Lu Jingyu and extending her hand.

Lu Jingyu watched her with cold eyes, neither reacting nor responding. He immediately walked over to Qi Qin’s side.

Under Qi Qin’s baffled gaze, he snatched the security case and strode out of the assembly hall.

’Just when we needed potions, Xie Qingling delivers them. To say she has no ulterior motive is absolutely impossible. But the situation is now unchangeable. Qi Qin already accepted the potions, and Tian Teng is waiting for them, so I have no reason to refuse anymore.’

As Lu Jingyu left with the case, he could hear Qi Qin behind him, continuously apologizing to Xie Qingling on his behalf.

He was saying that Lu Jingyu was always like this and that she shouldn’t take it to heart.

Xie Qingling watched Lu Jingyu’s retreating back with smiling eyes, only turning around after he had vanished from sight.

”It’s fine. I’ve met Captain Lu before, so I have some understanding of his temperament. I know he’s not a bad person, just a bit difficult to get along with. I won’t take it to heart.”

Qi Qin instantly breathed a sigh of relief. From the moment Xie Qingling took out the security case, his focus was no longer on her S Level status, but on the fact that she, like Lu Jingyu, could procure medical supplies.

With her joining, the Heiyu Alliance’s development was sure to make a major breakthrough.

”Elder Qi, while I was touring the grounds just now, I heard that another very powerful guide joined the Alliance some time ago. Could our living quarters be arranged together? It would be convenient for me to learn from them, and as two newcomers, we can look out for each other.”

Qi Qin nodded without a second thought. On account of that case of potions, he would agree to anything Xie Qingling said right now.

”Of course. I’ll have someone arrange it shortly. Guide Xie, if there’s anything else you need, please don’t hesitate to tell me. I’ll have everything arranged properly to help you adapt to the Alliance environment as quickly as possible.”

Xie Qingling shook her head. ”There’s no need for anything else. I’ll leave the matter of the living quarters to you, Elder Qi.”

”If there’s nothing else, I’ll go out for another walk to familiarize myself with the surroundings. Once the accommodations are ready, please have someone inform me, Elder Qi.”

”Then I’ll arrange for someone to show you around, Guide Xie! They can give you an introduction.”

”No need. I’m fine walking around by myself.”

Ignoring Qi Qin further, Xie Qingling left the assembly hall.

Qi Qin wasn’t annoyed by her dismissal. He immediately called someone over to arrange Xie Qingling’s accommodations.

After leaving the assembly hall, Lu Jingyu took the security case directly to the medical bay.

Seeing him return, Meng Donghua rushed forward excitedly to greet him.