Chapter 22: High-Risk Experimental Subject  

The people around were all bewildered; clearly, Jue was the only one in the entire room who grasped the meaning behind Jing Rong’s words.  

Seeing the person before him turn red from head to toe, Jing Rong chuckled, waved his hand, and headed toward the medical tent.  

Only Jue’s gaze lingered uncontrollably on his retreating figure. It was a long while before he lowered his head and murmured with a soft laugh, “Let’s go in for the meeting.”  

The others obeyed and entered, but Jue remained standing there, lost in thought. You Tier turned back to look at him. “Leader?”  

Jue finally rubbed his forehead and regained his usual decisive demeanor. “Let’s go.”  

626 said, “Hey, don’t you think you’re kinda like that… uh…”  

Jing Rong bent down to examine a blade of grass by the roadside in the snow. “Like what?”  

626 said, “A femme fatale who brings ruin to kingdoms.”  

After saying this, 626 couldn’t help but burst into laughter in the chatbox.  

Jing Rong replied, “Not really.”  

But after saying that, he laughed too, and the two of them—man and system—shared a hearty laugh.  

The deployment work in Jieke Town was nearing completion.  

The situation stabilized faster than anyone had anticipated. When Jue reorganized the teams and redeployed the guards, supply teams, and exploration teams, many Orc Soldiers and people from the Isle of Blazing Fire set aside their prejudices and joined the mixed squads together.  

Jue’s leadership and charisma in commanding personnel were unmatched. In just a few days, the former prisoner-of-war town had transformed into an orderly civilian settlement. All rescued individuals, regardless of allegiance, were assigned housing and supplies. Everyone capable of working joined forces to prepare for winter while also recuperating and training, forming a new elite unit.  

This unit was estimated to consist of around forty members, each carefully selected by Jue. Together, they would board the westward-bound train to intervene in the western conflict.  

The next morning, 626 asked Jing Rong, “When do you plan to set off?”  

Jing Rong replied, “Soon. This winter won’t be idle.”  

626 whistled. “I like this kind of busyness too.”  

Jing Rong plucked a small piece of the grass in his hand, examining the serrated edges and veins of the leaf. “I think so too,” he answered.  

Brushing aside the snow before him, he found many green blades of grass still thriving on the winter ground. He collected some and tucked them into his pocket.  

Just as he stood up, Jing Rong saw You Tier—who should have still been in the meeting—rush out. A moment later, Jue also emerged from the tent.  

They had been in meetings all night, and by dawn, they finally had a moment to catch their breath.  

“Sir.”  

You Tier’s eyes shone with disbelief as he waved a page of notes in his hand, asking in astonishment, “The leader said you want me to continue serving as the Guerrilla Leader?”  

Jing Rong nodded. “Yes. You’re outstanding, and I believe the new guerrilla unit will need you.”  

“This is… this is incredible.” You Tier was so moved he could barely speak. “But I… I’m deeply sorry for injuring you…”  

“No need to apologize. Before becoming comrades, there’s always some conflict,” Jing Rong said with a smile. “Besides, you’re a sharpshooter with unerring aim.”  

You Tier froze, his voice dropping. “I used to be. But ever since I was wounded by an Orc Soldier…”

“Can’t see now, can you? And no doctor dares to operate.” Jing Rong’s voice was calm. “It’s alright, I’ll find a way.”

You Tier stood there with his mouth agape, speechless, once again stunned by the person before him.

Jing Rong said, “I’ll need about a week to prepare the medicinal solution for you, followed by surgery to remove some of the growth. However, this surgery might require Jue to perform it. His hands are the steadiest.”

Jue, who was standing nearby, was also somewhat surprised but accepted the task without hesitation: “Alright, leave it to me.”

Overwhelmed by immense joy, You Tier forgot to speak. Clutching his memo, he turned and ran back, shouting, “I can be saved! That gentleman said my eyes can still be saved…”

You Tier disappeared into the distance.

Jue walked over to Jing Rong, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Brother.”

Jing Rong asked, “Weren’t you supposed to be in a meeting? Why did you come out looking for me?”

His voice was gentle, yet carried an underlying possessiveness.

Jue remained composed: “Haven’t seen my darling for two minutes, missed you terribly, so I came out to check.”

As if the person who had been blushing uncontrollably moments ago had nothing to do with him.

626 remarked, “You were right. He really adapts quickly.”

Jue lingered by Jing Rong’s side.

Surrounded by people, they never displayed any intimate gestures in public. Even at their closest, the distance between them remained ordinary.

Although they had arrived in town under the guise of being lovers, everyone assumed their relationship was purely platonic, firmly believing their initial identities were part of tactical disguise.

Jue’s gaze drifted to Jing Rong’s face, his voice softening: “Just two minutes…”

Jing Rong stood still, letting him look.

Those blue eyes were filled with calm obsession and longing.

After a moment, Jue finally withdrew his gaze: “I really should go back now. Brother.”

Jing Rong replied, “Alright.”

Jue said, “Your reputation in Jieke Town has reached its peak.”

Jing Rong raised an eyebrow: “Why?”

Jue said, “Look behind you.”

Jing Rong turned and saw a group of seven- or eight-year-old children hiding behind a tent, following them step by step, though they couldn’t approach due to Jue’s presence.

Jing Rong turned back, hands in his coat pockets, and asked, “Want some gingerbread? I’ll bring some for you next time.”

The children’s leader shook his head: “The adults said we can take a break and go study. But we don’t want to study—we want to work with you. Whatever you’re doing now, we’ll do too.”

Children’s trust and admiration for someone always reach full capacity easily.

Jue said, “See, only you can motivate them. Your prestige has already surpassed mine.”

Listening to him, Jing Rong knelt to examine the children’s frostbitten hands: “I’m honored.”

He pulled out a simple ointment from his pocket and handed it to the children to share: “I’m heading to the main peak of the southwest snow mountain to gather some herbs. If you want to come, each of you must go home, inform your parents, and bring me their permission.”

“We’ve already told them,” the child leader said, casting a nervous, reverent glance at Jue. “The Chief knows too.”

Jue nodded.

Mimicking Jing Rong, he stuffed his hands into his pockets, expression casual: “Take them with you, Brother. Just be careful.”

There was a faint weariness in his expression, yet it was gentle and unhurried as he gazed at the children before him, as if seeing a fragment of the past through them.  

Jing Rong noticed the blue in his eyes and asked, “Do you want to go?”  

Jue thought he was referring to the present moment and replied, “Brother, I have to inspect the train this afternoon. There’s no time left—we should hurry and set off.”  

Jing Rong nodded.  

Jue looked at him, then leaned in. When no one was paying attention, his fingertips lightly brushed against Jing Rong’s.  

It was the softest, most silent gesture—an unstoppable surge of tenderness.