Chapter 140: If You Don't Come, With Whom Shall I Spar in the Future?

"Alright, the matters to be discussed at this assembly have concluded. Everyone may leave in an orderly fashion."

The District Chief announced the end of the assembly. Many people, however, were still immersed in the memory of Qin Sheng’s sword dance and had not yet recovered; it was only when they realized the assembly was over that they gradually stood up and departed.

"Qin Sheng, the work for the guard team will be quite complicated during these first few days. I hope you can persevere and continue doing a good job."

Qin Sheng nodded. "Yes, District Chief."

Just as the District Chief and Xiao Li were about to leave, Qin Sheng seemed to recall something and called out to stop them.

"District Chief, this is some herbal medicine for peace of mind. Have Xiao Li steep it in your tea when you return, and I believe you will feel its effects before long."

The District Chief was pleasantly surprised and gestured for Xiao Li to step forward and accept the herbs from Qin Sheng.

"You are very thoughtful, Captain Qin," Xiao Li said after taking the medicine. He turned to the District Chief, who caught a faint, refreshing scent of herbs even before examining them closely. The calming effect seemed quite promising just from the fragrance alone.

"It is rare for you to be so thoughtful, Qin Sheng. Your wishes have all been granted. Go back and arrange for your friends to move into our guard team’s dormitories and experience life in the guard team."

"Thank you, District Chief."

"Let’s go, Xiao Li. Let’s go back and taste the herbal tea Qin Sheng provided."

"Yes, District Chief."

After the District Chief finished speaking, he walked away with his hands behind his back. Xiao Li followed, but glanced back at Qin Sheng; no words were needed, as the look in his eyes said everything.

Xiao Li was reminding her to be careful of Guo Jun.

After all, today’s sword dance performance had attracted a lot of attention, and among the spectators was none other than Guo Jun.

Qin Sheng had never revealed her true skills in front of Guo Jun before. Now that she had displayed her mastery of the Tang sword, Guo Jun would be wary, and he would certainly have more ways to deal with her.

However, Qin Sheng was neither nervous nor afraid. She believed in meeting force with force and water with earth.

Guo Jun had tried to harm her so many times, yet here she was, still standing tall.

"Sister!"
"Captain!"
"Sheng-sheng!"

Happy voices came from the crowd below. They had heard much of what the District Chief said, and upon hearing that there were exclusive dorms for the guard team, they could not help but get excited.

From today on, they could truly abandon their compressed biscuits!

This was a wonderful surprise.

However, having eaten all sorts of delicious food with Qin Sheng, Jiang Miaomiao and the others were not overly stunned. On the contrary, they felt a bit nostalgic for their time in the East District.

Although they were targeted by Guo Ting and could barely eat, they had lived relatively happy and carefree lives thanks to the various treats Qin Sheng brought from outside the safe zone, without having to worry about being framed by anyone.

Now, having become members of the Seventh Guard Team, they would face more dangers and difficulties from this day forward.

But as long as Qin Sheng was with them, they feared nothing!

"Let’s go. Shall we see what our guard team’s environment is like?"

Hearing that the District Chief had specially approved a very decent area as the territory for the Seventh Guard Team, Qin Sheng had been looking forward to it since early on. She stepped off the stage and beckoned everyone to head toward their designated location.

"I’m really happy for you all. I guess I’ll have to wait for the next tournament." Lin Xing had been confined to the hospital in the safe zone and missed the tournament. Although he didn’t sound too dejected, everyone could sense his mood—especially Jiang Miaomiao and Chu Xingyu.

"It’s alright, Brother Xing, we’ve got your back!" Chu Xingyu said, slinging an arm around Lin Xing’s shoulder.

Qin Sheng pursed her lips and smiled meaningfully. "Lin Xing, come with us."

Lin Xing was a bit confused, but he nodded.

"Miaomiao, how are A-Zhi and Shen Mei doing?" Qin Sheng hadn't forgotten what she had planned while she was "goofing off" earlier.

"They have both been discharged from the hospital and are probably waiting outside the venue," Jiang Miaomiao answered truthfully.

Only guard team members were allowed inside the assembly, and since A-Zhi and Shen Mei were not yet members, they naturally couldn't enter.

"Good, let’s go."
"Yes, Captain!"
"Alright, Sheng-sheng."

The group walked out of the assembly hall, chatting and laughing. Qin Sheng gained a rough understanding of what had happened while she was away.

It was nothing more than Guo Ting not staying idle while Qin Sheng was gone, occasionally finding people to do her chores or making sarcastic remarks.

Qin Sheng was not surprised at all. She sneered and whispered, "Don’t worry, she won’t have such opportunities in the future."

By the time they finished talking, they had already exited the assembly hall.

"Qin Sheng!" A-Zhi recognized the person in uniform immediately and jumped up, waving at Qin Sheng.

It seemed she had recovered well; her face had become quite round. Shen Mei had also reconciled with A-Zhi, and they were getting along famously now.

"Qin Sheng, did everything go smoothly?" Shen Mei seemed much more stable during her time in the hospital; the look of being at odds with everyone was gone.

Qin Sheng nodded with a smile. "You’ve recovered well. It seems A-Zhi didn’t eat all your supplements."

As soon as Qin Sheng said this, A-Zhi pouted sheepishly. "That’s not true! I didn’t eat all her supplements." Even though she had indeed eaten quite a lot of Shen Mei’s meat and fruit.

"And you say that? Your face has grown a whole circle rounder. Who goes to the hospital to gain weight?" Jiang Miaomiao didn't hesitate to expose the fact that A-Zhi had put on weight.

"Ah! I’m not fat!" A-Zhi chased after Jiang Miaomiao, demanding that she admit she wasn't fat.

Because of the energy of A-Zhi and Jiang Miaomiao, the atmosphere became even more harmonious than before. Everyone laughed as they watched the two of them. Even Shen Shiye curled the corners of her lips.

A-Zhi remembered most of these people, but after chasing Jiang Miaomiao for a while, she noticed that Shen Shiye had joined Qin Sheng’s team.

A-Zhi gave Qin Sheng a look of surprise, and Qin Sheng nodded gently. The two seemed to communicate a great deal without a single word.

"Alright, enough playing around. Let’s go check out the guard team’s location."

"Okay."

"Sure! I heard the location is quite good. When the safe zone was established, that area was just slightly inferior to the core base, but compared to the locations of other guard teams, it’s much better," A-Zhi said, showing off her familiarity with the safe zone as she walked beside Qin Sheng.

"Now I’m curious," Qin Sheng responded.

After a ten-minute walk, Qin Sheng led the group to the area for the Seventh Guard Team of the safe zone.

In truth, it wasn't much different from other guard team locations—it resembled a large courtyard surrounded by three or four buildings of three to four stories each.

Presumably, this would be where everyone lived and worked from now on.

What made it different was that the courtyard was particularly large and featured a big locust tree in the center.

The environment was indeed good. Each guard member had their own independent room. After a brief look around, everyone roughly knew which rooms they wanted.

"Uncle Yu’s leg injury makes it unsuitable for him to stay on the side without sun. The room in the middle of the second floor is perfect for you," Wang Qiang said, pointing in that direction.

Yu Yong nodded. "Wang Qiang is certainly thoughtful. I’ll take that room."

With everyone’s nod of approval, Yu Yong settled into the well-lit room.

"How about this: all the boys stay on the first and second floors, and the girls stay on the third and fourth floors, what do you think?" Seeing Yu Yong occupy a room on the second floor, Little Pang suggested.

"That works."
"I think that’s fine."
"Then let’s discuss how to distribute the rooms."
"Right."

"I think the room at the very end of the third floor is perfect for me. What about you guys?" Jiang Miaomiao looked in that direction and decided she liked that spot.

"Then I’ll stay on the floor below you," Chu Xingyu added.

Those who had become members of the Seventh Guard Team happily picked their rooms. Only A-Zhi, Shen Mei, and Lin Xing remained quiet.

They were well aware that they didn't have the right to choose such good rooms, and their expressions were somewhat awkward.

"What are you standing there for? If you don't speak up now, don't come crying to me if you can't get the room you like later."

Qin Sheng’s words reached the three of them. They looked at her in disbelief, then exchanged glances.

They didn't seem to believe they would actually have the chance to join the guard team.

"I have already discussed it with the District Chief. Once you three join the guard team, you cannot slack off on your training."

"That’s amazing! I actually got into the guard team!" A-Zhi was so excited she was on the verge of tears. She rushed up to Qin Sheng and hugged her tightly. Once she had her fill, she hopped away to choose the room she had already set her eyes on.

Lin Xing stood where he was, hesitating. A thousand words welled up in his heart, but when he met Qin Sheng’s eyes, they turned into a single expression of gratitude.

Qin Sheng shook her head with a smile. "Just consider it comfort for all you’ve been through these past few days."

"Thank you, Sister Sheng."

For once, Lin Xing didn't jokingly call Qin Sheng "Grand-Aunt."

Qin Sheng smiled and gestured for Lin Xing to pick his room. Now, only Shen Mei and Qin Sheng were left standing there.

"Why?" Shen Mei clenched her fists. Recalling that she hadn't even passed the first round of the tournament, she wondered what right she had to be a guard team member.

All of this was just thanks to Qin Sheng.

Shen Mei didn't want to waste an opportunity that Qin Sheng had risked her life for on herself.

Qin Sheng roughly guessed what Shen Mei was thinking, pursed her lips, and joked, "Having one more of you won't be a loss."

Shen Mei smiled helplessly. She knew this was just Qin Sheng trying to comfort her, but the look in her eyes as she gazed at Qin Sheng was filled with sincere gratitude.

Qin Sheng smiled. Her previous comment had naturally been a joke, but now her expression turned serious. "If I don't recruit you, who will I spar with in the future?"

Shen Mei couldn't help but laugh out loud. She had thought of many reasons—perhaps it was because they were allies and Qin Sheng needed to show some gesture. But she had never expected this reason, yet it was so like Qin Sheng.

"Fine. Whenever Captain Qin wants to spar, I, Shen Mei, will definitely be there on time," Shen Mei said, cupping her fists in a gesture reminiscent of a martial arts novel.

Qin Sheng smiled helplessly. "There’s no time like the present. Let’s spar tonight."

"Ah? Forget it, I’ve been resting for so long, my arms can barely lift..."

"What happened to your 'mission must be accomplished' spirit?"