Chapter Text
Wei Ying was known as a genius who could outsmart even the most advanced assassins. His deduction skills were praised as the best in their organization's history as he could even accurately plan the next possible events of their missions. Only now did he doubt his skills, as he couldn't seem to grasp the fact that two adults (one of whom they called a "Sect Leader") were bickering in front of injured strangers when, half an hour ago, he was just returning home after his mission.
They seemed to have noticed his discomfort as the two were now facing him with scowls and tears on their faces. He was about to speak when he heard a groan coming from one of his two subordinates, namely Hu Xin and Xie An. Remembering their injuries, a teen in white robes went near them, handing out a pouch that he said had medicine. Hesitation plagued his mind as it would be a no-brainer to trust some strangers who suddenly gave out medicine to people who were armed with guns, which the strangers deemed foreign, which only confirmed his suspicion that they were in an unfamiliar place. Seeing as he had no choice, he took it and immediately went to assist Hu Xin, who was pale and was trying hard not to pass out. His blood-soaked clothes did no justice in suppressing his wound as blood was seeping through it.
Every passing minute seemed to be a ticking time bomb as he began to shake with fear when he realized the gravity of Hu Xin's injuries. It would've been alright if he was back in his home where they could just go to his clinic and heal their injuries, but they weren't. They were in a foreign world with foreign people and had no knowledge of what they were put into.
Contacting for backup was useless as the signal was either too weak or nonexistent. The only things they had were their weapons and transportation boards, which he was thankful for, but he would've preferred it to be their bags that went with them, as his medicine box was in them. He Xin's stab wound had all of the tools he needed to heal.
Panic started to register as he realized just how grave their situation was. Hu Xin's grasping for his life and Xie An's was somehow keeping things together. How did things turn out like this? How the heck did a small nap take them into a foreign world with only their weapons when they were on the way to reporting back on their last mission when Wei Ying finally decided to take a break after years of non-stop missions? Looking back at what they did this morning, no planning or overthinking would lead him to where he is now.
Wei Ying woke up earlier than usual and was planning to sleep again when he soon realized that no amount of rolling around could put him back to slumber. Frustrated that his sleep was again cut short, he headed out to get his morning cup of hot chocolate and train with his new invention-swords that he had magically embedded in his gun.
It was 2:00 a.m., which meant that it would still be two hours away till a single soul was awake. Wei Ying, who grew up in the organization, knew everyone's sleeping schedule, from the school's staff to his students. He knew every twist, turn, and piece of news that existed in their organization, so he knew that no cook was inside their main kitchen at this time. He took this opportunity to make his drink and possibly make breakfast. Just as he was about to grab his mug from the rack, he saw his friends, master, students, and basically, every assassin in their care looking at him wide-eyed while scrambling to hide a box that they wrapped with a giant bow that contrasted with the wrapper's color.
Seeing the poorly assembled decorations and the pretty cake that was carried by Xie An, he immediately remembered what occasion was held on that day. It's his birthday! He was so busy filling out important documents and teaching his juniors that he forgot his birthday and the student's graduation.
Hu Xin was the first one to adjust his behavior as he went in for a hug with a bit of tightness as he brought out a hat that was familiar with any assassin that has a high rank, the Crown of Completion. Anyone who was granted the privilege of having it put upon their heads has done magnanimous things such as completing S-tier missions or improving the welfare of the organization and its members.
Wei Ying had grown accustomed to their random sweet antiques, having been spoiled by his adopted uncle An and aunty Su, as well as his teacher, but nothing could prepare him for the warm feeling he felt every time they prepared something for him.a feeling that is both familiar and strange. if the feeling had its limits.
He happily accepted his cake and gifts as the students prepared for the morning ceremony to officially declare them as members. As their professor and the organization's head, Wei Ying was supposed to be on the platform by their side to give their marks and weapons, but he was surprised to find out that he was called upon not to present but to be presented.
He was confused as to why; he went up and received the box He Xin gave him and was touched to find out it was from Uncle An and Aunt Su. They never want to miss out on things related to him. Inside was a letter and a jade bracelet with red spider lilies and Blackshaw flower designs. There were two other jewelries as well, which he presumed were for Hu Xin and Xie An. He handed out the jewels first, which shocked the two as he took out the letter. The letter contained their greetings as well as their notice of return and sweet nothings, something that Wei Ying liked.
The event went on but was ended earlier as an emergency notification was sent out requesting the presence of The Orders, a title that was given to Wei Wuxian and his team, with him being the first, Hu Xin the second, and Xie An the third.
Báihé Zhèn was a small town near the mountain where the organization is stationed. It was a peaceful place with residents that were capable enough to live by themselves, as most of its residents had an average-paying job that was just enough to sustain their needs and wants. They never had any problems, even before Wei Wuxian became the head, which only made the whole situation suspicious.
Wei Ying had never felt so disturbed on a mission before. He was always ready to kill bastards who deserved their ends as the result of their doings, but never did he feel as uncertain as he did now. He was feeling nervous as if the world was ending, and his heart rate rose as they approached a seemingly ghost town with no lights in sight.
Xiao Su, a man in his forties, was caught abducting a 13-year-old child in the middle of the night. He is also suspected as the culprit behind the missing children in the neighboring towns. These young children were beautiful girls that were sold to nasty officials who patronized the whole operation. The officials include the Prime Minister of the West and East, the Senior Scholars of the White Palace, the son of a General, and many more.
Hu Xin's face showed disgust as he heard the report that Xie An managed to pitch in as they were in a hurry. Wei Ying couldn't even be surprised, having experienced firsthand just how evil people can be.
Their plan was set in motion as soon as Xie An gave his signal. Hu Xin would disguise himself as a staff member that was ordered to assist the girls, while Xie An would be assisting Wei Wuxian in securing their targets, mainly Xiao Su and the mentioned officials.
Merchandise 3 features a lady from Báihé Zhèn with milky skin and sharp features. The bidding starts at $1 million. "
"Five!"
"10! "
"Twenty!"
Disgusting bastards who only leech off tax money have no right to use said money to satisfy their need for flesh.
As soon as the last girl was safely escorted back, they immediately took action as Hu Xin took out his shotgun, Zhmng, and shot any patron who came face-to-face with his weapon.
A man with a rusted knife ran as fast as his two legs could take him. He only wanted to try the seemingly fun habit that his friend was so engrossed with. He only took one girl, a girl who was as young as his friend's daughter. He trusted him, which was a mistake, as he now realizes.Screams from the people that Xiao Su talked to minutes ago filled the estate. He ran faster, afraid of getting caught in the mess that he was now part of. He knew it was inevitable, but he didn't even see the faces of the people he was avoiding. How could he know where to hide when he didn't even know who or what he was hiding from? Before collapsing, he saw the faint scene of a bullet coming towards him.
"Mission Complete. Clean as always, Shŏuxiān! " Hu Xin beamed as he finished clearing up his task with a basket of loquats in his arm.
"It was all thanks to our combined efforts. We all get the credit. " Xie An interrupted, catching up with the two.
"Our ride is here. We'd have to go to the praying mountain first, which would take us about 2 hours to return home. " Wei Wuxian added as he took a handful of loquats from the basket.
All of them probably had only 3 hours of sleep, as they were all quite settled into their own seats as the car was departing. Wei Wuxian himself surrendered to his drowsiness as fatigue finally took over him. As he fell asleep, he overheard the two talking about their vacation. Maybe after that, he would finally take a well-deserved vacation. Apart from him, Hu Xin and Xie An were also tired from their non-stop missions that began when he was sixteen. Now nearing his thirties, he looked back at the missed years. He was very thankful that they understood their workaholic leader.