Chapter 63 Team Building

The Tidal Night’s impact on Heer City did not last too long. Two weeks later, the Spirit Artisans had fully repaired the tall walls, and with that, Heer City’s curfew also ended.

“Ha… overtime is finally over.”

Dailin rubbed his bloodshot eyes, slumping tiredly onto his desk.

During the curfew, City Guard Bureau staff worked in two shifts, meticulously patrolling the streets and alleys.

Even staff members who were injured in the battle against the Mountain of Decay and the Devouring Worm were forced back to their posts, as long as they hadn’t completely lost mobility, to ensure no incidents occurred.

“The Tidal Night was a tribulation in every sense of the word.”

On the other side of the office, Sirian leaned back on the sofa, sighing deeply.

Although Sirian performed exceptionally well in the battle, and although he was injured and bled, and although… just as the City-State Council’s order stated, as long as he could still wield a sword, he had to remain on duty.

Sirian was barely given any rest before being assigned to the night patrol team, to prevent Chaos Followers from causing a new wave of chaos within Heer City.

“Heer City experiences several Tidal Nights every year, but this time, the City-State Council’s reaction was unusually strong.”

Elton, who rarely spoke, also chimed in. He stood by the office doorway, his figure tucked into a corner, making him hard to notice.

“Is that so?”

As a foreigner, Sirian still didn’t know enough about Heer City.

“This should be related to that previous incident.” Anya pushed the door open. “Do you remember the headline on the front page of the newspaper before?”

“Which one?”

Dailin asked without lifting his head.

Anya faced Dailin, but her gaze slanted towards Sirian, observing his reaction.

“That Beacon Lighthouse that extinguished in the night, after our investigation, we can confirm it was a City-state named White Cliff Town.”

Beyond public view, the City Guard Bureau had already started operating efficiently, and the atmosphere in the office grew tense.

“For so many years, even though Heer City had no communication with White Cliff Town, we still confirmed each other’s existence through the standing of the Beacon Lighthouse.”

Anya continued, “Until recently, White Cliff Town extinguished.”

“Hmm…”

Dailin lifted his head, letting out a heavy snort.

Sirian still gazed up at the ceiling, making his expression unreadable.

“The extinguishing of White Cliff Town caused panic within the City-State Council,” Anya pulled over a chair and sat down, “Although the reason for White Cliff Town’s destruction is unclear, it is most likely related to the power of Chaos.”

“In that case, the City-State Council’s reaction becomes reasonable, not to mention that we have already confirmed that there are indeed active Chaos forces within the city.”

Anya suddenly directed the conversation to Sirian, asking, “What do you think, Sirian?”

“Me?”

Sirian straightened up, looking indifferent.

“I don’t care about such things.”

Anya teased, “That’s not the attitude a City Guard Bureau staff member should have.”

Sirian held his boiling sword horizontally in front of him. “I simply feel that caring about these matters is just a waste of energy.”

“Oh?”

“Absolute facts will not change because of our thoughts.”

Sirian held his boiling sword horizontally in front of him, caressing the cold scabbard. “It’s better to use this time to rest and rejuvenate.”

His words paused, and Sirian deliberately drew out his voice.

“So, what’s this gathering Meifuni mentioned? Does this count as using up a rest day?”

With the commotion of the Tidal Night settled, Sirian finally had a short holiday. He had planned to sleep for an entire day, but Meifuni called him to the City Guard Bureau, saying there was some gathering that everyone had to attend.

Meifuni poked her head out from behind the door, smiling.

“We call this team building. How can it be called using up a rest day?”

She bounced out, still in her familiar red and white colors, but the dress and hem had been changed to a new set, looking absolutely magnificent.

“It’s you, Sirian. I told everyone today is just for fun, so why are you still carrying your sword?”

Meifuni examined the bandaged sword.

From the first day she met Sirian, he had been inseparable from this sword. It was always wrapped in bandages, its true appearance hidden.

“Personal habit.”

“Alright.”

Meifuni knew Sirian was being perfunctory and wisely didn’t press further.

“Everyone, the clubhouse is ready, we can go!”

Meifuni called it team building, but it was more like a private banquet, hosted by Meifuni’s Luo Fu Family.

To thank the City Guard Bureau for their steadfast service, to celebrate Heer City surviving another Tidal Night, for, for… they said many “for’s,” but Sirian only felt it was an excuse to indulge in alcohol.

Sirian originally didn’t want to participate. Given the time, he would rather sleep well during the day so he would have the energy to roam the streets and alleys at night, searching for potential Chaos Followers.

His soul marrow concentration was already close to the breakthrough threshold, which made him a bit anxious.

“Not going? How can that be? You performed so excellently, you’re the City Guard Bureau’s rising star!”

Hearing Sirian refuse, Meifuni shouted, dragging him out of his home.

Time returned to the present. Meifuni frowned, scrutinizing Sirian’s attire from top to bottom.

“Is there a problem?”

Sirian felt a little unnerved by her gaze.

Meifuni asked, “Are you going to wear that?”

Sirian tugged at his collar. “I think the City Guard Bureau uniform is quite nice.”

“Sigh…” Meifuni sighed helplessly, “Sirian, you need to learn to dress yourself up. What if you meet a girl you like?”

Sirian vaguely guessed why Meifuni was so insistent on him attending.

“A girl I like?”

Sirian shook his head. “Forget it. I don’t want to dress myself up like a fat goose waddling and rolling in a paint palette.”

“Huh?”

Meifuni was bewildered by this string of words.

She stared at Sirian’s face.

Sirian looked at her seriously.

Meifuni gave up trying to understand his gibberish.

“Never mind, there’s no time. Let’s just go like this.”

Meifuni said, unpinning her brooch and attaching it to Sirian’s uniform as a decoration.

“Small accessories like this, when used well, can really add to one’s charm.”

Sirian looked down. It was a sun-shaped enamel brooch… No, it wasn’t a sun, but a blooming sunflower.

“How is it?”

Meifuni leaned forward, asking with a smile.

Sirian paused for a moment, then smiled in response.

“It’s beautiful.”

“That’s good,” Meifuni turned and called out to the others, “Let’s go, let’s go!”

Sirian looked at Meifuni’s retreating figure, his expression becoming stern.

Throughout Heer City, the only person who knew he was from the Yang Kui Clan was Rolf, and Rolf didn’t want to get involved in any disputes, only wishing to maintain his current stable life.

Was it a coincidence?

From Sirian’s understanding of Meifuni, the girl had always appeared innocent, as if she hadn’t been harshly struck by the cruel world.

That was normal, after all. She was the little princess of the Luo Fu Family, and the Centipede Merchant Guild behind her supported Heer City’s fragile trade routes. Even the City-State Council would value her somewhat.

So, was someone using Meifuni to test him?

Sirian pondered as he followed the crowd onto the street, where a striking orange-yellow caught his eye.

On the street corner, outside a small accessory shop, sunflower brooches hung everywhere.

“Sirian?”

Meifuni quietly approached, her expression hesitant, as if she had a lot to say but didn’t know how to express it.

Sirian spoke first, pointing to the accessory shop, “Bought it at this shop?”

“Uh-huh.” Meifuni nodded. “I bought it a few days ago when I passed by during my morning run.”

She guessed something wrong and quickly added.

“It’s just a very affordable little accessory, not expensive. Consider it a gift from me.”

When she first started working at the City Guard Bureau, Meifuni often gave gifts that she thought were nothing but others considered very valuable, making it awkward for everyone to accept.

“It’s fine.”

Sirian sighed deeply, realizing he had overthought it; it was just a coincidence.

“That’s good, and then…”

Meifuni hesitated for a long time before speaking with difficulty.

“Do you remember Valerie?”

As soon as Meifuni finished speaking, the image of that woman, full of interest in him, even somewhat fanatical, appeared before Sirian’s eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

“Didn’t we discuss this before? You were going to reject her once yourself, to completely dispel her thoughts.” Meifuni said, “She’s at the clubhouse too.”

“Sorry, Sirian, I didn’t realize she would be so troublesome.”

Meifuni first apologized, then encouraged him, “Go for it! Just break it off completely today, and I’ll treat you to a meal to apologize afterward!”

Sirian nodded, joking, “Okay, and you’re great too, Meifuni.”

“Huh?”

Meifuni had just turned around, then looked back.

Sirian explained, “Given your status and position, your understanding nature is truly rare.”

“Of course.” Meifuni said proudly, “I’m a good kid.”