novelraw Chapter 161: Nothing but a Passing Cloud
Chapter 161: Nothing but a Passing Cloud
"Intuition? Hahahaha..."
Lei Chen's eyes held complex emotions: "But none of that is important. What matters is... Su Zhan, this time it's all thanks to you. If you hadn't insisted on searching the orphanage and discovered the mechanism behind the waterfall, these hostages would probably..."
"That's right!"
A Purge Division member nearby chimed in excitedly, eyes shining: "Mr. Su, thinking to check behind the waterfall was absolutely brilliant!"
Several young team members had already gathered around, faces filled with admiration:
"Are all Vermilion Bird Academy people this amazing?"
"That mechanism was so well hidden, yet you spotted it at a glance?"
"Awesome, brother!"
...
Surrounded by them, Su Zhan could only say: "Just lucky... Also, let's focus on rescuing people first.""Still being modest! When we get back, I'll definitely write a commendation letter to your academy!"
Lei Chen laughed heartily, then turned and shouted at the team members: "What are you all standing around for? Get the medical team in here now!"
Su Zhan quietly stepped aside.
Watching as the Purge Division members busily rescued the survivors.
In the distance.
Lei Chen was loudly reporting the situation via walkie-talkie, occasionally casting approving glances toward Su Zhan.
But Su Zhan's thoughts were already elsewhere.
He was thinking about that mysterious black-winged man.
Considering the benefits the other party had promised him.
And also thinking about the benefits Wang Mingyuan had promised him.
This achievement should be quite significant—at the very least, he should get one month of free cultivation resource privileges.
These tangible benefits were what truly mattered.
As for these worthless, profitless praises and admiration...
To him, they were merely fleeting clouds passing by.
...
The mission was successfully completed.
Su Zhan returned to the hotel.
Booked a high-speed train ticket back to Vermilion Bird for tomorrow morning.
Just as he was about to call Wang Mingyuan to inquire about the mission rewards.
His phone rang.
The caller ID showed Wang Mingyuan.
Su Zhan answered the call.
"Su Zhan, well done."
Wang Mingyuan laughed: "Lei Chen just sent over the report. The Aberrant Purge Division even specially issued a commendation letter praising you."
Su Zhan walked to the window, looking out at Yun City's nightscape: "Hmm."
"So calm?"
The sound of paper rustling came from the other end of the phone, "Wait until I tell you what I managed to get for you, then you won't be so calm... The dean specially approved two months of free cultivation resource privileges for you!"
A slight smile touched Su Zhan's lips: "Two months?"
"Think it's too little?"
Wang Mingyuan feigned an exaggerated sigh: "Do you know how many credits regular students need to save up just to exchange for slightly higher-level cultivation resources? This was only granted because you saved over forty civilians and helped the Supervision Department recover the councilor's son."
"Not at all."
Su Zhan spoke.
Not only did he not think it was too little, he was actually somewhat pleasantly surprised.
He had thought one month would be the maximum.
Never expected it would be doubled.
"Come directly to my office to get the privilege card when you return tomorrow."
Wang Mingyuan continued: "By the way, Professor Ye is also very satisfied with your performance."
"Hmm, got it."
Su Zhan nodded.
The two chatted for a few more moments.
The call ended.
Su Zhan looked at the scenery below.
Mentally calculating.
This mission could be considered perfectly concluded.
He had formed a favorable connection with a councilor.
Obtained two months of free cultivation resource privileges.
And during the mist incident, his strength had advanced to Low-risk Tier 10.
A perfect conclusion.
Satisfied, Su Zhan slept comfortably through the night.
Early the next morning.
Su Zhan shouldered his luggage.
Well... meaning a single travel bag.
Time to catch the high-speed train back to Vermilion Bird Academy.
Carrying his bag, Su Zhan walked out of the hotel's main entrance.
But as he stepped out, he saw a crowd blocking the entrance.
When they saw him emerge, they burst into cheers.
"It's him! It's this young man!"
An elderly man leaning on a cane excitedly pointed at Su Zhan and shouted.
Before Su Zhan could even react.
The crowd surged forward, surrounding him completely.
"Our savior!"
A gray-haired elderly woman grabbed Su Zhan's hand, tears streaming down her face: "My daughter was locked up in that awful place for half a month. If it weren't for you..."
She choked up, unable to continue speaking. Someone nearby hurriedly handed her a tissue.
A middle-aged man in work clothes squeezed to the front, holding an honorary silk banner.
Embroidered in gleaming gold...
[Peerless Detective, Eradicating Evil for the People]
Eight large characters.
"Comrade Su, this was paid for collectively by all the workers from the East Suburb industrial area! You must accept it!"
Su Zhan was somewhat bewildered by the commotion.
He looked at everyone with wary eyes.
Too chaotic, too chaotic.
He disliked such disorderly environments, especially being completely surrounded like this.
If someone with ill intentions was present.
This would be the perfect situation for them to act.
"Make way! Make way!"
A young girl with a ponytail squeezed in with difficulty, holding a large bouquet of sunflowers in her arms: "Brother Su, you're Yun City's great hero!"
On the outskirts of the crowd.
Several students in school uniforms held up a banner, on which was scrawled...
[Thank you Vermilion Bird Academy student Su Zhan for rescuing East Suburb].
A bespectacled person who looked like a teacher explained: "We're from East Suburb Middle School. After hearing about your deeds, the children insisted on coming..."
"Student Su!"
A plump aunt carrying a bamboo basket squeezed forward: "These are salted duck eggs my family pickled ourselves. Take them for your journey!"
"And mine!"
"This is from our family..."
...
In the blink of an eye.
Su Zhan's arms were filled with various items.
Flowers, fruit baskets, hand-knitted scarves, even a jar of homemade chili sauce.
He stood frozen in place, feeling utterly at a loss.
"Everyone..."
Su Zhan tried to speak.
But his voice was drowned out by the cacophony of grateful voices.
"My son was locked in a cage for twenty days... The doctor said two more days and he wouldn't have made it..."
"My husband's blood pressure medication ran out long ago. If you hadn't arrived in time..."
"That damned Aberrant is finally dead!"
Su Zhan stood amidst the crowd.
Listening to these simple, heartfelt thanks.
It wasn't that he felt no happiness in his heart.
After all, having a crowd thanking you and admiring you would make anyone feel somewhat happy.
But not too much...
He had saved those people merely for the mission.
So he received the mission rewards and also saved people.
An equal exchange.
There was really no need for them to come thank him.
"Student Su Zhan! Please accept an interview!"
"We're from Yun City Daily!"
"Vermilion Bird Academy's heroic student! Look over here!"
Reporters carrying cameras instantly surrounded Su Zhan.
Camera flashes popped and crackled incessantly.
Su Zhan frowned but knew he couldn't avoid it.
"Student Su! We heard you single-handedly found the Aberrant's lair. Can you describe the situation at that time?"
"It was a collective operation."
Su Zhan corrected expressionlessly: "Primarily relying on Commander Lei and the Purge Division team members."
"So modest! It's said you discovered the lair through a hidden mechanism behind the waterfall. Can you reveal some details about cracking the case?"
Su Zhan: "Just standard investigative procedures."
"Reports say you disregarded your personal safety and charged into the Aberrant's lair first to rescue people. What belief supported you in doing this?"
Su Zhan: "...Mission requirements."