Looking at Xia Luyao's puffed-up expression, Lin Beichen couldn't help but laugh out loud. He reached out and gently patted her head, "Our little apprentice is originally mine. Using her to repay a debt is certainly a loss for me."
Xia Luyao's face turned crimson, her heartbeat skipped a few beats, and she glared at him, pretending to be angry as she murmured, "What do you mean 'yours'? Stop talking nonsense."
Even though she tried to suppress it, the smile on her lips betrayed her.
The old Daoist nearby chuckled and interjected, "Exactly, exactly, our captain is Lin Beichen's little apprentice. Using the captain to clear a debt is surely a loss for him."
He deliberately paused, looking as if he was telling a poorly kept secret.
Xia Luyao gave him a stern glance, cleared her throat, and said seriously, "Alright, enough fooling around. Let's get ready for tonight's action."
She nudged Lin Beichen with her elbow, signaling for him to start organizing.
Who would have thought Lin Beichen would look at her and say leisurely, "But, there's not much left to prepare for."
Xia Luyao looked at him helplessly, "Can't you at least try to cooperate with me a little?"
She gritted her teeth and said slowly, word by word.
Looking at her, Lin Beichen nodded, "Alright, then tonight's dinner will be handled by Wild Ox and the others."
With that, he turned to Wild Ox and said, "Go buy the groceries and make dinner."
Wild Ox looked at him with disbelief, "Buy groceries? Cook dinner? Lin Beichen, are you kidding?"
As a burly man, how could he possibly know how to cook!
"Do I look like I'm joking?" Lin Beichen said calmly.
The old Daoist, seeing the indescribable look on Wild Ox's face, couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Well, let me tell you, using our captain as collateral for Lin Beichen—she's his anyway. Alright, stop standing around and go buy groceries and cook!"
Xia Luyao suddenly interrupted him, "And you, don't just stand there, go with Wild Ox."
The old Daoist was momentarily stunned. How did he get involved in this?
But Wild Ox chuckled, happy to have someone accompany him.
And so, the two set off with the mission of grocery shopping.
Before leaving, Lin Beichen made sure to remind them to buy just a little.
However, when they returned with the groceries, they found Lin Beichen and the others were already eating.
Wild Ox said in confusion, "How come you guys have already started eating? We just got back with the groceries!"
Lin Beichen smiled at them and said, "Since the takeout arrived, we naturally started eating."
The old Daoist and Wild Ox looked at each other, momentarily at a loss for words.
Lin Beichen, seeing them standing at the door with bags of groceries, chuckled and said, "Does your grocery shopping have anything to do with us ordering takeout? We eat our takeout, and you make your food; there's no conflict."
With nothing to say in response to Lin Beichen's reasoning, they had no choice but to cook instant noodles with the groceries.
Watching the two eat their instant noodles with a mix of frustration and amusement, Lin Beichen and the others couldn't help but laugh mischievously.
After dinner, everyone started preparing for the official action. Now that darkness had fallen, it was the perfect time to begin.
For the coming operation, Sandra decided to return home — that is, to the palace her father had built on the island — to gather information.
This morning, when they went to the Forbidden Land and dealt with the group there, it had aroused the suspicion of Monroe and her father Galsa, who immediately sent investigators.
But Lin Beichen's team was so well-hidden, and they left no survivors, so there were no clues for them to track.
The whole day passed without them finding a trace.
Nevertheless, this was advantageous, as their attention was diverted and the dungeon's defenses were more relaxed.
Sandra quickly informed Lin Beichen and the others of this development.
"Great, I didn't expect our morning operation to have the effect of luring the tiger away from the mountain and shifting their attention," Wild Ox said joyfully upon hearing the news.
However, Lin Beichen remained solemn, pondering something.
Noticing his silence, Xia Luyao softly asked, "What's wrong? You seem a bit worried."
Logically, this news should have eased tensions, but Lin Beichen seemed more troubled.
He glanced at Xia Luyao and spoke slowly, "It's nothing, I just think we need to be even more cautious at a time like this."
Xia Luyao nodded in agreement, "That's true; we can't afford to slip up just because they're off guard."
She then turned to the others and said, "Even though we know their attention has shifted elsewhere, we still can't let our guard down. Everyone needs to stay vigilant."
The Flying Eagle and the others responded in unison, "Don't worry, Captain, we know what we're doing, and there won't be any mistakes."
"Captain, I have a question. Why is our team's leader a girl?" Christmas suddenly broke the silence, a question that had been puzzling him for a while.
Xia Luyao raised an eyebrow and glanced at him, teasingly asking, "Oh? Do you think a girl can't be a good leader?"
Though her tone was calm, Christmas could sense a hint of displeasure.
He quickly waved his hands defensively, "No, no, that's not it. I'm just surprised that you're the only girl in the team and you're the captain."
Xia Luyao's eyes were cold, making Christmas's words lose their confidence.
In that moment, he seemed to understand how this seemingly gentle woman could lead the group. Her strong presence and sharp gaze alone commanded respect.
Thunder, seeing Christmas's awkwardness, sighed and interjected, "Friend, you're just asking for trouble with that question. We're always careful around her and don't dare to say too much, let alone ask such sensitive questions."
Flame chimed in, "Indeed, we have an old saying in Huaxia that describes such strong women as 'tigresses'."
Christmas, startled by their words, hurriedly clarified, "I really didn't mean anything by it."
Lin Beichen, witnessing Christmas's embarrassment, couldn't help but laugh, "Haha, that's right, she's a direct disciple of Xuanzhen Temple in Huaxia with deep cultivation. If you offend her, you might not even know how you died."
Though Christmas had seen many dangers, Lin Beichen's words stirred a sense of caution within him.
Reflecting on Lin Beichen's demonstration of Eastern Techniques and Xia Luyao's status as a 'direct disciple,' he felt even more uneasy.
He hastily explained, "I was just curious and meant no offense."
Xia Luyao glanced at Lin Beichen and then said to Christmas, "It's alright, I understand your curiosity."
With these words, Christmas breathed a sigh of relief.
The vast culture of Huaxia was something he dared not disrespect.
Noticing the tense atmosphere, the old Daoist joked, "Alright, alright, since the question is answered, let's change and get the gear ready to head out."
One by one, they proceeded to the bar's booths to change clothes and gear up.
Space being limited, they had to take turns.
While sitting on chairs outside the bar waiting, Xia Luyao couldn't help but ask, "You sure know how to fabricate stories, all that about 'direct disciples' and 'deep cultivation,' aren't you afraid people won't believe you?"
Lin Beichen smiled but said nothing, then slowly replied after a while, "Oh, I'm not fabricating. It's all true."
"How is that true?" Xia Luyao looked at him in confusion.
Lin Beichen pointed to himself, "I'm the current Observatory Master of Xuanzhen Temple, and you're my apprentice, so naturally, you're a direct disciple. Plus, if you cultivate with me in the future, you'll definitely become powerful. I'm just speaking about your future ahead of time."
After hearing this, Xia Luyao smiled helplessly, "You always have an answer, I can't win against you."
Though she complained, the corners of her mouth revealed a slight smile.