Han Ling told Shen Xingwan what had happened in detail. At the end, she lowered her head in self-blame.
"I'm sorry, I failed to complete the mission you assigned me. Not only did I break the communicator, but I also deserted, abandoning my colleagues and running away alone. I'm not worthy of being a hunter."
Shen Xingwan did not respond immediately, but sat next to Han Ling, shoulder to shoulder.
She handed Han Ling a bottle of energy drink and said, "No, you completed the most important task I gave you—you came back alive, and you also brought news about the black doctor. This was beyond my expectations."
Shen Xingwan's voice is like warm sunshine, giving people an inexplicable sense of security.
If Shen Xingwan scolded her, Han Ling might feel better, but Shen Xingwan tolerated her with gentleness.
At this moment, she finally couldn't control herself and covered her face and cried.
Shen Xingwan neither comforted her nor stopped her, but quietly got out of the car and left the space to Han Ling.
Some emotions, if kept inside, can easily cause illness, but venting them out is actually beneficial to your physical and mental health.
When Han Ling calmed down and walked out of the armored vehicle with a pair of swollen eyes, she saw that everyone was already dressed and ready to go.
Seeing Han Ling coming, the girl who had always treated Han Ling like a sister was the first to give her a thumbs up and shout with a smile.
"Xiao Lingzi, the mountains are so dangerous. It's amazing that you can walk back with news without sleep! If it were me, I definitely wouldn't be as good as you. Don't cry, or you'll turn into a big tabby cat!"
"Han Ling, with your perseverance and ability, you will definitely be able to reach S-rank this year. You must treat everyone to a meal when you do!"
"That's right, the leader has told us all about your glorious deeds. If the mission is successfully completed, you will be the main contributor. Just treating us to a meal won't be enough. We have to treat everyone to a song, too. Don't you agree?"
"Yes, yes!" everyone echoed.
Han Ling stood there in a daze for a long time, even feeling a little embarrassed.
"I, I'm not what you say I am. I'm not a hero. I'm a deserter. I abandoned my companions. I..."
"Xiao Lingzi, what are you talking about? It was their selfishness that led them to betray the leader and us, and that's why they ended up like this. This has nothing to do with you!"
"Yes, Han Ling, you must not put the blame on yourself. Not to mention that we hunters all signed a life and death agreement before carrying out a mission, Ford and Xie Lin have ulterior motives. It's only a matter of time before something goes wrong."
"That's right. The leader has repeatedly stressed that you shouldn't act on your own when encountering a black doctor, but they simply wouldn't listen. Luckily, you were smart and resourceful and didn't go in with them to die."
Hearing these words, tears welled up in Han Ling's eyes again.
"Thank you, and..."
Han Ling walked over to Shen Xingwan and bowed solemnly: "Thank you, Chief."
Shen Xingwan scratched his face and said, "Don't say thank you yet, and don't cry yet. There is something else I want to ask you for help with, but I don't know if you are willing to help me."
Han Ling looked bewildered, even forgetting to continue crying: "Is there anything else I can do to help you?"
Shen Xingwan nodded and pointed to the side: "This, can you ride it?"
Han Ling looked in the direction of Shen Xingwan's finger and her eyes widened instantly.
"The K980 mountain bike! This is the smallest mountain bike, but the one with the best performance. Because the core technology is monopolized, it has been discontinued. There are less than ten left in the world!"
Shen Xingwan raised an eyebrow: "You're an expert, you know all this."
Han Ling's cheeks flushed, she was excited but also a little shy: "I, I've been interested in these things since I was a child. Isn't it strange?"
Shen Xingwan smiled and said, "It's not surprising, and it's a great help, but it depends on whether you are willing to do it."
Han Ling tilted her head in surprise.
"Let's hike to the tree house. Even if the Black Doctor stays where he is, it will be difficult to complete the mission on time."
"But there are two K980s here. Riding them might give us a glimmer of hope. But you and I are the only ones who can ride. It depends on whether you're willing to come with me."
Han Ling agreed without even thinking: "Of course I do!"
There is a long-standing saying in this circle: If you can ride a K890 once, all your life wishes will be cleared.
How could she refuse such temptation!
However, Shen Xingwan did not finalize it directly, but confirmed it with Han Ling again.
"Think carefully. Going to the tree house with me means that those bloody scenes will happen again. Are you mentally prepared?"
There was a moment of stasis in Han Ling's eyes.
Just now, her mind and eyes were full of the K980, and she didn't think about this at all.
"Han Ling, you have the right to choose to stay here and rest. I won't force you. It just so happens that I also need someone to guard this armored vehicle for me." Shen Xingwan spoke calmly, without any sense of coercion.
She let Han Ling make her own choice.
Han Ling touched her face. It was clearly scabbed, and Shen Xingwan had given it the most appropriate treatment, so she no longer felt any pain.
But the burning sensation caused by the particle gun brushing against the skin still lingered there.
Everyone told her that it was not her fault that the team was wiped out, and that she had done a good job. Only she knew that if she didn't get over this hurdle, she would never forgive herself in her life.
"I'm willing to go because I want to ride the K980, to avenge my colleagues who died in vain, and to break free from the shackles of this incident!"
Han Ling looked up at Shen Xingwan, her eyes filled with unprecedented determination.
Shen Xingwan smiled and patted Han Ling on the shoulder: "Okay, if we are both still alive after the mission, this K980 will be yours!"
Han Ling's heart suddenly trembled.
"This is the most tempting promise I have ever heard!"
Twenty minutes later, Shen Xingwan and Han Ling each got on a mountain bike. The K980 was like a wild horse that had broken free from its reins, and instantly disappeared from everyone's sight.
They moved forward, leaving fluorescent marks along the way.
Except for one person who stayed behind, everyone else walked along the marks they left.
While moving forward, they continuously reported the mission completion status and casualties to the base and requested support from the base.
This is the most reasonable way Shen Xingwan can think of to successfully complete the task.
She is neither arrogant nor conceited. She cherishes every life and knows clearly what she can and should do within her ability.
…
The mountain bike sped along, and the two stopped when they reached the foot of the mountain, one kilometer away from the tree house.
The pleasure of flying freely in the wind even diluted the fear in Han Ling's heart at the moment.
After making the final instructions, Shen Xingwan sneaked into the house to investigate, while Han Ling stayed outside to observe the surrounding situation.
As soon as she entered the house, Shen Xingwan smelled a strange smell mixed with the smell of blood. If it weren't for her sensitive sense of smell, it would be difficult to detect.
When she smelled the source of the smell, the answer to why Ford and his crew were killed here was quietly revealed.
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