Xia Xue watched as the Dragon Head, whom she had always idolized, appeared so servile before Lin Feng. She was at a loss for words to describe her feelings.
It was as if her idol, whom she had pursued for so long, had suddenly been exposed as a notorious criminal.
Xia Xue found this immense drop in expectations difficult to accept.
"Alright, enough with the theatrics. Tell me, what is it you need me for?"
Lin Feng leaned back in his office chair, looking at the cunning Dragon Head. He could guess with his toes that this old fox definitely had something up his sleeve.
"Mr. Lin, it's like this. In a while, it will be our Dragon Group's triennial Flying Dragon Challenge. I want to invite you to represent our Dark Group in a match against the Bright Group."
"From what I know, the Bright Group has cultivated a lot of new talent this time. With our Dark Group's strength, we are no match for them," the Dragon Head said with a mournful tone.
"Boss, you can't possibly let an outsider represent us! I can represent the Dark Group!" Xia Xue couldn't help but interrupt. She had been preparing for this Flying Dragon Challenge for a long time, aiming to achieve good results for the Dark Group.
"Xia Xue, I understand how you feel, but do you think you can defeat Ling Feiyan? Ling Feiyan has already been recruited by the Bright Group, and if nothing unexpected happens, she will surely represent the Bright Group!" The Dragon Head's expression was grave, showing clear apprehension at the name Ling Feiyan.
Xia Xue felt the same way. Upon hearing Ling Feiyan's name, she wilted like a frost-bitten eggplant, instantly losing her spirit.
Ling Feiyan, the foremost female general in the land.
At the young age of twenty-five, she already bore a single star, making her the youngest general-level figure in the entire system.
What was even more terrifying was Ling Feiyan's formidable martial arts skills and her superb marksmanship. To this day, she had never been defeated.
She hailed from a prestigious family; her father was the great hero Ling Zhentian, recognized as the foremost martial artist by the Central Plains Martial Alliance.
Having received her father's true teachings, Ling Feiyan displayed extraordinary talent in martial arts from a young age, winning countless prestigious awards. Among the younger generation, no one was her match.
Xia Xue had met Ling Feiyan once before, during a marksmanship competition. She had competed against Ling Feiyan in marksmanship but had been utterly defeated.
Ever since that day, she had realized the vast gap between herself and Ling Feiyan.
Now, hearing that Ling Feiyan had joined the Bright Group, she felt an unspeakable sense of injustice. However, she had to admit that her current abilities were no match for Ling Feiyan.
"But Dragon Head, if I can't defeat Ling Feiyan, can Lin Feng beat her?" Xia Xue still felt unconvinced.
"Of course, he can!" The Dragon Head gave an affirmative answer without a second thought.
He had spent days meticulously studying Lin Qilang's resume. Not to mention Ling Feiyan, even the formidable Qilin elder of the Dragon Group had to address Lin Feng as Mr. Lin.
This was Lin Feng's strength and his backing.
"I..." Xia Xue was so choked up she didn't know what to say.
Seeing her own boss flattering Lin Feng so much while belittling her, Xia Xue felt wronged, tears welling up in her eyes. Then, unable to hold back any longer, she turned and rushed out the door.
"Xia Xue, where are you going?" the Dragon Head roared. Xia Xue, however, paid him no mind, which put him in a very awkward position.
"Mr. Lin, I apologize. You had to witness that." The Dragon Head masked his current embarrassment with a smile.
"It's alright. If it were me, I'd be angry too if I wasn't acknowledged." Lin Feng understood Xia Xue's feelings perfectly. He stood up and said, "I cannot represent your Dark Group in the competition, but I can help Xia Xue improve her strength. You should still arrange for Xia Xue to represent the Dark Group."
"Really?!" The Dragon Head was overjoyed. After all, Xia Xue was one of their own in the Dark Group. If she could receive Lin Feng's guidance, it would be a tremendous boon for the Dark Group.
"Make your arrangements. What I've said, I will stand by." After speaking, Lin Feng went out to chase after Xia Xue.
Since she didn't have access to the elevator, Xia Xue couldn't leave this floor. She squatted by the elevator entrance, like a wounded little rabbit, burying her head in her chest and sobbing softly.
"Alright, it's just a few words from your boss, and you're acting like this?" Lin Feng, seeing Xia Xue sitting on the ground, forlornly heartbroken, regained his usual composure.
"I'm fine. You go ahead. I want to be alone for a while." Xia Xue, without looking up at Lin Feng, pretended as if nothing was wrong.
"Big sister, if I leave, can you get down by yourself?" Lin Feng chuckled. How could this woman be so adorable?
Hearing this, Xia Xue finally remembered that without Lin Feng, she couldn't leave this floor. She adjusted her emotions, secretly wiped her eyes, and then stood up from the ground. However, it was evident to anyone that Xia Xue's eyes were slightly red, indicating she had been crying.
"Captain Xia, aren't you usually very assertive and domineering? Are you giving up just because others don't acknowledge your abilities?" Lin Feng used a taunt to provoke her.
"I am not! I just feel it's unfair!" Xia Xue questioned resentfully. "Why should an outsider like you be so highly valued by the Dragon Head? Why does the Dragon Head trust you more than me?" She felt she had been treated unfairly.
Lin Feng remained silent for a moment. "How about this? Take me to your indoor shooting range, and I'll show you why!" Although Xia Xue didn't know what Lin Feng intended to do, she didn't refuse his request, as she could get answers from him.
Thus, the two took the elevator to the first floor, and Xia Xue led Lin Feng to the Dark Group's training hall. As the Flying Dragon Challenge was approaching, many Dark Group members were training day and night. By the time Lin Feng and Xia Xue arrived at the training hall, quite a crowd had gathered. Some were practicing combat, while others were practicing shooting. Both male and female members were sweating profusely and training with great effort.
Chu He was among them, wearing a black tank top and boxing gloves, relentlessly pounding a sandbag. Seeing Lin Feng and Xia Xue arrive, Chu He immediately stopped his movements and, drenched in sweat, strode towards them.
"Captain Xia, Wolf... Mr. Lin!" Chu He almost blurted out "Wolf team" before correcting himself in time.
"Go get two revolvers," Lin Feng instructed Chu He.
"What do you need revolvers for?" Chu He asked, puzzled.
"Don't ask so many questions. Just get them when I tell you to!" Lin Feng glared impatiently. Chu He immediately and stealthily brought back two revolvers.
"Captain Xia, show me. Let me see your marksmanship!" Lin Feng tossed one of the revolvers to Xia Xue.
"You want to see my marksmanship? Then why aren't we going to the shooting area over there?" Xia Xue played with the revolver, feeling confused by Lin Feng's actions.
"The targets over there are too large, there's no challenge. Just stand here and shoot. Shoot the mosquitoes in the room." Lin Feng pointed at the small mosquitoes buzzing around the ceiling.
Upon hearing this, Xia Xue and Chu He looked at him as if he were a monster.
"Shooting mosquitoes with a revolver? What are you thinking? Who can hit them? Even if you hit one, the mosquito would be blown to dust!" Xia Xue felt Lin Feng was joking. Such marksmanship, let alone by her, was impossible even for the foremost female general, Ling Feiyan!
"Just because you can't do it, doesn't mean it's impossible!" Lin Feng said, cocking the trigger and firing three shots forward with a bang, bang, bang. The deafening sound startled the training members present. Xia Xue and Chu He were also surprised.
"Go check. See if I hit them!" Lin Feng raised his revolver and, feigning coolness, blew on the barrel, giving off a Western cowboy vibe.