Chapter 73: Exit Wall Equipment and Ludie’s Reminder

When Qi Xinzhu followed Lu Luo to Circle Studio, Gu Fangyi had already prepared the necessary equipment, food, and ammunition for the outing. He had somehow acquired a rifle that seemed decent, although it was likely secondhand. Since they were both from the academy’s biology department, Gu Fangyi naturally knew Qi Xinzhu, the new transfer student. She had quite a reputation. It was said she was an intern sent by the Dawn Church to stay at the academy, her status so high that ordinary people couldn’t afford to provoke her. Of course, these were all rumors. The specifics were unclear to everyone. The academy had one very clear instruction: no matter how influential you were in the Fourth Ring, just don’t mess with her. Such a person joining up with Lu Luo? What’s going on? Has Lu Luo’s personal charm won over a Church devotee? Lu Luo, seeing Gu Fangyi’s skeptical gaze, could only awkwardly explain, "She’s a ’bonus item’ that came with our visa for going outside the wall. Hmm, no big deal!" Qi Xinzhu, standing behind Lu Luo, looked around Circle Studio, somewhat surprised and curious. "Circle Hunter Agency? Lu Luo, you work here?" "He’s the boss here. Let me introduce myself—I’m the HR manager, Zhou Kai!" Zhou Kai chimed in and began to chat naturally with Qi Xinzhu, extending his hand for a handshake. However, Qi Xinzhu had no intention of shaking his hand. She just nodded politely and declined directly. "Hello, Zhou Kai. I’m Qi Xinzhu. We can skip the handshake." Zhou Kai was tearful... Lu Luo was organizing equipment to the side. Seeing that Lu Luo had no intention of engaging with Qi Xinzhu, Gu Fangyi began to understand the dynamics between them. "Bringing a woman along... Won’t she slow us down?" Lu Luo’s expression darkened instantly. "She’s stronger than us. How could she slow us down?" That statement didn’t cause much damage, but the insult was profound. "This..." Gu Fangyi felt somewhat dejected. Many people had told him he was a genius, and he believed it himself. But why is it that ever since I started hanging out with Lu Luo, everyone I meet seems stronger than me? This feeling is unbearable! "I’m going out to buy some things." Lu Luo went out, heading to Brother Qiang’s shop next door. He bought several packs of nails, gauze, a large quantity of steel wire coils, and two packs of cigarettes. He was a Fusioner, so these items—important tools, traps, and bait—were worth bringing in quantity. "Handsome, learned to smoke, have you!" "Brother Qiang, I’m heading out on a trip. These things might be useful, so I’m preparing in advance." Brother Qiang’s eyes narrowed immediately. As the owner of the shop opposite the Safety Bureau, he naturally understood what "going on a trip" meant. "Then you take care, handsome! I’m rooting for you! The nails are on the house—my treat! I have a pretty decent sister; I’ll introduce you two later. Young folks should get to know each other!" "Alright, Brother Qiang. Definitely next time." Lu Luo was only gone for a short while to buy things, but when he returned to the studio, he found a problem had already arisen. The atmosphere in the studio was tense. Ding Peng and You Xiaoqi were staring at Qi Xinzhu uncertainly, their auras clashing as if a conflict was about to erupt. Although Qi Xinzhu appeared calm, her presence firmly suppressed both Ding Peng and You Xiaoqi, even in a one-versus-two situation. So young, Lu Luo’s classmate, and from the Church... Are all Church people this ridiculous? You Xiaoqi’s heart pounded as she calculated her chances of winning a fight against Qi Xinzhu. The standoff had a simple cause: a provocative glance exchanged between women, initiated by You Xiaoqi herself, of course. At that moment, You Xiaoqi’s palms were slick with sweat, and Ding Peng was in a similar state. Gu Fangyi and Zhou Kai watched the three facing off, unsure what to do for a moment. Only when Lu Luo walked in did the clashing auras among the three gradually subside, and the emotional tension eased. You Xiaoqi and Ding Peng both sighed in relief. They knew that despite Qi Xinzhu’s youthful appearance, their chances of winning if a real fight broke out weren’t high. "What are you all standing around for? Pack up; we’re leaving. Hey, what’s-her-name again?" Another reminder: her name was Qi Xinzhu. Even Qi Xinzhu, despite her excellent patience, found Lu Luo’s repeatedly forgetting her name somewhat intolerable. "My name is Qi Xinzhu." "Oh, right. My memory is terrible. Qi Xinzhu, if there’s nothing else, shall we go?" Lu Luo silently swore he was doing it on purpose. His motive was simple: to use his behavior to maintain distance from Qi Xinzhu. Lu Luo always felt Han Shiyu had designs on him, and now she’s brought a younger woman along. A double seduction attempt! Simply unscrupulous! You might be beautiful, and I admit I’m an old lecher, but even an old lecher has principles! Whether the Dawn Church was a force for light or darkness remained to be seen, but sacrificing pregnant brides was deeply problematic and suspicious. Lu Luo wasn’t a saint, but he couldn’t accept actions that violated humanity’s most fundamental moral lines until he understood the full story behind the ’bride’ affair. His information sources were too few. He needed to lie low, needed time. But he was also burdened by contractual debt and the hostility of Lan Tian Biotech, making it unwise to use his Hunter identity. So, Lu Luo’s stance was clear: he would remember Han Shiyu’s help and kindness, but joining the Church was out of the question. Qi Xinzhu sensed Lu Luo’s deliberate distancing, and her expression momentarily dimmed. But her eyes quickly regained their clarity and resolve. A strong Believer of Light wouldn’t be defeated by something like this. "I can leave anytime." Gu Fangyi glanced at Lu Luo, his eyes clearly conveying: Your little ploy isn’t working! Lu Luo glanced back at Gu Fangyi, his gaze replying: What can I do? These Church people are like superglue! Just as Lu Luo was about to leave, Ding Peng handed him a phone. "Wait a second, Lu Luo. It’s the boss. He has something to tell you." "Ludie?" Lu Luo was slightly surprised. It seemed Ludie had already learned from Ding Peng and the others that he was planning to go outside the wall. "Lu Luo? Heard you’re heading out?" "Yeah? What is it?" Has this kid never learned any respect for his elders? Ludie, on the other end of the line, was silent for a moment. "Nothing much. Just wanted to remind you to be careful. The enemies outside the wall aren’t just Exotic Species. Anything and everything out there can be a potential danger. The rules from inside the wall don’t apply out there. Even Alliance laws and Church edicts are mostly worthless scraps of paper. Just remember, apart from your own life, nothing else is particularly important." This was a warning from a seasoned, powerful veteran Hunter. Lu Luo nodded earnestly. "Thanks. I’ll be careful." "Good that you know. You’re generally prudent, so I’m not too worried. Also, contact me when you get back. I’ll tell you about the ’bride’ matter then." Lu Luo’s pupils contracted. The ’bride’! That old fox Ludie knew about the ’bride’ all along! Ludie’s influence was behind everything Lu Luo had learned about the ’bride’ case. Though Lu Luo had never asked him directly, he’d always suspected. Ludie might have deliberately led him to investigate the ’bride’ affair. "Did you deliberately let me find out about the ’bride’ case? What are you trying to do? How much do you know about the ’bride’? Is there a problem with the Church or not?" "Don’t be impatient. I’ll tell you everything when you return. So, make sure you come back alive, alright? Besides, you still haven’t learned my Qi He." Lu Luo’s heart skipped a beat. These words... Does he mean he’ll personally teach me Qi He? Can such good fortune be real? That bastard Ludie! Scaring me one minute, then dangling a carrot the next! But what could he say about Ludie? The ’carrots’ he dangled usually turned out to be quite substantial. Whether it was Six Paths or the support from Circle Studio, Ludie’s help had been indispensable for all of it. It could be said that without Ludie, he might still have progressed, but definitely not as smoothly as he had until now. "Someone as handsome as me is usually the protagonist. How could I possibly die outside the wall?" "Heh heh... Let’s hope so!"