Chapter 18: A New Mission Emerges: Leaving the Club!

Liao Yuanfeng didn’t bother to hide his feelings toward Jiang Yi and directly complained to Sun Hao, “Hey, I only came over because I received a new assignment.”

“You know that Zhou Yiming from the Blood Swallow Club, right?”

Sun Hao nodded. “The top star before the apocalypse? I heard he’s now the kept man of the Blood Swallow Club’s boss?”

Liao Yuanfeng clicked his tongue. “He’s not just any kept man; he’s especially favored by the boss!”

“This time, during the beast tide chaos, that kept man was teleported near our Joyful Club’s territory using a teleportation stone.”

“However, he’s not in the club’s safe zone but in the chaotic area outside.”

“You know how it is outside the club, Lao Sun—”

“There are not only many uncleaned ferocious beasts but also numerous lone players without any faction. The place is disorderly, morals have collapsed—it’s a pure post-apocalyptic world!”

Sun Hao nodded thoughtfully. “The beasts are manageable, but those lone players without factions…”

“Though most lone players are roughly on par with our Death Squad’s strength, given their sheer numbers, there are bound to be a few lone strong individuals…”

“Exactly,” Liao Yuanfeng agreed. “Zhou Yiming was teleported right into that mixed, chaotic area of beasts and lone players.”

“My mission is to lead a team to bring Zhou Yiming back to our safe zone.”

“You know the pressure on the second defense line is heavy, and manpower is tight; we can’t spare anyone.”

“So I thought, why not pull from the Death Squad? It shouldn’t be a big problem.”

Sun Hao considered it and nodded in agreement. “Joyful Club has some reputation here; most lone players wouldn’t dare provoke us. Only bringing Death Squad members should suffice.”

“Alright then, go recruit some, but don’t take too many—no more than twenty.”

Liao Yuanfeng nodded and headed toward the Death Squad’s defense line. Just then, Jiang Yi selected three white teleportation disks.

He hurried to catch up with Liao Yuanfeng and called out, “Brother Liao, can I come with you on that new mission?”

“You?” Liao Yuanfeng glanced at him and asked, “Which team are you from? Who’s your captain?”

Though casually asked, Jiang Yi knew the significance. The Death Squad had nearly two hundred teams, divided into five major factions, each backed by a prominent senior member. Liao Yuanfeng would only pick from his own faction’s teams.

Coincidentally, Gao Chang’s team belonged to Liao Yuanfeng’s faction! Gao Chang had repeatedly called Liao “Brother Liao” before.

Jiang Yi remained composed and replied, “My captain is Gao Chang.”

Liao Yuanfeng muttered thoughtfully, “That kid Gao Chang…”

After sizing up Jiang Yi for a moment, he nodded, “Alright, you come with me.”

Jiang Yi quickly fell in step. Sun Hao watched them with a knowing look, thinking that Jiang Yi was quite good at seizing opportunities.

This mission wasn’t particularly dangerous overall. As a Death Squad member, being able to go out on a mission with an official member like Liao Yuanfeng was a tremendous honor. If Jiang Yi could earn Liao’s favor, there would be hidden benefits.

Unfortunately, Jiang Yi’s lifespan was nearly up.

Sun Hao had initially hoped to nurture Jiang Yi. He planned to grant him a Longevity Pill three days later, intending to bring him into his own faction. If Jiang Yi grew strong enough, Sun Hao might have given him an important role.

But Jiang Yi, for reasons unknown, had refused the Longevity Pill—perhaps believing he wouldn’t live past three days.

Sun Hao didn’t dwell on it and produced his exclusive life chart to report to the club’s upper management that he could refine white Longevity Pills.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yi followed Liao Yuanfeng back to the Death Squad’s defense line. Gao Chang and Luo Shan were surprised to see Jiang Yi trailing Liao Yuanfeng; they thought he had somehow gained a great opportunity.

Soon, they learned that Liao Yuanfeng was recruiting members from their Death Squad for a mission.

As news spread, many Death Squad members eagerly volunteered.

In the end, Liao Yuanfeng selected twelve people. The roster was similar to that in Jiang Yi’s previous life, with Luo Shan and Gao Chang included.

Liao Yuanfeng even noticed Luo Shan carrying a compound bow and praised him: “Not bad, young man. This compound bow is something no one in the Death Squad dares to use, yet you handle it so easily.”

Luo Shan was flattered and explained that he had a temporary effect granting +5 to all attributes.

Liao Yuanfeng wasn’t surprised and encouraged him, “It’s a good opportunity. Make the most of it—you might gain something.”

Luo Shan gratefully nodded, causing Gao Chang to feel a bit envious.

Liao Yuanfeng waved his hand and placed a dozen sets of uniform clothing on the ground.

“This mission requires us to leave the club’s main base. To avoid unnecessary trouble, we must wear uniforms.”

“Pick a set each and put it on. Then we’ll depart.”

This made sense—wearing the uniform signified affiliation with a faction. In chaotic areas, most wouldn’t dare provoke someone clearly belonging to a group, preventing trouble.

Normally, only official club members had the right to wear these uniforms, but this mission was special.

Soon, the fourteen of them, including Jiang Yi, all donned the uniforms and prepared to set out.

Luo Shan, who had never had the chance to participate in such events during his days as a Lifespan Parasite, was visibly excited.

They were quickly divided into three teams: one of four, and two of five.

Liao Yuanfeng, the strongest, led the team of four.

He appointed captains for the other two teams as well.

Since Luo Shan had the +5 all-attributes buff, he became a temporary squad leader.

Jiang Yi and Gao Chang naturally joined Luo Shan’s team.

The remaining two members were a seemingly honest middle-aged man named Li Shoude and a thin, sharp-featured young man named Zhang Peng.

After introductions, Liao Yuanfeng led the three teams to fetch three vehicles.

Together, the three convoys drove away from the villa district where the club was located.

On Luo Shan’s vehicle, Zhang Peng chattered nonstop—

“Before I joined the club, I saw official members of the Joyful Club going on missions!”

“Man, I was so envious!”

“I never dreamed I’d one day wear the Joyful Club’s exclusive uniform and represent the club on a mission!”

Li Shoude nodded in agreement.

Gao Chang and Luo Shan patted their black outfits, imagining the day they might become official club members.

Jiang Yi, meanwhile, was thinking about how to secretly use the three white teleportation disks he had just received.

He also pondered this mission to find Zhou Yiming.

In his previous life, Jiang Yi was not selected by Liao Yuanfeng for this task, so he had no idea how Luo Shan saved Zhou Yiming.

Still, being alongside Luo Shan gave him a good chance.

Just as he was deep in thought, the vehicle suddenly braked hard.

Zhang Peng, caught off guard by the sudden stop, banged his head on the front seat.

He wanted to curse but, realizing Luo Shan was a formidable driver, changed his tone, “What’s going on? Why the sudden brake?”

Luo Shan raised his chin, pointing ahead, “Boss Liao stopped first.”

Everyone in the car turned to look at Liao Yuanfeng’s vehicle ahead.

In front of Liao’s leading car was a strange off-road vehicle.

After watching for a moment, Gao Chang concluded, “Looks like another lone player wants to join our club.”

Zhang Peng sneered, “That skinny refugee probably can only serve as a Lifespan Parasite in the club!”

Luo Shan and Gao Chang, both former Lifespan Parasites, were somewhat displeased.

Jiang Yi, however, remained calm.

But when he saw the owner of the unfamiliar off-road vehicle, his brow twitched sharply.

Could it be that this guy was joining the Joyful Club at this very moment?