Chapter 692 – First eting
Baili Changqing’s words made Gao Changkong turn his head, giving Zhang Yi a careful look.
He had just returned and didn’t yet know the details of what happened, so naturally, he had no idea what Zhang Yi had done.
But now, Baili Changqing was saying that 80% of the casualties in Moon of Corrosion were caused by a single Outsider from the Outer City.
That was more than a little shocking to Gao Changkong.
Zhang Yi waved his hand. “Don’t exaggerate. I just cleaned up after two guys, that’s all.”
Baili Changqing sighed. “Was it really just cleaning up?”
He knew very well that even if Kamiya Gedou and Akutsu Shinichiro had been in peak condition, they still wouldn’t have stood a chance against Zhang Yi.
Gao Changkong chuckled.
“That’s not surprising. Our land of Shenzhou is vast, and our population is thriving. Talents erge constantly.”
“It’s not like only people born in big cities or with wealthy families can be powerful.”
Zhang Yi rembered at that mont—Gao Changkong also ca from an ordinary background.
That statent seed to carry a sense of kindred understanding.
The three chatted casually, but given their military backgrounds, both Baili Changqing and Gao Changkong held things back.
Baili Changqing didn’t ntion the headquarters’ plan to form the Celestial Squad.
Gao Changkong also withheld a lot about the mission he had just completed.
As for Zhang Yi, he wasn’t the type who liked chatting with strangers. From start to finish, he only responded with a few words and then went quiet.
Not long after, the vehicle arrived at the Operations Command Center. Gao Changkong went to see Zhu Zheng.
Zhang Yi and Baili Changqing waited downstairs in the lounge, sipping tea as they waited for him to return.
Gao Changkong didn’t spend long in Zhu Zheng’s office.
The mission intel had already been delivered to Zhu Zheng before their return to the city.
And Zhu Zheng, as a soldier himself, didn’t care for long-winded official speak.
They chatted briefly about the mission, comnded his contributions, and quickly shifted to the topic of Moon of Corrosion.
Half an hour later, Gao Changkong ca down to the first floor and smiled warmly at Zhang Yi and Baili Changqing. “All right, debriefing’s done. Let’s go grab a few drinks, the three of us!”
Zhang Yi wasn’t usually one to join in on this kind of thing.
But this operation to wipe out Moon of Corrosion—he knew Gao Changkong’s Reincarnation Squad must have been the main force.
Having drinks with him might lead to so useful intel.
And even if it didn’t, building a good relationship with a squad captain couldn’t hurt.
So he agreed readily.
The three of them rode in Baili Changqing’s car to Code Bar.
Gao Changkong’s appearance imdiately caused a stir throughout the place.
Veterans, bartenders, even the dancers greeted him with great enthusiasm.
“Hey! Captain Gao, welco back!”
“Bet you nailed the mission again, huh?”
“Once you wrap things up with Neon Nation, we’re counting on you!”
“Make sure to win so respect for our Huaxu Nation!”
Gao Changkong smiled and nodded to everyone before taking the elevator upstairs amid the cheers, heading into a private lounge.
This ti, even the general manager of Code Bar ca out in person to inform him that tonight’s expenses would be on the house.
Mind you, this wasn’t the world before the apocalypse.
Alcohol itself had beco an expensive luxury—sothing regular folks wouldn’t even dare to dream about.
And Code Bar was notoriously pricey, with the average tab exceeding 20,000 points.
As for clients like Gao Changkong or Baili Changqing, a single night’s bill could easily hit six figures.
So a comped bill at Code Bar? Extrely rare.
Gao Changkong gave a wry smile. “I rarely got this kind of treatnt in the past.”
Baili Changqing laughed. “It’s because everyone has high hopes for you now.”
Gao Changkong furrowed his brows slightly and let out a sigh.
“In the end, it’s because the Celestial Squad failed... and now everyone’s scared, huh?”
The more chaotic things got, the more people craved a hero to appear.
And right now, the people of Blizzard City were uneasy.
Gao Changkong returned in triumph, instantly becoming the symbol of hope in their hearts.
Once the drinks ca, they clinked glasses and drank. As the alcohol kicked in, the conversation gradually opened up.
The main topic, unsurprisingly, was still Moon of Corrosion.
Gao Changkong looked at Zhang Yi, smiling, but with a subtle, thoughtful glint in his eyes.
“Zhu Shuai already told about you. I was shocked when I heard.”
“Soone like you—if you’d shown up in Blizzard City, you’d definitely be made a squad captain, or at least a deputy commander in the Yan Yun Guards.”
Zhang Yi raised his glass toward Gao Changkong. “You’re too kind! Compared to you, Captain Gao, I still have a lot to learn!”
Gao Changkong laughed heartily. “You’re being modest.”
The two clinked glasses across the table and downed half their drinks.
Baili Changqing smiled as he looked at Gao Changkong.
“Did Zhu Shuai tell you anything else? Is it sothing you can share?”
“Nothing that can’t be shared.”
Gao Changkong said, “For example, there’s the matter of rging Celestial Squad and the Black Robe Investigation Team into the new Celestial Hound Squad.”
He pointed at Zhang Yi. “Zhu Shuai told —he really hopes you’ll take the position of squad captain.”
Zhang Yi shrugged. “But I turned it down.”
He sighed. “Not gonna lie—I’m just a regular warehouse manager from Tianhai City.”
“I don’t have leadership skills or big ambitions. I’m just not cut out to lead.”
He spread his hands toward Gao Changkong. “Now that you’re back, and you’re in charge of this operation anyway—why not have you lead Celestial Hound Squad too?”
Gao Changkong shook his head helplessly.
“That’s not gonna happen.”
“If both Celestial and Black Robe are put under my command, the higher-ups won’t be okay with that.”
Zhang Yi realized at that mont—the higher-ups wouldn’t want anyone holding too much power.
After all, this was the apocalypse.
Order was collapsing, and Blizzard City was only barely holding things together. It looked strong on the outside, but the structure was shaky.
One wrong move and it could all co crashing down.
If Gao Changkong really consolidated both squads under his control, there wouldn’t be any force left in Blizzard City that could balance them out.
Zhu Zheng and the others had good reason to be cautious.
Baili Changqing frowned.
“But right now, there aren’t many people in Blizzard City who can lead a squad. The few who can are all in key positions and can’t leave.”
“If you don’t take the lead, who can?”
Gao Changkong just smiled indifferently.
“Zhu Shuai and the rest will make the right call. We’re just the ones holding the guns—our job is to follow orders.”
His calm, unbothered expression made it clear he didn’t really mind how the top brass decided things.
Author's Note
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