Chapter Thirty-Six: Zhao Bai, Who Insisted on Joining

“Tu Shan Bai?” Zhao Bai was momentarily stunned when he heard the name. Tu Shan Bai? That sounded familiar somehow, as if he'd heard it somewhere before. “Wait, isn’t Tu Shan from Fox Spirit Matchmaker?”

Instinctively, Zhao Bai reached out and took off Tu Shan Bai’s hat. Both Xiao Zhang and Zhao Bai were astonished to see a pair of fluffy little ears!

“Um... Brother.” Tu Shan Bai scratched her little ears, embarrassment coloring her face. “Brother, do I look weird like this?”

“No, not at all! Bai Bai looks adorable!” Xiao Zhang couldn’t help but give Tu Shan Bai’s ears a gentle squeeze.

Tu Shan Bai’s cheeks flushed instantly. “Brother, why are you pinching my ears?”

Zhao Bai wanted to try pinching them too, but Tu Shan Bai leaned behind Xiao Zhang, refusing to let Zhao Bai touch her ears.

“Hat.” Xiao Zhang took the hat from Zhao Bai, who looked thoroughly disappointed, and placed it back atop Tu Shan Bai’s head.

“Brother, someone’s coming!” Tu Shan Bai pointed toward the direction of S City.

“Let’s go, Da Tang!” Xiao Zhang scooped Tu Shan Bai in his arms and slung the still unconscious Mo Xiaoxiao over his shoulder.

Watching Xiao Zhang’s display, Zhao Bai couldn’t help but ask, “Doggy, are you sure you can manage? If not, I can carry your sister for you!”

“No need. Let’s see if you can even keep up with me!” With that, Xiao Zhang started running.

Zhao Bai was completely convinced. Damn, Xiao Zhang had one girl in each arm and still moved like he was flying—was he even human? Especially since the terrain wasn’t flat but mountainous!

“Where are we going?” Zhao Bai struggled to keep up with Xiao Zhang.

“Brother, we can take this detour.” Tu Shan Bai opened Xiao Zhang’s map and marked a route.

Now that Tu Shan Bai and Xiao Zhang were bound together, they shared a single system—Tu Shan Bai had patched up Xiao Zhang’s system’s flaws.

“Bai Bai, do you know where the enemies are?”

“Um, brother~” Tu Shan Bai thought for a moment. “Let me try!”

Instantly, Xiao Zhang’s map expanded to cover all of S City and the surrounding area. Dots appeared everywhere: scattered green dots, a sea of yellow ones, and several striking red dots.

“Bai Bai, does our map really cover such a huge area?” Xiao Zhang was amazed—the whole of S City was included!

This was practically cheating, like having X-ray vision.

---

“Brother, those red dots are ability users who pose a threat to us.” Tu Shan Bai considered and then asked, “Brother, are we going back to this city?”

Xiao Zhang pondered. “Can we avoid the others?”

“We can, brother!” Tu Shan Bai adjusted the map, leaving only the red dots. “As long as we steer clear of these people, we’ll be fine.”

As she spoke, Tu Shan Bai tapped one of the red dots, causing a stream of information to pop up. “Brother, look!”

Wow, Xiao Zhang was stunned—they could see other people’s information! It was like having X-ray vision and knowing who everyone was and where they were!

Following the marked route on the map, Xiao Zhang noticed how clingy the little fox spirit was.

Trailing behind, Zhao Bai was half angry, half exhausted. He said nothing, simply following Xiao Zhang.

After sprinting for dozens of miles and evading countless patrols, they finally returned to Zhao Bai’s girlfriend’s house.

Li Shiwan, at home, was truly terrified. She’d tried calling Zhao Bai and Mo Xiaoxiao but received no answer. Outside, the city was under lockdown, with heavily armed SWAT teams everywhere. For someone already timid, this was overwhelming.

The moment she saw Zhao Bai, she burst into tears, and after crying herself out, she fell asleep in his arms.

Xiao Zhang placed Mo Xiaoxiao in one of the bedrooms and let Tu Shan Bai stay with her, instructing her to call him if anything happened.

Originally, Xiao Zhang wanted to ask Tu Shan Bai some more questions, but the little girl, exhausted from the journey, had already fallen asleep in his arms. He couldn’t bear to disturb her further.

After settling Li Shiwan in the bedroom, Zhao Bai came out and plopped down beside Xiao Zhang. “Want a smoke?”

After lighting up, Xiao Zhang took a deep drag. “Da Tang, what are you trying to find out?”

Zhao Bai inhaled deeply and looked at Xiao Zhang. “I want to join you.”

Xiao Zhang was taken aback. “What?”

“I’m not an ordinary person anymore, so I want to join you!” Zhao Bai’s tone was resolute.

“No way!” Xiao Zhang refused instantly.

Zhao Bai asked, puzzled, “Why not?”

“Da Tang, do you know how dangerous these missions are? Earlier, your little brother and I nearly died!”

---

“My little brother?” Zhao Bai was even more confused.

“I mean Zhao Tai!”

Upon hearing that his own brother was also one of these ‘awakened ones,’ Zhao Bai’s hesitation vanished, and he insisted on joining.

“Well…” Xiao Zhang pinched his nose reflexively. “It’s not as easy as you think, and I’m worried you’ll regret it later. Besides, I might not be able to help you.”

“Don’t lie to me.” Zhao Bai replied calmly, “Doggy, I know you always pinch your nose when you lie!”

Xiao Zhang paused and lowered his hand. “Is that so?”

“I know you must have a way, right?” Zhao Bai’s voice was steady as he fixed his gaze on Xiao Zhang. “I have to protect Zhao Tai. You remember—my uncle left to save me back then!”

“This…”

“Actually, my joining would only benefit you.” Zhao Bai’s tone was calm. “You saw how after just one enhancement serum, I could go toe-to-toe with those old-timers. My combat strength already surpasses yours—you just rely on your tough skin to take the hits.”

Xiao Zhang nodded. It was true; if he didn’t have so much health, his reckless style would’ve gotten him killed long ago.

“And most importantly, we’re brothers!”

With that, Zhao Bai stood up, animated. “And because of Zhao Tai, no matter what, I have to join. I can’t watch you and Zhao Tai get dragged into this while I, as the older brother, stand aside! That’s not right! So, Xiao Zhang, please help me!”

Xiao Zhang: “…………”

Xiao Zhang found himself speechless. He looked at Zhao Bai’s determined eyes and nodded slowly, “Alright.”

Zhao Bai breathed a sigh of relief, his eyes shining with joy. “Thanks, Dog B.”

Then Xiao Zhang reached out, enveloping Zhao Bai in a sphere of light!

A dazzling brilliance swallowed Zhao Bai, and after two minutes, the light faded. Zhao Bai lay flat on the floor, unconscious.

Xiao Zhang sighed and carried Zhao Bai to the sofa.