Ning Fan was stunned.

It was now certain that this commission was a trap set by Yang Beihai, and there would surely be an ambush ahead.

Moreover, they were in the dark about the enemy's strength, while the enemy had information about them.

In such a situation, shouldn't they retreat immediately?

Why knowingly jump into a fire pit?

However, what surprised Ning Fan even more was that the others only paused briefly before each finding a corner to sleep fully clothed.

They were genuinely resting and recovering!

Even Hui Zi, Qiao Fei, and Da Zhuang, who had previously opposed a head-on confrontation, didn't question it this time!

Why?

Ning Fan couldn't fathom it.

"Kid, if you have any questions, ask," Lin Chuan said, still sitting by the fire, his eyes gazing into the flames with newfound depth.

Ning Fan stared at him for a while before finally asking, "Why?"

Lin Chuan pondered for a moment before saying calmly, "Remember that broken wooden board Hui Zi used to set up every day back in the district?"

Ning Fan immediately recalled the image of Hui Zi sitting on a rock with a wooden board in front of him, carved with the words "Stray Dog Pack".

"It's for that," Lin Chuan said, slowly raising his head and looking at Ning Fan earnestly. "The reputation of the 'Stray Dog Pack' was established by the older generation. I have no right to tarnish it."

Ning Fan felt like he understood something, yet not completely.

"Yang Beihai is definitely setting us up. There's no doubt about that," Lin Chuan continued. "But if we go back to F32 District now, even if we expose him, what can we prove?"

"If our team goes out complete and returns complete, just with the cargo missing, what evidence can we present if Yang Beihai denies everything?"

Now he grasped Lin Chuan's thinking.

Catch the adulterer in bed.

Catch the thief red-handed!

"Brother Chuan, you want to... capture the 'War Bear' people alive and bring them back to confront Yang Beihai face to face?" Ning Fan licked his dry lips.

Lin Chuan nodded, "We need to slap the evidence in his face to prove that the 'Stray Dog Pack' name is clean."

The reputation of being an inside thief was something the 'Stray Dog Pack' couldn't afford!

Ning Fan was moved.

This man, who seemed rough and careless, appeared to handle things casually, but he always adhered to his principles.

In the 'Stray Dog Pack', Lin Chuan might not be the strongest fighter, but he was the most respected.

The moment Lin Chuan gave an order, everyone understood what he wanted to express, and there was no questioning.

This was a team.

This was cohesion.

They could be casual and joke around daily, but once it involved the 'Stray Dog Pack' name, it was a matter of utmost importance!

Ning Fan admitted that he had previously thought too simply about the concept of a team.

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"But, Brother Chuan, we know nothing about the 'War Bear'," Ning Fan understood Lin Chuan's thinking but still had deep concerns. "They know us, but we don't know them. We're at a disadvantage in this situation."

"That's why we're counting on you," Lin Chuan suddenly smiled.

"Me?" Ning Fan pointed at his nose in surprise, then blushed slightly. "Brother Chuan, don't tease me. I don't even have a Soul Servant..."

"Do you know why I recruited you?" Lin Chuan interrupted Ning Fan.

Ning Fan thought for a moment and smiled wryly, "It can't be because of my good grades, right?"

At this point, Ning Fan truly didn't think his so-called all-around excellent grades held much value in the eyes of a Marauder.

"You actually got it right. That's exactly what I saw in you," Lin Chuan's words surprised Ning Fan once again.

"Kid, your grades first show that you have tenacity. In the entire F32 District, you're the only one with perfect scores in all nine subjects. I don't believe in luck, only in hard work."

"But more importantly, from what I've learned, I can see that you've got brains. Don't laugh, but in this dog house of mine, everyone can fight, but those with brains... we're really lacking."

Lin Chuan glanced at Hui Zi and grimaced, "Look at him. He's good for a fight, but if I ask him to strategize for me, I'd lose my last pair of underwear!"

Ning Fan didn't react to Lin Chuan's joke, his face unusually serious.

Lin Chuan continued, "Our team needs someone with brains! And you happen to have a talent for it. So it doesn't matter if you don't have a Soul Servant or if your strength is lacking! Fists... we have plenty of those!"

As he spoke, Lin Chuan took out a piece of paper from his pocket, unfolded it, and spread it on the ground.

"This is where we are now, and ahead is the Ghost Mist Forest."

It was a map.

"I'm going to tell you the capabilities of everyone in our team. You have half an hour while they rest, but you can't rest! When they wake up, you need to give us a feasible battle plan."

Lin Chuan assigned the task to Ning Fan without further ado.

Ning Fan was incredulous.

"Brother Chuan! I'm just a newcomer. Are you really entrusting such an important task to me?"

"Everyone starts as a newcomer and grows step by step. You lack experience, so I'm giving you a chance to gain some! When you've accumulated enough experience, you can give back to the team. Isn't that the meaning of a team?" Lin Chuan laughed casually. "Didn't you have combat strategy courses at the academy? You got perfect scores, so you should be good at making plans. This task is perfect for you."

But Ning Fan didn't feel as relaxed as him.

In the academy, it was all theoretical.

Even if a plan failed, they could just start over and continue studying.

But now?

Now they were gambling with the lives of seven members of the 'Stray Dog Pack'!

Once they started, there was no turning back!

Ning Fan felt immense pressure.

A hand patted his shoulder.

He looked up to see Lin Chuan's deep eyes.

"Kid, if you want to be a Marauder, you need to learn to take responsibility," Lin Chuan said in a low voice. "I didn't bring you out here for sightseeing. You need to be useful."

After explaining the abilities of each team member, Lin Chuan also went to rest in a corner.

By the fire, only Ning Fan remained, his face tense.

An unprecedented burden weighed heavily on his shoulders.

Looking at his resting companions, Ning Fan struggled to control his trembling body.

After three full minutes of mental preparation, Ning Fan gradually calmed down.

He began to seriously study the map on the ground.

But even he didn't notice that the black sword he had been carrying on his back...

Trembled slightly!

......

While Ning Fan was still in the cave studying the map and formulating a plan, in the inner district of F32...

Bang bang bang.

In the room, Ning Fan's mother was sound asleep, wrapped in her blanket.

The knocking woke her up.

"Who is it?"

She tiredly opened her eyes, coughed heavily twice, and threw off the blanket, preparing to get out of bed.

Outside the door, a hoarse male voice came through.

"Fang Yan, open the door."

Her body instantly froze, the fatigue in her eyes disappeared, replaced by a complex mix of emotions.

Anxiety.

Unease.

Terror.

"It's been over a decade, old friend... we've all missed you."

The man's voice outside the door seemed to carry a hint of mockery.