Chapter 345: Chapter 345

Jing Shu squinted at Zhen Nantian, the team leader from the Imperial Capital. She suddenly felt as if the gossipy man’s words had been forcibly stuffed back down his throat. Moreover, she was curious about this Zhen Nantian; he must have something special about him, though unfortunately, it wasn’t explained. However, everyone surely has their hidden trump cards and wouldn’t reveal everything at a first meeting.

And that name, Zhen Nantian... wasn’t it a bit too imposing and valiant? Despite his average height and small build, the energy he could unleash was extraordinarily powerful.

After Zhen Nantian finished his introduction, Yang Yang, also a team leader, began his. "My codename for this mission is Goat, and I’m the team leader of the Wucheng Team. My role is a special operative and intelligence officer, currently rated A+."

This special operative role was worth pondering. Jing Shu stroked her chin, thinking. After a moment, she realized Yang Yang’s explanation was tantamount to saying nothing at all. So, his ability was A+? What special skill allowed him to reach that level? From the defiant look in Monkey’s eyes, it was clear he wasn’t convinced either. He seemed to be wondering how a weakling like Yang Yang could have such a high rating.

"In the future, please call me Snake Spirit. My mission role is assassin, and my ability involves using my self-developed poisons, currently rated A. I also have my mutated Little Python, rated B+. Therefore, my combined rating is A+." As he spoke, something wriggled on Snake Spirit’s neck. Jing Shu had initially thought it was a tie or a scarf, but then the thing suddenly moved. It turned out to be a snake!

Jing Shu knew about the Tai Ban Snake; it ranked seventh among the world’s top ten most venomous creatures. Each bite released enough venom to kill 150 people, and it was typically a large snake. This Little Snake was a mutation? Regardless, its venom was undoubtedly far more potent than that of the Five-step Snakes she was raising.

The muscular man said disdainfully, "Stop being so dramatic. Your self-made poison is just your saliva."

Monkey turned pale upon hearing this and rushed to the restroom to wash his face several times. This made Snake Spirit roar with laughter, and even Snake Spirit’s own teammates kept their distance from him.

Jing Shu, however, squinted at the snake on Snake Spirit’s neck, her thoughts drifting. Snake meat tasted similar to eel—lean, firm, and chewy, without any unpleasant odor, not fishy like fish or gamey like duck. Snake meat was most delicious when briefly blanched in a clear soup hotpot, and snake skin and bones made a flavorful broth. Having eaten plenty of Five-step Snake, she was curious to try Tai Ban. She wondered if Snake Spirit had cultivated this species extensively. Should she try to get on his good side and ask to sample some other varieties? But seeing how Snake Spirit lovingly caressed his little pet snake like a treasure, Jing Shu wasn’t sure if suggesting stewing or braising it would get her bitten. Sigh, how could she even bring it up? Jing Shu felt a bit wistful. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦•𝘯𝘦𝘵

Then it was the turn of the last member, the one who had acted as a porter. Bald grinned and rubbed his head. "Everyone can just call me Monk. I was expelled from my temple. Fortunately, a discerning benefactor recognized my talents, allowing me to go to the United States for this mission and some personal matters. My role is to provide muscle and infiltrate Zhuangyan Temple in the United States. My rating is A."

Next was a shy-looking girl. Jing Shu noticed her bare legs and ultra-short skirt. She was elegantly eating cookies, sporting an adorable, fluffy bob haircut and a short puffer jacket, exuding a playful, cute, yet shy aura.

Comparing the two women from the teams, it was easy to judge who was more stylish based on attire alone. Jing Shu couldn’t help but feel inadequate. She was afraid of the cold, afraid of dying, and had an enormous appetite—she could eat a whole basin of rice in one meal... Sigh, they were both women, so why was the difference so vast?

"I-I’m Lingling," the girl said. "In the mission, I’ll be the sniper and provide fire support. I’m currently rated A-. This is my companion, a parrot capable of deep reconnaissance, rated C+. So, my combined rating is A." As she spoke, Lingling uncovered a small cage and released the parrot inside. Once freed, the parrot immediately began flying wildly around the airplane, squawking.

"Silly bird, silly bird, come and get me!"

"Spotted a silly mutt, spotted a silly mutt! Silly mutt, come and get me!"

"Spotted a bunch of morons! Report: a bunch of morons spotted!" The parrot landed on Lingling’s shoulder, repeating over and over, "A bunch of morons spotted."

The fat chicken opened its narrowed eyes, nudged Jing Shu’s feet, then CLUCKED and laid an egg before falling asleep again. Immediately, Snake Spirit’s strange cry rang out. Pointing at Jing Shu’s chicken, he asked tremulously, "Wh-what is that thing?"

Only then did everyone focus their gazes on Jing Shu. She felt a blush creep across her face. "It’s just a chicken."

"AHH!" Snake Spirit quickly retreated to a corner, utterly terrified. "Wh-why would you bring that thing? Is it your combat pet?"

Snakes are afraid of chickens.

Yang Yang chimed in from the side, "She brought it to lay eggs for her nourishment."

Everyone’s expression turned peculiar. Even Zhen Nantian, who was always expressionless and showed neither joy nor sorrow, sized up Jing Shu with curiosity.

Jing Shu said, "...Actually, this chicken is a fighting chicken. It’s very strong in combat." She was trying to salvage the situation, but seeing their expressions, she knew no one believed her. Fine, all sorts of pets had their uses, except perhaps the fat chicken... But in this apocalypse, whose fat chicken was more valuable? It laid over twenty eggs a day!

However, this also brought Jing Shu some relief. No one was interested in her fat chicken. There were many oddballs here, which meant the chicken was safer; revealing a bit of its ability wouldn’t lead to it being captured for research.

Finally, it was the big guy’s turn. The chair he dragged over looked like a child’s booster seat with him sitting on it.

"Everyone calls me Tan Ke. My role in this mission is as the front-line tank and human steamroller. My strength lies in powerful bursts, but my weaknesses are slow reflexes and movement speed. I’m currently rated A. I was originally supposed to wear the exoskeleton Mecha this time. Unfortunately, I heard the Mecha was obtained by the Wucheng Team’s captain, so its assignment is up to you. I’d like to ask, which member have you assigned it to? I want to challenge them to see who is more suitable to wear the seventy-kilogram Mecha. Of course, the Mecha is yours, and you have the right to decide who ultimately undertakes this important responsibility."

His words were quite provocative, the implication clear: Even if I win the challenge, you can still let your chosen person use the Mecha, but everyone is watching.

Jing Shu raised an eyebrow. So this is what they mean by ’trouble finds you even when you’re not looking for it.’ Is the Mecha really that popular? Although she liked it too, to be honest, if things got dangerous, she’d rather someone else wear the Mecha and take the brunt of the enemy fire.

Yang Yang said with a smile, "To tell you the truth, she’s the strongest person I’ve ever seen. Although she hasn’t received any training or learned techniques for using her strength, wearing the Mecha is genuinely an easy task for her. So, let me introduce our team member: codename Mirror. She possesses Special Healing Medicine and will be the one using the Mecha on this mission. Her roles are Doctor and Assistant, rated B."