Chapter 37: No Evidence, Standing Together!

Su Chi is Su Rui's older brother, though they share the same father but different mothers. Their father first married Su Rui’s mother, who came from a family of equal social standing, and later took in Su Chi’s mother, whom he favored more despite her humble origins. In a prominent family, Su Chi is the eldest son by a concubine, while Su Rui, the younger brother, is the legitimate heir.

Su Rui’s mother initially relied on her own family’s background to secure a high standing for herself and her son within the Su household. However, following her death from depression years ago, Su Rui—already an unfavored legitimate son—was cast aside, and Su Chi’s mother became the de facto mistress of the house. For years, both Su Chi and his mother have treated Su Rui with extreme hostility, never missing an opportunity to suppress him.

Su Rui is naturally optimistic, so he paid little mind to these things, but what transpired today has dealt a heavy blow to his youthful heart. Although his mother is gone, Su Rui still has his maternal grandfather’s family as a pillar of support. As long as he remains, Su Chi cannot become the heir to the Su family. Thus, whether it was the past suppression intended to make him a laughingstock and burden him with the reputation of a good-for-nothing, or today’s scheme of using others to do his dirty work, his own brother’s goal has always been to eliminate him to secure his status as the rightful heir.

Han Yuesu also comes from a prominent family, so she sees through all of this with great clarity. In the face of power, let alone half-brothers, even twins are not immune to fratricide and internal strife. Learning this truth left Su Rui feeling profoundly desolate; he did not want to accept the reality, but he had no choice but to face it. His gaze, once wandering, gradually hardened with resolve.

"If this is true, I will make him pay the price!"

The seeds of hatred have been sown. Su Rui has no interest in the position of head of the Su family, but if his own brother is willing to take his life simply because he stands in the way, he will never sit idly by and wait for death. The others did not offer empty comfort, as this was Su family business, and it was not their place to interfere.

The damage caused by this incident was not limited to Su Rui alone.

"Killing three birds with one stone—this is right in line with the style of the Leichi Squad, led by Fang Wensheng," Geng Xiao said in a deep voice, now certain of the culprit.

Supported by Gu Xiaoyuan, Meng Huai struggled to his feet, his face filled with hatred. "Damn it, if it hadn't been for Yu Le’s sudden burst of power, the Captain and I would be food for the Bristle-Magic Rats by now. The Leichi Squad dares to plot against us like this? This isn't over!"

Indeed, had it not been for Yu Le’s exceptional performance, Meng Huai, who had fainted from blood loss, and the exhausted Han Yuesu would likely be dead. If the group of Bristle-Magic Rats had finished them off and then joined the ones Geng Xiao and the others were facing, the final result could have been the total annihilation of the Fentian Squad.

Gu Xiaoyuan said indignantly, "I’m going to write a report and submit it to the Demon Hunter Association right now. We must punish the Leichi Squad for such malicious behavior!"

Han Yuesu reached out to stop her.

"Captain?" Gu Xiaoyuan asked, puzzled.

Han Yuesu shook her head. "We have no proof. Everything we have now is based on subjective inference. Even if we report it to the Demon Hunter Association, at most, they would only issue a warning to the Leichi Squad for insufficient intelligence gathering before the battle; there would be no real punishment."

"So, we’re just going to let it go?"

"Of course we won't let it go!" Geng Xiao’s tone was calm, but the rage in his eyes could not be hidden. "But to catch a thief, you need stolen goods. We suspected the Leichi Squad after Mu Chao’s death, but we lacked any evidence. While we cannot convict them with what we have now, we are fully aware of their wolfish ambitions. The days are long; a dog won't just eat filth once. There will come a day when they show their true colors. I announce that, starting today, we will strike back at the Leichi Squad in every way possible, beginning right now."

All eyes turned to Geng Xiao. Ling Xiao asked, "Captain Geng, what do you intend to do?"

Geng Xiao stood up. "At the end of the day, using the Bristle-Magic Rat swarm to suppress our Fentian Squad was just a means for the Leichi Squad to complete their own demon-hunting mission. Their target is that Five-Bone Fire-Bristle Magic Rat. Dealing with a Five-Bone Fire-Bristle Magic Rat is no simple task. For now, Xiaoyuan, take Little Meng and Yu Le back to recover. Yuesu..."

Before Geng Xiao could finish, Yu Le, who had fallen back into a stupor, showed signs of distress again.

"So hot!"

As Gu Xiaoyuan reached out to check on Yu Le, she recoiled in pain the moment her small hand touched his skin. Seeing this, Han Yuesu immediately channeled her ice energy to suppress Yu Le’s rapidly rising body temperature. Only after Han Yuesu was covered in sweat did Yu Le’s breathing gradually steady. His eyelids fluttered, as if he were regaining consciousness.

Geng Xiao immediately called out, "Yu Le, are you awake?"

Yu Le blinked, opening his eyes with great exhaustion. Seeing Geng Xiao, the tension that had gripped his heart finally began to dissipate. "Captain Geng, the Bristle-Magic Rats..."

"All taken care of! You go back with Xiaoyuan and the others to recuperate." Seeing Yu Le was awake, Geng Xiao turned to instruct Gu Xiaoyuan. He then prepared to head toward the gas facility hub with Han Yuesu and Ling Xiao.

Unexpectedly, Yu Le reached out and grabbed the hem of Geng Xiao’s clothing. "Where are you going?"

Geng Xiao and Han Yuesu exchanged glances and shared their suspicions. Although they couldn't catch the Leichi Squad in the act, Geng Xiao’s fiery temper would not allow him to let this slide. If they wanted to harm his partners, he would go and trip them up in return. The Leichi Squad wants to successfully hunt that Five-Bone Fire-Bristle Magic Rat? It won’t be that easy!

After hearing Geng Xiao’s analysis and their plan, Yu Le’s expression darkened. The ones who had nearly cost him his life were not just the ferocious magic rats, but the Leichi Squad pulling strings behind the scenes? Damn it—no matter how evil the magic beasts are, they are nothing compared to the malice of human hearts!

"Captain Geng, can I go with you?" Yu Le requested.

"No!" Geng Xiao refused flatly. However, Meng Huai, who was also supposed to go back for treatment, chimed in, "I'm not going back. I nearly lost my life here; if I don't give the Leichi Squad a taste of their own medicine, I’m doing a disservice to my own hand!"

"Little Meng, why are you making trouble!" Geng Xiao chided.

Gu Xiaoyuan raised her hand. "Captain Geng, you saw Yu Le’s condition just now. If his temperature rises again, I’m afraid something bad will happen without the Captain’s help."

This... Geng Xiao looked at Han Yuesu. He had originally planned to take her and Ling Xiao to the Fire-Bristle Magic Rat’s location to see if they could cause some trouble for the Leichi Squad and collect some interest. But he had also seen Yu Le’s condition.

"Yuesu, what do you think?"

"Take Yu Le with us. I can keep an eye on him. As for the others..."

Meng Huai held his ground. "Either way, I’m not going back!"

Gu Xiaoyuan stuck out her tongue. "If the wounded aren't going back, I certainly can't go back either."

Su Rui: "And me..." He was silenced by a single glare from Geng Xiao.

Geng Xiao rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. Seeing this, Han Yuesu offered a rare, faint smile. "In that case, let’s all go together. The Fentian Squad has always faced things together."

"Yuesu, even you..."

"Wow, the Captain smiled! This is the first time I've ever seen her smile." Gu Xiaoyuan’s focus was so novel that Han Yuesu’s smile instantly vanished, replaced by her usual frost.

Geng Xiao, as captain, sighed helplessly. "Fine, let’s go together. Everyone, stay alert."

The group of seven headed toward their original destination.

At this moment, a fierce battle was breaking out at the gas conversion unit in the center of the gas plant. The situation for the six members of the Leichi Squad was not as favorable as they had anticipated. Two were already injured and on the ground; Su Chi’s combat suit was riddled with scorch marks from flames, and he looked quite disheveled. Fang Wensheng, the captain, was locked in close-quarters combat with the massive Fire-Bristle Magic Rat, while the other two teammates provided support from the sidelines.

"Captain, this Fire-Bristle Magic Rat is too strong!" a teammate, drenched in sweat, grimaced.

Fang Wensheng snorted coldly. "No matter what, we must slaughter this Fire-Bristle Magic Rat!"