Shortly after Lin Ming left the disaster zone he’d created in the park, Tiezhu arrived with the remaining seven squad members. Tiezhu snorted coldly. "Hmph! Based on what I gathered from bystanders, they headed this way."

"To cause trouble right on the street... that rich kid’s father is untouchable. I’ll have to catch those two to report back," Tiezhu growled fiercely, scanning the area.

"Hmm? That spot looks off. Xiao Wang, take two men and check it out!" Tiezhu pointed at the guard he’d slapped earlier.

"Yes, Tie... Squad Leader!" Xiao Wang had almost called him Tiezhu but changed his words at a single glare.

Xiao Wang led two guards, oblivious to danger, straight into Lin Ming’s disaster zone.

The moment they stepped in, an indescribable stench hit Xiao Wang—and that was it.

*Thud!* All three collapsed, foaming at the mouth.

"Holy crap! What the hell!" Tiezhu stared in shock at the fallen trio.

Tiezhu led the rest over. Sensing danger, he stopped at the perimeter. "You three, stay back. I’ll check," he ordered, blocking them.

Tiezhu cautiously entered the zone. A foul stench assaulted his senses, making him dizzy. Gritting his teeth, he pinched his nose, kicked the unconscious men out, and dashed back.

Gasping for fresh air, Tiezhu muttered, "Damn, this smell rivals a stink mink’s! If I weren’t an E Rank Mage, I’d have passed out."

Panting heavily, he glared at the area. "Damn, this is just the perimeter! How terrifying must the center be?"

"You lot, block your noses and carry those fools to the infirmary!" Tiezhu pointed at the able-bodied guards.

"Yes, sir!" They wrapped towels around their noses and carried off the unconscious men. Unlike Lin Ming, they lacked uniforms with purifying powers.

Tiezhu sighed at the contaminated ground. Channeling magic, he slammed his palms down. Stone walls instantly rose, sealing the zone.

After casting, Tiezhu’s legs buckled, his face pale. "Damn, I’m exhausted. Middle age makes magic tough—especially over such a large area," he groaned.

Tiezhu carved a warning on the wall. Dragging his weary body, he walked out. "Damn, this pursuit’s pointless. They’re already wiped out."

The wall read: "Warning: Contains weapons of mass destruction. Enter at your own peril!"

...

A crepe, folded into a cone, thin as paper with rich cheese aroma. Its surface still warm from the griddle, it exuded the perfect blend of egg, milk, and flour scents.

Yuhan He cradled it in both hands, eyes sparkling. *Nom!* She took a big bite, a satisfied smile spreading. "So delicious!"

Lin Ming smiled faintly beside her. He’d tricked her into buying dessert. Though he’d finish such a crepe in one bite, he was pleased—spending others’ money felt great, ignoring the staff’s scornful glares as Yuhan He paid.

They sat on a bench by a small fountain. Yuhan He stared intently at Lin Ming, waiting for his explanation of the nuclear-grade foot stench.

Lin Ming knew if he didn’t explain, he’d pay the bill—a thought he couldn’t bear. He cleared his throat solemnly. "I’ll briefly explain the reason now."

"Go ahead, I’m listening! *Munch*," she replied.

"It was a mission six months ago..." Lin Ming began.

"Headmaster Dugu Bai assigned me a task. The briefing only said to expel magic beasts from a village. I didn’t think much of it—just straightforward expulsion. Little did I know, that was the start of my mistake..."

When I reached the village, the chief revealed the beasts were stink minks. I wasn’t worried—my uniform had purifying powers. I followed him to the grain warehouse.

On the way, he explained, "It’s harvest season. Weak magic beasts from the mountains steal grain. Others are manageable, but stink minks release a foul stench when provoked. Once grain smells like that, who the hell would eat it?"

Yuhan He had finished her crepe, listening attentively. But she questioned, "But even stink minks aren’t that powerful! Senior, your foot stench could make a D Rank person collapse if they inhale it near the source."

Lin Ming snorted coldly. "Naive! These shoes? Damn custom-made with purifying powers—but only while wearing them. The stench you smelled was right after I took them off."

"Eh? Then why so strong? Ordinary stink minks aren’t that potent!" Yuhan He’s face showed deeper confusion. Stink minks were low-level beasts; such power made no sense.

Lin Ming covered his face, voice anguished. "Because only when releasing that stink mink did I realize—it wasn’t ordinary. It was a damn Purplegold Stink Mink King! That bastard looked normal except for purple eyes." He paused bitterly. "When I released it, it peed all over my shoes. You can imagine the consequences." He buried his face, on the verge of tears.

Yuhan He struggled to hold back laughter. She’d never seen Lin Ming so helpless—like he’d eaten something foul.

Lin Ming turned to her. Seeing her flushed face, he said flatly, "What’s so funny?"

"Pfft! Hahaha!"