Chapter 112: Deals, Schemes, and Unexpected Encounters

Feng Wen really wasn’t the brightest. That’s exactly why Xia Qing chose her as a roommate.

Feng Wen was eight years younger than her brother Feng Teng. When their parents were alive, she was pampered. After they passed, her brother took care of her—but anyone with eyes could see Feng Teng was only doing it to eventually trade her for money or a better future, maybe both.

Only, Feng Teng never saw it coming—before he could sell his sister off, his own life was claimed by the Azure Dragon Unit.

Xia Qing had always been quiet. Xu Juan was used to it by now. After a few bites of meat, she pressed on, “You’re not really with Hu Zifeng, are you?”

During the second Xiang Rain, when Territory Two sent Evolved Rats to check if Luo Pei was in Plot One, they also unleashed plenty into surrounding lands. The moment Hu Zifeng sent both of his smell-enhanced teammates to Territory Three to catch rats, Territory Two took notice. So, to throw them off, Hu Zifeng started pretending to pursue Xia Qing.

Since the Azure Dragon Unit had bought Mountain 49, the third-in-command Luo Pei had detoxed and still hung around Plot One. Tang Zhengbo had also moved to Territory Twelve. Plus, that whole area had Zhang San and Li Si—two major players—so the Safe Zone kept a close eye on it. Knowing that Hu Zifeng was “courting” her didn’t surprise Xia Qing one bit.

She muttered, “Not yet.”

‘Not yet’ meant Xia Qing was a little tempted, but hadn’t agreed. At this stage, the one pursuing her would still be trying hard to impress. Hu Zifeng would keep up his act until the security squad’s mission was over.

Xu Juan eyed Xia Qing for a while, then sighed. “You say Feng Wen isn’t bright, but you’re not much better. If you want a man, pick Boss Luo. He’s a level ten vision evolver—the best sharpshooter we’ve got at the base.”

Nibbling on a chicken wing, Xia Qing reminded her, “Juan-jie, you might want to keep it down. If the Azure Dragon Unit gets wind of this, we’re in trouble.”

Even though it was a private room, the thin walls couldn’t block a Hearing Evolver for a second.

Xu Juan gave her a look, then lowered her voice to keep urging, “You saved my life, you know. I honestly hope you have it better. Luo Pei’s a good guy, and he definitely likes you. Otherwise, he wouldn’t keep taking you out on missions.”

Xia Qing just rolled her eyes and put a chicken leg in Xu Juan’s bowl. “He’s teamed up with lots of female evolvers. Does he like every single one? Eat up, Juan-jie, before I finish all the meat.”

Xu Juan snatched up the chicken leg and tore off a chunk. “Fine, let’s drop it. Is your territory still just you? That’s way too lonely. Maybe bring back a couple more folks this time to help out.”

Xia Qing shook her head. “Don’t need to. I’m a Strength Evolver—working a couple mu of farmland is nothing for me.”

Xu Juan chuckled. “You really are a natural-born farmer. But you shouldn’t just live to plant crops, right?”

Xia Qing actually had something in mind. “If life gets a little better, I’d like to hire a decent cook. But finding one of those isn’t easy.”

Honestly, finding a cook might even be harder than asking Third Brother. Knowing him, he probably has a cooking robot hidden away.

Xu Juan nodded. “True enough. Workers are easy to find. A good cook—someone you trust with your food—has to be totally reliable.”

After the meal, Xia Qing politely turned down Xu Juan’s invitation to keep partying at a bar, then left the restaurant, hoping to settle accounts with Zhao Jie and his crew. Suddenly, a car horn sounded. She stepped closer to the wall, hand going straight to her new knife.

If someone tried anything tonight, it was the perfect chance to see just how sharp her new blade really was.

The car pulled up beside her, window rolling down. Inside, Feng Wen waved. “Been waiting forever—get in!”

Xia Qing couldn’t be bothered. She kept walking.

Feng Wen had the driver stop. Clicking along in high heels, she rushed to block Xia Qing’s path. “Come see Young Master Tang with me. This is a big opportunity!”

Xia Qing stared at her, eyes cold. Feng Wen clearly didn’t want to mess with this powerhouse, so she got straight to the point. “It’s about your territory. Come on, don’t miss out—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance!”

“Not interested.” Xia Qing strode on.

Feng Wen didn’t dare block her, but trotted alongside in her heels, whispering, “Tang-shao wants to discuss partnering up to develop your territory. Don’t worry, with me there you won’t lose out.”

Xia Qing kept right on walking.

Unable to hold back, Feng Wen complained, “You’ve been gone half a year and still got that rotten attitude. What’s so bad about going once? It’s not like you’ll lose a limb.”

Xia Qing stopped and stared straight at her. “Is it Tang-shao who wants to meet me, or do you just want to drag me along for him?”

The Tang Family never stopped investigating why the Azure Dragon Unit bought Mountain 49, or how Luo Pei got healed. Xia Qing had always been close with Plot One. Tang Zhengbo and Tang Huai had both probed for answers from her before, only to leave empty-handed.

If Tang Rui wanted to connect with a Mountain 49 area lord, he’d pick Zhao Ze or Kuang Qingwei, not her. So Xia Qing figured eager-to-please Feng Wen had taken it upon herself to drag her over to meet Tang Rui.

She tested the theory—and sure enough, she was spot on.

Feng Wen stepped closer, reaching for Xia Qing’s hand. Xia Qing took a step back and drew her knife, its black blade cold and sinister. The Tang Family’s driver gave her a glance but didn’t lift a finger.

Feng Wen froze, pleading softly, “Please, Xia Qing, just help me this once. Soon as I marry into the Tang Family, I won’t forget your kindness.”

Better if you forgot me entirely. Before Xia Qing could reply, Shi Du called out, “Qing-jie, what a coincidence! Want to walk back to the hotel together?”

When he saw Xia Qing being blocked, Shi Du ran over, two armed bodyguards trailing him.

“If you want something, earn it yourself. Don’t come pestering me again, or I’ll send you to reunite with your brother.” Putting her knife away, Xia Qing walked with Shi Du until they lost Feng Wen. Then she waved him ahead. “Go on, I’ve still got something to do.”

Shi Du agreed with a cheerful “Oh!” and headed off with his friends, all joking and shoving each other.

Xia Qing didn’t get far before Sun Zhe called her name, forcing her to stop again.

Inside a black car by the roadside, Xie Yu, just slipping on a mask and about to get out, paused and sighed, pulling out his phone to send a message:

If you want to win her over, you’d better learn how to cook.

At the seaside near Gui San Base, three armored vehicles waited. Three small submarines had been submerged for two days and still hadn’t surfaced. The crews inside the vehicles grew more anxious by the minute.

“Someone’s coming up!” The Hearing Evolver on the shore shouted, and a dozen people rushed over.

Ripples spread on the calm sea as Yang Jin, using an octopus arm thicker than his own waist, dragged two unconscious Blazing Fire Unit members onto the shore. Their squad medic rushed over to treat the wounded immediately.

Yang Jin climbed into the Azure Dragon Unit’s armored vehicle and peeled off his wetsuit.

Wang Liang handed Yang Jin his phone. “Boss, what about the other Blazing Fire Unit folks?”

“One sub got attacked by a giant octopus. Huo Fenghuang took people out to chase it.” Yang Jin chugged a bag of premium nutrient solution to restore his strength before checking his phone.

Seeing Xie Yu’s message, he finally remembered today was the Hui San Base’s Produce Trade Fair. He typed back:

Don’t talk nonsense in front of her.

Xie Yu: Ha, I’d love to.

Yang Jin raised his eyebrows. If Xie Yu was right, Xia Qing was busy. But what was she working on?

“Buzz. Buzz.”

Feeling her pocket vibrate twice, Xia Qing told Sun Zhe, “I’ve got something to deal with. Let’s chat in detail back at the hotel.”

After Sun Zhe left, Xia Qing checked to make sure there were no cameras or people who could see her phone. Only then did she pull out her old cell. Sure enough, both her phone numbers had just received the same message from the same sender.