“Do you truly believe you are qualified to speak with me?”
Chen Xiao stared at Team Leader Zhang, a smile suddenly gracing his lips.
He had spared Zhang’s life at the entrance of the main camp earlier, yet the man still dared to seek him out for trouble.
“Heh, I’m not qualified to speak with you?”
Team Leader Zhang sneered arrogantly, “Then this certainly is!”
He gestured to the gun in his hand.
However, the moment he finished his last word, the gun in his hand suddenly pointed downwards, its barrel bending as if it were melting chocolate.
“What’s going on?”
Team Leader Zhang was utterly bewildered, completely unable to comprehend what had happened. Then, he suddenly felt his entire body tighten.
His body was squeezed together as if being grasped by an invisible force. Bones snapped, eyeballs bulged, and flesh was forced out of his body, like a banana being crushed.
In mere moments, the once swaggering Team Leader Zhang had been reduced to a pulp of flesh and blood!
Everyone present was stunned. Although many of them were martial artists, their strength was merely exceptional among ordinary people. They had never witnessed such a terrifying and bizarre scene.
Luo Xingquan, in particular, was filled with dread. He had long heard of Chen Xiao’s exploits, such as single-handedly facing five S-class ability users in Jiangcheng, or causing chaos in Japan and killing the Japanese Emperor…
But he had assumed Chen Xiao would show some restraint within the Tian Ce Army’s main camp.
He never expected Chen Xiao to kill someone right before his eyes, and with him being utterly powerless to intervene.
At this moment, his guards were all silent as if struck by lightning, trembling uncontrollably, their hands too shaky to hold their guns steady.
Conversely, from within the Tian Ce Army, someone shouted, “Tian Ce Army, prepare for battle!”
Following the command, hundreds of men quickly formed ranks, their spears pointed directly at Chen Xiao.
Chen Xiao blinked in surprise, looking at them incredulously, “I speak up for you, and you turn against me?”
“The dignity of the Tian Ce Army brooks no insult!”
The man who had shouted earlier stated sternly.
Chen Xiao grinned, his previous good impression of these young men vanishing instantly.
Perhaps they had their own rules, their own beliefs and principles.
But in Chen Xiao’s eyes, those who were inflexible were not worth nurturing.
Seeing this, Liu Yu reprimanded them sharply, “Stand down! Do you know who he is?”
“He is Chen Xiao! A distinguished guest of the Martial God Xiao!”
The faces of the Tian Ce Army soldiers immediately showed expressions of shock.
There was no need for further introduction; the name ‘Chen Xiao’ spoke for itself.
“I was unaware that you were Mr. Chen. I apologize for my earlier offense. Please forgive me, Mr. Chen Xiao…”
The soldier who had shouted quickly apologized.
Chen Xiao waved his hand, “It’s fine. Strictly speaking, you weren’t entirely wrong.”
“Thank you, Mr. Chen!”
The soldier’s heart leaped with joy upon hearing Chen Xiao’s words.
Did he just earn Mr. Chen’s appreciation? Would Mr. Chen impart some of his skills to him?
He was still basking in his self-satisfaction, unaware that he had just cost himself… no, the entire Tian Ce Army, a monumental opportunity!
With a formidable enemy about to emerge, Chen Xiao needed a group of warriors who were both brave and resourceful, capable of standing on their own.
And based on the overall performance of the Tian Ce Army soldiers, they were clearly not up to par.
It was precisely because he had such soldiers under his command that Xiao Zhan was being sidelined. It seemed the title of Martial God was not applicable to him.
Consequently, Chen Xiao’s evaluation of Xiao Zhan also diminished.
While the Tian Ce Army soldiers rejoiced at Chen Xiao’s arrival, Luo Xingquan, however, detected disappointment in Chen Xiao’s gaze.
This realization immediately delighted him. If he could recruit a formidable general like Chen Xiao to his own side, it would be a great achievement!
“Everyone, stand down!”
“Do you wish to die by daring to point your guns at Mr. Chen?”
Luo Xingquan ordered his subordinates to cease their actions, as if they would have dared to fire if he hadn’t intervened.
As for Team Leader Zhang, who had been crushed into a pulp, Luo Xingquan chose to ignore him.
“Heh, so you are Mr. Chen. I have long admired your great name, which echoes like thunder. My subordinates were blind, please do not hold it against Mr. Chen!”
Luo Xingquan acted as if he had only just learned that the person before him was Chen Xiao.
His attitude towards Chen Xiao became extremely respectful and fawning.
“Heh, it’s nothing, it’s nothing.”
Chen Xiao sized up this despicable individual, wondering what scheme he was hatching.
“Mr. Chen’s arrival brings great honor to our Tian Ce Army main camp. May I inquire if you have any important matters to discuss, sir?”
Luo Xingquan asked tentatively.
Upon hearing this, Liu Yu immediately understood Luo Xingquan’s intentions. She quickly interjected, “Mr. Chen is here to see Deputy Commander Xiao. Deputy Commander Xiao is currently engaged on the front lines and has instructed me to receive Mr. Chen.”
Her statement primarily aimed to alert Chen Xiao.
Chen Xiao instantly understood. This scoundrel Luo Xingquan actually intended to win him over.
Liu Yu’s subtle maneuver was naturally no match for Luo Xingquan.
He feigned anger, “This Deputy Commander Xiao is truly acting out of line. Given Mr. Chen’s status, even Commander Song himself receiving you would not be excessive. Now that Commander Song is absent, I naturally cannot refuse the responsibility of hosting you!”
The implication was that Liu Yu’s rank was too low to host Chen Xiao.
This infuriated Liu Yu, but she had no way to refute it, and could only hope that Chen Xiao would not align with him.
However, she did not anticipate Chen Xiao suddenly saying, “Deputy Commander Luo, speaking of which, I do have one matter that requires your assistance.”
“Mr. Chen, please speak freely!”
Luo Xingquan replied heartily.
“I have a younger brother named Chi Hao. I heard he is currently being held here by you.”
Chen Xiao stated calmly.
“Chi Hao?”
Luo Xingquan’s gaze narrowed slightly, clearly not having heard of this person.
“He was formerly a member of the Jiangcheng branch of the Exorcism Division.”
Chen Xiao reminded him.
“Oh~~”
Luo Xingquan suddenly understood. Chen Xiao must be referring to that vampire!
“Chi Hao… is indeed here.”
Luo Xingquan had intended to say he was being held here, but upon remembering Chen Xiao affectionately calling him a younger brother, he changed his wording.
“Deputy Commander Luo, I appreciate your trouble!”
Chen Xiao cupped his hands towards Luo Xingquan, his intention clear.
Luo Xingquan naturally understood Chen Xiao’s meaning and made a gesture, “Mr. Chen, please follow me!”
“You two, wait for me here for a moment. I’ll be right back.”
Chen Xiao said to Xiao Hei and Chu Qingluan, then followed Luo Xingquan.
It was not quite as Chen Xiao had imagined. He had expected Chi Hao to be held in a place resembling a prison.
However, Luo Xingquan actually led Chen Xiao into a three-story building that appeared normal on the outside but was filled with a futuristic ambiance within.
With carbon fiber flooring, walls encased in titanium alloy, and automatic sensor-activated lightweight doors, Chen Xiao felt as if he had stepped into the cabin of a spaceship upon entering.
“Mr. Chen, please wait a moment. I will have someone fetch Mr. Chi Hao.”
Luo Xingquan led Chen Xiao into a room and said respectfully.
After speaking, he walked out and returned, holding several bottles of beverages.
“The conditions in the Northern Territory are harsh, and it’s difficult to even get a cup of hot tea. Please make do with this, Mr. Chen.”
Luo Xingquan casually tossed a bottle of beverage to Chen Xiao, then opened one for himself and took a large gulp.
“Mr. Chen, what are your thoughts on Xiao Zhan?”
Luo Xingquan suddenly asked.
“Oh? In what regard?”
Chen Xiao took the beverage and held it in his hand but did not open it.
“Hmm, let me rephrase. Compared to Commander Song, who do you have a higher evaluation of regarding Xiao Zhan?”
Luo Xingquan inquired.
“I haven’t met Song Anbang, so I cannot comment.”
Chen Xiao replied indifferently.
“Heh, one doesn’t need to meet someone to understand them. Take me, for instance. I have never met Mr. Chen, yet my admiration for you overflows from the very depths of my heart… Commander Song endured hardship and waited patiently for years, remaining silent until his moment of glory. Doesn’t that speak volumes?”
Luo Xingquan continued with his convoluted speech.
“What exactly are you trying to say?”
Chen Xiao began to feel impatient.
“Very well, then I shall speak plainly!”
Luo Xingquan tilted his chin slightly and spoke eloquently, “As the saying goes, a wise bird chooses its tree. Mr. Chen, let me tell you the truth: Xiao Zhan is like a grasshopper in autumn, he won’t be able to cause trouble for much longer. You should leave Xiao Zhan’s side as soon as possible and pledge your allegiance to Commander Song.”
“With both your strength and my wisdom, Commander Song will undoubtedly be like a tiger with wings. Your power combined with my intelligence will make us formidable adversaries, unmatched anywhere in the world.”
“The sky is vast for birds to fly, and the sea is deep for fish to swim. At that time, in this expansive world, we will have boundless opportunities!”
Luo Xingquan spoke with great passion. Chen Xiao, upon hearing these words, didn’t know where to begin his critique.
“Wait!”
Chen Xiao interrupted Luo Xingquan’s grand ambitions and asked, “Are you implying that you believe I am currently Xiao Zhan’s subordinate?”
“Otherwise?”
Luo Xingquan stated matter-of-factly, “You interact with him closely, and if I may be so bold, despite your strength, you have no background. If not for Xiao Zhan, would you still be alive?”
Only then did Chen Xiao realize that in the eyes of some people, he was actually affiliated with Xiao Zhan.
And perhaps, there were quite a few people who held this notion.
“Mr. Chen, Xiao Zhan has already lost his influence. Those who were afraid to trouble you out of respect for him will likely come to settle scores. This is the perfect opportunity for you to switch your allegiance to Song Anbang!”
Luo Xingquan believed his words were clear and logical. As long as Chen Xiao wasn’t a fool, he would make the correct choice.
Little did he know, Chen Xiao and he were not on the same plane of existence.
Chen Xiao’s vision was limited to a small patch of sky, the extent of his lifelong struggles, which he pretentiously called an expansive world.
Unbeknownst to him, Chen Xiao’s heart encompassed the destiny of the entire Blue Star!
In essence, their understanding of the world was on entirely different dimensions.
Therefore, Chen Xiao let out a cold laugh and disdainfully said, “In this world, no one is qualified to make me, Chen Xiao, work for them!”