The phone screen went black.
Directly read but not replied.
First of all, Qiu Fu wouldn't punish him because Lu Ding was specially invited.
Even if there were punishments.
Wouldn't that be after the war ended?
Turning to Deputy Director Ji, Lu Ding spoke with a smile: "Deputy Director, let's make a plan?"
Deputy Director Ji's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.
Without thinking, he knew Lu Ding was up to something.
Whoever followed his lead would prosper, feasting until their mouths dripped with oil.
In principle, as a leader, he shouldn't act recklessly.
But who made him just the deputy director? When it came to all-out slaughter without distinguishing friend from foe, anything went.
He had his own personality tags.
So isn't it normal not to recognize the word "principle"?
His eyes gleamed: "Heh, let's make a plan then."
The two exchanged secret signals, arms around each other's shoulders.
Pointing and gesturing at the distant island.
Deputy Director Ji understood Lu Ding's intention.
"Your starting point is perfect - why should we always be one step behind?"
"If they can do it, so can we."
"But there are imperfect aspects too."
This was Lu Ding's spur-of-the-moment idea, so some details were naturally unclear.
He was willing to hear about the flaws.
"Then how would you improve it?"
Deputy Director Ji grinned: "Been waiting for you to ask."
Raising spiritual energy to shield both their bodycams, he continued:
"First, I fully support this approach personally - I'll charge alongside you when the time comes."
"But collectively, the investigators I brought from Lingshun can't directly charge with you."
"Let's be frank - I'll say it straight so you don't take it wrong. I mean no offense."
"If anything goes wrong and we get penalized, I don't care - I'm used to it like mosquitoes biting."
Deputy Director Ji said this nonchalantly.
Lu Ding smiled faintly - their rapport was good now, such things didn't matter.
He casually corrected: "Those are lice."
Unfazed, Deputy Director Ji laughed heartily: "Air force or army - they all bite."
Continuing: "You getting penalized doesn't matter anyway - and you won't be. How fond HQ and Yunhai 749 are of you!"
"But they can't afford it..."
With this hint from Deputy Director Ji.
Lu Ding's eyes sparkled!
Where there's a will, there's a way.
He'd caught the key point - "can't directly charge with you" implied indirect methods.
Indirect methods needed intermediaries... intermediaries...
Lu Ding glanced at the disappointed unorthodox Qi Refiners: "Heh heh heh..."
"What if they charge with me, while Lingshun 749 investigators 'maintain order', fearing these 'volunteer mercenaries' might go berserk? Wouldn't that..."
Deputy Director Ji pointed at Lu Ding: "Yes!! Brilliant!! Fucking brilliant!! Just like me back then!!"
"Investigators getting penalized is serious, but 'volunteers' aren't bureau personnel. If they volunteer to help, HQ won't complain unless it's major."
"Even if major, as long as we don topple the sky, sharing the blame won't amount to much."
They shared another knowing smile.
Lu Ding turned, channeling spiritual energy to announce: "Everyone!!!"
The shout instantly drew all eyes.
Most had already been stealing glances at him anyway.
The scholar-warrior sleeves, Yunhai's Corpse-Shattering Taishui - who wouldn't recognize him?!
MVP of the first battle.
This shout transformed surreptitious looks into full attention, all eyes locked on Lu Ding.
"Unfortunately, you arrived late today, but no matter."
Lu Ding raised two fingers: "I've decided to launch round two on that island across - I'll spearhead it."
"But fair warning - no official procedures this round. Maybe no merits, but definitely hardships. Materials and such - help yourselves."
"Just follow orders."
Clear terms prevent future disputes.
His brief speech immediately drew enthusiastic responses:
"What merits? Grand Guardian, you're being too formal!"
"Exactly! We're all straightforward here - no beating around bushes. We came because times are tough - our zombies are starving! Just let us eat, forget formalities!"
"Merits are optional. We couldn't care less. I just want to forge good artifacts with those bastards' lives!"
"Your Corpse-Shattering Taishui reputation rings loud enough to dent the ground! We know you're honorable - just leave us some soup, and we'll charge at your word!!"
"Let's be real - we all know why we're here. For things previously forbidden, now battlefield-legal!"
"We're unorthodox - famously bold yet meticulous. Only the obedient survive. Grand Guardian says chop? We won't slice! Says tear alive? We won't kill!"
The chatter grew until someone proposed: "Let's vote by grouping!"
"Enough talk - save Grand Guardian's breath. Those joining him, stand here without asking details."
"Those not joining, stand there. Not moving makes you turtles! Come on..."
Where there's organization, there's support.
Lu Ding's reputation?
If you're extremely righteous and orthodox, you might dislike him.
But if you're even slightly unconventional, unruly, or rebellious...
Among unorthodox circles...
The name Corpse-Shattering Taishui used to terrify them - his ruthless methods against their shady backgrounds.
The sense of security was incomparable.
Moreover, Lu Ding's cruel methods and domineering decisiveness perfectly matched the unorthodox Qi Refiners' might-makes-right philosophy.