"Heh heh, I guess it’s a case of ’no fight, no acquaintance.’ From now on, we’re comrades and need to be considerate of each other," Chen Xiong laughed heartily, a bit awkwardly. Seeing that Tang Zheng remained silent, he could only explain their purpose.
"Did you find me through Yi Ting?" Tang Zheng suppressed his doubts and asked calmly, "Are you the Alliance formed by the China Conqueror Organization?"
"Yeah, you killed Zhuo Lie, and if we didn’t step in, maybe more of our comrades would get killed by you," Chen Xiong sized up Tang Zheng curiously. "Although Chen Xiong is just a guy with Third-order Explosive Type Ability, his combat power is extraordinary. Your ability to take him down is indeed commendable."
"Hmph, it must have been due to some petty tricks that you won," Song Xiaotang grumbled, dissatisfied. She had already heard about their fight from Yi Ting.
"What’s your purpose? To woo me?" Tang Zheng didn’t bother with Song Xiaotang’s minor thoughts. The fact that this woman could get her hands on Hellfire and that peculiar Seed Ability made him wary.
"Of course, what else? Can’t you see I’m not a beauty? Who else would be so bored as to waste their leisure time to come find you? I’d rather go out and find some Eastern European babes, watch some AV together, and study a few positions than come to feel uncomfortable with you," Chen Xiong shot back with a grin.
"Chen Xiong, shut your filthy mouth," Song Xiaotang frowned slightly, annoyed at his inability to grow out of such shamelessness.
"Let’s change locations and sit down to talk. Chen Hong, you go home first." The villa had turned into ruins, obviously not a suitable place for conversation.
"No, I’m staying with you," Chen Hong didn’t want to leave Tang Zheng.
"Heh heh, ma’am, if you don’t start being more clever, you’re surely going to die. Tang Zheng is telling you to leave because he doesn’t trust us. Besides keeping you out of danger, it means he also wants you to inform others," Chen Xiong bluntly revealed Tang Zheng’s thoughts, then commended, "An excellent response—no wonder you’ve managed to keep a bunch of useless companions alive until now."
"More than useless, there’s a pregnant woman and two Little Lolis too," Song Xiaotang spoke resentfully, but her gaze toward Tang Zheng softened significantly this time. After all, a Conqueror like Tang Zheng who unconditionally rescues pregnant women and little girls was quite rare. Just this kindness alone was enough to put him above everyone else in the Alliance. "No, there’s still someone you can’t compare to."
"What?" Tang Zheng didn’t understand.
"Never mind, Xiaotang’s referring to a guy with a moral fetish. He just can’t stand not saving people or doing a good deed every day; it makes him uneasy." Being a Conqueror from the same period as Song Xiaotang, Chen Xiong naturally knew what she was thinking. "Alright, you pick a place. Let’s talk."
"Chen Hong, come with me." With that statement, they had handed the initiative to Tang Zheng, and he naturally returned the favor. If he remained cautious, it would only make him seem narrow-minded, stealing from others with a gentleman’s heart. Besides, Tang Zheng wasn’t afraid of these two—if he couldn’t beat them, he could always run away. After all, this was the real world where many moves couldn’t be used, and Conquerors definitely wouldn’t dare use full firepower.
Chen Hong was too scared, having lost her ability to judge the situation, and could only nod subconsciously.
Half an hour later, the four of them appeared in a teahouse. Chen Hong served them tea; their strength alone made her feel inferior.
Chen Xiong gave Song Xiaotang a glance, signaling her to speak.
"Are you all Third-order Explosive Types?" Tang Zheng cut straight to the point, uninterested in pleasantries.
"I’m Third-order; he’s Fourth Order," Song Xiaotang said proudly.
Hearing their response, Chen Hong’s hand shook, and she looked at them in shock. She wasn’t a Newbie; she understood what Third-order meant. Dantai and Qin Yan were so powerful, but they were only Second-order and First stage, respectively. This meant that for Tang Zheng to deal with these two before him would require some effort.
Chen Xiong leaned forward, gazing through the glass window at a waitress passing by in a cheongsam.
"Third-order Explosive Types are the minimum requirement to be invited to join the Conqueror Alliance," Song Xiaotang sighed and began to explain, knowing they would waste the whole night there if they depended on the never-serious Chen Xiong.
"Zhuo Lie was as well, right? So, the rest don’t have criteria, regardless of good or bad?" Tang Zheng didn’t approve of Zhuo Lie’s actions. To survive, he was willing to abandon any teammate, which was too cold-blooded.
"Heh heh, the Alliance isn’t a dictatorship. Some good-for-nothings sneaking in is inevitable," said Chen Xiong, rather nonchalant about these matters. "Besides, if you want to survive and reach the Holy Land, you inevitably have to cooperate with these powerful individuals. Only then can you stay alive."
"Aren’t you afraid of betrayal?" Chen Hong was astonished; she thought it was like making a deal with the tiger for its skin.
"Heh heh, that’s exactly why the Conqueror Alliance demonstrates its value. Just like last time, when you and Zhuo Lie’s Team took part in the Game. If you had cooperated right from the start, more people could have survived. But you all did a terrible job," Song Xiaotang complained, criticizing Tang Zheng.
"I’m sorry, but I disagree. Thanks to Tang Zheng’s efforts, those who died in our team were the disobedient and useless Newbies," Chen Hong boldly defended Tang Zheng, and she was telling the truth.
"You were just lucky. What if you encountered a Fourth-order Burst Seed Conqueror? Together, you wouldn’t stand a chance. Cooperation is a win-win situation; it’s not a life-or-death Team Battle," Song Xiaotang couldn’t understand their mindset.
"How can you ensure they won’t stab us in the back?" Chen Hong was skeptical; she had seen too much intrigue, and the world of Conquerors was even crueler. Check latest chapters at NoveIＦire.net
"During cooperation, unless an attacked Team is completely wiped out, the survivors can return and inform us. We’ll mobilize as a group to Punish those who break the rules," Song Xiaotang declared emphatically, showing her loyalty to the Alliance.
"What if the one who comes back isn’t an Ordinary Conqueror member of the Alliance? Where would they find you?" Chen Hong pressed on; she was no fool when it came to matters of interest.
"If a Third-order Conqueror dies, we’ll investigate," Song Xiaotang looked down on women like Chen Hong and glared at her, "Tang Zheng, you have to understand, we’re not begging you to join the Alliance. Joining would benefit you greatly. Those Ordinary Conquerors who want to join don’t even know how to do it."
"Oh, then I’m sorry, but I must excuse myself," Tang Zheng rose to leave. He didn’t like Song Xiaotang’s condescending attitude, as if she was doing him a favor.
PS, Things haven’t been going well these past few days, and I got a fever again. Fortunately, after getting an injection, I feel much better. I hope this spell of bad luck passes soon! (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please vote and give monthly votes at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)