Chapter 445: Chapter 445 Wasteland (Seven)_1 Chapter 445: Chapter 445 Wasteland (Seven)_1 Just a few seconds had passed, and the oppressive black and white ash dispersed completely, the surrounding scene returning to normal.
Accompanied by the squelching sound of clapping, a figure completely shrouded in a cloak approached not far from Fu Qian, sizing him up and down.
“What a pity, I actually quite liked this outfit.”
Fu Qian’s first reaction, however, was not to address him but to look down at his own clothes.
The desiccated bone spear had punctured through the waist area, leaving a sizable hole in his thick coat.
“I must say, your performance was even better than I anticipated!”
The man in front didn’t take offense but instead reached up to remove his hood, praising Fu Qian all the while.
“Flattery will get you nowhere, what’s your name?”
Having finished feeling sentimental, Fu Qian now looked up and humbly asked.
The man before him appeared to be in his thirties, of average build, with pupils black as ink, exuding an eerie depth.
“Ji Yicheng.”
The newcomer revealed his name with a smile.
Last name Ji?
No wonder he looked familiar; he must be related to that classmate, Ji Ping, in some way or another.
“So just now… were you challenging me?”
Fu Qian glanced towards where the monster had fallen, while pointing at the hole in his clothes.
Without waiting for a reply, he ejected the magazine from his pistol, tipped the barrel upward, and let the empty shells clatter to the ground.
He then took out new bullets and, right in front of Ji Yicheng, began reloading them one by one.
“Just a greeting, though if you really had been too weak, you would indeed have died in there.”
Ji Yicheng watched Fu Qian’s actions, his expression unchanged, speaking in a light tone.
“As it turns out, there was something exceptional about you that allowed you to survive.”
“What kind of experiences led you to abandon your position so decisively?”
“I abide by professional ethics.”
Fu Qian reinserted the loaded magazine and slowly said.
“Don’t worry, those following you have been drawn away, and no one will know the content of our conversation.”
Ji Yicheng’s face bore a slight smile, persuasive and gentle.
“It’s a pity, but my answer still has to be ‘I don’t know.'”
Fu Qian continued to shake his head.
He was telling the truth; his mind was shattered when he came here, he had no idea what had happened the day before.
“Good, I like people with principles.”
Not getting an answer, Ji Yicheng didn’t seem to get angry.
“Have you considered joining us?”
“You may not realize it, but your current situation isn’t looking so great. Whether you stick to your principles or not, the Siren folks may not be so reasonable.”
“Here in the wasteland, so far, the Ji Family is the only force that could be considered a match for them, ensuring your safety would not be an issue.”
“It sounds very convincing, I seem to have no reason to refuse.”
Fu Qian, wearing a mask, rubbed his temples with his hand.
“I suppose you’re about to say ‘but’?”
Ji Yicheng watched him, amused.
“Yes, but—”
Fu Qian flashed the card that Old Master Tieer had given him.
“I’ve already taken up the old gentleman’s offer and am preparing to collaborate with him.”
Old Master Tieer’s imposing air just now, his disregard for the Siren Group evident, plus adding the Ji Family into the mix shouldn’t be too problematic—right?
“Tieer.”
Ji Yicheng paused for a moment and then shook his head with a smile.
“He is an interesting man, but unfortunately, he is also from a bygone era, his time has passed.”
“The more chaotic a place is, the more you’ll appreciate the value of an organization.”
“It won’t just increase the odds of your survival, it’ll also greatly accelerate your rise in ranks.”
“This isn’t a threat, just telling you a fact.”
“I do recognize that.”
Fu Qian nodded and gestured around.
“By the way, what was that just now?”
“You don’t even recognize Ashfall?”
Surprise appeared on Ji Yicheng’s face for the first time.
“If you want that ability, I can only sincerely say I’m sorry. It stems from a true talent, and not even everyone in our family can master it.”
“You’re thinking too much, I just found it familiar.”
Fu Qian shook his head.
“I met someone called Ji Ping before, he had a similar move.”
“Ji Ping?”
When Ji Yicheng repeated the name, visible disgust appeared on his face.
“Just a delusional waste with no talent, only thinking about dabbling in crooked ways.”
Was this Ji Ping actually another Huang Yuanchang?
Without having awakened the family’s inherited ability, did he cobble together one by means of Limb Attachment?
From Ji Yicheng’s reaction, a host of plot points swiftly emerged in Fu Qian’s mind.
“So after all this talk, have you changed your mind?”
Ji Yicheng clearly didn’t want to linger on the topic, and with a change of tone, he directly asked.
“No.”
Fu Qian’s reply was very straightforward.
“I guessed as much.”
“Do you know what the vice of mortals is? It’s always thinking they’re important.”
“Actually, contrary to your belief, I’m not interested in knowing anything from you.”
“Don’t believe me? You found a new entrance down there, didn’t you? And there’s a huge mirror inside? ”
“I even know that, besides the cannon fodder you found from the outside, two of Siren’s own people have died.”
“Keep talking, I’m listening.”
As Fu Qian listened, he nodded frequently—information practically delivered to his doorstep!
“Such ridiculous persistence.”
Seeing Fu Qian still putting on airs, Ji Yicheng scoffed.
“What did you sneak out from there? Feathers on the ground?”
“Don’t slander my professional ethics, I wasn’t even aware I hid anything.”
Fu Qian immediately retorted.
“Perhaps. And that might be why you’re not dead.”
Ji Yicheng stared at Fu Qian, then shook his head after a moment.
“Anyway, my earlier invitation still stands. Whenever you figure it out, you can come and find me.”
“In fact, if you were smart enough, you should realize you no longer have a choice, for even if Siren’s people don’t know about this conversation, just what I disclosed earlier gives them enough reason.”
With a laugh, the figure swaggered away.
What a lively place indeed!
Watching his retreating figure, Fu Qian reflected.
Five bullets wasted, but it wasn’t entirely for nothing.
This brother with an over-the-top manner had still told him quite a bit of valuable information.
The Siren Group found a mirror in the underground ruins? Hard to imagine what it looked like.
And Ji Yicheng even mentioned feathers.
It seemed that place could really be his target.
But this made his task somewhat daunting.
Completely hiding the Secret Angel Dungeon, taken literally, means at least making it disappear from human sight.
But now there were quite a few people who knew about that place, and both major factions were eyeing it covetously.
Thinking of burying the dungeon completely? It seemed like a tremendous project and not necessarily effective.
Burying those in the know? That was a thought.