Chapter 122 - 115: Second Enhancement
Once he arrived, Zou Jianghe pushed Huang Tao aside and took the central spot.
Noticing Zou Jianghe’s sidelong glance, Huang Tao was inwardly furious, but on the surface, he still greeted him politely. "Chairman Zou, you got here fast."
Zou Jianghe smiled faintly. "I’ve been meaning to contact Mr. Qin recently. It seems this is a coincidence."
As he spoke, he kept his eyes fixed on Qin Ziwen, his gaze sharp. In his eyes, this man seemed to be shrouded in mist.
Although their Alliance Association controlled two altars, these altars were not his personal property.
Nor could he brazenly pocket all the Cards for himself.
He was certain that this Qin Ziwen had control over a secret altar location, and possibly more than one.
"Oh? He’s joined the Alliance Association too?" Qin Ziwen glanced at Huang Tao beside him.
Zou Jianghe said, "Of course. Mr. Huang is now a member of our Alliance as well. He joined almost a week ago."
"So what terms did you give him?"
Before Zou Jianghe could speak, Huang Tao spoke up. "The Alliance Association purchases products from my woodworking cabin at cost, provides me with high-quality lumber at cost, and sends apprentices to learn woodworking from me."
Zou Jianghe shot Huang Tao a look.
"Mr. Qin, join our Alliance Association. In this time of crisis for the Gated Community, we need outstanding individuals like you to join our big family."
Qin Ziwen said blandly, "Chairman Zou, my moral standards aren’t very high, so don’t try to guilt-trip me. If there’s a suitable opportunity, we can cooperate. But as for joining your esteemed association, let’s forget it."
Zou Jianghe said, "Do you find the terms too harsh? We can actually negotiate them."
Huang Tao froze. ’The terms are negotiable? That’s not what you fucking told me.’
"It’s not about the terms."
"SCREEE~"
The Beaked Eagle let out a cry, swooping in from above to circle overhead.
Du Yu hurried over from a distance. A Precepts Saber was at his waist and a Compound Bow was in his hand, an arrow nocked on the string. He stopped fifty paces away—a distance from which he never missed.
"Chairman Zou, or are you saying there can only be one voice in this Gated Community?"
Zou Jianghe was silent for a moment, then shook his head with a derisive laugh. "You must be joking, Mr. Qin. The Alliance Association is a place for everyone to have a voice. How could there be only one? Perhaps I was just too eager in my search for talent and acted too hastily, causing a misunderstanding. I hope we’ll have a chance to cooperate in the future."
Zou Jianghe turned his head to look at Du Yu in the distance, and at Zhao Pu behind him.
After saying his piece, Zou Jianghe led his men away. There was nothing more to be said; staying was pointless. He couldn’t grovel any further.
Huang Tao showed no reaction to Zou Jianghe’s departure. He just leaned in close and lowered his voice. "No hard feelings if the deal didn’t work out. If you have any ideas for cooperation later, you can come find me. Zou Jianghe may be the Alliance Leader, but the price I can offer might be higher than his."
With a slight smile, Huang Tao turned and left.
...
Once the group was a good distance away, Du Yu walked over quickly, Bow in hand.
"Sir, are you all right?"
"I’m fine." Qin Ziwen shook his head, a little puzzled. "How did you guys get here?"
Du Yu was even more surprised. "Didn’t you send the Beaked Eagle to notify us, Sir? It flew over and tugged on my clothes just now. I thought you sent it."
Qin Ziwen turned to look at the Beaked Eagle, which was standing beside him with its head held high and chest puffed out. The creature had its wings tucked in, its chest puffed way out, and its eyes darted around. Since being enhanced, its intelligence seemed to have taken a quantum leap.
Qin Ziwen ruffled the feathers on its head and said with a laugh, "You clever little thing."
Du Yu pondered for a moment before suggesting, "Sir, let’s move as a group from now on."
Zhao Pu also looked worried. "Mr. Qin, there’s definitely more safety in numbers."
Qin Ziwen didn’t refuse. "Alright, let’s stick together. In a bit, we can try circling up from the other side of the mountain. It’s a longer route, but it should still lead to the cave."
After the seven of them regrouped, they first headed for the stream.
Along the way, Li Yue couldn’t help but complain, "That group just now, they were all from the Alliance Association, right?"
Deng Guang replied, "They are. The one who looks like a smiling tiger is their chairman, Zou Jianghe."
Li Yue immediately got angry. "Those guys are way too domineering! Was that supposed to be a recruitment pitch? Anyone who didn’t know better would’ve thought they were here to rob us. No wonder so many people in the Gated Community can’t stand them. They walk around like they own the place, expecting everyone to get out of their way."
"COUGH, COUGH, COUGH—" Deng Guang suddenly covered his mouth and coughed violently.
Li Yue didn’t get it and turned to ask him, "Brother Deng, don’t you think I’m right?"
Deng Guang looked at the foolish kid and said grimly, "We’ve got a member of the Alliance Association sitting right here with us."
Li Yue’s expression froze instantly.
Zhao Pu waved his hand with a chuckle. "Mr. Qin was the one who approved my joining the Alliance Association. If he wants me to, I can quit anytime."
"S-Sorry, Brother Zhao, I really didn’t know..." Li Yue apologized hastily.
Zhao Pu didn’t mind. "Actually, you’re not wrong. It’s no secret that some people within the Alliance Association have a bad attitude."
Hearing him say this, Qin Ziwen and the others all looked at him curiously.
Zhao Pu continued, "It’s just that after joining, some members use their status to bully others in trades, forcing them to buy or sell. And some of the good resource spots have been taken over by teams flying the Alliance Association’s flag. I’ve heard there have been several conflicts recently. On top of that, word is two of the altars have practically become the Alliance Association’s private property, and they don’t let anyone near them."
Qin Ziwu frowned. "So domineering."