“Return trip? Why?”
Wu Xiaomi’s decision was sudden, catching Han Nuo completely off guard.
[Han Nuo, are you hiding something from me?]
“Hiding something? No.”
[Look me in the eye and say: Zang Gu people don’t lie to Zang Gu people.]
“…” Han Nuo turned his head away. “Childish.”
[You’re afraid to. You’re hiding something.]
[That scientist doesn’t even exist, right? You made her up, didn’t you?]
Han Nuo was stunned. “Why would you think that… oh, right, everything is too coincidental.”
He suddenly nodded. “I see now. The mission intel was unclear, so your doubts are understandable. If it were me, I definitely wouldn’t carry out such a task.”
Negotiate?
Why didn’t his words reveal his dark intentions, or make him flustered when exposed?
“But she really is ahead of us. I’m surprised too. Maybe she heard rumors about Xinhua and intentionally headed this way. You don’t need to doubt it.”
Wu Xiaomi scratched her head blankly.
No!
Besides that, there’s something else you’re hiding!
“Are you worried about the forces protecting her behind the scenes?”
Before Wu Xiaomi even mentioned it, Han Nuo had already guessed.
“It’s the Syndicate,” Han Nuo admitted. “But we don’t have to clash with them. I’ve already negotiated the terms with the Syndicate.”
[Terms? Such an impressive scientist must have cost a lot of Points, right?]
“Of course,” Han Nuo looked at Wu Xiaomi meaningfully. “Small profits won’t make the Syndicate let go. There must be a return equal to their gain for the Syndicate to trade obediently.”
Oh! I get it!
Equivalent exchange, right!
I’m very familiar with that!
If so, then let’s continue—
“No!”
Bai Xiaozhi noticed the problem. “You must have run out of Points already. Missing Mirror Night, plus Kang Jie borrowing resources from you to build the rocket. Even if all Ark members pooled their Points together, how many could you really get?”
Han Nuo didn’t answer.
He just looked around.
“Speak!” The girl clenched her fists, already feeling a very bad sense of danger.
“Sigh—”
Han Nuo shrugged.
“You really can’t be fooled.”
Huh???
Is he really hiding a secret?
“Yes. The cost of the trade isn’t Points. Given the current state of the Ancient Burial District, there simply aren’t enough resources to exchange for her.”
“So…” Bai Xiaozhi gritted her teeth, “the price of the trade is… me and Wu Xiaomi, right?”
“No, don’t worry, it’s only Wu Xiaomi.”
Han Nuo smiled.
Because Syndicate people had already arrived; he could see dust clouds in the distance, converging from all directions.
“Heh, they still think… you’ve turned over a new leaf.”
“A dog can’t stop eating shit,” Han Nuo shrugged indifferently. “For the Ancient Burial District, you’re strong, have a long life ahead, and hold much value. So I won’t sell you. But Wu Xiaomi won’t live much longer.”
“…”
“Since you care so much about rebuilding, using a dying person’s life to exchange for the future of the Ancient Burial District and all humanity—isn’t that the best deal?”
Thunder Prison…
“Killing me is useless. Save your strength to deal with the Syndicate. They’re already here.”
A distant rumble sounded, unlike any animal mount.
It was… an engine!
The roar of a motor!
“Motorcycles.” Han Nuo sighed. “Sure enough, those organizations with technicians have already mastered the ability to produce simple machinery. If it weren’t for the ban on making conventional firearms within this space, they would have mass-produced guns and cannons long ago.”
Motorcycles—there were over a hundred riders, densely blocking all the streets and alleys.
Horses’ mobility could never compete with these machines, especially since Wu Xiaomi’s steed was a short-legged little thing…
Escape? That thought was immediately dismissed.
“Rooom—”
The engine noise suddenly grew louder. A crimson motorcycle soared over the crowd, shrouded in smoke, and landed right in front of Wu Xiaomi.
The motorcycle and the little alpaca stared at each other.
The little alpaca curled its lip disdainfully.
“Heh—tch!”
Before the rider could introduce herself, a precise spit landed on her helmet, smearing the goggles.
Well done!
Wu Xiaomi patted the little alpaca’s fluffy long neck in praise.
“…Rude little creature.”
The red-clad rider removed her helmet, shaking out her long red hair flattened by the helmet.
Clearly, she was the leader here. The surrounding motorcycle riders all deferred to her.
“So cute, just like in the video. This trade isn’t a loss.”
The woman looked at Wu Xiaomi with satisfaction and reached out to grab Wu Xiaomi’s chin to inspect her… but Bai Xiaozhi blocked her sword.
“Try anything funny with her again, and I’ll cut off your claws.”
“Oh? Oh, it’s you.” The woman nodded. “Watching your beloved girl being sold out by teammates, about to be separated by life and death—doesn’t that feel bad?”
Beloved girl?
Wu Xiaomi and Bai Xiaozhi simultaneously flushed red.
Don’t say things like that!
“Huh? What’s with your reaction? The whole world knows you two are lesbians—Bai Xiaozhi, the perverted yuri queen, and you’re just a little idiot with Stockholm Syndrome after being kidnapped by her…”
That was all an act! An act!
Wu Xiaomi flailed angrily.
She was about to write—
“That’s right,” Bai Xiaozhi bent down from her horse and patted Wu Xiaomi’s much shorter head, “since you know that, then you should also know that if I’m not killed, no one takes Wu Xiaomi away.”
“Ha.”
The woman laughed heartily.
“Little Han Nuo, how do you do business? So many years gone, and you still need your sister to clean up your mess?”
She knew Han Nuo?
Wait, Han Nuo said he once accepted a task to escort a scientist.
Could it be…
“Miss Nuo,” Han Nuo smiled slightly, “the terms of the trade never said ‘cannot bring Bai Xiaozhi.’”
“Sly fox… looks like we have to fight.”
“Why bother? You’re about to go to Xinhua.”
Han Nuo was completely unperturbed. He hadn’t even touched a weapon, and after Miss Nuo arrived, he even felt a little sleepy. “Just come with us. Otherwise, these two girls won’t care who you are.”
“A deal is a deal. Although I’m the local department leader here, and also part of the trade, if I don’t let these guys take her away, I’m afraid the Ancient Burial District won’t be safe for me either.”
“Afraid of assassination?”
“Who isn’t afraid of Syndicate assassinations? Besides, if the rules aren’t followed, the ones suffering won’t be just me.”
Miss Nuo twisted the motorcycle’s throttle, the engine making a charging sound.
She looked at Bai Xiaozhi. “Come on, let’s see who Wu Xiaomi belongs to.”
Bai Xiaozhi tightened the reins and drew her sword.
Suddenly…
“Heh—tch!”
Miss Nuo was caught off guard.
Wu Xiaomi raised the small slip of paper in her hand.
[Who do I belong to… Pfft! I belong to you, meow meow little chili pepper!]
[Even though I can’t see, listen carefully!!]
[From today on, I, Wu Xiaomi, officially declare war on the Syndicate!]
Meow meow, so frustrating.
Syndicate, Syndicate, I meow you meow meow meow!
These past few days, my ears are filled with those three words.
I’m so annoyed I could die!
So, even if the Earth explodes, do I still have to consider what the Syndicate thinks before doing anything?
[If they dare, let them come! I’ll log every single one of them! Bring them all on—!]
[Syndicate, huh? You call yourselves the Syndicate? Congratulations, you’ve been targeted by me, Wudiga!]
[You’re doomed!!!]
[(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻]
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