Chapter 12 – Business and Friendship

Volume 3: Rising Winds and Clouds

Seeing Kuangliu's straightforward attitude, Wen Yu smiled at him.

"Thank you."

"It was no trouble. Now, can we get down to business?"

Kuangliu knew perfectly well that a minor favor like that wasn't enough to make Sequence 2 go through the trouble of initiating contact with the Military Headquarters.

Wen Yu pondered for a moment before speaking slowly.

"I want to make a deal with you!"

…

"I have a life-and-death friend. On his deathbed, he entrusted his daughter to me."

"I'm currently in Mudanjiang City, and I have some matters to handle here. I won't be able to reach Yanjing City in the short term. So, I want to ask the Military to help me find someone and protect her until I arrive in Yanjing."

"In exchange, I am willing to resolve one matter for the Yanjing Military!"

"But only one, and I reserve the right to refuse the mission!"

After hearing Wen Yu out, Kuangliu nodded from the other side of the screen.

"That's very simple for us. As for you, you must understand that the mission we give you will definitely not be easy!"

"That's fine. Of course, this is on the premise that the person I'm looking for is still alive! If she is already dead, then the deal is naturally void."

"Agreed."

Kuangliu didn't care about these minor details at all.

Finding her would be better, but it didn't matter if they couldn't. As long as they had a way to contact Sequence 2 and knew his current location, there would surely be possibilities for cooperation in the future!

As long as the benefits were sufficient, anything was possible.

"This is the photo and information of the person I'm looking for."

Wen Yu held Sun Xuewei's photo up to the camera, then provided details regarding her age and her last known location.

"There will be news within three days. Once we have information, we will take the initiative to connect to the communications in Mudanjiang City."

"Fine."

Wen Yu nodded and was about to leave his seat when he was called out to once more.

"By the way, I heard a lion-type Mutant Beast at Peak Level 3 has appeared in Mudanjiang City. I wonder if that is your target Soul Pet?"

Wen Yu thought for a brief moment and immediately realized that Kuangliu was talking about Simba.

"No, it's not qualified to be my Soul Pet."

"I see. In that case, I am sending our Military Super Soldier No. 1 to Mudanjiang City. I'd like to ask you for a favor!"

"Is this part of the mission from our deal?"

Kuangliu shook his head.

"It's not. This is a personal favor. We've already established a bit of a rapport, haven't we?"

Wen Yu remained silent for a long while before slowly nodding.

"Just a reminder-I'm a man who hates trouble!"

Kuangliu nodded.

"It's a small matter. You don't need to act when No. 1 subdues this Soul Pet. However, if No. 1 fails, help us save her life and kill that Level 3 Mutated lion!"

After hearing Kuangliu's request, Wen Yu gave it some thought.

Wen Yu's original goal had been to kill Simba directly, but with the Military's request, he had to weigh his options.

After a long pause, Wen Yu nodded.

"I can do that."

…

Killing Simba wouldn't be difficult. Even if Simba now possessed Level 4 strength, it would definitely be unable to withstand Wen Yu and his two Soul Pets.

What Wen Yu was conflicted about was whether to kill it or not!

When Kuangliu brought up the matter of Simba, Wen Yu did a simple calculation.

Rather than killing Simba, it would be better to let No. 1 form a contract with it, allowing Simba to contribute to the Human Race and the Earth.

Having made up his mind, Wen Yu closed the communication request and walked straight downstairs.

Downstairs, Wang Zhigang had already prepared a sumptuous feast for Wen Yu.

…

In the Military's luxurious conference room, Kuangliu sat there long after the call ended. His head rested against the back of the chair, eyes staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.

After a while, Kuangliu snapped back to reality and waved his hand at the crowd waiting below.

"You're dismissed. No. 1, stay behind."

"Yes, sir!"

After a crisp military salute, everyone except No. 1 filed out of the conference room.

Once the room was empty, No. 1 spoke up.

"Are we certain he's Sequence 2?"

Kuangliu nodded.

"His eyes-that look of confidence was enough to prove his foundation. Even if he's an impostor, he's still a top-tier powerhouse."

Kuangliu paused before adding, "At the very least, he's stronger than Fang Bai."

"And he's a Soul Master too."

No. 1 partially covered her mouth and couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.

Kuangliu looked at her with a hint of confusion and asked, "What's there to be happy about? It's not like he's one of ours."

Kuangliu's tone had lost its earlier sternness. His conversation with No. 1 felt more like a talk between close friends.

No. 1 shook her head, though her laughter didn't stop.

After a moment, she finally said, "I just find it interesting. I always thought I was the only Soul Master. To think another one has appeared, and he's Sequence 2. Sequence 2, imagine that! He might even be stronger than you!"

Hearing No. 1's teasing tone, Kuangliu shook his head helplessly.

"A Sequence Number doesn't represent actual combat capability. Take Fang Bai, for example; his strength is definitely higher than Sequence 5!"

"It represents combat power to a certain extent, at least."

Kuangliu shrugged and didn't argue further.

The sound of a creak echoed as the conference room door was pulled open.

Kuangliu frowned the moment he saw the elderly man walking in.

In the entire Military, there was only one person who would walk straight into a meeting room without knocking while knowing Kuangliu was inside.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Military-Lin Haifeng.

"I heard Sequence 2 initiated a call request?"

The old man began questioning them before he even reached Kuangliu's side.

Kuangliu nodded slowly. "Yes. Do you have a plan for how to handle it?"

"Try your best to win him over."

Lin Haifeng nodded. "And?"

"I intend to send No. 1 to Mudanjiang City. The official reason will be to form a contract with the Mutated lion there, but the real objective is to make contact with Sequence 2."

"Very good."

After hearing Kuangliu's plan, Lin Haifeng pulled over a chair and sat down heavily. He fished a cigarette out of his pocket and immediately began puffing away, clouds of smoke swirling around him.

Kuangliu couldn't help but frown at Lin Haifeng's actions.

"Your injuries haven't healed yet. The doctor said no smoking!"

Lin Haifeng shook his head. "What they say doesn't count."

"This is for your own good."

"Having a smoke is what's good for me."

After a long silence, Kuangliu shook his head.

"Do whatever you want. By the way, No. 1 and I are heading out tomorrow. She's going to Mudanjiang, and I'm going to Chengdu."

Lin Haifeng paused for a brief moment before nodding.

"Regarding that boy, Fang Bai… if possible, don't kill him."

"I know."

In that short span of time, Lin Haifeng's cigarette had already burned down to the filter. He gently stubbed out the butt, stood up, and started walking toward the door.

"By the way, today is my birthday."

Kuangliu's flat voice rang out from behind him.

Lin Haifeng's stride faltered instantly.

"Take half the day off. Consider it a holiday from the Military."

"Also… happy birthday."

After delivering that brief blessing, Lin Haifeng pulled open the conference room door and walked away without looking back.

Only Kuangliu and No. 1 remained in the room.

No. 1 reached out with her fair hand and gently grasped Kuangliu's slowly tightening fist, offering soft comfort.

"He's just very busy."