Liu Rui was stunned.
“Is there any problem? Don’t listen to him scaremongering. The bigger the target, the more it deters the petty criminals.”
“Right, the thugs of Sin City wouldn’t dare to cause trouble now, but think about it—it’s a full 20 days.”
“Then, back to the issue of how the teams are formed. If I’m not mistaken, the strongest among you are all in your team, right?”
This was no secret, and Liu Rui nodded in acknowledgment.
“It was based on strength.”
“That’s a big problem. You only know their awakening levels, but do you know their capabilities? They’re all close-combat martial artists. Who will provide support or healing? Who will coordinate?”
“Do you know if their personalities match? If everyone likes to take charge and has their own ideas when something happens, what then?”
Xiao Chen raised more and more issues, prompting further reflection among the others, but Liu Rui’s expression grew increasingly grim.
“Who doesn’t know that? But what can be done about it? Time is pressing; who can cover all bases?”
“Right, no one can, so I think we shouldn’t force things we can’t achieve.”
Liu Rui’s face turned from pale to flushed; she truly regretted her decision now. Observing the expressions of the people around her, it was clear that some were persuaded by Xiao Chen.
She should have just let him leave earlier.
Now, she really wanted to shut Xiao Chen up for good.
“No problem, I’ll be leaving first then.”
After Xiao Chen spoke, he turned and left. Meanwhile, many in the room hesitated.
In the end, despite Liu Rui and Zhao Yongzhe’s best efforts to persuade them, nearly half of the people didn’t form teams, a result far worse than expected.
After everyone had left, seeing Liu Rui’s livid expression, Zhao Yongzhe frowned and tried to console her.
“He’s just a level 1 nobody, bound to be eliminated early. Why bother with him?”
“I just can’t stand it. What right does he have?”
Ever since her school days, Liu Rui had been a prodigy, and coming from a distinguished family, she was directly recommended by her family for the Night Penal Division. She had always had a smooth sailing life; this was the first time someone had confronted her so directly.
“Forget it.”
Things hadn’t gone as ideally as planned, but it was enough. As for Xiao Chen?
Zhao Yongzhe really didn’t take him seriously, not even worth getting angry over.
“Wait for me!”
As Xiao Chen was heading back to his room, he heard a breathless voice behind him.
“Is that you?”
It was the chubby young man named Yun Tianning, whom Xiao Chen remembered distinctly.
“Why don’t you take me with you? I’ll absolutely follow your lead!”
Yun Tianning looked at Xiao Chen with hopeful eyes.
“Uh, if I remember correctly, in your eyes, I’m just a salted fish like you, right? Why didn’t you team up with the others?”
At this, Yun Tianning scratched his head awkwardly.
“Xiao-Ge, I realized I was wrong. I’m the real salted fish here. You’re at least a ribbonfish, somewhat dangerous.”
A smirk crossed Xiao Chen’s lips. It seemed his abilities were indeed lacking if the kid could only compare him to something slightly better than a salted fish.
“The main thing is, I think you make a lot of sense. My dad always says I’m brainless and tells me to learn something. I feel like following you would be better than being with those others.”
Yun Tianning truly believed Xiao Chen made sense and also felt that Xiao Chen seemed more sincere than the others.
Xiao Chen pondered for a moment. He really didn’t want to form a team, but maybe he could consider it with this kid.
Thinking back to Qi Haoxiang’s reaction yesterday, this kid might actually be the child of a high-ranking official, and who knows, he might even have some personal bodyguards.
…
An old train violently jolted along a dirt road, Yun Tianning clutching Xiao Chen’s shoulder, his eyes rolling back as if he was about to vomit at any moment.
Under the arrangement of the Night Penal Division, they were first dispersed and sent to various locations.
This location was a gathering point in the grey world, where fugitives paid to reach Sin City.
Clearly, the Night Penal Division also had their pieces in place within Sin City, ensuring at least their entry into the city was unproblematic.
The train carried about a dozen people. As it moved further north, the weather grew colder, and many passengers tucked their mouths inside their collars, occasionally sizing up those around them.
“Can you control yourself a bit?”
By now, Xiao Chen was regretting his decision. Yun Tianning’s demeanor made it obvious that he was an easy target, and despite Xiao Chen’s stern expression, others perceived the duo as easy to bully.
After switching trains twice, the chubby man finally settled down, and Xiao Chen felt relieved. If they hadn’t switched trains, the other passengers might have targeted them as soon as they disembarked.
“We’re here. Get off the train quickly. I advise you to get into the city early. At night, the mutant beasts come out.”
Yun Tianning shuddered as he watched the silent passengers disembark one by one.
“There are mutant beasts?!”
“You forgot, we’re no longer in Xia Country.”
Xiao Chen followed the crowd walking towards a city in the distance, its main structures shaded in grey and black.
However, Xiao Chen did not see the Eye of the Curse.
“Dude, we’ve finally arrived. Tonight, I’ll treat you to good food and drinks, and we’ll pick a few girls—guaranteed to make your night.”
“Such pleasures are available in the city?”
“Haha, you’ll see. Compared to Xia Country, Sin City is paradise!”
Watching people being picked up in small groups, Xiao Chen kept walking with Yun Tianning, feeling sorry for those who had formed teams.
It was clear that most people coming to Sin City had connections, which made settling in easier.
They, being outsiders, lacked the demeanor typical of criminals, which made them stand out too much.
Following the crowd, Xiao Chen and Yun Tianning entered the city, which seemed indifferent to the identities of its newcomers.
“Perhaps it’s the will of the Eye of the Curse.”
Strong enough, he wasn’t worried about anyone causing trouble.
The city walls of Sin City were thicker than those in Xia Country, even bearing many dried bloodstains and scars. The buildings were not very tall. Walking along the main road, Yun Tianning was as amazed as if he had entered a grand garden.
“Interesting, huh? Where in Xia Country could you see such a scene?”
The streets were bustling with vendors selling mutant beast materials, recruiters for gangs, and even some flamboyantly dressed women openly soliciting customers.
Contrary to what Yun Tianning had imagined, the city wasn’t filled with constant fighting; instead, it appeared quite orderly, though the people looked tough and not easily provoked.
Xiao Chen observed every corner discreetly.
“Xiao-Ge, I have an idea.”
“Look, I brought a lot of food, including compressed food. This place isn’t as dangerous as we thought. How about we find a cave and hide out for twenty days?”
Seeing Yun Tianning’s earnest expression, Xiao Chen sighed.
Dude, you can’t be serious.
Xiao Chen began to question his judgment. Could someone of high-ranking official descent really be this naive?
“Let’s go, someone has already noticed us.”
“Who?!”
Yun Tianning quickly turned his head, scanning the surroundings, but saw only people going about their business as usual—some trading, others hurrying along—nothing seemed amiss.
“Let’s talk while we walk.”
Xiao Chen spoke in a low voice, patting his shoulder.
Suddenly, he felt that his previous assumptions about Sin City had been mistaken.