Сhаpter 22: Оverturning the Таblе, Маking а Show оf Fоrсе, Demonstrаting Sincerity
“Thе сonsеquеnсеs оf angеring mе, Мiss Mo, аrе likelу more than уou сan bear.” Мu Shengzhоu’s voiсе no longеr held even а hint оf аmusеment.
Not оnlу Мu Shеngzhou, but at this mоment, thе surviving members оf the Grim Reаper Мercenаrу Сorрs in thе room all еxudеd а fiercе aura.
Surrоunded bу this grоuр of mеn, Mo Qiаnqian was likе а lаmb entering a pack of wolvеs, а piece оf mеat falling into а dеn of bandits.
Yet, Mo Qianqian seemed completely unaware of the surrounding danger, not a trace of fear on her face.
She even raised an eyebrow slightly, smiling lightly as she spoke, “Is Captain Mu planning to overturn the table?”
As she spoke, Mo Qianqian wiped her hand crossbow, slowly raised it, and then, as if unintentionally, aimed it in Mu Shengzhou’s direction.
On the other side, several figures from the Grim Reaper Mercenary Corps also raised their energy guns, aiming at Mo Qianqian’s head.
The once amicable atmosphere seemed to turn tense and confrontational in an instant.
Facing the arrowhead of the crossbow, Mu Shengzhou remained calm and composed.
“Whether the table gets overturned or not depends entirely on your choice,” came Mu Shengzhou’s cold, steady voice.
“That’s exactly the point. I thought Captain Mu didn’t realize it. With so many of you, whether you suffer heavy losses breaking through or walk out of the zombie horde smoothly—it all depends on my decision.”
Mo Qianqian curved her lips slightly. “Whether we cooperate for mutual benefit or end up in a lose-lose situation depends entirely on Captain Mu’s vision.”
These words essentially made it clear that she had a method to reduce the corrosive properties of Corpse Grass.
As her voice faded, Mo Qianqian shifted the aim of her crossbow away from Mu Shengzhou’s forehead.
Mu Shengzhou also waved his hand, signaling his subordinates to lower their guns.
From start to finish, Mu Shengzhou never believed the girl before him would actually pull the trigger and fire. He sensed no killing intent from her.
However, just when no one expected it, Mo Qianqian suddenly pulled the trigger.
She didn’t aim at anyone but at a wall behind Mu Shengzhou.
With a soft “hum,” the crossbow bolt engraved with an explosive inscription nearly grazed Mu Shengzhou’s ear as it shot past.
Then came a deafening explosion!
The wall behind Mu Shengzhou was blasted open, leaving a massive hole.
Splattered concrete fragments sent those near the wall into a flurry of panic.
Even those farther away, unaffected by the blast, couldn’t hide the shock in their eyes.
Most people here had seen Mo Qianqian using that wooden weapon of hers to shoot zombies from the window earlier.
But back then, they hadn’t seen the crossbow bolts explode!
Dangerous. This woman was far too dangerous!
Both dangerous and cunning!
Immediately, several mercenaries behind and beside Mo Qianqian exchanged tactical hand signals, preparing to apprehend this dangerous individual on the spot.
But before they could act, Mu Shengzhou stopped them with a look.
For the first time, Mu Shengzhou took a serious look at the wooden, toy-like hand crossbow in Mo Qianqian’s hand.
From a distance earlier, he’d only thought the wooden weapon was quite novel, never considering how it might be superior to an energy gun.
But just now, he’d noticed something unusual!
He hadn’t sensed any energy fluctuations from that wooden hand crossbow!
The higher the level of a superpowered individual, the more sensitive their perception of energy fluctuations.
Such a violent explosion would undoubtedly require significant energy consumption—it shouldn’t be possible to sense no energy fluctuations at all.No matter how advanced the weapon, it cannot completely isolate energy fluctuations.
So what happened just now?
He didn’t believe his perception could be wrong.
At this moment, he suddenly remembered a saying passed down from the civilized era: “When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” (The quoted statement is from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes)
When he looked at the wooden weapon again, Mu Shengzhou’s eyes suddenly grew profound.
“Oops, sorry, sorry! My hand slipped just now. I hope I didn’t scare you all. I’m really, really sorry.” Mo Qianqian put away her hand crossbow and apologized in an exaggerated tone.
Anyone could tell her apology was insincere.
Amid this insincere apology, Mu Shengzhou snapped out of his thoughts. Looking at the girl with the exaggerated expression not far away, he only felt things were becoming more and more interesting.
He had originally thought this girl was emboldened because she possessed the secret formula to prevent corpse grass mud from corroding the skin.
Now it seemed he had truly underestimated the situation.
Moreover, the girl before him was also unwilling to suffer any losses.
He had only threatened her once, and the young lady immediately responded with something major.
A blatant, open scheme, fearless and confident.
He rarely found himself at such a disadvantage at the negotiation table.
Especially when the negotiating counterpart was clearly a young girl.
Yet, for some reason, he didn’t feel much embarrassment or frustration.
With danger looming, he had little mind to dwell on his own emotions; resolving the immediate crisis was the priority.
“Miss Mo, everything should be done in moderation.
Delaying further benefits neither of us. State your terms,” Mu Shengzhou said.
However, this time, there was noticeably none of the previous condescension. He had already begun treating Mo Qianqian as an opponent on the same level.
“Good, good. Now that sounds much more pleasant to the ears.” This was exactly the effect Mo Qianqian wanted.
At the negotiation table, how could equal terms be agreed upon if the status was unequal?
Mo Qianqian didn’t beat around the bush any longer: “I will provide corpse grass mud that doesn’t corrode the skin, but I want a share of your hunting gains.”
Across from her, Mu Shengzhou raised an eyebrow but didn’t speak.
Mo Qianqian smiled and continued: “I presume Leader Mu has hunted zombies in the urban ruins before.
You can compare the difference in harvested zombie crystal cores between using the corpse grass mud I provide and not using it.
For our first cooperation, to show sincerity, I’ll make a concession.
Here, including both of us, there are thirty-three people in total.
Divided per capita, I only want one thirty-third of this harvest’s gains.”
Mu Shengzhou stared fixedly at Mo Qianqian. Asking for only one thirty-third of the hunting gains wasn’t excessive.
From the girl’s meaning, she wanted to continue cooperating in the future, and likely intended to change the profit-sharing ratio for subsequent collaborations.
But that was a matter for the future, to be discussed slowly later.
“Deal.
I’ve received Miss Mo’s sincerity. The Grim Reaper Mercenary Corps never lets its partners suffer losses.
In return, from now on, the Grim Reaper Mercenary Corps will ensure Miss Mo’s safety within the Safe Zone.”
Mo Qianqian curled her lips. The subtleties in language were truly fascinating.
Mu Shengzhou’s words sounded splendid: the Grim Reaper Mercenary Corps would ensure her safety in the Safe Zone.
They would ensure it, alright, but at the same time, she herself would probably be placed under the surveillance of the Grim Reaper Mercenary Corps.
What an old fox.However, this suited her just fine.
With the Grim Reaper Mercenary Corps “protecting” her, Ji Yunting likely wouldn’t be able to stir up much trouble.
The deal was settled, and at least on the surface, both sides seemed satisfied.
Mu Shengzhou immediately arranged for someone to gather Corpse Grass.
Corpse Grass wasn’t rare—it could be found everywhere in the Urban Ruins.
Before long, Shen Feng and a few others returned with a considerable amount of Corpse Grass.
Mo Qianqian then directed Shen Feng and the others to crush the Corpse Grass into mud.
With their numbers, strength, and speed, the task was completed quickly.
In just a few minutes, dozens of pounds of Corpse Grass had been crushed into a fine, muddy paste.
Somehow, they managed to find a wooden bucket, and the corpse grass mud was placed inside.
Mo Qianqian walked over to the bucket containing the corpse grass mud, extended one arm, and was about to poke it into the mixture.
Shen Feng was startled: “Hey, little… miss, this corpse grass mud is highly corrosive!” He had probably intended to call her “little girl,” but changed it to “miss” at the last moment.
Mo Qianqian raised an eyebrow and glanced at Shen Feng: “Thank you for the reminder, big brother.”
The term “big brother” carried a hint of teasing, almost like a flirtatious playboy.
Shen Feng scratched his head. Having traded brains for brawn, he didn’t pick up on the teasing in Mo Qianqian’s words. He simply thought the girl’s voice sounded rather pleasant, though he wondered what she looked like.
“Just be careful,” Shen Feng added another reminder.
Mu Shengzhou’s expression darkened slightly.
This girl’s personality was rather mischievous.
The cooperation had just begun, and she was already teasing his top subordinate!
He glanced at Shen Feng again. Thankfully, his subordinate wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed and hadn’t realized he was being teased.