Chapter 382: Extending an Olive Branch
Chapter 382: Chapter 382: Extending an Olive Branch
She actually tumbled down the stairs!
Xie Ning was utterly speechless.
What was the point of fighting anymore? Her opponent was already down for the count; there was nothing left to fight.
Xie Ning stopped, looking down from her high vantage point at Feng JiaMin, who had fallen to the bottom of the stairs. "Have you had enough?"
"Yes, yes, yes! She’s had enough!" Feng Lijian shouted repeatedly as he rushed down the stairs.
’See, what did I tell you?’
’Jia Min has a screw loose. She was just asking for a beating.’
"Brother, I... My hand, I think it’s broken."
She hadn’t been able to block any of Xie Ning’s successive heavy blows just now!
Her Golden Shields shattered one after another, making it completely impossible to counter her opponent’s moves.
This was the crushing gap in their strength.
As much as she hated to admit it, Feng JiaMin finally understood that her opponent was stronger than her by more than just a little.
At that moment, a broadcast began to play on a loop throughout the base:
Greetings, fellow survivors. Due to the sudden onset of disastrous weather conditions, a mixture of wind, snow, and dust has reduced visibility in the base to a minimum.
All survivors are advised to take protective measures when going outside and to avoid going out unless absolutely necessary. Please ensure all doors and windows are securely locked. Use cloth strips or other materials to seal any cracks to prevent unnecessary damage.
The duration of this sandstorm is currently unknown. Please take appropriate precautions and wait quietly for further announcements from the base. We will have meteorological experts provide a professional assessment of this phenomenon.
As Xie Ning slowly descended the stairs, Feng Lijian quickly dragged his sister back and snapped, "What are you doing?"
He immediately realized his reaction was a bit excessive, his words overly harsh.
Mindful of Gu Chen’s presence, he was forced to soften his expression and explain in a low voice, "Captain Xie, please forgive us. My sister understands how powerful you are now. She gives up, she completely gives up!"
He gave his sister’s arm a pinch. "Hurry up and say something."
Feng JiaMin winced, her gaze somewhat evasive. "You are very strong. I... I really can’t beat you."
"But this doesn’t mean you’ll be able to keep me down forever. Just give me three years, and I’ll definitely be able to win... Mmph, mmph!" Feng JiaMin glared angrily at her brother, who had clamped a hand over her mouth.
Feng Lijian looked mortified. He gave Xie Ning a haphazard nod. "Captain Xie, I think my sister’s arm is broken. I’m going to take her to the medical bay for treatment. Please excuse us."
After saying this, without waiting for Feng JiaMin to resist again, he forcefully dragged his sister away.
Gu Chen walked slowly to her side, his brows furrowed slightly. "The Feng Family siblings are getting more and more out of line."
’Trying to boss me around?’
’They must have nothing better to do!’
Xie Ning, however, wasn’t bothered. For someone like Feng JiaMin who openly provoked her, if smacking her down once didn’t work, a few more times would finish the job for good.
It was the hidden dangers lurking in the shadows that warranted more of her attention.
’Like a venomous snake coiled in a dark corner, occasionally rearing its sinister head to hiss and strike.’
"The representatives from the Superpower Academy’s Country A Branch are here." Lu Wei answered a communication device, then walked over to Gu Chen with a frown. "They hope to meet with you for a detailed discussion."
"What is there to talk about with them?"
Lu Wei glanced in Xie Ning’s direction. She was already walking toward the lounge.
Gu Chen’s expression instantly turned cold. "What kind of tricks are they up to now?"
’If these people dare to target Ningning, they’re courting death!’
"We’re still in a cooperative relationship with them for now," Lu Wei said in a low voice. "If it’s just a meeting..."
"Where are they?" Gu Chen asked, his face cold.
Xie Ning had reached the lounge door. She turned her head and saw Gu Chen still standing there talking with Lu Wei.
"Is there something else?"
"It’s nothing." Gu Chen looked up and waved at her. "Go get some rest."
The strong wind and sand from before had indeed given Xie Ning a bit of a headache. Hearing Gu Chen’s words, she left him with a "Let me know if you need anything" and pushed open the door to the lounge to go sleep.
"Where are they?" The smile on Gu Chen’s handsome face vanished in a flash, his expression turning cold.
’With this wind and dust, the people from the A Country Branch still can’t sit still. They’re a real pain.’
’If they’re here for an academic exchange, can’t they just stay put in the base? Running all over the place is such a hassle.’
"They’re in the conference room downstairs."
...
A few minutes later, the door to the small conference room was pushed open forcefully. Gu Chen, Lu Wei, and their group walked over to the conference table one by one.
The atmosphere instantly fell silent.
"I am Li Weide. Hello, hello. The youngest and most promising Captain of Jingji Base. I’ve heard so much about you, haha." The man who spoke had a very common Western face, yet he spoke the language of Country C fluently.
When he smiled, his expression seemed somewhat sincere. He folded his hands on the conference table, appearing respectful and friendly, giving no cause for criticism.
Gu Chen pulled out a chair and sat down. Lu Wei and the others sat down one after another at his side.
"Mr. Li Weide, please sit."
Gu Chen looked toward the people behind Li Weide with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile. His gaze met that of a man with a full beard, who was forced to look away under his sharp stare.
Lu Wei pushed a cup of tea toward Li Weide, smiled, and adjusted his glasses. "Mr. Li Weide, you see, the base has been under siege by a zombie tide for the past two days. We’ve had to work day and night to eliminate them, so we really don’t have time to discuss other matters with you."
"Regarding you and the Global Superpower Academy, can we postpone this discussion? It wouldn’t be too late to talk after the zombie tide has receded."
Li Weide nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, it was indeed inconsiderate of us to disturb you at a time like this. But you see, our A Country Branch of the Global Superpower Academy has been here for this exchange for nearly a month now."
"The matter we’ve been trying to discuss with you still hasn’t been addressed after all this time." Li Weide’s face showed his predicament. "To be honest, it’s a difficult position for us. Our superiors keep pressing us via satellite communications. We..."
"You what?" Gu Chen’s smile was inscrutable. "So you decided to pick our busiest moment to negotiate?"
"No, no, no, that’s not it at all." Li Weide quickly waved his hands apologetically. "It’s like this, Mr. Gu, Mr. Lu. We are approaching this with the utmost sincerity for cooperation."
"Furthermore, our visit is in keeping with the longstanding tradition of our Global Superpower Academy: friendly exchange."
"You’re also aware that the global situation is extremely tense and critical. The matter concerning the Ark..."
"Are you trying to use the Ark to threaten us?"
"No, no, no, not at all." Li Weide offered a suitably apologetic smile. "We have no ill intentions whatsoever. Our two sides have always cooperated very smoothly, haven’t we?"
"Our only request right now is to have a personal meeting with that Sixth-rank Superpower User."
The burly man with a full beard sneered and interjected in terrible, broken Country C, "What are you people trying to do with all these excuses?"
"You have no spirit of cooperation at all! People from Country C are as cunning as they say."