Pretending To Be A Boss

Li Xiaoyu didn't know the specific project requirements, and Li Zheng could only be sure that Tang Xian had probably reviewed some materials.

He scrutinized Tang Xian carefully.

He began to ponder, what exactly was so captivating about this man that had bewitched his sister.

"I remember you have no talent, and you've always been active in the lower levels of the Thirty-Nine Fortress, with no chance to come into contact with any organization that could shake the Evolutionary Zone."

Tang Xian said:

"When families discuss business, we only talk about business. I am aware of the experiments in the Evolutionary Zone, and you don't need to fret about previous trades with the Evolutionary Zone. You've lost a deal, now let's make another deal."

Li Zheng found that in terms of momentum, Tang Xian was not at all inferior to himself.

He laughed and said:

"The ones you've offended are not limited to the Evolutionary Zone but also many families and enterprises trading with the Evolutionary Zone; these people won't let you off either. I don't know how you managed to cross the Evolutionary Zone, but no matter how strong the organization behind you is, it's impossible to be enemies with everyone.

However, if the Li family protects you, no one will suspect you, but the chip you need to put forward must be higher than that of the Evolutionary Zone."

Li Zheng added:

"For some matters, we also prefer to entrust them to others. I heard you have a liking for ancient food, to put it metaphorically, now I just want to taste the food, I am not concerned about the recipe."

Tang Xian understood.

He would only need to hand over the experimental project data of the Evolutionary Zone. Li Zheng probably wouldn't care about Li Xiaoyu's feelings and would immediately sell him out.

Because although the data was important, Li Zheng must also be clear about its future value, but for now, he must first obtain the finished product of the deal to compensate for the losses of this incident.

Tang Xian shook his head and said:

"Before the improvement plan is confirmed, I will not provide any experimental subjects from the mines. If you are in a hurry to see a batch of experimental subjects, then there's nothing to discuss. You may leave now."

Li Zheng was stunned, while Li Xiaoyu had been quiet all along, her expression holding a touch of strangeness.

Tang Xian said:

"I run a shop; naturally, I sell and you buy. How could it be your place to make demands?"

Li Zheng knew that Tang Xian had always been somewhat clever, but it now seemed that his wisdom was not enough to suppress his arrogance.

Tang Xian didn't care about what Li Zheng thought.

He hurried Bu Jing, who was frozen at his side, to check on the kitchen.

About a minute of silence later, Li Zheng calmed down and asked in a deep voice:

"Exactly what is the trade you are proposing?"

Tang Xian said:

"A new drug, suitable for all humans, enhancing physical constitution without side effects. I am not joking with you. Experimental subjects can only be traded under the table, but my drug can be traded openly, in large quantities. This will become a highly demanded luxury item."

Li Zheng was moved, considering the value of this drug.

In the long run, of course, it was more valuable than experimental subjects. The assumption was that what Tang Xian said was true.

"I will act as the supplier and will only provide to the Li family free of charge, but the Li family must provide the materials. Whether you use the drug yourselves or sell it at a high price, that's for you to decide. There will likely be samples delivered in about a month."

This time, Li Zheng was truly unsettled.

If it were as Tang Xian described, then the entire market would belong to the Li family.

He was somewhat incredulous and said:

"What do you want?"

Trades are indeed mutual. Li Zheng thought if Tang Xian truly could deliver what he just mentioned, the Li family should offer something substantial in return.

He asked uncertainly:

"Do you want to marry my sister?"

Li Xiaoyu blushed beside him, maintaining a somewhat composed demeanor, yet her eyes betrayed panic.

Tang Xian suddenly realized that both siblings were foolish. He kindly brought a path to wealth to the Li family, yet he was being implicated. He viewed them as business partners, but they wanted to be his in-laws. That's not how business is conducted.

Tang Xian shook his head and said:

"I want the Li family to be my undercover line. On the surface, you will continue to interact with the Evolutionary Zone. In secret, you will assist me in taking down the Evolutionary Zone. Not a single one left; for this, I will also offer other assistance to the Li family."

"What kind of assistance?" Li Zheng instinctively wanted to reject Tang Xian's proposal, as Tang Xian's request was clearly difficult to fulfill.

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Destroying the Evolution Zone is just too unrealistic; the organization is far more complex than imagined.

But after Tang Xian spoke, he changed his mind.

"This time, I'm destroying the Evolution Zone for the sake of my teammate. His name is Akasi."

Li Zheng was surprised. Even Li Xiaoyu showed a look of shock on her face.

Akasi was no stranger to the major families; there wasn't an organization or country that didn't want to recruit him.

He appeared unpredictably, and the legends about him grew more and more. The second spot on the Hunter Leaderboard was always changing, only the first spot had never changed.

The reason was simple; Akasi had submitted more than sixty elite boss creature Soul Crystals within a month. No team, let alone any individual, could break that record.

This felt as if other hunters' points were like those in a football game, going to the mining area once might not even score them a point.

Akasi's hunting points, on the other hand, were like those in a basketball game, always starting in the double digits after each game.

There were suspicions that Akasi was actually a team, not an individual, but regardless, every force desired to recruit Akasi.

"Are you saying that Akasi is... on your side?"

"He's currently my teammate. I can't hide this from you; we will be partners in the future, but please keep it confidential. With his help, it would be a great advantage for you, no matter what you're doing."

Li Zheng and Li Xiaoyu exchanged a glance, both aware of the value of the strongest hunter.

Humans were still in the early days of pioneering the mining areas, many regions were unexplored.

Sending a large number of hunters to the Red Zone was akin to sending them to their deaths.

But for a single, powerful individual, at least a lot of useful information could be obtained.

Having Akasi meant securing a lead in the future development of the mining areas.

Certain intelligence could reduce many losses during the human pioneering process no matter which fortress it was sold to; the higher-ups would not refuse it.

This was the scenario where a thousand soldiers are easy to get, but one general is hard to find.

"Was Akasi originally a test subject? What's his synchronization rate at?" Li Zheng asked out of pure curiosity.

"Currently, it's around twenty percent, and it will be higher in the future. Speaking solely of synchronization rate, he's second; there's a little girl in my team who has an even higher rate. Admittedly, I lack talent, but my team is not weak."

Tang Xian looked calmly at the Li siblings.

These words, however, stirred up an uproar in the hearts of Li Xiaoyu and Li Zheng.

Whether it was Akasi's terrifying data or the existence stronger than Akasi, Li Zheng needed to give these matters some thought.

Li Zheng finally believed that this was a deal worth making and felt much relieved.

Just then, the noodles were perfectly cooked.

Tang Xian did not pay attention to the two of them, heading straight to the kitchen. He opened his tool bag and took out some condiments.

Bu Jing was somewhat puzzled; this person actually brought so many food seasonings on a long journey.

Tang Xian tasted the noodles and found them quite chewy. They weren't cooked too soft.

There was still plenty of dough left. Tang Xian thought about eating it himself, but it seemed inappropriate to do so in front of the Li siblings. He carried a bowl out and glanced at Li Xiaoyu.

Li Xiaoyu remained silent throughout, so Tang Xian asked her, "My cooking skills are not bad, would you like a bowl?"

Li Xiaoyu considered it and nodded.

Li Zheng, who was more casual, said,

"My sister mentioned you like to tinker with food. Make one for me too."

Tang Xian agreed and went to work on the task; this request wasn't excessive.

Li Zheng wasn't sure if Tang Xian was telling the truth, but he believed it to a considerable degree.

As long as he saw Akasi, everything would become clear.

There was no need for calculation; Li Zheng could understand the value of Tang Xian's team, even as collaborators, they definitely had value and necessity worth further engagement.

Thinking about it, he decided to chat about some men's topics to improve their relationship.

"Xiao Xian, you're still single, right? I've been to the Second Fortress; I'm familiar with the Qi Family's turf. Later, I'll take you to the night club on the fourth floor to relax..."

Suddenly, Li Zheng stopped talking.

Li Xiaoyu looked at him with a smile, her gaze friendly and expectant.

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