Armor-Piercing Munition: Face Me, Carbon-Based Monster!
Chapter 109 - 21: Damn, Are We Wasteland Enchanting Demons?

Chapter 109: Chapter 21: Damn, Are We Wasteland Enchanting Demons?

The Ring Chamber of Commerce is something that Chen Jian still doesn’t have an answer to.

However, he can basically determine that this thing is also a rather deformed and imperfect organization.

Although they possess some advanced technology and equipment, they have never effectively transformed these things into productivity, nor have they changed the survival conditions of this post-apocalyptic wasteland.

They’re more like some kind of...

Detachable academic elite, completely out of touch with reality.

Still lacking much true talent and knowledge.

Relying on them to save the world is simply impossible, but of course, limited cooperation to maximize the resources in their hands is also necessary.

Thus, the contract was quickly finalized.

And a new goal was updated on the squad’s to-do list.

"Things on the Mountain City side are too far to look at for now, if we look at the near term..."

"Head to Jinling to find disaster preparedness works, go to Jinling to contact the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce to open up trade routes, ensure the Jinling Chamber of Commerce shipping routes are clear, hunt and kill the Level 3 monster marked by the Ring Chamber of Commerce near Wushan Lake..."

"Wow, all four of these tasks are pointing in one direction, is it really that coincidental that everything is along the way?"

Lei Jie clucked his tongue in amazement as he looked at the list on the PDA:

"If that’s the case, then we must plan our next operations in Jinling."

"Once we get everything on the list done, we might have a great harvest!"

"Indeed."

Chen Jian nodded, but then immediately said:

"The only problem is Yellow Stone City."

"If we leave Yellow Stone, it’s definitely impossible for us to return within at least half a month."

"Half a month’s time is neither long nor short, if an accident happens, we won’t have time to rescue."

"We still have to ensure they have basic self-preservation capabilities, and ideological education must be further strengthened."

"He Shuo, Shen Yue, you both organize training from tomorrow."

"Try to lay the foundation in two or three days."

"In this time, we will first take care of the monster near Wushan Lake."

"By then, we can ’exchange’ a batch of new equipment supplies from the Ring Chamber of Commerce to strengthen Yellow Stone City’s defenses."

"Once the city’s defenses are secured, we can confidently explore and expand outward."

"Understood."

"No problem."

Shen Yue and the others answered in turn, and Chen Jian seemed to remember something suddenly and asked:

"Where is Zhou Qin? Call him in."

"Coming over so late at night, there might be some special situation."

"Okay."

Zeng Yi turned and left the room, and a moment later, Zhou Qin, waiting in the distance, was brought in.

Facing Chen Jian, his demeanor remained quite humble.

He did not get straight to the point but instead said politely:

"Sir, I am sure you have already reached a cooperation agreement with the Ring Chamber of Commerce."

"This is an enviable progress, even for us, our cooperation with them is also based on prolonged probing."

"Yet you.... just revealed your sharpness and have already gained their recognition."

"This is enough to prove your uniqueness and that of the Huaxia Army."

"Allow me to congratulate you on your success and wish you greater achievements in the future."

"...You really know how to talk."

Chen Jian let out a faint breath and then said:

"Sometimes I can’t even tell if these words of yours are from the heart or just insincere flattery."

"So, better not say too much."

"Let’s get straight to the point."

"You saw us fighting the monster on the ship, what do you want to say?"

"Or rather, what is your purpose in returning to Yellow Stone City?"

As Chen Jian’s words fell, a bitter smile appeared on Zhou Qin’s face.

After hesitating for a moment, he said:

"Actually, I didn’t come here voluntarily..."

He recounted his conversation with the supervisor coming from the Imperial City to Chen Jian, focusing on the other’s demand for him to come alone to assess the situation and then report back.

Chen Jian found it increasingly strange.

The "discontent" in Zhou Qin’s words was even at a level where it could not be hidden.

Was he... disappointed in that supervisor?

Objectively speaking, when the situation is unclear, subordinates being asked by superiors to take risks would naturally have some complaints.

But such complaints absolutely should not have developed to this extent.

It should never have gotten to the point where an "outsider" like himself could see it.

So what exactly happened between the two of them on that ship?

Chen Jian curiously examined Zhou Qin’s expression, the latter slightly shifted his gaze, and then continued:

"....In short, that’s the reason."

"I’m about to return to Jiujiang to report on the situation, but before I return, I want to inform you and the Huaxia Army of some new information."

"The delegation from the Imperial City originally planned to arrive at Yellow Stone City to negotiate with you, but that decision was based on past circumstances."

"And now... the situation has changed."

"You killed a powerful monster close to Level 2 in front of the delegation, which will alter their perception of Yellow Stone City and the Huaxia Army accordingly."

"So, if you have already prepared terms for negotiation.... maybe you can make some changes accordingly."

"Understood."

Chen Jian nodded thoughtfully, then asked:

"You’re suggesting that we can make more demands?"

"I didn’t say that."

Zhou Qin immediately shook his head, but Chen Jian already grasped the idea.

After pondering for a moment, he asked:

"Then if, in addition to the conditions already proposed and the standard compensation, we also want a cannon from the Mechanical God Sect’s Holy Temple Guard Brigade, do you think they’d agree?"

"That’s a question I cannot answer."

Zhou Qin said cautiously:

"But for the Holy Blood Temple, if you want to get some special equipment or technology, I think... the Holy Father would consider it."

"I see."

Chen Jian no longer pressed for answers and said to Zhou Qin:

"In any case, thank you for the information---even though we were already prepared for it, hearing it from you in person pleases me."

"Alright, it’s late now, you should get back to Jiujiang."

"I’ll have our people take you to the other side of the lake, I hope when we meet again tomorrow, our communication can be as pleasant as today."

"I believe it will be."

Zhou Qin lightly bowed and then left under Huang Yu’s guidance.

Chen Jian escorted him to the door, watching his fading figure, his eyes couldn’t help but be puzzled.

"So what exactly is going on with him?"

Chen Jian looked at Zeng Yi and asked curiously:

"It seems he has undergone some kind of... transformation."

"Similar to the changes you experienced."

"That’s natural."

Zeng Yi let out a long breath and then replied:

"The Holy Blood Temple is originally an organization that worships strength, and the Holy Blood individuals even more so revere the powerful."

"Although in the upper echelons of the Holy Blood Temple, the ’Holy Father’ is their supreme leader."

"However, have you ever heard the term ’Holy Father’ from the mouths of me, Xie Liu, or Li Shi?"

Chen Jian was taken aback.

Upon careful recollection, he was surprised to realize that the first time he heard the term "Holy Father" was indeed from that supervisor named Zhou Yan.

"So why is that?"

Chen Jian asked.

"Because the vast majority of lower-ranking Holy Blood individuals do not actually revere the Holy Father, but rather the Holy Blood itself."

"We don’t mention the Holy Father often because to us... he’s essentially just a symbol."

"So... the Holy Father is not your leader?"

"That can’t be said either.... "

Zeng Yi sighed again and then explained:

"I remember back in Chuansha, Xu Lie had told you why believers cannot integrate into normal human society."

"In fact, it’s the same situation for us Holy Blood individuals."

"Our group is connected by the Holy Blood, forming a natural bond."

"This naturally makes us brothers and sisters, so the higher-ups don’t have to spend that much energy on ’controlling’ us."

"We are more ’free’ than the Mechanical God Sect, which is why many Holy Blood individuals consider us superior to the Mechanical God Sect."

"However... it is precisely because of this system that betrayal is not uncommon within the Holy Blood Temple."

"Because no one can clearly say if it’s a betrayal or... evolution."

"Understood."

Chen Jian nodded in understanding and then corrected:

"Actually, the term ’progress’ is more appropriate here."

"Indeed."

Zeng Yi laughed, appearing more relaxed.

"So I guess this Zhou Qin, in all likelihood, also wants to... progress."

"We can seize the opportunity, maybe we can bring him over to our camp."

"Let’s discuss that later..."

Chen Jian subconsciously shook his head and then said:

"What I can’t comprehend is how, in such a short time, a Blood Source individual already wants to progress."

"I really can’t understand... are we really some kind of mimic heretics spreading an ideological plague?"

"Or are we... actually wasteland enchantresses??"