Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 1372: Impersonation

Chapter 1372: Chapter 1372: Impersonation

Xue Wang’s people thought inwardly not to stoop to the level of those people; thus, they steadied their spirit, adjusted their mindset, cleared their throat, and then said, "We are here today on behalf of Xue Wang, and Xue Wang represents Organization X. We would like to formally negotiate with you. Xue Wang hopes that no matter the past grievances, they should be dissolved from now on and let there be no further disputes among us."

Lin Xi responded with a faint smile, "That’s well said. We also do not want to confront a huge organization day and night. We just want to live ordinary lives. But it seems too easy for you to opt for war or reconciliation whenever you wish."

Hearing this, Xue Wang’s people felt that the other side was trying to extort them, so they replied righteously, "We are also doing this for everyone’s good. Fighting benefits no one."

"You initiated the trouble, so you should bear the main responsibility. If you really want reconciliation, you need to show sincerity," Lin Xi spoke assertively, displaying a stance that they must see tangible benefits before making a deal. While she didn’t explicitly demand a huge compensation, her attitude made it clear that compensation was inevitable.

Xue Wang’s people frowned and said, "You do not wish to reconcile so easily, hence you have stayed here looking for an opportunity to launch another attack on Dark City, haven’t you?"

To this, Irina explained, "No, we are just resting. After all, we have spent such a long time in the Dark Primitive Mountain Forest, and we’re not in good condition. We need to rest well before hitting the road again. Moreover, many of our companions are lost in the Dark Primitive Mountain; we cannot simply abandon them. We believe they are still alive, so we are waiting for their return. We can’t help it, our bonds run deep."

Gu Fan tapped the table and then spoke up, "If it’s a battle you want, we will stand our ground until the end. I haven’t yet settled accounts for my second granduncle; you are already thinking of reconciliation."

Xue Wang’s people adopted an unyielding stance, "We have also suffered considerable losses; that should count as settlement enough."

"Bullshit!" Gu Fan stood up angrily, throwing aside his chair, "The vampires who died at my hand were just underlings of Organization X, not a significant loss to you. Moreover, it was your Organization X who sent them to kill me; their deaths are well deserved. The account cannot be settled this way."

"So, are you saying that you won’t rest until you’ve slaughtered several key figures from our Organization X?" retorted Xue Wang’s people, annoyed. It felt like the other side was purposely provoking, and Gu Fan was looking for a quarrel.

Gu Fan replied directly, "Of course, unless your Organization X suffers some consequence and learns a lesson, you might continue to provoke me."

Xue Wang’s people’s faces grew stern, "If you insist on continuing the fight, even if you could severely weaken Organization X, you might also lose several important people around you again. That’s not what you want either."

"What I want is for me and my companions to return to a peaceful life. I am willing to let bygones be bygones if there’s mutual non-aggression. But you show no sincerity in reconciliation; why should I believe you won’t trouble me in the future?" Gu Fan spoke righteously, making it seem as if his demands were entirely reasonable.

It always comes back to exploiting for profit before backing down, thought Xue Wang’s people, showing resignation, then asked, "You can set the conditions; if we find them reasonable, we will relay them and wait for a response."

"Alright, my first condition: apart from Helen, no one from Organization X may set foot in my city; otherwise, I will regard it as an act of war. Second, Organization X must grant more authority to Helen. Only if she has a say in Organization X will I feel at ease. Third..." Gu Fan listed a total of ten conditions, each more demanding than the last. Xue Wang’s people listened, their brows deeply furrowed.

Xue Wang’s people originally intended to use Li Shi as a bargaining chip, but seeing Gu Fan’s attitude were afraid they might completely infuriate him, making negotiations impossible.

Meanwhile, Li was waiting in the restaurant for some time and realized those people did not show up. He suspected they might have gone to the reception, wondering whether Tai had succeeded or been caught.

Hence, Li rushed toward the reception area, only to see the doors were tightly shut and several people guarded the entrance, making it impossible to approach.

"Strange, where is Tai?" Li wondered. He decided to head back to his room first, thinking Tai might have already returned there.

At that moment, Ouyang Jin walked out, pulling out a cigarette while searching for his lighter. Realizing he didn’t have one, he saw Li approaching and greeted him, "Could I borrow a light?"

Li was momentarily surprised; he recognized the man as one of Gu Fan’s group, but did not know his exact name.

"Oh, I have one!" Li took out his lighter and lit Ouyang Jin’s cigarette.

Ouyang Jin thanked him, "Thanks, mate. You look like you’re also from the East like me; you wouldn’t happen to also hail from the same place, would you?"

"That would be quite a coincidence." Li, seizing an opportunity, mentioned that he was from the city where Gu Fan’s group originated.

Surprised, Ouyang Jin replied, "Me too. I never expected to meet a fellow townsman in such a remote foreign land. We must be fated. Too bad you’re not a female; if you were and I didn’t have a girlfriend, I’d definitely pursue you." This comment was a playful jest aimed at bridging the gap between them.

Ouyang Jin and Li smoked and chatted, increasingly finding common ground, feeling as if they had known each other for ages.

Finally, they touched on essential details—where they lived and their names.

When Ouyang Jin stated his name was Gu Fan and he resided in a decrepit house in the city center, Li nearly bulged his eyes out but managed to control himself.

He thought to himself, ’Unexpectedly, no effort spared, and fortune handed it to me on a platter—the person right before me is Gu Fan.’

Ouyang Jin’s claim was of course Gu Fan’s doing, aiming to distract Li and buy some time for Gu Fan while also misguiding Li.

Ouyang Jin treated it as a minor matter and didn’t even bring up increasing the charges, considering it a service to an old client. After all, business should be conducted with integrity.