Translator: CinderTL
To have survived alone in the instance, pursued by a Ghost, and still managed to escape—it seemed he possessed a Gate as well.
When he heard the words "Mr. Jiang," Jiang Cheng showed no reaction, even though he had used the false name Hao Shuai in the instance.
"I secretly saw the person who brought me here," Chen Qiang said, his voice much calmer than before, a faint smile playing on his lips. "He called you Dr. Jiang."
Jiang Cheng sighed and turned to close the door.
A moment later, a clatter of sounds filled the room—not a fight, merely Chen Qiang being beaten up.
After Jiang Cheng slammed him to the ground in a fifth completely different way, Chen Qiang's air of aloof superiority vanished entirely.
"Still pretending?" Jiang Cheng pressed him into the floor, repeatedly grinding him against the surface, nearly breaking his arm.
"No, no more pretending," Chen Qiang gasped, his face contorted in pain, cold sweat pouring down his forehead. "Mr. Jiang, I was wrong. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that just now. Please, I beg you, forgive me!"
"I'm glad you came, but I don't like your attitude," Jiang Cheng said, pulling the knife Chen Qiang had hidden on his person. He patted Chen Qiang's face with the blade, his expression cold. "Don't think you're so impressive just because you've completed a few missions. A month ago, you were trash in my eyes, and you still are. At best, you've gained a little salvage value."
"A man should know himself," Jiang Cheng said slowly, rising to his feet and releasing Chen Qiang, who had been pinned to the ground like a dead dog. "I'm in a bad mood lately. Don't provoke me."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Jiang, I'm so sorry," Chen Qiang immediately changed his attitude, reverting to the respectful young man from his nightmares.
During this time, Jiang Cheng had entered several instances, but Chen Qiang hadn't been idle either. He had made significant progress in the instances, even uncovering some secrets about the Nightmares.
His physical condition had always been above average, and he had specifically learned practical fighting techniques for self-defense.
He had expected this meeting with Jiang Cheng to be a balanced negotiation, a trade of interests. But instead, he had been humiliated and pinned to the ground right from the start.
Once a person's momentum is shattered, everything else becomes much easier.
Jiang Cheng sat back in his chair, leaning against the backrest. Chen Qiang stood before him obediently, like a schoolboy listening to a lecture.
Jiang Cheng asked questions, and Chen Qiang answered.
After this ordeal, the situation unfolded much as Jiang Cheng had anticipated. After the Ancient Script instance, Chen Qiang had entered the Nightmare twice more, gaining significant improvements each time.
Otherwise, he would never have dared to speak to Jiang Cheng like that.
"Mr. Jiang," Chen Qiang asked, "why did you call me here this time?"
"I have a good opportunity for you," Jiang Cheng said after taking a sip of water. "There's a rather peculiar dungeon. I'm planning to use you as a scout."
"Mr. Jiang, please don't joke like that. If you can't handle it, what's the difference between me going and walking straight into my death?" Chen Qiang's face was grim. He couldn't tell if Jiang Cheng was being serious or not.
Seeing that his intimidation tactic had worked, Jiang Cheng stopped trying to scare the young man. Otherwise, he might frighten him too much to be useful.
Jiang Cheng put down his mineral water bottle and looked at him. "If you follow my instructions, you'll be fine. I'm leading the team this time. Besides you and me, there are three other teammates. We're a very strong group."
With that, Chen Qiang didn't dare to say anything more. If he angered Jiang Cheng, he knew he wouldn't be leaving this hotel alive.
When he was being beaten earlier, he had cried for help, but the surroundings remained eerily silent. No one responded, and no hotel staff came to investigate.
That spoke volumes.
"What kind of supernatural event is it?" Chen Qiang asked in a low voice.
Hearing this, Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes slightly. It seemed Chen Qiang knew quite a bit. He had initially assumed the other man was merely caught in an ordinary nightmare, but now it appeared to be more than that.
Noticing Jiang Cheng's gaze, Chen Qiang belatedly explained, "Mr. Jiang, with supernatural events erupting everywhere these days, anyone with even a basic understanding knows what's going on."
He spoke mysteriously, "Nightmares are undergoing a transformation. Their influence on the real world is growing, no longer limited to dragging people away through dreams."
"Based on my analysis, the ultimate goal of nightmares is to completely merge with the real world, replacing our world."
"Each supernatural event is a gap opened by nightmares, a crack into the real world."
"When the gap becomes large enough, the Shadow will replace its Master."
Jiang Cheng listened impassively to Chen Qiang's analysis, but inwardly, he gained a new respect for the college-aged young man. He hadn't expected this young man to grasp the current situation so clearly through mere analysis. Chen Qiang had even articulated the idea that supernatural events were gaps opened by nightmares to merge the Nightmare World with reality.
Jiang Cheng had only analyzed this information recently.
To Chen Qiang's surprise, Jiang Cheng merely sneered upon hearing it, crossing his arms. "Is that all?"
Chen Qiang had revealed all this to demonstrate his value, genuinely fearing Jiang Cheng would take him into the dungeon only to use him as expendable cannon fodder to scout ahead.
He knew all too well that only those with value deserved to live.
"If you're just trying to prove your worth, you should offer some useful intelligence," Jiang Cheng shook his head. "Don't embarrass yourself by regurgitating common knowledge."
"And another thing," Jiang Cheng said, turning to Chen Qiang with the condescending tone one might use with an intellectually disabled person. "Don't use unprofessional terms like 'breach.' We call it the Sunset Land."
"Sunset Land?" Chen Qiang's eyes widened at the term. "The end of the world?"
A flood of thoughts surged through Chen Qiang's mind.
He had read extensively, across all genres, and his thoughts began to flow seamlessly, piecing together scattered fragments of information.
Sunset Land...
The term was perfect!
When Chen Qiang finally looked up, Jiang Cheng was already gazing out the window, leaving him only a mysterious profile.
A chill ran down Chen Qiang's spine. The man before him seemed to know a great deal, but simply couldn't be bothered to say anything.
Beneath that air of weary indolence lay extreme confidence, and the terrifying strength that served as its foundation.
Terrifying.
Absolutely terrifying.
Yet Chen Qiang displayed emotions beyond fear—a thrill, the excitement of a kindred spirit sensing another.
Facing Jiang Cheng's complete dominance, Chen Qiang showed absolute obedience. He knew that in this era, survival required more than just his own strength. He needed to follow an absolute powerhouse.
And now, he had found him!
Jiang Cheng was the man!
"Mr. Jiang, I once again apologize for my previous actions," Chen Qiang said, bowing deeply to Jiang Cheng. "It is my honor to work with you."
"I don't take in trash, so I hope you won't disappoint me," Jiang Cheng said, rising and heading for the door. "Bring your things and follow me."
"Yes, Mr. Jiang."
(End of the Chapter)
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