Jiang Yunhan gave a helpless smile. "Isn't that obvious…?"
This kid had looted Dachang's supplies clean—how was Dachang supposed to feed their Awakened now? There was no doubt: Dachang's first wave of Awakened Ones would soon flood into Jiangbei asking for help. And the workload?
It would explode instantly.
All thanks to Chen Xiao.
After parting ways with Jiang Yunhan and the others, Chen Xiao headed to check on Dashan. From a distance, he saw the big man in the rear training grounds, relentlessly pounding his fists against his own body.
Rumor had it that ever since Dashan lost Tang Shirou, he'd been training twelve hours a day—every day—without fail. No one knew what was going on inside his head.
Chen Xiao sighed, choosing not to disturb him. Instead, he took the two women back to Jianghe Building. It counted as physical activity after all—and the gains in physique and strength were very real.
Eighth floor.Chen Xiao's room.
He lit a cigarette and stood by the window.
Tomorrow night would be the Blood Moon—the third Blood Moon.
Even though he'd rejected the military's cooperation, the rewards of the National Fortune Game… awakening a second animal type… that was massive for others.
But for someone who hoarded fossils like him?
It was a straight-up broken upgrade.
Mosasaurs, mammoths, pterosaurs, saber-toothed tigers… all too tempting.
If they didn't send someone to beg him to continue cooperating, Chen Xiao would have to take a knife to visit them himself. One way or another, the Siheyuan opportunity—and its rewards—would be his.
"Knock, knock, knock."
As if answering his thoughts, someone knocked on the door.
It was Jiang Chuxue. She poked her head in with a mischievous grin. "Hehe."
She quickly added, "Brother Chen Xiao, I'm here for something important!"
Chen Xiao guessed immediately. "Someone's looking for me?"
Jiang Chuxue narrowed her eyes and nodded adorably. "How did you know? A big beauty is here~"
Chen Xiao's suspicion was confirmed. He chuckled. "You two keep chatting. The one outside… this is actually important."
He put on his clothes and headed straight out of Jianghe Building.
Jianghe District.Reception room.
A woman of striking presence had arrived today—An Xinning.
She sat upright, high ponytail neatly tied, her military uniform accentuating her capable, commanding aura. Her heroic temperament drew every gaze in the room. Behind her stood three or four personnel from the capital military region, all tense and stiff.
On Jiangbei's side, seven or eight powerful S-rank+ Awakened stood guard.
Jiang Yunhan sat nearby. "It's an honor to have Chief An visit Jiangbei. May I ask what brings you here in person?"
An Xinning's expression didn't waver. "I'll speak once the Mad Ghost Butcher arrives."
Inside, she was seething.
But she had no choice except to swallow her pride—for Huaxia's interests, for the capital military region, and for herself.
After offending the Mad Ghost Butcher, Pei Tianyuan had barked at her for an entire day, then gathered more than a dozen high-ranking officers to find a solution. In the end, she was ordered to apologize—and was given a major demerit.
Her first since graduating the military academy.
A humiliation she'd never imagined.
"Oh~ who's this? An Xinning. Chief An."
A mocking voice echoed through the room.
Chen Xiao walked in wearing black, hands in his pockets, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
The moment he entered, Jiangbei's representatives stood up simultaneously. Some had met him, some hadn't—but all respected him deeply.
This was the true boss of the Jiangbei Triangle.
The capital military region personnel also rose, gazes solemn; this harmless-looking young man… was the Mad Ghost Butcher who had wiped out the top three families and slain a Huaxia Divine General.
"Chen Xiao, Chief An traveled thousands of miles to Jiangbei just to meet you," Jiang Yunhan explained, unaware of their past conflict.
Chen Xiao nodded. "I know. They're here to beg for forgiveness on their knees."
Jiang Yunhan's pupils shrank. "Are you sure? She's the capital's Second Executive…"He tried to warn Chen Xiao not to go too far—after all, the Huaxia Military Region's power was unfathomable.
Chen Xiao simply patted his shoulder and stepped past him.
An Xinning rose. At 178 cm, she stood only about ten centimeters shorter than Chen Xiao. She raised her proud gaze to meet his.
"Chen Xiao, I'm here to apologize."
Chen Xiao shook his head. "That's your attitude?"
Realizing she couldn't be too proud, An Xinning lowered her head slightly.
"I've brought 50,000 jin of meat, 30,000 daily necessities, and 30,000 sets of clothing. This is the capital military region's maximum sincerity."
Her voice was crisp, professional.
This amount of supplies was enough to support a small base. Given that Chen Xiao had cut off Dachang's food and looted their reserves, Jiangbei should be desperate for resources right now.
But she didn't expect his reaction.
Chen Xiao sneered. "Treating me like a beggar? If this is your sincerity, then get out."
An Xinning frowned. "Chen Xiao, do you understand what these supplies mean? This isn't enough sincerity?"
She genuinely couldn't figure him out.
What in the world did this man want?
Chen Xiao shook his head. "Here's what we'll do."
He crooked his finger, motioning for her to come closer.
An Xinning leaned in.
Chen Xiao whispered in her ear—calm, unhesitating:
"I need real sincerity."