“Gao Ming!” Wang Chenyi and Shen Tian recognised Gao Ming at the same time, but their reactions were completely different.
Shen Tian, who also lived in the old city, immediately had his people put their weapons away. His expression became kind and affable.
Wang Chenyi revealed the alertness in his eyes. He had heard his family mention Gao Ming before. Gao Ming’s reward money was only second to Situ An in the investigation centre. He was a dangerous desperado.
“I was the one who killed the God of the Future. I was the one who tasked them to find these things. Would you like a part of them?” Gao Ming enquired in a smooth tone.
Shen Tian, who was so arrogant earlier, quickly shook his hands. “You’ve created Dead Water Forum and selflessly shared the way to clear the anomalies. You are the saviour of Han Hai for helping so many people.”
It was unclear whether Shen Tian was being sincere or not. He walked towards Gao Ming actively and then had his people stand around Gao Ming. He looked like he was planning to side with Gao Ming. “Gao Ming, since we’re both from the old city, we should watch each other’s backs. Those from the other zones just want to bully us!”
“My younger brother is immature and young. Before I entered this anomaly, my father and grandfather told me that I should thank you in person for looking after him if I met you. If you have the time, you are welcome to drop by Zhen Hai Investigation Centre any time you wish. You are our forever friend.” Wang Chenyi was very sharp. He knew that even if he wanted to make a move, he had to maintain a surface of civility.
Witnessing the change in their attitude, Xi San, who carried a box of cursed objects, was confused. This was different from the movies that he saw. Shouldn’t the bad guys continue to taunt them?
The four faces of the God of Flesh and Blood shared the same expression as Gao Ming. When one was strong enough, one would naturally attract new friends. As for how these people really thought in private, Gao Ming didn’t care since he had already imprinted them in the torture room. How boring his life would be if these people weren’t there?
Fan Li hadn’t said anything when Shen Tian jumped out, “We haven’t done anything. You’re the one who single-handedly killed the God of the Future. These things should be yours. We can’t take them from you!”
“It’s fine. You’ve paid more than enough.” Gao Ming pulled the chains. The new chains were engraved with different names. The presence exuded by the God of Flesh and Blood intensified.
They were not afraid of negotiating with Gao Ming. They were afraid that there wouldn’t be any negotiation.
Wang Chenyi sensed the change in his consciousness. He wanted to fight back, but he was concerned about his ‘allies’. Shen Tian was too cunning.
Situ Cheng had said nothing. When he knew Gao Ming had exited Building Three, he understood that things were not good for them.
“I’ll let you go when I’m done trading with the headquarters.” The soul fire in the flesh furnace burned. Gao Ming’s voice entered everyone’s heart. “We’re friends from now on, so I hope you won’t do things that will trouble me.”
After the chains were thrown into the furnace and fished out, everyone felt a sense of submission to Gao Ming’s words as if they were disciples before their God. Their bodies had been infiltrated by the God of Flesh and Blood. The mutation could start at any moment, but Gao Ming delayed it. He didn’t want to turn everyone in Han Hai into the God of Flesh and Blood’s disciples. The torture room was big, but it had its capacity limits.
“Gao Ming, there are still some security members at Building One. They are the elites from the West Port’s Investigation Centres. I’ll bring you to them.” Wang Chenyi was Elder Wang’s most valued junior for a reason. He understood that when everyone was in the sea, those who were closest to the shore had the highest chance of being saved. In this anomaly, Gao Ming was the shore.
By late afternoon, every living human in the anomaly had entered the torture room at least once. The headquarters gathered a lot of elites to handle this big selection event, and they were all delivered to Gao Ming.
When the sun dropped down the horizon, several black cars appeared outside Everlasting Life Apartments. Jing Tuoshen returned. He looked a lot more tired. His face was frighteningly pale. When Gao Ming saw the black cars with the closed windows, his eyes narrowed. The headquarters used these cars to deliver the Red Raincoat into Han De Private School.
“What is in the cars this time? Another Red Spectre or something else?”
The rays from the streetlights distorted. Gao Ming was followed by Wan Jie and He Jing. They stood in the shadowy yard of Everlasting Life Apartments. Jing Tuoshen waited outside the anomaly alone. The ray of the setting sun shone on him.
“Gao Ming, someone from the headquarters wants to meet you.” Jing Tuoshen didn’t bring up the trade. His first sentence surprised Gao Ming, “If you think it’s inconvenient, we can meet up along the edge of Han Hai city, near the black fog.”
Gao Ming shook his head. He had zero trust in the investigation centre headquarters.
“The black fog is spreading into Han Hai. We have no idea what is happening outside the city. The situation is very dangerous now.”
“That was not what you said yesterday.”
“The headquarters planned the selection event in the hopes that we can explore the black fog together. You have showcased your ability, so our future cooperation will be evener and fairer.” Jing Tuoshen waited for the sun to fully set before he signalled the cars behind him to enter Everlasting Life Apartments.
When the front of the cars touched the shadow, the first car opened its doors. A black box was fixed in the middle. With Jing Tuoshen’s orders, the security members inside the car unlocked the layers of protection around the box. The giant box was stuffed with dead body wraps. After all the wraps were pulled away, a desiccated human head was revealed. The moment it left the box, the head opened its eyes. Murky blood started to flow as shadows gathered around the head like waves in a flood.
“He has the power close to a Dream Ghost, so we have to deliver him .” Jing Tuoshen tossed Zhang Ding’s head into the shadow. Boss Zhang wanted to absorb the shadow, but something was encased in his head, and he was stopped from doing so.
“To ensure the success of the trade and our future collaboration, the headquarters has passed a decision to commit a small modification to your friend.” Jing Tuoshen pointed at Zhang Ding’s left eye. “He will soon become a Dream Ghost. To help him sense that power, we implanted the headquarters’ Dream Ghost’s eye into his socket. We are not doing this to threaten you. We merely hope you’ll enter the black fog with us.”