Chapter 42 - 41: Business Partners

"So this is the price I can’t refuse?"

"Women aren’t worth much these days."

In times of peace, they were unattainable goddesses. But in this chaotic new era where strength is everything, they’re reduced to selling their bodies just to survive.

Lin Feng wasn’t that desperate. Besides, he figured most of the women Hu Fei had brought were likely professionals from before. For his own health, it was best to steer clear.

Seeing the young man before him was unmoved, Hu Fei was surprised. He had used his connections to investigate Lin Feng’s background before coming here...

An ordinary, recent college graduate.

Who’d been single for a long time, too.

A guy who’d gotten incredibly lucky.

He’d seen plenty of people who got rich or powerful overnight. Hu Fei knew what they wanted—women, money, the usual things.

It was much easier to impress these young upstarts than the old-timers.

But what Hu Fei hadn’t expected was that this virile, twenty-five-year-old man would be completely unfazed by a row of beautiful women. In Lin Feng’s calm gaze, Hu Fei couldn’t detect the slightest flicker of desire.

But Hu Fei soon understood why Lin Feng wasn’t interested in the "premium goods" he had worked so hard to procure.

It was because the female team member who drove for him was a stunning beauty in disguise, her figure hidden by a baggy tracksuit.

Chen Yanyan walked over with Liu Yueqi. Seeing the tense scene, she pulled the younger girl back as she tried to step forward and speak.

"They’re talking business. Let’s go to your aunt’s place first."

Liu Yueqi glanced at the tense atmosphere in the repair shop and caught sight of the seductive women in the van. Her brow furrowed slightly.

"That man in the suit... he doesn’t look like a good person."

Chen Yanyan nodded, unfazed.

"Yes. But they are both doing the right thing."

...

People with no desires are the hardest to deal with.

Hu Fei needed to win Lin Feng over, and quickly. Otherwise, he would lose the deal of a lifetime—a deal that could change his entire destiny.

"No, no, of course not. This is just an appetizer specially prepared for Mr. Lin. If you don’t like it, I’ll have them taken away right now."

Lin Feng slowly sat up and looked at the man before him.

"Let’s talk right here. The hissing of the Zergs puts me more at ease than the chatter of women."

Hu Fei took a deep breath and gestured with his fingers. His burly subordinate drove the van aside, leaving the two of them to talk alone.

"Regarding the Fine Steel you requested, I brought a full five tons from the steel mill in Jin City. It’s been forged into sixty ten-millimeter plates, each one square meter in size."

"As for food and gasoline, I managed to get my hands on standard-issue Air Force rations. They taste great with a little heat and are packed with nutrients. For the gasoline, here’s an internal fuel card..."

Hu Fei handed over a red card.

"It has a thousand liters stored in it. You can refuel at any gas station. I was in a hurry this time, so I only brought a hundred liters for you in the car as an emergency supply."

Hu Fei paused here, then continued,

"Now, about the last item—weapons. The explosives you wanted are under the tightest control right now."

"Due to the long period of peace, the army’s readiness has slipped. The Federation’s current ammunition reserves are only enough to last for a month. Even though production lines are running overtime in the rear, there’s very little to spare."

"At the moment, I can only get you one hundred kilograms. Twenty kilograms of that is C4 plastic explosive, and the rest is standard TNT."

"As for heavy firepower, things like personal rocket launchers... they’re not as efficient as your Superpower Bullets."

"There’s also... also medical supplies. Ten first-aid kits, including some military-grade adrenaline and the like."

"I can fully equip you with everything you’d need on the front lines."

Lin Feng stared silently at Hu Fei’s face the entire time. Only after Hu Fei had listed everything he’d brought did Lin Feng slowly speak.

"There’s more than one Zerg under that tarp."

Hu Fei took a deep breath.

"Are they all Black Spine Zergs?"

Lin Feng nodded and gestured for him to see for himself.

Hu Fei started to step forward to inspect the goods but froze, a cold sweat breaking out on his skin as he suddenly remembered how terrifying the Black Spine Zergs were.

"Are they secured? Those Black Spine Zergs can pierce right through a man with their limbs."

Lin Feng smiled.

"Relax. I’ve neutralized all threats."

With that reassurance, Hu Fei dared to reach out. Amidst a chorus of hissing, he cautiously lifted the tarp.

A pair of black-and-yellow-striped Giant Mandibles appeared before his eyes.

Hu Fei finally saw the treasure he had dreamed of. Even though this Black Spine Zerg had its four legs sheared off, its ferocious Giant Mandibles and massive body still filled him with dread.

Especially now, in the dead of night, with the lonely, cold wind blowing. If he had encountered a whole Black Spine Zerg—a ferocious, three-meter-tall behemoth—Hu Fei knew his legs would have turned to jelly.

Fortunately, the threat from this Black Spine Zerg had been eliminated. Even its remaining pair of Giant Mandibles were bound so tightly with rope that they couldn’t move.

And as the tarp was completely pulled back, three Black Spine Zergs of similar size appeared before Hu Fei.

In an instant, the promise of immense profit allowed Hu Fei to overcome his fear. A million thoughts flooded his mind—the faces of potential clients, some publicly known, others obscure but holding high status, all swirling through his calculations.

But one thing was certain: he, Hu Fei, was about to hit the big time!

"Finished looking? I never said you could take them all."

A voice from behind shattered Hu Fei’s reverie. He suddenly realized it was a trap—a ploy by Lin Feng to drive up the price.

But this time, no matter how outrageous the price, he had to accept it as long as it was within his means.

Lin Feng had seen this from the start, which was why he’d been holding out.

Hu Fei wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, sat back down on the stool, and decided to offer his bottom line:

"Once these live Zergs enter the upper echelons of society, demand will skyrocket. Then, everything you could ever want will be within your reach."

"And I, Hu Fei, your most loyal partner, can help you achieve it quickly through my network of connections!"

"You’ll become the most sought-after person in the Federation! Even the High Council will be under your sway."

"This Energy will be in your hands."

When he finished, Hu Fei’s mouth was dry. He subconsciously reached up and tugged at his tie. This was the most sincere offer he could make: to make Lin Feng a partner in a business that would lead to the Peak of power.

Lin Feng finally showed a hint of a smile.

"Thank you for your honesty. Being open with each other is the first step to our partnership."

"But my friend, your understanding of the value of live Zergs is still too shallow. How many times have you been enhanced? Three? Four? You’ve barely killed any Red-Armored Beetles."

"Too few! I know better than you the value these alien bugs bring. Just by lifting a finger, you can get substantial enhancements, and even Awaken a Superpower."

"That intense positive feedback loop is more addictive than anything else."

Lin Feng pulled out the pistol from his waist, placed it on the table, and then continued:

"Of course, if Superpowers are the external changes of Awakening, then the enhancement of one’s Physique is the traceless, hidden benefit."

"This is a whole new evolution. Not only can an individual become incredibly powerful, but they can also gain a long life—or even become an immortal god!"

"From ancient times to the present, the one temptation rulers could never resist wasn’t overwhelming power itself, but how to hold onto it for longer."

"They once dreamed of becoming immortals, believed in Alchemists, and even gave themselves blood transfusions and drank blood, all just to extend their lives."

"And now, this kind of Miracle Elixir is right in front of them."

"All they need to do is kill a few Zergs that invaded Blue Star."

"Guilt-free, and righteous."

Here, Lin Feng’s tone shifted.

"Right now, no one can provide a stable supply of live Zergs, especially Black Spine Zergs. That’s why I need you to build it: a trade network that permeates the upper echelons."

"I will provide you with a stable supply. In return, aside from your own cut of the profits, I want the personal information of every single buyer."

"That’s one of my conditions. Don’t even think about cutting me out. I can provide you with things you can’t get from the military."

"I have my own connections in the upper echelons, and I know these Zergs better than you do. If you did your homework, you should know I have a strong relationship with the Federation Research Institute."

"Information is the greatest advantage."

As Lin Feng spoke, Hu Fei’s expression grew increasingly grim and serious.

After a long moment of thought, Hu Fei loosened the tie at his throat and burst into laughter.

"I never thought... I never thought I, Hu Fei, would be won over by a young upstart."

"Lin Feng, you’re the most interesting person I’ve met in years. It’s clear you aren’t satisfied with just selling your wares. You want something more..."

"But you also have to face the challenges that come with it."

Saying that, Hu Fei extended his right hand.

"Perhaps this is a fine start!"

Lin Feng shrugged. The two men shook hands again, sealing their partnership. This time, however, it was far deeper.

"Oh right, there’s one last thing."

"I’m well aware that the resources you’re giving me in exchange for my support are a pittance—a hundredth, maybe a thousandth, of what you’ll make reselling them!"

"But I won’t question the money you make or the power you gain for now."

"But if the day comes when I need your help, you must use every resource, every connection, even if it means liquidating all the wealth you’ve amassed... Whatever it takes!"

Hu Fei’s eyes twitched. He asked, testing the waters,

"Can you tell me what you’re planning that would be so costly? With a few months of a stable supply, I could become the new richest man in the Federation..."

Lin Feng’s expression didn’t change, his smile filled with confidence and conviction.

"War!"

"A war against the Zerg Race—a war we will actually win."

"And I will be the one to finish it!"