Chapter 416: Playing Both Sides

Chapter 416: Playing Both Sides

On the distant snowy plain, Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai led their battered remnants in a slow and desperate retreat.

What had started as a grand and imposing campaign now ended in utter humiliation. The combined forces of both bases had dwindled to fewer than 100 soldiers, with five of their most powerful Superhuman captains among the dead.

This battle had nearly halved the armed strength of both bases.

Wei Dinghai himself bore a deep slash from Liang Yue, his injury compounded by rage and frustration. His worsening condition added to the growing sense of despair.

“Bai Xue Jiao and Xing Tian! Those traitorous scum!” Wei Dinghai slammed his fist against the vehicle, the loud clang expressing the depth of his fury.

But anger did nothing to change reality.

A loss was a loss.

Their defeat stemmed from their arrogance. They had underestimated Zhang Yi, dismissing him as a minor threat with a small team and an insignificant Shelter.

But the fight had shown them how wrong they were.

Zhang Yi’s team, with its heavy firepower and formidable Superhumans, rivaled even the former West Hill Base. Combined with their defensive advantage, they had held their ground with remarkable effectiveness, even against two opposing forces.

Chaoyu and Yangsheng Bases had paid dearly for their underestimation, their defeat a costly lesson in hubris.

If they had known the truth beforehand, they might have brought their entire armies or sought a negotiated settlement with Zhang Yi to share West Hill’s spoils more amicably.

But regret was futile. The price of their arrogance was already paid.

Sitting together in the same vehicle, Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai simmered in frustration. Their losses extended even to their vehicles; only four were left operational.

As Wei Dinghai ranted, Xiao Honglian clenched her teeth in rage.

She wasn’t surprised that Bai Xue Jiao had turned on them. What baffled her was why Qingfu Base had sided with Zhang Yi.

Had Xing Tian’s army joined the fray, the battle’s outcome could have been entirely different. Qingfu Base’s expertise in large-scale warfare was unmatched.

“Xing Tian! How much did Zhang Yi offer you to betray us?” Xiao Honglian growled, her fury intensifying. She pulled out a satellite phone, intending to confront Xing Tian directly.

But Wei Dinghai grabbed her arm. “Don’t do anything rash!”

“What?” Xiao Honglian snapped, glaring at him.

Wei Dinghai sighed. “Xing Tian didn’t attack us. He stayed neutral and just watched. My guess? Zhang Yi offered him something valuable to stay out of the fight and help no one.”

Grinding his teeth, he added, “Those guys always play it safe. If they can profit without fighting, they’ll jump at the chance.”

Having dealt with Qingfu Base for years, Wei Dinghai understood Xing Tian’s cautious, opportunistic nature all too well.

Xiao Honglian seethed. “And what about our agreement? He broke his promise and left us to bear the losses! How do we settle this?”

Wei Dinghai shook his head with resignation. “Both our forces are crippled. Do you really think we can afford to confront Xing Tian about this?”

“All we can hope for is that he doesn’t strike us now while we’re weak.”

But just as the words left his mouth, a thunderous rumble echoed across the plain.

It sounded like an avalanche—or an approaching army.

Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai’s faces turned pale. They had heard this sound before.

“Xing Tian’s army!”

Through the swirling snow, they saw five vehicles crawling along, carrying exhausted survivors. Meanwhile, Xing Tian and his 500-strong force surged across the plain, intercepting their path.

Sitting atop a massive mutant hound, Xing Tian bellowed with laughter.

“Xiao Honglian! Wei Dinghai! Why are you in such a hurry to leave?”

With no choice, Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai stepped out to face Xing Tian’s fully intact and enthusiastic army.

Xing Tian’s troops, having stayed out of the earlier battle, were raring for a fight, their morale sky-high.

To the retreating leaders, they looked like a pack of hungry wolves ready to pounce.

A heavy sense of dread filled Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai.

If another conflict broke out now, they wouldn’t stand a chance.

“Xing Tian!” Xiao Honglian snapped, her sharp eyes narrowing. “You didn’t honor our agreement to attack Zhang Yi’s Shelter. What are you doing here now?”

Xing Tian smirked, his expression full of mockery.

“Isn’t it obvious? You’re both wealthy lords with plenty of resources. I’m here to collect a toll!”

His blatant extortion sent waves of rage through the battered remnants of the two bases, but their anger was powerless. Their weakened state made them entirely vulnerable.

Wei Dinghai, trying to maintain composure, asked, “Xing Tian, why? If you had joined us in taking Zhang Yi’s Shelter, we could’ve shared West Hill and Lu River. Instead, you stayed out of the fight. Did you already know Zhang Yi’s true strength?”

This question gnawed at Wei Dinghai, and he needed answers—even in defeat. Xiao Honglian’s eyes also bore into Xing Tian, waiting for his response.

Xing Tian shrugged casually.

“It’s simple. Qingfu Base doesn’t have the vehicles or energy resources you do. We can’t extend our control like you can. Even if we’d won, I wouldn’t be able to compete with your bases when dividing the spoils.”

“Zhang Yi offered me 10 tons of food to stay out of the fight, so I happily agreed.”

Spreading his hands, Xing Tian added, “10 tons of food for doing nothing versus risking my men for an uncertain payoff? Which do you think I should choose?”

Xing Tian’s frank admission left Wei Dinghai and Xiao Honglian speechless.

They had indeed planned to monopolize the best territories and resources if they won. Bai Xue Jiao and Qingfu Base wouldn’t have stood a chance against their mobility and firepower.

But they hadn’t anticipated Xing Tian cutting a deal with Zhang Yi.

Satisfied with their silence, Xing Tian crossed his arms. “Now, let’s talk tolls. How much are you willing to pay to pass through here?”

Faced with no alternatives, Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai begrudgingly handed over a significant portion of their remaining supplies in exchange for safe passage.

Xing Tian’s grin widened as he watched his men collect the loot.

From start to finish, Qingfu Base had avoided direct involvement, yet they reaped immense rewards. With Chaoyu and Yangsheng Bases now crippled, Qingfu Base was poised to rise as one of Tianhai City’s top factions.

“Everyone thought I was a fool. Now, let’s see who the real fools are!” Xing Tian said, laughing gleefully.

Author's Note