Maple Leaf City, one of the major cities located in the eastern part of the Star Moon Kingdom, though its population wasn’t as large as White River City, it was not far behind.
At this moment, the Underworld had secretly taken control of most of the city, and completely seizing it was only a matter of time.
«Feng, are you really going to contact that person, Black Flame?» Nan Lang, clad in a black cloak, stood aside, looking at Feng Xuanyang who was enjoying delicacies on the sofa. He asked in astonishment.
Although Black Flame had become a top expert on the Windcloud Power Rankings and had even received the title of «Shura» from the Celestial Mechanism Pavilion, making him worth recruiting, Black Flame had first rejected their kind invitation, even played Feng Xuanyang for a fool, and later sabotaged the Underworld’s plans. Given Feng Xuanyang’s personality, he would definitely find a way to eliminate Black Flame, just like before.
But now things had changed; he was initiating contact himself.
«There are things you don’t understand. According to the investigation from below, that Mechanical Slayer is a very special monster,» Feng Xuanyang said, looking at the data he had gathered, a playful smile on his handsome face.
«A special monster?» Nan Lang didn’t understand.
«That’s right. According to my information, any player killed by the Mechanical Slayer requires a full natural day to revive, even with a healer’s resurrection spell. Moreover, the death penalty is doubled. Even after revival, there’s a weakened state where all attributes drop by 30%, and experience gain is reduced by 50%, lasting for two natural days.» Feng Xuanyang nodded slightly, smiling smugly. «Do you know what this means?»
Nan Lang shook his head, even more confused.
«Have you ever seen a monster with such power?»
«Within the basic settings of the Divine Realm, the more powerful the monster, the better the loot. You can imagine how good the equipment dropped by the Mechanical Slayer is; there’s a high chance for epic-grade items to appear.»
«This time, Zero Wing was the biggest beneficiary, getting the most loot. If we could get our hands on these dropped items, it would be of great help to our faction’s development. But getting this batch of loot is too difficult, and we don’t have the specific data on the dropped items. Even robbing them wouldn’t be easy.»
«So I’ve decided to invest in Zero Wing. Although it costs a bit more, once I become a shareholder of Zero Wing, I can gain access to this information at any time, then set an ambush to seize these items and gradually destroy the Zero Wing guild.»
«It’s just a little money. This young master has plenty.»
Feng Xuanyang was determined to enter Zero Wing. Who could refuse one billion credit points? As long as he became a shareholder, he could legitimately obtain all sorts of Zero Wing’s information. Previously, Shi Feng had been so arrogant, even ruining his plan to support Dark Star. How could he possibly let Shi Feng off?
Hearing this, Nan Lang felt a sudden chill run through his body.
Suddenly, Nan Lang realized he was still too naive. His understanding of Feng Xuanyang was too superficial.
Feng Xuanyang’s plan was too insane, too terrifying.
In Nan Lang’s view, Feng Xuanyang wasn’t after the Mechanical Slayer’s loot at all; it was purely for revenge. This batch of loot was just an excuse.
Willing to spend one billion credit points... all to destroy Zero Wing—he was simply a madman!
«Feng, don’t take this the wrong way, but we’ve given Black Flame trouble before. We even ordered the capture of Zero Wing’s main raid team. Now trying to invest in Zero Wing, I think he would never agree,» Nan Lang said in a low voice.
«I’ve obviously considered that. Attacking Zero Wing was true, but that was Dark Star’s doing. I never appeared personally. Although he knows, we haven’t openly torn relations apart, so there’s still room to maneuver. Moreover, contacting Black Flame when he’s at the height of his glory is to make him think I value his future potential and am willing to pay any price. That way, I can smoothly invest in Zero Wing without arousing Black Flame’s suspicion.» Feng Xuanyang looked at the wine glass in his hand, took a sip, and sneered. «Besides, who would turn away money? I’ve investigated Zero Wing; this guild doesn’t have much capital. To develop further, a massive amount of credit points is inevitable. One billion credit points is like a pie falling from the sky for Zero Wing—a great thing.»
«If Black Flame is a smart person, logically and emotionally, he has no reason to refuse.»
Suddenly, Nan Lang’s heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t expected his guess to be right. Feng Xuanyang’s goal was to destroy Zero Wing, not to obtain the loot—or rather, to destroy Zero Wing, and get the loot as a bonus.
Just as Nan Lang was secretly alarmed, Feng Xuanyang had already contacted Shi Feng.
«So it’s President Feng. What business do you have with me?» Shi Feng answered the communication, asking as if he didn’t know.
«President Black Flame, regarding the last incident, I’ve thought it through. For a guild like Zero Wing with such boundless potential, the Underworld is willing to invest one billion credit points for a stake. With our help, Zero Wing will certainly become the dominant force in the eastern part of the Star Moon Kingdom. President Black Flame, when would you be available for us to sign the contract?» Feng Xuanyang said with a smile.
«It seems President Feng has considered this very carefully and finally realizes the value of our Zero Wing guild. Although President Feng’s previous actions were a bit excessive, I’ll forgive you. Then let’s first discuss the investment details. If everything’s fine, we can talk about signing. After all, this investment is a major matter for Zero Wing.» Shi Feng put on a look of great interest.
However, upon hearing this, Feng Xuanyang almost cursed aloud. His hand trembled, and the wine glass slipped, smashing on the ground with a crash.
Shi Feng’s words made it sound like he was a misbehaving child seeking Shi Feng’s forgiveness. How could this not enrage the proud and arrogant Feng Xuanyang?
«Black Flame… this matter today… I’ll endure it… The moment I become a shareholder of Zero Wing will be the day of your death!» Feng Xuanyang thought to himself. Suppressing his anger, he forced a calm tone. «Of course. The Underworld is willing to spend one billion credit points for a 10% stake in Zero Wing. Additionally, we will supply one hundred gold coins weekly, along with a large number of experts and talents to assist Zero Wing, helping it quickly become the ruler of White River City.»
«One billion for a 10% stake?» Shi Feng shook his head and sneered. «I think President Feng might be mistaken. Do you know the phrase ‘times change’?»
«Is President Black Flame rejecting my good-faith investment because of past misunderstandings?» Feng Xuanyang hurriedly said. «That was truly a misunderstanding. Those matters against the Zero Wing guild, I really knew nothing about. It was all Wei Wo Du Kuang acting alone. Although I’ve strictly forbidden it, he still insisted on his own way. It really wasn’t the Underworld’s intention.»
«President Feng, you’ve misunderstood. I’m not saying I’ll reject the Underworld’s investment. It’s just that one billion credit points for a 10% stake in Zero Wing—don’t you think you’re being a bit too greedy?» Shi Feng shook his head again and said seriously. «President Feng, one shouldn’t be so greedy. But seeing your sincerity, I can make a decision: for one billion credit points, you can get a 1% stake in Zero Wing. What do you think?»
At this moment, Shi Feng’s tone made it sound like Feng Xuanyang was getting a massive bargain, leaving no room for offense, as if it were the absolute truth.
«Black… Flame!» After hearing Shi Feng’s words, Feng Xuanyang’s hair stood on end. His face flushed red, veins bulged on his forehead, and he could no longer contain his rage. Through gritted teeth, he roared, «You’re crazy for money! Why don’t you just go rob someone?!»
Even Nan Lang standing nearby was startled by what Shi Feng said.
Even though Zero Wing was different now, raising the price a hundredfold—this Black Flame really knew how to do business! (To be continued...)