Armored train in the apocalypse

Chapter 279 "The Old Man Collapses"

Good negotiations are emotional, layered, and involve behind-the-scenes maneuvering.

In the first half, Su Huan was ruthless, explosive, and decisive.

In the second half, Su Huan was inhuman.

After hearing his terms, Mr. Shu looked around, a sense of unease rising in his chest. "Isn't this considered kidnapping?"

I'm glad you have this awareness.

Su Huan pinched his chin and took a step back, his combat boot landing on Han Lie, the four-armed monster in the pit, who let out a muffled groan.

"Oh, you're still alive."

Su Huan raised a foot in surprise. The crimson water churned for a moment, and a wet head emerged. The dazed eyes first reflected Mr. Shu across the sofa, then Su Huan's mocking smile, before any anger could rise.

With a splash, Su Huan stomped him back into the puddle.

Su Huan smiled and looked at Mr. Shu, "How have you decided?"

Mr. Shu sighed, "The value you are demanding exceeds the value that I, and the Black Kite personnel present here, can generate in the future. The company cannot agree to it."

“Since this is a negotiation, there needs to be room for discussion. Let’s take it one step at a time.” Su Huan stomped his toe on the unlucky guy under his feet. “How about this person for me? You have three seconds to think it over.”

Mr. Shu was somewhat surprised, "A second-tier evolver is considered a high-ranking member of Black Kite. Aren't you worried that he might betray us?"

Su Huan did not answer, but pretended to look at the watch on his wrist that had long since stopped working.

Han Lie is not a "defender" of the beast-transformation direction, but a "creator" of flesh and blood like Yu Jing. His extra pair of arms are the result of using universal energy to erode his physical body.

Judging from combat effectiveness and results, this promotion path can be considered a success at the current stage.

The second-tier flesh and blood "creators" can provide Yu Jing with many ideas for reference.

"time up."

Amidst the astonished and uncertain gazes of the crowd, Su Huan reached out and grabbed the short spear that had pierced Han Lie's chest.

He pulled it out, then thrust it into the back of Han Lie's head with his other hand.

The faint struggle underwater fell completely silent.

Mr. Shu, sitting directly opposite, was completely taken aback. The overhead light made his eye sockets appear exceptionally deep, with only his eyeballs showing a hint of disbelief and astonishment.

A second-tier evolver of immense value...

Just like that, you killed him?
Watching Su Huan take down a second-tier opponent without even blinking, everyone's hearts pounded.

The three gunmen forgot to put their hands down from their lower backs.

The bearded leader rubbed his beard hard in disbelief, only realizing it was real when he felt the pain of the hair follicles being pulled.

He turned around, glaring at him, and asked, "Has the strength of the Eastern Empire swelled to this extent? Killing a second-tier being is more satisfying than executing our comrades?"

The shorter bear on the left looked a little stiff. "Shut up, Yuri, he's looking over here."

As the short, chubby bear spoke, he gave him a meaningful look.

Yuri turned around and chuckled, then asked in a low voice, "Seriously, this kid is really suitable for our gunfire team. By the way, has the message been sent out yet?"

The person in the high collar behind them subtly shook their head and made a gesture to mute communications.

Yuri cursed inwardly for reaping what he sowed, and continued watching the spectacle.

Zhongyou was so frightened by this scene that his eyes shrank to the size of pinpoints.

When he first became an Evolver, Han Lie was already a first-tier Evolver. At that time, the head instructor pulled him over to demonstrate, and the violent power left a very deep impression on him.

By the time he became a first-tier evolver, Han Lie had already distinguished himself on the front lines of the company's campaign against the western sand beasts. He had become a second-tier evolver a few months earlier than him, and had advanced hundreds of kilometers eastward, building three large outposts. With his accumulated merits, he rose to become a Golden Kite.

As a result, the mighty "Four-Armed Demon" died in such an anonymous negotiation!
In a puddles!
No, it's more than that.

Zhongyou's eyes swept over the spies sent by the major powers around him, and this negotiation quickly became famous.

The armed train will also step on their Black Kite, step on a director, and two Golden Kite to ascend to the top of the post-apocalyptic power.

As for Jin Yuan and Wang Yi, they were not included in his calculations.

Only those in the three major departments who hold the title of "Golden Kite" are truly "Golden Kite"; others are merely receiving preferential treatment.

Wang Yi was able to maintain her current treatment because, on the one hand, she made a great contribution before the apocalypse, and on the other hand, she was influenced by Mr. Shu.

As long as Mr. Shu doesn't fall, Wang Yi's status will remain special.

but now……

It all depends on the man in front of you.

The train conductor stood in the very center, his feet not touching the water. With a casual glance, he silenced the important figures in the room. The unattainable beauty, even more stunning than he had imagined, stood respectfully behind him like a maid, seemingly unconcerned that her exquisite high heels were soaked in sewage.

Seemingly sensing his gaze, Shu Wei subconsciously turned her head.

Her eyes swept calmly over Zhongyou, without any fluctuation.

Just like when all his training results surpassed hers, she congratulated him with the same calm look in her eyes, like a bucket of cold water poured over his head, extinguishing any trace of his newly formed pride.

After being promoted to the next rank, he did not go out to do missions to accumulate merits and advance in rank, but instead stayed with Cao Yong.

I thought my advancement to the second tier would surprise her, but I didn't expect this...

A feeling of resentment welled up within me.

"You... killed him?"

Mr. Shu's voice was somewhat hoarse.

Su Huan smiled faintly, "Isn't it just a matter of value? You Black Kite would never be willing to release a living second-tier evolver, but now that they're dead, there shouldn't be any problem, right?"

There's no way to detain a second-tier evolved being on the vehicle, so killing him is just fine.

Anyway, Yu Jing doesn't need to live.

Mr. Shu sighed and said sincerely, "If we continue killing, there will be no room for maneuver."

"It's alright, this is enough. As for the rest, you can use evolution resources to redeem yourself. I believe you will give me a satisfactory price."

Su Huan said calmly.

He couldn't very well kill Shu Wei's entire family in front of her, and besides, the train needed a large amount of war reparations to replenish its strength after just one battle.

When it came to business, Mr. Shu still wanted to try his best to negotiate, "but the number you just quoted is too outrageous."

Is that outrageous?

Su Huan turned to look at Shu Wei.

The latter calmly analyzed, "The laboratory is the core department of Black Kite. The entire force is built around the laboratory. Other resources may be barely enough for Black Kite, but various evolutionary resources are absolutely the most abundant."

"Furthermore, Black Kite is most skilled in potion making, so we can increase that by 30%, while reducing daily supplies by 20%..."

"Armaments and ammunition..."

"The factory manager keeps saying they're short of equipment, especially large equipment. But this place is a bit far from headquarters, so we can have them scavenge some from the surrounding abandoned cities for us to inspect..." "Another important thing is information; Black Kite's database is very rich..."

"That's about right. However, considering the train's carrying capacity, some of the supplies should be replaced with high-value items, such as second-tier or higher universal energy crystals."

Su Huan clicked his tongue lightly, tossing the problem back to Lao Shu.

As Mr. Shu watched his daughter across from him spill out all her secrets, his face darkened to the point of being so gloomy it looked like it could be wrung out.

"Even if I give you these resources now, you still won't be able to get out. Once Number One comes out, you will face the relentless crushing of a war machine."

Shu Wei stared calmly into Mr. Shu's gloomy eyes, and after a moment said firmly, "Number One is conducting experiments. His privileges have been increased, and all his resources have been increased by 30%!"

Mr. Shu nearly coughed up a mouthful of blood.

That number was already terrifying enough; raising it by another 30% is equivalent to emptying out Black Kite in one fell swoop!

“I only calculated it based on his status as number three before. The number two director just showed up, which proves that he is currently temporarily holding the authority of number one, so he can definitely produce it!”

Shu Wei's exquisite lips were like a barrage of words, each one dealing a devastating blow to Mr. Shu.

The amused look in Su Huan's eyes made him feel so uncomfortable that he wanted to hit someone.

It feels like your daughter, who has always been an excellent student, suddenly brings a long-haired thug to your door and demands that you give up your house and get out of here.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! You might as well kill me for that number!"

……

"That's all I have. No matter how much you squeeze me, it's useless. Only the number one person has the authority to mobilize those key resources. I still need to keep some of my resources to deal with the internal situation of Black Kite."

After saying this, Mr. Shu seemed deflated.

Su Huan patted the other person on the shoulder with satisfaction, "I'll round down the total from what we just discussed by 10%, consider it as your retirement fund."

"I will give you a list tomorrow morning. The supplies on it must be prepared by the night after tomorrow."

Mr. Shu opened his mouth, but remained silent.

After the battle, the most valuable thing the old man owned was the iris brooch on his chest.

The negotiations were not slow. The combined words of Su Huan and Mr. Shu did not equal the amount spoken by Shu Wei alone. Moreover, Yu Yue silenced the key words, and those around could only hear fragmented snippets.

However, the atmosphere clearly eased.

Bo Qingqing felt a little relieved.

"Oh, right, these people need to be charged separately. Those who are particularly important will have higher ransoms."

Su Huan pointed to Bo Qingqing and the others.

Bo Qingqing's face paled. She could feel the angry gazes around her, and the crowd that had been standing close together quietly moved away from her side.

The woman harbored resentment. These ungrateful wretches! She was speaking up for everyone, what was wrong with that?

Instead of blaming the train conductor, they're blaming her!
Damn it!
Mr. Shu glanced at the group of young people, his eyes showing no remorse.

When everyone else is suffering losses, his losses aren't as significant; he can just consider it tuition for his children.

Su Huan crouched down to make sure his line of sight was level with Mr. Shu's. "Alright, I have one last question."

Mr. Shu knew the key to the bet was coming up and didn't waste any time.

"Just ask."

Who is Yang Cunyi?

Seeing Mr. Shu's pupils tremble slightly, Su Huan knew he had asked the right person.

At this moment, every cell became excited, like a groom about to unveil his bride.

"He is a major general in the military. He was the one who picked me up to attend the meeting. There were many other people at the meeting, and each of the people who received me was of a very high rank, similar to him."

Mr. Shu quickly regained his composure and spoke without hesitation.

He could sense that Su Huan took this issue very seriously.

The train conductor was silent for a moment, then said, "Bring Lin Xi here."

Soon, the dilapidated theater was transformed into a magnificent space thanks to the girl's arrival.

Various scattered lights reflected on the girl's silver hair, emitting a faint glow and making her figure appear even more graceful and delicate.

All eyes were on the girl, especially the evolved beings.

They are better able to appreciate the unique qualities of Lin Xi.

It was something like Su Huan's, like a beautiful piece of jade. Anyone with eyes could feel its "beauty" just by standing there.

This is the stirring of the genes, something even a blind person can feel.

Lin Xi looked at the layer of water on the ground, wrinkled her pretty nose, stopped in place, and stared straight at Su Huan.

Su Huan squatted on the corpse and glanced at her expressionlessly.

“Go on, you’re listening.”

Lin Xi's gaze turned melancholy.

Mr. Shu naturally knew Lin Xi, and the amazement in his eyes turned into caution.

"The meeting started immediately after we left, without giving us a chance to speak. But I glanced around and saw that many of them were business luminaries. I didn't say a word to anyone until the meeting ended and I was sent back."

"How many people were there? Who were they? How many times did they go? What exactly did they do? Do I need to ask you these questions one by one?"

Su Huan said calmly.

Sensing Su Huan's murderous intent, Mr. Shu's scalp tightened. "The first meeting was very brief. It mainly asked about our company's situation, and then it inexplicably adjourned. We weren't really informed of the apocalypse until three months later..."

A glint flashed in Su Huan's eyes; the military, or rather the organization, knew about it even earlier!
The first meeting was likely a screening process based on some kind of qualification.

"I roughly know what you want to ask, but there are many details and the timeline is not right. Let me organize my thoughts."

Mr. Shu cleared his throat and continued.

“I had a feeling that something was about to happen the first time I contacted some friends and found that many of our businesses in China had been called over, and they were all picked up and dropped off by military vehicles. We are considered to be prominent people in society, and only the military could take us away without alerting anyone.”

"Because it was so far in advance, we already had some guesses, but in the end, very few people heard the doomsday news. In China, including Black Kite, there were only about a dozen companies, and now that number is probably less than ten..."

"Only messages?"

Su Huan asked.

"There are also universal energy crystals, as well as some very basic things. The gene serums, universal energy weapons, and evolutionary professions that you see now are all things that we have gradually researched over the years."

A look of realization dawned on Su Huan's eyes. No wonder the focus and professional system of each faction were completely different in the later stages of his previous life. So that's the root of the problem!
“We had long believed the doomsday prophecy, but to make it more convincing, the military presented something more crucial.”

At this point, Mr. Shu straightened his back, his eyes widened slightly, and he exuded a saintly fervor.

"—A true evolved being."

(End of this chapter)