Chapter 397 - 297: Rapid Development (11)

Zhao Chi recognized the two bottles of red wine. They were spoils he had taken from Zhao Ji.

He had been saving them and had never gotten around to drinking them.

Zhao Chi was suddenly overcome with emotion.

Zhao Ji had been dead for many days, yet he was still reaping the benefits.

And Zhao Ji was just an Ordinary noble.

Now, the Alien Race had all the nobles surrounded, slowly devouring them.

He couldn’t imagine how many Supplies the Alien Race would acquire.

It had to be worth trillions, at the very least.

If they managed to seize the nobles’ assets, the Alien Race would grow terrifyingly powerful.

’How did things get to this point?’

"My Lord, are you spacing out again?"

Gu Qing’s gentle voice pulled Zhao Chi back from his thoughts.

"Mm... so I should take these two bottles of wine?"

"Yes, it’s a send-off drink. Strong liquor would normally be more appropriate, but this is all we have. It’s fine, though. As long as you’re the one bringing it, that Xiao Ning would be overjoyed even if it were a bottle of vinegar."

"Alright, I’m heading out then."

"Not so fast," Gu Qing said, stopping him. "This time, just give her the wine and leave immediately. Don’t stay. Besides, the battle is about to start, so she probably won’t force you to stay."

"I don’t need to say a few words?"

"No! Go in, give her the wine, and leave. Just give her a glimpse, and she’ll be thinking about you nonstop. When it’s time to connect to her territory, she’ll be practically bursting with anticipation."

Zhao Chi said admiringly, "That’s Gu Qing for you. If you were my enemy, I wouldn’t have a clue how to deal with you."

"You could just deal with me harshly in bed~ With your Ability, it would be easy for you," Gu Qing giggled, covering her mouth.

Beside them, Tang Ruan and Qi Yue smiled but said nothing.

Gu Qing had been a bad influence on them both.

"Alright... I’m off."

"Be careful. Go on, and hurry back," Gu Qing said with a wave.

Tang Ruan and Qi Yue waved as well.

He teleported to the Great World.

It was morning, and the rising sun was dazzling.

Golden light spilled across the path, transforming the dirt road into one of pure light.

There were very few people in the village.

Even the patrols were sparse.

The Alien Race Soldiers who usually stood guard were gone, too. He had no idea where they went.

He arrived outside Xiao Ning’s courtyard.

Only four Soldiers stood guard here—far fewer than before.

The Soldiers looked at Zhao Chi with disgust when they saw him, but none of them stopped him.

He stepped into the courtyard, but before he could enter the house, a mandatory broadcast suddenly echoed in his ears.

[I am Muchang Ning.]

[Why haven’t some of you paid the teleportation fee yet? Is it that much money?]

[If you can’t even afford a fee this small, then you shouldn’t be a Lord! Just hand over your territory to someone else. There are plenty of people who would kill to be a Lord!]

[Stop dragging your feet! Do you think you’re worthy of the experts from our Holy Race? They work their fingers to the bone to support you, and you can’t even be bothered to pay a small fee?]

[Pay up within ten minutes. I’d like to see who dares to ignore my command!]

Her voice was very loud.

Zhao Chi not only heard her mandatory broadcast through the system, but also heard her voice coming from inside the house.

Zhao Chi knocked lightly on the door.

RATTLE. The door slid open.

An Alien Race Soldier opened the door.

He glanced up and saw the room was full of people.

Xiao Ning was seated at the head of the room, with Iwagaki still standing beside her.

Gu Ting and seven other Lords were seated in chairs to the side.

It looked like they were in a meeting.

Zhao Chi hadn’t expected so many people to be there and was stunned for a moment.

He quickly composed himself, however.

’This is a good opportunity.’

He had been worrying about how he would manage to leave, since Xiao Ning had forced him to stay the last two times.

This was perfect. He could use the meeting as an excuse not to bother them and make a natural exit.

"You again? What are you doing here?"

Iwagaki’s brow furrowed as he glared at Zhao Chi with disgust.

The other Alien Race Lords either ignored Zhao Chi or regarded him with hostility; none of them had a good impression of him.

Only Xiao Ning exclaimed in delight, "Ah, Zhao Chi! Come in."

Zhao Chi strode inside.

"Xiao Ning, I came to bring you a send-off drink. I didn’t realize you were in a meeting. I really didn’t mean to interrupt."

"If you know that, then get lost!" Iwagaki snapped at Zhao Chi.

"Iwagaki, he’s one of us," Xiao Ning said, defending Zhao Chi.

Iwagaki snorted. "Bringing wine? For all we know, he’s poisoned it."

Zhao Chi was genuinely speechless.

He ignored Iwagaki and placed the wine on the table beside Xiao Ning.

Then, he flashed Xiao Ning a roguish smile.

It was an incredibly cheesy smile.

If Zhao Chi were to see it in a mirror, he’d probably make himself sick.

But now, with the powerful buff from his 10 points in Appearance, everything was different.

That cheesy smile hit Xiao Ning’s heart like a nuclear bomb.

Judging by the look in her eyes, Zhao Chi felt he might have gone a little too far.

So he quickly made his excuses to leave.

Sure enough, Xiao Ning stopped him. "Zhao Chi, wait. Don’t participate in the upcoming battle. It’s too risky. Just come straight to my territory."

Zhao Chi quickly replied, "This is my last battle. Let me see it through."

Xiao Ning shook her head. "No. We’re the attacking side this time. The enemy’s Array will pull us into another dimension, and they’ll be the ones choosing their opponents. Your Power is too low. What if..."

Iwagaki immediately stepped closer and said in a low voice, "Lady Muchang, everyone is watching."

All the nearby Alien Race Lords were indeed looking their way.

Zhao Chi seized the opportunity. "Trust me. I can win."

Xiao Ning sighed. "Fine. But you come straight to me after this battle is over. I’ll sell off your Female Soldiers and your Female Hero. I won’t take a single coin—it’s all yours. And then I’ll let you command my army."

Iwagaki said, displeased, "Let him command your army?"

Xiao Ning smiled. "It’s fine. We have plenty of prisoners. If our Soldiers die, we can just conscript a new batch."

Iwagaki frowned. "I don’t care about the lives of the Soldiers. I just don’t think he’s fit to command."

Seeing the two of them beginning to argue, Zhao Chi hurriedly took his leave.

After a moment’s hesitation, Xiao Ning agreed. "Alright. See you in a bit."

"Mm, see you in a bit." Zhao Chi left quickly.