Chapter 12: Catching the Big Fish

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In his previous life, Li Ye had already heard the name of this Chief of Staff of the Dongming War Zone. It was said that the plan for the Fallen God Xiangliu to leave the Jiangning area was entirely devised by him. Afterwards, he established a vast power base centered on the Dongming War Zone, rivaling even the united noble houses of Youdu. Yet now, Li Ye was not afraid of him. The old fox Shen, who had once wielded immense influence in the Chinese faction, was now nothing more than an ordinary man ignorant of the apocalypse. In this era, information and knowledge were neither freely accessible nor cheap. What he was doing was completely justified. Fortunately, the hot-tempered legion commander rumored to be part of the Dongming War Zone was not present; otherwise, the cooperation might not have proceeded smoothly.

“Chief Shen, please don’t be hasty. I’m here to discuss cooperation with the Dongming War Zone.”

Shen Zhihong showed a look of surprise, the harshness in his eyes slowly fading.

“You’re such a capable young man. What news can you bring to our military district?”

“The duration of the Red Mist, methods for preserving food, and even… ways for humans to transcend!”

This statement stirred a great commotion in the command office.

“Impossible! He must be lying! Our military’s professional research teams can’t even figure out the Red Mist, and he claims to know?”

“Preserving food? What nonsense! If you really know, I’ll take off this uniform for you!”

“Chief of Staff, don’t trust this kid. What he says sounds no different from a scammer.”

“He’s probably a habitual offender, now trying to swindle our war zone.”

“Guards! Seize this little thief!”

Li Ye paid no mind to these brainless officers, fixing his gaze solely on Shen Zhihong.

The door opened, and two guards rushed in, moving to grab Li Ye and escort him out.

Li Ye shook his head in disappointment, inwardly lamenting: ‘I thought there’d be at least one intelligent person in the Dongming War Zone. Seems like the old fox Shen was all talk in his past life.’

Just as he was about to demonstrate his power, Shen Zhihong, who had been frowning in thought, finally looked up and stopped the guards.

“Hold on. Let this young man finish speaking. I refuse to believe there are fools who would come here at such a time to deceive the military district.”

The two guards immediately released him, as if dropping a hot potato.

At that moment, a faint but searing heat seemed to radiate from the young man’s body where they had held him. The sensation appeared and vanished so quickly that they couldn’t be sure if it was real or a hallucination.

“So it’s true—this Dongming War Zone is full of generals, but only Chief Shen has a brain.”

Seeing Shen Zhihong’s satisfied expression after hearing this, the soldiers could only endure Li Ye’s ridicule in silence.

“Alright, enough flattery. How do you prove what you say? And what are your demands?”

Li Ye smiled, pleased that matters were unfolding as he had anticipated.

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Active use of supernatural abilities and passive use produce entirely different effects.

“Of course. Now, everyone, bear witness… to a miracle!”

Li Ye swung his right arm vigorously, and the sunlight throughout the command post seemed to dance at his command. The previously dim room was suddenly illuminated with streaks of daylight like meteors. The thick Red Mist, overwhelmed by the intense, almost tangible light, was gradually driven out.

For a brief moment, the Red Mist vanished from the entire command office!

A gentle glow brushed over everyone present.

The officers who had been waiting for Li Ye to embarrass himself were now dumbfounded, lips trembling, unable to utter a word. Some even extended their arms, trying to touch the shimmering light before their eyes.

“How is this possible? What did he do?”

“This really is a miracle…”

“How did he manage it?”

If only clearing the Red Mist were as easy as a wave of his hand.

But the truth was that the Red Mist was as stubborn as a bone parasite. Whether through ventilation, heating the air, or dispersing chemical agents, nothing worked against it. All their attempts had been as futile as ants trying to move an elephant.

Yet now, a miracle had occurred.

Even Shen Zhihong stared at the familiar yet strange office in shock.

Everyone present basked in the rare sense of openness.

They were delighted to see this, but Li Ye’s face flushed red. Soon, his right arm drooped weakly, and the Red Mist that had been repelled outside suddenly surged back inside. The entire office was once again shrouded in its dim, bloody fog.

Shen Zhihong’s breathing quickened, and he spoke bluntly:

“State your demands!”

The once scolding officers fell silent, watching Li Ye like spectators observing a divine being.

Li Ye shook his arm calmly and said:

“These aren’t demands. This will be a win-win cooperation.

“I want you to relinquish command of your troops, letting them join me on the fifth day of the apocalypse to clear out some of the mutants.”

Hearing such an absurd request, someone opened their mouth to protest, but Li Ye’s gaze immediately stopped them.

“Don’t rush. The key to human transcendence lies in the brains of those mutants.

“Don’t you want to… gain the kind of transcendence you just witnessed?”

Li Ye’s words sounded like a devil’s whisper, awakening a deep desire within them.

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They had all heard about the terrifying power of the monster on the university city side, which had once filled them with dread and paranoia. They had believed humanity was confined to their own territory, but now this strange young man told them they could also obtain such transcendent power. Who wouldn’t be tempted?

In the apocalypse, unequal access to information was the deadliest.

Li Ye had thus grasped the desire of the war zone’s leaders to transcend.

Only Chief Shen remained calm, lifting his now lukewarm teacup. Unlike before, when he sipped lightly, he now raised his head and drank it all in one gulp.

“When can we witness others’ transcendence at the earliest?”

The fish had taken the bait.

Li Ye revealed his white teeth in a bright smile.

“After we clear those mutants and acquire a large amount of blood crystal marrow, I guarantee you’ll have a satisfactory answer by the next day.”

Chief Shen furrowed his brows in thought.

Li Ye was in no hurry. Now that the big fish was hooked, there was no need to rush or pull too hard. Letting the line out a bit and playing with the fish was the way forward.

“Chief Shen, no need to rush. I’ll come again tomorrow to await your reply. How does that sound?”

“But I worry that by tomorrow, the food in your Dongming War Zone’s granaries will be spoiled, and that would pain me greatly.”

Playing with the fish was not done carelessly; it required preventing the hook from slipping, controlling the fish’s swimming direction, and exhausting its strength.

Li Ye continued to wear his bright smile, remaining silent as he awaited Shen Zhihong’s response.

A few restless senior officers approached Shen Zhihong, whispering among themselves. The murmurs grew louder until Shen knocked on the table.

Fixing his eyes sternly on the young man in the coat, he spoke with measured authority:

“You should understand the consequences of angering an entire war zone.”

Li Ye nodded sincerely, feigning fear.

“I wouldn’t dare, Chief Shen. Please don’t flatter me.”

Seeing Li Ye’s softened attitude, Shen Zhihong’s expression relaxed.

“On behalf of the Dongming War Zone, I agree to cooperate with you.”

The corners of Li Ye’s mouth stretched wide, his once honest smile instantly turning sly.

The cunning strategist slowly reeled in his line, finally landing the big fish in his net.