Super Gene Hunting Ground

”Eh, Brother Zhao, why haven’t you left yet?”

”Brother Yang, if I didn’t run into you today, I was planning to leave. Today happens to be the third day. I’ve been strolling around Wentian City these past few days, hoping to bump into you again. I didn’t expect to really encounter you, seems like my luck is quite good,” Zhao Benling said with a smile.

”Ah, Brother Zhao, is there something you want to see me for?”

Zhao Benling paused for a moment, then said:

”Brother Yang, about the matter I mentioned a few days ago, having you set up a base in Wuji Mountain, when will you go?”

Yang Xiao said with a smile:

”Brother Zhao, you are really a straightforward person. If you are willing, you could go back to East City and help me establish the base’s teleportation passage, and I can immediately send people over.”

”Fine, there is a small town called Mushroom Town at the foot of Wuji Mountain, with a population of four or five hundred. I will go back and promptly get Mushroom Town to open a teleportation passage to Nanmu City in Kongming.”

”Good, then I must thank Brother Zhao.”

”Hehe, we are brothers, no need to be so courteous. In fact, let’s be frank—I’m a straight shooter and don’t like beating around the bush. I’m letting you enter Wuji Mountain, of course, because I have my own reasons too.”

Yang Xiao smiled and said:

”Does Brother Zhao wish for me and Du Tianxing to enter Wuji Mountain, to help you contain Gu Beifeng, so that if he wants to annex Eastern Province in the future, he’ll have to be wary?”

Zhao Benling nodded his head:

”Brother Yang, you indeed see things clearly. This is indeed a bit of my own scheme; I hope Brother Yang can lend me a hand.”

Zhao Benling immediately took Yang Xiao to a secluded place near the Wentian City International Hotel square and briefly explained his situation of being under Gu Beifeng’s control.

Zhao Benling had met Gu Beifeng during training in Magic City, and they had both established teleportation passages. Gu Beifeng had long been interested in the resources of Mutated Creatures in the Primitive Forest of Wuji Mountain.

At that time, most areas in Xuanming District were affected by the cold winter, with scarce resources of Mutated Creatures on land, but Eastern Province was different.

Even during the winters when the mountains were sealed off, the Mutant Monsters of Wuji Mountain were very active, because the winters here were always cold, and the mountain’s Mutated Creatures were already accustomed to the severe cold, which was different from the Central Plains, Southern region, and other areas of Xuanming District.

Gu Beifeng had gone to Eastern Province several times in person, had conducted field research in Wuji Mountain, Changling, and other Primitive Forests, and convinced Zhao Benling to give up a base in a small town under the mountain to him.

Initially, Gu Beifeng’s people were quite honest, but after the dissolution of the City Alliance in Xuanming District, Gu Beifeng expanded aggressively in Wuji Mountain without any restraint, successively annexing dozens of bases under the mountain, taking over two-thirds of the area of Wuji Mountain.

Later on, even Zhao Benling’s people had to ask for permission to hunt in Wuji Mountain within the territory controlled by Gu Beifeng.

Zhao Benling knew he had introduced a wolf into the house, but as his strength was inferior to Gu Beifeng’s, he had to put up with it. Fortunately, the resources of the Primitive Forest in Eastern Province were abundant, and he didn’t have to compete with Gu Beifeng for Wuji Mountain.

”Brother Yang, I can let go of Wuji Mountain; it’s no problem even to give it to Gu Beifeng. But people’s greed is endless, like a snake wanting to swallow an elephant. Recently, he has shown interest in the Changling Region as well, sending people there several times for hunting trips. Sigh, I have my own difficulties, furious yet dared not speak out,” Zhao Benling said, full of grievances.

Yang Xiao patted Zhao Benling’s shoulder and said:

”Brother Zhao, have you thought about it—if Gu Beifeng, Du Tian, and I all enter Wuji Mountain, and if our three forces joined hands, would you still have your Eastern Province?”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Benling’s body shook like he had been electrocuted, and he looked at Yang Xiao with a face full of shock and fear.

He had also considered this possibility, but in the end, he made the decision, taking a bold gamble. Now that Yang Xiao had pointed it out, naturally, he was extremely anxious inside.

Seeing Zhao Benling’s frightened expression, Yang Xiao chuckled and said:

”If it were in the past, I might indeed have joined hands with Gu Beifeng and Du Tianxing to annex your Eastern Province, but not now. Rest assured, I am not on the same boat as those two.”

After hearing this, Zhao Benling immediately grinned and laughed, saying:

”I knew I didn’t misjudge Brother Yang.”

”Moreover, Gu Beifeng and Du Tianxing themselves have conflicts. With Gu Beifeng dominating the North, he is naturally extremely wary of Du Tianxing meddling in the territories of the North. So, they will not truly join forces. However,”

Yang Xiao hesitated at this point and looked at Zhao Benling.

”Brother Yang, what do you mean ’however’?”

”However, the two of them are quite wary of me now, so it’s not out of the question that they would join forces against me. Of course, if I get squeezed out of Wuji Mountain by them, your own territory will likely be next. The two of them are like wolves; despite their conflicts, they could still join forces to snatch your Eastern Province and then divide the spoils between them...”

Upon hearing Yang Xiao’s words, Zhao Benling’s face changed unpredictably, and his body even trembled slightly.

In the end, Zhao Benling sighed deeply and said:

”I also know that in this apocalyptic world, the victors reign while the defeated become outlaws. If that day does come, it would just be my fate.”

His words revealed a sense of helplessness and sorrow.

”I have a plan that could help Brother Zhao temporarily survive this crisis and at least keep you worry-free for a number of years.”

”Really, Brother Yang? What strategy do you have? I’ll listen to you.”

Zhao Benling suddenly grabbed Yang Xiao’s hand, a bit excited.

”Cough, Brother Zhao, don’t be agitated just yet. Listen first, then decide.”

”Alright, Brother Yang, you say it, I’m listening.”

Zhao Benling was like a drowning man who suddenly saw a piece of wood floating in the water, his eyes showing a glimmer of hope.

He had thought about the future of the Eastern Province before, but as long as Gu Beifeng was in Wuji Mountain, it was inevitable that his fate was to be annexed sooner or later. Bringing in Yang Xiao and Du Tianxing was an act of desperation.

Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of an ox; no one wanted to be swallowed up by another. Moreover, once he was swallowed by Gu Beifeng, it was very likely that Gu Beifeng would kill him to eliminate future troubles. This was his greatest worry.

Yang Xiao nodded and said:

”When I return this time, if everything goes smoothly, I will immediately subjugate Li Jiachen’s territory of Eastern Province, as well as the entire North City, followed by Luoying City. Once I have control over four provinces, I will be the third strongest force, only second to Gu Beifeng and Du Tianxing. The only way for you to preserve your Eastern Province is to form an alliance with me.”

”Alliance?”

Zhao Benling’s eyes lit up.

”Yes, if you trust me, I can be your backup. At least Du Tianxing wouldn’t dare to join hands with Gu Beifeng to annex you. If he risks attacking you, I can send troops from Luoying City to attack his lair. Gu Beifeng alone would definitely not dare to challenge both of us at the same time. The question is, do you dare to trust me and take a gamble?”

”What’s there not to dare? Yang Xiao, you have to respect me. Let’s swear brotherhood, how about that?”

Zhao Benling said, thumping his chest resoundingly.

(Getting up at five, finished typing this chapter, hehe, see you tomorrow!)