Chen Xiao rubbed his chin."So you're saying the winner of the National Fortune Game isn't an individual—but a team?"
Pei Tianyuan nodded."Exactly. Otherwise, I wouldn't have recruited you in the first place."
That explanation made sense. If the final victor were a single person, Pei Tianyuan would never have approached Chen Xiao—doing so would have been digging his own grave. On this point, there was no reason for him to lie.
Chen Xiao nodded, seemingly satisfied."In that case, I really won't need to take action."
Pei Tianyuan burst out laughing."Of course not. Still, if a real crisis arises, I hope you'll step in—to preserve at least some of Huaxia's combat strength."
Chen Xiao was blunt."What's the price?"
Pei Tianyuan understood Chen Xiao well. This man never moved without profit. He replied calmly,"When you return victorious, your contributions will be converted into military merit."
Chen Xiao raised an eyebrow."Military merit? What use is that to me? I'm not your subordinate."
An Xinning also frowned."You're even letting him exchange merit authority? What is he—your illegitimate son?"
Pei Tianyuan shot her a glare, then chuckled."This is a special exception made just for him. Ordinary people can't trade military merits for the military region's treasures. Trust me—you'll be satisfied when the time comes."
Chen Xiao fell silent for a moment, thinking.This old fox… He was trying to bind Chen Xiao to the military region's interests.
But that didn't matter.As long as the outcome benefited him, the rest was irrelevant.
Chen Xiao walked over to the window. Outside, the capital was swallowed by deep night."Arrange accommodation. I'll stay in the capital for two days."
An Xinning strode up beside him, long legs carrying her forward."You're not going back to Jiangbei?"
Chen Xiao shook his head."I've never stayed in the capital before. I want to see how a megacity is managed."
Of course, that was just an excuse.The real reason was simple—
Tomorrow night was the Blood Moon.
Pei Tianyuan nodded."No problem. Xinning, take Chen Xiao around the capital."
An Xinning nearly jumped up, pointing at herself."Me? There are plenty of people here—anyone could do that. He just needs a tour."
Pei Tianyuan laughed."Chen Xiao just arrived. He only knows the two of us. Am I, the First Executive, supposed to personally escort him?""I still have a mountain of work to finish. Go on, Xinning—treat it as a day off."
An Xinning nearly cursed out loud.
He only knows the two of us?How could he say that with a straight face?
Chen Xiao had met plenty of people—Yuan Qingzheng, the Gate-Carrying Divine General, Zhou Xun, Jia Meng…He just happened to have killed every single one of them.
She glanced at Chen Xiao, rubbed her forehead, and sighed."Come with me."
She turned and walked out. Chen Xiao followed.
Leaving the military region, An Xinning brought him directly to a nearby scientific research district. This area existed solely to protect key researchers—people like Liang Jianyuan, whom Chen Xiao had killed before.
Layer upon layer of intelligent surveillance guarded the district. Under normal circumstances, no outsiders could enter. At night, it was eerily quiet.
Laboratory towers, biological research centers, dormitories, cafeterias, libraries—the facilities were complete. Multiple identity checks controlled every entrance.
With An Xinning leading the way, Chen Xiao passed through without obstruction.
They first entered the cafeteria, which operated 24 hours a day—a courtesy for researchers who worked without fixed schedules.
At this hour, only the two of them were inside.
Chen Xiao ordered three meat dishes without hesitation, clearly intending to eat his fill. An Xinning was paying, after all—he didn't care what currency she used.
To be fair, his activity level today had been extreme: sparring all day, slaughtering Sakura Country Awakened Ones at night.
"Chen Xiao," An Xinning said, sitting across from him and raising a cup of juice,"what you did today was a service to Huaxia. You protected Dachang at its most vulnerable moment. I admire that. Let me toast you."
Chen Xiao swallowed a mouthful of beef and raised his cup with a faint smile."What, have you fallen for me?"
Already used to his provocations, An Xinning drained her cup in one go."I shouldn't be telling you this—but I want to."
"When I was thirteen, I watched my parents die in front of me. From that day on, my life stopped belonging to me. I exist only to carry on the An family's legacy and to strengthen Huaxia."
She looked at him seriously."Do you understand?"
Chen Xiao shook his head."No."
He paused, then added quietly,"Because I've never even seen my parents' faces."
An Xinning looked up, startled."I… I'm sorry."
Chen Xiao spoke slowly, each word clear and unwavering."It's fine."
"I belong only to myself—past, present, and future."
"No one can stop me from doing what I want.""No one can force me to do what I don't want.""No one can touch what I choose to protect.""And no one can shield whoever I decide to kill."
An Xinning hadn't expected such extremity. She looked at him, confused."What if the person you want to kill is someone others desperately want to protect? Don't you think that's cruel?"
Chen Xiao set down his chopsticks.
"As long as it isn't cruel to me," he said calmly,"then it isn't cruel at all."