Chapter 56

"Seems a bit against the rules, doesn't it?"

Zhao Zhu was now kneeling on the ground, his hands supporting him, sweat streaming down his face, and he spoke with a tone of不甘 (reluctance).

"Rules? The group only forbids using social power to deal with people in the group, but it doesn't stop me from taking action myself. What I'm doing doesn't violate the rules, and it won't attract the attention of the group owner or the moderators."

Chen Hong seemed indifferent, but a cold expression began to form on her face.

"That thing is useless in your hands. Hand it over. Actually, I don't want to ruin our friendship over this."

"Ha, friendship? F*ck your friendship," Zhao Zhu spat out without hesitation.

"You're too naive. We had some friendship and connections, but they were all settled when you paid me 500 points. I've never personally killed someone in the group before. Hurry up, hand over that thing, and everyone will be happy, right?"

"How long did it take you to get here?" Zhao Zhu suddenly asked. "From the time I told you my location until now."

"About... half an hour. What's your point?" Chen Hong countered.

"So, you thought I would just lie in bed waiting for you for half an hour?"

Zhao Zhu snorted, his muscles bursting with all their strength, and he slowly stood up again. The joints in his body made a series of crisp sounds, likely due to the immense pressure he was under.

"You enhanced your body?" Chen Hong nodded. "Unfortunately, my formation can increase the pressure by another fold. You won't be able to withstand it."

"Don't misunderstand. I was just feeling my own strength," Zhao Zhu shook his head.

"Then what?"

"Then it's our turn."

At that moment, the bathroom door opened, and Zhu Jianping and Xiong Zhiqi walked out. Xiong Zhiqi looked visibly tired, which was understandable after being woken up from a deep sleep and rushing to the hotel. In contrast, Zhu Jianping seemed more energetic. Xiong Zhiqi couldn't help but think to himself, "Pervert." Indeed, Zhu Jianping had participated in a double feature and still looked so lively, truly a sex fiend.

Seeing Zhu Jianping and Xiong Zhiqi suddenly appear, Chen Hong's expression changed, becoming more serious. If it were just Zhao Zhu, she was confident she could handle the situation. However, Xiong Zhiqi was a veteran who had experienced a similar number of mission worlds and had gone through the most terrifying group missions. Chen Hong knew Xiong Zhiqi had many more cards up his sleeve. Moreover, Zhu Jianping was a well-known madman in the group who had experienced seven mission worlds. With these two here to support Zhao Zhu, the situation was completely overturned.

"Fatso, break the formation first," Zhu Jianping extended his hands, pointing at Chen Hong, and began to chant.

Chen Hong was struck as if by an electric shock, unable to stand steady, swaying as if she were asleep. Clearly, under Zhu Jianping's full mental attack, she had little resistance. This was a difference in strength and realm.

Xiong Zhiqi's hands turned bright red, like two hot irons, and he reached out in front of Zhao Zhu. The air in front of Zhao Zhu seemed to evaporate, and the spatial perspective began to distort.

"What are you waiting for? Come out!" Xiong Zhiqi shouted at Zhao Zhu.

Zhao Zhu walked toward the spot where Xiong Zhiqi had torn open the formation, feeling a sudden sense of relief, almost stumbling and falling to the ground. Fortunately, he managed to steady himself by holding onto the wall.

On the other side, Chen Hong was completely under Zhu Jianping's control, kneeling on the ground as if paying homage to her master, a favorite pastime of Zhu Jianping.

"Hehe, she's a user of talismans and formations. It's a pity. If she had set up a protective formation for herself or a mental defense formation here, it would have been much more difficult to deal with her. But she was too careless, or perhaps she looked down on you, Zhao Zhu. She came to you without any equipment, only bringing some formation stones for temporary use. She clearly didn't take you seriously."

"I'm just a newbie. Why should I be taken seriously?" Zhao Zhu replied.

"Tsk, Zhao, why did you have to learn from the fatso's act of pretending to be weak? I noticed that your strength has increased by five to six times. Did you exchange for a barbarian or wildman physique instead of a mental one? If you had suddenly attacked just now, you might have had a chance to fight her," Zhu Jianping said straightforwardly.

Xiong Zhiqi picked up all the formation stones from the ground and looked at Zhao Zhu, asking, "Brother Zhao, did you get that thing she mentioned?"

"I really didn't. I was only focused on getting the mission item from the zombie's mouth. Yan Xing and I were separated by over a hundred zombies. I got the mission item and was immediately teleported out. I didn't have time to listen to his last words or take his belongings. By the way, someone came to see me in the evening and asked about this."

"Oh, someone else? Who was it?" Xiong Zhiqi asked.

"A man, around thirty, with a female driver who is also in the group."

"Oh, it's him," Xiong Zhiqi realized.

"Didn't you just say something obvious?" Zhao Zhu looked at Xiong Zhiqi.

"Oh, if he believes you don't have that thing, then you probably don't. His name is Zou Mengxuan, and his group ID is 'I am the Senior.' His habit is to have a group member as his servant. If that servant dies in a mission, he finds a new one. He has experienced more horror web novel mission worlds than some of the moderators, making him a rather transcendent existence. I didn't expect him to come to SZ specifically to see you. He usually lives in Dali."

"It seems there are quite a few perverts in the group."

Zhao Zhu went to get a glass of water. Zhu Wanqi was still sleeping in bed, covered by a blanket, so there was no need to worry about her being exposed. Zhu Jianping had already given her a sleep therapy to ensure she had a good night's rest and wouldn't wake up suddenly.

"Hey, don't just chat. What do we do with this girl?" Zhu Jianping reached out and touched Chen Hong's chest, but unfortunately, she was flat-chested, and he quickly lost interest. Zhu Jianping preferred fuller women.

"Ask Brother Zhao," Xiong Zhiqi shrugged.

At that moment, Chen Hong's phone rang. Zhu Jianping took it out. "Tsk, the guy behind the scenes is calling. Zhao Hejing, that name sounds familiar. Fatso, do you remember him?"

"Zhao Hejing? Isn't he the kingpin in the northeast and a significant figure in the group?" Xiong Zhiqi had a good memory and intelligence.

"Chen Hong is from Liaoning, so it's likely he sent her," Zhao Zhu said.

"Alright, Zhao, you take the call," Zhu Jianping tossed the phone to Zhao Zhu. "It's fine if you don't answer; just break it if you want."

Zhao Zhu didn't hesitate and pressed the answer button.

"Hello," Zhao Zhu spoke first.

Hearing a man's voice, Zhao Hejing immediately knew Chen Hong had failed. He chuckled and tapped his pipe.

"Is the thing really in your hands?"

Zhao Hejing didn't ask Chen Hong but directly asked about the thing, clearly valuing it greatly.

"It's really not," Zhao Zhu replied.

"Oh, if it's not, then that's fine. Send Chen Hong back," Zhao Hejing said matter-of-factly, as if he had sent Chen Hong to have tea with Zhao Zhu.

"Sure, no problem."

"Thud... thud... thud... thud... thud..."

A series of sharp sounds and the splatter of blood followed.

Zhao Hejing on the other end of the line fell silent, knowing exactly what it meant. His face twitched slightly.

Zhao Zhu threw the military knife to the side, panting slightly, and said into the phone:

"She'll be back soon. I'll have someone transport the body back to you."