Chapter 255: 255, Cooperation leads to win-win

Crimson thorny vines snarled in terrifying fury, their barbs gleaming like blades. The Shenji Camp’s nanotech warriors, bolstered by the strength of their microscopic machines, tore through the monstrous flora, yet each severed tendril reformed instantly, its sharp spines driving deep into their flesh, siphoning every drop of blood.

Yet what chilled the soul most was the endlessness—the relentless, unyielding tide, as if the vines stretched into eternity.

The private soldiers who followed dared not approach. At the sight of the thorns, they stumbled backward, some crashing into the snow.

Only Ren Xiaosu understood—the vines’ power was not as boundless as it seemed. Though they drained the officers’ strength, their branches had limits.

A single thorny vine had already been torn apart entirely.

But Ren Xiaosu, cautious by nature, had planted four seeds in the same spot.

The Shenji officers felt their vitality ebbing. They bellowed at the private soldiers, “Come save me!”

Yet the mob had no time to flee, let alone help.

Ren Xiaosu exhaled in relief. His fear had been that someone would rush to their aid.

After all, even four thorny vines could not withstand a thousand men tearing at them.

The officers had never aided the private soldiers, so now, seeing them perish, the crowd merely watched, some even smirking in grim satisfaction.

Ren Xiaosu lingered in the shadows, observing. This trial had tested the vines’ might—he believed a single nanotech warrior could defeat them.

Though immobile, the vines were traps, and a single coin could claim a warrior. The cost was justified.

Yet he wondered: did Li’s faction harbor even mightier nanotech warriors?

Yes, surely.

Their ranks were low, so Li’s faction must have stronger ones.

Suddenly, Ren Xiaosu called out in the crowd, “Run! Hide in the camp!”

His voice was quiet, yet it carried a spell, spurring everyone to flee as if sanctuary lay within the camp.

Ren Xiaosu did not linger. By nightfall, he had time to harvest the nanomachines—no need to rush, lest he expose himself.

The GPS and satellite phone, carried by the Shenji officers, would be seized alongside the machines, delivered to Tang Zhou.

Back in the tent, Li Qingzhen, still shaken, asked, “Xiaosu, what *were* those things? They terrified me!”

Ren Xiaosu panted, “Yes, they nearly killed me!”

“Do you think the Shenji officers survived?” Li Qingzhen inquired.

“Doubtful. When I escaped, I glanced back—they’d lost much strength, couldn’t break free.” A teammate replied.

Yet no one truly cared if the officers lived.

Most hoped they died, for their survival would bring blame.

The camp became a flock of ostriches, heads buried in sand. That night, reinforced soldiers patrolled the tents, demanding confessions.

They entered Ren Xiaosu’s tent, warning, “The Shenji officers chased the hare too fast—we couldn’t catch up. By the time we arrived, it was too late.”

Fearful of Li’s wrath, they staged a grand cover-up, nearly a thousand strong.

They added, “Speak, and none shall fare well. Be wise—stay silent!”

Ren Xiaosu almost thanked them.

The Shenji officer who knew his identity was dead; these soldiers knew nothing, or they’d never dare threaten him.

That night, Ren Xiaosu secretly visited the Shenji soldiers’ death site. The nanomachines harvested surpassed expectations—five bodies yielded enough for two armored exosuits.

Indeed, the Shenji regulars were no match for Lin Qi’s cannon fodder.

Ren Xiaosu took the satellite phone northward. Tang Zhou awaited him.

“I’ve contacted your command,” Ren Xiaosu said. “Speak only of the Shenji—mention me not. If the Qingshi have Li’s spies, I’m doomed!”

“Understood,” Tang Zhou nodded eagerly. “I’ll protect your secrets. A spy’s worth is known to me.”

Ren Xiaosu frowned—when had he become a Qingshi spy?

He added, “Tell your command: spare the Shenji. Our alliance ends otherwise.”

Alone, he couldn’t defeat the Shenji’s thousand-strong force. To claim more nanotech warriors, he needed Qingshi’s aid to crush them entirely.

This was their pact’s purpose. Whether they’d cooperate again depended on Qingshi’s loyalty.

Tang Zhou hesitated. “You know I’m exiled. Qing Yun may not heed me. Killing all Shenji would be a mighty feat—his chance to rise in the military.”

“What if we deceive him?” Ren Xiaosu asked. “Say the Shenji numbered only a hundred?”

Tang Zhou shook his head. “That’d doom our soldiers. Innocent lives—if Boss Luo and Commander Qing Ziran learned, they’d flay me.”

Ren Xiaosu mused, “Then tell me where the Shenji fell.”

Tang Zhou blinked. “Why?”

After a pause, Ren Xiaosu said, “Comrades in arms—I wish to mourn them.”

Tang Zhou: “???”

Send the comrades first, then mourn? What sorcery was this?

Tang Zhou believed not a word—he wasn’t foolish!